16 



FOREST PROTECTION. 



WILLIAM L. BYERS, Forester. 



In considering forest management, among the first things should 

 be the establishment of an efficient protection from fire, insects, and 

 atmospheric influences. The most important of these in our case is 

 protection from fire. Any reason for an economic forest policy im- 

 plies forest protection as the first step to be taken. The object of 

 forestry would be defeated without protection. The planting and 

 tending of forests are useless and a direct loss without protection. 

 The management of a reserve will otherwise certainly prove a failure. 

 It is possible to do lumbering on only a few portions of the different 

 reserves at this time; but if these lands be protected from fire for a 

 period of from twenty-five to forty years, we will then be able to 

 cut a crop of timber from the greater portion of the reserves. The 

 first protective measure should be the demarkation of the reserve 

 boundaries. This survey should be done by competent surveyors. 

 In this manner all disputes as to ownership of land will be settled. 

 Without a survey some people will advance claims as owners of land, 

 and thus have an excuse for trespass upon State forests. In the sur- 

 vey of land, nothing but stone corners should be made wherever pos- 

 sible, as they are not so easily destroyed as posts and trees. 



The next step should be the making of a good system of roads, trails, 

 and fire lanes, which should completely cover the reserve. They will 

 furnish safe and effective places from which to fight fire, and they 

 will also make the reserve accessible in case of fire. If it is possible, 

 a good system of roads and trails should be made in preference to the 

 making of fire lanes. Fire lanes should be made only where the grade 

 is to heavy for a road and where it is necessary for one or the other 

 to be used. 



There should be an efficient force of rangers, about one for every 

 5,000 acres of land, and in some cases, one for 3,000 acres, and, during 

 fire season, there should be appionted wherever it is found necessary 

 an assistant ranger. These rangers should be trustworthy and not 

 be appointed for political reasons. They should be required to learn 

 their districts, all roads, trails, streams, and note any improvements 

 that may be needed. They should patrol their districts thoroughly, 

 and learn the needs and habits of the people who frequent their 

 ranges. There should be a tower on every reserve, located on the 

 highest point, from which may be had a view over most of the reserve. 



