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west to east. The surface of the county, therefore, is almost wholly 
covered with lofty mountains, with narrow valleys between. 
The county was originally well timbered, the valleys and mountain 
sides, up to the timber line, being generally covered with a fine growth 
of Pine, Balsam, and Spruce. Much of this has been cut off, and more 
has been destroyed by forest fires, but the supply is thought sufficient 
for some years to come, if carefully husbanded. It is believed that the 
careless and willful dente uction of timber might be prev epiee by speedily 
and surely punishing offenders. 
The amount of water carried by the streams varies somewhat from 
year to year, being dependent upon the snow-fall. The average amount 
for a given period of years would remain about the same. Owing to 
the cutting of timber on the mountains the snow melts more rapidly 
than formerly, thus causing a greater flow of water in the early summer 
and less later. 
CONEJOS COUNTY. 
(Area, 1,320 square miles; estimated forest area, 300 square miles.) 
This county isin southern Colorado, bordering on the Territory of 
New Mexico. The western half of the county is mountainous; the east- 
ern half lies in the San Luis Park, the surface having a gradual descent 
to the Rio Grande Kiver. About three-eighths of the county is forest 
land, located in the range in the western part. Not more than one- 
eighth of the forest land is well stocked with timber; one-eighth is cov- 
ered with Aspen and one-fifth is made waste by burning. The forest 
growth remaining is mostly Pine, with some Spruceand Aspen. Aleng 
the streams in the valleys are found Cottonwood and Willow. 
Fire destroys more timber in one year than would be consumed by 
other causes in ten. After the forests have been destroyed there is 
very little chance for their renewal. 
As the trees are cut_off or burned there is less water in the streams, 
the snows melting earlier in the spring. Itis suggested that the sup- 
ply of water might be materially increased by the beaver. This little 
animal, by a system of dams and canals, stores immense quantities of 
water in the early summer, which comes down later in the season. 
Could the beaver be protected by law on many streams there would be 
no need of artificial storage. 
COSTILLA COUNTY. 
(Area, 1,450 square miles; estimated forest area, 450 square miles. ) 
This county is also on the southern border of the State. Its eastern 
boundary is formed by the Sangre de Christo and Culebra ranges. The 
Rio Grande River borders it on the west. The San Luis Park extends 
through a large portion of the county. i 
The forests are situated in the northern and eastern parts, on the 
mountains and foot-hills. About one-half of the timber is Pinon and 

