CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 89 



July 6th, 1875, the law of August 4th, 1876, concerning 

 the administration of forests owned by municipalities and 

 public institutions in the provinces of Prussia, Branden- 

 burg, Pomerania, Posen, Silesia and Saxony. 



The average annual damage caused by forest fires in 

 the years 1892 to 1896 was as follows: Totally or mostly 

 destroyed, 2,992 acres; only slightly damaged, 117 acres;, 

 only the surface destroyed, 522 acres. The average an- 

 nual number of forest fires in the years 1892 to 1896 was 

 36, the causes of which were as follows: 12 unknown, 2 

 railroads, 5 incendiary, 16 caused by carelessness, i 

 lightning. During the years 1892 to 1896 the annual 

 average number of forest fires caused by railroad locomo- 

 tives was 2. 



The officers in the forest service are equal in rank to 

 the other high grade officers in the government service. 

 The foresters have clerical rank. The salary of "Ober- 

 forster" (district manager) ranges according to length of 

 service from 2, 700 to 5, 700 marks. Unfavorably situated 

 officers receive an additional amount, the maximum of 

 which is 600 marks annually. In addition there is usu- 

 ally free residence and fuel. The salary of the ' 'Ober- 

 forstmeister" (chief inspector) is from 4,200 to 7,200 

 marks, according to length of service, which is calculated 

 from the time of qualification for the office of ' 'ForstratrT 

 (councillor). The ' 'Oberforstmeister' ' and "Forstrath" 

 are each allowed an amount not exceeding 2,900 marks 

 for traveling expenses. 



PRIVATE FORESTS. 



The extent of private forests in Prussia, as above stated, 

 is 10,828,780 acres. About one-half of these forests are 

 managed on forestry principles, and their average value 

 is somewhat less per acre than that of the state forest. 

 On the larger estates the area devoted to forests gradually 



