Nezvs and Notes. 769 



refuse is supported by the limbs and raised off the ground, there- 

 fore if a fire runs through, it will burn only lightly. On the other 

 hand, if the tops are lopped this debris is on the ground and 

 causes a very hot fire, burning more deeply into the soil. It is 

 claimed further that the close lopping of the branches injures the 

 reproduction of the forest, partly by smothering the seedlings and 

 partly by cutting them down in connection with the lopping 

 operations. It is urged further that even if it be shown that some 

 benefit follows, the beneficial results are not commensurate with 

 the additional cost. 



In order to secure a complete expression of opinion, public 

 hearings were held at Watertown, Saranac Lake, and Glen Falls, 

 N. Y., on September 30th, October 3rd and October 4th, under 

 the auspices of the State Conservation Commission. A large 

 amount of testimony was taken which, however, was of such a 

 divergent nature that no final conclusions could be reached. It 

 became necessary therefore to make a field investigation which 

 was carried out during the last week in October and the first week 

 in November by State Forester F. A. Gaylord accompanied by 

 the representatives of a number of operators in the Adirondack 

 region. 



In order to determine how far the top lopping situation in the 

 Adirondacks might be applied to conditions in Eastern Canada the 

 party was accompanied by T. W. Dwight, representing the 

 Dominion Forestry Branch, and Clyde Leavitt, representing the 

 Canadian Commission of Conservation. When pviblished reports 

 on the investigation are available, the matter will be reviewed in 

 the Ouarte;rly. 



Notwithstanding the injunction issued by the Court of Chancery 

 last spring restraining the State Forest Commission from enforc- 

 ing the so-called "Railroad Fire Line Law," the three railroads 

 having the greatest exposure in the State have voluntarily under- 

 taken to extend their lines during the coming winter. The Penn- 

 sylvania Railroad Company will make new lines on the Freehold 

 and Jamesburg Branch, on the Long Branch Railroad, and on 

 portions of the West Jersey and Seashore System. The New 

 Jersey Central Railroad Company will make lines along the New 

 Jersey Southern Division south of Lakewood. The Atlantic City 

 Railroad Company will extend its lines in Gloucester, Atlantic and 



