SEEKING AID OF THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 25

SEEKING AID OF THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED

Twenty-four tons of mustard seed, to bs strewn by hand and from aeroplanes/ are being prepared for planting on the fire-scarred mountain slopes back of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in advance of the fall rains," says the "Christian Science Monitor."

The tiny mustard seed, the proclivities of which for rapid growth are well known, is expected to, take the place of the more permanent vegetation destroyed recently by large rush fires., Soon after the soil becomes sufficiently moist for germination, according to the United States Forest Service, it should spring forth to protect the denuded areas from erosion.

By sending their roots into the denuded top-soil, it was explained, the mustard plants tends to cheek the flow of water down precipitous slopes, and thus retain a large amount of silt and gravel which might otherwise be washed down into the populated valleys. A year ago foothill slopes wcro denuded by a serious fire, and were seeded with mustard. But before the Feeds had an' ample opportunity to sprout and gain a fiim grip upon ths mountain, a cloudburst occurred.

Thousands of tons of debris were washed down over the suburban towns of Montrose, Glendale, and La Crescenta, destroying property and causing numerous fatalities. .The forest service officials are seeking to. prevent another such, disaster thij year.

The mustard seed is supplied from the California forest experiment station of the University of . Calif ornia, which is engaged in studies of erosion problem? at several .points near herb. The seeding is to be done by C.C.C. workers. . .': ■.'•■■.

In Pasadena, public interest in forest fire problems has been stimulated to such an extent by recent conflagrations that plans are being discussed for an enlarged fire-fighters' school later in the year. The school would train civilian volunteers in the methods of combating fires. The forest service has conducted classes in fire control for Pasadena residents during the past four years, it was explained, and when their city was threatened with damage this 'sum ier, fifty trained men were able to qualify as crew leaders. The foresty classes had been.held twice each month under the direction of experienced fire-fight-ers. . ' • ;. ' ,-"'., ■'