226 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Our system of road building has advanced much, as time 

 has made such possible, and as our people have learned what 

 is better and appreciate it, when their superintendents of 

 streets put in practice the best methods that the amount of 

 the appropriations allow. 



I shall not attempt to speak further and in more varied 

 ways at the present time. I have endeavored to make one 

 special point prominent, and that is '* forest fires," and their 

 great injuries to Massachusetts interests. 



I make the following suggestion, after consultation with 

 others of the Board, in order that a present legislative re- 

 quirement of long standing may be so broadened as to include 

 more present interests, — that section 8 of chapter 114 of 

 the Public Statutes be amended by inserting after the word 

 " ship," in the last line, the words "and other," so that it 

 shall read " ship and other timber." I make this suggestion, 

 hoping to have the proposed amendment brought before the 

 Legislature of 1901. 



FRANCIS H. APPLETON, 



Chairman. 



