Wichita eagle., 1888-01-17
ABOUT FOREST FIRES.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED
BY COUNTRIES OF EUROPE.
Provisions of the French Forest Laws.
Penalty for observation-disclosures ReEu-
Iations in Germany-A List of Rules
and Ordinances.
The greatest work which can be done by
our government, or any government in fact,
in aid of national forestry is the protection of
forests from fires. 1t is thought by some
authors that the destruction Of forests by
fires. even in America, is greater than the
amount used in the production of lumber. Be
this as it may be, it is useful to know what
some European countries may practice i'll this
regard
Thus, in France, the penal code provides
for the punishment of persons who cause
forest fires, either Intentionally or through
carelessness. The forest law prohibits the
lighting or carrying of fire, either inside the
forests or within 200 yards Of their bound
aries. But the ordinary laws do not prevent
proprietors from lighting fires in their own
forests, to the danger of their neighbors'
property. This is an important question in
the low mountain ranges in the south Of
France, Nvhere the bad practice is followed Of
Systematically lighting fires in the forest in
order to burn up the heather and other
shrubs which interfere with the regeneration
of the crop of trees. In 1870 a special law
was passed prohibiting the proprietors Of
these districts from lighting fires in their
forests except at seasons fixed by the project,
also compelling them to clear fire lines around
all woods and forests which have not been
completely freed from all infammable shrubs.
In 1876 there were 300 fires in the area
managed by the forest department, nearly all
Of them being the result of accident. The
surface burned over measured 1850 acres,
and the damage was estimated at nearly
s20, 000 The proportion of fires was greater
in the broad leaved than in the conferous
forest. but, on the other hand, the amount of
damage done per acre in the latter was three
times as great as in the former, the resin in
the trees themselves and in the dead needles
on the ground rendering the fir and pine
forests excessively inflammable. Fires, as
general rule, were of more frequent occur
renee in the spring than at any other season
of the year, though the autumn fires were,
on account of the recently fallen leaves, By
far the most destructive.
In Germany much destruction occurs from
forest fires. which are usually the result of
carelessness Since the existing forest regu-
lations do not permit the litter that falls upon
the ground to be removed, it is but natural
that it viii in course of time accumulate
enough to become @ great danger to the for
est when dry, in which condition it burns like
finder and is most easily ignited. A serious
fire occurred, destroying fine forest, which
was set on fire by a cigar stump careleSSly
thrown away on a forest road Districts
thus destroyed in Germany are at once re-
planted. and the relative amount of forest
and cultivated land constantly remains about
the same.
HOW GERMANY MANAGES.
In Germany, among the measures for pre-
venting forest fires are the following regua-
tons:
The places where charcoal may be made in
the forests must be assigned by the forest
authorities The coal pits must be fifteen
PAGES from the ends of the nearest tree
bot sl.s and for distance of four PAGES from
the burning pile all combustible materials
must be removed. A pace in this, as in every
case where doubt may be found to exist, is
to be regarded as "a feet. The charcoal
maker is in duty bound to notify the forester,
or forest overseer, of tie time when he starts
his fires. After the fire is once started the
charcoal maker must not leave bis pit by day
or night; besides, he is in duty bound to have
a sufficient quantity of water on hand to pre-
vent accident by fire.
In windy or stormy weather the charcoal
burner is in duty bound to erect something
to break and keep off the wind, and during
the prevalence Of such weather he must not
remove the cover from his pit nor draw out
coal Coal must not be taken from the pits
through the forest before twenty four hours
have elapsed after it has been drawn from
the pit.
The same rules must be observed in pre-
pairing ashes as prescribed for the making of
charcoal.
No fire must be kindled in forest, nor
within 200 feet of the same, nor near turf
pit lying near by, without especial privilege
from the forester, who, when such permission
is given, mus; see that ali necessary measures
Of safety are taken.
As exceptions TO the rule laid down are the
fires for shepherds, wood choppers, quarry
men, etc, and these must be kindled in places
rs remote as possible from danger to the
forests.
Also fires used for burning out roots,
stumps, etc. when the woodland is being
prepared for culture. In all cases must the
fires be ten pScss from the forest, and at
least four paces from large trees, and the
ground wing between the lire and the wood
and trees must lie dug or broken I'd
The kinGling Of a running fire in the woods
IS forbidden: only in special cases can it be
allowed By the forest authorities, with the
approval of the mayor.
Shepherds. woodchoppers. ouarrymen. etc,
are in duty bound to extingu.sh the fires be-
fore they quit the forests.
No place for preparing tar or preparing
line dime kiln viii be allowed within fl
teen feet Of the edge of forest or WOODS
There are special ordinances indicating
what shall be done in case OF fires breaking
ous il foresss-Boston Budget
Wanted to learn Telegrsphy.
1t has been accepted in certain quarters in
Wall street that any and all rlsthosis not
legally prescribed TO &c; frs. information ere
fair, ard are but incidents of the business ara
the locality. A telegraph operator the other
day took diEeren; view OF this rule az Wall
street ethics. He fatty refused 20 teach a
stock broker telegraphy. The broker said
that be was in the offices Of many other brok-
eys during the day, and thought tbs. if be
could read the ticking OF tire telegraph instru
nents i: might put wealth into his rockets
New Xcrk SUI