THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 93 



second crop at least from fifty to one hundred years and per- 

 haps permanently changes the composition of the forest. Fires 

 may be set by loggers while still at work on the area or sev- 

 eral years after by lightning, campers, or locomotives. By 

 piling the brush and burning it in wet weather, or in snow, 

 when there is no danger of the fire spreading, all inflammable 

 material is removed, and the second growth can come up 

 without serious risk of being destroyed. Even where only 

 part of the brush is burned and the rest is piled, as when the 

 piles in open places, along ridges, streams, or laid off lines are 

 burned, very much is gained in case of fire, since these cleared 

 lanes form bases from which a fire may be fought. 



"Besides lessening the danger from fire, brush burning has 

 certain minor advantages. When the brush on the ground 

 is removed it is much easier for rangers and others to ride or 

 walk through the forest. This may be very important in case 

 of a fire or in rounding up cattle. It is also much easier to 

 cut and handle ties, cordwood, or other timber which may 

 later be taken from the cut-over areas if the slash is out of 

 the way. By piling and burning the green brush as it is cut 

 from the trees by the swampers, as is now being done in 

 Minnesota and parts of Montana, the ground is cleared and 

 skidding is made easier and cheaper. Again, careful piling 

 and burning of brush improves the appearance of the forest. 

 There is nothing much more unsightly than a recently cut- 

 over area where no attempt has been made to dispose of tops 

 and lops. Near towns or resorts and along roads or streams 

 frequented by tourists this point should be carefully consid- 

 ered, but as a general rule the utility of the forest should not 

 be sacrificed for beauty. 



"Disadvantages of Burning 



"The disadvantages of burning brush are many and, with 

 the one exception of protection from fire, far outweigh the 

 advantages. If protection can be had in some other way, as 

 with more efficient patrol service or more stringent laws, the 



