by the fires, but the expense of fighting them as well. 

 It is right that the State should expect a man to pro- 

 tect his own property, to a reasonable extent, without 

 compensation. But the mountaineer who fights a 

 forest fire does much more than protect himself. He 

 protects the valley below. He helps conserve timber 

 for the future and water for irrigation and domestic 

 use. The whole State shares the good that results 

 from his efforts, and the system that requires him to 

 pay so much of the bill is not fair. 



Paid Patrolmen Necessary. 



Nor is it economical. A small fire may be controlled 

 jy one man, whereas a fire twice the size may require 

 four men. The California climate with its long, dry 

 seasons makes it impossible to prevent occasional 

 fires from occurring, but an efficient patrol system 

 will greatly reduce the number that start and will 

 have an even more important effect in limiting the 

 size, and, in consequence, the injurious effects of those 

 that can not be prevented. Of the $100,000 which, it 

 is calculated, the suppression of forest fires cost last 

 year a part went for patrol. A part also went for the 

 fighting of fires which could not have been prevented. 

 These sums are, therefore, well and profitably spent. 

 But a large part, and this includes practically the 

 whole amount contributed by the ranchers and moun- 

 taineers, was spent on fires that either could have been 

 entirely prevented, or, at any rate, could have been 

 put out with little trouble or expense under an effi- 

 cient system of patrol. This last item, which amounts 

 in all probably to one half of the total, or $50,000, 

 may be considered as a tax upon the dwellers in the 

 mountains, and as such it is not only unjustly levied, 

 but uneconomically applied. The same amount ob- 

 tained by direct taxation would distribute the burden 

 more equitably, and if devoted to the organization of 

 the work of fire prevention, would decimate the de- 

 struction by fire, During the next session of the legis- 

 lature another strong effort will be made to secure an 

 appropriation for this purpose, 



:STRY. 



r. 



?T. AGRICULTURE. 



NTERS 



rintendent State Printing. 



