114 NINTH REPORT OF THE 



There was also a loss in the burning of young trees and seedling growth ; in 

 the destruction of the forest humus, and in the creation of barren conditions that 

 prevent, in a great degree, the natural reforesting of the denuded lands. But no 

 estimate could be made of consequential damages or prospective losses. 



CAUSES OF FIRES AS REPORTED. 



Railroad locomotives 121 Wintergreen-pickers 3 



Burning fallows 88 Lunatic 1 



From other fires by wind . . .61 Dooryard fire 1 



Fishermen 47 Children at play 1 



Tobacco smokers 23 Smoking out a hedgehog .... 1 



Hunters 7 Burning a straw bed 1 



Incendiaries 6 Burning brakes (ferns) .... 1 



Camp fires 6 Blasting stone 1 



Burning buildings 3 Sparks from torch 1 



Sparks from chimneys .... 3 Lightning 1 



There were the usual large number reported as "Cause unknown," many of 

 which were started by sparks carried through the air a long distance from other 

 fires, and several that probably were caused by locomotives, as they began at 

 some railroad line. 



As in other years, a number were started by farmers who took advantage of 

 the dry spell to burn their fallows; but with a few exceptions these did not result 

 in serious damage. They occurred mostly at places where there was a resident 

 population, and hence were seen immediately by some district warden and quickly 

 extinguished. 



The law prescribing a close season, in which the farmers are forbidden to 

 burn their brush or log heaps, has been in operation but a few years. During 

 this time, however, copies of this section of the law, printed on cloth, have been 

 posted conspicuously throughout the entire region. Several thousands of these 

 notices for posting, or replacing those that have become defaced or weather-beaten, 

 are sent each year into the forest districts by the Commission. Ignorance of the 

 law is no excuse for its violation. 



When the fires ceased last June, Mr. L. S. Emmons, the Chief Firewarden, 

 commenced immediately the prosecution of all persons who had burned their 

 fallows between April first and June first as forbidden by law. Suits were 

 commenced against each offender, irrespective of the fact that in many instances 

 the fire did not escape from the owner's premises. The law was intended to stop 



