The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-02-24

start. In some cases, TOO, they re-
strict grazing to certain areas and
serve either to protect some grazing
grounds or to secure a complete util-
ization of the forage on others.
What Is D,:tt Fence.
The drift fences are not enclos-
ures, but generally extend for a long
distance across the country, much
like the drift fences or snow fen
ces along railroad rights of way.
Railroad fences, however, take their
to pile the wind-blown snow to the
windward side of the track, so it will
not settle in the cuts and impede
traffic. The drift fences for stock
keep the animals from going in GER
tain directions, or drifting" to use
cattleman's expression, or restrict
them to specified areas for the winter
and toothers for the summer. They
may also prevent stock from grazing
upon areas where poisonous plants
are found; thus they lessen the cost
of herding and prevent losses.
Examples of the use of drift fen
ces are furnished in several built on
the Dixie forest of Utah, where stock
grazing is important. Five miles of
drift fences were built by the govern
ment on this forest to protect the wa
ter supply of the city of St. George
from contamination by forest range
cattle This, with other stretches of
substantial wire fence in connection
with rocky lodges, which are equally
good barriers against stock, makes
the southern boundary of one of the
divisions of this forest stock proof, eX-
cept at certain established gateways.
During the coming year sixteen miles
of fence is to be built across the
northern part of this division. This
will distinctly separate the northern
range from that to the south, which
is on an average some 5000 feet
higher and will be used exclusively
as summer range. Gy keeping the
stock on the separate areas until the
forage on the other has had chance
to start both winter and summer
range will be greatly improved and
their carrying capacity increased.
Horses, Cattle and Larkspur.
Another interesting development is
Az miles of drift fence on the Fish
lake forest in the same State. 1t was
built to keep cattle ON the north side
and horses on the south where lark
spur grows in abundance. LarkSpur
is very poisonous to cattle, but is not
eatne at all by horses. Before this
fence was built, go cattle had died in
one month, June; after it was built
and the cattle were excluded from the
larkspur areas Their: was a further
loss of only 5, though July and August
are considered by cattelmen in Utah
the worst months for larkspur pois-
oning. Forest officers therefore have
estimated that this fence, which cost
$3.50, saved $4,000 in the first year it
was built, and should save $4,000, or
five times its cost, each season. 1t is
said, too that it increases the carry
/ ing capacity of the grazing district
about Is per cent.
Two other fences in the same State,
costing $1,000, will, Oh a conservative
estimate by the cattlemen, save ap-
proximately $4,000 a year.
Fences Are Cooperative Projects.
In certain areas where the fences
will greatly minimize the problems of
| the forest officers in handling cattle
within the national forests, the cost is
borne by the government. In other
| areas where the benefits to stockmen
have been shown they are built in
cooperation with the cattle owners,
who pay a large part of the expense
or furnish the labor. Throughout the
National forest States there are cat
tie and sheep owners associations
which represent individuals who Craze
their flocks and herds upon the Ma
tional forests. All differences which
arise between the forest officers and
the individual owners are submitted
to the advisory boards of these asso-
Citations, and they are therefore clear
ing houses for the settlement of any
difficulties which may need adjust
ment. According to the officials of
the service, these associations have
practically eliminated controversies,
and the officials who administer them
are in perfect accord with the poll
cies of the government. One of the
evidences of this is shown in the drift
fences which help both sides.
Receipts from the use of national
forest resources were greatest in
Arizona last year.
DR.. G. D. Marsh, of the Federal Blu
reau of Plant Industry is delivering a
series of illustrated lectures to stock
men in the West on the subject OF
plants poisonous to stock.
The Baltimore forest school, estab
lished in 1898 and therefore the oldest
forest school in America, has been dis
continued. DR.. G. A. Schenck, it's di
rector, has returned to his home in
Germany.
The forest service is completing &
new volume table for calculating thu
board contests of standing western
yellow pine trees in the southwest
1t is based on actual measurement!
of 5000 trees.