296 Forestry Quarterly. 



the damage to young growth and forage is estimated at about 

 $192,000, the timber loss, nearly 59 milhon board feet, being 

 valued at $82,000. About 18 per cent, of this total loss was in- 

 curred on private lands, within forests where 16 per cent, of the 

 fires had their origin. 



Reports for the winter fire season in the southern Appalachians, 

 from southern Virginia to northern Georgia, covering the months 

 of January and February, just received by the Forest Service 

 show that the winter was dry and that fires have occurred on land 

 which the Government is acquiring under the provisions of the 

 Weeks Law. While these two months are normally not so dry 

 as the fall or the spring fire season, serious fires may occur in 

 an open winter, though they are not usual. 



During January there were 9 fires, 5 of which covered more 

 than 10 acres each. In February there were 10, of which only 

 two spread over more than 10 acres. All of these fires occurred 

 during the latter part of January and the first of February when 

 the weather was unusually dry. 



According to a press bulletin of the Forest Service, lightning 

 next to railroads is the most frequent source of forest fires and 

 the most numerous species in any locality is the one most likely 

 to sufifer. It is probable that most of the fires from lightning 

 start in the duiT at the foot of the tree. Especially in the South- 

 west, it is stated, "dry thunder storms" increase the danger. 



The Cornmissioner of Dominion Parks Branch furnishes an in- 

 novation of fire notices by printing them on enameled tin sheets, 

 which are practically indestructible. An exceedingly clear im- 

 print is possible. The cost may be considerably more than linen, 

 but the durability and consequent saving in renewals may offset 

 this greater initial cost. 



During the first three years of its administration, from 1905-7, 

 the problem of the U. S. Forest Service was to take care of areas 

 which had been badly overgrazed, and a material reduction had 

 to be made in the number of stock grazed before the damage 

 could be stopped. From the very beginning, the Forest Service 

 invited the co-operation of the stockmen, and consulted with 



