486 



CONSERVATION 



a corps of special fire wardens during 

 fire season varying in number as the 

 necessity for their services is apparent. 

 Telephone connection is maintained by 

 some of them and has demonstrated 

 the advisability of a permanent system. 

 which sooner or later will be installed. 



By reason of this protection policy, 

 the loss from fire has been reduced 

 over half since 1902, the loss that year 

 being almost $350,000. With a contin- 

 uous decrease of losses in the future, 

 as has been accomplished in former 

 years of state management, it is hoped 

 that before long a minimum in losses 

 from this cause will be attained. With 

 a complete rangers' system and good 

 roads and fire lanes maintained in con- 

 dition, the Department will be able to 

 accomplish its purpose speedily. 



Methods of culture also enter into 

 the policies of the Department, but ( i ) 

 acquisition of land, (2) tree-planting, 

 (3) protection are paramount and take 



precedence in operation. Improvement 

 cuttings are made quite extensively, but 

 they are made generally for profit, al- 

 though judgment in selection of trees 

 to be cut is exerted and its benefit not 

 lost sight of in so doing. Lumbering 

 is carried on where trees have reached 

 maturity, and also is done as conserv- 

 atively and scientifically as conditions 

 warrant. Experiments are made as to 

 the burning of slash, the proper felling 

 of trees, methods of transportation, 

 etc.. and conservative methods of lum- 

 bering generally. Scientific investiga- 

 tions are made of the growth of differ- 

 ent species. Investigation as to the 

 growth of rock oak and chestnut on the 

 South Mountain Reserve has been com- 

 pleted lately and is on file in the of- 

 fices of the Department. 



On the whole, the state is making 

 strides in the preservation and propaga- 

 tion of forests which is very apparent 

 and at the same time commendable. 



■i^S^ ->5<- *i<}- 



Lumbering in Priest River, Idaho, Nationa Fores 



