93 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



forest is usually a poor one, the value considerably lower 

 than that of the other classes of forest, in consequence 

 of abuse by removal of every particle of litter and im- 

 poverishment of soil. 



In cases when the owner of private forests of the 2nd 

 class is willing to sell his forest lots, and municipalities 

 are not purchasers, the State is mostly a ready buyer. 



The damage caused by forest fires is not of very great 

 account. During the years 1903 and 1904 from the total 

 area of forests 143 fires were reported, causing a loss of 

 $3,000. Of these fires, 20 with a loss of 11,175, were 

 caused by railroad locomotive sparks. 



Carelessness of smokers visiting the forests for recrea- 

 tion is the principal cause of most of the forest fires and 

 the greatest number of fires occur during the months of 

 April and May, the time of the beginning of vegetation, 

 a season bringing numerous visitors to the forests. 



The comparatively small losses caused by visitors has 

 to be placed to the account of the high esthetical worth 

 of the forest, offered to mankind by its majestic beauty, 

 by its pure and refreshing enjoyment. 



ITALY. 



STATE FORESTS. 



The aggregate area of the state forests is "128, 960 

 acres, principally situated in Tuscany provinces of 

 Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Pisa and Leghorn; and 

 Venice provinces of Belluno, Treviso and Udine. 

 These lands are regarded as inalienable. The prevail- 

 ing kinds of trees are oak, beech, pine, larch and fir. 

 The total annual expense of administration averages 



