Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-06-21
Forestry Matters.

Forestry Matters.
Uncle Sam is keeping thorough
oversight of all details affecting pre-
servation of the forests within the
boundaries of the various forest re-
serves. There is little of the forest
reserve territory within the limits of
Amador county, but from the scru-
pulous care exercised over the small
area here, we can obtain fair idea of
the general policy. An agent of the
forest service is stationed at Hams
station, and will remain there through
out the summer season, to look after
the interests of the government. His
duties ATE of two-fold character.
10 keep track of the number of
stock pastured within the reserve is
an important, though perhaps not the
most important, part of his business
lie has to see that those who have per-
mits to Craze do not take more cattle
than their permits call for. The fees
charged will unquestionably have the
effect of reducing the migration of
stock to the mountain ranges. Not
that the ranges we're overstocked In
always been serious question with
cattle men in driving their bands to
the summer ranges in the high sierras.
The season being so short-not averag
ing more than three months-it has
been a. close question whether 1t pays
to drive stock such a long distance
for so brief period; whether it
would not be better to arrange for
pasturage in the valleys. At any rate,
there will be noticeable decrease in
the cattle roaming over the pasture
lands In the eastern section of the
county this year. Several big bands
will be missing. The fee charged by
the government for the privilege of
entering the reserve in the canse of
the decrease.
ing tax, although vital matter from
the stockmen's standpoint, is a small
affair from the governments view
point. 1t this we're all, 1t is doubtful
if the forest reserve plan would be
financially profitable. But the agent
is charged with the regulation of the
disposal of timber within his forest
district. The notion that the creation
of forest reserve stops absolutely
the cutting of timber within the
limits of the district affected is an
entirely mistaken one. 1t simply re-
gulates the cutting of timber, with
the object of perpetuating the timber
supply. Natural forests are benefited
by judicious trimming process. Old
and mature trees can he surrender ed
to the woodman's AK not only without
injury to the forest, but with actual
benefit. Hence, the agents of the
forest servive are empowered to dis
pose of timber within the reserves
under certain conditions. The trees
to be cut must not be less than two
feet in diameter. Dead and falleI
trees may also be disposed of. Fo
the privilege of removing such tim
Der the government charges 81 pc
1000 feet, board measure. This seem
pretty steep charge. 1t is consider
, ably more than private owners hav
been charging for stumpage in Amado
county. We have not heard of an
sales of tim Der on these terms within
the reserve area in Amador county
: But it is reported that the agent re
Gently effected a sale of timber Of
two entire sections in Calavera
county-1240 acres. We understan,
/ the terms of payment are one-thir,
: cash before any timber is cut, and
like payment before the second AM
! third timber crops are entered upon
} Ibis thinning out process is beneficial
} inasmuch as 1t disposes of surplu
material, and makes room for tn
, young timber to attain an adult AM
vigorous growth. Moreover, it will
, readily be seen that the revenue from
the sale of timber, under wise re
strictions, will prove ere long a yer.
material source of income to tn
, government.
Garden hose, lawn sprinkIers, law
mowers, rakes, hoes and spads, il