PROTECTING THE EXISTING HABITAT 



665 



and other fire-fighting and reporting facihties. Owners of forest lands should be fully ac- 

 quainted with the fire control arrangements in their vicinit)' and should always be in a posi- 

 tion to cooperate with the authorities in whatever manner is needed. 



In those portions of New York grouse range where fires are common, the problem is quite 

 different. Here most of the fires are started as a result of the deliberate burning of fields 

 or hedgerows. These occasionally escape and invade adjacent woodland areas, the edges of 

 which are often the best grouse habitat. Although these fires are seldom extensive, the 

 danger for grouse is considerable, especially since the facilities for fire control are not ordi- 

 narily as thorough. On the other hand, it is usually possible, without undue delay, to get 

 together equipment and manpower for putting out fires in small scattered woodlands. 



The problem of eliminating this type of fire is also largely one of education of the farm 

 population. The burning of fields and hedgerows is unwarranted under almost all circum- 

 stances and rarely produces the results that the operator desires. 



Particular care should always be taken to see that any legitimate fires are thoroughly ex- 

 tinguished before leaving, especially in dry weather and on windy days. Fire in the wood- 

 land, like many another of man's tools, may be either good or bad. depending upon how, 

 when and where it is used. The general principle of prevention and control of fire in the 

 woods does not, in any way, depreciate the value of fire when properly used for legitimate 

 purposes, such as camp fires or in connection with improvement of habitat. In all instances, 

 the utmost care should be used to prevent fires from getting out of control. 



Control ok Domestic Livestock 



Farm livestock, particularly cattle, are ofttimes allowed to range through the farm wood- 

 lands. Usually, the owner believes that wood pasture furnishes enough forage to make this 





L . S. Soil Conseri'uiion Service 



THERE IS \ SHARP CONTRAST IN UNDERGROWTH DENSITY AND DIVERSITY BETWEEN HEAVILY 

 PASTURED WOODLANDS AND THOSE FROM WHICH CATTLE HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED 



