TOP-LOPPING IN THE AD IRON BACKS 73 



lo per cent to 25 per cent of the debris, and the period of most extreme 

 fire danger will be decreased from 7 to 3 years. As before, these figures 

 must be regarded as merely broad generalizations, subject to great 

 variation on account of difference in local conditions, and to revision 

 following more exhaustive investigations. 



The prevention of fire is much more important after the young 

 growth is established, and has secured a good start, tham it is during 

 the first three or four years after the completion of the operation, since, 

 in the former case, the owner has at stake a far greater investment, 

 which shotdd be regarded as accumulated interest upon the capitalized 

 productive value of the land. The larger the investment the more 

 should the owner desire to secure protection and the more willing 

 shoiild he be to pay a moderate insurance premium, in the form of 

 slightly increased operating expenses, to secure such protection. 



Lopping as Insurance. — ^A large pulp concern in the Adirondacks 

 was offered insurance by a commercial company at 2 per cent of the value 

 of its timberland per annum. This company cuts 80,000 standards 

 per year. At s cents per standard, the cost of top-lopping is $4,000 

 or one-fourth of one per cent, on a total timber-land valuation of 

 $1,600,000 in the Adirondacks. Taking into consideration fire losses, 

 amount spent for lopping tops, maintaining patrol, constructing tele- 

 phone lines, etc., the cost of fire protection is still imder one-half of one 

 per cent. This company therefore considered the protection of its 

 own lands, as above, much better business policy than carrying ordinary 

 commercial insurance. 



Holding for Successive Cuttings. — The fact that private owners can 

 and do figure on holding forest lands for successive cuttings, is well 

 illustrated in the spruce region of the Adirondacks. In one case 

 a tract was examined, which was cut over 50, 30, and 19 years ago, 

 and can now be cut over a foiui;h time. The amount of pulpwood now 

 available for cutting will approximate 8 cords to the acre. 



The earlier cuttings were, of course, to a diameter limit, and the 

 yotmg growth just imder merchantable size had full opportunity to 

 develop. The cutting on a present-day piilp operation is much closer, 

 and the time between cuttings must be correspondingly longer. 



Remaining Sources of Fire Danger.— In connection with the attitude 

 of operators and land owners, it may be noted that a great deal of 

 slash was observed remaining from old cuttings, which, of course, is not 

 affected by the existing law. There is also much fire danger from 

 windfalls in old cutting areas, as well as from old bums, where the dan- 

 ger of recurring fires is great until all inflammable material shall have 



