1 86 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



up of fire traps, the construction of fire lines at special points and of trails 

 to get into isolated sections. Works of this nature carefully and economically 

 planned are a part of the best fire systems, and to some extent expenditures 

 of this nature will take place of the observation stations in the accounts of 

 other years. These, however, are matters that of right really belong to 

 the owner of property to look after. 



Depots of fire-fighting tools, well located, are a very desirable feature 

 in a system of this kind and it is expected to stock a considerable number of 

 such before the next season opens up. Fire extinguishers in Massachusetts 

 have long been known as a most effective means of fighting fire in brush 

 or slash and they have recently been employed with excellent results in 

 the Pacific Northwest. They were tried out in this State the past year, 

 and it is expected in some localities to provide them in some numbers. 

 This equipment, however, should be more useful in the settled counties 

 than in the great tracts of woods for which the Forest, Fish and Game Com- 

 mission is responsible. The State's use of these will probably in the end 

 serve as an introduction to their far more extensive use among private 

 owners. Patrolman Bisland of Sullivan county, is to ascertain the best 

 form and make for different circumstances, during the course of the winter. 



It is suggested from the experience of the past season that by accident 

 we may have hit on a system of fire protection intermediate between the 

 town system and that carried out in the Adirondack Preserve, that in large 

 sections of the State might be used to advantage in the prevention of forest 

 fires. One man of the right stamp and training in a county containing much 

 woodland, to organize the forces working for fire protection and keep them 

 up to tone, is a measure involving but little expense and promising, from 

 experience, to furnish a large degree of immunity, even in sections having 

 a large proportion of forests. When, as is hoped may soon be the case, 

 young men are being yearly turned out of a New York State forest school, 

 one form of useful employment for them may be in the shape of county 

 foresters. 



Lastly, every forward movement interests more of the public, and 

 every means of creating an appreciation of forest values and of individual 

 responsibility in regard to forest fires, is an advance in the line of better 

 fire protection. 



