DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS ADJOINING ABSAROJiA DIVISION. 131 



extremely steep and rocky descents where the plateau breaks off to the plains of 

 Clark Fork Valley. A narrow strip of this plain, in part intersected with short, 

 broken ridges and shallow ravines, fills the eastern areas. 



Mining. — None. 



Soil. — In. the eastern areas clayey or gumbo soils prevail. In the western 

 areas gravelly loam, ston}^ and bowlder strewn, is found. 



Agricultural adaptability. — Small tracts in the eastern portions of the town- 

 ship are tillable under irrigation. The remainder contains no arable land. 



Grazing capacity. — The summit of the plateau region has long been used as 

 sheeping ground. It carries a thin sward of alpine sedges and grasses. It has 

 been badly overgrazed and its present pasturage value is low. The central areas, 

 composed of steep breaks, have no grass cover. The eastern tracts were formerly 

 used as ranges, but have been so closely pastured that their present condition is 

 practically that of a desert. 



Drainage conditions. — The outflow originating in the township is very small. 

 It is carried by short creeks which head in the steep eastern front of the 

 plateau. Most of the flow sinks at the foot of the plateau. 



Snow and rock slides. — Infrequent, and confined to the steep scarps of the 

 plateau. 



Towns and settlements. — The settlements are limited to the eastern areas, and 

 consist of two or three farm buildings on one of the small creeks at the foot of 

 the plateau. 



Forest conditions. — The forest is confined to the steep breaks and fronts of the 

 plateau, and consists of stands of sapling lodgepole pine in the lower, with white- 

 bark pine and spruce in the upper, areas. At the foot of the plateau red fir and 

 limber pine in small proportions are mixed with the lodgepole pine. The growth 

 has only a fuel value. 



Cutting. — Small quantities here and there along the foot of the plateau. 



Burns. — Small tracts in the north-central areas, and thence extending south- 

 ward, have been badly burned within the past six or seven years. The largest block 

 of burned-over ground is just south of Grove Creek, near the middle of the 

 township. 



Reproduction. — Young growth is generally abundant at the middle and upper 

 elevations, and is chiefly composed of lodgepole pine. At the lowest levels it is 

 scanty. In the northern areas spruce and white-bark pine prevail. 



Undergrowth. — Light. 



Litter.^- A. small amount of dead and fallen timber. 



Humus. — None. 



