. 103 



It is stated that forest fires have not been frequent. When they do 

 occur, the second growth is usually of the same species as the original. 



CUSTER COUNTY. 



(Total area, 20,000 square luilcs; estimated forest area, 200 square miles.) 



Ouster County, situated in the southeastern corner of the Territory, 

 is another of the " plains counties." It is an agricultural and grazing 

 region, aud is watered by the Yellowstone, Powder, Tongue, aud Rose- 

 bud Rivers and their affluents. 



There is but little timber in the county, and that is found in the south- 

 western part. 



DAWSON COUNTY. 



(Total area, 2,700 square miles j estimated forest area, 200 square miles.") 



This, one of the largest counties of the Territory, is situated in its 

 northeastern corner. More than one-half of its area, at the north, is 

 still held as an Indian reservation. It is wholly in the plains region. 

 The Missouri River flows through the central part and the Yellowstone 

 crosses the southeast corner. The only timber of any importance — and 

 that very limited in extent— is situated in the piuey buttes, in the south- 

 western portion of the county. 



DEER LODGE COUNTY. 



(Total area, 5,000 square miles ; estimated forest area, 2,400 square miles.) 



This eounty lies upon the v/estern slope of the Continental Divide. 

 The main Rocky Mountain range forms its northern, eastern, and, in 

 part, its southern boundaries. The area of this county is quite equally 

 divided between mountains and valleys, the most notable of the latter 

 being Deer Lodge Valley, which is 30 miles long and from 3 to 10 miles 

 wide. 



Numerous streams afford a plentiful water supply for irrigation and 

 other purposes. 



All of the mountains are more or less timbered, the heaviest growth 

 being found in the northern and southwestern parts of the county. 

 Red Fir, White and Yellow Pine and Cedar, are the principal species 

 of forest trees. Fir and ^' Lodge-pole Pine" (a variety of- the White 

 Pine) predominate. 



Oue-lialf of the timber lands is covered with Lodge-pole Piue, one-fourth has trees 

 of large growth, and one-fourth is brush and burned over. The trunks of the larger 

 species attain a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. 



FERGUS COUNTY. 



(Total area, 7,.500 square miles; estimated forest area, 700 squafe miles.) 



This county is situated in the central part of the Territory. The 

 Muscle Shell River, a tributary of the Missouri, bounds it on the south 



