164 THE PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



way forwards, as the heated air from the main line of fire tends 

 to attract the new line towards it. 



Wide belts planted with broad-leaved trees are the best 

 means of checking crown-fires, and should always be provided 

 in extensive Conifer woods exposed to risk from fire. The path 

 or line used as a base can be broadened, if necessary, by rapidly 

 clearing away the trees along the outside edge. But the success 

 of this and of clearance of the ground to work against a ground- 

 fire depends on starting far enough ahead to complete operations 

 before the fire can reach the newly cleared line. Poles and trees 

 felled should be lopped, and the branches removed to the far 

 side of the woods, to obviate risk of their catching fire from 

 sparks. 



Fires inside of hollow stems may be put out by filling the 

 hollow with sods of turf and earth ; or if this cannot be done, 

 the tree should be felled and the fire put out with earth. 



When a fire has been put out, watchmen should be left, 

 especially when there is any strong breeze, to see that it does 

 not break out again ; and in August watch should be kept all 

 night long, and earth should be thrown on all smouldering 

 stems glowing in the dark. 



Remedying Fire-Damage. Badly damaged young Conifer 

 plantations usually need to be cleared and replanted ; but 

 young broad-leaved trees often reproduce themselves well if 

 coppiced. Owing to its smooth thin bark, Beech is the least 

 hardy against fire ; even a slight ground-fire injures it. The 

 crops least liable to damage are old woods, especially of thick- 

 barked Oak or Pine. When the foliage in old woods looks 

 unhealthy after a ground-fire, or trees die off here and there, 

 it is often necessary to clear the crop, especially in conifer 

 woods, where the forester and his woodmen should pay special 

 attention to injurious insects, and in particular to kinds which 

 breed in the roots and the lower parts of the stems of poles and 

 trees. 



