xt7dfn10s676 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7dfn10s676/data/mets.xml Kentucky. Department of Education. Kentucky Kentucky. Department of Education. 1949-08 bulletins  English Frankford, Ky. : Dept. of Education  This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.) Education -- Kentucky Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.), "Fire Prevention Manual", vol. XVII, no. 6, August 1949 text 
volumes: illustrations 23-28 cm. call numbers 17-ED83 2 and L152 .B35. Educational Bulletin (Frankfort, Ky.), "Fire Prevention Manual", vol. XVII, no. 6, August 1949 1949 1949-08 2022 true xt7dfn10s676 section xt7dfn10s676  

 

 

 EARLE C.

BOSWELL

W.L.M-

 

 Commonwealth of Kentucky

FIRE PREVENTION
MANUAL

Course of Study for Kentucky
Boys and. Girls

M“ EIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

EARLE C. CLEMENTS ________________ Governor
BOSWELL B. HODGKIN ______________ State Superintendent Public Instruction

W. L. MARTIN ___________________________ State Fire Marshal

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  

CONTENTS
Page

Introduction ................................... L .................................................................... 257
Foreword .............................................................................................................. 258
September

What is Fire ............................................................................................. 259

Matches—Smoking .................................................................................... 253
October

Forest Fires .................................................................................................. 267
November

School Safety .............................................................................................. 273
December

Electricity ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 279
January

Home Safety ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 287
February

Farm Fires .................................................................................................. 293
March

Patriotism and Fire ................................................................................ 299

The History of Fire Fighters .................................................................. 302
April

What to Do in Case or Fire ______________________________________________________________________ 307
May

Review. Grade Fire Prevention Note~books.

 

 

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 ______ 273

______ 279

...... 287

 

INTRODUCTION

Fire prevention is more and more becoming an important
consideration in safety of children.

The State Department of Education is insisting insofar as it is
possible that school buildings be constructed which are resistant to
destruction by fire. It is a rare instance when it is found necessary
to approve a building with more than one story that is not of a fire—
resistive construction in walls, floors, stairways and ceilings. Every
effort is being made to construct buildings of fire-resistant material.
Even though this precaution is taken in erecting the building,
equipment and furnishings must be such that buildings will frequently
be destroyed by fire.

The State Department of Education recogniZes with pleasure
the program of fire prevention being put into effect by the State
Fire Marshal and his co-workers. It is glad to cooperate in this
program and to emphasize at all times safety education.

Section 227.030, paragraph 6, KRS, provides that fire prevention
be taught in all public and private schools at least once each week
and that fire drills be held in said schools at least once each month
and that all doors and exits in schools and public places open outward
and be kept unlocked while the places are occupied for school or
public purposes.

The material contained in this bulletin has been arranged for
use in instructing sixth grade pupils in fire prevention.

This department considers it of utmost importance that all
teachers and school officials give definite instruction in the principles
of fire prevention and safety as outlined in this publication. It is
believed that through the teaching of this material our boys and
girls will prevent fires, form habits of carefulness and thereby
conserve both material and human resources of their respective
communities.

BOSWELL B. HODGKIN
Superintendent Public Instruction

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

FOREWORD

The purpose of this publication is. to educate the children of Ken-
tucky in Fire Safety.

Our children will inherit the assets of the richest nation in the
world. Fire can rob them of vast natural resources, destroy homeS,
retard business enterprise, and take an ever increasing toll of lives.

Our children must be made aware of fire hazards and should
develop habits and skills of safe action in the presence of destructive
fires. Such training will develop character traits which will result
in proper attitudes toward law enforcement and better citizenship.

This book contains the story of firewboth as friend and enemy
of mankind. Interest is sustained by stories and legends, with pupil
activity for each lesson. It has been carefully arranged and edited
by the Fire Education Program Director of the State Fire Marshal’s
Office.

The suggestions of principal, teachers and pupils toward improv-
ing it will be welcomed, since the Department of Education plans to
distribute it later as a free textbook. We recommend that each pupil
should keep a fire prevention work book for lesson comments, news-
paper clippings and pictures about fires.

Material from all available sources was studied in preparing this
manual. Fire Marshals from other states, Fire Chiefs in many large

cities and prominent educators rendered valuable assistance. We also '

wish to express appreciation to the National Board of Fire Under-
writers, 85 John Street, New York, New York; the Western Actuarial
Bureau, Box 1089, Chicago, Illinois; and the National Fire Protection
Association, 60 Batterymarch Street, Boston, Massachusetts. These

organizations will furnish teachers with additional material upon
request.

W. L. MARTIN
State FirepMa/rshal

SUSAN B. RUTHERFORD
Fire Education Program Director

 

 

Fire
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WHAT IS FIRE?

Fire is a combination of three things: FUEL, HEAT, and
OXYGEN.

1. FUEL is anything which will burn and anything which will
burn is said to be “combustible”. Some fuels are more readily com-
bustible than others. For example, soft coal burns more easily than
hard coal; bits of wood or kindling will ignite more quickly than a log;
gasoline, ether, and similar liquids are termed “highly volatile com-
bustible” because they are always giving off'gases which ignite so
quickly they usually explode.

2, OXYGEN is one of the gases in air. People cannot live with—
out oxygen. Fire cannot burn without oxygen.

3. HEAT unites fuel and oxygen to make fire. However no two
of these three elements can make fire without the third element.
There are many ways of producing heat but striking a match is the
quickest means in common use.

Fire prevention means to prevent FUEL, OXYGEN, and HEAT
from getting tOgether in dangerous places. Keep a place clean of
trash, rubbish and junk; handle oils, gases and “highly combustible”
liquids with care; be cautious with matches or anything which
produces heat and you will prevent fires.

LEGENDS ABOUT FIRE

We know what fire is, but ages and ages ago man did not.
understand it at all. Many interesting old stories have been told about
fire. One of the best is a Greek legend about how man received
fire and learned its uses. This story tells that giants once lived upon
the earth. One of these giants, named Prometheus, became interested
in the creation of men and felt sorry for them because they were
weak and cold and helpless. Therefore, he decided to steal fire
from the gods and bring it to earth that it might warm and
comfort mankind.

Prometheus went to the very eastward edge of the earth and
Waited until Apollo, the Sun—God, was ready to drive his great horses
and flaming chariot that pulled the sun across the sky. Into the
flaming rays of the sun Prometheus thrust the tip of a reed he
had brought with him. It caught fire and Prometheus carefully
guarded the flame as he hurried back over mountains, streams and

259

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

,Imr'” \

 

forests, bringing fire to man. And he taught man how to use the fire
for warmth and for cooking, to make camp fires and frighten Wild
animals away and to forge weaponswith it.

The gods were very angry with Prometheus for doing this so
they bound him to a great rock where an eagle tormented him every
day. The mighty Hercules finally had pity on the young giant and
released him.

There has always been fire upon this earth. Two sources are
well known: fire from lightning and fire from volcanoes. No one
actually knows when or how man first learned that fire could be used
to serve and comfort him. Perhaps he learned to cook meat when he
found the body of an animal burned in a forest fire and tasted the
warm meat. Perhaps he took a flaming torch into a cave to frighten
out a wild animal and found that the torch warmed the cave and
made it comfortable and a nice place to live. One thing we can be
sure of, man learned from first contact with fire that it was a
dangerous thing which could injure him, destroy his posessions and
sources of food, and must be handled with care. Man feared fire and
out of this fear began the first plans for fire prevention.

Fire prevention plans grew as people began living in groups or
communities. They settled near rivers and streams for water pro-
tection. Their fireplaces were built of stone and their early dwellings
had holes in the roofs.' 'No doubt, every time fire swept through a
forest, burned tents and primitive homes or injured a person, these
people gathered to discuss it and wonder what they could do to protect
themselves from the evil fire could bring them.

Think from that distant day, through the years to this modern
age. Now man can measure the stars and fly through the air; can
travel beneath the sea and know all the tides and wonders of the
ocean; in all the arts and sciences he can claim that this is the most
advanced stage of life since time began. Man now understands the
sources of fire and everything about its control. He uses it constantly
in many forms. "

WHY is fire today a greater danger than ever before“?
WHY are the fire losses greater today than ever before?

Many answers may be given, but the key to the whole problem
is found in one word. That word is CARELESSNESS.

CARELESSNESS
, It has been said that there are three causes of fire—men, women
and children. We will have destructive fires as long as people

260

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smoke, use electricity and work with combustibles without extreme
care. No one seems to consider fire a personal concern. Few people
plan how to act in case of fire or even know how to call the fire.
department.

We like to feel that the United States is the greatest country
under the sun but in the matter of fire losses we have the most
shameful record of any nation. Before the war, our annual fire
loss was four times as bad as that of France and thirteen times
as bad as that of Italy. It is always greater than that of any other
country. CARELESSNESS is our great national sin. The most
serious, cause of fire would be removed if careless people would be-
come careful people. Carelessness burns Our forests, destroys our
homes and industries, kills and injures men, women and children.

WHO AM I?

I am more powerful than the combined armies of the world. >

I am more deadly than bullets, and I have wrecked more homes

than the mightiest of siege guns.

I steal in the United States alone more than three hundred

million dollars each year.

I spare no one and find my victims among the rich and poor
. alike; the young and the old; the strong and the weak; widows

and orphans know me.

I massacre thousands upon thousands of wage earners each year.

I lurk in unseen places and do most of my work silently. You

are warned against me but you heed not.

I am relentless. I am everywhere; in your home, on the street, in

the factory, at railroad crossings and on the sea.

I bring sickness, degredation and death, and yet few seek to

avoid me.

I destroy, crush and maim; I give nothing but take all.

I am your worst enemy.

I am CARELESSNESS.

Roy K. Moulton
Grand Rapids, Michigan, News

ACTIVITY; Playlet “The Conference of the Fire Spooks.”
12 characters.
Easy to present, fine lesson in fire prevention. It should be
given for several grades, in auditorium or class room, and one
night for parents. Order from The National Board of Fire
Underwriters, 85 John Street, New York 7, New York.

261

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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MATCHES — SMOKING

The match is perhaps the most valuable and most dangerous
article made by man. It has been in use for a little' more than one
hundred years but we cannot imagine how we could get along
Without it.

The action of rapidly rubbing two materials together, causes heat,
and is called “friction”. Thousands of years ago, man learned to
strike fire by rubbing sticks together. The Eskimos made the “bow
drill” which hastened this process and the Indians of our own country

_ used “bow drills”. The early colonists of America struck flint to
steel to make sparks and today in museums you may see some old
“tinder boxes” in which a piece of steel, flint and charred cloth were
kept. The charred cloth was usually of linen which had been heated
until it was brown and would more easily flame when the spark
touched it. This process was not an easy one and often the pioneers
would borrow live coals from each other rather than take the time for
striking fire. Try any one of these primitive methods of making fire
and matches will be appreciated as never before.

In' the year 1827, an English druggist made the first practical
friction matches. A folded piece of glass paper-(much like mud-
paper) went with every box and in order to ignite the match, one had
to draw it in one hand quickly through the folds of the paper tightly
pressed together with the other hand. Another kind of match came
later, with a tiny thin glass bulb at one end. This had to be pressed
to produce fire. There. were many kinds of matches and at one time
those most quickly lighted had such a terrible smell that storekeepers
would not handle them and children sold them on the streets.
Gradually, methods of manufacture became better and cheaper until
today matches are found in every home and in millions of pockets.

A poorly made match is dangerous and, therefore, we should
know what a match is as well as how to use it.

What is a match? Just a tiny stick of wood, smaller than your
finger, coated at one end with a substance which forms a little bulb
01‘ head, and representing a blessing or a deadly peril according to
the way in which it is used. It contains certain chemicals which take
fire easily when heated. It also contains bits of ground flint in order
to create heat by friction when the match is struck.

Even careful persons may meet with accidents through the use
Of bad matches. Sometimes when struck the blazing head will fly

. 263

 

 

 

 

 

  

.‘M'P ’ "

 

 

off, or the stick will break and fall, or the match Will continue to
glow after the flame has been blown out. These are signs that the
match is poorly made, for such things never happen with good matches.
Carefulness should begin with buying matches. Whenever a brand
proves faulty report it to the store where it was bought. If manu-
facturers find no one is buying dangerous brands, they will stop
making them.

Book matches are of recent popularity and have certain faults
that put them in the danger class. They are distributed free for ad-
vertising purposes and, therefore, there is little care taken of them.
They are left on tables, chairs, and every place imaginable. When a
match is withdrawn for striking, the flap should be closed before the
match is struck. The match stems are of paper and nearly always
continue to burn when dropped.

More matches are sold in the United States than in all the rest
of the world. More than 850,000,000 are used in the United States
each day. Such a figure is difficult to imagine. If a factory made
just one match for every minute, night and day, it would take more
than sixteen hundred years for it to produce as many matches as this
country uses in one single day. This means that nearly six hundred
thousand flames are struck every minute. There is not one of these
flamesthat would not start a destructive fire if it had a chance. Each
match must be treated as a source of great damage. It has Within it
the power to destroy your home, your loved ones and your life.

Nearly all fires can be ‘Lraeed in some way back to matches. lf
fire from a chimney sets fire to a roof, for example, the fire in the
stove or grate from which the sparks came was lighted with a match.
But, when we speak of danger from matches, we do not mean indirect
danger. Many lives and millions of dollars in property are lost every
year because of carelessness in the direct use of matches. Probably,
the greatest single source is damage caused by careless smokers.

Smokers may throw away a. match while it is still burning; knock
ashes from a pipe without heeding sparks; throw away a glowing
cigar or cigarette stub without watching where it falls. Careless
smokers risk their lives by smoking in bed.

The United States raises, every year, more than a million and a
half Pounds of tobacco and large quantities are imported from other
countries. To light that amount of tobacco, it has been estimated
that six thousand matches are struck every second. Six thousand
matches struck by smokers every second! Small wonder that NeW
York City has made it a serious offense to throw away a lighted cigar

264

 

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or cigarette in any structure, building, car or other vehicle for the
common carriage of passengers. Under this law,‘there were, in one
year, 1,377 convictions and punishments. '

“NO SMOKING” signs are put up in many places, not because
people object to the odor of tobacco, but because the careless smoker
is such a threat to life and property that it is safer to prohibit all
smoking. Many states have a fire prevention law which simply states:
“There shall be no smoking in factories.”

Children, of course, should never smoke under any circumstances.
It checks their growth, weakens their nerves and digestion, and the
action of their hearts. Teachers and police court judges well know
that young cigarette smokers are apt to be backward mentally, morally
and physically. Most boy criminals are found to be cigarette smokers.
The only interest children should have in tobacco is to see that their
elders use it safely. Any boy or girl who keeps a sharp eye on all
smokers and who stamps out all burning matches and cigar or cig—
arette stubs is rendering public service.

1. Buy the best matches which do not break or lose their heads
when struck, or glow after being blown out.
2. Replace matches with lighters wherever possible.

3. Never dispose of a match thoughtlessly. If indoors, place it where
it will do no harm; if outdoors, break it in two or step on it.

4. If matches are spilled, pick up every one.

0. Keep matches in covered boxes or jars, away from the heat of
stoves.

6. Keep matches out of reach of little children.

7. Strike matches away from you. If striking on a box, first close the
box.

8. Watch the careless smoker; notice where he throws matches,
cigars or cigarettes when he is through with them; stamp out any
sparks you may see.

9. Don’t allow smoking in a garage or in a car when the tank is being
filled with gasoline. ‘

10. Report all violations of “NO SMOKING” rules and warn people
of the danger.

11. See that every smoker has an ash tray handy.

265

 
  
  
    
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
 
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
   
 
 
   
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

ACTIVITY

Select pupils to interview the mayor, a club woman, a minister.
a doctor. Other pupils interview their parents Iand report the results
of interviews in class session. Suggested questlons: Have you had a
personal experience with fire? What fires have yOu seen? Do 3:011
know the phone number of the Fire Department? What do you think
causes the greatest number of fires?

266

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FOREST FIRES

in the early days forests covered nearly all the land in Kentucky.
No finer hardwood timber grew in this Northern Hemisphere. The

majority of the trees were oak, beech, chestnut, maple, hickory, and
tulip, or poplar

THE PIONEER AND THE FOREST (

The first task of the pioneer farmer was to cut down trees and
make a “clearing” large enough to plow, plant his crops and build
his log house. He kept planting this same land until the soil lost its
fertility; then he would either clear new ground or move farther west.
Gradually the area of worn out fields increased while the forests
decreased.

The rich soil of the bottom land, which was cleared first, was
where the finest trees grew. Since there was no market for these
trees, burning was the easiest method to get them out of the way,
Sometimes the settlers would help one another by holding “logroll-
ings”, at which the trees were felled and burned.

Since there was little or no good pasture, livestock foraged in
the woods. “foods were often burned during the winter months in the
belief that the burning improved and increased the grass in early
spring. “Wood burning” was also practiced to destroy snakes and

insects. This not only injured the trees but destroyed the soil which
supported them.

THE NEED FOR LUMBER
As the young jommonwealth of Kentucky grew, markets
deveIOped for the fine timber. Loggers came into the forests. They
first cut the trees along streams which were large enough to float
the logs. Sawmills were set up along the banks of these streams.

Logs cut in the hills or on small creeks were hauled by wagon or tram
cars to the nearest floating stream.

THE FIRST FIRE LAWS
Early in the nineteenth century Kentuckians began to feel concern
about forest fires. In 1833 a law was passed which applied only to
Harlan County. The law stated that anyone who set fire to the woods
Would be fined $20 if a free person, and would receive a whipping,
not to exceed 39 lashes, if a slave. Later similar laws were written for

267

 

 

 

 

 

  

.

other heavily forested counties. The lawmakers were more concerned
about the damage fire would do to buildings, fences and farms. than
the destruction ol’ timber~

FIRES CONTINUE

We now have many laws concerning fire prevention, but forest
fires continue. Two hundred and fifty acres of forests and brushy
fields burn in Kentucky each year. In dry years this may be doubled.
Naturally, most of the danger from forest fires occurs in the fall of
the year. An added danger appears when the hunting- season opens.
Many times, when there has been little rainfall, the Department of
(L‘onservation has threatened to stop hunters because they are careless
with matches, smoking and campfires. This seems strange, because
those who enjoy hunting should want to keep the forests and wooded
places safe for wildlife.

WHAT FIRE DOES IN A FOREST

1. Each forest fire destroys trees. Even the lightest l'ire
destroys some trees and damages others. The average fire kills most
of the trees up to one inch in diameter, on the area. burned. This
represents about eight years of growth. A community of trees is like
the community of persons which we call the human race. If we kill
off the children what is the future of the human race? If we kill the
little trees, what is to become of the forest? To all of this we must
add the damage to big trees that survive. scorching flames; their
scarred trunks, loss of leaves, and injured roots result in slower
growth and loss of value. The decay which is so prevalent today in
hardwood stands is largely the result of fire. The average fire-
wounded, usable tree has lost 15 percent of its value through decay.

2. Loss of soil fertility is the heaviest toll the forest fire takes.

Other losses may be replaced in time at reasonable cost, but the plant
food in the soil can be built back only by nature, and nature ’s process
is very slow.
‘0. Fires destroy leaf and other litter on the forest floor, thus
exposing the soil. Rainstorms wear away the naked soil and wash
silt and debris downhill to clog the streams and damage fertile farin—
lands in the valleys. ‘Vater runs swiftly to the valleys to increase
flood danger.

4. Forest fires are harmful to wildlife. Many furrcd and
feathered creatures perish in each blaze. Even if the adults escapev
the helpless young are often killed. Game birds with ground-
nesting' habits are heavy losers. Food and shelter for animals and
birdsvare consumed in the flames. Fish life is harmed when stream

268

 

 

 

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shade is removed, and insect and plant food is destroyed by silt and
lye from wood ashes washed down from burned hillsides.

5. Fires frequently destroy felled timber and other forest
products, buildings, crops, fences and even homes.

6. Fires are sometimes responsible for the loss of human lives.

7. Fires reduce woods employment, thus decreasing the incomes
of people who depend upon such work.

8. Fires destroy beauty. Charred trees, blackened hillsides, and
fallen timber all make an ugly picture. Flowering shrubs and herbs
of the'woods disappear. Springs dry up. Blackened, ugly waste
follows forest fires.

What causes forest fires in Kentucky? How do they start?
Most of them are started by our own people through carelessness or
through incendiarism.

“Incendiarism” means: Fires started willfully or maliciously.
Some are set for revenge 011 a neighbor or for similar reasons, but
most incendiary fires result from sincere but ignorant beliefs that
fires are beneficial in improving the growth of grasses.

The following scale shows the average percentage of forest fires
in Kentucky from various causes:

Percentage of Forest Fires in Kentucky from Various Causes

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Cause of Fire Percent of Total

Incendiarism .............. 30
Debris Burning .......... 29
Smoking 22
Campfires 9
Lumbering . ' 2
Railroad .......... 2
Miscellaneous ............................. 6

100

Some fires start through carelessness or negligence in burning
trash, brush, tobacco beds, and ”new ground” clearings, or from
hunters’ attempts to smoke animals out of holes or hollow logs.
Smoking fires result when burning matches or tobacco are carelessly
thrown away. Campfires get out of control when built too large or
in dangerous places, or when left without some one to watch them.
SDarks from lommotiws, hot. ashes l'roiu l'irehoxcs, or carelessness of
section crews start most railroad'fires. Miscellaneous fires include
those starting from burning buildings, explosions, moonshine stills,
children playing with matches, and other causes.

269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

KEEP KENTUCKY GREEN

Since most forest. fires are man—caused, and can he prevented,
every person has a definite responsibility to prevent them.

One of the best methods of prevention is strict enforcement of the
State and Federal forest fire laws. Every citizen should know the
fire laws and obey them carefully. Fires started through carelessness
can be just as bad as those started willfully or maliciously, and they
are just as costly to put out. Therefore, the laws provide penalties
for carelessly starting fires or allowing them to get‘ beyond control.

If everyone observed, to the letter, the safety rules for preventing
forest fires, there would be few fires in. Kentucky. It is the duty of
every person to learn and observe these rules.

Burners of trash, brush, tobacco beds, sedge grass, or “new
ground”:

1. Never burn without first notifying and seeking the advice of the
forest warden.

Never burn during windy or dry weather.

Never burn after five o’clock in the afternoon.

4. Never leave the fire untended until the last spark is out—~DEAD
OUT. Carefully inspect the burned area next day.
Rake or plow a wide path or fire line, free from grass, leaves,
logs and sticks, entirely around the area to be burned.
6. Have plenty of water, tools and help on hand to control the fire
promptly if it should escape.

C7!

Hunters:

7. Never smoke animals out of holes or hollow logs or trees.

Smokers:

8. Be sure that your match is out and cold. Break it. in two before
you throw it away.

F). Be sure that pipe ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs are dead out»
before throwing them away.

.10. Don’t throw smoking material out of a car, or into brush, leaVl‘H.
needles, or grass. Use the ash tray, or stamp the fire out on a rock
or bare earth.

11. Never smoke while walking in the woods or dry grass,

Campers and l’icuiekers:

12. In. turf/(lino u ('unq/j‘frr. select. a spot, Hml' water or where there iS
plenty ol' loose mineral earth. Scrape away all inflamlnablr
material from a spot five feet in «'Iiaineter, dig a, hole in the centelh
and keep the fire small.

270

 

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15