230 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Two motor cycles have also been purchased for the use of the 

 forestry assistants. 



I predict even farther that it is only a matter of a short time 

 before our towns will be able to combat forest iires through the 

 assistance of automobiles. Already some of our public-si)irited 

 forest wardens have automobiles of their own, and they do not 

 hesitate to use them as occasion demands. They reach the 

 fire quickly, and thus accomplish results when other means of 

 conveyance would be too late. 



Fire Balloons. 



A few complaints have reached the State Forester claiming 

 that the so-called toy paper or hot-air balloons have been respon- 

 sible for starting forest fires, and their use should be regulated. 

 It can be readily seen that where the conditions are just right 

 the damage from this source might be very serious. It is recom- 

 mended, therefore, that in order to fly these balloons the ])artiei- 

 pant be required to secure a permit from a forest warden, and 

 that the liability for damages should they occur be the same as 

 for other fires set out of doors. 



Price to pay for fighting Forest Fires in Towns. 



There seems to be no uniformity in towns regarding the price 

 per hour ])aid for fighting forest fires. One town may pay 15 

 cents an hour and another 50 cents, while others range between 

 these two extremes. At the various conferences of forest war- 

 dens held the past fall this question was brought up, and it was 

 the consensus of opinion that a uniform rate should be adopted 

 for the entire State. This question, however, is a local one; 

 and, while 15 cents may not be enough, 50 cents seems high, 

 and it is believed that the town forest warden should have the 

 matter adjusted at the town meeting to meet his needs. One 

 forest warden has an arrangement with his town chief of the 

 fire department, Mdiereby he can have experienced firemen at 

 the rate of 50 cents for the first hour and 25 cents for each suc- 

 ceeding hour. A few live men who are willing and interested 

 in the town's future welfare, with sonu^ u]>to-date equipment, 

 are worth much more than a large uundun- of unorganized men, 

 as frequently found at forest fires. 



