112 SURVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES. 



maple, which occupy the ground aud prevent the re establishment of the 

 larger trees. Fires destroy the vegetable mold, rich and heavy in the 

 upper portion of this slope, and with it the fertility of the ground dis- 

 appears. It is restored only after years by the fall of leaves and other 

 waste from the small vegetation which almost everywhere follows iire, 

 and then, when the richness of the soil has been in a measure reestab- 

 lished, the slow process of the return of the commercial species can 

 begin. 



Fires are dangerous throughout the summer btsason. In the lower, 

 drier parts of this slope the danger continues longer, but is less severe; 

 while higher up the complete destruction of the forest by Are can happen 

 only during the periods of exceptional dryness. 



The prevention of fire here demands, first of all, means of communi- 

 cation. Travel through the dense growth of shrubs on burnt-over 

 lands is slow, or sometimes even impossible, while the steep slopes and 

 the ruggedness of the ridges make good trails the first necessity for 

 any measure of forest protection. 



WATER, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Irrigation is practiced in the valley of the Methow Eiver, where the 

 land is suitable for it, to some extent. It depends almost entirely for 

 its water supply on streams which rise within the reserve. Floods 

 have not yet become dangerous on the eastern slope, but the configu- 

 ration of the ground makes it probable that they will do so hereafter 

 if the destruction of the forest is allowed to continue. The influence 

 of these streams in the floods of the Columbia is not, however, to be 

 disregarded. 



MINING, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Practically the whole area included within the reserve is mineral 

 bearing, although the discoveries hitherto have not, with one or two 

 exceptions, been of much importance. Prospects are very numerous, 

 and faith in the future value of the region for mining is enthusiastic 

 and widespread among the people of the State. Timber for mining 

 will be plentiful on the western slope for many years to come; but to 

 the east the destruction of the higher timber lands by fire will make 

 the development of many leads difficult, or even impossible. Here, as 

 elsewhere, mining requires timber, and furnishes an imperative reason 

 for the protection of the forest. 



AGRICULTURE, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Except for the valley of the Methow and the few strips of land already 

 settled upon along the shores of Lake Chelan, the value of the eastern 

 slope for agriculture is very small. Considerable areas of open yellow 

 pine forest have grass under the trees along the eastern edge of the 

 reserve and may eventually be used for pasture, but since sufficient hay 

 must be cut to support the stock during five months of the year, the 

 cattle industry is not likely to become widely developed in this region 

 for the present. The general measures heretofore recommended will 

 be entirely sufficient to make the agricultural resources of the eastern 

 slope available for use. 



GRAZING, EASTERN SLOPE. 



In addition to the considerable areas of grass land, more or less 

 sparsely covered with trees, which exist in the watershed of the 

 Methow Eiver within the boundaries of the reserve there is, in the 



