145 



and Spruce, arc fouLid in the mouutaius. Here, also, are large tracts 

 covered with Aspeu. The trees of this species grow very straight, are 

 from 10 to 40 feet iu height, and are much used for fence poles. Upon 

 the lower slopes and foot hills the predominating species are Piuon, 

 Cedar, and Scrub Oak ; the latter sometimes growing to a height of 30 

 leet. The central portion of the county has scattered groves of Piiion 

 and Cedar, with patches of Scrub Oak. The bluffs overhanging the 

 stieams are covered, to a limited extent, with Pinon, Cedar, Scrub 

 Oak, Mesquit, and a few Pines. Cotton- wood. Box Eider, Hackberry, 

 Mulberry, Wild Plum, and Wild Cherry line manj^ofthe water cowrses. 

 The streams of the eastern portion are nearly bare of trees, the groves 

 that once existed there having been destroyed by the early settlers, 



RIO ARKIBA COUNTY. 



(Area, 7,500 square miles; estimated forest area, 175 square miles.) 



The eastern and central portions of Kio Arriba County are mountain- 

 ous and. well watered. The western portion is occupied by high mesas 

 and plains, which here constitute the Continental Divide. The Rio 

 Chama is the principal river traversing the county for any considerable 

 distance. This and a few smaller streams discharge their waters into 

 the Eio Grande, which flows through the southeastern part of the county. 

 The valleys of the streams are fertile, i)roducing tine crops of grain and 

 vegetables, and yielding different kinds of fruit. 



The forests, found mainly in the mountainous districts, consist chiefly 

 of Yellow and Black Pine, with some Spruce at the higher altitudes. 

 The timber is not dense, nor are the trees of large size. Cedar, Piiion, 

 Scrub Oak, Cottonwood, Willow, and Wild Cherry are also native to 

 this county. 



About one-fourth of the forest area has been made waste by fire, and 

 as much more is brush of promising growth. After the destruction of 

 the forests from any cause their renewal is extremely difficult. 



Floods and droughts are more frequent than in former years. 



SAN JUAN COUNTY. 



(Area, 7,200 square miles ; estimated forest area, 250 square miles). 



This county has an elevation above sea-level of 7,000 feet. The San 

 Juan Mountains border it at the north and the Chusca Mountains at the 

 west, lix the central and eastern portions are wide plains and mesas. 

 The San Juan and Chusca Elvers and their affluents constitute the 

 water system of the county. 



The Chusca Mountains are fairly well timbered, Yellow and Black 

 Pine being the predominant forest trees. A scattering growth of Ce- 

 llar, Piiion and Scrub Oak is found on the foot-hills and mesas. Cot- 

 tonwood, Willow, and Wild Cherry grow along the st?reams. 

 24738— Bull 2 -10 



