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107 
The mountains are not rugged and are comparatively low, rarely ex- 
ceeding 8,000 feet in altitude. They, as well as the foot-hills, are usu- 
ally covered with timber. Some of the low, Rocky Mountain spurs at 
the eastward, however, are quite bare. About three-eighths of the 
forest growth is good timber; as much more is promising young growth, 
while the remainder has been made waste by fire. 
The leading species of forest trees are Yellow and White Pine, Red 
and White Fir, White Spruce, Tamarack, Cedar (Thuya gigantea), Larch, 
and Balsam. In the bottoms and along the streams are found Balm of 
Gilead, Birch, Alder, Willow, ete. The Pines, Firs, and Tamarack fur- 
nish most of the lumber supplies. The Yellow Pine grows large, and 
is the predominant forest tree. 
At higher elevations the White Spruce is the leading species. 
SILVER BOW COUNTY. 
Total area, 576 square miles; estimated forest area, 60 square miies. 
; 1 ; ] 
The county of Silver Bow, situated upon the crest of the main Rocky 
Mountain range, is one of the principal mining centers of the region. 
Mining interests have greatly flourished here, but the forests have suf- 
fered in a corresponding degree. The demand for mining timbers and 
wood for charcoal manufacture has been so great, that the once valuable 
forest lands of the county have been almost wholly stripped. There is 
but little, ifany, chance for reproduction of the forest growth. A little 
timber still remains in the western part of the county, but is likely 
to be consumed during the next three years. 
Yellow and White Pine, Red Fir, and White Spruce are the predomi- 
nant species. The Fir grows to a size of 6 to 15 inches in diameter of 
trunk, and the Spruce reaches an average diameter of 15 inches. Lodge- 
pole Pine grows from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. A small growth of 
Cottonwood and Willow is found along the streams. <A correspondent 
writes : 
The timber question is a serious one for this part of the Territory. The consump- 
tion of timber is so great that the forests of western Montana will be cut off within 
the next ten years. 
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY. 
(Total area, 3,600 square miles ; estimated forest area, 25 square miles. ) 
There are no mountains in this county, and no forests of importance. 
The Yellowstone River forms its southern boundary. 
Upon the bottom lands and hills, skirting this river and its tributary . 
creeks, is found a little timber, consisting of Pine, Cedar, and Cotton- 
wood ; none of which, unless the latter, attains large size. About one- 
eighth of the forest growth is said to be good timber. 
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION. 
(Total area, 7,200 square miles; estimated forest area, 700 square miles.) 
This reservation is in the south-central part of Montana, bordering 
on the Territory of Wyoming. The Yellowstone River bounds it on 

