12 Miscellaneous Circular 15, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 
this true in the Southwest, where the climate makes it exceedingly 
difficult to establish a natural growth of seedlings preparatory to 
the removal of the mature erop. Artificial planting of seedlings 
is almost prohibitive in cost, so that the ground fire that burns 
natural reproduction destroys the forest just as surely as if it con- 
sumed all the trees at once. 
Fire, the arch enemy of the forest 
Ground fires scar the bases of large trees and through these 
wounds enter fungous rots, which work invisibly in the tree and 
clestroy its value for lumber. Every forest fire, whether severe or 
light, big or little, is a curse to the forest and the community, and 
an enemy to the public welfare. 
PREVENT FOREST FIRES 
