Forest Reserves as Game Preserves 



of the south, where range after range of mountains 

 lie spread out to the distant horizon. 



The rolHng plateau country sloping toward the 

 Little Colorado is heavily scored with deep box 

 cafions often hundreds of feet deep and frequently 

 inaccessible for long distances. Most of the per- 

 manent surface water is found in these cafions, and 

 the general drainage is through them down to the 

 lower plains bordering the river. The greater part 

 of this portion of the reserve is covered with yellow 

 pine forests, below which is a belt, varying greatly 

 in width, of pinons, cedars and junipers, interspersed 

 with a more or less abundant growth of gramma 

 grass. This belt of scrubby conifers contains many 

 open grassy areas, and nearer the river gives way to 

 continuous broad grassy plains. Nowhere in this 

 district, either among the yellow pines or in the 

 lower country, is there much surface water, and a 

 large share of the best watering places are occupied 

 by sheep owners. 



The wild and rugged slopes of Tonto Basin, with 

 their southerly exposure, have a more arid character 

 than the area just described. On these slopes yellow 

 pines soon give way to pifions, cedars and junipers, 

 and many scrubby oaks and various species of hardy 

 bushes. The watering places are scarce until the 

 bottom of the basin is approached. Tonto Basin and 

 its slopes are also occupied by numerous sheep herds, 

 especially in winter. 



There are several small settlements of farmers, 

 sheep and cattle growers within the limits of the 

 narrow strip connecting the larger parts of the re- 



469 



