552 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



operating a tract of forest land to leave a 40-foot strip free of slash or 

 brush, as a natural fire prevention line, along the highways, railroad loca- 

 tions and all abutters' lands where there is danger from fire. 



(8) Railroad Fires and Railroads. — A State law compels all railroad 

 engines to carry spark arresters, and by an order from the Public Service 

 Conmfiission all engines running in Massachusetts are subject to exami- 

 nation by agents deputized for this work. The commission has a special 

 man in charge of this inspection, and the State Fire Warden also per- 

 manently assigns one of liis deputies to overcoming railroad fires. They 

 are experts on the inspection of spark arresters, ash pans, grates, etc. 



The signal for all forest fires is a wliistle of one long and three short 

 blasts, and all engineers are required by law to comply with it. 



By a Massachusetts law all expenses a town or city may have incurred 

 in extinguishing railroad fires are reimbursed by the railroads responsible. 

 This is in addition to the property damages themselves. 



Since these enactments far better co-operation has resulted, and rail- 

 road fires are rapidly diminishing. 



At our forest warden conventions the railroads are always represented. 



(9) Forest Taxation. — Few subjects have received more agitation in 

 Massachusetts than this one. An amendment of the State Constitution 

 — a process of several years — was found necessary, followed by confirma- 

 tion on the part of the people. Last year, however, the recommendations 

 of a special forest taxation commission were adopted. At present, there- 

 fore, we have a modern system of taxing forest lands. Briefly, there is an 

 annual tax upon the land at cut-over valuation, and then a so-called 

 products tax is assessed when the products are harvested. This law 

 safeguards any one who desires to invest in forestry from being imposed 

 upon, and, as well, expects from the owner recognized methods of culture. 



(10) Reforestation Assistance to Owners. — A Massachusetts law is in 

 force whereby any one having a tract of forest land adapted to reforesta- 

 tion may, by turning the title over to the State Forester, temporarily have 

 it reforested for him at cost. The tract is then supervised by the State 

 Forester until the owner cares to redeem the same. The period for re- 

 demption is ten years, and thereafter it becomes the property of the 

 State. This law has been very popular, and has enabled the State For- 

 ester to start forestry work in many sections where individuals would not 

 have the time or feel experienced enough to undertake the work. As the 

 law contemplated scattering the work over the State as demonstrations 

 and object lessons, the tracts thus planted range from 10 to SO acres. 

 The State in some instances has bought tracts for such use, but in this 

 case the law restricts the acreage in any one year to 80 acres. "When 

 land has been thus handled for the individual, and has been redeemed, 

 the owner is required to thereafter handle the plantation according to 

 modem forestry methods. 



In doing tliis work the State Forester of course is anxious to demon- 

 strate and satisfy the owaier that the work is economicallj^ and properly 

 done. This encourages others to do similar work who do not care to turn 



