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Show LARGE INCREASE IN LIVESTOCK Forest Service Reports Striking Strik-ing Gain in Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Goats. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 4. Despite fires, storms and other adverse circumstances, cir-cumstances, which decreased tho national na-tional forests In California by 171,600 i acres, tho United States Forest Service presents figures showing a striking increase in-crease in cattle, horses, sheep and goats grazed during the fiscal year ending June 30 over the preceding year. The increase was brought about by the service in order that it might "do its bit" In food conservation, and a record is promised for tho present fiscal year. In tho fiscal year of 1916-17 204,935 cattle and horses and 465,752 sheep and goats woro grazed in national forests for-ests in the stato as compared with 193,668 cattle and horses and 417.052 sheep and goats during the fiscal year of 1915-16. The decreased acreage was more than made up by the attractive attrac-tive terms offered Btqckmen and tho unusually excellent grazing in Lassen, Shasta, Trinity, Calaveras, Plumas and the northern coast counties. Another factor which helped greatly in increased grazing was the construction construc-tion of roads and trails which opened up new grazing areas, and tho construction con-struction of other improvements such aa drift fences and corrals. The intensive inten-sive campaign of the forest service to Induce stockmen to Increase their fiocks and herds was tho biggest single factor however in increasing this particular par-ticular food source. Under the regulations of the forest service the grazing lands in the national na-tional forests are allotted to stockmon upon the payment of certain fees based bas-ed upon the number of head grazed. Lands allotted must be used only by tho stock of the person to whom they are allotted and care is taken to see that the range Is not deteriorated through too close grazing or that, injury in-jury Is not done to the young timber. rr |