New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08
WITH FIRE AND STEEL.
THE NEGRO FARMERS ATTACK UPON
SOUTHERN WOODLANDS

THE NEGRO FARMERS ATTACK UPON
SOUTHERN WOODLANDS
Did YOU ever see big tract OF pine woods on
fire? II is a sight TO be remembered and dis
play that may be seen anywhere In the South from
the last OF February TO the first Of April. par
tcularly in the neighborhood OF timbered stretches
where the turpentne distiliers have been at work
The majority OF the small farmers In these regions
are negroes and when the March winds whistle at
their cabin doors they bestr themselves from
their winter lethargy and set about making prep
ara,ions FOR planting.
"a uncommon heap Of dead log and things is
blowed down In dat three-corner field" one says
and straiehtway he rolls the dead pines together
here and there rakes up the splintcred twigs and
bits OF bark. and sets fire 10 them.
Il reckon I might well clear UP some new
ground" resolves a neighbor and he. too. calls the
quick and effective torch to his aid. the flames
consuming the underbrush and getting him started
in the way OF clearing up.
These fires all kinded purposely and with the
best intentions. but they In turn start coniagra-
iions that work great mischief. Large tracts OF
good timbered land In the South are annually burned
of owing 10 this reckless OF the torch an
agricultural assistant. Many negro children are
burned. too. and even grown women fall victims to
the flames Buildings are destroyed and acres OF
turpen,ine woods rendered valucless yet each sea
son only repeats the catastrophes OF the year be-
fore II would that March, OF ali the twelve
months would not be thought htting time to ex-
pertinent with fire. but a thoughtless ard IMPROVE
dent ienantry cannot be convinced of any especial
danger In Its use.
The negroes are expert at what they call night
Ing IRE; that is. so long as the fire Is on the
ground when there Is high wind blowing tho
flames have things their own way. enectualy
frustrating any plan that can he devised 10 master
them When the fire threatens to burn too close
ia harn "a n
stable and the dwelling house the Inhabitants be-
co'yr alarmed ana hasten to the burning woods.
armed with all sorts Of farming implements. "a
though they could vanquish the monster simply by
dint OF strength.
TAKING LATE PRECAUTIONS.
"You women folks go ober deere and rake clean
path 'twixt the fire and the fence says the voun-
tcer fire chief. "You Nebn and Iymus, carry some
kindn' wood Wild you and set dat .'ttlc piece OF
y GODS on Are dc left dere. so II kin meet UP
wid dis one: when de two flame meet both will go
out Stir 'roun', boys" he admonshes "All hands
stir 'roun'. Dis here amt no time for foon'.' In
another moment he IA yelling at tho top OF his
voice: "C;o run dem chlun' back to de house: next
ting they'll be ketchin fire ong wild de rest" and
a troop OF pickaninnies who had veniurcd near
agape to see the commotlon. are routed with a
brandished ptchfork and sent scurrying home.
Ali Is excitement on the borders OF the fire. In
the dense smoke the tail columns of the pines loom
Ia kiv. Everywhere In the woods are heard the
sfraining and swapping Of boughs and tho roar Of
the rushing flames. Plumes OF orange and amber
light dart upward az the Are gains Roadway. The
underground b.azes furiously for one instant and
dies down the next. the fierce heat consumes
the slender shrubs and bushes. Now and again a
giant tree crashes TO the ground.
In view OF the gigantic task they undertake the
helpiessness OF the hre-hghters seems intensified
though they work hard and fast to stop the de-
ft,tt>
bur" on their land in tho damn cold days Of
when the nearness Of complaining time lent i'm
The North has instituted arbor days and estab-
iished forestry laws Young trees are continually
Cd tho the q Ssr Of hs Sa
spendhTift regarding her forests and does nothing
the f of MooS s Ea h e
r. hardly fuel enough for the tenants wants and
III able ground that every tree whose branches
shade few feet OF his crop Is ruthlessy cut down
and cast out.
wANTON TIMBER CUTTING.
What superb oaks. and what grateful shade
they glve!" said visitor at a plantation house
abiding to certain trees the edge of big cot
ton ne,d In day or two fresh hacked girdle
about the trunk OF the largest reused the of the
proprietor. He reprimanded the tenants and for
bade them to touch the other trees. The letter. but
not the spirit. OF his command was fulfilled. for
later " was observed that n IRE mad been klndied
at the base OF another OAK the heat just SUM-
cicnt to nJure the bark and cause It 10 drop off,
eventually killing the tree. or one could
give any Information about this second offence The
branches Of these oaks had rounded out on all sides
and would have given shade to man and beast for
generations. That negros entire crop was not
worth OF their boughs. He himself doubt .ess
had stopped his mule under one OF those very oaks
many summer day. while he broke and ate a
watermelon. yet he felt conjunction at sacrifc-
ing the klngy tree when In the ardor OF his spring
planting he coveted big crop of ton In the IA n
The persinmon Ia the only tree allowed to stand
In q Negroes field. maybe because the possim fat
tens on perslmmons In the autumn, and the negro
has taste for 'possum. Walnut trees that chance
have the blazoned ring that seals their doom,
hacked around the trunk even though they grow on
tho edge OF a highway ana are as beautiful as use
fui. yielding many bushels OF nuts Wild cherry
trees. naples sweet gums. cottonwoods, all are
effaced from the earth In a like barbarous man
cut down tree at any time they may suspect a
'possum. coon or other quarry to be lurking on
Its boughs The tenants are allowed to sell wood
from the land also. and to mutilate and destroy as
much they wish.
The negroes hnbitually prowl about at night and
always with lighted TORCH which they put down
wheresoever they VIII regardless Of the damage It
the light. They make fires all about In the woods
on their hunting and fishing expeditions. and never
think Of putting them out when ready leave the
spot. II negro goes into the forest split rails
get out wagon poles, spokes or any piece OF tim
Der needed at the backsmith's shop or about the
for yards around him before beginning his Iabors
II n likely that the tree he fels may not quite
SUIT his purposes; so he moves further along and
cuts down more trees and bushes and growing