The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-09-21
Preserving Forests Against Fire.

Whereverit Is possible leave the trees
standing in blocks. Between these
blocks the land should be kept under
cultivation by the pillow. or pastured Sc
closely as to prevent any grass from
growing Up and standing in high tufts.
for such would enable the fire to run
over the ground, and thus carry it from
one block to another. to the destruction
of their trees. The size Of these blocks
ought to be as small as possible: as
general rule, we would limit them to
five to twenty acres. aud never let one
exceed fifty acres. The cultivated di-
vision between these should vary in
breadth according to circumstances. 10
be decided upon by a Government sur
veyor. As western winds are more
generally prevalent during dry time,
when forests are most liable to be
fired, the space ought to be broader
between the eastern and western lines
than the southern and northern. A.
wood and timber are cut. they should be
hauled out from the woods and piled
on or near the center of these spaces.
and then. in case Of fire. these at least
would be saved from destruction.
Before commencing numbering n tie
forests. or clearing for cultivation. tbs
tract of country subject to this ought &c
be surveyed, and the spaces lined ont
TO be first cut over. and all the brust
cleaned up and burned before dry
weather sets in. In some instances
these spaces could be left safely tC
grow MP a new forest. but it would be
better to put them under cultivation OF
into grass. If suitable blocks OF foresi
were left standing. the Trimmings OF theSs
would 90 far to supply the country with
a sufficiency of lumoeT. As soon aS
tree here had attained proper age anc
size, it might be cut down, haulei out
and turned into lu.aber. a. Is done il
many of the European forests. Thi
gives the younger trees near where JheJ
stood 4 chance for better and mort
rapid growth, thus keeping the blocks
up for a never failing supply of wooc
and timber for the annual wants of the
country
Forests are set on fire by so MANY
various ways, that neither guards mol
laws, however strict, can entirely pre-
vent them These are mainly done by
hunters, picnic parties, brush burning.
sparks from locomotives, or deprayeo
people, delighting in the wanton de
struction of valuable property belong.
ing to others. The preservation of suf-
fcient areas of forest where now stand
ing, and the planting OF Others where
needed are important considerations.
not only for our own United States. but
for the whole continent of North and
South America. This should DOW be
made both a State and National sub
lect, by passing such laws. and strictly
enforcing them, as shall ensure their
being properly cared for; and when we
have done this for our own region OF /
the western hemisphere. let Us use ou1
influence to have the same thing az
compliShed, where not already done. in
all other portions of the American con-
tuent.
Fire and lumbermen are annually .
making a shocking waste Of our forests. /
Il Is fully proved now. that where reser- .
sations have been made of blocks from
them by farmers. on the first settle .
ment OF their lands. the Trimmings from
these blocks for fire-wood, fencing and .
lumber, have been more profitable to 4
them than the crops gathered from the /
land entirely cleared up for cultivation:
and the wooded portions of the former
now are worth and would readily sell
for two to five times the price per acre
of the latter.-Agrteg!tHrtSt.