308 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



young plantations of trees from three to six feet high at 

 Winchendon were more troubled than last year; but a month 

 later it was found that the browning or dying did not ex- 

 tend beyond the first stage, and when the needles were fully 

 out the general appearance was little else than normal. 



Undoubtedly more or less white pine trees will be affected 

 from year to year with this trouble; but it is believed that 

 we need to pay little attention to it, other than when a tree 

 is badly affected and is going to die, it should be cut and 

 utilized. The greatest loss comes where pine trees are valued 

 from the a3sthetic or landscape-gardening standpoint; and 

 these are not as likely to be troubled, as the chances are they 

 are on better soils, and hence likely to withstand such depre- 

 dations. 



Forest Fires. 



The past season has been a noted one throughout the 

 country for disastrous forest fires. The extremely dry sea- 

 son rendered conditions exceptionally favorable for fires 

 throughout the whole summer season. Exceptionally heavy 

 forest fire losses were reported constantly from all the New 

 England States, ISTew York, Canada and the Lake States. 



This is the first year Massachusetts has ever had a definite 

 system whereby reliable data on forest fires have been col- 

 lected. We are not in a position, therefore, to compare this 

 year's data with those of previous seasons, other than in a 

 general way. The State Forester takes pride, however, in 

 reporting that it is his belief that Massachusetts has suffered 

 relatively less than other States, considering her dense popu- 

 lation and previous experiences. When Maine and the 

 Adirondacks and other JSTew England States were having 

 their worst fires, Massachusetts was comparatively free. 



It is believed that our new forest warden system saved to 

 the State this year alone far more than people begin to 

 realize. The State Forester has kept one man busy through- 

 out the year, simply attending to the new forest fire regula- 

 tions and assisting the forest wardens. 



During the first part of the season forest warden badges 

 were decided upon, which are numbered consecutively from 

 1 to 350, and sent out to all wardens. This has assisted. 



