Department of Forestry: biennial report, 1947-1948

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FORESTRY PROGRESS
II GEORGIA
I
NWMH iversitv of Georgia!
MAY 1 3 '57
LIBRARIES
1947-1948
BIENNIAL REPORT
Georgia department of forestry

STATE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION
Department of Forestry
STATE CAPITDL
ATLANTA
January 1, 1949
To Honorable Herman Talmadge, Governor The General Assembly And the People of Georgia
Pursuant to Section 9 of the Act approved March 5, 1947 (as amended), I have the honor to submit this report of the activities of the Georgia Department of Forestry for the calendar years 1947 and 1948.
The economic and financial value of the forests to the people and the state during this period is noteworthy. Harvested forest products, financial returns and employment reached the highest peak in the history of the state.
Much progress has been made, but activities in the fields of forest fire protection, reforestation and proper cutting practices must be further increased if our forest lands are to continue to yield the volume of products demanded and to keep forept employment at a high level.
Respectfully submitted,
A.'"R. Shirley, Director

CONTENTS K

a General
Fire Protection

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Reforestation and Nurseries
Management
Information and Education Financial

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LIBRARIES

GENERAL
Forestry in Georgia is a big business, owned and operated pri-
marily by small businessmen. Georgia ranks first in the nation in privately-owned forest area
and in the number of forest land owners. Forestry is the process of putting timberlands and woodlots on a
business-like basis in order to produce repeated timber crops, year after year, thus keeping thousands of industries in continuous operation and contributing greatly to the economic welfare of the entire
state. Every man, woman and child in Georgia, therefore, has an.
interest in the state forestry program.
The forest lands of Georgia have meant more to the economy of the state during the period covered by this report than possibly any similar period in history. The following facts will better emphasize these values and the forests' importance.
(1) In 1947-48, 159 new wood-using industries began operation. The wood industry accounted for more new plants over this period
than any other group.
(2) Returns received by forest owners for forest products sold in 1947 amounted to approximately 123 million dollars. The processed products were valued from $275,000,000 to $300,000,000, which represents the greatest return in dollars to landowners and industry ever before attained. The total for 1948 will equal or surpass 1947.
(3) One hundred and twenty thousand or more persons were
employed in forest activities in 1947, and many thousands more were indirectly dependent on the forest for a livelihood. Employment in
1948 will be higher.
(4) At least twice as much timber by volume was harvested from
Georgia's forest in 1947 as in 1937. Figures for 1948 are not available for this report. However, indications are that production will equal or pass 1947,
(5) Georgia was the second largest producer of sawtimber in 1947 in the South. Alabama produced slightly more.
(6) Approximately 72% of the nation's production of gum naval
stores was produced in Georgia in 1947 and 1948. (7) Georgia was one of the leading states in the volume of wood
used for wood pulp.
Total forest growth as compared to forest drain is not in as favorable balance as necessary if our forest values are to be maintained and expanded.
Forest drain exceeded the growth during 1947 and 1948. The drain includes all trees harvested for products and used by people,

and also loss through forest fire, insects and disease. In parts of Districts 1 and 8, growth exceeded drain. In all other Districts in the state drain exceeded growth.

The sawtimber industry accounted for the largest drain with the
pulpwood second. We had approximately 13% less sawtimber in
1946 as compared to 1936. The 1948 sawtimber supply was less than
in 1946.

In areas that have been under fair to good forest fire protection
for 15 or more years, more timber products are being grown and harvested and the best ratio of growth to drain exists. With adequate fire protection given to all forest areas and a continued stepped-up program of artificial reforestation and more care given to proper tree selection and cutting practices at time of harvest, the forestry situation can be reversed in a few years. These practices must be adopted if Georgia's forests are to continue to provide the employment and give the financial return of the present. With these better practices being followed, we can not only maintain the present values but also expand them twofold.

Progress has been made in past years but it must be speeded up
at a much more rapid rate. We cannot afford to do otherwise. Leaving
of sufficient seed trees or cutting selectively of trees that should be
removed due to maturity, crowded stands or other factors in stand development, should replace the poor cutting and harvesting practices
found on too many areas.

The determination of the Georgia Department of Forestry during the past two years has been to give every citizen the best possible value
his tax dollar would buy. A great deal of progress has been made.
The accomplishments are concrete, clear-cut.

Perhaps the greatest advancement along the trail to put Georgia's timberlands on a sustaining basis has been in the field of fire protection. The acreage under protection was shoved upward 2,255,526 acres. More important, the effectiveness of existing protection units has been increased by the addition of more and better equipment and
the training of personnel. Also the possibility of fire protection for
all of Georgia on a statewide basis moved closer to a reality.

In the field of reforestation, nursery production was doubled in

A 1947, almost redoubled in 1948.

new nursery, Georgia's third, is

now producing seedlings to help restock the state's four and three-

quarter million acres classified as either poorly stocked or as com-

pletely worthless as far as a commercial timber crop is concerned.
New equipment and new techniques have added to the efficiency of

nursery production.

The delivery of seedlings by state truck was instigated in order to

assure the landowner of fresher seedlings on arrival which contributes
to a higher survival rate.
Management services of the Department also have kept step with
other activities. Designed to help landowners get the most out of each timber crop, by "farming" instead of "mining" their woodlands, the management program has been expanded through the addition of more technical personnel and through training sessions and demonstrations.
Because the success of a forestry program, like any other activity, depends on an informed public, the Department has conducted a vigorous information and education program. The expansion of this activity proved successful because of unfailing cooperation of Georgia's press and radio.
To meet an ever-increasing demand from the public, the preparation and distribution of educational materials must be expanded.

FIRE PROTECTION
Never before has so much Georgia forest land been so well pro-
tected against wild fire.
In January, 1947, the Department operated with 34 organized protection units, representing 6,335,720 acres. Today, those figures have advanced to 43 units, and 8,591,246 acres. The total state and privately-owned forest land without organized protection has been
reduced to 14,981,587 acres, out of a total of 23,572,833 acres.
Fire protection units were established for Ware and Wilkinson
Counties in 1947, and the Coastal and Consolidated Timber Protective Organizations were added on the same basis as the county units. The

Tower facilities have
been expanded for early
detection of forest fires in Georgia.

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Two-way radio has
proved to be the most valuable and efficient
means of communica-
tion.
protection unit in Gwinnett County was discontinued in 1947. Five new fire protection units were established in 1948. These
were Emanuel, Wheeler, Decatur, Talbot and Chattooga Counties. Protection also was provided for the privately-owned forest land of
Rabun County through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Forest
Service, the State and the County. Only enough funds have been available to offer organized protec-
tion to those counties that would finance 60 per cent of the cost of
the operation of a protection unit. An expression of interest in
organized protection has been received from almost all counties, but local conditions, coupled with limited state funds, made greater expansion impossible. State and federal funds were used to cover 40 per cent of the protection units' budgets. The county unit basis of protection was adopted a number of years ago in order to give protection to as
much land as possible and to give as much service as possible to the greatest number of landowners.
The paramount forestry need in Georgia is for a statewide system
of protection that will give efficient protection at a lower cost per acre.
Operated by state and federal funds, the program should be adequately
financed to do the job.
Of the 43 organized protection units, only about half have the necessary equipment and personnel to give satisfactory protection.
The strength of many units, however, has been raised during the past
two years. The key to measuring a successful fire control program is the num-
ber of acres damaged. A detection system must be in operation that
will locate fires as soon as possible after they originate. When fires
are located while they are small, and a good communication system is
available, trucks and equipment may be directed to the fire, usually before too many acres are burned. Good detection facilities are necessary. At the end of 1948, 22 new towers were either in use or nearing
completion.

The purchase and construction of the towers was financed with state and federal funds in the counties cooperating with the fire control
program.
The value of lookouts in towers depends upon how quickly they get messages to rangers or members of a fire crew. Improvement of
communication facilities, therefore, held a high priority in this period
of fire control expansion.
Telephone line construction had proved expensive, and not flexible enough for fire fighting. But tests and the result of experience with two-way radio proved this to be the most valuable and efficient means of communication. During 1947, only 23 short wave sets were installed, tfut during 1948, the total sets either installed or on order amounted to 117, both fixed and mobile. Radio resulted in a shorter time elapsing between spotting and reaching fires, provided a means for getting
additional men and equipment to fires without delay. Radio affords
the opportunity for constant coordination between all activities of a
fire control unit.
Radio also enables persons to carry on other work such as road and bridge repair, maintenance to buildings and other improvements, educational work at community meetings and schools, and preventive maintenance on equipment, and at the same time be immediately
available for fire suppression work.
Altogether, 95 vehicles were put into use during 1947 and 1948 to replace worn out equipment, or to improve the effectiveness of the
protection units. A study of what was needed preceded each purchase.
The type of vehicle best suited to the need was ordered.

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Suppression unit for quickly plowing around fires. Consists of tractor with plow and truck.

Wartime developments have been adapted to fire fighting in Georgia. Ruggedly constructed, lower-geared vehicles with four-wheel drive, have been equipped with water tanks and pumps, hand tools
and suppression plows. These vehicles have greatly reduced acreage burned because of
their maneuverability, carrying equipment and personnel quickly to the scene of the fire over terrain impossible for standard trucks.
Department personnel are always on the lookout for improvements in pumps, tanks, and nozzles and other equipment that will do the job better, thus adding to the efficiency of the entire organization.
The efficiency of many of the fire fighting organizations has been
increased through the use of a suppression unit. This consists of a power vehicle, either a tractor or truck, and a plow. These units can
be quickly transported to the fire either under their own power or
by trailer truck. The purpose of this equipment is to quickly construct a fire line around the fire which can be accomplished in a very few minutes as compared to hand labor.
A Even science is used to help hold down the size of the fires.
weather station, officially termed a Fire Danger Rating Station, has
been placed in each District, another is located at the Baxley State Forest and several individual county protection units have placed orders for this equipment.
The weather station makes it possible for personnel to keep an
Wide, clear fireline plowed with power
equipment for cutting off flames. Mechanization improves efficiency
of protection units.

Many fire trucks have four-wheel drive, are low-geared and are equipped with pump, tanks, hand tools, and two-way radio.
accurate measure of rainfall, wind velocity and the moisture content of inflammable material that makes forest fires burn. This data tells
the probability of fires occurring and the rate of speed flames may
be expected to travel.
On dangerous days, as indicated by these stations, personnel are
alerted for emergencies.
Training schools have been conducted each summer for rangers
on a state level. At these sessions, the protection unit leaders are briefed on the newest equipment developments and their use. They
also have been instructed on how to better educate and inform people
in their locality on the importance of forestry in their everyday life
and from the statewide economic picture. Other sessions on a District level have been held to discuss pertinent problems that arise within the District. As a general rule, these District training sessions are held quarterly or more often if the occasion demands.
The result of more and better equipment and increased training is found in the statistics gathered from fire reports received from the
field.

FIRE CONTROL PERFORMANCE CHART

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1946

1947

1948

Budget Organized Units Area Protected Area Burned Average Size of Fire
Number of Fires

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$427,694 $439,910 $676,047

34

37

43

6,335,720 7,490,854 8,591,246

103,625 91,902 58,522*

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38

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2,688

2,390

2,296*

EQUIPMENT

Trucks Tractors Pre-Suppression Construction Plows Suppression Plows Towers Telephone Lines
.... Radios (fixed and mobile)
Weather Stations Pre-Suppression Maintenance Plows Transport Trailers

95 18
7
1
92
1,669
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14 3

103 19
9
4 92 1,655 43
2 14
3

124^ 24
10 12 112f 1,653 117$ 11 15
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PERSONNEL (YEAR ROUND)

Technical Foresters Trained Personnel

12

16

21

136

150

169

Training Schools

9

15

22

* Period ending November 30, 1948.
f Erected or under construction. % Installed or on order.

The accompanying chart clearly points out the relationship between increase of funds for the purchase of additional and better equipment, and the decrease in the number of fires and the acreage burned during
the three year period. This holds true in spite of the face that
2,255,526 acres were added to the protection organization in 1947 and 1948.
The Forestry Board members, County Commissioners and individual landowners in the 43 units were to a large extent responsible for this progress since it has been through their interest and cooperation with the Department that this progress was made possible.

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THE FIRE PROTECTION SITUATION

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The laws of Georgia allow a person to burn his own land, but it is unlawful for such fire, due to neglect and carelessness, to damage
timberlands belonging to others.
Three wardens enforce the provisions of the fire laws of the State. Each warden serves three districts, and work in cooperation with district foresters, county rangers, and local authorities. The accompanying table shows the results of law enforcement activities

LAW ENFORCEMENT
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Number of Investigations

376

Number of Prosecutions

143

Number of Convictions

88

Cases Pending

50

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472 127
97 61

For two months during the summer of 1948, district foresters
conducted a survey of the entire state and the needs for forest fire
protection in every county. Data gathered included the number and height of towers needed, with location recommendations, and the number and type of all kinds of vehicles that would be required. Recommendations were also made on the number of permanent and mobile radio stations that would be necessary. The survey also brought out the number of miles of telephone line that would be needed in localities where telephone was found to be a more economical and practical means of communication than radio. Even the amount of hand tools needed to equip the vehicles was determined.
From consolidation of these field reports the following facts were
obtained for protecting the 23,572,833 acres of state and privatelyowned forest land in Georgia
-- 1. Initial investment 6.22 cents per acre or $1,466,230. This
amount is a non-recurring expense and covers the cost of purchasing the necessary towers and equipment for statewide
fire protection.
-- 2. Annual operation 7.1 cents per acre or $1,673,671. The annual
operation cost covers personnel, depreciation, operation and maintenance of all equipment and all other miscellaneous expenses to carry out the program.
According to the present allotment procedure, one-third or more of the above amounts can be financed by federal funds.
It was found that two years will be required to put the entire
statewide plan into complete operation.
The plan for statewide fire control is being sponsored by the
Georgia Forestry Association. It has received the support of the

12

Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Bankers Association, and Federation of Women's Clubs. In addition, many business and civic agencies,
public officials and individual citizens have urged such a program. Forest fire control is something that must be in continuous opera-
tion to be of greatest value. Past experiences have shown that too often changes in county administrations and local financial conditions have left the forestry program jeopardized, inefficient, or completely disbanded. The present county-state system of fire control will never meet the needs.
Neither will landowners ever be able to afford to give their forest land adequate protection themselves. Only on a statewide basis can
fire control be made effective and efficient at a low cost per acre. The
larger landowners may find it practical to guard their holdings, but
70 per cent of Georgia's woodland is in small tracts.
13

--
REFORESTATION AND NURSERIES
Survey figures show that four and three quarter million acres of
forest type land in Georgia is either idle or poorly stocked in timber poorly stocked to the extent they are practically worthless as far as another crop of timber in the near future is concerned. Adequate fire protection will take care of approximately one-half of these acres;
however, the remainder of the area will need to be made productive
through artificial reforestation.
In early 1947, the Department was operating two forest tree seedling nurseries. One of these nurseries is located in Hall County near Flowery Branch and the other in Dougherty County just south of Albany. The combined potential output of both of these nurseries
is approximately 25 million seedlings annually, far short of the demand.
In 1947, orders for over 34 million seedlings flooded the Depart-
A ment. policy was adopted to fill all orders for 5,000 seedlings and
less 100 per cent. This action was designed to take care of the small landowner who only needed to plant a few acres. All other orders were cut approximately 50 per cent so that the majority of persons
ordering could at least partially obtain their planting needs.
This demand from the public resulted in a special appropriation
for the development of a third nursery for the state.
A crop of forest tree seedlings growing at Georgia's third and newest nursery near
Davisboro in Washington County.
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Consultations were held to plan just what was needed to fit in with the existing nursery program. Advice and suggestions for locating a suitable area were sought from nursery experts and others with years of experience in forest tree nursery work in the south.
The most important single factor was identified as soil type. Since
forest seedlings cannot be fertilized directly, it is necessary to give
them the necessary plant food through rotation with cover crops. All lifting work has to be done in the winter or rainy season. This makes a strong clay subsoil necessary so that equipment will not bog down. This subsoil also holds moisture and fertility near the surface where it is available to the roots of the seedlings. Deep, sandy soils would
not qualify.
In addition, the area found could not have over a two per cent slope
or excessive erosion would soon wash away all the top soil, rendering the site entirely useless from a nursery or crop standpoint.
Accessability to transportation and communication also had to be considered. The proximity of labor that could be obtained readily at reasonable cost was, of course, an important factor.
Adequate water supply is imperative for the propagation of seedlings. Irrigation equipment was needed in quantity. Tractors, trucks, seeders, cultivators and other farm equipment had to be obtained
quickly.
Soils experts at the University of Georgia were consulted to determine what areas in the state would most likely have sites of 100 acres
in a red series soil. Orangeburg or Red Bay type soils were the most desirable from the fertility and physical property standpoints. The
deep sands and the rolling hills were quickly eliminated.
By the middle of December, 1947, over 45 sites were looked at in some 12 counties. One by one they were eliminated for one reason or another. Some had too much slope, some the wrong type soil, some
not sufficient size, some too costly. The site selected is about four miles north of Davisboro in Wash-
ington County. The tract is 100 acres in size and the soil type is of Orangeburg and Red Bay. Other factors necessary were favorable.
Since selection of the site, much progress has been made. Trucks, tractors, and other necessary equipment were secured at a time when
A such items were difficult to obtain. well, with a year-round capacity A of over 500 gallons per minute, was drilled and put into use. packing
shed, equipment shed, pump house, and residence have been completed and are now in use. Most important of all, this nursery has produced
an estimated 15 million seedlings which have been obligated and are
now being distributed to the landowners of Georgia. It is felt that when this new nursery has been fully developed, it
will have a capacity of 30 to 35 million seedlings per year.
15

Besides the ever-increasing knowledge of the average citizen in
reforestation needs, the new tree planting machines have added greatly to the demand for seedlings.
The Department purchased one of these machines for experimental purposes. In the winter of 1947, 20 demonstrations were held in 11
different counties. It was tried on as many different types of terrain
and topography as possible'. Figures resulting from this experiment showed that the cost of planting by machine averaged $3.00 per thousand cheaper than the old "by hand" method. It was found that the machine was not practical in red mud, mucky land or in areas where excessive stumps prevail. This information was immediately made
available to the landowners in Georgia.
Many millions of seedlings have been planted throughout the south
prior to the years covered by this report. However, checks on the survival rate of these seedlings have been alarmingly low. The average rate of survival in Georgia in 1939, the latest date reliable figures were obtainable, was approimately 68 per cent. One reason for this low survival is attributed to the condition of the seedlings
when they arrived at the place of planting. For this reason, a system of truck delivery was tried in 1947 and further perfected in 1948.
When desired, seedlings are lifted from the nursery and transported
to the county where they are to be planted, often within 24 hours. This insures the landowner of getting fresh seedlings and contributes
greatly to the survival of those seedlings when they are planted.
Another reason for low survival is the lack of care given seedlings after they have been received. Efforts were redoubled on the part of the Department personnel to get informational literature into the hands of interested persons. Demonstrations were conducted in cooperation with other state and federal related agencies on the care,
Power sprayers for weed
control have helped hold down cost of pro-
ducing seedlings.

Fast, labor-saving mechanical tree planters are aiding reforestation in Georgia.
handling and planting of forest tree seedlings and planting instructions accompanied each order.
Seedlings have always been sold at, or below, cost. Production
rose from 19V-> million in 1947 to an estimated 3214 million in 1948. Prices for equipment, seed, and supplies also increased, but the cost of production has been held down. Probably the greatest single factor in holding down the cost per thousand is the use of chemical weeding.
During the summer of 1948, tractor-drawn power sprayers sprayed
a selective herbicide on seedlings in all three nurseries. This solution withers grass and most weeds without harming the seedlings. This alone has reduced the necessary hand labor cost. In 1948, a mechanical
straw spreader was purchased on an experimental basis at the Herty Nursery at Albany. Already results show this new machine will pay
for itself twice over in one planting season. Similar machines are on order for the other two nurseries. Every effort is being put forth to reduce the cost of producing seedlings and at the same time increase
production.
The purchase of two tying machines eliminated the hand labor of six persons. Use of such a machine makes it possible for one person
to tie the seedlings in bundles. This job formerly required four men
per nursery.
The species being produced are principally pine. Slash (P. caribaea) was first with 79 per cent, loblolly (P. taeda) was next with
17 per cent, longleaf (P. palustris) next, with approximately three per cent, and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) last, with one
17

per cent. These percentages for production were based on the demand for seedlings from past seasons.
Shortleaf was not produced, due to the littleleaf disease. This disease, about which very little is known at this time, has caused
alarmingly high mortality throughout the shortleaf belt in the south.
In the past few years, Arizona cypress (Cupressus Arizonica) has been tried for the Christmas tree trade with discouraging results. However, it is not native to this section, and while it grows fairly well in plantations, it is very difficult to propagate on a mass scale in
the nurseries.
The reforestation and nursery situation in Georgia can best be
summed up as follows
Even with all the planting of forest tree seedlings during the past 15 years, there are still an estimated two and one-half million acres of land that will have to be planted to become productive.
The increasing interest in planting and the planting machines have and will continue to push up the demand for seedlings. In an effort to meet this demand, the Department has in the past two years added a
new nursery, new machinery, and more and better trained personnel.
The accompanying table outlines the progress made in nursery work in the past two years

NURSERY REPORT

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Number Nurseries Number Seedlings
.... Total Cost Per Thousand

2 19,593,025
$3.32

3 32,500,000f
$3.14$

EQUIPMENT ON HAND

Tractors
Spray Machines
Wagon Trailers
Straw Spreaders Tying Machines Grading Tables

2

5

3

3

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2

2

2

3

NURSERY PERSONNEL

Technical Foresters Trained Personnel

2

7

n

t Estimated production. % Cost based on estimated production.

18

MANAGEMENT
Forest management is the goal of any well-rounded forestry program. It is true that adequate fire protection and reforestation must come first so that a crop of timber is available for management and
harvest.
The average forest acre in Georgia is only one-third stocked. It is growing approximately one-half of its capacity. With the necessary fire control and reforestation, this area can, in time, become fully stocked. However, good cutting and harvesting practices are necessary to increase the production to a maximum.
Forest products are not quite as simple to sell as other crops pro-
duced by landowners. They cannot be sold by weight or by the dozen as can practically every other farm commodity. The average land-
owner in the past seldom got to make more than two or three timber sales in his lifetime. He didn't get an opportunity to learn by
experience.
For several years the Department has felt the need for assistance to landowners in the management and sale of their timber products. This service has been greatly hampered by lack of funds. Due to the method of receiving reimbursement of federal funds, which accounts for approximately one-third of the Department's budget, personnel could spend very little time on any activities other than fire protection.
However, an effort has been made and all allowable time is spent in
answering the hundreds of requests received for this service.
During 1947 and 1948, a total of 1,032 landowners received aid in
their timber management and sale problems. This assistance consisted of technical foresters going right in the woods with the landowners and marking trees for cutting. The trees that should come out to
benefit the remainder of the stand were usually the ones chosen. These trees were estimated for board foot or cubic foot volume.
When the estimate and marking are complete, the landowner is
given a sample "Timber Sale Agreement" for his information. Also
he is sent a written report stating the estimated volume. This infor-
mation on volume is available also to anyone who wants to purchase
the timber. In this way, it is believed that the landowner, knowing what he has for sale, is in a better position to trade with the purchaser. In addition to the volume estimated, the written report contains sug-
gestions and recommendations as to how the landowner can best manage his woodlot for maximum production of forest products.
Operating with limited personnel, the Department was forced to adopt a policy limiting management assistance to a complete job on 150 acres or less, and up to four days on larger tracts. This enabled
personnel to efficiently assist as many landowners as possible.
19

I
i

>-:WHl!
7 s

Wise cutting practices are encouraged through management service for landowners.

On 150 acres or less, the entire area is marked for harvest if a cutting is warranted. On larger tracts, the owner or his agent is trained in recognizing trees that should be cut and how to best measure the timber that is to be sold. Follow-up trips are made when possible

and additional assistance is given upon request.

In addition to this assistance to landowners, other services are

available for the purchasers of these timber products. Scale sticks,

painting guns for marking trees, volume tables and a great deal of

literature has been sent to sawmills, and other wood-using industries.

Several of the larger wood-using industries in the state own

A sizeable tracts of forest lands.

great many have hired their own

foresters. Department personnel has spent as much time as possible

with these foresters in helping them to keep up-to-date on the latest

developments and techniques in estimating, use of aerial photography

in mapping, and silviculture. In the past two years, foresters repre-

senting 11 of these larger wood-using industries, who control some

610,000 acres, have been visited.

The use of aerial photography has been developed to the extent

that thousands of dollars can be saved by these companies in survey
and map work alone. The latest methods and equipment for using these photographs was shown to these landowners. Many compliments

and thanks have been received by the Department for this service.

In July, 1947, the U. S. Forest Service offered the services of a

lically trained forester to the Department. This forester was to be known as a Cooperative Management Specialist and was to work

20

entirely with private landowners, aiding them with their forest management problems. This forester was paid both salary and travel expenses by the U. S. Forest Service. However, he worked under the same administrative policies as other Department personnel. In July, 1948, the Forest Service requested, and the Department agreed, to
pay this forester's travel and subsistance. This man has been a very valuable asset. While this man was intended to work principally in
the naval stores belt, his services have been used all over the state.
For many years federal funds have been available in cooperation with states for employing Farm Foresters. These funds were available
under the Norris-Doxey Act which required states to match these funds on a 50-50 basis.
Early in 1947, a request was forwarded to the U. S. Forest Service for cooperation on farm forestry projects in Georgia. At that time, all federal funds were obligated to other states and none could be made available. It was felt that a service similar to this was needed and two technical foresters were employed as Assistant District
Foresters in the first and seventh districts. These men were set up
on a basis where they could spend 75 per cent of their time giving
Tree Farm System started to recognize outstanding forestry practices by landowners.
Certificates are awarded those selected.

forest management assistance on some two million and three and
one-half million forest acres respectively.
In March, 1948, federal funds became available and these two assistant district foresters were put on a cooperative basis and their
titles changed to Farm Foresters, making it possible for all of their
time to be spent on forest management. After carefully considering all aspects involved, the Department decided to confine farm forestry activities to those counties that had organized fire protection units in districts one and seven. These counties had already expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Department on a forestry program by organizing for fire protection. This, and the fact that fire protection is necessary for good forest management, were the reasons for this decision. The area they cover is still too large to meet all requests for detailed individual assistance. More than 35 requests are pending in these two areas.
In 1947, a management training conference was held for Department personnel. Federal Forest Service management specialists
cooperated in the discussions and many new techniques were con-
sidered. Another of these conferences was held in the fall of 1948. Besides Department personnel, foresters from other public agencies
and industry are invited and attend these management meetings. Much
is done to establish good relations between the Department and
industry.
The Georgia Tree Farms System was launched in October, 1948,
in cooperation with the Southern Pine Association. This system, co-sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Association, is designed to
recognize those landowners who manage their woodlands in a business-
like manner.
The purpose of this System is to encourage good practices by many
landowners and reward and recognize their efforts. It is hoped that
other people in the vicinity of designated 'Tree Farms" will profit by
the example set by their neighbors.
Upon request for a "Tree Farm" certificate, the area in question
is given a rigid inspection by a technical forester. Sometimes in
doubtful cases, two separate inspections are made to be sure that the woodland comes up to specifications. The certificate is awarded on what has been done in the past and on present practices, and not on future plans or what a landowner intends to do.
The award is made to an individual for work on a particular
woodland, either large or small. In case the land changes hands, the
award is automatically cancelled until the new owner has proven his interest in good forest management practices.
To date, 12 certificates have been awarded to landowners. These
certificates represent approximately 318,805 acres that are under good
forest management practices through the individual efforts of Georgia
22

:

:

landowners. The Tree Farm System work is definitely hampered by
the shortage of personnel. At this time, there are dozens of requests on hand for inspections, but these requests will have to be delayed because of other and more pressing work.
The following table shows the management work that was done
during 1947-48

1947 1948

Request Completed
479 468

Number
Pending
57 34

Bd. Ft.
Marked
16,885,822 13,294,432

Number
Cords
3,450 2,011

Number
Acres
17,805 13,161

From the accompanying table it would appear that the requests
for this type of assistance are decreasing. The reason for this is that more pressing work in fire control and other activities of the Department is keeping the personnel busy on other jobs. Management assistance is usually requested by someone wanting to make a timber sale
immediately. A delay of two or three weeks might cause the landowner
to lose a possible sale.
This is very strongly indicated in the first and seventh districts, where the farm foresters are stationed. At first they had very little
to do. The people did not know that such services were available. Much time was spent in explaining, not selling, their program to
County Agents, teachers of vocational agriculture, Soil Conservation Service technicians, and representatives of other similarly interested
agencies. When it became generally known that this service was
available, the demand for assistance increased as shown by the fact that the number of requests not acted on jumped from eight in March, 1948, to 37 in November, 1948.
The accompanying table shows the status of the farm forestry project in November, 1948

Number of requests not acted on

37

Owners who have been helped to date

79

Number acres receiving treatment

20,750

Average size of woodlot (acres)

260

Estimated gross return to landowners as a result of

this work

$24,110

The figure of $24,110 does not seem too large in this day of astronomical sums but when the size farm given aid is taken into consideration, it is felt that the assistance was applied where it would do the
most good. Then, too, all areas treated have not been sold. The sum $24,110 represents approximately one-third of the total acreage shown
treated.
The Department operates two state forests. One of these, consist-

23

ing of 1,000 acres, is located on U. S. Highway No. 1, approximately
four miles south of Baxley in Appling County. Several experiments
in thinning, control burning, and planting are now under way on
this forest.
The other forest, consisting of approximately 38,000 acres, is located about 10 miles south of Waycross and joins the Okefenokee
Swamp on the east. This forest consists principally of young, below
merchantable size timber and a program of fire protection has been actively carried on for the past 16 years. Some improvement cuttings and thinnings have been made in 1947 and 1948. The products from these cuttings have been largely utilized by the Department for such uses as bridge and building maintenance and steps for towers.
In 1947, the trees large enough for naval stores operations were being worked by the Department. However, in 1948 these trees were leased to local, private operators on a bid basis.
24

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
In order to keep all Georgians reminded of the importance of our forest resources, and of the benefits to be derived through wiser use, the Department has conducted a full-scale information and education program. This has been carried on through publications, news articles, radio programs, motion pictures and color slides, exhibits, demonstrations, and talks.
Publication of a monthly magazine, "Georgia Forestry", began in April, 1948, succeeding a mimeographed bulletin. Purchase of a press-
type camera made photographs available for "Georgia Forestry" as well as for filling requests received from time to time from other
publications.
"Georgia Forestry" is designed to keep the public posted on current
forestry activities in the state. It is distributed to interested forest
landowners, wood-using industries, members of public and civic agencies, and to any person who desires to be put on the mailing list.
Reception of the improved publication has been enthusiastic and the requests for copies continues to swell its circulation. Distribution has increased from 3,000 to 6,000 within the*past six months.
Georgia's newspaper editors are alert to the importance of forestry in their areas, and they have generously donated space for informative articles, editorials and illustrations. Several hundred items were published in behalf of forestry in 1947, and in 1948 the total reached more than 3,000.
In counties where organized fire protection units operate, the
rangers are now preparing weekly reports on their activities for
publication in local newspapers. These columns urge readers to report
woods fires promptly, and tell how and where fires should be reported.
Another advantage of this activity is that volunteers are urged to help
control fires, and credit is given to those who do voluntarily assist the
protection units. The rangers also are enabled to keep the public reminded of the services available through the unit.
Training in the preparation of such newspaper reports was given rangers at schools during the summer of 1948. Through the use of a
recording machine, rangers also received training in speaking for
broadcasts.
Rangers and district foresters are now participating in an average
of two dozen regular radio programs each week. This activity began in April, 1948, and 35 scripts have been written.
Georgia's radio stations do not hesitate to make broadcast time
available for public service programs devoted to practical forestry. Expansion of the radio work is limited only by the ncn-availability of
25

ifcss Meeting Called Here

To Study
People Asked To attend Meet To
decide Question

Forest Fire unit

provide the rdndafthrough addition

Sal taxes.

-

All interested parties '
I ers and landowner *

^\fpJyS ^.

i Saturday w*" .# **\V

*%tf

wore Protection
For Forests favored
-- -- ATLANTA i API The Statei
Development Board has described; fire control in Georgia forests as' "inadequate." Only 8,249,543 of! the total 24,714.613 acres sre ua* ! der organized fire protection.
Between two and three million acres need replanting totally erj partially through artificial re-j forestation. Most of the area will ! be restocked by seed trees if forest fires can be controlled. *
' id,

A mass
j^nrms

mating County

of landowners in

has

**

j
<*?!

J

or Saturday afternoon. JulX-<

Fire banger

\ FIRE PROTECTION

A To Forests

NEWS

&*: &Z

By GEORGE B1SBOF
" We went six days with

Vance

Notke fighting a fire this past wf /J"

en wtych is something t a reef \f#|fj

c for careful spring burninr
the part of everyone, as

"Piit0

smokes were popping up

where. The record was

Friday afternoon, April 30
ever, when we had a ho'

Adx
'ee

fire near Teloga on land i #

ice of

ing to Mr. S. O. Sitton,

t'e,

& Stressed

f **M*e. accordml CiaJ *

.WW Development Bo*

d5i

the publ'

tjeorg/a a
and emphr*

protect^

John. Only eight acres ed land was burned, was almost completely

/a . j,.

ii; hc tut

>*'?
e

^<^i#>&^!>

We were talking with
Powell, of Route 3, Su &
while investigating tM j *PiS

2^ ^-K^Cf***

he remarked that he %&&*?

right on his farm. Hfc^,

*

te:il us that when heSi^^oT tH

farm some 20-odd years ago^Ta*-

hd two fields laying out. One

was where he could burn it with-

out getting fire in his woods, so

he burned it every year for about

-
iqlee

*--* *~ jMiwa ft riff. The

ot>.

wr, Forests Yield

jr

dt Annual Income

Forestry Notes

By 3. W. ROBERTS

tA**^^ **5*

\^^S^^^^ Bulloch County Protective Unit

|%^>^> Since the construction of, fire-

breaks is, by far, the best means
of controlling wild fires, all land-

W- the sj'si ; existing

c^**

owners who have breaks con-

a^a

# structed arc urged to keep them out that

Forestry Ag maintained. The Bulloc'
Protection Unit will bi

Is*.

etn
t|n

Of

$275

Million

A ,e

$275,000,000 business is well

worth safeguarding.
>f

And that is

one reason so muuch emphasis is

being plumed on protecting Geor-

gia's forest land from its No. 1 jenemy--FIRE.

. !

Relating the story of forestry

\

3 1 in the state, Georgia Progress, of- l

jficial publication of the State Ag-

s Iricuitural and Industrial Develop-

9 pent Board, in its current issue s 'toils how Georgia leads the South
,m total forest acreage and ranks

u feecond in the nation in commercial

Announce October 15 maintainir

were

constructed

last ,

'Tr

Farm' System cost of maintenance wb
per mile.

Due to the fact thai '
bad a good many sui L. B. Akins was re-e
our unit October 1. will work out of the
tower as towerman a
wan until regular fire'
employed. Another truck has

The outstanding "tree farmers*

* ofPbfioecrAieOabsleGtuoerranoygnc.ridhgDaieeapdapuraTbelrrjioetcgtemooetiMFninyat*gr&abtmnoydS*rytetschh*teeeievmOeeawoottufrt-ei-t
gte Forestry Association *

MHNl Luthern Forest
J^^S U. October 6-7.

"Tree Farm

c>

* fijg tificates will be presented

chased and equipped bj

^T unit. The new
rour-wn -

truck. 1
1 .j ,

aprreactJccaersryoinngthei*rtwoogdlan-d.s.

ft'*

Georgia editors cooperate with information and education program.

26

Department personnel in the areas where other radio stations arc
located.
A majority of the radio scripts have been devoted to how-to-do-it
subjects. Typical of the topics presented are "Treating Fence Posts" and "Sales Opportunities for Timber".
Even the educational possibilities of television have not been over-
looked. A forestry program was telecast by WSB-TV, Atlanta, shortly
after that station went on the air. Visual education has been expanded. The Department has estab-
lished a film library with 28 motion pictures devoted to forestry. Equipment has been purchased for checking, cleaning and repairing films between showings.
Production of three new films for the Southern Pulpwood Conser-
vation Association has been sponsored by the Department. Personnel of the Department have assisted in the filming of these movies. One
of the new films, "Lonnie's New Crop," has been released. This deals
with planting pines. The other two films, pertaining to the natural reforestation and forest fires, are nearing completion.
Each district now has a slide projector for giving illustrated lectures. Ten sets of color slides were made during 1948 for showing to
groups. The scenes pertain to the general forestry situation in Georgia and lecture notes explain each slide.
Boys receive practical forestry training at sum-
mer camps.

During the summer of 1948, representatives of the Department
participated in five "workshop" training sessions with the state's approximately 950 teachers of vocational agriculture. Both regular teachers and instructors for veterans' training groups attended. Detailed accounts of the activities of the Department were given to
the teachers to be passed along to members of their classes. The Department conducted a forestry camp for boys in August,
1948, which was financed by four of Georgia's pulp and paper mills, the Brunswick Pulp and Paper Company, Macon Kraft Company, Union Bag and Paper Corporation, and the Southern Paperboard Corporation. Approximately 75 youths attended and all of their expenses were paid except for their transportation to and from the camp.
Training at the camp consisted of practical field demonstrations as well as lectures. The boys learned to plant trees, fight fire and
measure standing timber. Representatives of the Department also assisted the Georgia
Extension Service with forestry camps for 4-H Club boys in 1947 and 1948. Instructors were furnished and equipment was made available for demonstrations. Department representatives also discussed forestry at various county 4-H camps over the state.
Distribution of booklets, folders, posters, blotters and other items of informational and educational material total 69,630 pieces in 1947,
and 79,295 pieces in 1948. Much of this material consisted of literature
prepared by the U. S. Forest Service for the national Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention campaign.
A majority of the publications distributed was prepared by other
agencies, and the need is for more booklets dealing specifically with
Radio programs remind citizens of importance
of forestry resources.

A Georgia forest conditions and problems. start in the right direction
has been made with the re-issue of the book, "Native Trees of Georgia",
and the reprinting of a folder, "How to Care For and Plant Seedlings".
Every request for programs from civic clubs and farm groups has been filled. Exhibits were prepared for numerous fairs, and coopera-
tion lent to communities in conducting special events, such as forest festivals and forestry field days.
The Keep Georgia Green movement, a project of the Georgia Forestry Association, has received close cooperation from all representatives of the Department. The Keep Green program was launched
in November, 1947, at a meeting in Atlanta and many of the details
for this gathering of more than 700 prominent Georgians were handled
by the Department.
Evidence of the ever-increasing demand by Georgians for more
knowledge about forestry is found in the fact that requests received through the mail become more numerous each week.

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

19U7 1948

Showings of Movies and slides Audience estimate
Talks (Civic Clubs, etc.) Audience estimate
Radio programs
News articles prepared
Exhibits Field Demonstrations Literature, pieces distributed

312 20,667
325 24,952
61 286
29 217 69,630

457
22,903 332
29,407 287 471 23 275
79,295

29

FINANCIAL REPORT

(Extracted from Public Report of Department of Audits)

Years Ending June 30th

INCOME RECEIPTS

19%7

19 US

State Appropriation Funds
Federal Grants County Protective Units Earnings

.....

$174,950.00 205,191.32 142,606.48 41,164.48

$247,776.00f 217,721.64 185,772.88 84,420.47

Total Income Receipts

$563,912.28 $735,690.99

Less : Transfer Herty Foundation . . .

10,000.00

10,000.00

Net Income Receipts
EXPENDITURES
Heat, Lights, Power, Water
Travel Expenses Personal Services Supplies and Materials Communication Services
Printing, Publicity Repairs, Alterations
Rents Insurance and Bonding
Equipment
Miscellaneous
Grants to Timber Protection
Organizations!
.... Total Expense Payments
Outlay
Equipment

$553,912.28
$ 924.17 22,086.61
337,359.18 73,389.37 7,726.51 2,468.87 16,464.48 2,272.00 1,013.32 25,727.47 728.04
12,780.26
$502,940.28
53,360.61

$725,690.99
$ 1,218.21 24,493.34
387,344.12 87,593.49 8,936.32 1,876.37 15,566.07 1,847.99 1,342.66 34,159.35 339.56
$564,717.48
81,430.86

Total Cost Payments Number of Employees

$556,300.89 $646,148.34

166

190

-- Includes
f-

special

allotment

of

$72,826

for

new

forest

nursery.

X Discontinued October, 1946.

30

CURRENT BALANCE

-- ASSETS JUNE 30, 1947

Cash Assets

Available Cash

$ 34,623.09

Accounts Receivable

Due from U. S. Government of Reimbursements . .

39,869.97

Warehouse Inventory

Supplies and equipment for sale

19,541.23

$ 94,034.29

LIABILITIES, RESERVE, SURPLUS

Cash Liabilities
Accounts Payable Administration County Units
A C. F. L. U.
Reserves County Unit Deposits Air Patrol Deposits

$ 1,954.83 6,698.56 307.76 $ 8,961.15
$ 20,219.65 50.00 $ 20,269.65

Surplus

Available for Budget Approval . . . $ 45,262.26

Inventory--Warehouse

19,541.23 $ 64,803.49

$ 94,034.29

-- ASSETS JUNE 30, 1948

Cash Assets

Available Cash

$114,415.74

Accounts Receivable

Due from U. S. Government on Reimbursements . . Warehouse Inventory

52,426.62

Supplies and Equipment for Sale

23,690.23

$190,532.59

tSCRARIES
31

LIABILITIES, RESERVE, SURPLUS

Cash Liabilities
Purchase Orders Outstanding Reserves
County Protective Units Deposits . .
.... Performance Bond Deposits
For Nursery House

$ 4,897.89 300.00
26,000.00

$ 31,545.56 $ 31,197.89

Surplus

Available for Budget Approval . . . $104,098.91

Inventory Warehouse

23,690.23 $127,789.14

$190,532.59

32