41 (i 



Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



wind. If started too near the main fire, before it has spread suffici- 

 ently, the main fire will be on it, and, being thus assisted, will rage 

 more vigorously than before. 



Fig. 2.— Showing the shape of the flame area, with crown fire preceding 



the ground fire. 



<ajr> 



Fig, 3, — Indicating how the ground fire becomes a crown fire, and how at (a) 

 a fire path reduces the possibility of the formation of a crown fire. 



Where such natural opportunities as roads, streams, etc., for 

 the lighting of a counter-fire are absent, suitable paths should be 

 made at the time of planting, and in these days when farmers are 

 planting larger areas to timber, it is advisable to divide such areas 

 into 5 or 10 acre blocks, with surrounding borders at from 5 to 6 

 yards wide, free from vegetation. 



In gum and coniferous plantations, the strips or borders should 

 be cultivated during the years of greatest danger from fire, i.e. during 



