134 



The prospects for renewal of the forests after they have been destroyed 

 are not promising, especially on the Oedar and Pinon lands. The second 

 growth is usually the same as the original. 



The flow of water in the streams is more intermittent than formerly 



RIO aRANDB COUNTY. 



(Area 1,300 square miles; estimated forest area, 275 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the southwestern part of the State. The 

 river Eio Grande del I^^orte enters near the northwest corner and flows 

 through the county in a southeasterly direction. The valleys of the 

 Rio Grande and its tributaries include good agricultural land, and the 

 most easterly tier of townships are of like character. The remainder, 

 and especially the western jjortion, is mountainous and covered with 

 Spruce, Aspen, Phie, Piiion, and Cedar timber. The narrow-leafed 

 Cottonwood grows abundantly and luxuriantly in the Eio Grande Val- 

 ley, east of the South Fork. 



Some years ago the Dte Indians destroyed many fore?t trees by re- 

 moving the bark; they also caused many forest fires. Of late years 

 lumbermen have taken more or less of the timber, and mining opera- 

 tions have been very destructive to forest growth. 



The flow of water in the streams early in the spring is greater than 

 formerly, probably owing to destruction of the forests, which occasions 

 early melting of the snows. 



ROUTT COUNTY. 



(Area, 6,200 square miles; estimated forest area. 1,050 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the northwest corner of the State. It is 

 traversed from east to west by the Yampah Elver. This, with its trib- 

 utary streams, constitutes its water system. The surface of the county 

 is mountainous ; the valleys for the most part are deep, and from one- 

 half to one and a half miles wide. Several large parks are included 

 within its boundaries. 



The forests are found mostly in the eastern part and in the north- 

 western corner. The heaviest timber grows in the main range, extend- 

 ing along the eastern border of the county. About 25 per cent, of the 

 forest area is good growing timber; 25 per cent. Aspen and Oak-brnshj 

 good mainlj" for fuel; and the remainder has been killed by fire. 



The timber consists of Pine, Sprnce, Balsam, Aspen, and, along the 

 streams, Cottonwood. There are some fine trees, but of medium size. 

 Pine and Spruce predominate. 



SAGUACHE COUNTY. 



(Area, 3,150 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,175 square miles.) 



This county is sitnated in south-ctMitral Colorado. The Sangre de 

 ChristoEange forms its eastern boundary, and the ]\laiu Eange passes 



