FOREST RESOURCES OF DAKOTA: NEW MEXICO. 587 



DAKOTA TERRITOBY. 



This region, in its general characteristics, resembles the adjoining 

 parts of Minnesota and Nebraska, being naturally a treeless country 

 except along the rivers and streams. The hilly and broken region of 

 the western part is thinly timbered in the valleys. 



SuLi,Y County. — Fort Sully. — This post is about 2,000 feet above sea level, aud 200 

 above the Missouri River, beiug on the second hench ; a third one about 100 feet higher 

 being of the general level of the country, which is gently rolling, and cut with beds 

 or streams of water, or the dry channels of the same. The soil is alkaline throughout 

 this entire region. This is what was formerly regarded as the "dry belt," but there 

 appears to have been a change in the rain-fall. In 1>^73 it was 14.62 inches; in 1874, 

 16.24 ; in 1875, 14 ; and in 1876 (less April), 17.26; in the first seven monihs of 1677, 

 17.17 inches. 1 The summer climute is quite warm, 98° in the shade having been noticed 

 almost daily for two months in 1874, and on one occassion, 112°. But since that year 

 the weather has not been so hot, and there has been now and then a cool day in 

 summer, and always cool mornings and evenings. The buffalo-grass now retains its 

 green longer, and grows longer, than was noticed three years ago. 



The only trees in the country are on river-bottoms, aud in narrow strips along the 

 creeks and ravines. The cottonwood is the only timber-tree. Red cedar is found of 

 coneiderable size, generally in the ravines, where the dwarf-plum is also plentiful. Wild 

 grapes, aud a wild fruit called Buffalo or bull berry are also found. The willow, 

 kinnikiuic, wild rose, and sweet briar are also abundant on the bottoms, and the 

 hackbercy, wild cherry, and white aud scrub oaks are also occasionally found. 



In 1875 about 80 trees were planted by Maj. H. M. Lazelle, First Infantry, around 

 the sides of the parade-ground ( but at some distance from the buildings), and about 30 

 or 40 more around the officers' quartera and laundresses' quarters. These trees were 

 watered regularly. Those near the officers' quarters have all lived, and done almost as 

 well as if left on the river-bottoms, while those around the parade-ground, with the 

 exception of about half a dozen, died, and were replaced by others in the spring of 

 1876. These latter appear to have a struggle for existence, and about 15 have recently 

 died. I think it a fair conclusion that the partial shading from the sun has something 

 to do with the better growth of those near the quarters. It is noticed that while for 

 the first two or three years the growth of those entirely without shade was almost im- 

 perceptible, at the end of that period they appeared to take a sudden start and grew 

 rapidly. 



The climate of this post is exceedingly cold in winter (sometimes — 40°). It oc- 

 casionally thaws, and in case there should be several inches of snow on the ground 

 it diR.<ppears without being followed by mud or even wet. It appears to evaporate 

 rather than melt. 



The Missouri River is constantly changing its bed from side to side of its nnrrow 

 valley. As it cuts away the bank on one side, it shoals on the other, until, in the 

 course of time, the bottom reaches high-water mark, when a dense growth of willows 

 commences. At the lowest stage of the river sand-bars appear in great uumbers 

 occupying the greater part of the bed of the stream. When these become dry, the 

 wind raises clouds of dust, which further elevates the newly made land, and the wi'- 

 lows are in time replaced by a growth of cottouwoods. — {Thomas Shaiy, lit Lieut., 

 Fimt Infantry, United Slates Army.) 



NEW MEXICO TERRITORY. 



Professor Hayden, in his report of 1871 (p. 223), says: 



New Mexico presents a very large treeless area. Around the sources of the Pecos, 

 along the eaetern and southern rim of San Luis Valley, on the Miml>re3 and Guada- 

 lupe Jlountains, and in the northwestern part of the Territory are found the principal 

 forests affording valuable timber, while the rest of its area is generally without forests 

 or trees of any value except for fuel. Fortunately the forests are geuf rally in the 

 vicinity of the narrow agricultural areas, and in some instances the trees are large 

 and tine, making good lumber; bnt most of the older towns aud villages have to pro- 

 cure their lumber and fuel at a considerable distance. 



Dona AfJA County. — The valley of the Rio Grande, running through this county, 

 where noc cultivated, is covered with a growth of cottonwood, making very fair fire- 



' It is since learned that 1869, 1870, and 1871 were wet years. It is quire probable 

 that the amount varies considerably in different years, and uutil a long series of 

 records have accumulated, we cannot with confidence conclude that there is any per- 

 manent change. 



