SURVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES. 27 



ber line or which are composed of rocky mountain slopes, upon whicli 

 there is not sufficient soil for trees to obtain footing, and with the 

 exception of the valley of Methow Eiver in the east. The natural 

 forest growth differs greatly in density in different parts. It is densest 

 in the lower valleys on the west side, and diminishes in density as the 

 summit of the range is approached. The east side of the mountains is 

 much less densely forested than the west side, and the forests diminish 

 as the elevation becomes less upon the east side. This arrangement, 

 however, of the forests has beeu interfered with greatly by forest fires, 

 which have denuded large areas entirely and have reduced the density 

 in other places. The results of these fires have been more disastrous 

 on the east side than upon the west side, owing to its generally drier 

 conditions. 



The commonest tree upon the reserve is the western hemlock, Tsuga 

 mertensiana. Far the greater part of the timber on the reserve consists 

 of this species. 



Another common tree is the Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, which is 

 found along streams up to an altitude of 2,000 feet. 



Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga tuxifolia, is found in the bench lands of the 

 valleys and the lower mountain slopes. 



Cedar, Thuja plicata, which is found, mixed with Douglas fir and 

 hemlock, iu the bottom lauds and on mountain slopes. 



Mountain cedar, Gupressus nootkatensis, which is found on mountain 

 slopes above 2,000 feet. 



Bngelmann spruce, Picea engeJmanni, is found at high altitudes, is 

 small and difficult of access. 



White fir, Abies grandis, is found on moist land and northern slopes 

 up to 5,000 feet. 



A6«esa?»a.&(7 is is found on moistland and northern slopes up 10 4,000feet. 



Alpine fir, Ahies lasiocarpu, is found on the higlier slopes and summits. 



White pine, Ptnus monticolo, is found sparingly at medium altitudes 

 on bench lands and lower mountain slopes. 



Yellow pine, Piiius pvnderosa, is found in the drier parts of the upper 

 Skagit Valley and generally in the lower portions of the eastern part 

 of the reserve. 



The lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, is found sparingly in dry bench 

 lands and generally in the drier eastern portions of the reserve. 



White-bark pine, Pinus albicaulis, is sparsely distributed at high 

 altitudes. 



Alpine larch, Larix lyalUi, is not uncommon along the summit of 

 Cascade Eange from Cascade Pass northward. 



The principal among these species, for lumber purposes, are the 

 hemlock, spruce, Douglas fir, cedar, and yellow pine. 



The total amount of standing timber upon this reserve is estimated 

 to be not far from 20,000,000,000 feet, B, M., two-thirds of which is hem- 

 lock, the remainder being distributed among the other species. 



Agricultural land. — The tracts of land within the limits of the reserve 

 which are suitable for agriculture are numerous, but individually small 

 in area. On the west side of the divide, where the rainfall is abundant 

 and irrigation is not necessary for the cultivation of crops, all the flat 

 valley land, not at too great elevation, is of value for this purpose. 

 Such lands are as follows : 



A strip along each fork of the Stilaguamish, 3 miles in breadth. 



The valley of Sauk Eiver, below the south fork of the north fork, 3 

 miles in width. 



In the valley of Suiattle Eiver, for a distance of 12 miles within the 

 reserve, with an average breadth of 1 mile. 



