Part III 

 The Top-Lopping Law in the Adirondacks 



This discussion is included ia this report on account ©f its close 

 bearing on the brush-disposal situation in Eastern Canada. 



Following the very severe fires of 1908 in the Adirondack moun- 

 tains, public sentiment in the State of New York became strongly- 

 aroused, and it was generally realized that the existing forest fire laws 

 were not sufficiently effective. Accordingly, Commissioner Whipple 

 of the State Forest, Fish and Game Commission, called a conference 

 of various land owners, limibermen and others interested in the Adiron- 

 dacks, for the consideration of this problem. 



The stake of the lumbermen in the Adirondack region is only a 

 very small percentage of the interest of the general public. For every 

 dollar represented in stimipage values, probably ten to twenty dollars 

 must be expended in connection with the manufacture of the raw material. 

 It is thus seen that the interest of the general public in the protection 

 and perpetuation of the forest is not less than ten times as great as that 

 of the individual timber owner. 



It is probable, also, that the Adirondack region is sought for pur- 

 poses of recreation or health each year by a larger nimiber of people 

 than is any other portion of the United States or Canada of equal area. 

 The insistent demand of these large and influential elements, in addi- 

 tion to the desires of the many who were interested solely from a business 

 point of view, made radical action imperative. 



It was realized from the beginning, that, not only do a very large 

 percentage of the fires start in old slashings, but also that these fires 

 are very much more difficult to control under ordinary conditions 

 than fire in the virgin forest, owing to the vast accumiilation of 

 inflammable material. The presence each year of a large nimiber of 

 hunters, fishermen, and other pleasure or health-seekers in the Adiron- 

 dack region, renders the existence of the large amount of inflammable 

 debris in the woods a much more serious matter than would be the 

 case under other and more ordinary circumstances. 



Although the burning of brush in connection with a limibering or 

 pulp operation is feasible, and is very desirable when the slash is heavy 

 and the fire danger great, the cost was considered prohibitive as to pri- 

 vately-owned timber lands. There was also to be considered the un- 



