THE SPRUCE REGION 261 



ally burned over by the piles is usually left with the mineral soil 

 exposed and is apt to seed up to poplar, birch, or inferior species 

 instead of to conifers. 



Fighting Fires. — In fighting fires in this region the most 

 effective tools are shovels, axes, and pails. Practically the only 

 way to stop a ground fire is to dig through the duff down to 

 mineral soil, and as almost all surface fires here are apt to be 

 accompanied by ground fires this is one of the commonest 

 methods of fighting. A trench a foot or more wide cut through 

 to bare soil will serve to stop a ground fire and the smaller surface 

 fires. The fire should be entirely surrounded by the trench be- 

 fore it is left. If the fire fighters patrol along this Kne they can 

 stop even a hot surface fire by throwing shovelfuls of dirt onto 

 the fire where it threatens to cross. Beating the fire out with 

 green branches or wet "gunny" sacks when it crosses the Hne 

 is also eflective. 



Axes are needed to cut out roots or logs which cross the ditch 

 and occasionally to fell a dead stub which might blaze up and 

 scatter sparks. The pails are valuable wherever water is avail- 

 able and the application of water is always very effective. 

 However, even when water is used a ground fire should be 

 trenched, as it is almost impossible to be sure that such a fire 

 has been completely extinguished. 



A shovel or a tool of similar nature and an axe are essential 

 for controlling a ground fire. If these tools are at hand or can 

 be quickly secured much valuable time will be saved in putting 

 out the fire. 



From what has been said it is evident that the system of fire 

 protection for an individual tract in the New England portion 

 of the spruce region will have its basis in state or cooperative 

 patrol and lookout stations, made effective by a complete tele- 

 phone system. The individual owner should strengthen his 

 protection by lopping tops on his holdings and may, if he wishes, 

 add extra patrolmen to those employed by the central authority. 

 He should develop the telephone system on his tract so as to 

 thoroughly cover his territory, and should distribute supplies of 



