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Third, the “ Plains,” comprising an area of 3,000 square miles, in- 
cluding nearly the entire eastern half of the county. This is a flat, 
nearly level country, sloping to the east. About 95 per cent. of its area 
has a rich, loamy soil; the remaining 5 per cent. is sandy. There is no 
water for irrigation. HKlevation, 4,500 to 5,000 feet. 
Fourth, the west-central division, or Purgatoire region, embraces an 
area of about 2,400 square miles, mostly of rough, broken prairie.  Lle- 
vation, 5,000 to 6,300 feet. The drainage is to the northeast, by the 
Purgatoire and Apishipa Rivers, through deep, narrow canyons. 
The forest lands are situated mainly in the western part of the county. 
There are small forest areas in the Raton Hills, and a’ong the canyon 
of the Purgatoire River. But a small proportion of the forest is fully 
stocked—good for timber, and probably one-sixth has been made waste 
by fire. 
The principal species of trees are: On the southern slopes, at about 
9,500 feet elevation, Aspen; from 8,000 to 9,000 feet, Yellow Pine and 
White Spruce; from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, Pinon and Cedar. On north- 
ern slopes, the range of each species is 1,000 feet lower. Along the 
streams are found Box Elder, Cottonwood, and Willow at various ele- 
vations ; in the higher altitudes Pine and Spruce predominate. 
Lumbering and fires are the special dangers threatening the forests. 
Fully one-third of all the Pine timber in the county has been cut and 
removed. Destructive forest fires are likely to occur from the dead tops 
and lops of trees cut for lumber and left scattered on the ground, al- 
though during the last few vears such fires have been infrequent. After 
the forests have been destroyed, the chances for their renewalare very 
slight, except in comparatively moist situations above 9,000 feet eleva- 
tion. The second growth is usually Aspen or Scrub Oak. 
LOGAN COUNTY. 
(Area, 3,000 square miles. ) 
This is anewly organized county, and is situated in the Plains region, 
in the northeastern corner of the State. The South Platte River flows 
through it. It has no forests. The county is being rapidly settled by 
a good class of farmers, and the subject of tree-planting is likely to re- 
ceive due attention. 
MESA COUNTY. 
(Area, 3,850 square miles; estimated forest area, 275 square miles. ) 
This county is situated upon the western border of the State. It is 
watered by the Grand, Gunnison, and Rio Dolores Rivers, and their 
tributaries. The valley of the Grand River, which is here from 8 to 10 
miles long and 30 miles wide, constitutes the main body of arable land in 
the county. East of Grand Junction, the Grand Mesa, 9,000 to 10,000 
feet above the sea, and Plateau Creek Valley, 6,000 to 8,000 feet eleva- 

