TICKS AND TIMBER 



93 



determined by the methods and economics, new and old, 

 of the grazing industry. The contrast between new and 

 old is great indeed. There had always been a southern 

 cattle industry, but people in those sections of the coun- 

 try constituting the great markets had seldom heard of 

 it. It was, in fact, a poor and shiftless thing. Cattle 



STARTING IN A DRAINED CYPRESS SWAMP, STILL WET, FIRE COULD NOT DESTROY 

 SLASH PINE SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. AFTER 25 YEARS THERE IS A STAND OF 60 CORDS 

 PER ACRE 



ran on the open range without selection or care, were bled 

 and diseased by ticks, and weighed at maturity but 300 

 to 700 pounds. In the late winter of each year they 

 came near the point of actual starvation. Such an in- 

 dustry did not produce the meat sought after in discrimi- 

 nating markets. 



In this method, too, a matter 

 of great significance for forest 

 growth was involved, for fire in 

 a measure kept the ticks down, 

 while, to secure in the starving 

 season feed that was fresh and 

 unmixed with the dry growth 

 of the preceding year, fire again 

 was useful. Thus, beginning in 

 Florida in January, and working 

 north through the pine belt in 

 February and March, swept the 

 annual fires. Most residents of 

 the country owned cattle, and so 

 were interested in the yearly 

 burning. The nature of the 

 cover was such that great, de- 

 vastating conflagrations like 

 those of Minnesota were not to 

 be feared. For a long time, 



forests were so extensive and timber so abundant and 

 cheap that results in that direction were hardly con- 

 sidered at all. Thus the custom of a people became 

 established. 



Times have changed now, or are changing, and in many 

 fields. Agriculture is more intensive and scientific, for 



one thing, and demands release from the anxiety and 

 damage it has suffered in the past. Growing timber is 

 beginning to be considered, as the leaders in industry 

 sound a warning about waning virgin supplies. Man- 

 agers of the grazing industry have found out that, while 

 fire might temporarily improve feed, valuable plants are 

 thus driven out, and production 

 is decreased in quality and vol- 

 ume. Above all, the improved 

 stock, certain to be introduced 

 as the tick is driven out, would 

 not thrive on such treatment. 

 Winter feeding, greatly im- 

 proved pastures, a smaller area 

 used for grazing because of that 

 fact, promise to be the features 

 of the new time ; and, with that, 

 the demand for fire will become 

 less insistent, and its use finally 

 be reduced to the occasional. 



Thus does one thing affect an- 

 other. As economic conditions 

 change in one field, an influence, 

 frequently of great power for 

 good, beginning there, spreads 

 through other areas. However, 

 these questions remain : how 

 much will the South gain in respect to its timber 

 resources ? What has she to start with now, or what will 

 spring up anew, as a result of this changed relationship. 

 A candid answer admits that there is great local varia- 

 tion, but claims that, on the whole, a very great gain 



DESTRUCTIVE TURPENTINING. TREE TRUNKS CUT INTO DEEPLY BY 

 ONE ANOTHER HAVE BROKEN OFF. 



'FACES" OPPOSITE 



may be expected. When we think of the tremendous 

 area involved (a writer has lately noted that the Gulf 

 States alone exceed Germany, Holland, Great Britain, 

 Japan and Formosa taken together) any gain that is 

 general in this section becomes of moment to the whole 

 nation. Added to the vastness of the area, are natural 



