FOREST commissioners' REPORT. 291 



of firearms into the woods during the close time on game. Like 

 all new legislation that is suggested for the better protection of 

 our forests and game, considerable opposition to it was shown 

 and the matter was dropped. I believe the time has come when 

 such a law should be passed. Few persons take a gun into the 

 woods during close time with any good intent. The claim by 

 some that guns are needed for protection from wild beasts is 

 too absurd to notice. 



Such a law will keep out of our woods during the summer 

 season a class of men who have undoubtedly been the cause of 

 many of our forest fires. 



I can suggest no change in the fire warden law but a suffi- 

 cient emergency fund should be available to work with during 

 an extremely long dry season. We should have a sufficient 

 fund to patrol all our waterways and thoroughfares. While but 

 $7010 was expended during the season of 1907 it will require at 

 least $40,000 to do efficient work for a season like 1908. Such 

 a season is rare but we should be prepared to meet it when it 

 does come. $40,000 is expended annually for the protection of 

 our game. Is Maine's game more valuable than its forests ? 



EDGAR E. RING, 



Forest Commissioner. 



