88 Forestry Quarterly. 



difference to the appalling annual losses from forest fires." At 

 present Wisconsin has the old town fire warden system based 

 upon the plan of putting out fires after they occur, whereas the 

 patrol system is one intended to prevent fires starting. The 

 system of patrol proposed is along the usual lines of organiza- 

 tion, with speedy and adequate pay for fire fighting. Ultimately 

 telephone lines and watch towers are to be built. In addition, 

 the proposed legislation requires permits for setting out fires, 

 and gives the State Board of Forestry power to order the burn- 

 ing of dangerous slash. 



If anything more than the tremendous fire losses is needed to 

 induce the legislature to take prompt action towards a definite 

 future policy, it is supplied by the fact that in the last ten years 

 Wisconsin has dropped from first place to eighth in lumber pro- 

 duction. The production has decreased 40 per cent. The wood- 

 using industries so valuable to the state can now obtain from 

 Wisconsin only one-half the lumber they use. 



The importance to the water power resource of the State of the 

 maintenance of forest cover is fully shown. The theory of the 

 relation of this cover to stream flow is given, with concrete ex- 

 amples. 



The report urges a continuance of the soil surveys in order to 

 have a land classification of the state as soon as possible. The 

 establishment of a ranger school is also recommended. 



Besides various other matters there is included a brief ac- 

 count of the work to be carried on in the new Forest Products 

 Laboratory, and an outline of two special reports on "Wisconsin 

 Wood-using Industries" and "Taxation of Forest Lands in Wis- 

 consin." The complete reports can be secured from the State 

 Board of Forestry. J. H. W. 



Third Annual Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission 

 to the Governor. Portland, Oregon. 1910. Pp. 55. 



This report is submitted in accordance with the law which calls 

 for "a full account of the year's work setting forth the condition 

 of the natural resources of the State, together with such recom- 

 mendations for legislation as may be deemed advisable." It 

 recommends, as requiring immediate legislative action, (i) the 

 passage of a bill to create an efficient State forestry service; (2) 



