126 ELEMENTARY FORESTRY. 



of doing away with one of the sources of our worst forest 

 fires. This trash can be burned early in the spring 1 or at 

 other times when the ground is wet and fire is not likely to get 

 beyond control. On the other hand, it is well known that 

 there are many seedlings on such land that would be seriously 

 injured or destroyed by such treatment. It is also known 

 that under the trash left after logging are generally found 

 about the best conditions for pine seeds to start and for the 

 seedlings to STOW so that some of our best authorities con- 

 demn the practice. It would seem, however, that on account 

 of the great liability of fires starting in such trash, prudence 

 would generally advocate the burning of it while it could be 

 controlled, but this should be done so as to cause as little in- 

 jury as possible to new growth and especial care should 

 be taken to save seeding trees. The cost of such work has 

 been urged against it, but this has often been over-estimated 

 and it seems evident that it is entirely practicable. 



The Methods of Fighting Surface Fires are various and their 

 use depends on the conditions under which the work must be 

 done. Where possible the plowing of a fire-break a rod or 

 more wide is most satisfactory, but this is seldom practicable 

 within our wooded areas. Back Firing is generally the most 

 successful method of making a fire-break. When this is to 

 be practiced a convenient place to fight fire should be chosen 

 at some distance ahead of the main fire where the back fire 

 should be started after every precaution has been taken to 

 prevent its getting beyond control. Where a supply of water 

 can be obtained surface fires can be most easily put out by 

 applying it through a common sprinkling pot with a good 

 rose sprinkler on it. This is especially effective where fire is 

 running through grass and those who have never tried it will 

 generally be surprised at the effectiveness of this method. 

 Where the fire is burning several inches of leaves a small 

 strip should be cleaned of them before applying the water. 

 Gunny sacks or similar material wet in water make very 

 effective weapons with which to fight fire. 



Underground Fires, such as occur in bogs and other soils 

 containing a large amount of organic matter, when once 

 started are often very hard to subdue owing to their great 

 depth, and where not looked after, sometimes burn for a 



