125 



for lumber, and no brusli of promising growth. Tiie forest growth is 

 Pinou and Pine, White Spruce, Cottonwood (on margins of streams) 

 AspeUj Scrub Oak, Box-Elder and Wild Ma[)le. Piuon and Pine pre- 

 dominate. The Pifion and Oak make excellent fuel ; the former is also 

 used extensively in the manufacture of charcoal. 



Charcoal burning is the principal danger threatening the forests. 

 The prospects of renewal after the forests have been destroyed are very 

 poor. In the mountains the second growth is usually Asj^en. 



GAEFIELD COUNTY. 



(Area, 7,250 square miles ; estimated forest area, 800 square miles.) 



This large county is situated in the plateau region of western Colorado. 

 It is watered by the White and Grand Rivers and their numerous tribu- 

 taries. 



Prom the Great Hogback west to the head- waters of Eoan and Doug- 

 las Creeks, are low sandstone hills, covered with stunted Piiion and 

 Cedar. The divide between Grand and White Rivers bears scattering 

 bunches of Spruce and Aspen, the latter predominating. East of the 

 great Hogback are large forests of Fir, White Spruce, and Pine j also, 

 in the immediate vicinity of White River are groves of very large Aspen. 

 Dwarf Pinon and Cedar are found near Carbonate and west to the 

 great Hogback, on the divide between Grand and White Rivers. The 

 finest timber is said to be situated in the northeast part of the county, 

 on the White Pine Plateau. In the higher altitudes there are some 

 large bodies of timber, mainly White Spruce. 



Fire is the principal cause of the destruction of timber in this county. 

 The law requiring the extinguishment of camp-fires should be strictly 

 enforced. The statement is made that the Ute Indians, who roam at 

 large and make their summer headquarters in the best timber, are re- 

 sponsible for some of tbe forest fires. The chances for renewal, after 

 the forests have been destroyed by fire, are few. Aspen, if anything, 

 springs up after fire. 



GILPIN COUNTY. 

 (Area, 140 square miles; estimated forest area, 50 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the north- central part of the State, upon 

 the eastern slope of the main range. The eastern portion is rugged 

 and mountainous, embracing Bear Mountains, South HiU, etc. In the 

 central and northern part are low foot-hills : the western part rises 

 to the summit of the range ; and the southern part rises from North 

 Clear Creek 2,000 to 3,000 feet to the summit of the ridge between the 

 two forks of Clear Creek, which forms the southern boundary of the 

 county. 



There is but little timber of importance in the county; it has nearly 

 all been cut off for mining purposes and fuel. That which is now used 



