288 BOARD OF AGRICULTL'KE. [Pub. Doc. 



Maine has a number of these lookouts scattered throughout 

 the so-called wild or forest lands, and the State makes an annual 

 appropriation of $60,000 a year for these stations and for fire- 

 patrol work. The work of the Forest Commissioner of Maine is 

 primarily that of forest-fire protection. 



New York has forest-fire lookout stations established through- 

 out the Adirondacks, and values them very highly. 



The point may be raised that the States named have a much 

 larger forested area than has Massachusetts. This is true; 

 l)ut this State is quite thickly poind ated, and the dangers 

 from fires are therefore proportionately greater, as man him- 

 self seems to be the destructive force. There is no doubt that 

 the small outlay required for the services of men to attend a 

 few lookouts at high points in this State, together with the in- 

 stallation of telephones, would have been repaid many times 

 over during the past season in the saving of forest values by 

 stopping fires in their incipiency. There is nothing like having 

 a system for getting results. If this outlook plan could be 

 added to the present forest warden system, it is believed that it 

 would be an economic step in the right direction. 



Fire Lines and Protective Moth Belts. 



Each forest warden should plan to interest his town in doing 

 something in the way of making fire lines. By making a begin- 

 ning and doing a little each year the importance and value of the 

 work will demonstrate itself. The widening of all wood roads 

 or cleaning a strip and running plowed furrows, together with 

 separating the debris, etc., if done in advance, precludes the 

 danger from fires, so common at present. This winter this de- 

 partment has been fortunate in finding enough of this sort of 

 work, largely on private estates, to employ a number of our men 

 in making fire lines. By finding the men employment at this 

 season, we shall be able to keep them the year round. Men 

 familiar with the work and understanding modern methods 

 accomplish much more than inexperienced men. 



These fire lines may be utilized for operating the lots, as occa- 

 sion demands ; also, they enable one to combat the dreaded moth 

 pests. 



