26 LOGGING 



several feet, through which the roots ramify in all directions. 

 The vegetable mold burns slowly, but fires in it are difficult to 

 extinguish and ultimately the soil is consumed and the rocks 

 are exposed. The trees are killed and soon blow down, forming 

 an almost impenetrable slash and a dangerous lire trap. This 

 condition is most pronounced in the coniferous forests of the 

 Northeast, in the Lake States and also in the forests on the 

 Pacific Coast. 



BRUSH DISPOSAL 



The debris remaining after logging is a source of great danger 

 to standing timber because sparks from locomotives and station- 

 ary logging engines often ignite it, during the dry seasons, and 

 when once started fire may spread into the green timber. 



Various states^ have passed laws dealing with the disposal 

 of slash, and private protective associations have also attacked 

 the problem with vigor. The first effective step toward its 

 solution was taken by the U. S. Forest Service when it assumed 

 charge of the National Forests. 



The problems concerned with brush handling vary in dift'erent 

 forest regions, and even in a given region the proper method of 

 deahng with the situation must be studied for each operation. 



In the yellow pine region of the Southwest where the rainfall 

 during a portion of the year is scanty, it often is advisable- only 

 to scatter the brush, for the shade afforded by it is conducive 

 to the germination of seed and is beneficial to reproduction. 

 Where it is desired to keep stock away from reproduction the 

 brush is also left undisturbed. If the fire risk is great, the 

 practice recommended by forest officers is to pile the brush 

 in open places and burn it at a period when the fire can be 

 controlled. 



In the coniferous forests of New York, a state law provides 

 for lopping the tops and leaving them in situ. The weight of 

 the snow during the first winter forces the limbs close to the 



1 Among these are New York, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon. 



2 Woolsey, Jr., Theodore S.: Western Yellow Pine in Arizona and New Mexico. 

 Bulletin loi, U. S. Forest Service, 1911, pp. 53-54- 



