LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, 



Colorado Springs, Colo., May 14, 1887. 



Sir: Under dates of April 1 and September 27, 1886, respectively, 

 commissious were issued to me from your Department, authorizing an 

 investigation of the forest conditions and resources of the State of Colo- 

 rado and the Territories of New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, 

 and an examination of the relations existing between the forests, water- 

 courses, and irrigating systems of the region, with special consideration 

 of the Government timber lands. 



I have the honor to submit the accompanying report. 



Upon receiving authority to conduct the investigation, correspond- 

 euce was instituted wath civil engineers and other w^ell-in formed per- 

 sons in the several counties of the region, and printed circulars were 

 sent out embracing the following questions: 



Circular A. 



(1; What is the extent of forest laud in yonr connty, giving approximate number 

 of square miles ; and in what part of the county is it mainly situated ? 



(2) What proportion of it is fully stocked; good for timber? What part of it 

 brush, of x^romising growth ? What part of it made waste by burning over ? 



(3) What is the proportion of forest to other lands ? 



(4) What is the character of the forett growth now remaining, in the size and 

 kinds of trees? 



(5) What species of trees predominate? 



(C) ii[ame, in the order of their importance, the principal uses to which each kind 

 of timber is applied. 



(7) What special dangers threaten the forests in your county, as lumbering, con- 

 sumi^tion by railroads, fires, etc. 



(8) What are the chances for renewal after the forests have been destroyed? 



(9) Of what species of trees is the second- growth usually ? 



(10) What kinds, if any, follow after ihe timber has been destroyed by tire ? 



(11) Is any plautingdone ? And to what extent, and with or without irrigation ? 



(12) Have you noticed any cha-^ges in the volume of water in the streams, as the 

 trees in their vicinity have been cut off or burned ? Is there less water in the streams 

 than formerly ? Have floods and droughts become more frequent ? Is the flow of 

 water in the streams more intermittent? 



(13) Are any observations on rain-fall kept iu your locality ? If so, by whom (giv- 

 ing name and post-office address) ? 



(14) Have any avalanches occurred in your section ? If so, pkn.se give the particu- 

 lars; when, where, and what, if auy, loss of life and x)roperty ? 



(15) What measures would you suggest for more adequate protection of forest 

 growth? 



45 



