has what range he needs for his own stock. Before the
Forests were made the settler was at the mercy of the big
stockman, who often drove his herds in from a distance
and completely grazed off the settler's range right at
his own door. This can not happen in a National Forest,
because the man with a home is sure of the range near by
for his own use, and the big men from a distance are kept
away from him.
In allotting the range the small local owners
are considered first; then the larger local owners who
have regularly used it; then the owners who live at a
distance, but who have been regular occupants; and
lastly, if there is any room left after these have been
provided for, the owners of transient stock...
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23
TO
USE WELL ALL THE LAND.
There
are many other incidental uses which National Forests
help to bring about and greatly assist. Of course the
land itself should be put to the best use. As already
mentioned, it is used as sites for all kinds of
commercial enterprises, and is open to improvements such
as the construction of railroads, wagon roads, trails,
canals, reservoirs, and telephone and power lines. All
kinds of development work are benefited by National
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Forests, because they make sure, so far as can be, that
timber and wood are keep on hand ready for use instead of
being burned up or shipped out of the
country, and that the flow of water is kept even and
steady for power and other purposes. The conservation
(which means simply the wise use) of all the various
resources of the Forests, especially of the water, means
a great gain in dollars and cents to many commercial
enterprises, the water-power companies in particular. The
protection of the forest at the heads of streams means a
prosperous life to such companies, for it assures them a
steady and clear flow of water. The destruction or misuse
of the Forest means failure, for it carries with it
flood, silt, and drought....
Playgrounds.---Quite incidentally,
also, the National Forests serve a good purpose as great
playgrounds for the people. They are used more or less
every year by campers, hunters, fishermen, and thousands
of pleasure seekers from the near-by towns. They are
great recreation grounds for a very large part of the
people of the West, and their value in this respect is
well worth considering.
Game.---The Forest officers are often
appointed as State and Territorial game wardens, to
protect the game under State and Territorial laws...
Although the services of Forest officers
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