Second biennial report to the Governor and General Assembly of the State Forester to the State Forestry Board of the state of Georgia

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT
OF THE
State Board of Forestry
TO THE
Governor and General Assembly
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA
1927..1928
B. M. LUFBURROW
State Forester

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT
OF THE
State Forester
TO THE
State Forestry Board
OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
1927-1928
B M. LUFBURROW
State Forester

Georgia State Board of Forestry
Ex-Off1c1o) HON L G. HARDMAN Governor
President HoN G EORGE H. CARSWELL, Sec. of State
HoN S W M c CALLIE State G eologist H o N J PHIL CAMPBELL Dtrector of Extens10n,
State College of Agnculture
Appomted) MRS. M . E. JUDD Dalton J LEONARD ROUNTREE , Summit
C. B. HARMAN Atlanta BONNELL H . STONE, Blausvdle
ALEX K. SESSOMS, Cogdell
B M. LUFBURROW Secretary and State Forester

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

5

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM THE STATE
FORESTER
MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY
SIRs
I herewtth submtt report covenng acttvttles of the Georgta Forest Servtce for the penod of 19 2 7 and 19 28
The two years of actlvtty smce the last btenntal report have progressed favorably The staff has been enlarged and the vanous hnes of work outhned by your board at the begmmng are now bemg earned on.
Ftre protectiOn, one of the major projects, has progressed to the pomt where 996 790 acres are now under the mtenstve fire protectiOn of the Timber Protecttve Orgamzatwns. Indt vtdual landowners m a number of places are also practtong Improved methods of fire control under the advtce and duec tton of the staff Bestdes, there ts a wtdespread awakemng among farmers to the tmportance of fire control as the result of vanous forms of educatiOnal work In a word there ts a general Improvement m the attttude of the pubhc toward forest protectiOn whtch tt IS belteved wdl soon produce very noticeable results.
The Georgta Forest Servtce has been able to prosecute Its educational work on a more mtenstve and extenstve basts whtch has met splendtd cooperatiOn on the part of the press, the schools and vanous CIVIC orgamzatwns. Among the actlvtttes of the EducatiOnal Department may be menttoned the cooperatiOn of 150 agncultural htgh schools whtch are mtroducmg forestry m thetr courses of study and are to have school demonstratiOn forests. Thts ts the first project of the sort started by any state m the Umon.
Another achtevement the first of tts kmd ts the State Forest Fatr whtch has met Wtth stgnal success.

SECOND.BIENNIAL REPORT
State forest -parks are meeting favor and it is expected that the i wo'''now 'existing will, be 'increased in number through private do,nations in the near future.
The leaflets and bulletins issued during the past two years have sought to "deal 'in a practica-l ' way with important problems. The demand for these publications indicate that they have supplied a need.
The Georgia system of administr~tio11. .designed to give direct service at the lowest possible cost, is meeting expectations. Placing responsibiiity and local supervisiort on Timber Protective Organizations supervised by the trained force of assistant state foresters and district foresters located over the state at advantageous points, is securing results at comparatively small cost.
In carrying out its program great help is being obtained from the Georgia Forestry Associatidn .arid it'is with~ pleasure that this recognition of assistance is here recorded.
A cooperative enterprise known as the Southern Education Project which is employing forestry moving pictures with success. is participated in by the American Forestry Association~ the Georgia Forestry Association, the Georgia State College of Agriculture and the Georgia Forest Service. C0rdial relations are also being maintained with the American Tree Association, Southern Forestry Congress and various state organizations.
I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the State Board of Forestry for their very active and intelligent interest in the work of this department.
Respectfully
B. M. LUFBURROW.
State Forester.

GEORGIA FoREST SERVICE

7

SECOND -BIENNIAL REPORT
BOARD OF FORESTRY, STATE OF GEORGIA
1927-1928
INTRODUCTION
The First Biennial Report to the General Assembly of 1927 gave a survey of the work of the State Board of Forestry up-to; and including December 31, 1926. This the Second Biennial; Report, deals with work done for the past two years and outlines the scope of the future work necessary to develop the forest resources of Georgia.
Responsibility has been definitely placed upon the Georgia State Board of Forestry to direct the activities of the Georgia Forest Service so as to secure results benefiCial to the owners of Georgia's 23,725,000 acres of forest land. A fact finding survey has been made in a more detailed way than was previously undertaken, which has enabled the Board to direct the work with a better knowledge ofthe real needs of the State.
ADMINISTRATION
The Georgia State Board of Forestry is composed of nine members, four of whom are ex-officio and five appointed. The Governor is ex-officio Chairman and President. The appointed members are chosen because of their knowledge of the needs of' Forestry and their intense interest in the proper development of Georgia's great forest resources. The ex-officio members not only have the knowledge and interest, but are familiar with the proced11re in carrying on the State's business. Therefore, this Board is quite capable of directing the work.
The members of the Board serve without compensation from the State, deeming it a patriotic duty and an honor to render

8

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

this service to Georgia. They are reimbursed for their expenses while engaged in the performance of their duties as members of this Board. The records show that it cost the State an average of only $205 32 per year for traveling expenses of all Board members since 1925, during which period they have set up and directed the work under the Forestry Administrative Act of 1925. The same amount of business transacted by the directors of a bank or private corporation would cost many times that sum.

Proposed Legion Memorial Tower to honor Georgia soldiers who lost their lives in the World War-to be erected on Blood Mountain near Vogel Forest-Park, and serve as a lookout for forest fire control.

GEORGIA FoREST SERVICE

9

Activities since the 19 26 report have been extende'd as funds have permitted. Additional projects have been launched, and the scope of the work now includes all projects set up in the organization plan adopted at the first board meeting.
The personnel of the department consists of the State Forester, the Director of Education and Utilization, two Assistant State Foresters, two District Foresters, a Secretary, and Assistant Supenntendent of Forest-Parks. Headquarters for Assistant State Foresters are located at Albany and Gainesville, the District Foresters at Waycross and Rome.
The purpose of this form of organization is to render the most direct, efficient and economical service to the land owners. By reason of being located at strategic points over the State, the Assistant State Foresters and District Foresters arc enabled to ke:!p in close touch with land owners and cooperators. Transportation costs and travel time are thereby reduced to a mini-

On the left, a fire obaervatioa tower on the toi> of Ware Hotel at Waycross. On' the
right, a typical fire tower In the pine reeion of Saoith Georgia, 100 feet hish.

10

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

mum. Overhead costs of the field men are kept low, since all field offices are rent free through the liberality of the cooperating Chambers of Commerce at all headquarters towns.

FOREST FIRE PROTECTION
Following the mandate of the Forestry Administrative Act of 19 25, the Board recognized the forest fire problem as its major activity.
It was realized in the beginning that facts regarding forest fires were incomplete, hence a broad survey was inaugurated. As information was secured, remedies were appiied as far as possible to each situation which would produce the desired result in the shortest possible time.
A careful study of conditions proved the need for organized effort between the land owner, county, State and Federal Government with the responsibility for fire protection definitely fixed upon the owner first and upon the State and Federal Government second. With this fundamental principle as a working basis, the Timber Protective Organizations, composed of land owners, were formed. These organizations have their

Two demOftStraticms in CODStruction of firebreaks. On the left, a road crader was used. On the richt a tractor plow was employed.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

11

own officers and each operates as a unit to carry out plans prescribed by the Georgia Forest Service. The State is giving supervision, aid, advice, and renders some direct financial assistance through Federal aid under Section 2 of the Clarke-McNary Law
Administration expense is reduced to a minimum in that the officers, who are vitally' interested, direct the local work of their units, supervise detail expenditures, collect data, keep records and make necessary reports without compensation.
If done by the State Forester's office, the supervisory work would require additional employees and greater official overhead cost, to say nothing of the added impetus, interest and support secured through local participation and local responsibilities.
During 1927 and 1928 new Timber Protective Organizations have been formed, existing organizations have been enlarged, and the policy of grouping a number of small units to reduce cost of protection and promote the purchase of lookout

Tree nursery at the State Collece of A&'riculture conducted cooperatively by the Georcia Forest Service and the Forest Scbool .of the. Calh;ae.

12

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

towers for detection purposes, have extended and made the protective system more efficient. Seven organizations have been enlarged, eight new organizations formed, and two consolidations affecting some six organizations, are being completed.
Steel lookout towers erected on the Suwanee and Satilla lands, in operation since 19 27, have given results beyond expectations. To bring the tower system into wider use, the consolidation of five small organizations in four counties is under way This consolidation will enable the units to purchase and erect six steel towers ranging in height from 100 to 11 0 feet. Already one of these towers has been erected on a city water supply tank of one town and another on the top of a new hotel at Waycross. When connected by telephone lines and properly manned, the towers will give an efficient fire detective system to half a million acres, about half of which is now organized and cooperating.
Four Timber Protective Organizations have erected 12 lookout .towers and others have been provided for in the 1929 budgets. In all, 16-Timber Protective Organizations have built and

Demonstration in natural reproduction of -pine forests where fire is kept out.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

13

maintained 360 miles of telephone lines at an average cost of $37 per mile, 50 miles of fire trails at $20 per mile and 2,219 miles of fire breaks at $1 0 per mile. They have purchased fire fighting equipment such as fire trucks, trailers, fire pumps, hose, axes, rakes and tools to the amount of $8,089 They employ a total of 53 patrolmen four to eight months in the year and 12 towermen five to ten months in the year.
These Timber Protective Organizations give adequate protection, under State supervision, to 996,790 acres.
Private protection is also increasing at a rapid rate due to the effect of observable results obtained by Timber Protective Organizations. These demonstration areas have probably induced owners of unorganized areas to protect an additional half million acres. The other forms of forest fire protection in Georgia are the county plan, the cooperative management plan on small units and the national forest plan.
The interest manifested throughout the State and efforts being made by large owners, and owners of the farm woodlot indicate that rapid progress is being made in forest fire protec-

Demonstration of new pine erowth in area protected frOm fire.

14

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

tion. Favorable public sentiment continues to grow, and the requests that additional acreage be placed under the State's fire control system are increasing. The total acreage that can be placed under cooperative agreement is limited by the personnel needed for supervision of the work and the necessary funds to finance it.
During 1927 and 1928 the State expended $19,584 86, the Federal Government $53 258 .00, and private matching funds amounted to $48,587 78, a total of $121.430.64. The State Board of Forestry has secured $101 845 78 as matching funds against $19,584 86 State funds, or a ratio in matching funds of $5 20 for every dollar the State has expended.
Georgia has 23 725 000 acres of forest land in need of protection from fire, according to the best available figures . This forest area is a great responsibility on the State, as well as a great asset, in that this natural resource is capable of producing an annual income of $I 63,000,000 in raw material and finished product if given adequate protection from fire and if proper forest practices are used.

Demonstration in forest thinning conducted by he Georgia Forest Service

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

15

The owners of 5 000,000 acres of forest land are ready for organized forest fire control with State cooperation as soon as funds are available.

EDUCATION AND UTILIZATION
A director of Education and Utilization for full time was appointed and began his duties November 1, 1928. Under his leadership, work was inaugurated for developing various lines of activity embracing publications, news service, school relations, contacts with civic organizations, fairs and manufacturers of wood.
PUBLICATIONS
Since the last biennial report, 12 publications have been issued, 7 of which were bulletins and 5 leaflets and folders. The subject, author and number printed of each bulletin issued are as follows

One of the Georgia forestry moving picture trucks at a rural school.

16

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

Author

Number Pnnted

Forest Thinning ______________________ Alfred Akerman
Highway Shade Tree Planting__Eitel Bauer Forest Planting ________________________Eitel Bauer
Uses of Georgia Woods ____________c. A. Whittle Georgia Forest-Parks ________________c. A. Whittle and
B. H. Stone Vocational Forestry ________________C. A. Whittle The Cellulose Industry ___________.B. M. Lufburrow and
W W Ashe

3,000 3,000 3,000 10,000
5 000 2,500
1,500

The name of each leaflet, author and number printed are

as follows

Number

Subject

Author

Prmted

Report on Fire Line Demon-

stration at Waycross ------------B. M. Lufburrow Georgia s Forests ______________________C. A. Whittle

2,000 15,000

Forests-A Waste Land Crop._B. M. Lufburrow

10,000

Rural school children absorbed in the message of forest fire protection as presented by moving pictures.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

17

Estimating Standing Timber ____C. A. Whittle
Reprint from Manufacturers' Record ________________________________C. A. Whittle

5,000 1.500

A number of posters designed to impress the public with the importance of fire prevention was distributed from stocks previously printed, mainly to schools. The two moving picture units have placed :many of them at schools, stores, filling stations and on county roads. A number have gone to county protective units, Timber Protective Organizations, boy scouts, etc.

Cartoons have a universal appeal, being especially interesting to children. Cartoons with appropriate legends have been issued and widely distributed.

Distribution of Publrcations-A mailing list has been built up, consisting of 25 or 30 leading land owners in each county, county agricultural agents, vocational agricultural teachers, saw mill operators, wood working establishments, lumber dealers,

On the left, a demonstration of the French methnd of turpentinln&'. On . th;; right, turpentining started by American methnd on a virgin pine.

18

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

city and county school superintendents, consolidated public schools, members of the Georgia Forestry Association, state foresters and assistants, United States Forest Service, state chambers of commerce, members of the state legislature, naval stores operators, turpentine operators, women's clubs and civic organizations, newspapers, deputy wardens, fish and game wardens, county commissioners, and individuals of various classes who have asked to be placed on the mailing list. The total mailing list numbers 10,000 names. Not all publications are sent to the entire mailing list.
The two moving picture units are distributing some of the publications and are putting up posters.
On request of school principals, county agents and others, packages of various publications are sent out for local use.

NEWS SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES
With the installation of the Director of Education and utilization, a systematic weekly news service was inaugurated for all

Typical scene In the turpentine forest of South Geor.U..

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

19

the newspapers in the state. The training and experience of the director in the publicity field equipped him for developing the news service. The results have been gratifying. The news matter is very generally used by the press of the state.
Special articles have been contributed to the daily papers of the state, to the press association, to lumber trade journals, com mercia! publications, forestry magazines and farm papers. They have found ready acceptance.
Through these avenues of publicity a large reading public has been reached frequently with messages that are timely and of public interest.

SCHOOL RELATIONS AND SCHOOL FORESTS

Vocational School Project-An outstanding development of schools relation work is that in connection with the rural high schools having vocational agricultural teachers whereby a course of study in forestry is to be introduce9 and a forest of ten acres or more is to be used by each school for forest demon stration. This project is carried on in cooperation with the

One of the steam turpentine stills in South Geor&'ia.

Points of Activity of Georgia Forest Service

LEGENL

p ~S STATE F1lRmR
~ HEADQUARr!:RS ASST. SlAtE FORDTER T.P.O.

cg:) tlEMONSTRATION FOREST

~
*()

NURSERY STATE I'ORESlPA~ DISTRICT FORESTER LANDS PROTECTED WITHOUT STATE AID PLANTATIONS

X VOCATIONAl. SCHOOLS (WHITE)

X
A
N

VOCATIONAL. SCHOOLS (COLORED) MEMBERS OF THE. BOARD THINNINGS PRIVATE FOREST UNOER MANAGEMENT PLANS NAVAL STORES TESTS

E EXHIBIT
~ MANAGEMENT SURVEY

NOTE: Marks are placed in each county in which activity of the Georgia Forest Service is conducted, but. no effort is made to place the marks at the exact point in the county where work is carried on.

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SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

Georgia State Board of Vocational Education. There are 100 white scnools and 50 colored schools of this nature in the state. The forest areas are to be obtained on lease for ten years or through outright donation.
The Georgia Forest Service is to make a complete survey of these school forests and working plans for their management. Areas will be chosen for reforestation and schools will be assisted in operating tree nurseries for tree planting.
Two or more times each year a representative of the Georgia Forest Service will visit the schools and conduct some form of forestry demonstration.
A bulletin issued by the Georgia Forest Service will serve as a foundation of the course of study and mimeographed instruc-

Winding mountain highway leading to Vogel Forest-Park.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

23

tions for practical work will be sent to the schools from time to time. Cooperation is also being established with junior colleges and degree colleges in forest demonstration work along .more advanced lines than is being offered the high schools.
The plan calls for a summer camp for students showing the greatest proficiency in forestry Practical training will be given in these camps to increase their efficiency. With satisfactory completion of the summer camp work the student will receive a certificate of Vocational Forester, recommending him for nontechnical forestry work.
These summer camps are to be supported through scholarships of $75 each which it is expected will be provided by interested citizens, corporations, banks, etc.
This is the first project ofthis kind to be launched in this country and it has received the commendation of some of the leading forestry authorities in the nation.
The teachers are enthusiastic about the forestry project, and every indication is that the Georgia Forest Service will be

Scenic approach to Vogel ForestPark.

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SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

in great demand to properly supervise this work to be carried on. At least two men are needed to carry on this important work but funds are not now available for this purpose.
Moving Picture Project-The Georgia Forest Service is cooperating with the Georgia Forestry Association, the American Forestry Association, and the Georgia State College of Agriculture in carrying on the activity of the Southern Forestry Educational Project in Georgia.
Two well-equipped trucks, each manned by two foresters, showing pictures emphasizing the importance of forest fire control are operating throughout the state and making public contact through the schools. The shows are largely attended. From September 1st to June 1st the records show that 139,183 people were reached. The interest has been keen and it is believed that the lessons the films teach have been impressive and will result in much good.
This project is for three years. The first year has been concluded. Other pictures are to be made which are expected

Balancing rock on the trail to Blood Mountain from Vogel Forest-Park.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

25

to be more directly applicable to Georgia conditions and result in greater good to the protection of Georgia forests.
During the period that the schools are not in session these moving picfure outfits are scheduled to visit boy and girl scout camps, teachers' summer schools and other public gatherings.

CONTACT WITH CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
It has not always been possible to meet the demands of various civic organizations for speakers, but a number of these organizations have been addressed. Women's clubs interested particularly in roadside planting of trees, school grounds and other public; places have beeri helped with addresses, conferences, demonstrations and with literature as to what trees to plant and how to plant them. In some instances essay contests on forestry have been conducted among school children under the auspices of women's clubs.
Boy scouts afford a field for useful cooperation and a number of contacts are being made with scout masters, and, as

Lookout platform at Vogel Forest-Park.

26

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

has been mentioneo, scout camps are to have moving picture shows. Scout organizations in Augusta and vicinity have an annual awarding to Eagle scouts of a certificate from the Governor appointing them Junior Fire Wardens and badges presented by the Georgia Forest Service. Each year this is made an important public occasion..
Chambers of Commerce. Civitans, Kiwanians, Rotarians and other organizations offer opportunity for contacts which it has not been possible to develop fully because of inadequate force, but more of this class of work will be scheduled for the future.

FOREST FAIRS
Georgia has the distinction of being the first state to inaugurate the State Forest Fair. In 1928 the first fair of this nature was held at Waycross. Georgia. The attendance was large and the interest gratifying. Many industries related to forest development and utilization had exhibits on display Demonstrations of practical value were carried out. Moving pictures and addresses afforded interest and instruction.

Nee! Gap marker at Vogel Forest-Park.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

27

The fair was such a pronounced success that other cities have sought it, and in 19 29 the Second Georgia State Forest Fair will be held at Valdosta, Ga. The program includes forestry demonstrations which will be one 9f the features of the fair, to give very practical information to timber growers.
Demands are being made by fair associations throughout the state for exhibits of the Georgia Forest Service. Insofar as possible these demands will be met.

WOOD MANUFACTURERS
In connection with the work of utilization, the bulletin "Uses of Georgia Woods" was issued and given wide circulation. This bulletin has sought to awaken a greater appreciation of the kinds of woods grown in Georgia, their various uses, and to show that there are woods as good or better for various purposes than those shipped into the state from the far north or west.
To make the publication as practical as possible, and establish connections between the owners of forests and the wood

All Trails of Vogel Forest-Park have signs.

28

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

manufacturers, a directory of saw mills, wood manufacturers and lumber dealers of the state is given.
Visits are being made from time to time to architects in Georgia in an effort to increase the use of southern woods for both exterior use and interior finishings.
Additional work for promoting the uses of Georgia woods could be undertaken in making contracts with saw mills, manufacturers and lumber dealers, and also with landowners, to instruct them in the better utilization of their timber resources through proper forest management. This, of course, would call for increased personnel and expense.
A questionnaire was sent out to leading landowners of southeastern Georgia to develop data on the amount of cordwood that would be available for wood pulp manufacture. With

View of Pavilion and Annex at Indian Springs Park.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

29

the information thus obtained and other data, a basis was established for an estimate on the resources of cordwood in southeast Georgia. The estimate was made for parties interested in paper manufacture. The Georgia Forest Service is stressing for paper manufacture and for other cellulose industries the use of species of trees not desirable for lumber, the use of timber cut out for thinning purposes and the tops of trees cut for saw logs and mill waste.
Various members of the forester's staff are frequent! y called upon to give advice to landowners about the best methods for cropping and marketing their timber

STATE FoREST-PARKS
The Georgia Forest Service now has two state forests-parks under its management-the Vogel Forest-Park at Neel Gap on

New entrance to the spring basin at .Indian Springs .Park.

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SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

Blood Mountain in Union county, and Indian Springs in Butts county. The Indian Springs property, owned by the state since die Indian treaty of 1802, was turned over to the Georgia Forest Service by an act of the General Assembly, effective January 1, 1928, which act carried with it an annual appropriation of $3,000 for a period of two years, to be expended on improvements and maintenance. This property consists of a mineral spring, casino, bath house and park area, all occupying approximately ten acres.
Both forest-parks are devoted largely to recreational pur.poses for which they are particularly well adapted.
V-ogel Park--Since the last biennial report the area of Vogel Forest-Park has been increased by an additional gift of land by Mr. Fred Vogel, Jr., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bringing the area up to 160 acres.

Sprina-, baain ami new S1lper&tructure at llldian Sprin&'s Park.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

31

Improvements have been made on the property that have added to its attractiveness and its conveniences. Two houses have been constructed near the highway for the accommodation pf visitors. At one, refreshments are sold.and a book for registering visitors is kept. The other, a larger building, provides an attractive tea room equipped with electric lights and other conveniences.
Trails have been constructed through the area and to the summit of Blood mountain, with signs giving directions, information and cautions about protecting the forest. A stone observation platform has been constructed, overlooking the famous Blood Mountain gorge and camp sites and parking areas have been established.
Approximately 10,000 visitors registered at this park in

Children's play~OUDd at Indian Sprinca Park

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SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

19 28, representing 4 2 states of the Union and ten different countries. Quite a large number of visitors did not register.
A proposition to erect a stone tower on Blood mountain to be known as the Legion Memorial Tower has received favorable consideration. Plans for the proposed tower have been drawn by Dr. Charles Strahan of the University of Georgia. It is to be about 30 feet high, made of mountain stones, and will be an imposing, picturesque structure, appropriate to the surroundings and a fitting memorial to the Georgia men who lost their lives during the World War The cost of the tower is estimated at $10,000 to $15 000, which the American Legion proposes to raise.
The tower is to serve as a lookout for fire control on the state forest-park and the adjoining national forest as well as a lookout for the sightseers who visit the park in great numbers.
In addition to assistance in erecting the tower, funds are needed to construct trails to other mountain peaks, to construct roads into other automobile parking spaces, to provide additional facilities for drinking water camping facilities, to make a small lake, to construct an additional building and quarters for forest service men, to do some landscaping work, put up additional signs, etc. A budget of such improvement calls for an ex-. penditure of $7,420.00.
lndzan Spnngs-The condition of the Indian Springs prop~ erty when taken over by the Georgia Forest Service was poor. The State appropriation has been used to repair the buildings. improve the grounds and to protect the spring from the over" flows of nearby streams. Considerable additional improvej ment and beautifying of the grounds have been made possible through private subscription obtained by local parties. As a consequence, the Indian Springs property lias been greatly im~ proved in appearance and facilities since coming under the direction of the Georgia Forest Service, and is apparently becoming a more popular recreation center for the people of Georgia than ever.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

33

The growing popularity of the Indian Springs proper~y renders it necessary to make other improvements to meet public demands. A retaining wall capable of protecting the lower part of the park from overflow and which at the same time could serve as a roadway to reach an area that would serve for addi~ tional parking space for automobiles would greatly add to the facilities of the park, make it possible to beautify an unsightly portion of the grounds and also provide a place for seats, and a sunken garden for flowers and ornamental shrubs.
This property is very greatly in. need of improved comfort houses of the most sanitary kind. A number of other improvements to make better play grounds for children and to make .other parts of the property accessible and enjoyable to the increasingly large crowds are very much needed.
An outlay of $10,000.00 during the next two years would h~lp to meet these public demands.
Forest-Park Plans-The Georgia Board of Forestry has approved a plan to establish a system of forest-parks over the state, with one in easy reach of all population centers. Donations of areas to the Georgia Forest Service that are suitable for forest-parks are expected in carrying out this idea. Two tentative offh1t of forest-park areas are pending and others are expected. The objects sought in establishing forest-parks are to provide recreational centers and forest areas for demonstrating successful forestry pract!ces.

ASSISTANCE TO TIMBERLAND OWNERS
The Forestry Act of 1925 says the Board "shall give such advice, aid, assistance and co-operation as may be practicable to Georgia landowners or forest users
More than 98 per cent of the State's 23 725,000 acres of forest land is privately owned. This ownership represents a wide variety of interests including lumber, naval stores, farm-

34

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

ing. muung, manufacturing, water power, etc., and involves
a natur-al resource, the product of which could be worth more
tha~ - $15o;ooo.ooo ann'\lal!y Hence, the importance of this
resc:>.urce to the State and the .necessity for its proper care imd ...
management.
The full development of the State's forest resourc~s will depend upon the -extent to which these owners of timber land practice the principles of good forest management. Realizing this, the Georgia Fore~t Service has pursued the policy of assisting private owners to make pians for the systematic management 9 the~ timber lands. More applications for this type of service have been received than our limited personnel could handle, showing a widespread awakening to the importance of proper care of forests.
A technically trained forest,er ha~ been employed by an owner as ~he result of service of this sort rendered by the Georgia Forest Service. A number of.owners have co-operative agreements whereby the Georgia Forest Service gives advice in handling of their forest" areas. Interest in this phase of the work has been state-wide, many applications coming "from tlle more thickly settled areas. Those reached report that the forest management plans given theni have been of real value. Bulletins; leaflets, letters, inquiries, interviews, public talks on forest management have also borne fruit in actual practice on many woods areas of the state.
A large number of private owners are now protecting their forests from fire. They are thinning, planting and carrying on demonstrations and, in some instances, are doing research work on a small scale.
Demands for this phase of forestry work will continue to increase as the fire control sentiment spreads and forestry educational work progresses.

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

35

RESEARCH
The .Board of Forestry feels very keenly the need of compre~ hensive research work. Many problems in handling woodlands in Georgia have little reliable data on which to base future work. Until the projects now under way and those awaiting funds to start are carried on over a sufficient length -of time. we will be dependent upon the too meager information now available.
In the projects undertaken, only as many were taken up as there seemed assurance could be carried to completion, the con~ trolling factor being available funds and personnel.
Thinnings of loblolly, slash, longleaf and shortleaf pine have been made with records of each. Studies of a few of the hardwoods are under way Experiments in naval stores pro~ duction are being conducted with relation to thinnings, plant~ ings. weighing gum, chipping, per acre production and fire damage. Many other studies are needed, for the State is lacking in much desirable valuable information.

FOREST FIRE STATISTICS
Georgia is developing a "forest fire consciousness" to a greater degree than the accompanying forest fire statistics would sm to indicate. Not until the last year was it possible to ob~ tain comprehensive data for the state as a whole. The larger fire loss reported for 1928 than for previous years is probably to be accounted for by the fact that the 1928 figure is more complete and more nearly pictures actual losses than the re~ ports of previous years.
Inquiries made of private owners for information on forest fire losses have been gladly answered and where checked the figures given have proven to be correct to a remarkable degree.
Though the 1928 figures are estimates rather than actual measurements. the 11vailable information may be considered re~

36

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

liable, particularly that from areas where organized fire control is in operation. The figures on unprotected areas are considered conservative and have been checked as far as possible.
The fire statistics for the years 1927 and 1928 for the state as a whole and for areas under control of Timber Protective Organizations are as follows

Year
1927 1928

No . Fires
8,118 17 247

FoR STATE

Acres Covered

Area Burned

10,000,000 23 725,000

2,472,740 5, 159,385

Total Damage
$4,961,520 5,159,350

1927 1928

FOR TIMBER PROTECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS

55

722,180

9,542 $ 19,650

196

996 , 790

21 780

24,350

The increase in burned over area under the Timber Protective Qrganizations in 1928 does not mean that these organizations were not functioning as effectively in 19 28 as in 19 2 7 as the difference in the burned over area indicates, but the increase is attributable in part to the larger area under protection in 1928 than in the previous year. There were 996,790 acres under control of Timber Protective Organizations in 19 28 whereas there were 722,180 in 1927

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

37

Finanoal Report Georg1a State Board of Forestry
1927

RECEIPTS

Balance on hand Jan. I 1927 (Federal funds) ____ $ 2,555.40

From State-Tax collected on Forest Industries 11 354.58

From U. S. Gov.-Clark-McNary Law ______________ 19,991 60

From individuals for examination of timber

152 .09

$34.053.67

ADMINISTRATION

DISBURSEMENTS

Salaries -------------------------------------$ 10, 3 88. 9 0 Travel ------------------------ ------------- 2, 9 74. 4 3

Office expense ----------------------,--Teleph., Teleg. and Postg.________

34 6.4 3 366.04

Printing ----------------------------------- 1. 5 6 8. 3 1 Supplies and equipment -------------- 312.5 2

Miscellaneous ---------------------------

15.0 0

$ 4. 834.4 7

FIELD

Salaries ------------------------------------$ 1. 4 05 6 7

Travel --------------------------------- 1 68 7. 84

Office expense ------------------------ 3 3 5. 24

Tel. and Tel. and Postage ---------- 412 . 74

Printing ---------------------------------- 65 2.90

Supplies and Equipment ----------- 325.08

Miscellaneous ___ -------------------------

15.00

T P 0.-refunds under agreement

$ 4,834.47 $ 9.682.16

$30,579 . 53 Balance, December 31. 19 2 7 ____________________________ $ 3, 4 74 . 14 $34,0 53.6 7

State Auditor's Comments; "All records are full and complete."

38

SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT

1928

RECEIPTS

Bal. on hand Jan. 31 1928 (Federal funds) __ $ 3,474.14

From State ---------------------------------------------------- 18.3 60. 9 0

Appropriation Indian Springs Forest Park

3,000.00

From U S. Government Under Sections

2 and 4, Clarke-McNary Law _____________

43.949.64

Individuals for examination of timberlands

399 17

From Gainesville, Ga. Chamber of Commerce for Vogel Forest-Park ----------------------

275.00

Interest on Bank balances --------------------------------

73.95

$69 532.80

DISBURSEMENTS

ADMINISTRATION

Salaries ____________________________________ $ 8. 90 8. 75 Travel ________________ _________________ 1 683 26

Office expense ____ Printing ______ _____________________

554.30 1. 4 22.6 9

Supplies and Equipment Telph., Telg. and Postage ___ Miscellaneous

670.27 230.14
64.30

$13 533 71

FIELD

Salaries Travel _____________________

____$ 8,852.93 5.182.47

Office equipment ______________________ 1 347.03

Supplies ------------------------------------ 175.59

Telph .. Telg. and Postage ________ Printing ___________________________________ _

152.16 28.00

Miscellaneous ----------------------------

28.01

$15 766.19

Sou. Forestry Educational Project ________________________ $ 1.463 70 Bureau of Education ------------------------------------------- 1.327.46 Nursery Project ---------------------------------------- __________ 1.462.50 Vogel Forest-Park ---------------------------------------------- 1.040.87

GEORGIA FOREST SERVICE

39

Indian Springs Forest-Park --------------------------------- 2,3 9 9.6 5 T P 0.-refund under cooperative agreement____ 16,851.03

$53 ,845 . 11
Balance, December 3 1 19 2 8 (Federal funds Under Clarke-McNary Law) ________________________$15.687.69

$69,532.80

State Auditor's Comments:

"The records are neatly and accurately kept, and all disbursements covered by proper vouchers."