FOREST CONDITIONS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 



I.— GENERAL VIEW. 



The forests of the Eocky Mountain region sustain an important rela- 

 tion to the western half of the United States, if indeed their influence 

 is not more widely extended. In the past their value has been wholly 

 measured by their yield of timber and other useful i^roducts, but a more 

 enlightened estimate is now gaining ground. It is gratifying to note that 

 a more just comprehension of their value and importance prevails, and 

 that the indifference with which their i)aTtial destruction has been 

 viewed is yielding to a desire for their i^reservation. 



These forests are mainly situated upon the lands of the General Gov- 

 ernment, and are not subject to State or Territorial control. The 

 measures in force for their maintenance and protection are extremely 

 ineffectual. 



GEOGKAPHY OF THE REGIOl^. 



In order to understand the existing forest conditions of this region 

 it will be necessary first to consider its leading physical features. 



The term Rocky Mountains " (originally "Stony Mountains'^), in its 

 widest sense, includes all the mountains of E'orth America between 

 the Great Plains and the Pacific Ocean, extending to the Arctic Ocean 

 oii the north and to Mexico on tlie south. It is the opinion of many 

 that the same system includes the mountains of Mexico and Central 

 America. Exclusive of Mexico, the chain traverses the entire region 

 embraced between the thirty-second and seventieth parallels of north 

 latitude. Its greatest expanse is between the thirty-eighth and forty- 

 second degrees of north latitude, where the system has a breadth of 

 about 1,000 miles. Its highest peak is Mount Saint Elias, in Alaska, 

 w^hich rises to an altitude of 19,500 feet above the sea. 



THE MOUNTAIN SYSTEM. 



For the purpose of the present investigation, the term Rocky 

 Mountains'' will usually be confined to those portions of the system 

 which are comprised within the State of Colorado and the Territories 

 of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico. 



The mountain system under consideration is situated midway be- 

 tween the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean, and running nearly 

 24738— Bull 2 4 49 



