The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-24
FOREST LANDS
FOR CUL LTNAT|ON

! Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson'S
policy with reference 10 the national
! forests was further outlined
last evening by a +. Pot.
ltcr. chief assistant forester. Mr. Pot
ter was with Secretary Wilson at the
time of his visit TO Ogden
Since then Mr.. Potter has visited the
! district Offices OF the forest service at
San Francisco, Portland and Missoula
/ He returned from the latter place
yesterday and left for Salt Lake Ciiy
last evening. In Salt Lake he VIII
| join the presidential party With
reference to. the Views OF Secretary
! Wilson Mr. Potter said;
To Settle Forests.
! THE Forest Service desires to en-
courage settlement on all of the lands
within the national forests which are
! more valuable for cultivation than
for other purposes.
"As a result of his recent trip to
Idaha, Secretary Wilson has requested
that a report be made to him show
ing how much of the land within the
national forests. which is classified as
non-tmbered grazing lands, is OF such
character and formation and with
sufficient soil that it could he cult
waited and made to produce crops pro-
viding the climatic conditions were
| favorable. or were IL possible to Sc
cure water for irrigation.
wherever any considerable area Of
land suitable for cultivation has been
included within the national forests
adjacent to the exterior boundaries it
will be recommended for elimination
and areas within the interior OF the
national forests will be listed under
the act OF June IL, 1906, allowing
homestead settlement, but the non
timbcrcd grazing lands which are not
suitable for cultivation will be re-
talned within the national forests an
less it is shown that il would be for
the best interests OF the people to
eliminate them. or that they were in
| cludcd by an error In the establish
ment OF the original boundary lines.
I'm considering proposed additions
to the national forests only lands will
be favorably recommended which are
either wholly or in part covered with
timber or with underground or, are
of such character that they could be
made to produce timber. or. that form
part OF the watershed of a stream
used for domestic, municipal or irri-
CATION purposes as contemplated by
the act of Congress authorizing the
creation of National Forests.
THE increasing demand for meats
makes 1t of the greatest Importance
that we should produce the largest
possible number Of cattle and sheep
and Secretary Wilson is anxious that
the forage crops OF the national for
ests shall be utilized just as fully as
is consistent with their proper pro.
lection so that they may add to the
meat productions. OF the country.
To Run Stock.
During the past year $4,000 per
mits were issued TO different owners
OF stock allowing the grazing OF 1,500,-
000 head of cattle and horses and
1900 permits were issued for the
grazing of 100000 head Of sheep and
goats
although II has been necessary to
reduce the number Of stock allowed
on some Of tho ranges In national
forests on account OF damage from
overgraZing. The Improvement In the
condition of ranges in other forests
which has been brought about through
proper regulation has enabled us to
increase the number sufficiently to
offset these reductions.
To Increase Forage Crop.
Every effort will be made to In
crease the forage crop of the national
forest by management of the ranges
in such way thet natural re-seeding
will be secured where this Is possible
and where the grass has been entire
ly destroyed the ranges Will be re-
seeded with more valuable forest
grasses.
"The stockmen generally have CIV
en- the forest service their hearty CO.
operation in bringing about 4 proper
regulation Of the ranges and 1t Is
our desire to do everything possible
10 make the forage crop of the ma
tional forests add more than any other
to the general prosperity OF the coun.
try"