526 . REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF. AGRICULTURE. 
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along hill-sides, and indeed wherever the ground is protected by water, rock, or other 
natural features, from the prairie fires and fierce northwest winds, are formed strips 
or clumps of oak trees and occasionally cottonwood. At some points considerable 
quantities of oak are found in the more rugged and sheltered localities. It is generally 
of ascrubby character, short in the trunk, and knotty. 
As the forest land along the Missouri River is constantly being washed away by the 
stream, and is of very irregular form, it is impossible to approximate the area, but I 
will guess at it so far as I have observed it within five miles of this post. 
North of the post as far as Poreupine Creek, and on the west bank, there is a body 
of timber containing about one thousand acres. South of the post on the west bank, 
and extending four miles southward, is a body containing about two thousand acres. 
On the east bank at several points within four miles of the post are perhaps one thou- 
sand acres. Total, four thousand acres within five miles of the post. Timber land is 
distributed in about the same proportion along the river from Fort A. Lincoln down 
to Grand River. There are, probably, forty thousand acres of forest land along the 
banks of the Missouri River. Below Grand River I think the quantity of timber di- 
minishes rapidly in consequence of the more barren and alkaline character of the soil. 
Of course the greater part of the timber near this post has been cut away for fuel, 
building purposes, and for browsing the ponies of the Indians prior to the seizure of 
these animals. , 
2d. The lines of natural drainage. The Missouri River drains the country from 
north to south, and the tributaries named above drain it from west to east and from 
east to west. 
3d. Elevation, whether ascertained barometrically or otherwise, and the rainfall, 
and the manner in which both have been ascertained. This post has never been fur- 
nished with instruments for ascertaining the elevation or the rainfall. The elevation 
is probably a little less than that of Fort Rice, which is reported at twenty-two hun- 
dred feet above sea-level. The rainfall has been sufticient for gardening purposes, 
and to produce a most wonderful growth of grass during the present year. The 
streams have also continued to flow all summer and to the present time, showing a 
sufficiency of rain for all practical purposes. 
4th. The various characteristics of the timber, and the extent, condition, and growth 
of such timber, together with any information of interest connected with the general 
subject of the forestry of the country. Cottonwood is the principal growth in the 
forests of this region, both along the Missouri River andits tributaries. There is also 
a considerable quantity of elm, ash, box-elder, willow, and oak. There is also a 
valuable shrub, the bull or buffalo berry, which produces a scarlet berry resembling 
the red currant. This berry is acid in taste and is valuable for food and for making 
vinegar, wine, and jelly. The tree is heavily armed with sharp thorns, for which 
reason I think it would be valuable for hedges. Plum trees also grow in this region 
of country, generally along the edges of bluffs and near the small and shallow streams 
back from the river. To the westward of this post and near the Black Hills cedar 
grows in considerable quantities. 
The country in this vicinity is well watered. There is a great proportion of rich 
land, covered with the finest of grasses. Timber grows wherever it can find a secure 
footing. There are indications everywhere that all thisregion was once covered with 
timber. Pieces of petrified wood are found everywhere, and occasionally petrified 
stumps and logs. In my opinion, protection of the country from prairie fires is all 
that is necessary to reclothe the whole country with trees. Of course, settlement and 
the consequent plowing of the land and making roads is the surest way of increasing 
the growth of forest trees, as the plowed land and roads check the spread of fire. 
5th. The rate of decrease in the amount of timber, and the cause of such decrease, 
as, for instance, by fire or through the agency of man: Near this post and agency, 
and near other posts and agencies, and at wood-yards along the Missouri River, timber 
has decreased at nearly the rate of one-fourth per annnm, through the agency of man, 
that is, by cutting wood for fuel for posts and steamboats, and for building purposes. 
Within five miles of this post there are probably not trees enough remaining 
to supply this post and agency with fuel for another year after the present, say 
three thousand cords of wood. Of course, young trees are growing all the time, but 
near posts they do not grow fast enough to supply the waste or destruction of oid trees. 
Another cause of the decrease of the quantity of timber is the constant washing away 
of the woodland and trees in the spring and summer months by the action of the 
Missouri River. This cause probably decreases the quantity of timber at least ten 
per cent. annually; but while timber land is being constantly washed away on one 
side of the river, it is constantly forming on the opposite side, and a little below the 
point washed away. The new land that is being constantly formed appears first as a 
strip of sand adjoining the main-land. About the second year it is covered over with 
a thick growth of red willow; then a few cottonwoods appear on the higher points 
and ridges. Each successive annual overflow raises the sand-bar and deposits mud 
and clay on it, which are wed fast by the willows. The decaying leaves assist in 
