SLASH DISPOSAL IN T 1 1 K I.AKi; STATI-S 1 ]') 



(2) Fallino of all sna.jjs, stubs, and dead timber. 



(3) Gates in all drainai^e ditcbes so tbat tbe water can be backx-d up 

 in case of a ground fire. 



(4) Steel or concrete culverts. 



(5) P.urninp^ j)eruiits. 



(G) Speeder patrol in dry weatber in addition to satisfactory spark 

 arrestin.£T equipment on all railroads runninti: tbroup^b timber or brush 

 lands. 



The reasons ^hvn for dcclarinqr slash disposal by runnincj fire a 

 failure are that : 



(a) When dry cnouc^h to ij^ct a clean burn it is too dry to burn 

 with safety. 



(b) I'nless a clean burn is secured the fire hazard is increased by 

 the addition of fire killed reproduction, brush, and standincj timber to 

 the slash remaininfr and by a rank growth of fire w^eed. 



(r) Advance rei)roduction and seed stored in the duff are destroved 

 and the re-establishment of a forest cover delayed. 



(d) It tends to eliminate, temporarily at least, the more desirable 

 species, especially conifers, and to encourage the establishment 'f 

 less valuable species and brush. 



(c) It is impracticable since suitable conditions for a clean burn 

 are usually of short duration and are of uncertain occurrence while 

 variations in topography render uniform or satisfactory results impos- 

 sible on any considerable area. 



Piling and burning in pine and hardwood is advocated because it has 

 been demonstrated to be practicable and, if properly done, reduces the 

 fire hazard materially besides making it possible to control fires that 

 mav occur. 



Intensive protection for a period of years instead of slash disposal 

 in cedar and spruce is advocated because destroying the logging refuse 

 does not materially reduce the fire hazard owing to the accumulation 

 of forest litter normally present and the customarv close utilization of 

 these species for pulp and posts, while burning even where tbe brush 

 is piled tends to increase the fire hazard by adding fire-killed reproduc- 

 tion and immature timber to the unburned slash and accumulated litter, 

 and by exposing the soil to the drying action of sun and wind. On the 

 other hand, if fire is kept out. advance reproduction and immature 

 timber are saved, further reproduction is encouraged, and with the 

 re-establishment of a forest cover decomposition is stimulated and 



