The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-04-03
Today's New Mexico News.
Forest Service Issues
Bulletin Describing the
Forests of New Mexico

one Of the most valuable Of the
years fores, service publications IL a
bulletin Jus, Issued from the Third
district headquarters IN this city en-
titled ''The National Forests OF New
Mcxico.' The bulletin il a mass OF
highly condensed and very valuable
Information. carrying a neneral SUM
mary OF the national forest conditions
In this state. and a brief description
Of each Of the nine national forests In
New Mexico. The Introductory state
mcnt Is as follows:
There are nine national forests In
New Mexico, comprising a gross area
Of approximately ton million acres
and bearing a timber stand Of fifteen
billion board feet Of lumber and other
forest products. These areas are set
aside and administered by the gov
eminent with the purpose OF insurins
"a permanent timber supply and 10
prevent the destruction OF forest cover
which regulates the flow OF streams.
The national forests OF New Mexico
provide for a permanent numbering
Industry. supply material for tho de-
NelOpmcut OF ranches, farms, and
cities. protect the watersheds essen
tial To agricultural Development; add
stability TO the livestock industry:
promote the development Of facilities
FOR transportation and communication
on the forest areas. and contribute
through the receipts derived from
their administration TO the road and
school funds of the counties In which
they are situated. Mining. agricul-
ture, and all other uses OF the forest
areas not Incompatible with their
primary purpose. are encouraged by
the forest service.
The timber resources or the New
Mexico national forests. under Cofest
management. are estimated TO have a
present annual productive capacity OF
about eighty million board feet 81
lumber. sufficient TO build each year
5000 homes for the people OF New
Mexico. without diminishing the stand
or forest capital. This annual pro-
duction may be confidently expected
TO largely increase with the practice
OF better methods Of management.
The watersheds which the forests pro-
tect affect the flow Of most OF the i'm
portRnt streams In the state, and all
OF the larger irrigated districts derive
a large part OF their water supply
from the national forests. The great
est enemy OF the timber and water
supply Of New Mexico Is Gre. Before
tie creation OF the national forests.
forest fires destroyed millions 81 feet
oi timber annually In New Mexico.
But now with its system Of lookout
towers. telephone lines. and trails, the
forest rangers are enabled Co detect
and reach all Ares with great prompt
ness. and over ninety per cent are cx-
tinguished before they have covered
ten acres.
The forest ranges Of New Mexico
are "a large factor In the livestock in
dustry OF the state-9S, 7G1 head OF
cattle and horses and s29.129 head OF
sheep aud goats we're grazcd during
the season Of 1914 for a nominal Zee
Uc. head. The grazing regulations oil
the forest service protect the small
stockmon and are aimed TO produce
an equitable distribution 81 grazing
privileges and "a permanent grains
Industry, Under scientific manage
ment the productive capacity Of the
forest ang Is increasing each year
through the development OF watering
places. the construction Of range I'm
proyoments, and the improvements OF