FORESTRY COMMISSIONER. 79 



drought are not frequent, the numerous roads that run 

 through the forests make very good lines of defense, and 

 the villages that surround the massive wooded areas fur- 

 nish at the first alarm devoted laborers. The railroad 

 companies, being held responsible for damage by fire 

 caused by flying sparks from their locomotives, take par- 

 ticular care, and in exposed places cut the grass and brush 

 along their roadbeds. 



The forestry code forbids, under penalty of 14 to $20, 

 carrying or lighting matches in or within a distance of 200 

 metres from the forests. 



In the forest camps of the state, municipal corporations 

 or public institutions, it is forbidden to the workers to 

 light fire outside of the buildings or shops, the location 

 whereof is indicated by the forest service. 



In the warm region the dangers from fires are greater. 

 As a preventative against them more roads are built, 

 trenches 20 to 50 metres wide and kept free from grass 

 and brush are made around the forest, along railroad lines, 

 on the dividing lines between forests belonging to several 

 owners, and also from distance to distance in the large 

 and dense forests belonging to the same proprietor. The 

 use of fire in forest camps and in agricultural camps sit- 

 uated within 200 meters from the forests is forbidden dur- 

 ing the months of June, July, August and September. A 

 special watch is organized, and telegraphic lines penetrat- 

 ing the center of the forests admit of alarm of fire at its 

 start and call for help. If the working force appears to 

 be insufficient the military authority furnishes the defi- 

 ciency and sends on the spot soldiers who act according 

 to the directions of the forest service. 



COLONIES. 



France, fully convinced that the preservation of forests 

 is in all lands of the highest importance, has organized a 

 forest service in its possessions outside of Europe in Al- 



