24 



In estimating the value of the standing timber destroyed, the fire- 

 wardens were cautioned against placing it any higher than the mar- 

 ket price per acre at which these lands had been selling. The per- 

 centage of virgin forest was small. By far the greater part of the 

 timber burned was on what are known as lumbered lands, such as 

 the State had been buying for $1.50 per acre, but which through the 

 recent rise in value of this class of property are now worth from $2 

 to $3 per acre. Some lands of this class, situated near a railroad or 

 otherwise accessible, are worth more. 



The firewardens were directed, also, in making their estimates, to 

 deduct the value of standing timber that was killed, but which was 

 still available if cut within a year or so, for timber, pulpwood, or 

 cordwood. A large proportion of the timber included in the reports 

 was damaged by what are known as ground or surface fires, that 

 killed the trees without consuming any part of them. Where this 

 damage occurred on private lands the owners have been busy all this 

 season in cutting their dead trees, leaving their live timber for future 

 operations. This large amount of salvage has consequently reduced 

 the estimate of loss materially. 



But on the State lands the standing timber killed by the fire, though 

 still in marketable condition, will result in a complete loss, as the 

 Attorney-General has rendered an opinion that, owing to the restric- 

 tions in the forestry clause of the Constitution, this material cannot 

 be cut or removed. This state of affairs is unfortunate, also, because 

 these areas of dry, dead timber and slash are very liable to take fire 

 again and burn with uncontrollable fierceness. 



The loss in buildings, fences, etc., includes the large hotel south of 

 North Elba known as the Adirondack Lodge ; the Loomis Camp, on 

 Little Tupper lake; several miles of wire fence on Nehasane park, 

 and several barns or outbuildings at various places. 



