Figure 7. The remains of the old boiler house. The town once had a sawmill, planning mill, lath mill, besides modern conveniences. All these are now gone after the forests have been cut. Lemiston, Montmorency County, Michigan.
Figure 7. The remains of the old boiler house. The town once had a sawmill, planning mill, lath mill, besides modern conveniences. All these are now gone after the forests have been cut. Lemiston, Montmorency County, Michigan.
Figure 8. Deserted houses, abandoned after the sawmill left. These are the remains of what was once a prosperous town. Lemiston, Montmorency County, Michigan.
Figure 8. Deserted houses, abandoned after the sawmill left. These are the remains of what was once a prosperous town. Lemiston, Montmorency County, Michigan.
Financial Returns.All the benefits of which I have spoken are without doubt great assets to the local community, to the State, and to the nation as a whole. They are great contributions to the welfare of our country even though they cannot be measured in dollars and cents. This brings us then to the financial aspect of the National Forest movement. Even though the fundamental purpose of the National Forests was in no sense a financial one, it is interesting to look into the finances of this great forestry enterprise.
The total regular appropriation for salaries, general expenses, and improvements for the fiscal year 1918 is $5,712,275. For 1917 it was slightly less than this: $5,574,735. The receipts from the sale or rental of National Forest resources in the fiscal year 1917 reached $3,457,028.41. From these figures it will be seen that the expenditures exceed the receipts by between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 a year, depending partly on the severity of the fire season and partly on the activity of the general lumber market. When we consider that this is really a newly established business scarcely twentyyears old; that large expenditure have been made and must necessarily be made every year for equipment and improvements before the resources could even be used; and that an efficient organization had to be built up to handle the business, we must confess that the receipts are really a wonderful showing.
When the Forest Reserves were taken over by the Government it could not be expected that they would yield a revenue at the very outset, nor could it be expected that even in the long space of twenty-five years they could be made self-supporting. The reasons for this are many. They are located for the most part in rugged, inaccessible mountains. In the case of almost every Forest a great deal of money had to be expended for roads, trails, telephone lines, fences, bridges, ranger stations and other cabins, lookout structures, fire lines, and many other improvements before the resources could even be used. Many of the resources were practically locked up; there were no roads by which to get them out of the wilderness. During the fiscal year 1916 alone there were built 227 miles of roads, 1,975 miles of trails, 2,124 miles of telephone lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout structures, 40bridges, 222 miles of fences, 545 dwellings, barns, and other structures, and many other improvements. Up to date there have been constructed over 3,000 miles of roads, over 25,000 miles of trails, about 23,000 miles of telephone lines, 860 miles of firebreaks, about 360 forest fire lookout cabins and towers, and many other improvements. Their total value is estimated at $7,000,000. And these vast improvements are but a small percentage of the improvements which will be necessary to be able to put these Forests to their highest use.
Not only must enormous sums be spent for improvements. The huge sums which are spent for the protection of the great resources bring no tangible return in dollars and cents; yet the fire protection system prevents the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of timber every year. Then again, when government timber lands are cut over, only the mature trees are taken; the smaller trees, although they have a commercial value, are left on the ground to mature because they will have a still greater value in from forty to fifty years. This is merely foregoing a small present revenue for a larger future one. Also many National Forests have on them large areas of steep mountain slopeswhere not a stick of timber is allowed to be cut. These areas are maintained intact for watershed protection. In fact many of the Forests of southern California are maintained solely for this purpose. These Forests are covered almost entirely by a low bush-like growth called "chaparral," which has no value either as timber or as browse, but which has great value to preserve an equable stream flow for domestic use, irrigation, and water power.
But there are still other reasons why the cash receipts from the National Forests are not as large as they might be. In addition to the cash receipts the equivalent of a large revenue is foregone every year through the various forms of free use and the sale of timber to settlers at cost instead of at its actual cash value. During the fiscal year 1917 approximately $150,000 worth of timber was given to settlers free of cost. About 40,000 people were served under this policy. Also much timber is sold at cost to settlers for domestic use. In this way over 4,400 persons received many millions of feet of timber whose cost value was about $20,000, but whose sale value was much greater. The privilege of grazing a small number of stock free of charge is granted to settlers living on or near the Forests.The stock thus grazed amounts to about 125,000 animals every year. The Forests are also put to many special uses for which no charge is made although their administration involves some expense. Strict accounting should credit the fair value of such uses to the receipts from the National Forests, for it is in effect income which instead of being put into the treasury is made available for the benefit of the people.
From what has been said it will be seen that a large part of the benefits derived from the systematic administration of the National Forests cannot be measured in dollars and cents. These benefits are in effect privileges extended to the people who in return assist in the protection of the Forests from fire and thus more than repay the Government for what they receive. Even under the rather unfavorable revenue producing conditions mentioned above, it is interesting to note that in 1917 the receipts of thirty-two National Forests exceeded their total expenditures. On fifteen others the receipts exceeded the cost of protection and administration. In other words, one-third of the National Forests are practically self-supporting.
The New Eastern National Forests.The greatsuccess with which the National Forest policy was launched in the Western States was largely responsible for the inauguration of a similar policy in the Appalachian and White Mountains. The main purpose for which these forests are to be acquired is to preserve a steady stream flow for water-power navigation and domestic use, and to lessen the damage caused by floods and erosion. These forests are of vital influence in controlling the flow of the Merrimac, Connecticut, Androscoggin, Potomac, James, Santee, Savannah, Tennessee, and Monongahela rivers. Some years ago the Merrimac drove mills worth over $100,000,000, which employed over 80,000 people. Upon these, it is said, 350,000 were dependent for support. In the Carolinas and Georgia alone the cotton mills operated by water-power turn out an annual product valued at almost $100,000,000. In these mills 60,000 people are employed, upon whom 250,000 are dependent for support. These mills utilize 106,000 horsepower. The forests which control these waters are therefore of great pecuniary value.
The Act of March 1, 1911, commonly known as the Weeks Law, made the acquisition of forest lands in the Appalachian and White Mountainspossible. Up to June 30, 1917, over 1,500,000 acres have been approved for purchase by the National Forest Reservation Commission. The Forest Service has been designated as the bureau to examine and value such lands as may be offered for purchase. The original appropriation was $2,000,000 per year for five and one-half years, beginning the last half of the fiscal year 1911. The Agricultural Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 1913 made the appropriation for 1912 and subsequent years available until expended. A further appropriation of $3,000,000 was provided later for the same purpose, to be expended during the fiscal years 1917 and 1918. Under Section 2 of the same law coöperative fire protection with the States was provided for. This section of the law provided that the Forest Service should maintain a coöperative system of forest fire protection with those States which have a law providing for a system of fire protection for state and private forest lands upon the watersheds of navigable streams. In no case was the amount to be expended by the Forest Service to exceed the amount appropriated by the State for the same purpose in any given fiscal year. The original appropriation was $200,000 and subsequentappropriations have been for $100,000 annually. Twenty-one States are coöperating with the Forest Service in this way.
By the passage of the Weeks Bill, Congress has voiced the sentiment that the forest fire problem,even on private land, is not only no longer a private problem, is not even exclusively a state problem, but a joint problem and duty to be borne by the State and nation. Forest fires are now rightfully looked upon as a public enemy rather than a private menace. This is a big step in the right direction, and it is hoped that this same principle will be applied in the not too distant future to all other matters dealing with private timber lands. If the protection of these private timber lands is a public and not a private problem, then certainly their management for continuity is a public problem. A timber owner should not be allowed to cut his timber without the consent of the Government, and the Government should see to it that he leaves the young growth as a basis for a future crop or provides a new growth of timber by planting young trees.
PAGEPrefaceviiIntroductionxiiiForestry as a National ProblemxiiiOur consumption of woodxiiiThe lumber industryxivOur future lumber supplyxvForests and stream flowxviForests and erosionxviiForestry a public enterprisexviiiThe Extent and Character of Our National ForestsxixHow the Government obtained the National Forest landsxixThe romance of the National Forest regionxxFamous scenic wonders near the ForestsxxiiThe size and extent of the National ForestsxxivThe topography and climate of the National Forest regionxxviWhy the National Forests were CreatedxxviiHow the National Forest Policy has Benefited the PeoplexxxThe remaining timber resources were savedxxxThe use of forage and water resources was regulatedxxxiiThe Forests were protected from fire and trespassxxxvThe watershed cover was preservedxxxviiCivilization brought to the mountainsxxxviiiAgricultural lands opened to settlementxxxixPermanent and not temporary civilization resultedxlFinancial returnsxliiiThe new eastern National ForestsxlviiIThe Creation and Organization of the National Forests1Economic Conditions Which Led to Forest Conservation1Prodigality leads finally to conservation1The march of forest destruction2Our lumber and water supply imperiled5The First Steps in Federal Forest Conservation6The upbuilding of the West6The Lake States first to act7The first federal steps8The Act of August 16, 18769Further work under the Act11The First Forest Reserves Established March 30, 189112The situation before 189112The need of the forest policy13The Act of March 3, 189114An Anomalous Condition—Forest Reserves Without Forest Administration14The Need of Administration on the Reserves14More Reserves created16The Administration of the Reserves Under the General Land Office16The Act of June 4, 189716The Division of Forestry in 189818The Bureau of Forestry19The Consolidation of the Forestry Work in the Department of Agriculture in 190519The Act of February 1, 190519Early forestry education and literature20Changes in the Forest Service personnel21More National Forests created21The growth of the Forest Service22Recent modifications in the organization23The Present Organization of the Forest Service24The administrative districts24The Washington office26The district offices28IIThe Administration of the National Forests30Personnel31Duties of forest officers31The Forest Supervisor32The Forest Assistant34The Forest Ranger35The Forest Clerk38Forest Service Meetings39How the Forest Service Appropriation is Allotted to the National Forests40Forest Service expenses40The agricultural appropriation bill42The ranger's protection and improvement plans42The Supervisor's plans43Approval of plans by the District Forester44The district fiscal agent45Tax money paid to the states46The Equipment and Supplies for the National Forests47The property auditor and property clerk47Blank forms48Supplies48National Forest Improvements49The need of improvements49Transportation facilities50Communication facilities53Grazing improvements56Protection improvements57Appropriations for improvement work58The Classification and Consolidation of National Forest Lands61Land classification61The consolidation of National Forest lands63How Young Forests are Planted to Replace Those Destroyed by Fire64Reforestation and the timber supply64Reforestation and water supply65Government reforestation policy67Methods of reforestation70Direct seeding work on the National Forests72Planting on the National Forests78The Organization and Scope of Forest Experiments and Investigations83The need of scientific experiments83The science of growing timber84Dendrological studies86Seed studies87Nursery studies88Forestation experiments89Studies of forest influences89Meteorological observations91Forest management studies92Forest protection studies94Protection from grazing damage95Protection from insects and diseases96Tree studies97Grazing investigations98Investigations dealing with poisonous plants and predatory animals102National Forest utilization experiments104Forest Products Laboratory experiments108Industrial investigations116IIIThe Protection of the National Forests120Protection from Fire120Forest Fire danger on the National Forests120Importance of fire protection121Causes of forest fires on the National Forests124Behavior of forest fires126Losses by forest fires on the National Forests126The forest fire problem stated128Fire prevention129Fire suppression133How forest fire funds are distributed134Forest fire history136Relation of forest fires to the weather137Improvements and equipment for protection138Forest fire maps and charts139Forest fire organization140How fires are located142The fire fighting organization144Forest fire coöperation146Fighting forest fires147Protection Against Trespass, Forest Insects, Erosion, and Other Agencies150Trespass150Forest insects154Tree diseases159Water supply162Public health167Violation of game laws168IVThe Sale and Rental of National Forest Resources170The Sale and Disposal of National Forest Timber170Government Timber Sale Policy171Annual yield and cut172Timber reconnoissance174Logging the timber176The first step in purchasing government timber180Procedure in an advertised sale180Timber sale contract clauses182Special contract clauses184When the operation may begin186Marking the timber for cutting186Scaling, measuring, and stamping188Disposal of slash190Payment for timber192Stumpage rates193Cutting period194Readjustment of Stumpage rates194Refunds194The Disposal of timber to Homestead Settlers and Under Free Use195Sales to homestead settlers and farmers195Free Use195Timber Settlement and Administrative Use198The Rental of National Forest Range Lands200Importance of the live-stock industry200Permits issued in 1917201Kinds of range, grazing seasons, and methods handling stock202Grazing districts and grazing units205Who are entitled to grazing privileges207Grazing permits211Grazing fees214Stock associations215Protective and maximum limits216Prohibition of grazing218Protection of grazing interests219Special Uses220Claims and Settlement223The National Forest Homestead Act224The mining laws229Coal-land laws230Administrative Use of National Forest Lands230Water Power, Telephone, Telegraph, and Power Transmission Lines230Appendix233
Figure1.An observation point for finding forest fires. Vigilance is the watchword on the National Forests. During 1916 forest officers extinguished 5,655 forest fires. Photo by the authorFrontispieceFACINGPAGEFigure2.A typical National Forest landscape in the high mountains. Potosi Peak, 13,763 feet, from Yankee Boy Basin, Uncompahgre National Forest, Ouray County, ColoradoxviiiFigure3.The climate of most of the National Forests is severe. This view was taken in the early summer and shows the high mountains still covered with snow. Most of the National Forest lands are therefore of small value for agriculture. Photo by AbbeyxxviiiFigure4.On many high mountains on the National Forests snow banks persist throughout the summer. This view was taken in the latter part of August. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the authorxxviiiFigure5.The Big Trees. "Mother of the Forest" in the background. North Calaveras Grove, CaliforniaxxxiiFigure6.A scene on one of the famous National Parks. Upper Lake, Glacier National Park, Northern Rockies, MontanaxxxviFigure7.The remains of the old boiler house. The town once had a sawmill, planing mill, lathmill, besides modern conveniences. All these are now gone after the forests have been cut. Lemiston, Montmorency County, MichiganxliiFigure8.Deserted houses, abandoned after the sawmill left. These are the remains of what was once a prosperous town. Lemiston, Montmorency County, MichiganxliiFigure9.Forest officers in front of the Forest Supervisor's summer headquarters. Note the many telephone wires that lead from the office. This is 50 miles from the railroad. Lassen National Forest, California32Figure10.Scene in front of the Forest Supervisor's headquarters. Sheep leaving the National Forest summer range in the fall to go to winter range in the valley. Lassen National Forest, California32Figure11.Forest officers and lumberjacks burning the slash resulting from a timber sale. The snow on the ground makes the burning less dangerous. Washakie National Forest, Wyoming. Photo by the author38Figure12.Forest officers at a winter timber-cruising camp repairing snow shoes. Besides cruising the timber, these men make a logging map of the government lands, to show how the timber can best be taken out. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author38Figure13.A forest fire lookout tower on Leek Springs Mountain, Eldorado National Forest, California50Figure14.A typical Forest Ranger's headquarters. Idlewood Ranger Station, Arapaho NationalForest, Colorado52Figure15.A typical view of the National Forest country in Montana. Forest Service trail up Squaw Peak Patrol Station, Cabinet National Forest54Figure16.Forest Rangers repairing a bridge over a mountain stream. Arapaho National Forest, Colorado56Figure17.A forest fire lookout station on the top of Lassen Peak, elevation 10,400 feet, Lassen National Forest, California. The cabin was first erected complete in a carpenter's shop in Red Bluff, about 50 miles away. It was then taken to pieces and packed to the foot of Lassen Peak. On the last two miles of its journey it was packed piece by piece on forest officers' backs and finally reassembled on the topmost pinnacle of the mountain. Photo by the author58Figure18.Forest officers and laborers building a wagon road through trap rock. Payette National Forest, Idaho58Figure19.Drying pine cones preparatory to extracting the seed. Near Plumas National Forest, California66Figure20.Extracting tree seed from the cones. The dried cones are shaken around until the seeds drop out through the wire mesh which forms the sides of the machine66Figure21.Preparing the ground with a spring-tooth harrow for the broadcast sowing of tree seeds. Battlement National Forest, Colorado. This view was taken at approximately 10,000 feet elevation. Photo by the author70Figure22.A local settler delivering a load of Lodgepolepine cones at the seed extractory, for which he receives 45 cents per bushel. Forest officers receiving them, Arapaho National Forest, Colorado70Figure23.In a forest nursery a trough is often used for sowing seeds in drills. The seed scattered along the sides of the trough rattles into position at the bottom and is more even than when distributed by the ordinary worker at the bottom of the trough. Pike National Forest, Colorado72Figure24.Uncle Sam grows the little trees by the millions. These will soon cover some of the bare hillsides on the National Forests of the West72Figure25.One of the largest Forest Service nurseries where the young trees are given the utmost care before they are large and strong enough to endure the rigorous climate of the National Forests. McCloud Nursery, Shasta National Forest, California76Figure26.A view of seed sowing with a corn planter. San Isabel National Forest, Colorado78Figure27.Sowing seed along contour lines on the slopes. Pike National Forest, Colorado78Figure28.A planting crew at work setting out small trees. The man ahead digs the hole, and the man behind plants the tree. Wasatch National Forest, Utah82Figure29.At the Fort Valley Forest Experiment Station, Coconino National Forest, Arizona. A typical meteorological station. Forest officer measuring precipitation. Note the shelter which contains thermometers and also the electrically equipped instruments to recordthe direction and velocity of the wind90Figure30.Forest officer ascertaining the amount of evaporation from a free water surface. Fort Valley Forest Experiment Station, Flagstaff, Arizona90Figure31.Forest Ranger with his pack horses traveling over his district. Meadow Creek, foot of Mt. Wilson, Montezuma National Forest, Colorado102Figure32.A plank of Incense cedar affected by a disease known as "pin rot." By cutting the cedar timber when it is mature this can be largely avoided. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author114Figure33.The western pine forests will some day be a great source for naval stores. By distilling the crude resin of the Jeffrey pine a light volatile oil—abietene—is secured which has great healing and curative properties. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author114Figure34.A forest fire lookout station at the summit of Mt. Eddy. Mt. Shasta in the background. California124Figure35.A forest fire lookout station on the summit of Brokeoff Mountain, elevation 9,500 feet. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author128Figure36.Turner Mountain lookout station, Lassen National Forest, California. This is a 10 ft. by 10 ft. cabin with a stove and with folding bed, table, and chairs. The forest officer stationed here watches for forest fires day and night throughout the fire season. Photo by the author128Figure37.A fire line cut through the low bush-likegrowth of "Chaparral" on the Angeles National Forest, California. This "Chaparral" is of great value for regulating stream flow. The streams are used for water power, domestic purposes, and for irrigating many of the largest lemon and orange groves of southern California132Figure38.A forest officers' temporary camp while fighting forest fires. Near Oregon National Forest, Oregon132Figure39.Putting out a ground fire. Even if the fire does not burn the standing timber, it kills the young trees and so weakens the larger ones that they are easily blown over. Wallowa National Forest, Oregon136Figure40.Forest officers ready to leave a tool box for a forest fire in the vicinity. Such tool boxes as these are stationed at convenient places on National Forests ready for any emergency. Arapaho National Forest, Colorado136Figure41.A forest fire on the Wasatch National Forest, Utah. Forest officers trying to stop a forest fire by cutting a fire line. Note the valuable growth of young trees which they are trying to save at the right140Figure42.A forest fire running in dense underbrush on one of the National Forests in Oregon144Figure43.Men in a dense forest with heavy undergrowth clearing away brush to stop the fire as it is running down hill. Crater National Forest, Oregon144Figure44.Fire in a Lodgepole pine forest in Colorado. Arapaho National Forest, Colorado148Figure45.A mountain fire in "Chaparral" five hoursafter it started. Pasadena, California148Figure46.A few years ago this was a green, luxuriant forest. Picture taken after the great fires of August 20, 1910, on the Cœur d'Alene National Forest near Wallace, Idaho152Figure47.The first evidence of insect attack are the reddish brown pitch tubes on the bark. Lodgepole pine infested by the mountain pine beetle. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author156Figure48.The last stage of an insect-attacked tree. The tree is dead and the dry bark is falling off. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author156Figure49.Wrecked farm buildings due to flood of May 21, 1901, Nolichucky River, near Erwin, Tenn. This is one result of denuding the Appalachian Mountains of their forest cover162Figure50.When steep hillsides are stripped of their forest growth, erosion results. Erosion has been especially serious in the Appalachian Mountains. View taken in Madison County, North Carolina162Figure51.A fertile corn-field covered with sand, gravel and débris brought down from the mountains by floods. These farm lands are ruined beyond redemption. This could have been prevented by preserving the forests on the watershed of this river166Figure52.A view towards Mt. Adams and the headwaters of Lewis River. Council Lake in the foreground. National forest lands lie at the headwaters of practically every large western river. This means that the water supply for the western people used for domestic use, water power, and irrigation isbeing protected from pollution and destruction. View taken on the Rainier National Forest, Washington172Figure53.A large storage reservoir used to irrigate the ranches in the valley below. Elevation 10,500 feet. Battlement National Forest, Colorado. Photo by the author176Figure54.A sheep herder's camp used temporarily by Forest Service timber cruisers. Elevation about 10,000 feet. Battlement National Forest, Colorado. Photo by author.176Figure55.View taken in the Coast Range mountains of California where Sugar pine and Douglas fir and the principal trees. Klamath National Forest, California. Photo by the author180Figure56.A typical mountain scene in the California Coast Range. On these steep slopes a forest cover is of vital importance. Klamath National Forest, California. Photo by the author180Figure57.A forest officer at work on a high mountain peak making a plane-table survey and timber estimate of National Forest lands. Photo by the author182Figure58.A government timber cruiser's summer camp. These cruisers get a fairly accurate estimate of Uncle Sam's timber resources at a cost of from 2 to 5 cents an acre. Photo by the author182Figure59.Forest officers moving camp while engaged in winter reconnoissance work. All food, beds, and clothing are packed on "Alaska" sleds and drawn by the men themselves. Photoby the author184Figure60.A winter reconnoissance camp showing snow-shoes, skis, "Alaska" sleds, and bull hide used to repair the webbing on the snow-shoes. Lassen National Forest, California. Photo by the author184Figure61.A group of giant redwoods. Santa Cruz County, California186Figure62.A big Sugar pine tree about six feet in diameter. This is the most valuable timber species in California. Photo by the author188Figure63.A Western Yellow pine forest in California. These trees are from four to six feet in diameter and from 150 to 200 feet high. Note the Forest Service timber cruiser measuring the tree at the left. Photo by the author.188Figure64.Logging in California. Powerful steam engines pull the logs from the woods to the railroad and load them on flat cars. Photo by the author190Figure65.The loaded flat cars reach the sawmill where the logs are unloaded and sawn into lumber. During the fiscal year 1917 timber sales on the National Forests brought into the National Treasury almost $1,700,000.00. Photo by the author190Figure66.Scene in Montana. Forest officers constructing a telephone line through the Flathead National Forest192Figure67.Forest Ranger, accompanied by a lumberman, marking National Forest timber for cutting in a timber sale. Coconino National Forest, Arizona192Figure68.An excellent illustration showing the difference between unrestricted logging as practicedby lumbermen, and conservative logging as practiced by the Forest Service. In the foreground is the unrestricted logging which strips the soil of every stick of timber both large and small; in the background is the Forest Service logging area which preserves the young growth to insure a future supply of timber for the West. Bitterroot National Forest, Montana194Figure69.View showing the Forest Service method of piling the brush and débris after logging, and also how stump heights are kept down to prevent waste. New Mexico196Figure70.A tie-cutting operation on a National Forest. These piles of railroad ties are being inspected, stamped, and counted by Forest rangers. From this point the ties are "skidded" to the banks of a stream to be floated to the shipping point. Near Evanston, Wyoming196Figure71.Brush piles on a cut-over area before burning. Forest Service methods aim to clean up the forest after logging so that forest fires have less inflammable material to feed on. Bitterroot National Forest, Montana198Figure72.At a time of the year when there is least danger from fire the brush piles are burned. Missoula National Forest, Montana198Figure73.Counting sheep as they leave the corral. Sheep and cattle are pastured on the National Forests at so many cents per head, hence they must be counted before they enter in the spring. Wasatch National Forest, Utah208Figure74.Logging National Forest timber. Santa FeNational Forest, New Mexico208Figure75.Sheep grazing on the Montezuma National Forest at the foot of Mt. Wilson, Colorado. Over 7,500,000 sheep and goats grazed on the National Forests during the fiscal year 1917216Figure76.Grazing cattle on a National Forest in Colorado. Permits were issued during 1917 to graze over 2,000,000 cattle, horses, and swine on the National Forests216Figure77.North Clear Creek Falls, Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado. The National Forests contain about one-third of all the potential water-power resources of the United States230Figure78.The power plant of the Colorado Power Company, on the Grand River, Holy Cross National Forest, Colorado. Every fiscal year there is a substantial increase in water power development on the National Forests230Figure79.This is only one of the thousands of streams in the National Forests of the West capable of generating electric power. It has been estimated that over 40 per cent. of the water resources of the Western States are included in the National Forests. Photo by the author232Figure80.View in the famous orange belt of San Bernardino County, California. These orchards depend absolutely upon irrigation. The watersheds from which the necessary water comes are in the National Forests and are protected by the Forest Service. Some of the smaller watersheds in these mountains are said to irrigate orchards valued at $10,000,000232