The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-02-14
ADVISES AGAINST THE
BURNING OF WOODLANDS
Warning Is Issued by Peach Labora-
tory to Restrict all Fires.

Many peach growers in the Georgia
peach belt put no restrictions what
ever on fires in woodlands and waste
lands when carrying through their
cleanup, or orchard sanitation, cam
Ipaign during the winter months to de-
stroy the alternating adult curcullos.
| When fires are allowed to sweep
through woodlands, perhaps for great
distances from commercial peach or
| chards, the young forest tree plants
are totally destroyed, along with all
vegetation, which would eventually
form humus; and often serious dam
| age is done to the large trees. 1t is
we'll known fact that Georgia for
ests are fast being destroyed, espe
cially by fires started by careless peo-
pie who do not appreciate the value
OF forest conservation
1t is true that the burning of small
strips OF woodlands and waste fields
adjoining commercial peach orchards
is quite advisable, in order to destroy
Undertaking adult curculios; but moth
ing except forest destruction is &C
complished by allowing the fire to
sweep away unrestricted. Orchardists
in the peach belt of Georgia should
realize that, even though the outer
edges OF woodlands adjoining peach
orchards serve as alternating places
for the dreaded curculio forests are
a valuable asset to the successful cul-
ture OF the peach, on account of reg
ulating climate conditions and assist
ing in drainage.
This laboratory therefore asks each
peach grower to restrict all fires this
winter when the orchard sanitation
program is being carried out. Timber
lands and waste fields need no atten-
ton beyond two hundred yards from
a commercial orchard, as far as the
curculio is concerned. Instead of start
ing the fire at the edge of the orchard
go into the woods not more than two
hundred yards, and with a pronged
stick rake back the leaves and vege-
tation a foot or more and light this
continuous pile, allowing the fire to
burn toward the orchard. The strip
from which the vegetation and leaves
have been raked back will serve as a
means of restricting the fire and pre-
vent it from continuing its destructive
work throughout the wooded area. By
starting the fire in the woods and al
lowing it to burn toward the orchard
|unburned triangles next to the orchard
will be avoided. Unburned areas are
usually to be found when the outer
edges OF woodlands are fired first
Looking to the future culture of the
peach in Georgia, as we'll as to the
conservation of our forests, it is hop
ed that each peach grower will. in
dividually, appreciate the value OF for
ests to the peach industry; and in con
Quoting the curculio cleanup work
this year restrict all fires, making a
special effort to prevent any burning
beyond the two hundred yard line.
The state forestry committee created
by the last session of the legislature
is making an earnest effort to save
Georgia forests; and they are to be
commended in their endeavor which
will be so valuable to future genera
tons. This laboratory is in hearty &C
cord with the forest conservation
movement; and growers will be giving
their cooperation to this laboratory,
as we'll as to the state board of for
estry, by restricting their burning
around orchards during the winter
months.
GOVERNMENT AND STATE
| LABORATORY, Fort Valley, Ga.