133 



and about one eighth made waste by lire. The remainder is composed 

 of small growth and brush. 



Concerning the effect of forests upon the water supply, it is stated 

 that many of the small streams which were never known to fail in 

 1873-'84, and prior to that time, now fail about the last of July or the 

 the first of August. It is believed by some that the snow-fall is lighter 

 than in former years. 



PLTKIN COUNTY. 



(Area, 1,090 square miles ; estimated forest area, 540 square miles.) 



This county is situated in west-central Colorado. It is boi'dered upon 

 the east and southwest by the Saguache and Elk Ranges, respectively. 

 It is abundantly watered by the Koaring Fork Riv^er and its tributa- 

 ries. 



The forests are well distributed over the county, the heaviest timber 

 being found in the mountains. Pine, Spruce, Piiion, and Cedar are 

 the principal species. They vary greatly in sizej Pine predominates. 



Pire, lumbering, and snow slides have been destructive to the forests ; 

 as yet railroads have caused little injury. The chances for renewal 

 after the forests have been destroyed are poor. Scrub Oak, Aspen, 

 Cottonwood, and various other small trees and shrubs constitute the 

 second growth. 



1^0 changes have been observed in the volume of water in the streams. 

 That is largely influenced by the fall of snow in the mountains. 



PUEBLO COUNTY. 



(Area, 2,350 square miles; estimated forest area, 125 square miles.) 



This county, which borders the Plains Region in southeastern Colo- 

 rado, is drained by the Arkansas River. About four townships in the 

 southwestern corner are mountainous ; the remainder of the county 

 consists of plains much broken by bluffs or buttes, and deep, rocky 

 ravines. Most of the county east, southeast, and north of the city of 

 Pueblo lies in fair shai3e for cultivation. 



The forest lands are mostly situated in the valleys of the Arkansas, 

 Huerfano, Saint Charles, Fontaine qui Bouille. and in the western and 

 southern parts of the county. A small portion, perhaps one-tenth, is 

 fully stocked ; good for timber. 



. Cottonwood is found in the valleys. Pine, Pinon, Cedar and Spruce 

 in the high lands. The estimated area of forest lands includes the 

 Cedar Bluffs, which are properly timber lands, and probably more val- 

 uable than any other, as the wood is used extensively for fencing. The 

 Cottonwood timber is but little used. In the southwestern part of the 

 county there are Pine and Spruce, but limited in amount; also some 

 Oak and Aspen. That portion of the county has furnished the inhabi- 

 tants with timber and lumber for more than twenty years. 



