MASSACHUSETTS TREE PLANTER 17 



another desirable method is to have the species alternate 

 by rows. But a discussion of the various possible arrange- 

 ments cannot be taken up here ; and anyone wishing further 

 information for a specific case is advised to communicate 

 with the state forester. 



PROTECTION FROM FIRE 



Of all the dangers to which a forest plantation is exposed, 

 fire is the greatest. Insects, fungi, and natural factors, 

 such as storms and droughts, frequently occasion losses 

 among the young plants. But the damage done usually ex- 

 tends over only a small portion of the area planted and can 

 be repaired at comparatively little expense. 



A forest fire, however, if it once gains headway, may 

 sweep over the entire plantation, entailing a total loss. This 

 fire hazard of course is greatest while the plants are young, 

 but is present in decreasing amount throughout the life of 

 the forest. Every landowner, before establishing a planta- 

 tion, should seriously consider the problem of fire protec- 

 tion. If protection can be secured at a reasonable cost, the 

 plantation may be established ; but if protection from fire 

 can be obtained only through large expenditures, the idea 

 of planting should be abandoned. 



As a matter of fact, fire protection in a majority of cases 

 can be secured very cheaply, when once the attempt to do 

 so is made. 



Efforts to protect a plantation from fire must vary in in- 

 dividual cases, but will be along two main lines, as follows : 



(a) Toward the construction of fire lines. 



(5) Toward patrol of the plantation. 



By a fire line is meant a narrow strip of land, a few feet 

 wide, bordering the area to be protected, and kept clear of all 

 inflammable material. A roadway or else a plowed strip 

 make the best kind of fire lines. Where the ground cannot 

 be ploughed, ail dead branches and leaves should be removed 

 and the fire line burned over occasionally to keep down the 

 grass. The ordinary surface fire will not pass such a fire 

 line, which can be constructed for $10.00 a mile as the 

 maximum cost. 



