No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 293 



had received but one direct notice of its appearance here, when 

 a letter came from Dr. Haven Metcalf, stating that he had 

 reports of four outbreaks in Massachusetts. The State Forester 

 has taken the matter up with Dr. Metcalf, and has also written 

 to Prof. George Stone of the Agricultural College at Amherst. 

 If occasion demands, further notice will be given, calling atten- 

 tion to the disease and showing how the infested trees should be 

 treated. 



The precaution mentioned last year will apply not only to the 

 chestnut, but to all trees ; namely, that any tree that becomes un- 

 healthy, particularly in the woodlands or forest, should be re- 

 moved, thus minimizing the danger. 



Conference of State Foresters and Forest Wardens. 



A meeting was held at Bretton Woods, IST. H., during the first 

 week in August, under the auspices of the Society for the Pro- 

 tection of New Hampshire Forests, at which various State for- 

 esters and forest wardens held a conference. The State Forester 

 and many other Massachusetts people attended, including Mr. 

 Guild, secretary of the Massachusetts Forestry Association, Con- 

 gressman Peters, Forest Warden Knapp of Duxbury, etc. The 

 meeting proved a very interesting and instructive one. The 

 following paper was presented by the writer: — 



The Massachusetts Forest Warden System. 



Massachusetts has had the town forest warden system in practice 

 long enough to feel that it is a pronounced success. The idea of hav- 

 ing an authorized town, and, in a sense, a State oflficial in each town 

 who is clothed with sufficient power to get results in a broad forestry 

 movement, makes a splendid nucleus for better future results. 



It is the aim of the State Forester to secure for these positions public- 

 spirited citizens who have their town interests as regards forestry mat- 

 ters at heart, and then get them all the assistance possi])le. When a 

 man is broken in, the aim of the State is to retain him in the work. 



The duties of the forest warden in Massachusetts are multitudinous, 

 and he will never lack for things to do. The following are some of the 

 forest warden's main duties : — 



Interest in all forestry matters. Appointed by selectmen, siibjeet to 

 the approval of the State Forester, he has the power to appoint and 

 discharge deputies. State Forester's power to hold meetings for edu- 

 cating forest wardens. Forest warden chief forest fire fighter in the 



