102 



feet deep. Another large caual, in Gboteaii County, is 75.miles in length. 

 Others of similar character are in process of construction. Irrigation 

 systems are greatly needed for the reclamation, under the desert-land 

 act, of sterile tracts. The repeal of that act, as proposed, might be a 

 serious mistake. 



The numerous valleys of the Territory are remarkably fertile, and, with proper 

 facilities for irrigation, yield large returns in wheat, oats, barley, and all kinds of 

 vegetables unsurpassed in quality. 



BEAVER HEAD COUNTY. 



(Total area, 2,800 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,100 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the 

 Territory. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by the main 

 Eocky Mountain range. Beaver Head and Big Hole Eivers are its 

 I)rincipal streams. They flow through a long reach of country and find 

 outlet at the northeast, through the Jefferson Eiver, into the Missouri. 



The surface of the county is much broken, and includes many de- 

 tached ranges and spurs, which, in some instances, are comparatively 

 high and rugged. There are a number of arable valleys, and quite an ex- 

 tent of rolling, open country suitable for grazing. 



Upon all the mountains, except at the highest elevations, there is a 

 forest growth, but usually not dense nor of great value for lumber. The 

 forests, however, afford timber supplies for the ordinary local uses, and 

 serve to protect the head- waters of the streams. 



Eed Fir, Black Pine, or Tamarack, White Pine, and White Spruce 

 are the predominant species. Black Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia)^ 

 which here grows large and tall, borders many of the streams. 



Forest fires have destroyed much timber in the county, but as the 

 winter snows are heavy and the climate not extremely arid, a new 

 growth of the same species soon appears. 



CHOTEAU COUNTY. 

 (Total area, 26,000 square miles ; estimated forest area, 350 square miles.) 



The greater part of this immense county, nearly all of which is in the 

 plains region, is held as an Indian reservation. It is situated in the 

 north-central part of the Territory, and is w atered by the Missouri 

 Eiver, the Milk, Marias, and other tributary streams. 



The small amount of timber the county contains is found upon the 

 Sweet Grass Hills in the north, the Bear Paw and Little Eocky Mount- 

 ains at the northeast, the Highwood Mountains in the southern por- 

 tion, and on the foot-hills of the main range in the extreme western 

 part. 



The forests are composed almost wholly of an inferior growth of Eed 

 Fir and White Pine, not more than 5 or 10 per cent, of which is good 

 saw-timber. A scanty growth of Cottonwood lines the streams. 



