12 SURVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES. 



suitable for the sawmill is to be found, and a large proportional area, 

 probably quite one-half, consists of open parks. Nearly all of the tim- 

 bered region has been burned over, and much of it has been repeatedly 

 subjected to devastation from fires. In the park areas it is evident 

 that the timber has been driven out completely by fire. Of the tim- 

 bered region a large part is covered with young growth, ranging from 

 ten to fifty years of age, while the ground is strewed with dead trees, 

 the victims of fires, and these dead trees also are young and small. 

 Fires have prevailed so frequently and universally over this region 

 that it is only in limited localities that mature forests exist. 



The destruction of the forests dates back mainly to the time of the 

 occupancy of this region by Indians, and the fires were doubtless set 

 by them for the purpose of driving out game or improving the pas- 

 turage. Since the occupancy of this region by whites fires have been 

 few and small. 



Almost all the timber of this reserve consists of lodge-pole pine, 

 Finns murrayana. This is generally distributed over the reserve at all 

 altitudes, from the level of the plains to timber line. It is an inferior 

 wood for lumber purposes. 



Other species of coniferous trees, Pinns flexilis, Picea engelmanni, and 

 Pseudotsuga taxifolia, are found, but they are sparsely distributed. 



One of the best bodies of timber in the mountains is located in town- 

 ship 55 north, range 88 west, which was left out of the reserve, probably 

 because a portion of its area had passed into private hands. The town- 

 ship north of this also contains considerable timber. South of the line 

 of the reserve township 47 north, in,ranges 84 to 87. inclusive, is fairly 

 well timbered; indeed, quite as fully as the region lying adjacent within 

 the reserve. 



It is estimated that upon the entire reserve there are only 106,000 

 acres upon which the timber is of sufficient size to be considered mer- 

 chantable, and of this about 22,000 acres have been cut over for railroad 

 ties, leaving, approximately, 84,000 acres not cut over. Upon this area 

 it is estimated that there are at present 210,000,000 feet B. M. of stand- 

 ing timber. This statement summarizes the condition of things upon 

 the reserve. Its entire area is capable of producing timber, but of this 

 area only 7 per cent contains merchantable timber at present. 



There were, during the summer of 1897, six sawmills using timber 

 from the reserve. These mills cut 1,700,000 feet B. M. per year. In 

 recent years about 1,750,000 railroad ties have been cut from townships 

 55 and 66 north, in range 88 west. This represents about 56,000,000 

 feet B. M. The above figures represent the extent of timber cutting 

 within these mountains, with the exception of the small amount cut by 

 settlers for their improvements and for firewood. 



Eoads across and through these mountains are few in number. There 

 are very few settlers and improvements in these mountains. 



The Bighorn Mountains are used very extensively as a summer range 

 for sheep. It is estimated that during last summer 450,000 sheep were 

 pastured upon them. At present their range is confined to the parks, 

 the adjoining timbered areas being untouched by them. Therefore at 

 present there is no question concerning any injui-y to the forests by 

 them. 



There has been some prospecting for minerals in these mountains for 

 several years, but few discoveries have been made which have shown 

 sufficient promise to induce regular work. Some mining has been done 

 upon Bald Mountain, near Cloud Peak, near Black Mountain, on Tongue 



