St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1917-12-22

destroyed by burning. ue ucStIu"-
ton of humus, natures source OF
nitrogen, impoverishes the soil and
fertility is only regained by the use
of commercial fertilizers. Forage
grasses on burned areas are low in
food value. The grazing capacity OF
burned lands is thus reduced. Loss
of humus changes the physical char
acter of the soil and renders it un-
fit for the growing Of many OF our
crops. Humus is also moisture
retainer and its loss results in
periods of drought with failing OF
springs and small streams. During
periods Of heavy rains, soils robbed
of their humus are in capable Of re-
tanning the moisture which falls up
on them, and as a natural sequence
freshets occur in larger streams. &C
companied by overflow and sitting Of
bottom lands Absence Of humus on
sloping lands which are rendered in
capable of Development by reason OF
their quilted, washed, and impover-
ished condition are familiar to every
one in this locality.
Probably the most far-reaching eff
feet of fires is upon tree growth.
Vast areas of pine timber are now
coming under the axe and saw. Cut
ting may continue for compare
lively short period of years, but at
the expiration Of that time a new
supply will be lacking. Early log
cling left sufficient seed trees upon
cut-over lands to naturally restcck
such areas Of pine. This man-made
condition was favorable to the pro-
duction of second growth timber.
Another nlan-made condition, how
ever. the practice Of burning over
grass and woodland areas, changes
this condition from favorable to un-
favorable Fires kill young seed
ling trees, the source of our future
supply, and thus absolutely prevent
second growth timber from occupy
ing burned lands. Our future source
of timber is an unsolved problem un-
less the fire situation is controlled.
The causes of fires may be classed
as preventable and unpreventable.
Those from lightning, a natural
o6OASy, oAS AAPA OAI0OAC VI
tunately this cause is a comparative
ly rare one. Fires started from
brush or other field burning. are
preventable Reasonable care ex-
ercised in any of the above causes is
the only necessity. In brush or
other field burning it is only neces-
sary to prevent the fire from escap-
ing to adjoining lands. Hunters.
campers, and other persons travel
Ing the woods must be particularly
careful with fire. Fires destroy the
breeding places of game, as we'll as
| the cover. They drive out the game,
and thus lose to the local population
| an important source Of food
Do not leave unextinguished camp
| fires, cigarettes, pipe ashes or burn
ing matches where there is the
slightest possibility of starting a fire
As has been aptly said by the Lou
| isiana Superintendent OF Forestry
"a fire started to drive out a twenty
five cent rabbit may result in the
| loss OF thousands OF dollars, il not
| controlled"
The Great Southern Lumber Com
| pany has recognized the necessity Of
providing future supply of timber
for its operation. To this end {
system OF fire patrol has been inau
gurated, effective December i, 1917
Patrolmen have been employed ant
strong effort will be made to pre-
vent and control fires. The assist
i ance NJ nnal noranna Ia aooonf&a1 r.
i the greatest success. All person
are, therefore, urged to co-operetl
with the company. and e - TIT