278 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



much larijer amount. A market is assured for all that can 

 be produced, and we may look forward with certainty to 

 obtaining prices for Pine, which promise, if we can judge 

 the future by the past, to make the value of land covered 

 with thrifty growing Pine, much greater than that which 

 can ever be obtained for the best agricultural land in the 

 State. 



The single danger which threatens property of this nature, 

 i-i the danger, real or imaginary, of destruction by forest fires. 

 If this danger, and the dread of it, could be removed, or at 

 least greatly reduced,' an investment in young Pine growing, 

 in New England, would promise to capital, in the long run, 

 larger returns than could be derived from almost any other 

 legitimate business enterprise ; but so long as this dread of 

 fire exists, capital will naturally content itself with smaller 

 and more certain returns. If under these circumstances it is 

 desirable to foster and develop the growth of New England 

 forests, better legislation than now exists for their protection 

 must be secured ; and then the public mind must be edu- 

 cated to the importance of forest protection, that the en- 

 forcement of such laws as may appear necessary for this 

 purpose may be possible. 



Legislation in advance of public sentiment cannot be ex- 

 pected to accomplish any very marked results ; and unless 

 we can learn to appreciate the rapidly increasing value of our 

 Avoods in their commercial aspect, the passage of laws, how- 

 ever carefully prepared, will not avail a great deal. But to 

 return to the immediate question of forest fires in Massachu- 

 sett-i. The census investigation showed that during the year 

 1880, fifty-two such fires were set by sparks from locomo- 

 tives ; that forty spread from carelessly burned brush-heaps ; 

 that hunters caused thirty-seven ; that nineteen careless 

 smokers dropped their lighted cigars or burning ashes from 

 their pipes and so caused disastrous conflagrations. In three 

 instances the origin of forest fires is ascribed to the burning of 

 charcoal, and in only eight cases to malice. It appears, then, 

 that the railroads are responsible for the greatest number of 

 these fires ; and that the remainder may be generally traced to 

 sheer carelessne^«. The railroads are already held responsible 

 for the actual damage they inflict upon property in this way ; 



