582 Forestry Quarterly. 



made the duty of the forest owner rather than of the railroad 

 company. The location of drain ditches on the outer side of the 

 right of way instead of as is usual near the track would in many 

 cases help to prevent the spread of fires. 



The only effective way in cleaning right of way is by burning 

 it over, which is dangerous and should be done as soon as the 

 snow leaves, but most probably be repeated when the chances of 

 the fire spreading are greater. To make this operation easier, the 

 cleared strip should be sodded, when the grass could readily be 

 cut and burnt. That the local fire warden, if any, should have 

 supervision of this burning goes without saying. 



The most important precaution is the fire patrol, when properly 

 'organized. Since only during the hours of 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. is 

 there danger of fires spreading, and since rainy days reduce the 

 time, the hours would be short, and by proper organization the 

 cost of such patrol can be reduced to a minimum, the patrolman 

 to be also employed otherwise. If all the other precautions are 

 taken two men with a gasoline car equipped with a fire ex- 

 tinguisher, following every train, say, within 15 minutes, could 

 ordinarily probably protect five miles of right of way and attend 

 to other track work besides. This patrol as to time of the year 

 during which it is to be maintained should be made under orders 

 of the officer in charge of the fire service. In the absence of such 

 patrol by the company the Forest Fire Service should have the 

 right to do the patroling at the expense of the company. It 

 should also be a requirement that the railroads are to transport, 

 free of charge, men needed in extinguishing fires along the line. 

 The requirements of the New Brunswick law that the railway 

 company shall keep section men to watch and extinguish all fires, 

 and that these men shall pass over the road at least once a day is 

 one of the loose requirements which is insufficient in time of 

 actual danger and needless in rainy days and seasons. 



Other minor precautions might be suggested like the screening 

 of smoking cars or compartments, the placing of barrels of water 

 on steep grades, where sparks are apt to be emitted under forced 

 draft, etc. A valuable suggestion is that specially dangerous 

 places along the road be so marked by signs, and that special at- 

 tention be bestowed on them by the men in charge. 



The legal prescriptions regarding the placing of responsibility 

 upon the companies and their agents are well taken care of in the 

 legislation proposed by the Commission of Conservation. It 

 should also be compulsory for all train crews to report fires at the 

 first stop at a telegraph station and the operator to report same 

 to the proper officer. 



The provision advanced by the Commission of Conservation 

 to make railways liable to a fine of one thousand dollars for every 

 fire set and placing the burden of disproof on the railway com- 



