No. 4.] IIKPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 291 



Of course this work is but in its infancy, but it is believed 

 that our people generally will appreciate this forward move- 

 ment, and as soon as they realize the generous oifer on behalf 

 of the State they will be quick to accept the assistance offered. 



With our depicted, neglected and waste lands reharnessed 

 and made a live factor throughout Massachusetts, one of our 

 natural resources will be headed in the right direction. In 

 one town a prominent business man said that the agitation 

 and taking over of lands by the State for reforestation have 

 increased valuations of farming property fully 15 per cent 

 already. If this is true, it must follow that when actual 

 results are shown, the benefits are bound to be still greater. 



II. Forest Fire Protection. 



This act is bound to accomplish good results. One of the 

 greatest drawbacks to a stalwart progressive movement in 

 forestry is the destruction and wanton waste caused by fires. 



The time has come when the to"\vns throughout the State 

 must give a reasonable degree of assurance to their citizens 

 that they are to be protected against losses by fire, if they 

 expect people to invest time and money in reforestation and 

 to build up a proper forest policy. 



The following law was enacted in order to regulate and 

 lessen forest fires everywhere. Here is an opportunity for 

 the towns to clothe their forest wardens with power to ac- 

 complish results. If all our public-spirited people will give 

 this law i^roper consideration, and accept the permit clause 

 at the spring annual to^vn elections this year, forest fires are 

 bound to decrease. It is not the purpose of the law to take 

 away personal liberties, but to provide regulations for 

 the benefit of the common good. Our towns throughout this 

 State will be in the future what we make them. The fol- 

 lowing is the act: — 



Acts of 1908, Chapter 209. 



An Act to provide for the Protection of Forest or Sprout 



Lands FROii Fire. 

 Be it enacted, etc., as follows: 



Section 1. In a town which accepts the provisions of this act or 

 has accepted a corresponding provision of earlier laws no fires shall 



