125 



for lumber, and no brush of promising growtb. The forest growth is 

 Piiiou and Pine, White Spruce, Cottonwood (on margins of streams) 

 Aspen, Scrub Oak, Box-Elder and Wild Maple. Pinou and Pine })re- 

 dominate. The Piiion and Oak make excellent fuel ; the former is also 

 used extensively in the manufacture of charcoal. 



Charcoal burning is the principal danger threatening the forests^ 

 The prospects of renewal after the forests have been destroyed are very 

 poor. In the mountains the second growth is usually Aspen, 



aAKFIELD COUNTY. 



(Area, 7,250 square miles ; estimated forest area, 800 square miles.) 



This large county is situated in the plateau region of western Colorado. 

 It is watered by the White and Grand Rivers and their numerous tribu- 

 taries. 



From the Great Hogback west to the head-waters of Roan and Doug- 

 las Creeks, are low sandstone hills, covered with stunted Pinon and 

 Cedar. The divide between Grand and White Rivers bears scattering 

 buncbes of Spruce and Aspen, the latter predominating. East of the 

 great Hogback are large forests of Fir, White Spruce, and Pinej also, 

 in the immediate vicinity of White River are groves of very large Aspen. 

 Dwarf Piiion and Cedar are found near Carbonate and west to the 

 great Hogback, on the divide between Grand and White Rivers. The 

 finest timber is said to be situated in the northeast part of the county, 

 on the White Pine Plateau. In the higher altitudes there are some 

 large bodies of timber, mainly White Spruce. 



Fire is the principal cause of the destruction of timber in this county. 

 The law requiring the extinguishment of camp-fires should be strictly 

 enforced. The statement is made that the Ute Indians, who roam at 

 large and make their summer headquarters in the best tiaiber, are re- 

 sponsible for some of the forest fires. The chances for renewal, after 

 the forests have been destroyed by fire, are few. Aspen, if anything, 

 springs up after fire. 



aiLPIN COUNTY. 



(Area, 140 square miles; estimated forest area, .^0 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the north-central part of the State, upon 

 the eastern slope of the main range. The eastern portion is rugged 

 and mountainous, embracing Bear Mountains, South Hill, etc. In the 

 central and northern part are low foot-hills : the western part rises 

 to the summit of the range j and the southern part rises from North 

 Clear Creek 2,000 to 3,000 feet to the summit of the ridge between the 

 two forks of Clear Creek, which forms the southern boundary of the 

 county. 



There is but little timber of importance in the county j it has nearly 

 9j11 been cut off for mining purposes and fuel. That which is now used 



