308 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



be placed in all cars of such nature, and in all electric cars running through 

 forest lands throughout the State. 



We experienced considerable trouble early in the season with the Central 

 Vermont Railroad, and an inspection of their locomotives was made, 

 with the result that nearly all of them were found in some way defective. 

 As they had but 29 locomotives in operation throughout the Common- 

 wealth, these were repaired and placed in very good condition within 

 thirty days, and we experienced very little trouble with them during the 

 remainder of the season. 



Up to the present time I have been unable to procure a detailed state-i 

 ment from the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad giving a 

 summary of what they have done in the matter of fire prevention. I 

 understand, however, that they have 781 locomotives in operation in 

 this State, 60 of which have been equipped with what is called the "Tal- 

 mage" ash pan, which absolutely prevents the escape of coals from this 

 source. The balance of their locomotives are being equipped at the rate 

 of 60 each month, so that by another season a large percentage of their 

 locomotives should be in excellent condition. The results obtained by the 

 New York, New Haven & Hartford have not been entirely satisfactory, 

 and I think this can be attributed to two reasons: first, it has taken con- 

 siderable time to perfect an ash pan suitable for their type of locomotives, 

 thus allowing the use of their locomotives all summer with the old ash 

 pans; second, they still hold to their old policy of preferring to settle 

 fire claims rather than to devote more time to ascertaining the causes of 

 their fires and then applying preventive methods. Much better results 

 will be obtained from this road another year. 



Our railroad fire reports show that we have had 640 raihoad fires, as 

 follows: New York, New Haven & Hartford, 353; Boston & Albany, 117; 

 Boston & Maine, 146; Central Vermont, 24; burning over an area of 

 5,771 acres, with a cost to extinguish of $5,530 and a damage of $27,955. 

 During the year 1911 we had 685 railroad fires, burning over 29,842 acres 

 and causing a damage of $330,389.50. A comparison shows that, while 

 we had nearly as many fires this year from this source, owing to the 

 efficient work done by the railroad officials, together with the assistance 

 derived from our observation stations and town forest wardens, the fires 

 were extinguished without causing the serious losses of previous years. 



Railroad officials claim that an inspection is made once a week of the 

 screens in the front ends of all locomotives operating in this State, and that 

 once a day the ash pans and grate protections are examined, showing that 

 at the time any locomotive leaves the roundhouse or yard it is in perfect 

 condition. 



A large number of dangerous railroad fires would be prevented if prop- 

 erty owners whose lands adjoin a railroad's right of way would devote 

 a little time and money to removing or burning the inflammable material 

 within 50 or 100 feet of the right of way. The same condition arises along 

 highways running parallel with railroads and within a few feet of them 

 when brush is allowed to accumulate. 



