121 



west to east. The surface of the county, therefore, is almost wholly 

 covered with lofty mouutaius, with narrow valleys between. 



The county was originally well tiuibered, the valleys and mountain 

 sides, up to the timber line, being generally covered with a fine growth 

 of Pine, Balsam, and Spruce. Much of this has been cut oft', and more 

 has been destroyed by forest fires, but the supply is thought sufficient 

 for some years to come, if carefully husbanded. It is believed that the 

 careless and willful destruction of timber might be prevented by speedily 

 and snreiy punishing offenders. 



The amount of water carried by the streams varies somewhat from 

 year to year, being dependent upon the soow-iall. The average amount 

 for a given period of years would remain about the same. Owing to 

 the cutting of timber on the mountains the snow melts more rapidly 

 than formerly, thus causing a greater flow of water in the early summer 

 and less later. 



CONEJOS COUNTY. 



(Area, 1,320 square miles; estimated forest area, 300 square miles.) 



This county is in southern Colorado, bordering on the Territory of 

 New Mexico. The western half of the county is mountainous j the east- 

 ern half lies in the {:?an Luis Park, the surface having a gradual descent 

 to the Rio Grande Elver. About three-eighths of the county is forest 

 laud, located in the range m the western part. J^ot more than one- 

 eighth of the forest land is well stocked with timber; one-eighth is cov- 

 ered with Aspen and one-fifth is made waste by burning. The forest 

 growth remaining is mostly Pine, with some Spruce and Aspen. Along 

 the streams in the valleys are found Cottonwood and Willow. 



Fire destroys more timber in one year than would be consumed by 

 other causes in ten. After the forests have been destroyed there is 

 very little chance for their renewal. 



As the trees are cut off or burned there is less water in the streams, 

 the snows melting earlier in the spring. It is suggested that the sup- 

 ply of water might be materially increased by the beaver. This little 

 animal, by a system of dams and canals, stores immense quantities of 

 water in the early summer, which comes down later in the season. 

 Could the beaver be protected by law on many streams there would be 

 no need of artificial storage. 



COSTILLA COUNTY. 

 (Area, 1,450 square miles; estimated forest area, 450 square miles.) 



This county is also on the southern border of the State. Its eastern 

 boundary is formed by the Sangre de Christo and Culebra ranges. The 

 Rio Grande River borders it on the west. The San Luis Park extends 

 through a large portion of the county. 



The forests are situated in the northern and eastern parts, on the 

 ^ mountains and foot-hills. About one-half of the timber is Pifion and 



