The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-15
Forestry Commission Asks
For Protection Of State Forests

lumber was SO great that vast tracts Of
virgin forests were bought up, and the
saw mills utilized vast areas Of useful
timber trees The supply of trees at
the inception of this crusade for lum-
Der seemed so great that no thought
ests been cut With the view of leaving
trees that would some day make lumber
the time would never come when the
timber supply. for saw milling pur-
poses, would be. entirely exhausted.
But in their unreasoniug desire for
gain, these corporations evidenced no
thought for the future and have left
in their wake q tractiess waste, in
many instances, as denuded of trees
as is the Saraha Desert
So startling has become the condi-
lions relative to our future lumber
supply that the whole country has
awak end to the reality that unless a
speedy halt IL called, and unless peo-
pie demonstrate some activity looking
TO the propagation OF useful timber
trees. the time must Inevitably come
when timber famine viii exist in the
United States.
Aside from this. scientific investi-
cation has disclosed the fact that the
destruction OF the forests causes
drouths and likewise floods. The
idea OF establishing vast forest re-
serves tosprotect the heads Of the riv-
ers. IT has been found that the de-
struction of the forests causes the
water to rush rapidly down the hill-
sides. thence into the creeks, on to
the rivers causing floods and great
destruction to life and property. Were
the forests left standing at the heads
OF rivers, the water would gently soak
H. 4t.~...,.~t, aha loa xraa and rich Imam
and would distribute itself gradually
into the streams. Floods fill UP the
channels of rivers causing sand-bars,
which result IN a detriment to naviga-
ton.
The virgin. forests must inevitably
be cut aawy. so great is the demand
for lumber. hence the problem which
now confronts the people OF alabama
is the care of the growing second
growth timber, and q practical plan
by which they can engage In the art
Of growing useful timber or forest
trees. The greatest damage done to
Young timber is caused by forest fires.
Fires Destroy Forests.
1t has been customary for years to
burn the forests with the idea that
II may make spring and summer graz
ing better. but this has long since been
proven to be q veritable fallacy
whenever forest fire sweeps
through a piece Of woods, 1t destroys
every prospective tree toy the age OF
| four years. Hence u We were to have
the forest fires only quadrennially
| there would be no future increase II
| the supply Of timber.
When once a IRE has spread, where
much. dead and down timber makes II
| very hot. 1t is almost impossible tc
| check it. When this Is the case, add
tional help should be summoned and
| n should be checked Mt all hazards
| In a damp heavy forest, fire usually
| travels slowly, and q few men II per
l. sistant may keep 1t in check by trench
| ing, even though they may not extin'
Euish it. and must continue the water
/ until rain falls. In dry open woods
| fire travels faster and II is often besi
/ to 20 some distance to open ground
| and set back fires there. In handling
| back fires, great care is needed Il
| avoid useless burning. The night tim'
/ or early morning is best time to worh
| whenever any choice exists, for nearly
| all forest fires die down more less dur
/ ing the cool OF the night, and flar'
up again during the heat OF the day
/ II would be well to bear the follow
ing principles in mind:
Protect the valuable timber, rathe
than the brush or waste.
Never leave fire until It is entirel,
out.
Young sapplings suffer more than oil
matured timber.
Surface fires in open woods. thougl