The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

permanent bridges In the Bitter Root
national forests of Idaho, where $500 $50
oof the 4.552 $50 acres in the preserves are
within what is known as "the panhandle
OF the Gem State" east OF Spokane.
Maj. Frank A Fem, supervisor. has
charge OF the work in this vast forest.
where big game abounds and which is
practically unknown, except to a few
sturdy trappers and woodsmen. It will
require five years to complete the work.
at a total cost Of S5OO.OOO to 100000.
James Stuart. a half-breed Nez Perce
indian. is chief surveyor on the forest.
He has a crew OF red men. members Of
the Nez Perce tribe. They were trained
at Carlisle University or at the govern
ment schools in the Northwest Stuart is
acknowledged to be one Of the best sur
veyors in Idaho. He made the original
survey for the Nez Perce Indian reserva-
tion aud his work was so satisfactory 1t
was ultimately accepted by the United
States government and State and county
officials.
Trails Are Being Cut.
Trails are being cut through the forest
so that the rangers can protect the timber
resources. The main trails are along the
natural water levels Of the Middle Fork
of the Clearwater and Selway rivers TO
the Montana State line. When these have
been built. the work OF constructing the
lateral trails Will begin. These lonesome
mountain paths are the scenes OF labor
20 protect the reserve from fire Lateral
trails will be constructed across divides,
the object being 10 keep on high ground.
TO permit the ranger to obtain an unob-
structed view of his patrol. While the
lateral trails are comparatively ineXpen-
sive, the main paths are often blasted
through the hardest lava rock.
At frequent and accessible points in the
forest comfortable cabins for lonely
rangers will be built. Here the patrol
man win store his provisions. Near at
hand are lookouts, where the range rider
may get view Of the forest for miles
around through binoculars. The ranger.
Ike the city fireman. is always on the
lookout. The faint blue line OF smoke
means a fire. and II foreshadows destruc-
ton Of the forest The rangers have in
structions to start Immediately for the
scene of the blaze as soon as they see 1t.
and in this no consideration is given to
time. distance. or circumstances.
Fires SmnII Inst Year.
Less than 400 acres Of land were burned
over last season, and not more than 1000
feet of timber were destroyed by the
flames. What threatened TO develop into
the most damaging fire OF the season was
snufred by four rangers within four hours
after discovery. The blaze had a start
in Mountain Meadow. and was sighted
by a ranger from his lookout thirty
miles away. Tie guard saw the dull
streak Of smoke. turned his horse in the
direction, as did three others, and an
rived on the scene to assist in extinguish-
ing the flames The forest was patrolled
and protected at cost OF a triie moro
than half a cent an acre during the sea-
son of 1907.
Bachelors are few among the employees
or the Forest Service, for the reason that
after few years in the work the con-
slant loneliness grows on the sturdy fel-
lows and II falls to their lot TO seek
means OF destroying it, The men work
in pairs and threes. In the event of in
jury TO q lone ranger he might perish
before aid could reach him. By working
together. the men are protected The
most dangerous wound to which a ranger
is exposed is the slash of his heavy ak.
used in trimming timber and cutting
trails. The men have a library, main
tained by the Forest Service. and
have access to late novels and magazines.
but prefer the literature on forest culture.
Work from July to October.
The patrolmen and rangers begin their
work in July, and ride the range until
the latter part of October. when SHOWS
begin 90 cover the mountain timber. pro-
tecting II from fires. The greatest danger
OF fire comes from electric storms. which
are frequent in the higher attitudes dur
ing the late summer and early fall months.
Mai. Fem says that campers and travel
ers through the reserve limits are no
longer responsible for forest fires through
carelessness or neglect TO extinguish the
embers on breaking camp
Fifteen thousand sheep and 10000 cattle
roam over the ranges and yet there Is
little grazing land in the reserve. The
stOckmen apply to Mai. Fem for grazing
privileges, and he appOrtiOns the number
10 the men. This Is not done arbitrarily.
as he allows the stockmen to decide the
method of selection. The government aids
the stockmen by furnishing material for
building drift fences 10 confine the stock
TO the proper range The range is natu-
rally divided into winter and summer
grazing areas. but the herds frequently
drift over the range set aside for resting.
In the summer large bands of sheep and
herds Of cattle run over the winter range
IL allowed their freedom. Seed is also
given TO the stOckmen to reseed the range.
Trails VIII Open Ranges.
AS soon as the trails run through the
forest thousands of acres OF natural range
will be accessible. and stockmen viii
have opportunity to use pastures now the
haunts Of elk and deer.
The timber on the reserve is sold under
the supervision Of the forest officers
minimum cutting diameter of twenty
inches at the butt Is generally specified.
and the purchasers are compelled to pile
the brush and leave it for a ranger. who
destroys II. The small and growing trees
are left untouched.
The larger portion of the timber on the
Bitter Root forest can be fioated down
the waterways and marketed with ease.
A survey for railroad has been made
through the Lost Horse Pass. and II the
line Is built down the Selway River and
the Middle Fork OF the Clearwater. not
less than eO.0O0. 10000 feet of merchant
able timber will be Immediately accessible
along the watershed.
Asked to give an estimate OF the timber
In the forest, Maj. Fem replied:
Untold millions of feet are growing on
the wide stretches OF mountain ranges. as
IN the vast area less than one-half per
cent is fitted for agricultural purposes.
Six townships have been surveyed in the
forest. They are in the mineral belts