TIMBER: FORESTRY 



409 



much-branched trees like those shown in Figs. 329 and 330, 

 which, when cut up into lumber, will be very full of knots. 

 (4) Forest fires must be prevented, especially in woods 

 of coniferous trees. No fires for any purpose should ever be 

 kindled during dry weather in the heart of such woodlands, 

 except in moderately large clearings free from brush. Cutting 

 up large tracts of forest into smaller portions by means of 



FIG. 329. An Austrian pine with limbs broken by clinging snow 

 This shows the branching habit of pines grown in the open, worthless for timber 



roads helps to keep small fires from spreading. But in warm, 

 dry weather a coniferous-forest fire under full headway is 

 seldom stopped until it reaches extensive clearings, or rivers 

 or other large bodies of water. 



(5) Parasitic fungi and the saprophytic kinds which cause 

 the decay of fallen trunks and branches or felled trees (Figs. 

 208 and 209) should be burned when to do so is not too ex- 

 pensive, if this can be managed without danger of starting 

 forest fires. 



