III._FOREST CONDITIONS OF THE SEVERAL PO- 

 LITICAL DIVISIONS. 



Note. — For the purpose of obtainiug information with respect to the forest condi- 

 tions of the several parts of the Rocky Mountain region, circular letters of inquiry, 

 embracing the following questions, were sent to persons in each county : 



(1) What is the extent of forest land in your county, giving approximate number 

 of square miles ? 



(2) What proportion of it is fully stocked, good for timber ? What part of it is 

 made waste by burning over ? What part of it brush, of promising growth? 



(3) What is the proportion of forest to other lands ? 



(4) What is the character of the forest growth now remaining, in the size and kinds 

 of trees ? 



(5) What species of trees predominate ? 



(6) Name, in the order of their importance, the principal uses to which each kind 

 of timber is applied ? 



(7) What special dangers threaten the forests in your county, as lumbering, con- 

 sumption by railroads, fires, etc. ? 



(8) What are the chances for renewal, after the forests have been destroyed ? 



(9) Of what species of trees is the second growth usually ? 



(10) What kinds, if any, follow after the timber has been destroyed by fire ? 



(11) Is any planting done and to what extent, and with or without irrigation ? 



(12) Have you noticed any changes in the volume of water in the streams, as the 

 trees in their vicinity have been cut off or burned ? Is there less water in the streams 

 than formerly ? Have floods and droughts become more frequent ? Is the flow of 

 water in the streams more intermittent ? 



(13) Are any observations on rain-fall kept in your locality? If so, by whom, 

 giving name and post-office address. 



(14) Have any avalanches occurred in your section ? If so, please give the par- 

 ticulars, when, where, and what, if any, loss of life and property. 



(15) What measures would you suggest for the more adequate protection of forest 

 growth ? 



(16) Give any other information upon the same general subject which may occur 

 to you. So far as possible give definite and particular answers to the foregoing ques- 

 tions and knovrn facts rather than general statements. If there is insufiicient space 

 on this sheet for your answers supplementary sheets may be used, care being taken 

 to refer to the numbers on this sheet so as to prevent uncertainty or confusion. 



Responses to the above were in many instance so long delayed and often so incom- 

 plete that a laborious and protracted correspondence became necessary. Although 

 but few correspondents could identify and name, according to their botanical rela- 

 tions, the several species comprising the forests of their locality, nearly all could give 

 common names, location, uses, and other descriptive matter. 



To obtain further details concerning the forests of the region and their relation to 

 agriculture and systems of irrigation, letters of inquiry, embracing the subjoined 

 questions and a plat of the particular county, were sent to county surveyors and 

 other civil engineers : 



(1) Please give a brief and general topographical description of your county ? 



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