million acres. The maintenance of these men for six months 

 at $70 per month, plus necessary equipment in the shape of 

 canoes, tents, etc., would amount to $49,500. This is exclu- 

 sive of the cost of special fire-fighting crews, and winter work 

 to see that loggers burn their slash. Sixty thousand dollars 

 a year, in round numbers, would be the cost of adequately 

 protecting five million acres of forest; and, since that area 

 of forest land represents about $100,000,000 worth of inflam- 

 mable property, the protection cost six-hundredths of one 

 per cent is fairly low insurance. It would be a fortunate 

 city government that could maintain its public fire depart- 

 ment at anything like so low a rate. Nevertheless, by the use 

 of flying machines even this low cost of protecting the forest 

 can be reduced, particularly in a country like Northeastern 

 Minnesota, where there are so many lakes. 



Five million acres represents one-quarter of the forest re- 

 gion needing patrol in Minnesota; it represents also the lake- 

 dotted area of Northeastern Minnesota, which is peculiarly 

 adapted to patrol by the use of hydro-aeroplanes or flying 

 boats. An aeroplane, it may be stated, starts from a fairly 

 smooth spot of ground and must alight upon a similar clear 

 space of ground. A hydro-aeroplane, as the name signifies, 

 starts from a water surface and alights upon water. North- 

 eastern Minnesota, with its thousands of lakes and numerous 

 streams, is the place above all others on the continent where 

 flying boats can be used to advantage in forest patrol. Three 

 hydro-aeroplanes and four officers are required. The ma- 

 chines, allowing for a life of three years, cost $7,750 a year; 

 repairs and supplies $100 a month, or $600; two aviators, at 

 $200 per month; two observers, at $100 per month; and a 

 mechanic at $80 per month, cost $4,080 for the six months' 

 annual service. This brings the total expense for six months' 

 aerial patrol for five million acres to $12,430. The aerial 

 patrol cannot entirely replace the foot and canoe patrolmen, 

 because a certain number of men are needed at accessible 

 points to respond quickly to calls when fires occur. The 

 number of such men for five million acres varies from 20 to 

 30, depending upon the kind of season; an average force of 

 25 men should suffice. In other words, the use of flying boats 



