664 IMPKOl l.\G AND MAINTAINING GROUSE COVKKTS 



Herbaceous Plantings 



In evaliialiiig llie coxer requirpniPiits of grouse* it was apparent that edges often were 

 of particular significance. They come where openings meet existing woodlands. Many of these, 

 particularly field edges and woods roads, provide an opportunity for the development of 

 additional grouse foods and useful ground cover through the establishment of herbaceous 

 plants. 



One of the best treatments is to seed wild white clover. Seeding is recommended at the 

 rate of four pounds of seed per acre or about one pound for each one-quarter mile of eight 

 feet wide strip of roadway. Clover should only be established in soils having a neutral or 

 alkaline lime content. If the pH of the soil (relative acid-alkaline) tests acid, it will be nec- 

 essary to add lime in sufficient quantities to at least make it neutral in order to obtain a 

 successful crop. 



When an herbaceous field edge or roadway already contains a desirable type of vegeta- 

 tion, including important grouse foods, it can usually be maintained by an occasional mow- 

 ing or disking. 



PROTECTING THE EXISTING COVER 



One of the important aspects of maintaining ruffed grouse habitats is the protection of 

 the existing cover values. At the same time, this also may be used to accomplish habitat 

 improvements. Generally, it is aimed at controlling five destructive influences: fire, domestic 

 livestock, deer, insects and disease organisms. The control of the last two groups, insofar 

 as is practical, is carried out as a part of the woodland improvement operations and was ac- 

 cordingly mentioned previously'^. Particular attention is often needed, however, to prevent 

 and control woodland fires, to exclude domestic livestock and to control deer. 



Fire — Its Prevention. Control and Use 



Uncontrolled fires in llic woodland are a menace lo the ruffed grouse. The problem of 

 preventing and controlling them in New York and. in fact, over most of the Northeast, has 

 been gradually reduced, in recent years, by the increasing efficiency of organized fire con- 

 trol services. Except as fire may be. in some measure, a useful tool in disposing of slash, 

 in creating small, light ground burns lo promote the gerniinalion of certain desiraiile ])lants. 

 or in arresting plant succession^, the prevention of woods burning and efficieiit control of 

 fires, that are accidentally started, is recommended. 



In extensive forest areas, where the problem of accidental fires is most critical, the con- 

 flagrations are ordinarily the result of carelessness on the part of recreationists. The prob- 

 lem is most difficult during the s])ring and fall at which linics there is a dearth of rainfall 

 coupled with an accumulation of dry litter on the ground. During season of drought, the 

 prolileni sometimes becomes so acute that the forest preserve areas have to be closed, tempo- 

 rarily, to general public use. The oidy solution to the iirevcntion of these fires is more and 

 more education of the public to the proper use of fire and tin- avoidance of its abuse. 



The organization of fire-fighting services in exteiisi\e foiest lands is generally well devel- 

 oped where grouse habitats are im|)ortant enough lo warrant management. Such forest fires 

 as do get out of control are ordinarih put out before large areas are burned. New York 

 State has a very eflicieni s\sleni of rc>a<ls mikI trails, lookouts. ra<lio and tele])hone equipment. 



* Sec Chtplu III. 



A Sec pige 654. 



t Srr also flUcimBitm of Firr, p. 612, 6S0, , 



