144 



The demaad for lumber causes the cousumptiou of the Pine timber 

 as fast as it can be reached. Much of the best Piue is situated at points 

 in the mountaius not now accessible, aud for the present it is likely to 

 be spared. After the forests have been destroyed their reproduction 

 can hardly be hoped for; the region is too arid to favor a new conifer- 

 ous growth. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 



(Area, 24,450 square miles ; estimated forest area, 920 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the southeast corner of Xew Mexico. Along 

 its western border are the Sierra Blanca, Sacramento, Guadalupe, and 

 other mountain ranges ; the central and eastern portions extend into 

 the plains region. The Eio PecosEiver flows through the entire county 

 from north to south, and midway in its course is joined by its main afflu- 

 ent, the Eio Honda Eiver, which enters it from the west. That part of 

 the county east of the Eio Pecos is very scantily watered, a few springs 

 and wells being the only source of supply. Stock-raising is the chief 

 industry, for which the county is well adapted. A large body of till- 

 able land lies along the valley of the Pecos for a distance of about 200 

 miles, and along the tributaries of the river for a distance of some 300 

 miles. 



The forests of the county are confined mostly to the mountains of the 

 western portion. About one- fourth of the forest area includes good 

 timber ; the rem ainder has a small growth suitable only for fencing and 

 fuel. Forest fires have, as yet, done but little damage. Pine, Spruce. 

 Pinon, and Oedar constitute the bulk of the forests. The first two are 

 used in the manufacture of lumber. Spruce is found at the greater ele- 

 vations; it grows large and often forms dense forests. Piiion, " Scrub 

 Pine," and Cedar are the most prevalent trees. Other trees native to 

 this county are Oak, Yucca, and Madroiia. 



Settlers who have taken timber-culture claims, generally plant Cot- 

 tonwood, cultivating them in all cases with the aid of irrigation. 



MORA COUNTY. 



(Area, 3,830 square miles; estimated forest area, 720 square miles.) 



The altitude of this county varies from 4,000 feet in the extreme 

 eastern portion to 7,000 feet at the base of the Eocky Mountain range 

 in the west, and some of the high peaks attain an elevation of 11,000 to 

 12,500 feet. About one-fourth of the surface of the county in the western 

 part is mountainous; the remaining three-fourths extends into the 

 Plains Eegion, and is an open rolling country, varied to some extent by 

 hills and buttes. The Canadian Eiver, passing from north to south 

 through the central portion, is the principal stream. A number of 

 creeks and arroyos water other portions. 



The heaviest bodies of timber, consisting of Yellow and White Pine 



