Forestry-geological review [Aug. 1932]

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND GEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMEN

Vol. 2

ATLANTA, GA., AUGUST, 1932.

No.9.

VOCATIONAL FORESTRY CAMP doing the best work in forestry will be TREES FOR FOOD, FUEL,

awarded on the night of August 12, at

SECOND NOW IN SESSION which time certificates will also be award-

CLOTHING AND HOUSING

ed to students successfully concluding six

More Than One Hundred Enjoying weeks of camp work.

Science Is Finding Wood Suited to

Three Weeks' Work at Young Harris in the Mountains-Prizes to Be

Fire and Hardwood Heart Rot
Concerning studies made by the South-

Chief Needs of Man in This the Cellulose Age.

Awarded.

ern Forestry Experiment Station of the A German scientist has made sugar from

relation between fire scar and heart rot of the fiber of wood, and during the World

The second annual vocational forestry ' living hardwood trees has resulted in the War the carbohydrates of wood cells were

camp is now in progress at Young Harris following statement: "The data thus far converted by German scientists into bread.

College in the mountains of North Georgia, collected seem to indicate that 90 percent The fruits of trees, of ~ourse, has long

starting July 25 and to end August 15. or more of the decay in merchantable hard- been used for food.

The camp is for high school students of the woods originates from fire scars."

It was not so many years ago that the

vocational agricultural schools of Georgia,

cells of wood were first used to make arti-

and is conducted jointly by the Depart-

Cordwood in Tree Tops

ficial silk, a tree product now worn by a

ment of Forestry and Geological Development and the Department of Agricultural Vocational teaching of the State.
In order to attend the camp a student must have won a camp scholarship in competitive examination and he must have a home project in forestry. The competition for scholarships was keen throughout the

In forest survey work of the Southern Forestry Experiment Station in bottom land hardwoods of Louisiana, the survey showed 1~ cords in tops of trees with 18 to 20 inches diameter breast high per 1,000 board feet yield, and about one cord per tree 28 to 35 inches diameter.

million of the world's inhabitants. From time immemorial trees have pro-
vided fuel. Coal and natural gas had their origin in forest vegetation which in process of the earth's adjustment became embedded in the earth's strata. Trees have provided man with his chief materials for housing. Thus, the forests are in a measure meeting

State and a high class of students were

the four cardinal needs of man-food, fuel,

selected.

clothing and housing.

Students who attended the first year's

How to make trees contribute food and

camp are back almost 100 percent to take

clothing have been objectives of research

the second year's work and complete the

minds working in this field in recent years.

six weeks' course that will entitle them to

The findings are by no means complete but

a certificate of Vocational Forester. More

great possibilities have been opened up.

than 50 new boys entered camp this year.

In time, one may eat bread made from

In addition, there are 12 agricultural vo-

tree flour; one may order a literal "plank

cational teachers in attendance.

steak;" sweeten coffee with tree sugar; get

The course of study at camp is practical

valuable vitamins from a salad of tree nuts,

and designed to teach boys how to do

buds and leaves; enjoy desserts of nuts or

several forestry jobs, as well as to obtain a

tree fruits with nut sundaes, and consume

knowledge of the principles of forestry.

as pastries the plates in which the food is

A number of prominent speakers are on the program and several interesting mov-

served. Already civilized humanity is attired in

ing pictures relating to forestry, obtained

silken socks, stockings, dresses, neckties,

from the United States Department of Ag-

underwear, pajamas, derived from the cell-

riculture, will be shown.

ulose of trees--and how!

Forested areas in the mountains have

Artificial leather made from wood, ex-

been laid out on which careful work has

ceeding in beauty anything derived from

been done by the staff. Students are re-

animal hides, adorns our easy chairs, cov-

quired to survey these tracts, identify the

ers the seats of automobiles and deluxe

trees, estimate the volume of standing tim-

buses, compose auto tops and is even used

ber, mark trees for improvement cutting

for shoes. Of course, the rubber heels of

and thinning, map ~the forest types and

our shoes, our auto tires, plates for' false

firebreaks, and do other practical jobs.

teeth, and rubber in a thousand forms is

Time is allowed for games, hikes, auto

derived from trees. '

trips to the Great Smoky National Park, to

The transparent wrappers that now en-

wood working plants and logging operations, to lakes for swimming and fishing.
Prizes for teachers, schools and students

T. G. WOOLFORD Atlanta, reelected Pres ident of th~
Georgia Forestry Association

fold cigars, cigarette packages, confections and foods of various kinds are made from cellulose of wood. Transparent cellulose

2

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

Forestry-Geological Review
Published Monthly by the

building board. Second-growth pines, subject to quick decay, become durable by creosoting and find wide use as poles and

LAND FOR STATE FORESTS, PARKS AND RESERVES

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND cross-ties. Expensive woods are made into

FAVORED

GEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

veneer materials to coat desks, doors, fur-

State Capitol, Atlanta.
C. A. WHITTLE, Editor. Bonnell Stone, Oxford, Development Agent

niture and fixtures whose bodies are made of cheaper wood. Cheap wood is veneered to make our exceedingly cheap baskets,

Forest Donated for Demonstration Purposes-Committee to Seek Ad-

Mrs. Nellie Nix Edwards, Treasurer, Atlanta boxes, hampers and crates. In these and ditional Land for This PuJil).Se,

Forestry Division

many other ways, alert minds are finding

B. M. Lufburrow, State Forester......Atlanta new and economical uses of woods.

Also for Parks and Virgin Tillber

E. B. Stone, Jr., District Forester, . "ll The wood industry is not disconcerted by Preserves.

............................................Ga1nesv1 e the competition of steel, concrete and clay

H. M. Sebring, District Forester........Macon
C. B. Beale, District Forester......Waycross W. D. Young, District Forester............Rome

-not with all the new uses being found for wood and wood fiber, not with the dawn of

An area of 100 acres for a demonstration forest in Richmond county, donated by

Tack Thurmond, District Forester,

this wonderful Cellulose Age with its al- Scott Nixon, for the Nixon estate, was ac-

..................................................Savannah ready many and varied contributions which cepted by the Commission of Forestry and

C. N Elliott, District Forester........Augusta it is claimed are only forerunners of what Geological Development at its recent meet-

H. D. Story, Jr., District Forester....Albany W. G. Wallace, District Forester..Columbus
Mrs. R. S. Thompson, Stenographer, Atlanta

is to come. Here in the

South

it takes no

prophetic

ing, and State Forester B. M. Lufburrow was authorized to conduct the forest as a

power to foretell the development of the dempnstration for the sand hill region of

Geological Division
S. w. McCallie, State Geologist......Atlanta
R. W. Smith, Asst. State Geologist, ..................................................Atlanta

nation's main source of paper pulp and other cellulose material. The South is on the eve of this great development. Here

the state. The Commission favored obtaining other
such forests; also forest area for state

'G. W. Crickmay, Asst. State Geologist, are the rapid-growing tree species, the cli- parks and reserves of fast disappearing

..................................................Atlanta mate that provides long annual seasons of virgin forests. Development Agent Bon-

Miss Margaret Gann, Clerk............Atlanta growth; vast timbered areas, excellent nell Stone was appointed to cooperate with

Research Division, Savannah

transportation facilities, nearness to the a committee of the Georgia Forestry As-

Charles H. Herty..............Research Chemist chief consuming centers; plenty of power sociation, hitherto functioning for the as-

George C. McNaughton..........Asst. Research and nearly every ingredient essential to a sociation, headed by Judge Ogden Persons,

Bruce Suttle..........................Plant Engineer great wood-manufacturing and cellulose in- Forsyth, with President T. G. Woolford of

W. F. Allen........................................Chemist J. B. Osborne........................Plant Assistant

dustry. The man who is growing timber should

the association, and such Woolford should appoint.

others

as

Mr.

sheets are used in making the glass of au- protect it from fire and care for it. Those The committee hopes to obtain suitable

tomobiles "non-shatterable."

who have acres no longer needed for agri- lands for demonstration forests, state parks

The quick-drying paints and lacquers cultural crops can probably find no better and virgin forest reserves by donations to

contain cellulose. Nitrocellulose enters in- use than to set them to growing trees. Let the state to be managed by the Department

to the composition of explosives. Thus the the trees have a chance, for the signs point of Forestry and Geological Development.

cells of woods having fed, housed, clothed to a better day. The Cellulose Age is ahead.

and warmed a human being, can end the

WATER RESOURCE SURVEY

drama by blowing him into eternity. The ornate side of human existence is

Tung Oil Development

IMPORTANT TO STATE

not overlooked, for out of cellulose are C. C. Concannon, Chief of the chemical

made pearls, ivory and gems galore, all so very cheap and so disconcerting to those who go in for the "real."
And they tell us we have only entered the Cellulose Age, that discoveries and uses of cellulose are in their infancy. This statement is here recorded on paper made of wood, read through horn-rimmed glasses made of cellulose by you who are seated on chairs made of wood, with seats stuffed with wooden excelsior under a lamp-shade made of cellulose.

Division of the United States Department of Commerce recently issued a comprehensive report on the status of the tung oil industry, reporting on the progress of planting in the southern states and elsewhere in the world, showing the successful adaptation of this tree to various countries.
Mr. Concannon sounds a note of warning about many promotion schemes fostered to sell real estate and stocks, and urges thorough investigation before investing.

Forestry Association and Commission of Forestry and Geological Development to Work for Completion of Survey.
Information which paper mills and other industries requiring considerable water desire in locating plants, is how much and what kind of water is available.
At the annual meeting of the Georgia Forestry Association a resolution was pass-

Sanitary drinking cups, plates, napkins, doilies, towels, used once and discarded, come of developing the cellulose industry.

According to the census of manufactures of the Bureau of Census, f0,058,144,000 board feet of timber were cut in this coun-

ed urging the Commission of Forestry and Geological Development to ascertain the cost of completing a survey of streams,

Paper cartons made from pulped wood and try in 1931, a decrease of 40.1 percent springs and other sources of water both as

wrapping paper, in ever-increasing demand, compared to 1930. Southern States cut to quantity available and chemical con-

have an important place in merchand,ising. 2,601,801,000 board feet, a decrease of 39 tents.

Tree gum, thanks to the research chem- percent from 1930.

The Commission of Forestry and Geo-

ist, has found more than three hundred

logical Development at its meeting in July

uses, and the end is not yet. Chief among the gum producers are the slash and long-

Okefenokee T. P. 0. Has One

took cognizance of the resolution passed by the association, approved the proposi-

leaf pines. In the medicine chest or asso-

Summer Fire

tion and appointed a committee consisting

.ciated with the cosmetics or among the A fire of incendiary origin burned over of Bonnell Stone, Development Agent, J.

varnishes, paints, waxes and antiseptics are about thirty acres on the Okefenokee T. P. M. Mallory and Mrs. M. E. Judd, members

the products that 'bled from the wounded 0. area during the latter part of July. Due of the commission, to ascertain the cost of

pines.

to quick response of fire fighters, the fire such a survey and urge an appropriation

Sawdust and slabs-waste of the saw- was quickly controlled and only 500 cups from the legislature to match federal funds

mill-are ground, steamed and pressed into were burned.

for this purpose.

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

3

PAPER PULP DISCOVERIES Since the production of white pulp is Sessoms, Cogdell; W. E. Mitchell, Atlanta,

BROADEN

SOUTH'S

OPPOR-

basic to the success of making white paper from southern pines, the problems of mak-

to sound out the situation to see if a survey could be started in southeast Georgia.

TUNITIES

in~ quality pulp as cheaply as possible must The Commission of Forestry and Geo-

of course receive first consideration. While logical Development having approved of

Loblolly, Longleaf and Slash Pines it has been determined that white pulp of the action of the Georgia Forestry As-

Equally Good for Making High- good quality can be made, the next ques- sociation, designated Bonnell Stone, De-

Grade White Paper

Pulp -

Re-

tion is how cheaply can it be made, which, when scientifically determined, will prob-

velopment Agent of the department, to cooperate with the committee appointed by

sJcrch Plant at Savannah Continues ably provide the strongest inducement that the association and to aid in carrying for-

C.o mising Studies.

can be offered to the paper mills to in- ward the plans to raise money so t hat the

duce them to locate in the South. Dr. survey can start as soon as pqssible.

The announcement made by Dr. Chas. H. Herty stated that some problem of con- The timber survey of all states has been

Herty at the Rome meeting of the Georgia cern to paper manufacturers had a1ready made possible by an appropriation of the

Forestry Association, that loblolly and been worked out successfully.

federal government. When states raise

longleaf pines are as well suited to making While shortleaf and Virginia pines have their part of the cost, the United States

white paper as slash pine, from which white not yet been treated, Dr. Herty could see Forest Service organizes cruising crews and

paper had already been made, was an epo- no reason why second growth of these begins work.

chal announcement to the South. Since species would not do as well as slash, long- Such a survey will give much more ac-

Dr. Herty has made his findings known, leaf and loblolly. These five species of curate knowledge than is available at pres-

the information has spread throughout the pine constitute nearly 100 percent of pines ent of commercial timber now on the hind,

country and has been commented on edi- of the state, so that once pines are used and estimates of future supplies based on

torially in a vast number of journals. The for white paper, every county in the state sizes of young trees now growing, more

discovery is regarded as the solution of this will have a source of supply.

accurate knowledge of present and future

country's problem of white newsprint and

naval stores production, and more accurate

book paper supply from native woods. The red spruce, from which most paper of this kind is made, has been practically exhaust-

GEORGIA TIM BE R SURVEY URGED BY FORESTRY

knowledge of available and potential pulpwood and other products.
Such knowledge as a timber survey will

ed in the United States and the supply is

INTERESTS

provide is considered essential to interest-

now coming from foreign countries at in-

ing capital for developing the state's tim-

creasingly higher prices. The conclusion is now being drawn that
the South will be the source of the greater

Survey Can Be Started as Soon as State Can Qualify for Federal Service-

ber resources and in making known to the state itself what it now has and what it may expect in the future from its timber

part of future paper materials and that Committees Appointed.

lands.

paper mills will move into this section.

The work at the Savannah Research At the annual meeting of the Georgia Plant is concerned now with the problems Forestry Association and the quarterly

PINELAND GRAZING

This discussion is related particularly to

the Coastal Plains of the South, a vast

area extending from New Jersey to Mexico,

comprising large parts of all Southern

States and the total area of Florida.

A great part of the Coastal Plain is pine-

land interspersed with hardwoods the hard-

woods growing principally along streams

and in swamps. Pines of this area are

slash, longleaf and loblolly, with a scat-

tering of shortleaf and pond pine. The

distribution of these pines has been ma-

terially influenced by forest fires. The

longleaf has demonstrated its fitness to

survive in places of greatest fire hazard

because of its greater resistance to fire;

hence it has taken up positions on higher

and dryer lands. From a practical view-

point, however, slash pine is more desirable

than longleaf because of its more rapid

I nterior view of t he Savannah Paper Research Plant of the Department of Forestry and Geological Development of Georgia.

growth and its ability to produce more and better naval stores than the longleaf. For these reasons the slash pine is being given

of pulp. No paper has been made, nor will meeting of the Commission of Forestry preference in reforestation. be made, until the present studies of pulp- and Geological Development, action was The principal native grazing grasses in ing southern pines have been completed. taken favoring the beginning of a timber the Coastal Plain are wire grass, sedge
The beautiful white pulp displayed by survey of Georgia as soon as possible, and grass, carpet grass and lespedeza. Wire
Dr. Herty at Rome, were made by the sul- committees were appointed to see what grass and sedge grass are most prevalent,

phide process, the same process used in could be done to promote immediate ac- but carpet grass and lespedeza are decided-

treating red spruce. Microscopical tests tion.

ly the best. Carpet grass provides a long

indicate that the fibre is of high quality The Georgia Forestry Association ap- grazing period, staying green nearly the

and apparently everything that is desired pointed a committee consisting of George entire year. Lespedeza is a wild legume

in producing white newsprint and book Butler, Savannah; Col. R. E. Benedict, that not only provides high quality food,

paper of excellent quality.

Brunswick ; H . L. Kayton, Savannah; A. K. but being a legume, is able to take nitro-

4

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

gen from the air and contribute it to the ly reduced that the cost of usual fire pro- wide annual rings were compared.

soil for its enrichment. Both carpet grass tection measures will be greatly curtailed. Does temperature affec:t the southern

and lespedeza do best on moist, low lands, Firebreaks in some cases are plowe!l and pine beetle?

which, of course, is true of desirable pas- sown to carpet grass for the purpose of According to the United States Bureau

ture grasses generally. On the other hand, affording grazing as well as a protection of Entomology, the high temperatures of

wire grass and sedge grass grow on both against the spread of fire.

October and November 1930 caused beetles

moist and dry lands, but afford grazing At any rate, if one has a stand of carpet to mature and emerge in the fall that other-

for a comparatively short period, and their grass, there is not only worthwhile pastur- wise would have wintered over in ~rval,

food value is low.

age, but the forest fire hazard is removed pupal and adult stages. A large percent-

Not all pinelands are capable of pro- to such an extent that no one would ever age of the broods were destroyed by ~d

ducing worthwhile grazing. In fact, only consider setting such forest-pasturelands on peckers and were not able to start an'Ylber

lands suited to successful growing of carpet fire. If grazed closely, there would be generation. This brought about such ef-

grass and lespedeza are worth consider- little that would burn. ing. Other lands may provide wire grass

fect!ve natural control that beetles were exceedingly scarce in 1931.

and sedge grass for a l'lhort period, but

cattle depending on such pasturage will be half starved and stunted in growth the greater part of the year. In riding through areas where wire grass and sedge grass are the main dependence of food for live-

FORESTRY
QUESTION BOX

THIRD DISTRICT C. N. Elliott, District Forester
Augusta

stock, the gaunt, famished cattle evidence When does slash pine begin to form

cruelty to animals, abhorrent to every nor- heartwood and what perc:ent of heart is

mal person. Anyone; therefore, who in- found at different ages?

Forest Fire Pumps Save Factory

tends to pasture cattle in Southern pine- Investigations of the United States For- Two forest fire pumps, purchased re-

lands should have areas suitable to grow- est Service reported by Benson H. Paul is cently by Mr. C. H. Jordan, Vice President

ing carpet grass and lespedeza.

as follows: "The wood from trees 8 to 16 of the Jasper County T. P. 0., were the

Good Coastal Plain grazing land is worth years of age contained no heartwood; that means of saving one of the large plants

fencing and restricting to one's own cattle. from the 27 year old stand contained 3.7 of the United States Bobbin and Shuttle

Two or three strands of barbed wire will per cent of heartwood; and that from the Company, located at Monticello, Ga. The

serve the purpose.

30 to 35 year old stand contained 4.3 per pumps had been purchased for use on the

The fence will also provide means for cent of heartwood."

Timber Protective Organization, but had

confining cattle so that they will graze From this data the exact year when not been taken to the forest, when fire \" closely, a thing necessary to g~t the best heartwood appears is not shown, but it is broke out in the attic of the plant. The

pasturage. Close grazing and the tramp- evident that trees, under normal conditions, fire was quickly extinguished with the

ing incident thereto will tend to eradicate wire grass and sedge grass and to encourage carpet grass.

will attain pulpwood size before heartwood appears; and even when heartwood appears in lower cuts, there may be no appreciable amount in the upper cuts.

forest fire pumps.. "Pine tops will have to be used by my tenants until I can order more of those pumps", said Mr. Jordan.

Grazing and Reforestation

What is the weight of wood of different

As a rule, grazing will not operate ages of slash pine?

Hart County Pine Plantings

against natural reforestation. But pas- Since pulpwood is sold according to Measurements made on the two year old

turing should preferably start only after weight, it is of interest to know the weight pine plantation on the McMullin farm in

a stand of young pines has been secured of wood of different aged slash pines. Ac- the Reed creek section of Hart county were

and the pines are large enough to escape cording to the authority above mentioned, made of slash and loblolly pine growing

dam;:tge from tramping. Occasional thin- the weight per cord of 8 to 16 year old side by side. The loblolly attained the best

ning will be necessary, not only for the trees is 2,240 pounds; 27 year old 2,600 growth, growing from 15 to 30 inches,

best growth of the pine, but for pasture pounds; of 30 to 35 year old trees 2,752 while the slash averaged approximately 12

grazing.

pounds. The increase in weight is due inches in growth.

Over a portion of the Coastal Plain the principally to accumulation of heartwood. County Agent Westbrook is to be com-

gallberry and palmetto are so prevalent What is the best known rec:ord of slash mended for the excellent work he has done

as to smother out a considerable part of pine growth in Georgia?

in interesting the farmers of Hart county

the pasture grasses. The gallberry land The greatest growth record known is on in reforestation. While m o s t o f t h e

may afford better honeybee pasture than cow pasture. Where gallberry and palmettos are not abundant, it may pay to grub them out to make greater room for carpet grass and wild legumes. A more economical plan for eradicating wire and sedge grasses, and holding palmetto and

the pine plantation of James A. Fowler at Soperton, Georgia. Trees planted in 1926 and kept free of fire and otherwise grown unde;r natural conditions without artificial stimulation, have attained around an inch a year in diameter growth, the best specimen reaching a diameter of 8 inches, one foot from the ground in 6 years from planting.

county is made up of good farm land, there are places where trees will be the best crop. The county agent has aroused much interest in the planting of such areas.
Rare Tree Specimens

gallberry in check, is to run a disk harrow Does the width of the tree growth ring The old Fruitlands Nursery in Augusta

over the ground. This, followed by sow- influence the number of resin duc:ts in a is being transformed into greens, fairways

ing carpet grass and lespedeza, will give slash pine?

and roughs. Seventy-five years ago this

these desirable pasture grasses a better According to studies made by the United property was purchased by P. J. Berck-

chance to get started. But to make the States Forest Service and reported by Vic- mans, who started one of the finest nur-

most of grazing on cheap land, one cannot tor C. Hobert, it was found that generally series the south has ever known. As well

afford, of course, to go to very much ex- more resin passages were present in the as growing flowers and fruits, Mr. Berck-

pense in improving the pasture. Extensive wider rings. In the. material studied ap- mans imported and planted a number of

grazing may prove more profitable than proximately 60 per cent of the vertical trees from all over the world.

improving a restricted area.

resin passages were in the summer wood. Near the pre11ent home of P. J. A. and

Where there is a good stand of carpet It was believed that marked difference in L. A. Berckmans stands a cork oak, a

grass and lespedeza and close grazing is the number of resin passages might be beautiful specimen,. which was received

practiced, the forest fire hazard is so great- found if extremely narrow or extremely about 1860 from the United States Depart-

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

5

ment of Agriculture (then the United States Patent Office). Immediately be-

FOURTH DISTRICT

to organize and cooperate in keeping down such fires. There are multitudes of for-

hind the home is planted a Japanese golden rain tree which in blossom is one of the most attractive trees I have ever seen.

W. G.Wallace, District Forester Columbus

ested areas in Georgia whose owners cannot be there to see to the protection of these areas. A Timber Protective Organi-

Approximately 100 varieties of azalea are scattered over the property, which give

How a Farm Loan Company Is Fight-

zation supervised by the state Division of Forestry, and receiving financial aid from

the )VOods a radiant color in spring.

ing a Single-Handed Battle

the state, should be the solution to such a

One of the rare laurels, Elliottia Racemose, is planted near one of the springs.

Against Forest Fires

problem. Increased tree growth by protection from forest fires results in increased

At present it is said that only three of Within the past few years a certain in- returns on the investment.

these' plants are in existence, two of them surance company, like many others, sud- If one man succeeded in reducing fires

being in the Royal Botanical Gardens at denly found itself in possession of consid- on 4,400 acres by 30 to 40 percent without

Kew, England. The other grows on the erable real estate acquired through its farm outside cooperation, is it not logical to be-

Berckmans Estate, being planted there loan department, due of course, to the in- lieve that active cooperation between a

some sixty years ago by Mr. Berckmans, ability of the landowners to repay the group of landowners would result in a

who also sent the two plants t~ England. money borrowed on farms. This article re- much greater reduction of forest fires and

fers to a particular tract of land lying in the total area burned each year?

Stewart county, but is characterililtic of

Fire Control Protection Well Under many such areas throughout Georgia.

Way in Burke County

Three years ago a seasoned woodsman, Mr. W. F. Dean, was placed in charge of

Under the leadership of Mr. John J. this tract and entrusted with its protection

FIFTH DISTRICT H. M. Sebring, District Forester

Jones and Mr. Joel Chappell, president and and management. Before permanently em-

Macon

secretary respectively of the Burke County ploying Mr. Dean, this company had this

Timber Protective Organization, approxi- woodsman make an estimate of the stand-

mately 20,000 acres of land have been ing timber on the tract and also an estisigned up in the organization. These are mate of the growth of timber that could be

Dodge County T. P. 0.

only a few of the large land owners, and expected within the following ten years. The Dodge County Timber Protective

many who are interested have not been Convinced that this would be enough to Organization was organized July 19 at

contacted at this time. Burke county is in pay carrying charges on the investment Eastman. Eleven members owning a total

need of fire protection more than any and give a profit, this company employed of 10,435 acres are in the organization at

other county in the state. It was esti- Mr. Dean in good faith and set the task be- present but more are expected to join by

mated by reliable persons that approxi- fore him.

fall. J. T. Coffee was elected president,

mately 90 percent of the county burned The task: The management and protec- and W. D. Hillis, County Agent, is secre-

last year. This made the land owners of tion of 4,400 acres of land which is sepa- tary-treasurer.

the county realize some sort of protection rated into several individual bodies by A cooperative patrol will be carried on

from fire is necessary. The organization is other privately owned tracts. This, of by the organization due to the land being

now expected to be much larger than it was course, adds' greatly to the amount of cut up by farms and not lying in a con-

at first thought. Members have signed up boundary that must be protected from the tiguous body. Each l~nd owner will con-

from all sections of the county and the encroachment of forest fires set on ad- struct his own firebreaks and look after

organization bids fair to become a county- joining lands.

his own patrol and fire fighting work.

wide proposition.

During the three years that Mr. Dean The land listed in the organization is in

has had this tract under protection, from two main bodies, one lying between East-

10 to 22 percent of the total area has man and Rhine, and the other lying around

Firt: Control Plans in Hart County burned over each year. This is in compari- Jaybird Springs.

A plan to keep fire out of forests of son to an average of from 40 to 60 percent

Hart county is being worked out by the of the total area burned annually in that

vocational teachers of that county. As section. Until after the first of April of -there is a vocational school in almost every this year Mr. Dean had succeeded in keepdistrict of Hart county, the teachers plan ing the total area burned to about 150 to organize a fire control unit in each acres. On a dry, windy day around the mid-

SIXTH DISTRICT Jack Thurmond, District Forester
Savannah

school for the suppression of fires in the dle of April a negro decided to burn to

districts where the schools are located. "improve the grazing" for his cattle. There

Work on this program has temporarily was not enough evidence to try for a con-

Great Forestry Rally

s:ome to a standstill during the summer months when all schools are closed. Plans to continue this work in the fall, however, have been made.

viction of violating the Georgia forest fire law. This one fire burned through more than 800 acres o1' forests belonging to the insurance company.
Now, to arrive at the point in mind. The

On July 4th, the Liberty County Timber Protective Organization and Liberty County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a county-wide rally and free barbecue,

above is merely a case of an individual which was attended by some 1500 men,

Jefferson

County

Timber

Protective

landowner trying to protect his own forests with very little aid from the outside.

women and children who heard Dr. Chas. H. Herty and State Forester B. M. Luf-

Organization

There are multitudes of similar cases all burrow speak.

Members of the Kiwanis Club at Wrens over Georgia, a number of similar cases This meeting will long be remembered

ha!e shown interest in the organization of being in the same locality. If it was merely by the people of Liberty county and those

a Timber Protective Organization in north- a matter of fighting one's own fires the living out of the county and owning tim-

ern Jefferson County. This part of the matter would be simplified; but the ma- ber land in this county, who were present,

county is cut up into small farms and jority of fires on a protected area usually for Dr. Herty brought them a message

'imall forest sections so that fire plans for have their origin on unprotected areas. that will in a few years, if heeded, yield

ilnall owners will be much more effective Since each landowner is dependent on them more money than any business they

~ plans for a large timber protective his neighbor for protection from forest could possibly go into, that is, practicing

~nization.

fires the logical course, it seems, would be fire protection on their timber land and

6'

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

I raising timber as a crop for pulp wood. In his talk Dr. Herty brought out the fact that good white pulp could be made

EIGHTH DISTRICT H. D. Story, Jr., District Forester

from the three pines which grow so abun-

Albany

dantly in Liberty county.

This Fourth of July meeting was a suc-

Leconte Saw Fly

cess for now at all cross roads stores and A severe outbreak of the Leconte saw

courthouse and other places where people fly occurred on the land of W. C. Potter in

gather to talk, the conversation is about Dougherty county, the attack being on

ways and means of keeping the woods young slash pine planted four years ago.

rough and growing a crop of young tim- From 55 to 60 percent of the young pines

ber on their land.

planted on 200 acres showed signs of the

insect. Defoliation was heavy in some in-

Timber Growing Profitable

stances and the whole plantation seemed

in Chatham

in for trouble.

Mr. J. A. Carter and his_ two brothers The district forester sprayed 100 trees

have been trying to keep fire off their with a lead arsenate solution consisting of

four thousand acres of timber land in Chat- 4 pounds of lead arsenate to 100 gallons of ham county near Bloomingdale for the water. Forest fire pumps were used for past four years. Their land is not in a spraying the trees which were three to Timber Protective Organization yet but eight feet high. An inspection of the soon will be as several of their neighbors trees after the application of spray showed have expressed a desire to come together that all the worms had been killed. Th&

LeConte Saw Fly at work defoliating a twig of a pine tree.
Bickley T. P. 0. Formed

and form a cooperative organization.

entire plantation was then sprayed by W. In the Bickley region of northwestern

The Carter brothers have some 2500 C. Potter, manager in charge. The cost of Ware county, approximately 10,000 acres

acres under fence and raise a good grade materials for spraying the infested trees, have been signed up in the formation of of beef cattle on their land along with the covering in all about 100 acres, was only the Bickley T. P. 0.

young timber which is coming. Their $1.35.

W. M. Denton of Bickley will serve as

range is; not burned and affords sufficient

Secretary-Treasurer and A. N. Gillis as

food the year round for the cattle: These Georgia Forest Products Constructing President. Using mules and own labor, the

brothers fought fire last year and con-

Field Telephone System

members plan to plow out fire breaks eight

structed fire-breaks by plowing and burn- On their Hazzard's Neck tract in Cam- or ten feet in width. Other landowners- in

ing strips through their land. Before den county, the Georgia Forest Products that section will be urged to join.

starting in on fire protection, the Carter Company, member of Camden T. P. 0., is

brothers had scattered trees over their en- constructing a system of telephone lines.

Rosin in Soap Industry

tire tract; now after four years they have a good stand of young timber and they will tell anyone that fire protection pays.

Plug-in stations will be provided at intervals in order that patrolmen/ will lose no time in reporting fires. It is expected

The principal domestic uses of rosin in the order of their importance are (1) in sized paper, (2) in paints and varnishes,

that these lines will help materially in facil- and (3) in soaps. Paper manufacture usu-

SEVENTH DISTRICT

itating fire control.

ally takes the lowest, paints and varnishes the highest, and soapmaking the medium

C. Bernard Beale, District Forester

Pulpwood Consumption in U. S. grades. There is considerable overlapping,

Waycross

Out of 15,000,000 cords of pulpwood however, as the better paper grades and used in the United States in 1930, 8,500,- the poorer varnish grades are used in

Wayne T. P. 0. Making Plans

000 cords were imported from other coun- soaps. Demand has been increasing in the tries, either as wood or the equivalent- paper industry and, to a less extent, in the

Wayne County T. P. 0., now having pulp or paper.

paint and varnish industry, but, except for

51,000 acres actively protected, will go at

an upward trend in . 1929, it has been de-

fire protection harder than ever next year.

creasing in the soap industry because of

A. E. Knight, T. P. 0. President, who suf-

the substitution of white for yellow laun-

fered high loss this year, when told by a

dry soaps.

farmer that he should abandon his fire

The quantity of rosin actually used in

protection work, since he had most of his

soaps in the United States subsequent to

land burned this year, replied: "Would

1914 and the quantity which would have

you stop farming if your mule were to

been used if its consumption, instead of

die?" This shows how thoroughly some

decreasing, had increased to the same ex-

men believe in the fundamental soundness

tent as did the total consumption of oils,

of fire protection through fire breaks and

are shown in the following tabulation. In

organized effort. Mr. Knight had fire

making this estimate, the consumption of

breaks this past season, but due to the high inflammability of the woods and terrific winds, it was almost impossible to control his fires. He is going ahead systematically and with determination, however, cutting

rosin in soapmaking in 1914 is taken as the base. The trend from yellow to white laundry soap began before 1914, however, 290,000,000 pounds of rosin being used in 1909 as compared with 185,000,000 pounds in 1914.

out all of his burned timber, and preparing to get his lands in better shape than ever before with fire breaks. This is the spirit that will make commercial forestry a success in this section.

Young pine attacked by LeConte Saw Fly. Note how insect has removed the pine needles.

Blunt-pointed nails cause less splitting than sharp-pointed ones, according to tests of the United States Forest Service.
Nearly three cords of wood are required to produce a ton of paper.

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

7

FORESTS CONTROL EROSION Small Seedling Trees Cut Planting NEW FORESTRY LAW

FIRES INCREASE LOSS

Costs

Trees of some species used for refor-

FOR MISSISSIPPI

Thirty Times

More

Water

Runs

Off

estation are set out when very small, so small that the farmers receiving shipments

Statute

Provides

for

Assessment

for

Bumed Over Forest Land Than from the state nurseries are often sur- Fire Protection - Old Law Is Re-

Unburned.

prised. Trees are shipped when very young pealed.
to keep down expenses of transportation,

handling, and planting. Seedlings of most Under a new Mississippi law, a county

Leaves covering the ground not only pines are 3 to 10 inches tall. Most hard- board must make the assessment on tim-

. hold a large amount of rainfall them- wood seedlings sent out are 10 to 18 inches ber lands and the uncultivatable acreage a

ssoeillveosp' enbuatndthaelylowkeietptothaebs"oprbormesu"c

of the h more

tall. Trees for farm forest planting ':lre distributed by the state forestry depart-

part thereof upon a petition signed by a majority of the freeholders of the area to

moisture than land not so covered, accord- ments of 37 states. The United States be protected. This special annual tax shall

ing to soil erosion specialists of the United Forest Service cooperates with the states not exceed 3 cents per acre.

States Department of Agriculture.

in the production of trees for farm forest The 1924 law relative to taxation, pro-

In Oklahoma an experiment is in prog- planting. Trees for ornamental planting tection and regulation of unimproved lands

ress to discover how much water the leafy are not grown under these arrangements. was repealed by the last legislature at the

covering in wooded land holds. Measure-

request of the Mississippi Forestry Com-

ments showed that the amount of water Timber Strength of a Tree Varies mission. State Forester Fred Merrill says:

held on the land was much more than the The strongest lumber in the redwood "This law had a thorough trial for near-

leaves could hold. The investigators found tree is near the bottom, says the Forest ly eight years and it was found to be ut-

that the leaves filter the water, keep it Service of the United States Department terly worthless. It was enacted apparently

clear and let it soak into the soil through of Agriculture.

to encourage reforestation and provided a

the many cracks and holes. Where there is In testing both virgin and second- 10-year tax exemption on young growing

no leafy covering to filter the water, silt growth redwoods, the department found timber. However, hundreds of Mississippi

fills these pores and more water then runs that the difference in the specific gravity landowners, after thorough investigation,

off the land, carrying eroded soil.

between the wood at the top of the tree found that the exemption provided did not

Two wooded plots of equal size were ob- and the bottom was about 15 per cent, with offset the added cost for surveying, listing

served. One was left in the natural state, the greater specific gravity for the lower and protecting the property so not a single

the other had the leafy covering burned part. Lumber with this greater specific acre was listed during the' time that the

off with a blow-torch. A special device gravity is stronger.

law was in force. Repeal of the law re-

measured the run-off of water and the This knowledge b useful to lumber users moves nine sections from the 1930 Code,

wash-off of soil. In two years, 30 times as seeking structural material, because they simplifies correspondence in the offices of

much water and 15 times as much soil were can select the lower logs for their purposes. the State Forest Service, and opens the

saved on the ground carpeted with forest

way for legislation that will be worth-

leaves as on the burned-over land. This shows the importance of protecting sloping

Forest Fire Depletes Game

while."

land from the evil of excessive run-off rain water and the costly loss of soil that goes with the flowing water.
A study of foreign public-forest policies, made by the United States Forest Service, shows that while public control in the United States has been almost wholly confined to requirements for protection against fire, other countries, as a rule, have gone considerably farther, particularly with respect to forests that serve to prevent soil erosion or to regulate stream flow, or that serve other public interests. Most of these countries are at the same time

A forest fire which swept winter grazing grounds of deer in the Lassen National Forest in California is held responsible by the local United States Forest Service rangers for the death of many of the animals by starvation last winter. The greatest mortality was among last year's fawns. Although fleet of foot, the deer does not range far from its native haunts. Deer on unburned areas not far distant were found to be in good condition.
Biggest Living Sassafras
William Younts, _a farmer near Whites-

Holding Bark on Logs and Slabs

In some sections of the Appalachian re-

gion, particularly at tourist resorts, build-

ings are erected of logs and slabs with

bark intact. How_ to keep the bark on

structural material is -of interest to all who

like to have cottages and cabins with a

bark exterior.

One method is to remove the bark care-

fully, treat it with creosote or some other ~hemical that will repel insects and organ-

isms of decay and then tack the bark back

to the timber.

\

gradually extending the area of public for- burg, Kentucky, believes he owns the larg-

ests.

est living sassafras tree. It is more than

Oldest Living Thing

100 feet high, over 60 feet to its first The oldest living thing in existence, the

Fires Damage Young Pines
Measurements on burned and unburned longleaf pine in North Carolina show that annual woods burning retards the growth

branch; it is more than 14 feet in diameter at its base and four and a half feet in diameter two feet from the ground. The tree is in flourshing condition.

Sequoia Washingtoniana, now grows only in the Sierra Nevadas. Its cousin, the Sequoia sempervirens, or redwood, is found only on the California coast, says the United States Forest Service. These trees are

of the trees, the United States Forest Service states. For thirteen years, two plots

Maple Shoe Heels

the only survivors of species which once spread over North America, Europe, and

were observed, one of which was burned One of the uses tQ which maple is now Asia.

over annually and the other kept free from put is shoe heels. Hard maple is selected

fire. On the unburned plot the trees grew and run through nine machines to make it

Ready-Cut Log Cabins

19 per cent faster in height, 9 per cent ready for lady's slippers.

In these days of ready-cut houses, an-

faster in diameter, and 22 per cent faster

nouncements are made that a ready-cut

in volume.

To encourage reforestation of lands in cabin may be obtained. Instead of logs

Tennessee, the state forester is offering being used, slabs having a log-Jike surface

Discarded matches and burning tobacco lots of 1,000 trees free to farmers who will are used for the exterior and a smooth sur-

ignited National Forests in 1872 places plant and maintain demonstration forest face is given the inside. Edges are tongued

during 1931, according to the United plantings adjoining important highways, re- and grooved to make airtight structures.

States Forest Service.

ports the United States Forest Service.

No chinking is required.

8

FORESTRY-GEOLOGICAL REVIEW

Washington, Jefferson, Burke, Richmond,

MINERALS OF GEORGIA

Columbia. The southern occurrence of fullers earth

Brief Accounts of Occurrences and Developments of the State's

is south of the counties mentioned in what

Leading Minerals

is known as the Alum Bluff Formation, extending over a wide area with a northern

Reported by THE DIVISION OF GEOLOGY

border of Waynesboro, Tennille and Vienna; defined on the east by a line extending

from the mouth of Buck creek on the Sa-

FULLERS EARTH -

will float on water. It is brittle and lack- vannah river through Sylvania, Reidsville,

Georgia leads all states of the Union in ing in the plasticity belonging to ordinary Blackshear and the western edge of the

the output of fullers earth, the annual re- clays. The color may be white, grey, drab Okefenokee Swamp; on the west by the

turn from this material having reached a or yellow, and when wet is grey or varying Flint river. The fullers "earth of this re-

maximum of about $2,000,000. The larg- shades of olive green.

gion is in thinner beds than that of the old

est fullers earth mine operation in this Two large areas in South_ Georgia con- shore line further north, and is finer of

country is in Decatur county.

tain deposits of fullers earth, one in the grain. When dry it is harder and it is also

Fullers earth is a clay-like material, upper and one in the lower part of the lighter than clays further north. The

differing from brick or pottery clay in be- coastal plain. The principal deposits in main operation of this deposit of fullers

ing more porous or having more sand or the upper belt are in Twiggs, Bibb, Colum- earth is in Decatur county at Attapulgus

silica, and less kaolin or clay. Its porosity bia and Stewart counties but occurrences where, as has been stated, is now the

and absorptive power are characteristics are noted in other counties along the Fall largest fullers earth operation in the

that make it valuable.

Line.

country. The Attapulgus Clay Company

Uaes. The name "Fullers" came from Fullers earth of good quality seems to is conducting the operation.

the use of this material on woolen cloth have been deposited only in estuaries Other counties in the southern part of during the process of fulling for absorb- several miles south of the ancient shore Georgia of known deposits of fullers earth ing and removing grease. The use of line which marked the division between the are Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lown'des, fullers earth dates far back. Pliny tells Piedmont Plateau and the present Coastal Echols, Appling, Toombs, Screven, Ranof washing and scouring cloth with "the Plain. At some points organic or car- dolph and Clay, but none of the deposits earth of Sardinia." Fullers earth for bonaceous influences are noted, forming in these counties has been exploited. cleansing cloth has been superseded by lignite such as is found at Grovestown and

soap and alkalis, but new uses have been observed in fire clays near Gibson. Cal-

found, particularly in bleaching edible oils cium carbonate is present in varying

Fuller's Earth 1n 1931

such as cottonseed oil, peanut oil and olive quantities and where more abundant, the

_oil, and in refining petroleum; also in the clay becomes harder.

The total quantity of fuller's earth sold

or used by producers in the United States

in 1931 amounted to 288,400 short tons,

valued at $3,055,570, or $10.59 a on, ac-

cording to figures of the United States

Bureau of Mines. This was a decrease of

14 per cent, or 47,244 tons, and represent-

ed a shrinkage of 29 per cent in value, or

$1,271,135 less than 1930. However, the

output was larger than in any year prior

to 1929 and was 173 per cent greater than

that of 1921, while the value was more

than that of any year prior to 1926 and was

55 per cent higher than that of 1921.

Georgia was the leading producing state

in 1931 and has been for eight years.

Florida was second, and Illinois, displacing

Texas, was third. Production was report-

ed by 22 operators in 1922, the largest .

number ever recorded.

Fullers Earth Deposit and Mining Operation of Attapulgus Clay Company in Decatur County.

The most valuable walnut tree on record

manufacture of soap, certain medicines and in numerous ways as an absorbent.
History. The first attempt to work fullers earth in the United State~ was in

In Twiggs and Houston counties the deposits attain a maximum thickness of 100 feet, thinning out to a thickness of 20 feet in Jefferson and Columbia counties. The

was a curly walnut sold in North Carolina for $1,500, the lumber of which when placed on the car brought $3,000, and which when cut into veneer stock in New York was finally sold for nearly $60,000.

Arkansas in 1890. The deposit at Quincy, deposits are usually overlain by red sand

Florida, was opened in 1893 and has prov- of the Barnwell formation, and surface en an important source of supply. Georgia appearances occur in ravines, lower slopes Nearly forty million board feet of lum-

did not become a producer until 1907. of valleys, and where exposures were made ber are used annually to make lead pencils

While fullers earth has been found in 17 by streams or by erosion.

for American consumption.

states,, only six have become important An important operation is located at

producers, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Dry Branch in Twiggs county, where the Mr. Alex Sessoms, Cogdell, Ga., member

California, Massachusetts and Texas.

General Reduction Company began opera- of the Commission of Forestry and Geo-

Occurrences in Georgia. Fullers earth tions in 1908. Other fall line counties in logical Development is on an auto tour of

occurs in beds of varying thickness and is which fu.llers earth occurs in deposits of the west, leaving July 8, to be gone until

characterized by extreme porosity and varying quantities are Bleckley, Houston, September. lie is accompanied by his

lightness. When thoroughly air-dried it Crawford, Wilkinson, Jones, Baldwin, family.