T1.—FOREST CONDITIONS OF THE SEVERAL PO- 
| LITICAL DIVISIONS. 
Note.—For the purpose of obtaining information with respect to the forest condi- 
tions of the several parts of the Rocky Mountain region, circular letters of inquiry, 
embracing the foilowing questions, were sent to persons in each county : 
(1) What is the extent of forest land in your county, giving approximate number 
of square miles ? 
(2) What proportion of it is fully stocked, good for timber? What part of it is _ 
made waste by burning over? What part of it brush, of promising growth? 
(3) What is the proportion of forest to other lands ? 
(4) What is the character of the forest growth now remaining, in the size and kinds 
of trees ? 
(5) What species of trees predominate ? 
(6) Name, in the order of their importance, the principal uses to which each kind 
of timber is applied ? 
(7) What special dangers threaten the forests in your county, as lumbering, con- 
sumption by railroads, fires, ete. ? 
(8) What are the chances for renewal, after the forests have been destroyed ? 
(9) Of what species of trees is the second growth usually ? 
(10) What kinds, if any, follow after the timber has been destroyed by fire ? 
(11) Is any planting done and to what extent, and with or without irrigation ? 
(12) Have you noticed any changes in the volume of water in the streams, as the 
trees in their vicinity have been cutoff or burned? Is there less water in the streams 
than formerly? Have floods and droughts become more eee Is the flow of 
water in the streams more intermittent ? 
(13) Are any observations on rain-fall kept in your locality? If so, by whom, 
giving name and post-office address. 
(14) Have any avalanches occurred in your section? If so, please give the par- 
ticulars, when, where, and what, if any, loss of life and property. 
(15) What measures would you suggest for the more adequate protection of forest 
growth? 
(16) Give any other information upon the same general subject which may occur 
to you. So far as possible give definite and particular answers to the foregoing ques- 
tions and known facts rather than general statements. If there is insufficient space 
on this sheet for your answers supplementary sheets may be used, care being taken 
to refer to the numbers on this sheet so as to prevent uncertainty or confusion. 
Responses to the above were in many instance so long delayed and often so incom- 
plete that a laborious and protracted correspondence became necessary. Although 
but few correspondents could identify and name, according to their botanical rela- _ 
tions, the several species comprising the forests of their locality, nearly all could give 
common names, location, uses, and other descriptive matter. 
To obtain further details concerning the forests of the region and their relation te 
agriculture and syst2ms of irrigation, letters of inquiry, embracing the subjoined 
questions and a plat of the particular county, were sent to county surveyors and 
other civil engineers: 
(1) Please give a brief and general topographical description of your county? 
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