FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 2/ 



iNIaine Forestry District and to pay many of the men the timher 

 land owners advanced the money. 



It became evident early in August that the funds were prac- 

 tically exhausted, and if all bills were paid there would be a 

 deficit. To curtail further expense it was necessary to call ofl:' 

 the patrols by the middle of August. Quite a number of land 

 owners not wishing the patrolling to stop on their lands clubbed 

 together and agreed to pay for the patrol on their own property 

 as much longer as the dangerous season demanded. Fortu- 

 nately there were heavy rains and there was no danger from 

 forest fires after the state patrol was discontinued. 



The causes of the fires in the reports received from the town 

 officials and forest fire wardens connected with the Maine For- 

 estry District were given as follows: Unknown, 75; lightning, 

 35; clearing land, 26; locomotives, 23; river drivers, 8; camp 

 fires, 3 ; grass fires, 2 ; hunters, 2 ; incendiary, i ; portable mill, 

 I ; smoking, i ; burning of mill, i. 



The tabulations follow : 



