23 



tance of also systematizing and working out similar methods 

 for handling forest fires. 



Since attending this meeting and making the acquaintance 

 of so many good men, a great many valuable suggestions and 

 assistance have come to the office; and there is little doubt 

 but that as time goes on very valuable assistance is bound to 

 come from the chiefs of fire departments in regulating and 

 organizing forest-fire fighting methods for effective results. 



Our forest wardens and the chiefs of fire departments and 

 their deputies should by all means work together in harmony. 

 Already in many instances both offices are held by one man. 

 Where the offices are separate, a definite understanding and 

 methods of co-operation should be entered into. Both are 

 public servants, and should be public spirited and work to- 

 gether for the benefit of all. 



TREE BLIGHT. 



There probably have been few subjects that have caused 

 more alarm than the so-called pine tree blight, which was so 

 prevalent last year, and is still in evidence, although to a 

 far less degree, this season. As was predicted in last year's 

 report, the trouble was not as prevalent this year, especially 

 in sections where it was very bad last year, as at Winchen- 

 don. However, at Greenfield it was worse, if anything. On 

 the whole, for the State, while trees affected last year still 

 showed the effects, and an experienced person could pick 

 them out at a distance, nevertheless they have improved in 

 condition, and many will undoubtedly outgrow this malady. 



In order to keep in close touch with the pine tree blight, 

 so that, should it develop still further this season, we might 

 possibly obtain further information for combating it, besides 

 having the assistants and others on the alert for developments, 

 a young man, Mr. Thomas Jones, a recent graduate of the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College, who had specialized in 

 mycology, was employed for a month. Nothing particularly 

 new was found, other than was reported in the annual report 

 last year. 



Early in the season most of the tip growth of the new 

 shoots seemed to be affected, and it was thought that some 



