FOREST, FISH AXD GAME COMMISSIONER. 199 



All of these lines are in first-class condition and ready for use as soon 

 as the snow is gone in the spring. 



I have an account of 258 fires started this spring, the greater number 

 of which were discovered by the men at the observation stations, and thus 

 men were got to the fires in the least space of time. I feel sure that with 

 the stations built this fall, to begin work in the spring, we can cover the 

 territory and take care of all fires in the early spring. 



Very truly yours, 



E. H. Johnson, 

 Assistant Superintendent of Forests. 

 Sabattis, N. Y., December 20, 1909. 



Report of Fire District Number One 



Mr. Austin Cary, Superintendent State Forests: 



Dear Sir. — I respectfully submit the following report from Fire 

 District No. 1, for the season of 1909: 



This district is composed of Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties. 

 The organization of the fire patrol system of this district was practi- 

 cally completed July 15, 1909, with two observation stations, fourteen 

 regular patrolmen, twenty-four special patrolmen, fifty-one town super- 

 visors and three plantation watchers. 



Whiteface and Mt. Morris observation stations are connected with the 

 New York Telephone Company's lines at Lake Placid and Tupper Lake. 

 There was used in the construction of these two lines nineteen miles of wire 

 running through the dense forests to the top of the mountains. From 

 Whiteface station we are in direct communication with thirty-nine regular 

 and special patrolmen and supervisors, also our three plantation watchers; 

 and from Mt. Morris we reach twenty-one patrolmen and supervisors. We 

 are therefore able to have sufficient help at any fire, within a radius of fifteen 

 miles of the stations, on very short notice. 



One difficulty we have had to contend with was a hazy or smokv 

 atmosphere and days when the mountains were shut in by clouds. This 



