FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 337 



counties previously mentioned, these burnings necessarily enter into the annual state- 

 ment, and without some such explanation as here given the figures would probably be 

 misleading. The amount of standing timber actually destroyed by fire during the 

 past year was comparatively small ; but owing to the meager information in some of 

 the firewardens' reports it would be difficult to classify the timber fires separately. 



On the other hand, mention should be made here of certain losses from forest fires 

 which are not included in the damages as stated in the foregoing table. Reference is 

 made to losses occasioned by the burning of buildings, fences, cord-wood, pulp-wood, 

 and other property which are often destroyed, especially when they sweep over open 

 ground or occur on farm-lands. But as these losses have little or no connection with 

 destruction of trees and standing timber, it has not seemed necessary to make any 

 detailed statement of them. 



The means employed in controlling and extinguishing tnese nres varied according 

 to the conditions which prevailed. In the case of a slow-running ground fire, which 

 was burning in the dead fallen leaves or underbrush, the flames were usually 

 extinguished by whipping them out with boughs, or throwing dirt upon them, or by 

 the use of water where it could be had conveniently. Trenches were, often dug to 

 prevent the fires from burrowing laterally through the duff or humus, these trenches 

 being dug below the vegetable mould until clay, earth, or rock was reached. In case 

 of a top fire, which was running rapidly through the branches of the trees and upper 

 foliage, back-firing was resorted to wherever a suitable opening could be obtained 

 from which to start a new fire in the direction of the oncoming flames. This was also 

 resorted to where a ground fire was traveling rapidly, the ground being swept clean 

 of leaves and inflammable material for a wide space, the back-fire being kindled on 

 the side of the space toward the main fire. On open, barren plains, where fires were 

 sweeping through the dried ferns, grasses, or some low scrubby growth, furrows were 

 sometimes plowed, exposing a belt of freshly turned earth which was relied upon to 

 stop the progress of the flames, or from which to make a back-fire. The implements 

 generally used were shovels, hoes, brush brooms, water pails, and plows. 



I submit herewith some extracts from the reports of the firewardens during the 

 past year, as these may give some better idea of the work they are called upon to per- 

 form, and the various methods employed. 



Mr. Arza R. Turner, firewarden for the town of Dannemora, Clinton county, N. Y., 

 reports. : 



June 5, 1898. This fire was started by a farmer to clear some land adjoining State 

 property. ,It did not escape from the man's premises, and hence no damage was done. I gave 

 a permit in this case, because it was a good time for him to burn his fallow. Everything is 

 green now and a fire will not run if taken care of. 

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