Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1913-01-01

the lands now held within national for
ests in Idaho If they were privately
owned, since the lands included thous-
ands of acres which do not contain
timber that is merchantable and are
unsuitable for grazing, being located in
the extremely high attitudes throughout
the state, lands which are only to be
CLASSIFIED as watershed protection
areas.
The forester also submits some In
teresting figures, showing that the to-
tai number of forest officers through
out all the states is 1886, including the
different Office forces. OF the 1893
rangers on the rolls June 80, 1912, only
IL have been appointed from the nom
resident list. The highest positions.
like that of supervisor. and district
forester are all filled by promotion from
the position of ranger. forest assist
ant, or other positions in the service.
When a vacancy In a supervisorship
occurs the best available man from
the standpoint of proven ability, ex-
perience and knowledge of conditions.
is selected for the place. No one is
put in the important positions like
those of deputy supervisor or posi-
tons in the district offices who has
not had adequate experience in local
conditions.
National Forest Area.
The net national forest area with
in the state Of Idaho is 17,977,454 acres
Several Examinations Of land more
suitable for other than forest pur-
poses amounting to 92,52S acres, have
lately been made. An agreement has
also been made between the forest
service and the state of Idaho, where
by the state Is to relinquish it's claims
TO unsurveyed school sections within
the national forests. and take in lieu
thereof one or more areas within the
present boundaries of the national for
ests. equivalent in acreage and value |
10 lands surrendered
The report on the timber sale bust
ness IN the state of Idaho during the
year 1912 shows that 207, 3se, 600 board
feet, valued at S3i5,42932 has been
of. The total number of sales
is o46 for the state. Besides the sale
of this number 5775 free use permits
have been issued covering 1891, 900 t
board feet valued at S29,5s634
The national forests contain nearly T
500 900, 100000 board feet Of merchant |
able timber Nearly 100000 900 900 I
feet IS ripe for the axe and deteriorat-
lng III value, rapidly. on areas swept /
BY IRE, gradually on areas where the T
Iorest Is mature and the trees are /
slowly yielding to decay. Standing I
timber, unlike coal deposits, can not be
held in storage indefinitely To the
extent to which the overripe timber
on the national forests can not be
eut and used while understandable pub
&c property is wasted. It has already /
been pointed out that the annual
growth of wood on the national for
ests is equivalent to over 5000, 900. 900
'eet of lumber This much can be cut
avery year for all time without de-
oleting the supply. To utilize the rap
dly deteriorating material and to aid
n making the forests self-supporting
he actual cut will be increased to a.
)OO.00o,000 feet as soon as possible.
The conservativeness Of this policy is
evident when it Is considered that
here Will be cut each year but SO per
'ent or the total annual growth on
he forests, and less than one per
'ent OF their total stand of mature
timber. Notwithstanding the in
'reased cut contemplated. this policy
VIII reserve large amounts OF timber
or use during the period when the
'ffects OF the timber shortage are be-
Timing to be felt
The Annual Sales.
To put the national forests to s.se
heir ripe timber must he sold Under ,
practicable for the lumber !
ng operator. Under the policy in Eff /
ect until last year of refusing to dis /
lose Of more than approximately 10o.- /
10000 feet In one sale, or to allow a I
'eriod Of more than five years of cut t
Ing. the annual sales of timber have ,
-lways been less than 1000, 900, 900 feet. c
! large percentage Of the mature ma c
ional forest timber is comparatively S
inaccessible, and although 1t occurs in y
arge bodies, heavy investments are il
equired for the development OF the $