The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1908-10-15
$4,000 SHEEP ON RESERVE.
Forester Potter Makes Report, Sheepmen
Ask More Time to Consider.

After spending several weeks in
the Verde forest reserve, accom-
panied by representatives of the
IONA Cattle Raisers' associations and
Representatives of the reclama tiOn
service, A. F. Potter, assistant for
ester in charge of grazing, announce d
at a joint meeting in the Water
Users office of all the interests ir-
volved that $4,000 sheep and 1886
cattle and horses will be allowed to
Craze on the Verde reserve during
the coming winter.
On the north half of the Verde re-
serve $4,000 sheep and 6, 245 cattle and
horses will be grazed, the details as
to who shall be given permits and
a cas- to be covered and like matters
being left to the officers of the for
estry service.
Potter addressed the joint meeting
for nearly two hours, going into min
ute details, explaining why he had
arrived at his conclusion and outlin-
| ing the boundaries of the restricted
areas as well as those sections on
which stock can be run next winter.
When Potter had concluded, E. S.
Gosney for the sheepmen said that
they were not yet ready to accept as
a whole Potter's findings, asking him
for a conference, which was held at
Hotel Adams. The cattle interests
were asked to hold themselves in
readiness in the event Of a joint con-
ference being necessary.
1--WE came down here" said Cos
ney, with the idea that whatever
action is submitted to us might be
taken back and reported to our con-
stitueuts and expecting that we
might confer to see that no mistakes,
damaging to our interests, have been
made. We feel that we have not
been Consulted as much as we might
have been. The sheep industry does
not propose to trespass on the rights
of Others. We only want our just
dues and have only the kindliest feel
ings for the cattlemen."
Speaking for the cattle interests,
Jack Stewart said that he did not be-
lieve a joint meeting could decide
anything as it would be nothing more
than a rag chewing contest" He
added that the cattle owners were
willing to leave everything to the
forestry service officials, and while
not exactly satisfied by the findings
of Potter, were willing to abide by
the result of his investigation.
Potter begun his elaborate report
by outlining the sections in the north
half of the Verde reserve that are
closed to sheepmen, as well as to de-
termiue in just what section $4,000
sheep shall be Rrazed in that part of
the reserve. He also outlined the
cattle and horse privileges.
In the south half, he said there are
now 6235 head of horses and cattle,
and allowing - acres for each animal
1T aside 27l 800 acres for that class
of stock. He gave the Stockmen the
exclusive use OF enough range fJr
201 head each, and allotted 81, 800
acres tor this purpose.
Ia the south half he said that 23S,-
~ sheep had been brought there for
! grazing the past season. adding that
only 100000 of these had been there
more than one year and entitled to
! b. considered in determining the
number that shou be grazed.
Potter followed this by saying that
only two-thirds of 1874 900 were grazed
entirely on the reserve, and took
from this $4,000 grazed north of
Squaw creek up to the Bald hills,
! leaving 10000. He took from this
p, 900 the government has decided to
pei init on the Prescott reserve, and
the remainder of $1,000 was what had
to be considered.
Potter thought this should be re-
duced 25.000 more because there is
room for only 10000, and then added
that in his opinion this number was
too large except when feed was ex-
CeptiOnally good. He thought no
s1eep should he grazed after April
b in the south and May ID in the
north, and if feed ON the desert was
good as MANY as possible of the co.
900 moved off the reserve, and I'M
earned fees refunded. He estimated
that two and one-half acres was
enough for each sheep.
Speaking for the reclamation
service at the conclusion, Engineer
Parish said the InvtSti ga tion and re-
port WAS at the request of the recla-
nation service, which desires to pro-
tect slopes emptying into watersheds
from being denuded of vegetation by
the sheep. publican.