1S94.] 1-5 [Rothrock. 



allowed that tlie clifficalties of producing a new forest growth would be 

 infinitely increased. Fortunately we are, to a very great extent, exempt 

 thus far from the fungal and insect foes which have produced such seri- 

 ous havoc in Central Europe. It is, however, within the limits of proba- 

 bility that there may come a time when this immunity will cease. For 

 example, in the Adirondacks certain of the cone-bearing trees liave to a 

 limited extent been injured by the fungus which produces the clustered 

 branches known as "witches' brooms;" and in Fulton county of this 

 State, one or more small species of beetles have within the last three years 

 killed considerable bodies of pitch pine bj'- burrowing beneath the bark 

 and destroying the young cambium layer on which the life of the tree 

 depends. It is estimated that in West Virginia these same insects have 

 destroyed $1,000,000 worth of timber in the last four years.* It is inter- 

 esting to note that an insect antagonistic to these beetles has been found 

 in considerable numbers on the infested trees. To what extent they may 

 succeed in holding the beetle in check remains to be seen. The most 

 promising plan of treatment would seem to be to cut and burn every in- 

 fested tree. The fact that thus far the insect invasion has been slow and 

 affecting only isolated clumps indicates the possibility of successfully 

 heading it ofi' if dealt with promptly. 



The natural tendency in this Slate is towards a spontaneous reproduc- 

 tion of forests. This shows that the obstacles are neither numerous, nor 

 grave in character. 



(b) Obstacles Due to Human Agencies. 



The chief obstacle here is fire — operating now in one way and now in 

 another — and caused by design, often with malicious intent, or by acci- 

 dent on the part of an individual, or by a passing train. 



Fire acts directly and indirectly to prevent the growth of timber. 



Thus directly it kills the seeds, saplings, and often mature trees, such 

 as the hemlock and the white pine. 



The most destructive fires are those which follow close upon the opera- 

 tions of the lumberman. The debris left by him invokes the flame and 

 furnishes the requisite fuel for it, when once created. One severe confla- 

 gration, especially if on a steep hillside, may not only blight the promise 

 of a coming crop of trees, but may lead to the destruction of the soil to 

 such an extent that almost no plant life can flourish. And year by j'ear 

 the little remaining soil is carried away by the descending rain until resto- 

 ration of forest growth seems almost impossible. Instances of this condi- 



* Tliis note from Mr. Charles W. Johnson explains itself: 



"There are several species of beetles destructive to the pines of AVest Virginia. The 

 principal ones are -De»drocto»«s /ronto//s or ' The Destructive Pine Bark Beetle.' Tomi- 

 cus caUigraphus, and Tomicus cacogniphus, the latter is the one we found iu Fulton 

 county. The Clerus imported from Europe is the Clerus formicarius, 'European Bark 

 Beetle Destroyer.' The cue we fouud in Fulton county is closely allied and is known 

 as Tlianasimus duhius." 



