ECONOMIC 59 



are burned and dispersed. After this operation has been repeated a few 

 times, nature often ends it by refusing to produce a growth sufficient to 

 support a fire. Where sandy lands cleared by fire are farmed, the first 

 crops are commonly good, but decrease from year to year, until unprofitable. 

 Rocks, covered by a light soil, when burned over are laid bare and 

 commonly remain so. The lands held by the government probably suffer 

 the most loss. Marketable property, as well as resources, is destroyed by 

 fire. The census of 1880 reports losses by forest fires to the amount of 

 $25,462,250. " 



REMEDIAL, MEASURES. 



The following is the draft of a bill, applicable to all the states, furnished 

 by Prof. B. E. Fernow and approved by Hon. J. Sterling Morton, secre- 

 tary of agriculture: 



AN ACT FOR THE PROTECTION OF FOREST PROPERTY. 



FOREST COMMISSIONER. 



Section 1. Creates a forest commissioner, whose office may be either an 

 enlargement of some existing office, or much better, a separate one, with 

 adequate compensation in either case, to be appointed by and reporting 

 directly to the governor. 



Sec. 2. Prescribes the duties of the forest commissioner, namely, to 

 organize, supervise, and be responsible under the provisions of this act for 

 the protection of forest property in the state against fire. In addition he 

 is to collect statistics and other information regarding the forest areas in 

 the state, and the commerce of wood and allied interests; especially such 

 information as will explain the distribution, value, condition and ownership 

 of the woodland. This information and the results of the operation of this 

 act, together with suggestions for further legislative action to be embodied 

 in annual reports. 



Sec. 3. Provides for the giving of a bond by the forest commissioner for 

 the faithful performance of his duties, and fixes fines for such neglect in 

 performing the duties of the office as may be proven, and explains the 

 manner of imposing and collecting such fines. 



ORGANIZATION OF FIRE SERVICE. 



Sec. 4. Constitutes the selectmen of towns, or the sheriff's deputies, 

 constables, supervisors, or similar officers, as fire wardens. If preferred, 

 special fire commissioners may be appointed by the forest commissioner 

 with the advice of county commissioners, or both methods of providing fire 

 wardens may be employed together. The towns are to be divided into fire 

 districts, the number and boundaries to be governed by the exigencies in 

 each case, and each district to be under the charge and oversight of one 

 district fire warden. One of these should be designated as town fire 

 warden, to take command in case of large conflagrations. The town fire 

 warden and at least fifty per cent of the district fire wardens should be 

 property owners in the county, unless a sufficient number of such cannot 



