1912] The Naval Stores Industry 129 



wealth of forest, provided Nature is given an opportunity ; for 

 the most superficial observer who travels through this territory 

 will testify that where conditions have been favorable natural 

 reproduction has brought again splendid, though small, young 

 forests. 



Against this willingness of Nature to restore this rich heritage 

 to us, stand three agencies : 



First, and of least importance, the consumption by hogs of 

 the delicately flavored and nutritious seed of the longleaf pine. 

 This is a real factor in certain somewhat restricted districts. 

 The constantly spreading sentiment for " stock laws" will 

 check this evil. 



Second, and of the very greatest importance, the destructive 

 action of the ground fires. Fig. 7, which annually sweep over the 

 entire turpentine belt. Such fires destroy the myriads of young 

 seedlings which can readily be seen springing up in the wire 

 grass which surrounds them on every side. The seedling de- 

 votes the greater part of its early energies to sending down its 

 long tap root through the deep sands rather than to strengthen- 

 ing its stalk above ground ; hence, in most cases, it is not able 

 to withstand the constantly recurring ground fires. The doc- 

 trinaire may rail against the evils of such firing of the woods, 

 but from one who has lived among the turpentine camps there 

 comes no word of reproach against the turpentine operator who 

 " burns the woods." His all is invested on the outer surface of 

 his trees. A serious outbreak of fire during midseason means 

 financial ruin. The carelessness and sometimes viciousness of 

 laborers is too serious a risk to run with a mass of dead w're 

 grass covering every foot of his territory. Naturally he protects 

 himself by burning this grass when he is prepared for it, afier 

 " raking season." 



Where then is the hope for reforestration ? In the realization 

 of the value of the waste cut-over lands where turpentine opera- 

 tions cannot be carried on for lack of timber. Such lands hg'e 

 now but little value, but the lesson of France shows that even 

 there a reasonable income begins from artificial reproduction 

 within a period of twenty years and then rapidly increases. 



