76 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



how to handle them, without considerable demonstration. 

 I found out also that the United States is so enormously big 

 that it can do but a very little in this line. The distribution 

 of a few hundred dollars' worth of seed is almost throwing 

 away the money. 



The Chair. We would like to hear from Mr. Borst, who 

 represents the Massachusetts Forestry Association. 



Mr. F. A. Borst (of Boston). It is good to hear the 

 experience of a man like jVIr. Pratt. I know that a great 

 deal of that kind of planting has not been done in Massachu- 

 setts. In my work as forester of the Massachusetts Forestry 

 Association I have during the past year come in contact with 

 many people who are very enthusiastic about the results of 

 forestry planting ; but I want to say just a word about some- 

 thing that it seems to me has not been brought out, and that 

 is, that forestry is not wholly tree planting. Forestry not 

 only starts in with the tree growth, but it might start in with 

 cutting otf the tree growth ; it might start with taking care 

 of and in protecting what tree growth we already have. 



The lecturer has spoken about forest fires. We have made 

 a study of this problem, and we hope we have brought out 

 some of the essential things tliat must be done in order that 

 our forest lands may be better protected. We have carried 

 on the study throughout the State, and have examined a 

 great many burnt-over areas, and have consulted with fire 

 wardens all over the State. We have studied the laws, and 

 know what the deficiencies are, and we hope to introduce 

 into the incoming Leoislature somethinof which will brinsf 

 about better laws. There is no law that will reach every 

 case ; but there are some laws that ought to be off the statute 

 books, and some things ought to be added. 



The lecturer has referred to State control. It is undoubt- 

 edly true that, although we have fire wardens, we do not get 

 efficient protection. The greater portion of the State is work- 

 ing under the 1886 law, which provides that the towns shall 

 appoint forest firewards. These officials where appointed 

 have no definite instructions or understanding of their respon- 

 sibilities. They are sup]iosed to put out forest fires, and the 

 town pays the bill, and that is about all there is to it. They 



