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<br />32 HISTORY OF CONSERVATION IN THE MISSOURI VALLEY
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<br />souri River Valley as the big settlement rush started in 1859.
<br />
<br />In 1862 the Homestead Act was passed which allowed 160
<br />acres free after short settlement and simple improvements.
<br />
<br />In 1873 scientific men who were interested in conservation
<br />put a memorial before Congress.
<br />
<br />In 1875 a forestry association was formed to promote and
<br />encourage forest conservation.
<br />
<br />In 1878 James Wesley Powell, head of the United States
<br />Geological Survey, filed his famous report, which is still cher-
<br />ished in the Congressional Library. He emphasized land classi-
<br />fication and warned of drought years, inevitable destruction of
<br />the soil if overgrazing was permitted or effort was made in many
<br />areas to cultivate the land. He advocated natural boundaries
<br />as the basis for land survey instead of the orthodox method of
<br />township divisions which might place all water within one man's
<br />holdings. He recommended fence-free range and cooperative
<br />grazing of range cattle,
<br />
<br />In 1878 and until 1891 an additional 160 acres, known as
<br />a tree claim, was possible. One of the shameful acts against con-
<br />servation was a later releasement allowing the trees to be planted
<br />only, not maintained.
<br />
<br />In 1890, the scientific men favoring conservation again gave
<br />Congress a memorial.
<br />
<br />In 1891 came a repeal of preemption and tree claims and
<br />the homestead was increased to 320, later to 640 acres, The
<br />reservation of mineral rights had gradually appeared,
<br />
<br />In 1891 Congress passed a law giving the President author-
<br />ity to withdraw public land as forest reserve,
<br />
<br />In 1907 a western senator proposed a rider which prohibited
<br />the President from setting aside any more forests in the six
<br />western states, Before the law become operative, President Theo-
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