The Washington times., 1901-12-29
FORESTS MADE TO
GROW BY FIRES.
Facts Learned Through Investiga-
tiOns by Scientists.
NATURES OWN PROVISION.
Trees Found to Reproduce Them
selves In Areas Once Burned over
Methods of Fighting These Huge
ConGagrntioEz n Recent study.

Many persons are In the habit of de-
ploring. in the lurid light that illumines
the landscape as they pass by on railroad
train or steamer. those forest fires that
destroy the noble monarchs Of the woods
by the countless thousands.
1t is true that It has been found expe-
dent, for obvious reasons. to check the
ravages Of the devouring element in the
great forest lands throughout this coun-
try. and this forms an essential feature
Of the work of the Forestry Division of
| the Agricultural Department.
But while engaged in the systematic
study Of the origin and progress OF forest
fires. with view toward their preven-
| tion, the scientists OF the Department
have made another discovery tending to
shoe that the great work of nature oper-
| ates according to Its own eternal laws.
Independent OF the desires and temporary
convenience of man. Briefly. then, these
apparent scourges of the forest are pro-
| visions of nature for the periodical re-
newing Of certain kinds OF trees, and
sometimes for supplanting an old by a
new species.
One Proof Among Many.
typical Illustration OF the relation of
fire to the prolonged existence Of a great
forest, and an Indication Of its power in
! determining the kinds OF trees of which
the forest is composed, is found on ths
north side Of the Olympic Mountains Of
western Washington. The magnificent
forest about the base Of this range would
seem at a first glance to be wholly un-
touched; yet close Investigation has re-
Gently shown that the greater part OF IL
has been burned over within a compara-
lively recent time.
Underneath and among the roots OF the
standing trees there Is a layer OF char
coal left by Nthe fire that cleared the
ground for their occupation, which may
be brought to light with little digging,
or which can be seen with less trouble
when the wind has overthrown the trees
and exposed the earth in which they
stood.
Here Is a perfect example," says Mr..
Clifford Pinchot. expert forester Of the
Agricultural Department. "of the entire
recovery OF a forest after its apparent de-
struction by fire, but the case has yet
another interest. The red fir is the most
important timber tree of that forest.
through which IL is very widely scattered.
1t is 4 curious fact that, In a recent ex-
haustive exploration. there were not TO be
found q single Seeding Of this tree under
the forest cover. Yet. wherever there was
an opening cleared by fire, they were
plentiful. This seems to show that the
composition of this great forest is largely
determined by fire.
Ereoueucr of Forest Fires
Perhaps the most apparent fact in con-
nection with forest fires is their fire.
quency. IN all wooded regions and their
vicinity. they form a large item Of news
gossip. and accounts Of their raTages are
being constantly brought to the attention
OF the public. Few forest regions escape,
and by far the greater part of the
whole wooded area OF the country bears
the marks OF fire.
Still the fact remains that the forests
have not disappeared. They have been
ravaged, in some cases hundreds Of times,
yet they still flourish and will in all prob
ability continue to do So The returning
of the forest to land from which it has
disappeared is often very slow process,
but in the end some sort Of forest cover
NAV be counted on to take the place OF
devastating fires which have swept over
this countries for centuries have not sue
ceeded in leaving IL barren of trees.
II is only lately that the study OF forest
fires in this country has engaged the atten-
tion of scientists. As the investigations
are now being carried on by the Agrleul-
tural Department, no species or data 10
omitted which may tend to throw light
upon the nature and history OF the phe-
nomena Of the fires.
Search in Old Newspapers.
In the matter OF the records Of fires old
newspapers dating as far back as 1'54
have been consulted Nearly fifteen hun
dred volumes OF newspapers hav' been
carefully conned, as well as several hun
dred other records.
The data thus gathered has served TO
show the prodigious loss yearly suffered
by the coun ry from forest fres. as well
as the dangerous zones, the centres from
which fires spread, and the relative de-
gree in which particular localities
throughout the country have already been
heavy losers in the past or are likely to
need special precautions in the future.
II is true. Of course, that the great dan
ger belts are already known. and that
people who live in places Specially ex
posed to fire are already acquainted with
the risks they run.
1T may fairly be asked" says an emil
nent scientific authority. what is the
practical value Of such studies as the his
tory and nature OF these forest fires? The
answer is that every kind OF knowledge
of an enemy may be used against him.
Thus. II it is learned that in a certain
region fire travels in wedga-shaped
mass, with the lercest heat and most
rarid progress at the point, II follows that
the place to attack it is at the point OF
the wedge. and that the ordinary method
OF attacking the wings is simply waste
Of time.
Profitable study.
"In a similar way an accurate knowl-
edge of the great damage which follows
hasty and unwise back firing in any given
region will be of use In supressIns IT, The
study Of how the fires burn yields direct
assistance to the me1 whose homes lie
in the threatened district. In a some
what different way the historical study of
ares Will be OF use, for whatever helps
to call attention to the magnitude OF an
evil also helps to weaken It's capacity for
harm.
''If the vast destruction forest fres
have Uccasioned can be brought thor
oughIv horne to the public mind In terms