284 THE FORESTS OF ALLEGAXY COUNTY 



nut and Oak sprouts is often so slight as to kill only the thin bark, 

 leaving the sapwood uninjured; a few immature leaves are then put 

 forth, but the stems finally die down to the ground. 



While in general the damage by fires in this region appears not to 

 be great, especially since there is little or no apparent decrease in the 

 forest cover, nevertheless, the combined effects upon all ages of 

 growth are very appreciable. The greatest damage is done in the 

 periodic destruction of from one to ten or more years' growth of seed- 

 lings and coppice sprouts. A few very young seedlings are also killed. 

 Clearly, therefore, the productiveness of these forests is much 

 reduced; in fact, where fires run through this young growth at short 

 intervals it is practically held at a standstill for many years. Actual 

 growth is confined only to such saplings and older trees as are, from 

 their size, capable of withstanding light fires. The direct effect of 

 retarded reproduction would be much more apparent to consumers of 

 timber in the region than it is now, if these forests were systematically 

 cut over for the fullest utilization of timber. The present timber- 

 producing stock would eventually be exhausted. Wooded areas 

 which now give the impression to many of being constantly stocked 

 and improving would soon be reduced to an unproductive state. Many 

 acres of woodland are thus to be found which yield practically noth- 

 ing, from the fact that all small stock is periodically destroyed. 



Closely related to this retardation is the fact that constant destruc- 

 tion of humus reduces the productive power of the forest soil, both in 

 point of richness and in the power of retaining moisture. A loss of 

 the latter directly affects all agricultural lands below the wooded 

 mountain slopes. For with all small vegetation and absorbing humus 

 burned off, a large percentage of rain- and snow-water rushes over the 

 clean surface to wash and erode the tilled lands below. 



The common belief expressed by many people in this region, that 

 the frequency of forest fires is beneficial in rendering each succeed- 

 ing fire less and less dangerous is a pernicious fallacy, overlooking the 

 damage just recited. 



