- 31 - 

 where It le performed. The habitat Is changed, and those forms 

 of wild life which were dependant on that habitat, move to more 

 suitable areas. But a new fauna and flora immediately replaces 

 the old. Rabbits will be among the first of the wild life, suit- 

 able for game, to be found in the new habitat. If there be hard- 

 wood reproduction, the grouse will be attracted in spring by the 

 buds of the new and succulent growth, and will there find suitable 

 protection daring the breeding and hunting season. A succession 

 of changes will occur as the new stand develops, and will continue 

 until a mature forest is again established, when the original or 

 climax type of fauna and flora will be again found to be present. 



Reproduction and other cutting methods are but a small, the 

 very conspicuous, part of forestry. The forest may be injured 

 by various agencies which are so numerous, and many are so des- 

 tructive, that the production of profitable tree crops is imposs- 

 ible unless adequate protection be provided. It has been wisely 

 stated that at the present time forest fire protection is 73^ 

 of the forestry problem in the East. This danger is materially 

 increased when the forest is open to recreational use. In New 

 York State in 1931^®^, of the 736 forest fires in fire towns, 

 hunters, fisherman and campers were responsible for 310, or 38.9^ 

 and if the 313 fires caused by smokers be added to this, the 

 total will reach 58.14. 



The prevention of forest fires is of vital importance to 

 all the usei. of the forest. Fire destroys much of the wild life 

 on the area, particularly if it occurs in the breeding season. 

 It injures or destroys trees containing merchantable material. 



