No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 291 



State Subsidy to Towns for Forest-fire Protection. 



The law enacted last winter, which assists all towns having a 

 valuation of one and one-half millions or less in purchasing fire 

 equipment to the extent of 50 per cent., or an amount not exceed- 

 ing $500, was passed too late to be taken advantage of by most 

 to\vns, as their annual town meeting had been held. 



At the coming spring town meetings it is believed that many 

 will accept the assistance. The State Forester has a brief pam- 

 phlet in press that will be sent to all towns in time for their con- 

 sideration before the S2:)ring meetings. 



Public Addresses. 



As many engagements have been filled throughout the year 

 as the State Forester could accept, and at the same time con- 

 sistently carry on his other duties. The custom of placing the 

 responsibility upon organizations of securing an audience of 

 at least one hundred has made our efforts more effective and 

 better appreciated. It has been practically impossible to meet 

 all the demands from local clubs and private organizations; 

 hence we have invariably requested that, in so far as j^ossible, 

 these meetings be thrown open to the public. 



The usual course of lectures was given at the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College during January. 



Lectures before Scientific 0RGx^.NIZATI0NS. 



The State Forester has had several requests to lecture outside 

 the State, as well as at home, and the following were accepted : 

 Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., in their special lecture 

 course on forestry ; the New Hampshire LEorticultural Society, 

 annual meeting at Manchester ; the Society for the Promotion of 

 Agricultural Science, annual meeting at Washington, D. C. ; 

 the American Society of Economic Entomologists, annual meet- 

 ing at Boston; the Economic Club; Williams College, at Wil- 

 liamstown ; the Massachusetts Reform Club ; High School Prin- 

 cipals Association ; the Society for the Protection of New Hamp- 

 shire Forests, at Bretton Woods, IST. H. ; etc. 



