126 A STUDY OF FOREST CONDITIONS 



constant burning of the area, although other factors also 

 enter into the problem. 



Reproduction of loblolly pine is so much more prolific 

 and certain than that of longleaf that damage by fire is not 

 felt so seriously with this tree. However, the growth is 

 retarded and the quality of the timber decreased by con- 

 stant burning of the ground. Hardwood lands suffer in 

 the same way by injury to reproduction, sprouts and young 

 growth where fires are permitted to run. 



Protection from fire is necessary at all times, but espec- 

 ially during and immediately following lumbering opera- 

 tions. The large amount of inflammable material, added 

 to the ground cover by the slash, makes the fires much more 

 severe and seriously endangers the seed trees and young 

 growth left on the ground. Brush should be cleared away 

 around all steam skidders and other engines and should 

 not be left near seed trees or other young growth. Log- 

 ging hands should be cautioned against throwing matches 

 or cigarette stumps around in the dry grass or leaves. It 

 should be generally understood that any man, and all men 

 if necessary, employed on the operations are expected to 

 stop work at any time in order to extinguish fires. After 

 logging, fire can only be kept from the large pine tracts by 

 a system of patrol, or by the aid of a good State law. Prob- 

 ably some patrol would be needed for a while, even though a 

 State fire law were enacted. A fire line around a tract or 

 on each side of a railroad running through the tract is a 

 great aid in preventing or extinguishing fires. Such a 

 fire line is best made in the pure longleaf by plowing two 

 strips 3 or 4 feet wide and 30 feet apart, and then burning 

 off the middle strip of unplowed ground every winter. 



It is much easier and cheaper to prevent fires than to 

 extinguish them after they are well started. Patrol during 

 a very dry period or through the dangerous months will 

 practically prevent serious fires and will cost less than ex- 

 tinguishing one big fire. A scheme of co-operation between 

 the large timber owners and the county, if it could be ar- 

 ranged, would prove a cheap and most satisfactory way 

 to handle this important problem. 



