^MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 241 



ing the bark to peel off, tlius exposing the wood to decay. The tree 

 becomes stunted, decay enters the wood and gradually works its way 

 up into the trunk, rendering the tree practically worthless; (d) a 

 severe fire in the brush, left by logging operations, often kills all the 

 trees that remain, entailing a total loss of growing stock. 



Cause of fii'es. — The principal causes of fire are railroad locomo- 

 tives, careless burning of brush, hunters, and careless smokers. 

 x^early all fires could be prevented with reasonable care. Under 

 the State Forest Laws,^ any individual or corporation maliciously, 

 or carelessly, causing a fire that injures another's lands is liable to 

 fine or imprisonment, or both. Since this law^ was enacted in 1906 

 forest fires have been much less frequent. By cooperating with the 

 State Forest Wardens in suppressing fires and in bringing offenders 

 against the law to account, the fire-damage may be greatly reduced. 



Preventive Measures. — Where there are small woodlots, sur- 

 rounded by cultivated land, the danger from fire is slight, but in the 

 case of larger tracts, especially where they are traversed by or border 

 upon public highways, or railroads, there is considerable danger. 

 Most fires occur during two seasons of the year, either in the late 

 autumn after the leaves fall, or in the early spring shortly before 

 the new leaves appear. The best preventive measures are to keep 

 the dead brush cleared up, particularly along the sides of the wagon 

 roads, or railroads. Where a railroad traverses the woods, or passes 

 along the edge of it, a fire line may be cleared along the sides of the 

 track wide enough to catch all sparks and hot cinders that are thrown 

 out by the locomotives. This line may be easily and cheaply con- 

 structed by burning the leaves and litter, rather than to attempt to 

 rake the space clear of inflammable material. Wagon roads and 

 wide paths through the woods often serve as effective barriers to the 

 spread of fire if they are kept clear of leaves and dry brush. 



GRAZING. 



It is a common practice throughout the county to inclose the wood- 

 lot with a fence, and to use it for pasture. This is a bad policy for 

 ^A copy may be had on application to the State Forester, Baltimore, Md. 



