Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-09-02

burn more slowly and closer to the
ground than do the so-called "brush
fires"
Now, on the brush" lands which
We can not avoid taking into con-
sideration since they form such a
large percentage of the timber lands
in southwestern Oregon, we have
condition which absolutely forbids
the periodic burning of light sur
face fire for protective purposes, for
the simple reasons ID that the
crowns Of the shrubbery or brush
plants and the young growth are 50
close to the ground as to make any
burning, no matter how light, vir-
tually crown fire hot enough to
destroy every young tree in its path,
and (2) that forest protection In
brush land must take into considera-
tion the young pines, frs, cedars,
etc, which represent the future for
est and which are scattered among
the brush" plants ia favorable To-
cations so closely that it is absol-
utely impossible to kill the brush by
fire without damaging the young
growth and seedlings equally as
much, if not more so. If it is there
fore our aim to encourage continued
forest production, protection over
the extensive areas of brush lands in
this locality can only be brought
about through keeping fires out alb
solutely. Brush can not be Destroy
ed without the killing of young
growth, and if such a things were
possible, it is very doubtful whether
it would be a good thing for seed
lings and very young growth of tim
ber species, since the latter need the
shading and protection of the form
er as we'll as their assistance in hold
ing the little soil left from past fires.
A few years later, if fire is kept out,
the young timber, by reason of its
faster growth, gradually oyertops
the brush, and if seeding and soil
conditions have been favorable the
dense shade caused by the closing
in of the canopy of the new timber
trees will eventually kill out the
brush" more soil will accumulate
through decay of brush and over
topped young trees, which fall be-
cause through increase in size of
the thriftier trees there is no longer
room for them, and more moist con-
ditions will prevail, making fire
less likely to occur and slower to get
under disastrous headway
But this is manifestly a big sub
ject and extremely hard to handle
logically in a short article. However
hope that I have furnished enough
facts and general observations tc
show, first, that orchard pests do no'
originate from the forest; second
that forest fires greatly encourage
the propagation Of, rather than the
destruction Of, insects; third, that
we are not having more seriou!
fires. so far as timber alone is con
cerned. than has been true of time!
in the past; fourth. that periodic
burning over Of the forest, in killing
tender young growth and seedlings
defeats the primary object Of tru'
forestry, which is continued fores
production; fifth. that such burn
ing for protection Of mature timbe
is only justified under special condi
tions; sixth. that such condition.
tions are very rarely to be found in
rough, mountainous country OF man.
species of trees. irregular ag
classes. etc, such as the Siskiyol
national forest, and that, seventh
such burning Is absolutely out OF tn
question as a scheme Of forest pro
lection on our numerous so-calle'
brush lands because We must kee
out fire absolutely on such lands o
else give up the idea Of ever obtain
ing a future timber crop.
The subjects of burning fire line
along prominent ridges or roads, an
cleaning up after logging operation
are too extensive for discussion a
this time, but they are means towar
fire protection, and, although yer
expensive, are justified wheneve
necessary funds are available. Afte
all, considering the numerous fire
- which are started on the nations
forests through carelessness. malic
4 business or lightning, the large are
which the average ranger is r.
ouired TO patrol, and then the sma
= percentage which are really allowe
, to spread and get beyond contro
J. we should become encouraged
o take new hope and remove all, e.
/ cepting unavoidable causes. Ligh
z ming Is really the only forest III
e. a aNNH