68 Our Field and Forest Trees 



the battlefield. Some fire-fighters have worked 

 on without rest for seventy-two consecutive hours. 

 While the men of the Forest Service thus val- 

 iantly do their part, we, the public, must do ours. 

 More men are needed, more tools, more trails, 

 more telephone lines. In the national forests, at 

 least, destruction by fire might be wholly pre- 

 vented. Of course this would cost money, and 

 the public will have to pay the bills. But the ex- 

 pense would be but small compared to the cost of 

 the fire which such carefulness prevents. 



