Conservation Commission. 109 



do no more damage in lopped than in unlopped tops, and in this 

 case the fire occurred only a year after the cutting. Piles of 

 lopped branches were found which were only partially burned 

 and there would be a great mass of the fine twigs and leaves left 

 wholly untouched at the bottom of these piles, showing that at 

 this time of the year these piles are in a very damp condition 

 and even when the surface is sufficiently dry to burn, there will 

 be enough moisture, either as water, snow or ice, to prevent a 

 complete burning of the piles and keep the fire from burning 

 into the soil at all. In the case of the fire at Sperry pond, it 

 was found that the unlopped tops were very badly charred and 

 burned to nearly the same extent as the lopped branches which 

 were on the ground. 



Objection 2. That fires could be fought easier in unlopped tops 

 than lopped tops. The only evidence secured of actual experi- 

 ence was that fire lines could be made quicker in lopped top 

 areas and, therefore, fires could be fought easier. 



Objection 3. That a fire would bum faster in lopped tops 

 than in unlopped tops, and therefore burn over a greater area in 

 the same length of time. It seems to be the opinion among those 

 who have fought fires under these two conditions, that, if there 

 is any difference, the fire burns slower in the lopped tops, as 

 here the material lies close to the ground and in a much moister 

 condition and there are not the chances of helping the fire along 

 by the draft which is always created by a forest fire. The blaze 

 is much lower and is less likely to cause a crown fire. 



Objection 4. That unlopped tops decay and consequently disap- 

 pear sooner than lopped ones. The opinion of practically every 

 one, except a very few, was that lopped tops will decay and 

 disappear sooner than unlopped tops. Decay is induced by fungous 

 growth which demands both air and moisture to carry on this 

 work in the most rapid way. The combination of air and moisture 

 is best at the surface of the ground; this act being well brought 

 out by the decay of posts and poles which have remained in the 

 ground for some little time. These always show the greatest 

 amount of rot where they enter the ground. In the case of old 

 buildings, the part which shows the greatest signs of decay is 

 always that closest to the ground. In the case of old lumbering 



