The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-06-23
FOREST WORK
aims GIVEN
Regional Forester Tinker Says
That Tree Planting is
Minor Subject.

Forestry in the early days of Ameri-
can practice, quarter OF century
ago, had a very different application
than it has today, but many still have
romantic concept of a ranger riding
the rimrocks all day long, and being
isolated for months at a time from
human contact" said E. w. Tinker,
regional forester, in charge of the field
program of the conservation corps now
being taken from the cities to the
country.
Because of the generally cut and
burned condition of some So million
forest acres in the Lake States, the
difference is more marked here than in
the forests of the Rocky Mountain
Region, where grazing enters so largely
into forest administration.
Since forestry has taken such an
active part upon the stage of the
present economic drama, and the presi-
dent is looking largely to this work as
the foundation for the beginning of
turning the prosperity wheels around,
and at the same time making people
conscious that there is really need
for them and their contribution, have
noticed a rather prevalent misconcep-
ton that tree planting is considered the
major part of the new program.
Among the classes of emergency
conservation work, authorized on the
National Forests, are listed:
1. Fighting and preventing fires as
necessity arises. In critical periods sup
preston crews may be stationed near
telephone, for it is quick getaway
that counts. Some men who are found
capable will be assigned as forest
guards.
2. Telephone lines will be constructed
from camps to main lines.
g. Firebreaks are to be constructed,
with tractor and grader. Most Of the
forest work, however, is hand work
4. Fire hazard reduction includes
snag telling and cleanup of slash and
debris along roads, trails and fire
breaks, or through large bodies of slash.
This phase of the work involves piling
of slash and debris, to be burned when
weather conditions permit.
5. The building of lookout towers and
cabins is included
6. Fire guard cabins, shelter for pro-
lection equipment and other protection
improvements.
Z. Administrative structures are to
be built, and there will be clearing work,
water development, and the construc-
ton of sanitation and fire protection
structures on public campgrounds
8. Many of the camps will be as
signed to trail and portage construc-
ton, and few emergency fire control
landing fields will be built, for the
use of airplanes is becoming more COM
mon in the fire protection work
9. Erosion and flood control is an
item, for the Lake States
contain the headwaters of the MiSsis-
sippi and the ST.. Lawrence Rivers
Wisconsin has been suffering from un-
controlled floodwaters already this
season.
10. Forest planting involves seed col
lection from native cones and the
growing of them in tree nurseries, a
greater number Of which will be neceS-
sary to furnish planting stock for this
gigantic project.
IL. Insect control, blister rust and
other tree disease control will require
the work of a considerable number of
the new recruits, and some will be
selected for forest and timber surveys
where they can be handled out of
established camps.
II. Timber stand improvement, or
what is known as forest cultural work,
includes wedding, release cutting, thin
ming, sanitation cutting, and some
pruning.
Is. Rodent control has become
necessary, as rabbits and porcupines in
the absence of their natural regulators,
the fur bearers, like all to well to nibble
the tender seedlings which cannot be
permitted if the reforestation, either