134 NINTH REPORT OF THE 



Mr. C. W. Rowe, Chesterfield, Essex County. — These fires were set by engines 

 on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. Fires are started every day, and I have to 

 keep men watching all the time. Engines Nos. 55, 71, 113, 139 and 388 have been 

 known to set fires, and we are willing to swear to it. 



CATSKILL COUNTIES. 



Mr. George A. Eller, Callicoon, Delaware County. — We worked until mid- 

 night, and could stand it no longer on the mountain without food and water, 

 so we retired for the night and started again at daybreak, when we succeeded in 

 putting the fire out. 



Mr. Thomas S. Miller, Andes, Delaware County. — The fire is supposed to have 

 been started by William Van Kuren. He told different stories about it; one was 

 that he was smoking out a hedgehog; another, that he lit a cigarette and dropped 

 a match. 



Mr. Thomas Ford, Shavertown, Delaware County. — A back-fire was set, though 

 forbidden by the district firewarden. In my opinion the fire from this cause burned 

 over 100 acres more than it would have done otherwise. 



Mr. M. W. Knight, Hancock, Delaware County. — This fire occurred on the line of 

 the Ontario and Western Railroad, and the work-train coming along with its gang 

 extinguished it, so I had no men to pay. The other fire started in a fallow and 

 spread to State land. There is quite a lot of Hemlock timber burned on the State 

 land, and it ought to be cut and peeled this year in order to save it. In another 

 year it will all be spoiled. 



Mr. E. A. Howes, Trout Creek, Delaware County. — This fire had to be watched. 

 It was extinguished several times, but as it was a very dry time it would start up 

 after we thought it was entirely out. 



Mr. Jeremiah E. Haines, Haines Falls, Greene County. — The fire was so far 

 from where men could be obtained to fight it that it was necessary to employ 

 teams to carry the men back and forth. The dead Spruce branches made a fierce 

 blaze, and one that was hard to fight and control. 



Mr. W. B. Hall, Cairo, Greene County. — I shall either appoint a new warden in 

 his place or a deputy, as you suggest. He is a good, practical man, but on account 

 of rheumatism he is unable to climb mountains. I have given plenty of warning to 

 certain careless people, and they had better look out this summer. I think it 

 about time that they realize that the State is not doing this for fun. 



Mr. Plymouth Davis, Livingston Manor, Sullivan County. — I have had the 

 following notice inserted in the newspaper: "On account of the great number of 

 forest fires, I wish to inform farmers and taxpayers in general that it is to their 



