76 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



However, dviring the two or three years after cutting, while the piles 

 are settling toward the ground and the brush is absorbing moisture, it is 

 probable that fires in lopped tops will be somewhat hotter than in un- 

 lopped tops. The difference can easily be exaggerated, however, in 

 a pulp operation, where the top-lopping law, as already explained, 

 affects only lo per cent to 25 per cent of the total amovmt of brush. 



In this connection, it should be noted, that, if a fire does occur 

 in lopped tops, a cleaner bum is probable, thus materially decreasing 

 the danger of a second or recurring fires. The material, being piled 

 to a greater extent, will be more likely to be consumed than in unlopped 

 tops, where a larger percentage of the branches stand out singly, so 

 that the fire is likely to run over them without consitming them en- 

 tirely. Bearing on the latter point is the argument by opponents of 

 the law, that a fire in unlopped tops will run under the top without 

 burning it, while in lopped tops the piled condition of the debris wUl tend 

 to a much harder biim, causing greater damage to soil and to any living 

 trees, old or young. The effect on soil, reproduction and old trees will 

 be considered under later headings, but it may be noted here, that such 

 observations as it was practicable to make, indicated that a fire in un- 

 lopped tops, will,as a matter of fact, run over the surface of the branches, 

 consuming the smaller ones, and scorching and blackening the larger 

 ones so that they will still constitute nearly as bad a fire-trap as before 

 the first fire. Second or recurring fires are disastrous, since they gener- 

 ally destroy any seed trees or young growth escaping or following the 

 first fire, thus rendering hopeless the question of restocking of valuable 

 species except by planting. 



(2) Effect on Future Forest 

 This involves consideration of the effect of top-lopping on (a) 

 existing and future reproduction ; (6) soil. 



(2-a) Effect on Existing and Future Reproduction 

 Opponents of the law claim that top-lopping tends to smother 

 existing reproduction, and to prevent the establishment of a new growth 

 on account of the larger amount of debris on the ground or in piles. 

 We may here note the evident inconsistency of this point with the 

 argument previously discussed under (i-a) that top-lopping does not 

 tend to bring materially more debris either in contact with the ground 

 or in piles, and thus does not facilitate decay. 



In connection with the effect of top-lopping on reproduction, it 

 must be borne in mind that nearly all operations in the Adirondacks 

 are for pulp, and that three-fourths to nine-tenths of the brush will in 

 any event be lopped in connection with getting out the pulp wood. 



