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good timber. Upon northern slopes, after the original stock has been 
cut or destroyed, a second growth soon follows, consisting of Lodge- 
pole Pine, or species similar to the first growth. Forest trees are 
planted and cultivated to a very limited extent, with the aid of irriga- 
tion. 
CARBON COUNTY. 
(Total area, 13,526 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,360 square miles.) 
This county is in the south central portion of the Territory. Its area 
is quite equally divided between mountains and plains. The Laramie 
Plains extend across its eastern border, and westward to the North 
Platte River. The principal mountain ranges are the Medicine Bow at 
the southeast, Sierra Madre at the southwest, and the Seminole and 
Rattlesnake in the west central portion. Spurs of the Big Horn and 
Laramie ranges penetrate the county at the northeast and north. The 
North Platte River, for a distance of about 200 miles, flows through the 
interior of the county. Many other streams tributary to the Platte, 
and the Powder River at the north, have their sources here. Upon all 
the mountains are coniferous forests, of greater or less extent, the most 
important being upon the snowy ranges of the Medicine Bow and Sierra 
Madre. The forest growth appears at altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 
12,000 feet above sea-level, and consists, for the most part, of Yellow 
and White Pine, Tamarack or Lodge-pole Pine, White Spruce, and 
Aspen. lLodge-pole Pine is the predominant species. It grows from 2 
to 14 inches in diameter. At high elevations in the Medicine Bow 
Mountains the White Spruce attains great size, the trunks of that 
species sometimes reaching a diameter of 6 feet. In sheltered places 
along French Creek, on the western slope of the same range, the Aspen 
grows very large, the bodies of the trees often being 2 feet in diameter. 
About one-half of the forest area is good timber, though not large, the 
trees having a tall and slender habit. Immense coal fields exist in this 
region and have been partially developed—a condition which ought to 
lessen the drain upon the forests for fuel. 
CROOK COUNTY. 
(Total area, 10,709 square miles; estimated forest area, 400 square miles. ) 
This county, which occupies the northeastern corner of the Territory, 
is in form an exact square, its sides being a little more than 100 miles 
inlength. Its general surface features are rolling plains, the Black 
Hills and other minor ranges and hills occupying but a small portion 
of the county. It is fairly well watered for a plains region. The lands 
are adapted to grazing and limited farming operations, if irrigated. 
The forest growth is scanty, consisting principally of Yellow Pine, 
Red Cedar, Oak, and Cottonwood. The Pine is found on the Black 
Hills, in the eastern part of the county, and on detached spurs in the 

