40 Forest Fires axd their Prevention. 



Forester of tlie Xorth Carolina Geological and Economic Survey has 

 joined one of the parties in the western part of the State for a short 

 time each summer and talked to the meetings on this subject, but this is 

 only a very small beginning. An extension of this work all over the 

 State is strongly advocated. 



But lecture-work need not be confined to the colleges and the fanners' 

 institutes. Addresses should be made all over the State as opportunity 

 offers, and forest protection advocated before all kinds of audiences. K'ot 

 till the people begin to think about the subject will they realize the im- 

 portance of immediate action. 



forestry associations. 

 On February 1, 1911, a Forestry Convention met in Raleigh for the 

 purpose of discussing proposed forestry legislation. Though the attend- 

 ance was not large it was quite representative. Delegates from eighteen 

 counties of North Carolina were present, including lumbermen, furni- 

 ture manufacturers, railroad men, timberland owners, farmers, forest- 

 ers and educators. The forestry bills then before the Legislature Avere 

 discussed in detail, and much interest Avas shown in them, as Avell as in 

 a State-wide stock law. A new forestry bill Avas draAvn up at the meet- 

 ing, Avhich it was recommended be substituted "for the two already in- 

 troduced. This bill, Avhich combined all the features in the three laAvs 

 suggested on pages 28, 30, and 32, Avas later introduced in both houses, 

 but failed to pass. The folloAving resolutions Avere adopted by the con- 

 vention : 



Whereas, It lias been estimated that tliere is in Xorth Carolina snllicient 

 forest land to maintain perpetually a supply of raw material for our furniture 

 factories, our pulp mills, and our tanning extract plants, if these forests are con- 

 served and protected from fire; and. 



Whereas, The forests of North Carolina and the industries dependent upon 

 them represent about one-sixth of the wealth of Xorth Carolina; and, 



Whereas, These forests are being deA-astated by frequent fires, causing enor- 

 mous present and future loss to the OAvners of forest land and indirectly to the 

 people throughout the Avhole State; therefore. 



Be it resolved, That we thoroughly endorse legislation that will protect our 

 forests from fire, and urge the General Assembly to pass such measures as will 

 enable those portions of the State that desire it, adequate fire protection for their 

 forests; and as the best results can only be obtained when the stock law is in 

 force, 



Be it further resolved, That we endorse a State-Avide stock law for Xorth Caro- 

 lina, with a provision allowing any territory voting for that purpose to be ex- 

 empted therefrom upon erecting proper fence around such exempted territory. 



Be it further resolved. That Ave advocate the teaching of the principles of 

 forestry in the public schools and the introduction of a course in forestry in the 

 A. & M. College. 



