60 Our Field and Forest Trees 



clear the grounds within the danger line, the 

 owners of the land refuse to grant permission. 

 So the railroads are not altogether to blame for 

 the fires which start close to the rails and burn 

 back over thousands of acres. 



In the remoter woods, blazes are sometimes 

 started by sparks from engines in lumber camps. 

 Sometimes fire is set to the woods by huckleberry 

 pickers, who know that the berry bushes grow and 

 bear well in burned spots. Sometimes the forest 

 is burned by cattle men or sheep herders, so that 

 sweet grass may grow next spring above the ashes. 

 But very bad fires arise from sheer carelessness. 

 Settlers clearing land burn thickets or brush, and 

 allow the fire to escape into the tall woods. Or 

 someone may drop a half-burned match or the 

 glowing tobacco from a pipe or cigar among dead 

 leaves. Or perhaps a hunter or fisherman may 

 neglect to make sure that his camp fire Is entirely 

 out. 



A spark burrows into the leaf mold, smolders 

 there for days, and breaks out into a destructive 

 fire. Hunters are to blame for many very bad 

 fires. Government forest rangers have orders to 

 keep track of all campers, sportsmen, and tourists. 



Canada is completing a system which keeps the 

 danger of bush fires and the need of care con- 

 stantly in the minds of people bound for the 

 woods. The traveler will probably see notices 

 printed on menu cards In the diners, and hung up 



