H.mmond Inaugurates Large Scale Artificial Reforestation Program

Eureka, Sept. Z-As a major part of its policy to operate its lands on a sustained yield basis, the Ha'mmond Lumber Company announced this week the inauguration of a largescale artificial reforestation program and expansion of its fire protection system.

The program will cost in the neighborhood of a quarter of a million dollars to install and maintain. It will cover the protection of approximately 48,00O acres of cut-over land located in the Little River and Maple Creek basins and the reforestation of some 3000 acres in the Big Lagoon area which was heavily burned'in the Maple Creek forest fire 'of 1945.

Waldron Hyatt, general manager of Hammond's redwood division, announced that once the program is well under way, the company will apply to the California Redwood Association for a tree farm certificate covering Big Lagoon and Little River-nearly 93,000 acres of virgin and cut-over lands stretching from Orick to southeast of Crannell.

"Our objectives," Hyatt explained, "are to bring the protection system on our early logged lands up to the high standards on our operating areas and to rehabilitate the area damaged in the 1945 burn so that we can apply for a certificate for the whole block.

"We subscribe to the policy that proper protection of cut-over areas is an inherent part of- any operation and particularly a tree farm."

The protection system will take five years to complete and will include the construction of 178 miles of roads and trails, LZI miles of snag-free fire breaks along key ridges, development of water supplies and three lookout points.

In the burned-over area, 2145 acres will .be seeded with redwood and Douglas fir and 785 acres will be planted with two-year-old trees.

Redwood Region Conservation Council President, E. T. F. Wohlenberg hailed the Hammond program as a "great step in the direction of sustained yield forest management.

"This project is an indication of the seriousness with which the industry pursues its activities to grow and protect its resources for future harvest," he said. "These programs lead to a permanent industry and to stable prosperous communities.

"The vision of the executives of the Hammond Lumber Company is indeed worthy of acclaim. In the long run, thesuccess of these programs will be measured by the cooperation of everyone in protecting the growing forests from fire."

Hammond already operates two tree farms totaling 21,221 acres near Carlotta on the Van Duzen river and at Camp Grant near South Fork.

Redwood Association' Studies'spacing Of Lumber Piles in Drying Yard

A partial answer to one of the most difficult problems in the manufacture and seasoning of redwood ittmber was provided today in a special report released by the California Redwood Association

Traditionallv a problem child when it comes to drying, redwood normally must be dried in the open air before the job is completed in a kiln.

The spacing of piles of lumber in yards in the Humboldt Bay area was studied by the California Redwood Association to determine the best rate of drying with maximum uniformity. The study showed that a spacing of six feet between piles of lumber "would probably be the most advantageous."

Experimentation in air drying techniques will be continued and supplementary information published from time to time, the Association said.

The tests were conducted at the Arcata Redwood Company using "sinker stock" of one inch thickness. The Association studied the effect of four, six and eight-foot spacings on drying during the winter months.

A. N. King, sales manager, Galleher Hardwood Co., Los Angeles, made a trip by automobile to Banff and Lake Louise for his three weeks'vacation. He was accompanied by his wife and tr,r'o children.