INTRODUCTION. 



The last general edition of the forest laws of this Common- 

 wealth was issued in 1909. Our supply of the little blue 

 booklet in which these laws were contained has long since 

 been exhausted. Since that time both the fire laws and 

 gypsy moth laws have been amended, and special editions of 

 these laws have been published, but our supply of these, too, 

 has been used up. We do not include in this booklet the 

 forest taxation law, because this act is bound in a separate 

 pamphlet, and its inclusion in this booklet is unnecessary. 

 This publication does not contain the shade-tree kws of the 

 Commonwealth, although it might fittingly do so, because 

 the enforcement of these laws does not come within the 

 jurisdiction of the State Forester. We are always glad, 

 however, to advise with any one in regard to these laws 

 and other shade-tree problems. 



The chapter on the work of the Massachusetts forestry 

 department may help to make clear the meaning of the laws 

 on which our work is based. 



F. W. RANE, 

 State Forester. 



JULY 1, 1918. 



