123 



The average rain-f\ill i s thought to be iiicreasiug. The dauger of for- 

 ests being destroyed by hre is not considered imminent, as they are 

 situated at a high altitude, and where there is considerable humidity. 



DOLORES COUNTY. 

 (Area, 800 square miles; estimated forest area, 150 square miles.) 



The surface of this couuty is much broken. It includes mountain 

 rauges, high mesas or table-lauds, and narrow valleys bounded by box 

 canyons, or geutly sloping hill-sides. It is well watered by the Dolores 

 Eiver and its tributaries. 



The forest lands are situated chiefly in the eastern half of the couuty. 

 About two-thirds of the timber is Yellow Pine and Spruce ; the remain- 

 der is Pinon and Aspen. Only a small percentage of the timber is suit- 

 able for lumber, the trees being small and stunted. Fires and the con- 

 sumption for mining purposes are the special dangers threatening the 

 forests. It is said that after the forests have been destroyed Nature 

 speedily reproduces them, the high altitude and moist atmosphere con- 

 tributing to that end. 



DOUGLAS COUNTl?. 

 (Area, 850 square miles; estimated forest area, 300 square miles.) 



About two-fifths of the area of this county has a scattering growth 

 of timber, situated mainly on the north side of the Arkansas-Platte 

 Divide and in the mountains to the west. The timber on the divide has 

 been cut, but considerable young timber is now growing. In the mount- 

 ains fully one-half of the timber has been burned. The forest growth 

 remaining, i^rincipally small, rarely exceeds 15 inches in diameter. Pine 

 and spruce are the predominant species. Lumbering has been the great- 

 est destroyer of timber. A new growth is appearing on some of the old 

 burned tracts. This growth is usually Pine on the south side of the 

 mountains and Spruce on the north side. 



The volume and flow of water in the streams have been affected by 

 various means ; such as forest fires, or cutting off the timber at the 

 head-waters of the streams, or of dense growths of timber and under- 

 brush elsewhere. Wherever the forests have been cleared off, the snow 

 melts rapidly, giving a heavy flow of water in early spring, and an 

 insufficient flow in the summer. 



EAGLE COUNTY. 

 (Area, 1,750 square miles; estimated forest area, 300 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the northwestern part of the State. The 

 surface is mountainous, and includes fertile valleys suited for many 

 kinds of grain and vegetables, especially those that mature in a short 

 season. Mining and stock-raising are the chief industries. 



