FOREST POLICY. 



(c) To husband the people's interests in forestry and tree 

 planting, and especially with reference to forest fires. The law 

 authorizes the Commission to employ a superintendent, an assist- 

 ant superintendent, a land clerk, 12 "foresters and game pro- 

 tectors" and 35 "forest rangers," the latter drawing a salary of 

 $500 per annum. 



Outside the State preserves the town supervisors act ex 

 officio as "fire wardens," empowered to summon help (at $2 per 

 diem) and instructed to annually report to the Commission on 

 the number, extent and cause of forest fires occurring in their 

 respective precincts; further, on the remedial measures taken to 

 fight fires. The town pays half of the fire warden's wages ($2.50 

 per diem). 



If the fire wardens neglect proper discharge of their duties, 

 then the Justices of the Peace or the Commissioners of High- 

 ways shall act as fire wardens in their stead. 



Aside of these fire wardens ex officio, the Commission may 

 rely, "in forest towns," on the vigilance of fire wardens specially 

 appointed by the Commission. A forest town may be subdivided 

 into two or more fire warden districts. 



In 1901, the chief fire warden had a force of 617 fire war- 

 dens at his command, with whom he kept in contact by contin- 

 uous visits. A booklet, "Instructions to Fire Wardens," was 

 issued in igoi. 



The negligent or wilful firing of woodlands is punishable 

 by a fine ranging between $50 and $500. 



8. Reservations: The Adirondack Park exists only on 

 the map and comprises that land which eventually should become 

 the property of the State. It covers 3,226,144 acres, including 

 over 2,000,000 acres of private holdings. The Adirondack forest 

 preserve (the majority of), which lies inside the park, comprises 

 1,163,414 acres. It is entirely (excepting a few cases of divided 

 rights) owned by the State, and contains 450,000 acres of forest 

 proper, 590,000 acres of woodlands heavily lumbered, 40,000 acres 

 of deiforested land, 60,000 acres of \yater surface, 4,600 acres in 

 farms. The spruce stumpage on the preserve is estimated to be 

 1.5 billion feet b. m. 



The Catskills forest preserve comprises only 82,330 acres. 



Both preserves are gradually increased by purchase, the 

 prices ranging from $1 to $9 per acre. Tree planting on waste 

 land, within the preserve, was begun in 1902. 



69 



