Georgia FORESTRY ,; . ... ' ,.. .. - . ,. . . . Georgia FORESTRY June, 1968 No.2 Vol. 21 Published Quarterly by the GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION Box 819 Macon, Georgia 31202 Georgia Forestry Mailing Address Route 1, Box 85 Dry Branch, Georgia 31020 OFFICIALS A. Ray Shirley Director James C. Turner, Jr.-Asst. Director BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Hugh M. Dixon chairman W. George Beasley M. E. Garrison L. H. Morgan Alexander Sessoms Vidalia Lavonia Homer Eastman Cogdell STAFF Frank E. Craven- Editor Thomas R. Fontaine, Jr.-Assoc. Ed. Thomas B. Hall- Artist DISTRICT OFFICES GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION DISTRICT I - Route 2 Statesboro, 30458 DISTRICT II - P. 0. Box 429 Camilla, 31730 DISTRICT Ill - P. 0. Box 169 Americus, 31709 DISTRICT IV - P. 0. Box 333 Newnan, 30263 DISTRICT V - P. 0. Box 96 McRae, 31055 DISTRICT VI - P. 0. Box 881 Milledgeville, ;31061 DISTRICT VII - P. 0. Box 2136 Rome, 30161 DISTRICT VIII - P. 0. Box 1160 Waycross, 31501 DISTRICT IX - P. 0. Box 416 Gainesville, 30501 DISTRICT X - Route 2 Washington, 30673 Member of the Georgia Press Association Second class postage paid at Dry Branch, Georgia CONTENTS Forestry Assistance in Metro Atlanta............................................................. 3 Surface Mining and Planned Land Use......................................................... 4-5 Beaver Activity Surveyed ................................................................................ 6 Counties Merge Forestry Services................................................................... 7 Sutlive Retires................................................................................................ 7 Davis Steps Down After 31 Years.................................................................. 7 Forest Fires and Acreage Losses Up.............................................................. 8-9 The Wonderful World of Wood ..................................................................... 10 The Second Pay Day.................................................................................... 10 Darby Heads Forestry Commodity Committee............................................ 10 Joiner Accepts GFA Position....................................................................... 11 Ranger of the Quarter.................................................................................. 11 Bivins Retires............................................................................................... 11 Tree Improvement Program Expanded ......................................................... 12 20 Years of Green........................................................................................ 13 Lanier County Keeps FFA Field Day Title.................................................. 14 Logging the Foresters.................................................................................. 15 Cruising the News BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE Georgia lost more than 10,000 acres of woodlands the first week in March to fires which resulted either from careless handling of trash or leaf fires, or fires which were deliberately set by arsonists. Obviously, the fires were a great loss in natural resources and wildlife, made all the more severe because a forest takes many years to replace. Meanwhile, acres that should be in production aren't. Due to the extremely light rainfall Georgia has experienced during the winter months, the woodlands of many counties now are dangerously susceptible to fire. Unless people are unusually careful with fire, the situation and the destruction will spread. Heaviest fires during the period were in the counties of Mel ntosh, Liberty, Long and Burke. Windy conditions and low humidity made the fires more severe and easier to spread. Ray Shirley, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, said that the majority of the fires were deliberately set by arsonists. The dry conditions and careless handling of fire also causes part of the damage. Persons who deliberately set fire to timberland, which could destroy animal and human life as well as valuable forests, obviously are mentally deranged or criminal. But those who merely are careless can do just as much damage. Therefore during dry weather conditions, persons who must burn trash are urged to follow the rules of safe burning or better yet, wait until a rain has made conditions safer. (From The Savannah Morning News) BURN, BABY BURN! The recent rash of forest fires, some carelessly set and some carefully set, may be rolling progress back more than two decades in Emanuel County. Before the "no fence" law, when livestock was allowed to roam at will on any unfenced property including highway rights-of-way, it was a sad common practice to secretly burn a neighbor's timber so the wiregrass would come out sooner. The first Pine Tree Festival was a great effort to educate us all on the value of the pine trees and the futility of burning them up. Judging from the clouds of smoke and the blackened timber in Emanuel County, we have not been learning our lessons very well lately. To a large degree the county's basic economy is still the longleaf pine and a good way to put all of us out of business will be to burn up our basic economy. So get out the matches, boys; watch the smoke boil and the rabbits run; and make yourself a reservation in the poor house! (From The Swainsboro Forest-Blade) Forestry Assistance By A. R. Shirley, Director Georgia Forestry Commission In Metro Atlanta There has been a rapid shift in popu lation in Georgia from farm to city during the past two decades which has brought about many economic, social, political and agricultural changes. Many city. town and urban citizens have always owned farms and forest lands; however, many of these new urban dwellers have rural backgrounds and a large number of them own or maintain an interest in forest lands. The Forestry Commission's Atlanta Office and the county offices have reflected this interest for a number of years by increased telephone requests for various types of forestry information, advice and services. This resulted in the Georgia Forestry Commission establishing the Metropolitan Atlanta Forestry Area Ju ly 1, 1967. The area con sists of seven counties, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton and Gwinnett. Six professional foresters are assigned full time to the program, in addition to the regular county forest ranger and his forest protection personnel . More than 1,200,000 people reside in this area which has a total land area of 1,366,500 acres. Forests cover some 861,000 acres or about 63 percent. Atlanta, the capito l city of Georgia, is noted throughout the world for its beauty. Trees, which abound everywhere with a wide range of species, are important in making the city and area so delightful and beautiful. Trees are of great value to practically every homeowner in Atlanta for shade or aesthetic purposes. A tree, or a number of trees, on a city lot may be of more value to a homeowner than many acres of com mercial forest land located in the rural area. The Forestry Commission has a meaningful forestry program for the metropolitan area wh ich is attested to by the results for the first nine months. A tremendous number of requests have been received from homeowners for shade tree information relating to insects and disease, pruning, feeding or fertilization, damages caused by mechanical equipment, earth fi ll s and many others. As a result, Commission foresters are rendering a wide variety of services . We have a forest education program for tree owners, youth groups, civic organiziltions, garden clubs, women's clubs and others on all phases of forest conservation . Many homeowners with shade trees have been victimized by fly-by -night individuals and companies operated by unskilled and non-professional people as tree surgeons. However, there are many well qualified individuals and companies rendering valuable services. The untrained tree surgeons have charged a large number of homeowners exorbitant fees for removing trees supposedly dying from insects, disease and other causes. Registered foresters of the Georgia Forestry Commission, acting on requests from the homeowners, have found trees said to be dying from insects and disease attack to be nothing more than a hoax. In many cases the homeowner was victimized and lost valuable trees, never knowing their true condition. Similar problems were encountered in fertilization and feeding of trees, resulting in trees being killed or the service rendered of no value. Homeowners have restored many trees to a healthy condition with proper silviculture and feeding treatment . The Forestry Commission, in cooperation with the Atlanta Department of Parks, is sponsoring an annual Shade Tree Conference, inviting tree surgeons and tree service companies who offer and provide authentic services to the residents of the Atlanta area. The purpose of the conference is to provide the latest information on insects, disease, feeding methods and the many other problems and practices to help upgrade their professional service. Foresters are giving assistance as requested to developers of subdivisions in the care and preservation of trees during the development of streets and roads, site grading and construction of homes. Assistance is also available to all forest owners on reforestation needs, forest management plans, inspection of timber for insect and disease outbreaks, weed tree control, marking trees to be thinned for pulpwood, sawtimber, po les and other products. For the nine month period July 1, 1967, through March, 1968, the following services were rendered : Telephone requests - 6,239 ; field visits - 1,152, including 749 assistance to forest area and 404 to homeowners; office visits 102; letters on forestry problems - 299; television programs prepared for local stations - 13; forestry conservation talks given to youth, civic and women's organizations, church groups and others 264; demonstrations on various forestry problems - 9; news articles prepared 101; exhibits prepared for various forestry events and related subjects - 24. The grand total of requests for the area for this period was 8,079 . In addition, 27 other requests were filled for persons owning land outside the area. The number of requests for assistance and services during the initial nine month period is an indication of the great need existing for forestry services in the metropolitan areas. Foresters and rangers in the area are already overtaxed and additional foresters are needed for the growing workload . The Commission is providing techni cal forestry assistance in all areas of Georgia; however, we do not have personnel to service other urban and city areas until additional funds and personnel are available. With today's emphasis on recreation, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, air and water pollution, soil erosion, water conservation, etc. there is a great need for all citizens to realize the value of the total forest conservation resources and their contribution in providing raw material for industry, jobs and the multiple uses of trees in our daily lives. The metropolitan forestry program is helping to meet this need . 3 Surface Mining And tain the services of experts from the University of Georgia in obtaining needed soils data . This project was also to evaluate what type tree covers would be adaptable to sites under consideration . The U. S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service was asked to carry out research in determining what vegetative cover, other than trees, could be established on mined lands. The SCS and the Agricultural Research Service, Watkinsville, Ga., designed and installed experimental plots in the planting of various grasses and grains on these sites. To date, research has shown that every site is different, and prescription planting is a must. One must know the soil with which he is dealing and its nutrient need . Federal and state legislators have been actively engaged in formulating Planned Georgia's land, her sprawling fields and extensive forests, contain many valuable minerals. Products, such as limestone, clays, iron, bauxite, marble, phosphates and many others, must be harvested if man is to prosper. Her abundant forests provide habitat for wildlife and raw materials for wood using industries. Her many lakes and streams are invaluable in providing water for private, industrial and recreational uses. The big question today is how can profitable mining best be carried out and at the same time leave the land in a productive condition for the use of future generations. Everyone versed in mining and reclamation work realizes that the soils of our state are a vast storehouse. They realize that the state's large subterranean warehouses must be tapped if our economy is to prosper. The answer is planned land use. During the past few years a tremendous amount of reclamation work has been carried on with a minimum of fan fare_ In view of the large number of varied products being mined in Georgia, let us consider the activity of one group, the kaolin industry. This mining group has for years, attempted to grow trees on previously mined lands. Some companies employ foresters to assist in their tree planting program. They have attempted to establish some type cover on spoil banks so that excessive erosion will not occur. Other companies engage the services of consultants, such as agronomists, soil conservationists, and biologists, to obtain advice on establishing vegetative cover on mined out areas . Land Use No one practical solution, adaptable to all sites, has been found . Top management from the kaolin industry, realiz ing that good land use practices are a necessity, put forth a unified effort forming the Kaolin Strip Mining Reclam ation, Research, Advisory Committee. Most major Georgia kaolin mining companies are members. The committee, composed of knowledgeable men, versed in mining and its land use problems, first obtained the services of experts to evaluate soils. The members felt that it was basic to have adequate knowledge of soil pH, fertility, and physical make up. A cooperative research project was entered into by the Committee and the Georgia Forest Research Council to ob- legislation for surface mining. The U. S. Department of Interior conducted a nationwide survey to determine the extent of mining, lands involved and problem areas. In 1965 Georgia had 21,700 acres of land disturbed by mining. The Department's report, "Surface Mining and Our Environment", showed that 37 percent of this acreage would require no reclamation work . This is indicative of the farsightedness of some mining companies and landowners involved . The federal government has pending legislation requiring land use plans for each state. States would be allowed a reasonable length of time to enact local legislation which would insure good land use by those engaged in mining. Georgia is very fortunate in that our 1967 legislature enacted a Georgia Surface Mining Act of 1968. This act is designed to foster a unified land reclamation program throughout Georgia. Of significant importance is the flexibility In 1965 Georgia had 21,700 acres disturbed by mining. Today's objective is to have profitable mining and at the same time leave land in a state of productivity for future generations. 4 of this act. The governing board will have exclusive power to develop con trois, both to protect the publ ic and mining interests of the state . It is im portant to remember that landowners must share in work to be done in re clamation of mined out areas. With public officials, miners, and landowners working hand in hand to the mutual benefit of each, Georgia can enjoy and benefit from an expanding mining economy. Prior to the law's enactment, an Interim Study Committee made an extensive investigation of mining activities. This Study Committee concluded, that it would be impossible to develop detailed laws for all type mining industries. Companies involved in this work have many uncommon problems. For example, the depth of the product to be harvested will determine the method of mining. The amount of overburden to be moved will determine type equipment that will be used. Studies have been established to determine what vegetative cover, other than trees, will grow on mined lands. This vegetative test plot shows the effect of fertilization, background, against no fertilization, foreground. The Study Committee recommended that an 11-member Surface Mined Use Board be established to develop policies and procedures wh ich will insure the continued use of land after the mining is complete and assist the mining com panies in maintaining a vigorous industry. The board is composed of representatives from the mining industry, forestry, geology, game and fish, water quality control, soil conservation, Associated Industries of Georgia and the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce. The legislative board members are Senator Hugh Carter, Plains, and Representative Paul Neesmith, Statesboro. Other board members are Cecil W. Chapman, State Soil and Water Conservation Committee; Jack A . Crockford, --- . Research has sho wn that the soils of each mined site are different. Trees can be grown if nutrient requirements are met. The two year old tree, left, received fertilizer and mulch while the check tree, right, received neither. Georgia Game and Fish Commission ; and W. R. Daniel, John W. Hale and Pau I F. Thiele, Associated Industries of Georgia. Sanford P. Darby, Georgia Forestry Commission; R. S. Howard, Jr. , Water Quality Control Board ; Stanley T. Smith , Georgia Chamber of Com merce and R. W. Weaver, Mines, Mining and Geology complete the list. The landowner's respon sibility is to leave the land in as good or better con dition when he has fin ished using it during his lifetime than when it was received. It is essential that we shoulder this responsibility , and when lands are passed to our descendants that it be in a high state of productivity . Landowners can insure that this will happen if they require that reclamation be carried out as part of their mining agreements. When mining is comp lete and land is reclaimed for use by the present or future generation, it should be developed for its highest use. Farm and forestry , residential, industrial, recreational and f ish and wildlife programs must be weighed against each other . Through mutual consideration of this problem by companies, an understanding of mining operations by the state's citizens and a coordinated research program, land reclamation should be consummated in Georgia. It is desirable that much needed mining operations "thrive, not merely survive" . The farsightedness of our public officials, mining executives, and conservationists must result in the development of land use programs which will insure this end. This mined over site has been reclaimed for agronomic use and supports a crop of rye. Land management plans must weigh agricultural, forestry, industrial, residential or recreational uses against each other when determining future land use. 5 Beaver Activity Surveyed A Georgia Forestry Commission beaver survey shows an increase in beaver activity since a similar survey -was conducted in 1960, according to Commission Director Ray Shirley. Shirley said the 1967 survey indi cates that the area on which the trees were damaged increased eight times. The loss of commercial timber exceeded 822,200 cords or more than three mil lion dollars. Shirley reports that this is over 15 percent of the 5.4 million cords of round pulpwood produced in Georgia in 1966. Leland Moore, Commission forest entomologist, said the heaviest timber losses reported came from the western Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the state, and continued along the Fall Line and south along the major river systems. The volume in this area was more than 680,000 cords, he added. Shirley pointed out that this prodigious loss ranks as one of the most serious threats to our forest resources. Its steady, upward trend poses a difficult problem to the woodland owners and wood-using industries in the state. Moore stated that the number of damage reports in 1967 was 2,500 compared to 519 in 1960. State acreage figures jumped from 15,702 acres in 1960 to 126.409 acres in 1967. He emphasized that the '67 survey tended to substantiate the 1960 findings. In the earlier report, it was established that most of the beaver activity had occurred from 1950-1960. Older The beavers peel large areas of tree bark to reach the soft cambium layer which is used for food. 6 A beaver stick hut is usually constructed on islands or in the shallow area of a pond. Beaver gnawing damage is about to fell this white oak. said the recent survey was a result of numerous reports from woodland owners concerning timber damage by the beavers. The growth of this problem since 1960 made the survey a necessity, he added. McComb emphasized that some counties showing no damage probably have some loss, although slight, that a more intensive survey would have revealed . He pointed out that the report has been prepared for the landowners and others interested in this problem and the Georgia Game and Fish Commission for their consideration and use. A copy of the report may be obtained by writing Leland Moore, forest entomologist, Georgia Forestry Commission, P. 0. Box 819, Macon, Ga. 31202. established dams, as far back as the 1930's, were reported, but most fell in the above ten-year period. As to controls, trapping and changing the animal's environment appeared the most successful. Dynamite, scare crows and draglines were among the less successful methods used . From the 2,632 reports received, 34 indicated they wished to keep the beavers. They indicated that waters backed up by the beaver-made dams are useful for fishing, duck hunting, water holes for livestock and irrigation. One-third of the pro reports came from Wilkinson County. W. H. McComb, chief, Commission Forest Management Division, Macon, Felling of oaks is seen on a stream bank with older feeding damage in the background. COUNTIES MERGE FORESTRY SERVICES Sutlive Retires Heard and Troup Counties and Cherokee and Pickens Counties have merged their forestry units, according to Ray Shirley, director, Georgia Forestry Com- mi~ion. The new combinations brings the number of combined units throughout the state to 41. Of the state's 159 counties under organized forest fire protection, 85 counties are in combined units, Shirley said. The Heard-Troup County merger, effective February 1, is under John Harcrow of Franklin. Their combined forest acreage is 368,900 acres. Troup County Forest Ranger George Knott was trans ferred to the Commission's Macon office. The Unit's central headquarters is located on Ga. 100, three miles north west of Franklin. The sub-headquarters is located two miles south of LaGrange on U.S. 27. James E. Kelly of Canton heads the Cherokee-Pickens Forestry Unit. The merger, effective March 1, was a result of the retirement of Doyle G. McWhorter in December 1967. McWhorter had headed the Pickens Unit for some 25 years. The combined Unit has 328,600 forest acres. The central office is located three miles east of Canton on Ga. 20. The sub-headquarters is located on Ga. 108, two miles south of Jasper. Shirley pointed out that a combined unit means conserving heavy equipment, buildings and other costs of a forestry unit, while still insuring adequate and efficient forest fire protection . The Forestry Commission congratulates the forestry boards, county commissioners and other citizens who work ed to make these combinations possible. DAVIS STEPS DOWN AFTER 31 -YEARS Clint Davis, director, information and education activities of the Forest Service, has retired ; Chief Edward P. Cliff announced . "The man most responsible for making Smokey Bear a household word," said Chief Cliff, "left with 31 years of outstanding Federal Government service." Davis has served in his present post since 1955. However, it was mainly his pioneer work in establishing and promoting Smokey Bear, the forest fire prevention symbol, that brought him a national reputation . Before he became top information man for the Forest Service, Davis directed the fledgling Smokey Bear campaign for nine years, working with State and Federal agencies, forest industries, The Advertising Council and business leaders throughout the country in promoting forest fire prevention. Before transferring to Washington in 1946, Davis was information director of the Forest Service's southern region, public relations director of the Georgia Game and Fish Department, and a former outdoor editor and columnist for the Atlanta Constitution. He was a motion picture producer in the U. S. Army Signal Corps during World War II . Davis' work with the Smokey Bear Program recently earned him the first " Silver Smokey" award. The pioneer "Silver Smokey" presentation was made at the annual meeting of forest fire prevention cooperators and conservation leaders in Washington, D. C. It was given for "distinguished service in forest fire prevention over an extended period of years" and was determined by nomination from fire control specialists from all over the Nation. W. Kirk Sutlive W. Kirk Sutlive, manager, Public Re lations Division, Union Camp Corp., Savannah, recently retired after 25 years with the company. He will cont inue to serve as a consultant to the company on public relations matters. In making the announcement, J. R. Lientz, Union Camp vice-president, said Sutlive " is recognized as an outstanding leader in the public relations profession." "He has contributed to the pro gress of our company and to its accep tance as a good corporc_~te citizen," said Lientz. Sutlive, a native of Savannah, was owner and publisher of the Blackshear Times for 17 years before joining Union Camp in 1943 to create and head up the public relations program. A former president of the Georgia Press Association, Sutlive serves as chairman of the board of the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of the Georgia Forestry Association and the Georgia Department of Industry and Trade as well as the Georgia Forest Research Council. William A. Binns of Savannah succeeds Sutlive. Binns joined the training staff of Union Camp in 1953. He was later named training director. In 1966 he was promoted to assistant manager of public relations. 7 Pilots direct ground crews in their suppression efforts through radio communications. The planes are used to check unidenti fied smokes and detect fires when to wer visibility is reduced. Statewide the first quarter of 1968, January-March , has recorded a 61 -percent increase in forest fires and a 138percent increase in acreage loss for the corresponding period in 1967. In making the report, Ray Shirley, direct or, Georgia Forestry Commission, stated that over 59-percent of the 7,036 wildfires occurred in the southern half of the state below a line from Columbus to Macon to Augusta. These fires blazed through 39,383 forest acres or more than 75 percent of the acreage loss. The 51 ,831 forest acres that were burned throughout the state are slightly more than one-fifth of one percent of the 24,066.400 acres of protected state and private forest land. The average size fire was 7.36 acres. The report shows that the highest peak fire periods occurred in March. The largest number of fires occurred from March 2-9 with 1,572 fires burning approximately 15,000 forest acres. In a six day period , March 18-23, 968 wildfires blazed through some 13,706 acres. At the end of the month , March 25-31, only 4.492 acres were burned by 1,025 fires. James C. Turner, Jr., chief, Commission Forest Protection Division, said a combination of high winds and low humidities will tend to run acreage loss up. He pointed out that this was the situation in the southern half of the state for the first quarter period. The Commission's First District, with headquarters at Statesboro, had the greatest fire occurrence and suffered the most timber loss. There were 1,500 wildfires that burned some 16,612 forest acres during the three month period. About 57-percent of the fires and more than 70-percent of the acreage loss occurred in March. The other South Georgia districts Fore And .Acre Up Fire Period suffering extensive forest fire damage were the Second District, Camilla and the Eighth District, Braganza. The acreage burned in the two districts was 7,527 in the Second and 8,247 in the Eighth . During the 91 -day period, there were 31 -days in which 100 or more fires occurred, and 28-days in which 500 or more forest acres burned. On the peak day, March 5, 299 blazes were fought. These fires burned 4.483 forest acres for the highest single day 's acreage loss. I ~ ~ I ' The largest fire was in Liberty and Long Counties, 576 acres. During the three month period, two fires burned over 1,000 acres. They were in Atkinson and Burke Counties. Turner stated that debris burning was the major fire cause with 2,562 fires burning 28,835 forest acres. Incendiary blazes accounted for 1,808 fires making it the second leading cause. These fires burned 8,924 acres of woodland. Shirley pointed out that fire detection and suppression personnel did an outstanding job in view of the ext reme fire weather conditions. Ground personnel, with invaluable assistance from aircraft patrol and air t anker operations, held the forest acreage loss to a mini mum. There were 57,860 gallons of fire retardant dropped on 50 wildfires during the high fire danger period. The drops were made primarily on large or troublesome fires in inaccessible locations and on fires in areas where all equipment was temporarily tied up on other blazes. Area fire weather forecasts were available by hourly periods, from day to day , seven days a week. This kept fie ld personnel abreast of sudden weather changes in detail. The Commission is provided the forecasting service by the U. S. Department of Commerce Weather Bureau in cooperation with the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station of the U. S. Forest Service and the Georgia Forest Research Council. The forecasters are Paul H. Hagerty and E. Lowell Croom. Sh irley cited the cooperation of landowners, industry, organizations, news media and other state and federal agencies in aiding forest fire prevention and suppression efforts. Shirley emphasized that no matter how strong a forest protection unit, the best Forest Fire Protection is Forest Fire Prevention . Georgia Forestry Commission personnel work other type blazes in addi tion to forest fires. They include grass, building and motorized equipment fires. From January-March 1968, 1,036 wildfires burned 51,831 forest acres throughout Georgia. 8 During the high fire danger period, 57,860 gallons of fire retardant were dropped on 50 wildfires. March 5 was the peak fi re day with 299 fires burning 4,483 forest acres. This was the highest single day 's loss. 9 ''The Second Pay Day" Georgians can take a scenic tour through the state's woodlands via a new motion picture, "The Wonderful World of Wood". The movie, a 22-minute color presentation, has been released by the Georgia Forestry Commission. The film was produced in cooperation with the Sears Roebuck Foundation, the Georgia Forestry Association and the U. S. Forest Service. The usefulness and economic value of wood, forest industries, scenic and recreational potential is interwoven in a narration and musical background. The film depicts wood's safety, durability, flexibility, versatility, attractiveness, and comfort features. The use of wood, ear- ly to modern America, is illustrated . The effect of wood on the state's economy is emphasized from the raw material to the finished product produced by a diversified ti mber industry. The film is designed to encourage the the use of wood, a natural resource from which we are bu ilding today's Georgia for tomorrow. It is timed for use by civic, garden and women's clubs as well as chamber of commerce, business and professional groups. "The Wonderful World of Wood" is available for loan through the Georgia Forestry Commission, P. 0 . Box 819, Macon, Ga. 31202 and the Georgia Forestry Association , 1204 Carnegie Building, Atlanta, Ga . 31303. Darby Heads Forestry Commodity Committee Sanford P. Darby, chief, Reforestation Division, Georgia Forestry Commission , Macon, has been named chairman of the Forestry Commodity Committee and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Crop Improvement Association. The announcement came at the recent 23rd annual meeting of the GCIA in Athens. Darby stated that the Committee's funct ion is to develop and draw up forest seed certification standards. To meet this need, a Forestry Commodity Working Committee was appointed. The members are Dr. Claud Brown, associate professor, Botany, University of Georgia, Athens; John Gill, manager technical services, Woods and Woodlands Division, Georgia Kraft Company, Rome ; Frank Vande Linde, research forester, Brunswick Pulp and Pa10 per Company, Brunswick ; and Dr. Roy Stonecypher, silviculturist, Southlands Experiment Forest, International Paper Company, Bainbridge. Darby pointed out that certain revisions in the certification for forest tree seed were made at the meeting. They included the addition of Virginia pine to the list of trees eligible for certification. Others eligible for certification are loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, slash and eastern white pine. Another change made provisions for certification of seedling seed orchards. These are stands composed of progeny of selected trees. A third revision was made that allows for the certification of forest tree seedlings as approved by the Forest Commodity Committee. A committee was appointed to allow for this certification. "The Second Pay Day " is a colorful 26 minute travelogue through the pineywoods of South Georgia. It traces the heartbeat of Georgia's industry and its relationship to naval stores. The film was produced in cooperation with the American Turpentine Farmer's Association and the U. S. Forest Service. The movie stresses the importance of Georgia's forest industry to the economy of the state. It evaluates the position of naval stores in southern forest management illustrating when and how it should be used and what may be expected in return . Georgia's leadership in national and world production of gum naval stores is depicted . Emphasis is placed on the growth potential of the southern pine and how it responds to care and proper management providing extra dividends to the naval stores operator. The latest gum production tech niques are expounded in detail. New methods are demonstrated. Their advantages are studied and presented in a manner that will be useful in the training of personnel. Research, marketing assistance and federal and state programs are touched . " The Second Pay Day" is available for loan through the Georgia Forestry Commission, P. 0 . Box 819, Macon, Ga. 31202 and the American Turpentine Farmer 's Association , P. 0 . Drawer 889, Valdosta, Ga. 31601. JOINER ACCEPTS GFA POSITION I Harold Joiner has been named assis- tant executive director of the Georgia Forestry Association, announced Asso- ciation President Edwin L Douglass of Augusta. "Joiner's experience and knowledge of Georgia will make him an asset to the Georgia Forestry Association," Douglass said. Joiner is working directly with Executive Director Harvey Brown in coordinating the activities of the I organization. Joiner joins the statewide forestry association after serving as executive assistant to Lt. Gov. George T. Smith since January, 1967. He was campaign coordinator for Smith during the state- wide race in 1966. For almost eleven years, Joiner was farm editor of the Atlanta Journal- Constitution. During that time he won Harold Joiner many local, state and national awards. During his newspaper career, Joiner was recognized by the Georgia Forestry Association, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the National Milk Producers Association, the National 4-H Alumni and the National FFA Clubs. He also was cited by the Georgia FHA, FFA, 4-H Clubs and the Georgia Farm Bureau. During 1966 Joiner served as president of the Newspaper Farm Editors of America. During his term of office, the White House asked Joiner to tour Viet Nam as representative of all newspaper reporters. He also has toured behind the Iron Curtain with Georgia farm leaders. Twice he has served as president of the Georgia Master 4-H Club, an organization of former state 4-H winners. RANGER OF THE QUARTER Bivins Retires the woods for hunting, Mainor added. Mainor has tried to combat this in- crease through fire prevention . Radio programs, an annual Keep Green Edi- tion, talks to local groups and personal contacts have been supplemented by posters and calendars. Cook County is one of ten counties participating in a cooperative project with the U. S. Weather Bureau. One of the key weather stations for the Com- mission, Mainor also sends monthly data to the National Weather Records Center, Burl Bivins I Asheville, N. C. The information is used Burl Bivins, forest ranger in Carroll for forecasting future weather by re- County, has retired after 19 years ser- John B. Mainor questing stations. He also furnishes wea- vice with the Georgia Forestry Commis- ) ther information to Brooks, Colquitt sion. Ray Shirley, Commission director, John B. Mainor heads the Cook County Forestry Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission at Adel. He came to the Commission in 1964 as a patrolman and was promoted in 1965 to his present position. A primary service of the Unit is forest protection. Mainor reports that the county averages 30 wildfires and 121 acres burned annually. However, in 1967 this figure jumped to 64 blazes and 188 forest acres blackened. The and Thomas Counties. Commission management services are provided by Paul Bledsoe, Moultrie, through Mainor. A two acre test plot on improved and regular slash pine has been set up. Mortality, rate of growth and disease and insect damage resistance are compared . The trees are about four years old. Other Unit personnel are Patrolmen James Abbott and Eugene Gibson. Three part-time personnel are utilized called him an outstanding example of the devotion to duty exhibited by personnel of the Commission . AI Smith, Fourth District forester, Newnan, presented Bivins, right, with a mounted faithful service award. The award and other gifts were presented at a dinner honoring the veteran ranger. It was attended by Fourth District employees and supervisory personnel from Atlanta and Macon . increase was due to drying out of swamp from November through March each Bivins plans to retire to his farm and lands and people wanting to open up year. grow corn and watermelons. 11 Tree Improvement Program Expanded Additional superior trees are being added to the Georgia Forestry Commission's Tree Improvement Program, according to Ray Shirley, Commission director. Trees being added are longleaf pine, yellow poplar, black walnut, sweet gum and sycamore. Others are white, chestnut, cherrybark and northern red oaks. Species in the program are slash, lob- From the selected tree, left foreground, limbs are shot from the tree from which the scion material is cut. lolly, white, shortleaf and Virginia pines. Sanford Darby, chief, Commission Reforestation Division, states that 20 trees of each specie are needed. This will provide the Commission with the necessary 15 _trees of each specie to meet certification requirements. Darby reports that difficulty is being experienced in finding good hardwood stands that have not been cut over in the past few years. Landowners having knowledge of such stands are asked to report them to their local county forest ranger. He points out that the trees must be under forest conditions. A Commission forester will inspect the tree for characteristics needed to meet selection standards, Darby added. Shirley emphasized that if Georgia is to maintain her forestry leadership, she must continue to seek out the best trees produced by each generation. The Commission's Superior Tree Program was initiated in 1954 with the selection of better than average quality slash and loblolly pine trees. To date, approximately 15 million seedlings have been grown and made available for purchase by Georgia landowners. These longleaf scions are being taken from selected trees. They will be grafted on one-year old nursery stock and then transplanted the following year to a Georgia Forestry Commission seed orchard. 12 Data obtained from the selected tree includes growth, upper, straightness of boie, center, and bark thickness, lower. ''20 Years Of Green'' I Connie Brooks Miss Wilkinson County Gordon Patricia Fuller Miss Talbot County Juniper Janet Holliday Miss Meriwether County Greenville Vicki La w Miss Macon County Marshallville Linda Marie Nash Miss Wilkes County Washington Tolura Porter Miss Hall County Gainesville Linda Carol Sconyers Miss Emanuel County Swainsboro Gale Anne Sikes Miss Richmond County Augusta Mabel Pamela Smith Miss Ben Hill County Fitzgerald ) Billie Jo Spell Miss Johnson County Wrightsville Barbara Steed Miss Jefferson County Louisville Malinda Teasley Miss Lincoln County Lincolnton Judi Wilson Miss Henry County Stockbridge Terri Wright Miss Muscogee County Columbus The 61st annual meeting of the J Georgia Forestry Association will be held at Jekyll Island in the Aquarama, June 9-10-11 . President Edwin L. Doug- I lass, president, Augusta Hardwood Com- pany and Glynn Farms, Inc., will pre- ) side. A highlight of the meeting will be the keynote address by Victor J. Sutton, board chairman, American Forest Pro- ducts Industries, Calhoun, Tenn. Sutton will use the convention's theme, "20 Years of Green", as the basis for his talk . His speech will kick-off the general session on June 10. A delegation of more than 700 fores- ters and landowners are expected, an- nounced Harvey R. Brown, executive director, GFA, Atlanta. He added that an outstanding array of speakers will address the delegates. The speakers and their subjects are Charles E. Cline, editor, Pulpwood Production and Sawmill Logging Magazine, Montgomery, Ala., "Mechanization, Its Contribution to Production and Safety"; A. B. Curtis, forester, Southern Pine Association, New Orleans, La., "Timber Demand and Supply Alternatives"; and Robert Worden, chairman, Tax Analysis Committee, Atlanta, "Progress of the Georgia Tax Study". W. S. Bromley, executive vice-president, American Pulpwood Association, New York, N. Y ., will moderate a Production and Transportation Safety forum on the morning of June 10. An afternoon tax forum will be moderated by Holt Walton, chairman, GFA Tax Committee, Cordele. Some 33 counties will present Forestry Queens for the title of "Miss Geor- gia Forestry". In addition to those pictured, they are Bryan, Camden, Charlton , Chattooga, Colquitt, Dooly and Early Counties. Others are Glynn, Grady, Harris, Lee, Long and Mcintosh Counties. Montgomery, Newton, Telfair, Troup, Walker and Ware Counties complete the list. Other business will include the election of officers and the presentation of awards. The state forestry queen will receive a $350 scholarship to the college of her choice in Georgia. Both the queen and runnerup will receive numerous gifts. During the year, the queen will attend various functions of the Association . The 1967 Miss Georgia Forestry is Miss Nancy Smith of Coolidge. 13 Lanier County Keeps FFA Field Day Title The Lanier County Chapter, Future Farmers of America, took top honors in the State FFA Forestry Field Day . The Jackson County Chapter placed second in the ninth annual event held at Indian Springs. Some 150 contestants, representi ng FFA Ch apters in 15 counties, participated in the field day, according to Mal colm Dillard, area forester, State Vo -Ag Department, Atlanta. Schools represented were Dallas, Lincolnton, Appling County , Jackson County and Greenville. Others were Lanier County, Pelham, Lee County, Wheeler County and Lou isville . J. F. Boddie, John H. Lewis, Houston County, Truetlen County and Gilmer County complete the list. First place winners in the various events were Frank Pirkle and Bobby Faulkner, Jackson County, planting ; Lee lvey, Lanier County, pulpwood timber estimation; Frank Pirkle, Jackson Coun ty, selective marking; Johnny Harold , Pelham, sawtimber volume estimation; J. E. Strickland, Greenville, tree identi fication; Jimmy North, Lanier County, ocular estimation. Others included Allen Stevens, Jack son County, land measurement; Hoagy Butler, Pelham, log scaling; Junior Cooper and Freddie Brown, Jackson County, sawing; and Danny Bradford, Lanier County and James Wheeler, Louisville, sca ling stacked pulpwood . The Lanier County Chapter, directed by W. H . Keene, received an inscribed Ed Andrews, vice-president, Trust Company of Georgia, Atlanta, presents plaque to FFA Field Day winner Lanier County. W. H. Keene, advisor, accepts. Team members are, front row, Howard Murray, Robert Browning, Buddy Benefield, Jimmy North and Reggie Metts. Back row, Danny Bradford, Danny Hadsock, Lee lvey, Charles Browning and Johnny Bowling_ plaque and $100. The Jackson County Chapter, under T. C. Weaver, received a plaque and $50 . The first place win ners, in the individua l events were awarded $20; second place, $1 0; and third and fourth place, $5 each . Dillard pointed out that the FFA Field Days create competition between FFA Chapters whose members have acquired a basic knowledge of Forestry , and who possess skills in the various phases of Forestry . It gives the FFA advisor a means of creating an interest in Forestry for FFA members, he added. The State FFA Field Day was sponsored by the Trust Company of Georgia, Atlanta, and its six affiliated banks. They are The First National Bank and Trust Company of Augusta, DeKalb National Bank of Brookhaven, The First National Bank and Trust Company in Macon, The Fourth National Bank of Columbus, The First National Bank of Rome and The Liberty National Bank and Trust Company of Savannah . The awards were presented by Ed Andrews, Trust Company of Georgia, Atlanta. FO REST CONS ERVATI ON The Commission's interest and the interest of all of the people representing conservation in the state of Geo rgi a was an inspi ration and great help to us i n conse rvati on conference development. We do app reciate your taking time to attend and give your support and to suggest the services of Mr. Wesley Jones to visit in our sc hools and to m ake available materials to our teachers. Mr. Jones spent Frid ay and part of this morning in the schools becoming acquainted with the teachers. I am sure he will have many calls for help and assistance in the conservation program. Thank you again for your help and the se rvices of your department. Mrs. William B. Weaver Director of Curriculum 14 Dalton Public Schools LETTERS I would like to take this opportunity to thank M r. Ray Shirley and his staff for all the help given to me and the members of the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs. It may interest you to know our members have planted and distributed 3n estimated 2,600 bulbs; 41,800 trees; and 46,720 seedlings. Approximately 30,000 pieces of literature on forest fires, pollution, native trees and wildlife were distributed. This covers our club year 1966-1968. As usual the Smokey Bear Reading Club proved to be very popular. An estimated 1,500 children were reached last year with this summer reading plan . Georgia is indeed fortunate i n two ways: t o have these dedicated clubwomen who are interested in its beauty and welfare and to have the Forestry Commission who is so willing to assist the people. Mrs. A . K. Dearing, Jr. Savannah, Ga. FIRE SUPPRESSION On February 24 , there w as a fire on my land in Cherokee Forest near Blairsville, Geo rg ia, and I must say that you have a very effective and most effic ient unit stationed there 1n Blairsville. From the time the fire sta rted until it w as brought under contro l there co uld not have been more than 45 minutes to an hour elapsed. Your fire fighting unit came from another site to t he site of this fire in, I would guess, less than 15 minutes. If the fire had no t been brought under cont rol damage would have been excessive and could have destroyed at least seven homes. Let me express my appreciation to you for the part this unit p lay ed in cont rolling the fire and suggest a commendati on to them f or this service. Linwood G. Whitlaw Atlanta , Ga. Logging the Foresters I ). ) C. Frank Robertson has been promoted f to assistant director of the Georgia U. S. Plywood-Champion Papers Inc.'s southern pine plywood plant and Allied Tim- Forest Research Council, announced ber Company's chip mill were recently dedicated at Waycross. Participating in the Director H. E. Ruark. Robertson came ceremonies were, 1-r, Albert Ernest, Jr. , president, Allied Timber Co. , Jacksonville, with the Research Council in January Fla., U. S. Senator Herman E. Talmadge of Georgia and William W. Wells, vice-presi- 1965 as an administrative assistant. He dent, manufacturing development, U. S. Plywood, Atlanta. Cost of the forest pro- holds BS and MS degrees in Forestry ducts manufacturing complex was $3.5 million. from the University of Georgia. j ) ) Lindia Garrett, 19, Valdosta, is the 1968 Miss Gum Spirits. She succeeds Miss Sarah Stei11berg of Cordele. The Valdosta State College freshman won out over nine other contestants at the annual meeting of the American Turpentine Farmer's Association. Miss Gum Spirits is the daughter of Mrs. Minor Simms. She was sponsored by gum producer J. B. Newton of Valdosta. Georgia Forestry Commission field secretaries met recently in Macon for their annual training conference. The secretaries are Mrs. Sharon Bennett, Waycross; Mrs. Shirley Ford, Atlanta; Mrs. Mary Jo H. Key, Milledgeville and Mrs. Mabel S. Holder, Camilla. Others are Mrs. Geraldine Lamb, Davisboro, Mrs. Karen Mulkey, Newnan; Mrs. Lillian Hatchett, Waycross; and Mrs. Lillian Pickens, Albany. Mrs. Mary Sue Hart, Reidsville; Mrs. Evelyn B. Vause, Statesboro; Mrs. Clarice Manry, Americus; Miss Elsie Scoggin, Rome; and Mrs. Zelia Wilbanks, Gainesville. 15 ---------------- --.. ... .. .. .-. -- .. - -- SECOND-CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT DRY BRANCH, GA. -..... '