No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 287 



demonstrate what can be accomplished and how it can be done. There 

 are experienced men whom the State Forester couki in times of emer- 

 gency delegate to assist, and, if need be, with authority to take charge. 

 In the case of the gypsy and brown-tail moth agents, these men are 

 at present mounted on motor cycles, and hence are familiar with the 

 country. They are already State employees, and men interested in the 

 preservation of the forests. They will gladly acquaint themselves with 

 modern methods of fighting forest fires, and, were they appointed 

 deputies authorized to assume responsibility, the State would have their 

 services at no extra compensation. Of course this would apply only 

 throughout the moth-infested territory, but other plans could be worked 

 out for the remainder of the State at a minimum cost. 



Disposing of the Slashings ob Brush. 

 As a result of the discussion of this matter in the last annual 

 report, the State Forester has had many inquiries and has dis- 

 cussed the matter with practical men. That the slashings left 

 from limbing are a great menace, and one of the basal dangers 

 causing forest fires, there can be little question. At the present 

 time this office is carrying on some experiments to determine 

 the expense of handling the slash, and the results are looked 

 forward to with much interest. No one desires to hinder the 

 wood-lot operator, or to cause him any extra expense ; but when 

 the expense of piling and burning the brush is once determined, 

 it can be dealt with as a part of the business transaction. We 

 must conserve for the future welfare of the town and Common- 

 wealth, as well as for the present. It is high time, therefore, 

 that some reasonable State regulations should be made. 



Forest-fire Lookouts. 



Last year attention was called to the value of forest-fire look- 

 outs, and the advisability of our experimenting somewhat, to 

 determine whether their use would be applicable to our condi- 

 tions. We were unable to spare any of our regular appropria- 

 tion for doing anything in this line ; and hence, with the excep- 

 tion of the Plymouth tower, which was erected by the town of 

 Plymouth a few years ago, there are no others in the State. 



Since our last report New Hampshire has established several 

 lookout stations, and the results derived from their first season's 

 use are very satisfactory. 



