107 



The mountains are not rugged and are comparatively low, rarely ex- 

 ceeding 8,000 feet in altitude. They, as well as the foot-hills, are usu- 

 ally covered with timber. Some of the low, Rocky Mountain spurs at 

 the eastward, however, are quite bare. About three-eighths of the 

 forest growth is good timberj as much more is promising young growth, 

 while the remainder has been made waste by fire. 



The leading species of forest trees are Yellow and White Pine, Eed 

 and White Fir, White Spruce, Tamarack, Cedar {Thuya pigantea), Larch, 

 and Balsam. lu the bottoms and along the streams are found Balm of 

 Gilead, Birch, Alder, Willow, etc. The Pines, Firs, and Tamarack fur- 

 nish most of the lumber supplies. The Yellow Pine grows large, and 

 is the predominant forest tree. 



At higher elevations the White Spruce is the leading species. 



SILVER BOW COUNTY. 

 (Total area, 576 square miles ; estimated forest area, 60 square miles.) 



The county of Silver Bow, situated upon the crest of the maiu Eocky 

 Mountain range, is one of the principal mining centers of the region. 



Mining interests have greatly flourished here, but the forests have suf- 

 fered in a corresponding degree. The demand for mining timbers and 

 wood for charcoal manufacture has been so great, that the once valuable 

 forest lands of the county have been almost wholly stripped. There is 

 but little, if any, chance for reproductiou of the forest growth. A little 

 timber still remains in the western part of the county, but is likely 

 to be consumed during the next three years. 



Yellow and White Pine, Red Fir, and White Spruce are the predomi- 

 nant species. The Fir grows to a size of 6 to 15 iiTches in diameter of 

 trunk, and the Spruce reaches an average diameter of 15 inches. Lodge- 

 pole Pine grows from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. A small growth of 

 Cottonwood and Willow is found along the streams. A correspondent 

 writes : 



The timber question is a serious one for this part of the Territory. The consump- 

 tion of timber is so great that the forests of western Montana will be cut off within 

 the next ten years. 



YELLOWSTONE COUNTY. 

 (Total area, 3,600 square miles ; estimated forest area, 25 square miles.) 



There are no mountains in this county, and no forests of importance. 

 The Yellowstone River forms its southern boundary. 



Upon the bottom lands and hills, skirting this river and its tributary 

 creeks, is found a little timber, consisting of Pine, Oedar, and Cotton- 

 wood ; none of which, unless the latter, attains large size. About one- 

 eighth of the forest growth is said to be good timber. 



CROW INDIAN RESERVATION. 

 (Total area, 7,200 square miles ; estimated forest area, 700 square miles.) 



This reserv^ation is in the south-central part of Montana, bordering 

 on the Territory of Wyoming. Tlie Yellow^stone River bounds it ou 



