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and Sprace, are found in the mountains. Here, also, are large tracts 
covered with Aspen. The trees of this species grow very straight, are 
from 10 to 40 feet in height, and are much used for fence poles. Upon 
the lower slopes and foot-hills the predominating species are Pifon, 
Cedar, and Serub Oak ; the latter sometimes growing to a height of 30 
feet. The central portion of the county has scattered groves of Pinon 
and Cedar, with patches of Serub Oak. The bluffs overhanging the 
streams are covered, to a limited extent, with Pinon, Cedar, Serub 
Oak, Mesquit, and afew Pines. Cotton-wood, Box Elder, Hackberry, 
Mulberry, Wild Plum, and Wild Cherry line many of the water courses. 
The streams of the eastern portion are nearly bare of trees, the groves 
that once existed there having been destroyed by the early settlers. 
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY. 
(Area, 7,500 square miles; estimated forest area, 175 square miles.) 
The eastern and central portions of Rio Arriba County are mountain- 
ous and well watered. The western portion is occupied by high mesas 
and plains, which here constitute the Continental Divide. The Rio 
Chama is the principal river traversing the county for any considerable 
distance. This and a few smaller streams discharge their waters inte 
the Rio Grande, which flows through the southeastern part of the county. 
The valleys of the streams are fertile, producing fine crops of grain and 
vegetables, and yielding different kinds of fruit. - 
The forests, found mainly in the mountainous districts, consist chiefly 
of Yellow and.Black Pine, with some Spruce at the higher altitudes. 
The timber is not dense, nor are the trees of large size. Cedar, Pinon, 
Serub-Oak, Cottonwood, Willow, and Wild Cherry are also native to 
this county. 
About one-fourth of the forest area has been made waste by fire, and 
as much more is brush of promising growth. After the destruction of 
the forests from any cause their renewal is extremely difficult. 
Floods and droughts are more frequent than in former years. 
SAN JUAN COUNTY. 
(Area, 7,200 square miles; estimated forest area, 250 square miles). 
This county has an elevation above sea-level of 7,000 feet. The San 
- Juan Mountains border it at the north and the Chusea Mountains at the 
/ west. In the central and eastern portions are wide plains and mesas. 
| The San Juan and Chusca Rivers and their affluents constitute the 
water system of the county. 
The Chuseca Mountains are fairly well timbered, Yellow and Black 
Pine being the predominant forest trees. A scattering growth of Ce- 
dar, Pifion and Serab Oak is found on the foot-hills and mesas. Cot- 
| tonwood, Willow, and Wild Cherry grow along the streams. 

24738—Bull 2 10 

