
103 
It is stated that forest fires have not been frequent. When they do 
oceur, the second growth is usually of the same species as the original, 
CUSTER COUNTY. 
(Total area, 20,000 square miles; estimated forest area, 200 square miles. ) 
Custer County, situated in the southeastern corner of the Territory, 
is another of the *‘ plains counties.” It is an agricultural and grazing 
region, and is watered by the Yellowstone, Powder, Tongue, and Rose- 
bud Rivers and their aftluents. 
There is but little timber in the county, and that is found in the south- 
western part. 
DAWSON COUNTY. 
(Total area, 2,700 square miles; estimated forest area, 200 square miles. ) 
This, one of the largest counties of the Territory, is situated in its 
northeastern corner. More than one-half of its area, at the north, is 
still held as an Indian reservation. Itis wholly in the plains region. 
The Missouri River flows through the central part and the Yellowstone 
crosses the southeast corner. The only timber of any importance—and 
that very limited in extent—is situated in the piney buttes, in the south- 
western portion of the county. 
DEER LODGE COUNTY. 
(Total area, 5,000 square miles ; estimated forest area, 2,400 square miles.) 
This county lies upon the western slope of the Continental Divide. 
The main Rocky Mountain rarge forms its northern, eastern, and, in 
part, its southern boundaries. The area of this county is quite equally 
divided between mountains and valleys, the most notable of the latter 
being Deer Lodge Valley, which is 30 miles long and from 3 to 10 miles 
wide. 
Numerous streams afford a plentiful water supply for irrigation and 
other purposes. : 
All of the mountains are more or less timbered, the heaviest growth 
being found in the northern and southwestern parts of the county. 
Red Fir, White and Yellow Pine and Cedar, are the principal species 
of forest trees. Fir and “ Lodge-pole Pine” (a variety of the White 
Pine) predominate. 
One-half of the timber lands is covered with Lodge-pole Pine, one-fourth has trees 
sey , 
of large growth, and one-fourth is brush and burned over, The trunks of the larger 
species attain a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. 
FERGUS COUNTY. 
(Total area, 7,500 square miles; estimated forest area, 700 square miles. ) 
This county is situated in the central part of the Territory. The 
Muscle Shell River, a tributary of the Missouri, bounds it on the south 

