GRASS AND WOODLAND FIRES IN TEXAS. 



The frequent and repeated burning of woodlands, pastures arid cut- 

 over areas is the most serious and deceptive problem which confronts 

 the forest interests of Eastern and Central Texas. Less directly it con- 

 cerns agriculture in general and the welfare of the entire State. This 

 problem is serious because the injury done is so widespread and far 

 reaching in its effects. It is deceptive because the damage is not gen- 

 erally recognized. There are strong reasons why these fires which burn 

 so stealthily and apparently harmlessly over so wide an' area every year 

 are a menace to the public welfare and imperil the prosperity of in- 

 dividual land owners. They destroy countless millions of seedling trees 

 which future generations of people must depend upon for their wood 

 and timber supply. They destroy the humus covering of the soil which 

 absorbs and holds the rainfall, prevents soil washing and the rapid 

 run-off of water into the streams and rivers. By destroying the humus 

 covering of the soil, fires are responsible in a large measure for dis- 

 astrous floods, drying up of streams, failure of water supplies, silting 

 of river channels and the abandonment of streams for commercial pur- 

 poses. The burning of the humus destroys the nitrogenous plant food 

 which would otherwise enrich the soil, thus depriving the land owner 

 of fertility which nature has stored for him. Yet there are many 

 people who indicate by their word and by their attitude that they 

 believe there is no damage from grass and woodland fires. They forget 

 or never knew that in the earlier days streams were clear and siltless 

 as compared with those of today; that many rivers now clogged with 

 mud and debris were once avenues of commerce; and that springs and 

 small streams now often shallow or dry three or four months of the 

 year were once deep arid everflowing. This is because lands which 

 were heavily forested have now been stripped of their timber and the 

 humus covering of the soil destroyed by repeated fires. Slopes and the 

 sources of streams are all too frequently gullied and washed as a result 

 of forest and humus destruction and failure to use proper methods of 

 cultivation where sloping lands are cleared. This fire problem has a 

 very important bearing on the future welfare of the people of this 

 State. Control of grass and woodland fires and better management of 

 cleared slopes are two agencies which can bring back normal and proper 

 conditions. 



NECESSITY OF GROWING TIMBER FOR THE FUTURE. 



Man needs wood in a multitude of forms. It is probable that future 

 generations will need it in the same variety of forms and in nearly the 

 same proportionate quantities as now. We should realize that they 

 who come after us have the same right to be provided with timber that 

 we have to the use of timber today. The wood-using industry is directly 



