119 



the office defined, and the county commissioners and road overseers 

 tlirongliout tlie State constituted forest officers in tlieir respective lo- 

 calities, with special duties relating to the i)rotection of forests. At 

 the same time acts were passed imposing penalties for the willful or 

 careless setting of forest fires, for failure to extinguish camp fires, etc., 

 and requiring the posting of notices in public places warning persons 

 against the violation of the law. At the recent session of the legisla- 

 ture (18SG-'87) the law was made more stringent in some respects, the 

 State forest commissioner was given a salary and traveling allowances, 

 and Congress was memorialized upon the subject of transferring to the 

 State the custody or control of the public forest lands within her limits. 

 Altogether, Colorado has made very substantial and gratifying prog- 

 ress in forest matters. 



ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 



(Area, 4,700 square miles.) 



This county is in the northeastern part of the State. It has no for- 

 est land*. Its area consists mainly of gently rolling prairie. The west- 

 ern half of the county is quite well watered by the South Platte Eiver 

 and its tributaries. An extensive system of irrigation renders product- 

 ive large bodies of land. 



AUCHULETA COUNTY. 

 (Area, 1,026 square miles; estimated forest area, 450 square miles.) 



This county is situated on the southern line of the State, and near its 

 western border. Its surface is mountainous, but includes fertile val- 

 leys. The forest land is well distributed every square mile is said to 

 have timber enough for needed purposes. 



The timber is chiefly Pine, of good quality j 12 per cent, is brush of 

 promising growth ; very little has been made w^aste by burning. The 

 IDrincipal species are Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Cotton-wood, Pinon, Oak, 

 Aspen, and Willow ; Yellow Pine predominates. 



After the destruction of the forests, the chances of their renewal are 

 slight. On mountain ranges sloping to the north, Aspen usually fol- 

 lows fires as a second growth. 



No changes are noticed as yet in the volume and flow of water in 

 streams j springs and running streams abound. 



Indians start fires to drive the game from some places ; they also strip 

 the bark from standing Pine trees to obtain a pulp of sweetish taste that 

 accumulates between the bark and the wood. It is stated that they 

 cause more destruction of timber than all other agencies combined. 



The water for irrigation purposes is deemed insufficient. 



BENT COUNTY. 

 (Area, 9,070 square miles.) 



Bent County lies upon the eastern border of the State, and is wholly 

 within the plains region. It is inadequately watered by the Arkansas 



