FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 4^ 



Black river in Twp. No. 15 R 13. This camp is used for stor- 

 ing fire fighting tools belonging to the State and general head- 

 quarters for the patrolmen. During the summer of 19 12 owing 

 to the favorable weather conditions, it was not deemed neces- 

 sary to keep watchmen at all of these lookout stations. The 

 station on Round Mountain in Twp. No. 11 R 8 on Machias 

 waters in Aroostook County, and the station on Soper moun- 

 tain in Twp. No. 8 R 12 Penobscot waters, in Piscataquis 

 County, were not opened during the season. 



"During the months of April and May the patrolmen then 

 at work devoted most of their time to repairing the various 

 telephone lines. During the winter, with the heavy snows and 

 winds these lines get out of order and need to be thoroughly 

 repaired each spring, to insure anything like satisfactory ser- 

 vice when needed. 



"The area patrolled equalled 2,317,119 acres, costing 

 $4,918.37 or a small fraction over two mills per acre. 



"There were but two fires which got beyond the control of 

 the patrolmen reported during the past season. On Twp. 19 R 

 12 Aroostook County, started July 7, 1912. Reported by Harry 

 E. Hasey as burning over about 40 acres causing a damage of 

 $300; On Twp. No. 12 R 6, Nashville Plantation in Aroostook 

 County, started July 11, 1912. Reported by J. B. Bartlett, as 

 burning over 50 acres, causing a damage of $400. 



"No new fire fighting tools have been purchased by the state 

 for this territory since 1909 and my report for that year gives 

 a list of what was then on hand and the different locations 

 where stored. From this should be deducted a certain amount 

 for breakage and loss, though I am told the equipment is 

 nearly complete. 



"With the weather conditions as they were during the past 

 season one not familiar with the nature of the work and the 

 peculiar situation of this territory, would expect to carry on 

 the patrol work with a much less force than was employed. 

 But to get the proper men for the work, it is absolutely neces- 

 sary to engage them early in the season, and having so en- 

 gaged them, it is necessary to put them to work as near the 

 usual time as possible. Then, too, after the men are once 

 located on the patrols, it is impracticable to take them ofif, 

 because of a wet period. The class of men best fitted for sat- 



