The evening times., 1898-11-24
ORIGIN OF FOREST FIRES
TO BE INVESTIGATED
CONGRESS WILL TAKE ACTION
Some Interesting Facts and Figures
Have Been Prepared by the Ag-
ricuIturaI Department..

II is likely that the subject Of forest
fires viii be given marked attention by
Congress at the coming session. The De-
partment OF the Interior and the Depart
meut of Agriculture are interested in this
question TO a greater degree than usual,
because of the unusual losses occasioned
by fires of this character druing the year.
Some interesting facts and figures have
been prepared by the Department of Ag
riculture 1t is said that in the northern
pineries and the coniferous forests OF the
far West vast areas have been almost de-
nuded of trees, blackened and charred
stumps marking the place where valua-
bic timber once stood. Nor is the loss
confined TO the destruction of merchant
able timber alone. Trees Of unmerchant-
able size and seedlings which. if pro-
tected would have served TO replace the
timber cut under rational management
are destroyed. and the ground is often
left bare. TO be covered with weeds and
grass, OF TO grow up in less valuable
timber II upon mountainside. water
shed or similar exposure the soil is fire.
quently swept away 10y the rains which,
their natural barriers being removed,
sweep down with tOrrential force.
In a treatise on the subject. issued BY
the Department of Agriculture il is said
that the causes OF forest fires are usually
attributed 10 accidents. due to sparks
from engines, care!cssness regarding
camp fires. clearing. etc. but not a few.
especially in the West have been due TO
Intentional firing. the object usually being
TO secure better stock ranges
The loss by forest fires is said to be
many millions of dollars year. Definite
figures are not obtainab!e. 1t is estimat-
ed that the loss from this cause in the
State Of Pennsylvania is half a million
annually The value of fencing and build
inss destroyed is not Included in the es-
innate.
In connection with-this matter the De-
pariment Of Agriculture has completed
bulletin, which in part follows:
we are warned that the consumptiou
Of timber in this country under the pres
ent system Is vastly in excess Of the pro-
ducliOn. Such state OF affairs necessi-
tates some system of forest management.
Under any system the question of fires
must nrst receive attention. In forty sew
en- States and Territories forestry fire
laws have been enacted but many of
them are insufficient, on account of lack
OF sentiment Tor their enforcement or
from their inadequacy
''One Of the greatest sources of danger
III numbering regions is the presence of
tops, slashing and debris. II these are
looked after, properly piled and burned,
much danger with be avoided Such a
plan is said 10 have been tried in Cana
da with success. In the province of On
tario, during 1885, ii is said that the feast
bility Of destroying such waste was clear
ly established. The protective service
was carried on at an expense of about
IL cents per l.GG0 feet OF lumber cut.
The expense Of burning waste by Ium-
Der companies was estimated at S. per
square mile. II these figures are applied
to the three great lumber States OF Michi-
gan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. it is
claimed that a great part of the annual
loss could be prevented at an expense of
about 81 000, 600 for each State
THE stations in corporation with this
department are doing much TO dissent
nate correct ideas about the need and i'm
portance of conserving the forest re-
sources OF the country. The far-reaching
effects upon agriculture. as well as upon
other Industries, Of the destruction of for
ests make this a question which demands
the most serious considerat ton of every
farmer"