NEWS AND NOTES. 



An "Act to Amend the Conservation Law and in Relation to 

 Lands and Forests" has recently become a law in New York State, 

 the Bill being prepared by the Conservation Commission. The 

 more important provisions are : 



Section 88, giving the Conservation Commission power to 

 examine any private forest or woodland with the view to the ap- 

 plication of forestry methods, "to the end that the water power 

 of the State may be conserved, forests protected, and the public 

 interests safeguarded ;" 



Section 89, providing for taxation relief when waste land is 

 reforested by private owners ; 



Section 102 and 103, providing for a State-wide inspection of 

 railroad locomotives and fire patrol in forest sections ; 



Section 105, permitting inspectors to remove from service 

 engines without adequate fire protection devices ; 



Section 106, providing for suitable spark arresting devices on 

 all portable and stationary engines used in forest sections. 



Other distinct features of the new law cover provisions for the 

 setting of fires at any time for the clearing of land after proper 

 permits have been obtained, and changes in the title of Fire Super- 

 intendent to District Forest Ranger, and from Fire Patrolman to 

 Forest Ranger, this being a step towards the standardization of 

 terms suggested by Mr. Pinchot. A new feature is found in sec- 

 tion 62, which authorizes the Commission to employ convict labor 

 in the growing and field planting of forest trees, and provides for 

 the transportation by common carriers of nursery stock for re- 

 forestation at less than the established rates. The provisions in 

 the old law for top lopping in lumbering operations have been re- 

 tained, but the application of this provision has been restricted to 

 the so-called fire towns. 



The position of State Forest Pathologist has been created in 

 New York under the new forestry laws. This innovation is 

 probably the result of the chestnut bark disease, which is very 

 severe in southeastern New York, and has led to a realization of 

 the danger to the State forests which may follow a serious forest 

 tree disease of any species. 



