FOREST POLICY. 



only, traversed by the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, the 

 courses of which are cut 600 to 900 feet deep into the plateau. 

 This eastern half contains, practically, no forests. 



The western half contains barren land only in the extreme 

 north (Maria River Basin). Three main mountain chains may be 

 distinguished in the western h'alf. 



(1) The Coeur d'Alene and Bitter Root Mountains on 

 the Idaho line. Water runs towards the Pacific from both slopes 

 via Columbia River. 



(2) The main Rockies, lying between the Flat Head Basin 

 and the Missouri River, which drain westward on the west slope 

 and eastward on the east slope. 



(3) The northern extension of the Yellowstone Range ex- 

 tending northward to the center of the State. Water runs from 

 both slopes entirely towards the Atlantic, via the Yellowstone 

 and Missouri Rivers. 



All these mountains are less rugged and by 3,000 feet lower 

 than those in Colorado and Wyoming. 



3. Distribution: The best forests of Montana and of the 

 entire Rockies are found in the chain of the Coeur d'Alene and 

 Bitter. Root Mountains. On the mountain chain forming the crest 

 of the continent the forests are equal to the best of those in 

 Wyoming On the third mountain range, draining solely east- 

 ward, the forests are equal to those of the Yellowstone region. 



The western cedar (plicata) is scarce and small. It is found 

 in best valley soil only at low elevations. Lowland fir and 

 Engelmann's spruce occur in moist bottoms associated with 

 Douglas fif. Lodgepole pine forms very extensive forests at 

 medium altitudes. Limber white pine and balsam (lasiocarpa) 

 are found in great bodies, especially on the eastern drainage; 

 larch, white pine (monticola) and hemlock prevail on mountains 

 draining towards the west. Along the rivers, cottonwoods and 

 box elders occur. Quaking aspen replaces the conifers after heavy 

 burnings on north slopes. 



4- Forest ownership: Lumbermen own very small tracts 

 only, since taxes are high. Indian reservations and railroad 

 grants cover large tracts. (Northern Pacific and Great North- 

 ern Railroads.) The forest reserves cover about 7,500,000 acres. 

 Over one-fifth of Montana still belongs to the United States. 



5- Use: The mining interests of Montana stand para- 

 mount. Montana is second in the production of gold and silver, 



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