Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-05-08
GEO. A. BABCoCK,
Many Permanent Improvements Made on
National Forests.

1Ofobtos
Six hundred thousand dollars will be
spent during the fiscal year l90S-l909 fol
the construction of roads, trails, tele
phone lines and other permanent i'm
provements on the National Forests
Congress has appropriated the same
amount for this purpose during the fis'
cal year of 1909-l9l0.
In order that the forest rangers may
cover the large area contained in this
district, it is very necessary that sys-
tenn of trails be constructed along routes
which give the best control of the areas
to be patrolled. In many districts tele'
phone lines have been built between
the Supervisors Office and ranger head
quarters, and to prominent peaks which
are used for lookout stations to observe
fires.
To fight forest fires effectively 1t is OF
the utmost importance that force OF
men be rushed to the fire as soon as pos
sible, as these fires can be controlled
and put out if taken when they are
small, where it would be almost impos-
sible to check them after they had
spread over a large area. For this rea-
son the telephone lines and trail systems
are of vital importance and have played
no small part in the patrol system which
has resulted in the remarkably small
area burned over since the forests have
been under Government supervision.
Among other necessary improvements
provided for, the Service takes up the
matter of the betterment of range con-
ditions. First, by the construction Of
drift fences which are for the purpose Of
keeping stock within the area allotted to
them and save the time of the herders.
Second, by the improving of springs and
watering places. In many sections Of
the west large areas have been of no
value on account of the lack of water
during large portion of the year. BY
the fencing and piping of the springs
and providing adequate storage, the
Service has been able to conserve sup
ply of water which enables these ranges
to be used throughout the season. Third
by the fencing of bog or mire holes. AS
fast as possible, places where the loss of
stock from miring in bog holes has been
heavy are being fenced SO that the cat
tie can not get to them. Fourth, by the
fencing of poisonous areas. In certain
sections of Colorado there is a poison
larkspur which, during the spring sea-
son, will poison stock that Craze on it..
These places are being fenced and the
stock kept away from the areas until the
poisonous season is over, when they are
opened for grazing.
All of the National Forests are divided
into districts which are under the direct
supervision of Forest Ranger who looks
after the timber cutting and grazing
matters and patrols his district to detect
and prevent forest fires. As the Nation
al Forests are located in mountainous
and timbered country and have but few
settlements within their boundaries, it
Is necessary to provide these rangers
with quarters convenient to the districts
over which they have charge. These
quarters consist of small house, q
stable for his saddle horses, a fence en-
closing pasture for his stock, and oc-
casionally, the fencing of small garden
patch and small piece of hay land to
provide fodder for the stock during win
ter.
The Forest Service also co-operates
with the States, counties, and communi-
ties, in the construction of wagon roads,
trails and bridges, which will make &C
cessible bodies Of mature timber, and
otherwise assist in the control and use Of
the Forests.
"a L. L. -.