The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-29
UTAH STOCK GRAzES
ON NATIONAL AREAS
More Than 0ne-FOurth of Total
Feeds Within Boundaries
of Forests.
OFFICIALS INVITE HELP
OF OWNERS OF ANIMALS
Room for More Associations to
Take Advantage of Feed
ing Grounds.
,ial TO The Tribune.

WASHINGTON, Nov 2S.-Reports
on the national forest business for last
year show that 4149 cattle and horse
permits, and 1888 sheep permits were
issued allowing the grazing of lls,O5o
head of cattle, 6799 horses and 905 ,i46
sheep in Utah
Accepting the last yearbook issued
by the department of agriculture as an
authority, this means that nearly 20
per cent of all the cattle, over D per
cent of all the horses and mules. and
% per cent of all the sheep owned III
Utah on January l 1909, were provided
with range upon the national forests of
this state during the period mentioned.
In connection with these privileges,
other special uses of government land
we're allowed where such privileges
were essential 10 proper control of the
stock, such as the Inclosuro of limited
areas of land for pastures, the build
ing of cabins, drift and division fences,
corrals, excavation of stock tanks and
construction of reservoirs. Twcnty-siX
such permits were issued during the
year covering 2565 acres Of land, and
three and one-fourth miles of right of
way. Tho total number in effect is
forty-eight. the area involved being
eleven miles. OF these permits thirty
five were issued on the basis of a nom
NAL rental for the use of the land, the
remaining thirteen without charge.
Use of Manti Forest.
forest is more complete and intensive
than in any other national forest in.thc
United States, and it is typical of the
Utah forests. Consequently, the cx-
perImcntal work has been largely con
fined TO this forest. During the year
a complete botanical survey was made,
every plant being collected, classified
and analyZed to determine its proper
ties and its value. Areas containing
poisonous plants were mapped and pc
riods during which they could he used
in safety were determined. Expert.
mental areas were rcsecdcd with native
and introduced plants preliminary to
beginning work on large scale, and
considerable valuable data secured. This
work is of equal value TO other sections
of Utah and its effect Will eventually
be far reaching
As Il side Issue the forest officers
killed eight bear; one mountain lion,
331 coyotes and twenty-five wildcats.
This. number, while not large, means a
considerable reduction in the amount
Of stock destroyed by such animals, and
helps compensate the stock owner for
the fees paid by him.
Room for More
AZ present seven associations OF
stock growers are cooperating with tho
forest service in its administration of
the forests as il affects their interests
but there is room for many more The
forest service needs the experience and
advice Of the stockmen TO enable IL tC
secure the best results from the govern
ment S timber lands, and il encoura pes
such organizations, Recognition will be
granted TO any organi Zation whose mem
bershlp constitutes majority of the
users Of a forest or district, and this
recognition entities the association tC
notice of proposed action and the right
to be heard in reference to increases ol
decreases in the number of stock tc
be allowed the following season, divis
IONS of the range between different
classes of stock or its owners, or special
rules to meet local conditions Tho
recommendation of an advisory board
representing an association which has
secured recognition. will be accepted il
all cases where the rights of non mem
bers or of other established interest!
will permit of such action, subject, OF
course, TO the regulations prescribed by
lut VI UlS UlSdus
that large degree of local administra
ton follows the organization of an as
soclation, and as matter of business
the Stockmen of this state should take
advantage of the opportunity to the full
est extent.
Watersheds Are Protected.
Few outside of the interested stock
growers are aware of what has beer
zl1al oh 10 Lat
and control within a very few years
The dwellers in certain towns and the
rancbcrs in certain communities know
that the watersheds upon which they
are dependent have been protected by
the proper regulation of grazing, Tho
stockmeu know that the number OF
stock allowed has been reduced TO tho
actual carrying capacity of the range
but not below it; that tho ranges have
been equitably divided between the diff
ferent classes of stock, and the owners
that the small rancher remote from mar
ket centers who must dispose Of hi:
crop and gain his livelihood by rails
ing and feeding cattle is provided witt
n range adequate to his needs; while al
the same time full consideration Is giver
60 prior use of the range, by the stock
growers who winter their stock on the
deserts Extensive Investigations aro
being conducted for the purpose of i'm
proving ranges by artificial and natura
reseeding; to discover means of eradi
eating poisonous plants, or TO prevent
loss of stock. Forest officers are as
signed to the work of destroying pred
atory animals in localities where tn,
loss of stock warrants such work. Range
improvements are conducted wherever
required to facilitate the handling OF
livestock or to protect forest interests
All of this work has tended toward {
solution of Utah s chief grazing prob
lem, and toward the advancement OF
the interests Of every stock grower IL
the state.
Price of Meat Advances