190 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The progress of this cooperation since it was started in 1911 is 

 shown in the following table: 



Table 16. — Cooperation with States in fire protection, 1011-1917. 



1 At first available until expended; subsequently made available until June 30, 1915. 



2 Federal fiscal year ended June 30. 



3 Decrease as compared with 1913, 1914, 1916, and 1917 chiefly due to unusually wet season. 

 < Estimated. 



The collecting of statistics on forest-fire losses was continued. 

 Forty States sent in returns. With these as a basis it is estimated for 

 the whole country that in the calendar year 1916 there were ap- 

 proximately 38,000 fires, which burned over an area of about 12,- 

 700,000 acres and caused a financial loss in timber, young tree 

 growth, and improvements of about $10,500,000. 



The increasing number of requests from State legislatures and 

 private agencies in the Southeast for assistance in the drafting of 

 forestry bills show that forest fires in that region are beginning to 

 be recognized as a real menace which can best be reduced by the 

 States through the adoption of a progressive forest policy. With its 

 favorable climate and long growing season there is scarcely any part 

 of the United States where tree growth is more rapid or which is 

 better adapted to the practice of forestry, and certainly there is none 

 in greater need of forest conservation. The southeastern States 

 which received assistance of this character included West Virginia, 

 North Carolina, Tennessee, "Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkan- 

 sas, and Texas. Similar assistance was given also to California, 

 Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont. A representa- 

 tive of the Forest Service appeared before the Florida Legislature, 

 on request, to give information concerning a forestry bill and also 

 attended meetings of timberland owners and State forestry officials 

 in Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin to cooperate in the 

 organizing of associations of such owners for protection against 

 forest fires. 



Classified compilations of the forestry laws of Connecticut. Massa- 

 chusetts, New Hampshire, and Ohio were prepared and published, 

 bringing the number up to 20, which includes, besides the above, 

 Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, 

 Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington, 

 Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In addition to the broad general 

 classification previously used in these compilations a close analysis 

 of the laws in detail was made, which so brings all related matter 

 together as to show the activities of the various officials and gov- 



