Conservation Commission. 27 



Mountain Observation Stations. 



The mountain observation stations have again demonstrated 

 their utility in the early detection of forest fires, and the prompt 

 extinguishment thereof. The statistics of this department show 

 that the number of fires reported from mountain stations exceeds 

 the actual number of fires ; but this is a demonstration not of in- 

 accuracy but of efficiency, for it arises from the fact that in a 

 number of cases a fire has been observed and reported from more 

 than one mountain station. This Commission has pursued the 

 policy of adding to the number and equipment of mountain stations 

 as appropriations have permitted. The number of new stations 

 installed during this year was 13, as follows: Adams, Belfry and 

 Poke-O-Moonshine, in the county of Essex; Debar and Loon 

 Lake, in the county of Franklin; High Point, Mohonk and Slide, 

 in Ulster ; Moose Eiver, in Lewis ; Rondaxe and Stillwater, in 

 Herkimer; Swede, in Warren, and Tomany, in Hamilton. The 

 total number of mountain observation stations has thereby been 

 increased from 36 to 49, and in each case it has been necessary for 

 the commission to construct suitable telephone connection, using 

 its own force therefor. 



Reforestation. 



In the work of reforestation there has been a steady extension, 

 and in the sale of trees by the State to private owners there has 

 been a corresponding increase. At the same time private owners 

 have had large acreages examined by this department with a view 

 to scientific forestry and the various State Institutions are actively 

 engaged in the practice of forestry on their various lands. During 

 the past year two new State nurseries have been established, one 

 of five acres on the lands of the Great Meadows prison at Corn- 

 stock, where the work has been done by the prisoners, and one of 

 five and one-fourth acres near Lake Clear Junction. The State 

 now has eight nurseries comprising about 49 acres of land and con- 

 taining approximately 19,000,000 trees of various ages. During 

 the year nearly 1,345,000 trees have been planted on State land 

 in the forest preserve and 560,000 at State institutions. Effort 

 has been made to locate forest plantations along the customary lines 



