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and about one eighth made waste by fire. The remainder is composed 
of small growth and brush. 
Concerning the effect of forests upon the water supply, it is stated | 
that many of the small streams which were never known to fail in 
1873—84, and prior to that time, now fail about the last of July or the 
the first of August. It is believed by some that the snow-fall is lighter 
than in former years. 
PITKIN COUNTY. 
Area, 1,090 square miles; estimated forest area, 540 square miles. 
yf, l | 
This county is situated in west-central Colorado. It is bordered upon- 
the east and southwest by the Saguache and Elk Ranges, respectively. 
It is abundantly watered by the Roaring Fork River and its tributa- 
ries. 
The forests are well distributed over the county, the heaviest timber 
being found in the mountains. Pine, Spruce, Pinon, and Cedar are 
the principal species. They vary greatly in size; Pine predominates. 
Fire, lumbering, and snow slides have been destructive to the forests ; . 
as yet railroads have caused little injury. The chances for renewal 
after the forests have been destroyed are poor. Scrub Oak, Aspen, 
Cottonwood, and various other small trees and shrubs constitute the 
second growth. 
No changes have been observed in the volume of water in the streams. 
That is largely influenced by the fall of snow in the mountains. 
PUEBLO COUNTY. 
(Area, 2,350 square miles; estimated forest area, 125 square miles. ) 
This county, which borders the Plains Region in southeastern Colo- 
rado, is drained by the Arkansas River. About four townships in the 
southwestern corner are mountainous; the remainder of the county 
consists of plains much broken by bluffs or buttes, and deep, rocky 
ravines. Most of the county east, southeast, and north of the city of 
Pueblo lies in fair shape for Gilfin tia, 
The forest lands are mostly situated in the valleys of the Arkansas, 
Huerfano, Saint Charles, Fontaine qui Bouille, and in the western and 
southern parts of the county. A small portion, perhaps one-tenth, is 
fully stocked; good for timber. 
Cottonwood is found in the valleys, Pine, Pinon, Cedar and Spruce 
in the high lands. The estimated area of forest lands includes the 
Cedar Bluffs, which are properly timber lands, and probably more val- 
uable than any other, as the wood is used extensively for fencing. The 
Cottonwood timber is but little used. In the southwestern part of the 
county there are Pine and Spruce, but limited in amount; also some 
Oak and Aspen. That portion of the county has furnished the inhabi- 
tants with timber and lumber for more than twenty years. 

