102 



feet deep. Another large caua], in Choteaii Conuty, is 75 miles in length. 

 Others of similar character are in process of constrnctiou. Irrigation 

 systems are greatly needed for the reclamation, under the desert-land 

 act, of sterile tracts. The repeal of that act, as proposed, might be a 

 serious mistake. 



The uumerous valleys of the Territory are remarkably fertile, and, witli proper 

 facilities for irrigation, yield large returns in wheat, oats, barley, and all kinds of 

 vegetables unsurpassed in quality. 



BEAYEH HEAD COUNTY. 



(Total area, 2,800 square miles ; estimated forest area, 1,100 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the 

 Territory. It is bordered on the nortb, ^Yest, and south by the main 

 Rocky Mountain range. Beaver Head and Big Hole Rivers are its 

 principal streams. They flow through a long reach of country and find 

 outlet at the northeast, through the Jefferson River, into the Missouri. 



The surface of the county is much broken, and includes many de- 

 tached ranges and spurs, which, in some instances, are comparatively 

 high and rugged. There are a number of arable valleys, and quite an ex- 

 tent of rolling, open country suitable for grazing. 



Upon all the mountains, except at the highest elevations, there is a 

 forest growth, but usually not dense nor of great value for lumber. The 

 forests, however, afford timber supplies for the ordinary local uses, and 

 serve to protect the head-waters of the streams. 



Red Fir, Black Pine, or Tamarack, White Pine, and White Spruce 

 are the predominant species. Black Cottonwood (Pojndusangustifolia), 

 which here grows large and tall, borders many of the streams. 



Forest fires have destroyed much timber in the count}', but as the 

 winter snows are heavy and the climate not extremely arid, a new 

 growth of the same species soon appears. 



CHOTEAU COUNTY. 

 (Total area, 26,000 square miles ; estimated forest area, 3^)0 square miles.) 



The greater part of this immense county, nearly all of which is in the 

 plains region, is held as an Indian reservation. It is situated in the 

 north-central part of the Territory, and is watered by the Missouri 

 River, the Milk, Marias, and other tributary streams. 



The small amount of timber the county contains is found upon the 

 Sweet Grass Hills in the north, the Bear Paw and Little Rocky Mount- 

 ains at the northeast, the Highwood IMountains in the southern por- 

 tion, and on the foot-hills of the main range in the extreme western 

 part. 



The forests are composed almost wholly of an inferior growth of Red 

 Fir and White Pine, not more than 5 or 10 per cent, of which is good 

 saw-timber. A scanty growth of Cottonwood lines the streara.s. 



