FORESTS ARD SNOW 
By L. G. CARPENTER. 
The intimate connection between the melting snow banks of the 
mountains and the agricultural prosperity of Colorado is too evident 
to those acquainted with the conditions of the State to need discussion, 
for most of the water which carries fertility to the fields and farms 
comes from the white-capped mountains; hut even among those most 
interested in the agriculture of the State there have been some who have 
had a question as to the extent to which the forests were useful. Some 
have even advocated their destruction, under the supposition that the 
water supply would be increased. 
While it is not thought by the writer that the forests materially 
affect the rainfall in our Colorado mountains, their influence as a pro¬ 
tecting cover for the snow and in saving it from premature melting 
and the effect of winds, which increase the evaporation, is an important 
function. Without intending to enter upon a discussion of the question 
at this time, this bulletin is more especially intended to bring out some 
of the relations of the forests to our water supply, which have become 
evident in our study of one of the typical irrigation streams, and also 
to present some of them pictorially, in such form as to help the reader 
draw conclusions for himself. 
For some years attempts have been made to obtain photographs 
which would show certain conditions, but as visits to the localities in 
question were usually made for other purposes, the trips were too late 
to be at the best time to examine the effect of the forests. It was found 
that it would be necessary to go earlier in order to obtain views desired, 
and to make trips for that special purpose. Hence, when the heavy 
snowfall of 1899 gave promise of remaining late enough in the summer 
to permit visits to the regions without interference with other work, 
advantage was taken of it. Correspondence had been opened with moun¬ 
tain friends, who with long acquaintance with mountain conditions had 
had unusual chances for observation. They were asked to let me know 
when the snow cover had so melted that the ground appeared in places, 
and also the places where green timber and bare spots were near to¬ 
gether, so that the conditions could be readily compared. A portable 
dark-room was prepared for developing in the field. Reports that the 
conditions were favorable were received from three correspondents on 
the same day. The snow fields were melting so fast that only one section 
could be visited while the conditions were favorable, and this was near 
