Arizona republican., 1913-01-17
Provided in National For csts Where Conditions of Perfect Fairness Exist Toward All Branches of Stock Industry
PASTC RAGE Is
 INCREASING
More Stock on Less Acreage Last Year Than Ever Be fore; Assistant Forester Holds Out Great Encour- agcmcnt for Future

S, interesting was the address of Assistant Fcrc-,,r A. F. Potter, upon ra- subject of the administration ol tnr gIa2iug land in the national fol- ,~ts. and -o clearly in tone with the ,>f,.o>scd convictions of the c.nNen- son urrn the subject gt federal con trol 0. grazing lands and su many 1.-rr the cEpr, SSions of pleasure O. tu liSitn4 ~intckmen at the address. that The Republican takes l,casLrr l printing the address in full. SD that .II sto-kIa,u in Arizona who were not able to attend the convention uul P ad it.
 1t k also ot great interest because lh,rc a.e in Arizona more squar. .uile~ of national forests than in any other state of the union. with the possible exception of New Mexico
 The 1dCress follows
 The success which the forest ser >irr has had in regulating the use O.. jrc lang, and in bringing about more satisfactory conditions on the nation al forests hl~ been due very largely jp the hearty cooperation it has .e- ,cived from the stocluneu. one of tHe rtsSt steps taken after the trans fer of the national forests to the de larimgUt of agriculture was to rc- quest thc associations representing inc owners ot the different kinIs oi livestock to appoint q committee tC meet with membo of the forest service for the purpose ot discussin- llplo~ad changes in the grazing reg u.ations
 The invitation was accepted and d conference held Ut Denver Colorado. iu Dy,elu5 r. 1905. This brought out many good suggestions from tn, ~torislnen and led to the adoption of . q, finite Doicy which was to gov ,rr the regulation of grazing on the rational forests The most important points We're CD that priority in tn, us- of the range would be recos- u.zel and the grazing privileges in 5hr beginning ;LoWed those who were Hlr,ldy using the range: ,2) that any changes which were found necessary either in the number of stock grazcd .~ the methods of handling them would be made gradually after du- notice mad been given. t3) that small owners would be given a preference iu the allotment of permits and be exempted from reduction; C4) that the checking of damage tO and inn proNemeIt of the forest would b. brought about so far as possible without total exclusion of the stock C-D that the forage resources of the rational forests would he used tO the fullest extent consistent with good .t .-.~t management: and (6) that t,c stockmen would be given q voice il the making of rules for the manaGc- aI.It If their stock upon the range.
 Recommendations were made tO the srcret,ry of agriculture which re euI;,d in the promugation by him or March J. 1906, of q regulation pro NfGing for the recognition of ad- Nisc-y boards Ter Irescnting associa- lions whose members were users oi he forests. such boards to be @u- titled Jo receive notice and have dr opportunity to be heard in reference IL increase or decrease in the nI ber of stock to be allowed for any wear. the division of range betNcer different kinds of stock. or tht adoption of special rules to meet To- ,.dI conditions. Under this regulati Dl >4 advisory boards. representing the stocllmcn using the national forest have heen recognized and .. e now cooperating with the forest servic' in an efcrt to bring about bette' conditions in the livestock industry and the best possible use of tho range.
 At this time it might be well t. ctl attention to the extent of th' forage resources in the national for ,-ts in order that the importance Q thei~ use may be realized Approx inatcly - per cent of the nation. forest land. or about 110,O00oO0 acres is. CT may be. used for the pasturaG of livestock The lands covered b. the more open stands of timber. tn eNpoScu slopes of otherwise timbCro' Eills or mountains, the narrow valley along the streams. thte areas ;tbov timber line ard the cut over Q burned over areas all produce crop Of forage and are particularly de sirable grazing grounds fo~ castle horses, swine. sheep and goats. dur ing the seasons of the year when tn various areas ma,- safely be useC
 The money value of this forag crop is enormous. Each year in treasury of the United States is on 1ichcd To the extent of almost on million dollars. which is paid h stocl, growers for thte privilege , -raIing their stock upon tine nation. forest lands Each year the stp, srazed under permit produce be mutton wool. hides and pel;s to II value of more than thirty miliGi.s
 dollars Throughout the Wcster states there are innumerable on munitie~ whose Welfa- and scn"r prosperity are vitally dependent ur
 uhe systematic utilization of the i.n age products of the forest lands. Tl favorable effect which these lo