522 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



was made to us by the Federal department for this pui-pose, to be expended 

 in payment of observers. This practically maintained our observation 

 stations west of the east line of Worcester County. I am in hopes that 

 as we extend our observation system in this portion of the State this 

 allotment may be increased to meet, at least partially, the increased 

 cost of maintenance. 



Co-operative Forest Fire Conference. 

 Through an invitation extended by this department to the State for- 

 esters of the New England States, New York and Peimsylvania, and the 

 Federal department, a co-operative forest fire conference Avas held in this 

 city on Jan. 20, 21 and 22, 1914, at which the following program was 

 carried out: — 



January 20, Morning Session, 9 a.m. 

 Chairman, State Forester F. W. Rane. 

 The "Weeks Law," Co-operative Fire Protection and Federal Requirements in 



its Administration, Mr. J. G. Peters of the United States Forest Service. 

 Lookout System, Telephone Construction and Telephone Contracts, Mr. Wm. 

 G. Howard, New York. 



Afternoon Session, 1.30 p.m. 

 Chairman, Mr. W. O. Fillet of Connecticut. 

 Interstate Co-operation in the Reporting of Forest Fires, Mr. F. W. Rane. 

 Co-operation with Rural Mail Carriers, Mr. Blaine S. Viles, Maine. 

 Forest Fire Patrol, and Co-operation with Private Owners, Mr. E. C. Hirst, New 

 Hampshire. 



January 21, Morning Session, 9 a.m. 



Chairman, Mr. E . C. Hirst. 



Publicity as a Valuable Adjunct in Forest Fire Prevention Work, Mr. Chas. P. 



Wilber, New Jersey. 

 Slash Disposal, Fire Lines and Trails, Mr. A. F. Hawes, Vermont. 

 Metiiods of handling Severe Forest Fires, Mr. Wm. G. Howard, New York. 

 General Discussion of Unassigned Topics. 



Afternoon Session, 1.30 p.m. 

 Chairman, Mr. A. F. Hawes. 

 Railroad Fire Protection, Mr. W. O. Filley, Connecticut: — 



(a) Equipment of locomotives with suitable fire protective devices. 

 (6) Methods of securing satisfactory inspection of railroad rights of way and 

 provision for the removal of all inflammable material from the same. 



(c) Railroad fire lines. 



(d) The disposal of slash on privately owned lands adjacent to railroad rights of 



way or highways. 



Representatives from the New York, New Haven & Hartford, Boston & Maine, 

 Boston & Albany and New York Central & Hudson River, Central Ver- 

 mont and Rutland railroads were in attendance during this discussion. 



Reception at New American House, 5.30 p.m. Banquet, 6 p.m. Mr. F. W. Rane, 

 Toastmaster. 



