144 JOURNAL OF FORKSTRV 



tice, inaugurated as a matter of fire protection, lias been found to 

 practically pay for itself in material salvaged, it being estimated that 

 not over $50 ta $75 had been paid out for dead work in this connection 

 in the tv.o years the requirement had been in force. 



When asked if the method of slash disposal being practiced would 

 be applicable to the more open stands of nearly pure hardwood found 

 in other parts of the State, the logging boss assured me that it would 

 but that as clean a burn could probably not be secured owing to the 

 absence of hemlock brush in the piles. He stated, however, that piling 

 would be equally desirable as a matter of logging practice and that 

 while the heavier limbs would probably not be consumed the smaller 

 ones that constitute the extreme fire hazard the first few years after 

 logging would be eliminated. When asked as to the probable increase 

 in cost in view of the larger tops to be handled, he said that by proper 

 falling handling could be largely eliminated and that it should not cost 

 any more. 



MINNESOT.\ 



In Minnesota, conditions and opinions vary, but it is generally con- 

 ceded that slash disposal is essential to effective fire protection. This 

 does not mean brush piling and burning in every case, nor does it mean 

 that the present practice of slash burning is generally satisfactory. 

 In fact, it has been found that no one method of slash disposal is uni- 

 versally applicable. Certain principles, however, have been estab- 

 lished that appear to be more or less fundamental. Briefly stated, 

 these are as follows : 



(1) Slash disposal by running fire is a failure, except where the 

 land is to be immediately cleared or seeded to grass or where even-aged 

 jack pine is cut clean and burning is done before the cones have had 

 a chance to open. 



(2) On pine and hardwood lands the slash should be piled and 

 burned preferably at the time of logging. 



(3) Intensive fire protection for a period of years is recommended 

 in the case of spruce and cedar instead of slash disposal. 



In addition, the following fire protection measures are advocated : 

 (1) Clean burning of slash as made: (a) Along roads and rail- 

 roads; (b) around improvements, clearings, landings, skidways, porta- 

 ble mills, etc.; (c) around green timber; and (d) around all cuttings 

 on which the slash is not disposed of. 



