KEEP GREEN WINNERS \cv I 4 ,.. ..,- L } lfNfRAl liBRARY MAY ~ u 195 w.IIVERSITY Of GE~~ ., . .. ~ .. j eorgia Editors Support Fire Prevention Georgia's daily and weekly press - mighty po1re 1 for for~stry - has given outstanding support o forest fire prevention efforts in the state. Publishers, editors and newspaper staf fs have b~en in the forefront in the drive to crystalli7 public opinion and bring concerted ac- tion to reduce the forest fire loss resulting from carelessness and woods arson. ~o cartoonists, John Raymond, Macon Telegraph, and Cliff Baldowski, Atlanta Con s titution, have contributed their efforts and t~lents in support of fire prevention. MAY, 1956 2 t/)o.IU!&i t/)i~ Rs ae . ~ ~Jvuua;lt fleo.'Ufta Destructi ve f orest fires last mont h r avaged more than 20, 000 acres of forestlands in Southeast Geor gia with the destruction center ed i n a Chatham County area sou t hwest of Pooler. Record high wi nds and tinder dry conditions combined with woods arson and human carelessness to cause thousands of dollars worth of loss to some of Georgia's most valuable timberlands. Three major fires in Chatham and Effingham Counties believed to have been maliciously set merged i nto one giant blaze burning more than 15,000 acres of valuable timberland, destroying a house and a fire-fighting vehicle and resulting in the death of an air patrol pilot. A force of 150 firefighters from the Georgia Forestry Corrmission, Gair Woodlands, Inc., and Union Bag and Paper Company, a long with many vo l unteer wor kers and 25 tractor and plow suppression units was concentrated against t he raging fire. Newspaper head1 ines and radio and television news reports carried graphic ac- (Con tinued on Page 10) Dodge C ops Top Spot In Keep Green Con test The coveted top place in the annual Keep Georgia Green Contest, sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Association, this year was won by Dodge County with the second place honor going to Greene County. Honorable mention awards went to Lincoln, Bleckley and Ben Ilill Counties, runners-up in the contest, and Crisp County was named sweepstakes winner i n competition with Stephens County. Dodge, as reigning top county, was awarded first prize of $1000 accepted by Mr. W. S. Jessup. District 5, headed by rnstrict Forester Turner Barber, led other districts in the contest, with a total of five counties in competition for the Keep Green awards. For this honor District 5 was awarded $50. Dodge County's top honor also won an additional $50 prize for the District. Greene County, represented by W. R. Johns on, received $500 as second place winner in the contest. As runners-up, Lincoln, Bleckley and Ben Hill Counties were awarded $100 each. These counties wer e represented by B. B. Ro ss , W. H. Griffin and W. E. Tuggle, respectively. Fifty per cent of all counties entering the Keep Green Contest remained in competition until the end of the contes t. Winners were announced by Kirk Sutlive, Union Bag_and Paper Company, at the Keep Green Luncheon which culminated the joint meeting of the Georgia Forestry Association, the Georgi a Chapter of the Society of American Foresters and the Alumni Association of the University of Georgia School of Forestry in Savannah May 4. Forest Rangers of the winning counties are: Dodge, J. D. Beauchamp; Greene, H. E. Moore; Barrow, George Bower; Wilkinson, H. D. Billue; Dougherty, George J. Shingler; Schley, L. S. Tondee; Bryan, James Richey; Pike, John A. Osbolt; Bleckley, Hall Jones; Lincoln, WilliamS. Partridge, Jr., and Ben IIi 11, J. C. Bowen. KEEP GllliEN \Hl\NEHS--Rangers of winning counties in the Keep Green Con test are pictured at the Keep Green Award Luncheon. (Left to right): II . E. Moore, Greene couuty; James Ridley, Bryan COunty; uubert Billue, \Hlki nson Coml t:.Y; John Osbol t, Pike County; George Shingler, ooughert,y County; L. S. Tondee, Schley County; J.D. Beauchamp, [lOdge County and George Bower, Barrow county. Kirli ~tli ve, (center), presented the award<;. William Allen Powell 1932 - 1956 Mr . Powell was k illed while flying air patrol in active support of crews fighting forest fires near Savannah, April 6. Mr. Powell was born in Athens, Georgia and resided in Decatur. The Georgia Forestry Commission and foresters and conservationists throughout the state join in extending deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Powell. GEO RG I A FORESTRY 3 Southern Forest Fires Attaclced At Conference "The South must grea t ly i mprove the management of its forests in order to realize the full potential of its woodlands," John A. Sibley, Chairman of the Board, Trust Company of Georg ia, told Southerners last month at the Southern Forest Fire Pr evention Conference in Ne w Or l eans . Gene ral Federa t ion of Women's Clubs. Mrs. Mar ti n stress ed t he i mportance of school t ra i n i ng i n fo r estry ''to prevent some of the wi ldfires of t anorrow. " "We ne ed conservati on education 1n the schools," stat ed Mrs. Mart i n. '' The women of the South mus t be come interested in conservat i on WHAT'S IN A PINE CONE?- -The t r e e crops of tomorrow, agree John E. McElrath and Ivy W. Duggan as they are pictured in a discussion in front of one of the exhibits at the Southern Forest Fire Prevention Conference. and do something about it." Mrs. Martin stated emphatically. John A. Sibley Mrs. Chester E. Martin Southern Forest Fi re Prevention Conference Speakers Frank Ahlgren, editor of the Memphis "Commercial Appe al", called for more act i on on the part of the public to s ee that forest fire laws are e nforced. It was his belief that "if legislators should sincere ly study the problem and our enforcement agencies under- ( Continued on Page 10) Approximately 1400 r e presentatives of 16 Southern states met to initiate a united attack against the destructive wildfires which ravage Southern woodlands. With this determination the common concern of all Conference participants, the history-making gathering formed a new meeting ground for all segments of the population in combining efforts in fire prevention. PROMINENT GEORGIANS AT FIRE PREVENTION CONFERENCE--Pictured between sessions of the Southern Forest Fire Prevention conference in New Orleans are leaders in the state's delegation. Left t o right , Kirk Sutlive, Georgia Conference chairman; J.E. McElrath , Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Georgia Forestry Commi ss ion; Samuel J. Boykin, Judge, Superior Court; Otto Lindh, Regional Forester ; Ivy W. Ouggan, Vice Presiden t , Trus t Company of Georgia; Downing Musgrove, Clinch County Representative; E. R. Hin e, Assistant Regional Forester, and Harvey Brown, Executive Secretary, GeOrgia Forestry Association. Mr. Sibley, keynote speaker of the Conference, said, "The South is backward in many respects in the care and management of its forests." In suggesting "needed improvements" , Mr. Sibley included: full stands on all lands; culls replaced by better trees; cutting waste lessened; better cutting practices and control of loss by fire, dis<>ase and insects. Another Georgia speaker at the Conference was Atlanta's Mrs. 'J-lester E Martin, President of he Southe stern Council of the MAY, 1956 g Forest Farmers pu,e d)edwat Hold Conference ~'Uim4 AltUUf uncy Keep Green council, accepts Certificate for Wilkinson COWley. ttmger H. D. Billue and Wilkinson ~een are pictured with Sni tlt. Vol. 9 GEORGIA FORESTRY May, 1956 Published Monthly by the GEORGIA FORESTRY COI\Il\IISSION, State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia Guyton DeLoach, Director N o. 5 Members, Board of Commissioners: John M. McElra th, Chairman Sam H. Morgan ___________ Savannah John M. McElrath _____________ Macon Macon C. M. Jordan, Jr.___ ____ ______ _____ A]amo H. 0. Cummings _______ Donalsonville Georgia Forestry is entered as second class matter at the Post Office under the Act of August 24, 1912. Member of the Georgia Press Association. EDITOR Richard E. Davis ASSOCIATE E DITOR _____ Donna Howard DISTRICT OFFICES, GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION: DISTRICT 1-Route 2, DISTRICT VI-P. 0. Box 505, Statesboro Milledgeville DISTRICT 11-P. 0. Box 26, DISTRICT VII-Route 1, Camiila Rome DtSTRICT III-P. 0. Box 169, DISTRICT VIII-P. 0. Box 811, Americus Waycross DISTRICT IV-P. 0. Box 333, Newnan DISTRICT IX-P. 0. Box 416, Gainesville .. DI STIUCT V-P. 0. Box 328, DISTRICT X-P. 0. Box 302, '\feRae Was hington ------~------------------------------------------------------_. Forest tree seedling production in Georgia was dealt a blow by severe winds, rains and hailstorms which l ashed part of the state last month, according to an announcement made by Guyton DeLoach, Director, Georgia Forestry Con-mission. Strong winds and accompanying downpours struck at the young seedling crops threatening to reduce next winter's supply of planting stock. Planted areas at Hightower River Nursery near Dawsonville were a complete loss, and a fifty percent loss of all planted areas was reported at Horseshoe ~nd in Wheeler County. In reporting the storm damage to the nurseries, Mr. DeLoach stated that "unfortunately much of the loss is among the plantings of hardwood species, particularly Yellow Poplar, much of which cannot be replaced by replanting due to the lack of seed." Preparations were started for the replanting of pine seedling beds imnediatel y following the storms. Approximately 20 acres of seed beds were r epo rt e d severely damaged at Hors es hoe ~nd Nursery at Glenwood, and a los s of slash pine seedlings expected to exceed twenty million was s uffered. Driving rains and winds up to 80 miles per hour swept seed beds clean. At Hightower Nursery approximately three and one-half acres of Slash Pine, Arizona Cypress and Ye llow Poplar were destroyed when the Etowah River overflowed into the nursery seed beds. The loss was estimated at three- quarter million seedlings . Replanting at both nurseries is scheduled to begin Monday, April 23. SFFP Meet.. (Continued from Page 3) stand the chain of distress these fires bring about, there would be a de t.er mined effort to stamp them out." "We at this conference should go home and give the South the leadership to lick the forest fire problem," Mr. Ahlgren de - c lared. Outlining the purpose of the South Forest Fire Prevention Conference, Mr. Richard E. McArdle, Chief of Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, stated, "This Conference was called to do something about wildfire in southern forests." "The job that needs to be done can'be done, and t hese southerners from all walks of lif e can do it.'' he declared. Dis trict Attorney Boyce Holleman, Wiggins, Mississippi, pointed out th~t juri es wi 11 convict a man of stealing a bicycle worth $30, but will fail to convict the individual who deliberately sets a fire which destroys forest property valued at $50,000 or even more. "The forests of our southlandcry out for justice, that they may grow gree n again and ripen in- to future harvests," said Mr. Holleman. James E. Mi xon, Louisiana State Fores t er , pointed out me t hods of ending the South's for e st fire menace through investigation and law enforcement. He sa i d, "Because of absence of protection from the law, forest landowners have become afraid to prosecute for fear of retaliation by the woods burner. " (Continued from Page 4) search and Eevelopment Possibilities". The Friday afternoon session was highlighted by a discussion by W. R. Hine, Assistant Regional Forester, on "What the Timber Resource Review Reveals About the South." The concluding program feature was a panel on "Selective Action - It's Local Application in Combatting the Fire Problem." FORESTRY IMPROVEMENT IN APPLING FARM TOtJR'Ibis was one stop, on a recent farm tour held in Appling county in which the reclaiming of oak ridges by planting pine seedlings was demonstrated on the farm of Jack Ballenger. Here, Olin Hunt, left, Appling county Agent, points out the frill to M.E. Arnold. Forest Fire Destruction .. (Continued from Page 2) counts of the three-day aroundthe-clock battle waged by the fir efighters to hold the fire loss to a minimum. Other major blazes raced through 2,000 acres of forests in Tattnall County, 2,000 acres in Bacon County, 200 acres in Pierce County and 200 acres in Coffee County, while scores of smaller fires throughout South Georgi a blackened hundreds of additional a cres. These sporadic fire outbreaks were fanned by extremely high and variable winds and greatly intensified by indiscriminate backfiring by farmers and landowners. The fire situation became critical when wind velocities reached 40 to 50 miles per hour causing new fire outbreaks and making cont rol of the blazes extremely diffi cult and hazardous for the fire c rews. A stifling pall of smoke enshrouded the fire areas, multiplying the difficulty and hazards in locating and fighting the fires . Air patrol operations were seriousl y hampered by the concealing curtain of smoke. Three Conmission airplanes were used i n scouting fires and radioing instruc tions to ground suppression crews. The pilot of one of these planes, Wi lliam Allen Powe ll, of Dec atur, was killed when his plane crashed and burned near the fire nine miles west of Savannah. He was a contract pilot employed by the Franklin Flying Service and flying air patrol f or the Conunission. Fire Contro l Olief H. E. Ruark in commenting on the grave fire loss in Southeast Georgia stated, "The fire losses were especially disheartening and tragic si nce woods arson and hunan i nd iffe r ences seem to be the major cause of the forest fi res. " " The fires should, " he continued, "serve to remind all Ge orgians of t he constant need fo r c aut ion a nd deli beration befor e handling any sort of fire." The Chatham County fire blowup followed closely a disastrous blaze whic h ravaged more tha n 100,000 acres of North Florida timber l a nd and thre atened to bre ak into timber-rich South Georgi a acres . Th i s blaze -- Fl orida's greatest -- was held at bay by a c orps of 50 Geo r gia Fares t ry Commission firefi gh ters who battled t he flames t hrough t he l ast week of March. Georgia ' s l os s on t his fire was hel d t o only 500 acres by the fir e crews whose c easeless battle and vigil prevented the flames from breaki ng int o t he extensive pine stands of Cl i nch County and South Central Ge orgia. ,._. Georgia Forestry May, 1956 Last week th is was a beau tiful picnic spot . but something happened. Today it is a charred countryside. '" ..'.-,";-' ~1\'t~.""'(~..;.~ I ~r,f, ,~~~,-,.. ~[_ g\ ~~I .' I ;-' J!~ f-l Jj;t1 :11 b i ~~ "1 ' ;{:... ) <, ~ \ (/ ., \ - \~5wiui~-- Entered as second class matter at the Post Office . Atlanta. Georgia ACQUISTITIONS DIVISION Un1v~ Library \ t11f>ns, Ge orp:.J..n.