FOREST COMMISSIONER^ REPORT. 65 



LOOKOUT SERVICE— 1916 



With the heavy fall of snow late in the Spring and the 

 already large amount of snow in the woods, the forests were 

 safe from fire throughout the early part of the season. As a 

 consequence, no lookouts were manned until after May 1st. 

 During the month of May virtually the entire lookout force 

 were put on with the exception of those of the Androscoggin 

 watershed where the watchmen were not ordered on until 

 after June 1st. 



A few of the more unimportant stations were laid off during 

 the rainy weather of the first few days in June. With this 

 exception, the stations were run on full time during the sum- 

 mer up to Sempember 20th when those of lesser importance 

 were closed for the season. The most important stations were 

 maintained up to the first week in October. 



Taken as a whole, the season of 1916 was very favorable 

 to green growth, while in certain territories, dry spells were in 

 evidence, yet no protracted drought was suffered and the rain- 

 fall was fairly regular and general. 



At the first of the season, all watchmen, excepting those in 

 chcarge of the most remote and difficult stations were given 

 the option of taking $2.00 per day, straight time through the 

 fire season or the regular $2.50 per day and loose such time 

 as became necessary on account of wet weather when their 

 services were not needed. Many accepted the former schedule 

 and as a result of this plan, 1 feel safe in saying that better 

 results were obtained as this did away with any bad feeling 

 caused by loss of time. 



It was not deemed expedient to run the following stations: 

 Pleasant Pond Mt., Double Top Mt., Lawler Hill, Sourdna- 

 hunk Mt., Almanac .Mt. Three new stations were located and 

 run during the season : Fogey Mt., 4, R. 9, Piscataquis county. 

 in place of the Trout llrook Mt., station that was burned in 

 1915, Allagash Mt., T. 7. R. 14, Piscataquis county; Picked Mt.. 

 Lang Town, Franklin county. 



