SURVEYS OP FOREST RESERVES. 21 



The timber in tlie yellow-pine zone consists mainly of Douglas fir 

 and yellow pine, in the proportion of 60 per cent and 30 per cent, the 

 remainder being of other and less valuable species. In the subalpine 

 zone nine-tenths of the timber consists of lodge pole pine, which is of 

 little commercial value. The heaviest and most valuable stands of 

 timber are found upon the upper waters of Bitterroot River, in the 

 southeastern part of the reserve. 



The total amount of merchantable timber in the Montana portion of 

 the reserve is estimated at 554,500,000 feet B. M., including in this only 

 that which is suitable for saw purposes. This consisted entirely of 

 yellow pine and Douglas fir. No estimate has been made of the 

 amount of lodge pole pine, as this is of little value for lumber purposes, 

 as it is situated in inaccessible localities. 



Outside the reserve, on the bench lands in the Bitterroot Valley adjoin- 

 ing the reserve, is a large amount of timber, estimated at 467,000,000 

 feet, or an amount nearly equal to that included within the Montana 

 portion of the reserve. 



Upon the Idaho side of the divide there was examined an area of 

 about 650 square miles. Similar zones of timber were recognized here — 

 the subalpine zone, which comprised about 400 square miles, and the 

 yellow-pine zone, comprising about 250 square miles. The subalpine 

 zone is here as worthless for timber as upon the Montana side, the only 

 timber suitable for the sawmill being in the yellow-pine zone. The 

 estimated stand of timber within this area is 450,000,000 feet B. M., of 

 which far the greater part consists of yellow pine, with a considerable 

 quantity of Douglas flr and about 72,000,000 feet of cedar. This cedar 

 is found in dense groves in the bottoms of canyons, where a partial 

 damrhing of the stream has produced marshy conditions. The density 

 of its growth may be understood by the statement that in the areas 

 occupied by it its stand is, on an average, 40,000 feet B. M. to the acre. 



Agricultural lands. — There are no agricultural lands within the region 

 examined on the Idaho side, and on the Montana side such areas are 

 of trifling extent. They are situated in the valleys of South Pork, 

 Little South Fork, West Fork, and Little West Fork, and are indicated 

 on the map. Altogether they are estimated to comprise about 1,500 

 acres. 



Grazing.— The hillsides of the upper portion of the Bitterroot Val- 

 ley are utilized to some extent for grazing. No sheep are pastured 

 there, only cattle and horses, and no appreciable damage apjiears to 

 be done by this grazing. 



Mining. — There is no mining within that part of the reserve examined, 

 except in the southeastern portion. In the valley of the South Fork 

 many claims have been taken up upon Slate, Overwhich, Hughes, and 

 Coal creeks, and some mining is being done, but upon a limited scale. 



Timber cutting. — The cutting of timber upon the reserve may be 

 grouped under three heads: (1) the cutting by squatters to improve 

 their holdings, (2) cutting by pretended squatters for the market, and 

 (3) cutting under timber permits. The first of these is of little moment ; 

 the third is by far the greatest. Altogether there have been logged 

 within the Montana portion of the reserve an area estimated at 6,500 

 acres. In some cases the timber has been entirely removed, and in 

 others it has been only partially done, the timber being floated down 

 Bitterroot Eiver to the mills. 



There are several mills in the Bitterroot Valley, the largest and most 

 important of which is that of the Bitterroot Development Company, 

 which supplies lumber to the Anaconda mine and to the general market. 



