FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 353 



tired and worn out with their previous labors become discouraged by the fresh mishap 

 and abandon the fight. The fire then burns until extinguished by rain. 



In order that there may be proper protection and facilities for work there should 

 be wide lanes cut and cleared at regular intervals, or at such places as the topo- 

 graphical features would render most efficacious. These lanes would furnish frequent 

 and advantageous lines of defense, and would be especially adapted to the work of 

 back-firing. At present, the roads and streams in our Adirondack forests are too few 

 and far between to furnish always the necessary lines on which to contest the progress 

 of a fire ; and, owing to the forestry clause in our State Constitution, we are forbidden 

 to cut any timber for fire lanes or any other purpose. The immunity from fire which 

 is such a noticeable feature in the management of European forests is due largely to 

 the construction of fire lanes. Whenever we are allowed to make such openings in 

 our State forests, and they are properly cared for by keeping the ground perfectly 

 clear of all vegetation, we shall have very few fires to record in our annual reports. 



Experience has shown that when a fire attains full headway, and is running in the 

 tree tops as well as on the ground, the best time to fight it is at night, after sunset or 

 before sunrise. During these hours there is apt to be little or no wind; and under the 

 repressing action of the damp night air the flames, which raged so fiercely at noon, die 

 down and can be controlled or extinguished. One man after sunset is worth ten men 

 at noon. Experienced fire fighters understand this, and so do most of their work in 

 the evening and early morning hours. During the day they rest or sleep, while a few 

 of their number busy themselves with preventing, so far as possible, the fire 

 from spreading. 



The systematic effort made in New York to prevent loss from this source shows 

 that forest fires can be materially reduced in frequency and extent. Though they still 

 occur here, they are a small matter as compared with those of former years. Prior to 

 1885 it was a common event, an almost annual occurrence throughout the State, to 

 have the atmosphere obscured by the smoke from burning woods — a thick, blue haze 

 through which the sun at noonday appeared like a dull, red disc. This phenomenon 

 is no longer seen in our State except as a local condition. 



While the system of having a firewarden in each town has proved effective in 

 extinguishing many fires promptly, the greatest good has resulted from the education 

 of the people, by posting annually thousands of printed notices throughout the woods 

 and adjoining districts, on which are plainly printed the rules and regulations of the 

 Forestry Department relating to these matters, and urging that the utmost care be 

 taken in the use of fire. The best way to fight fires is to have no fires ; and if 

 everyone were as cautious and thoughtful as they should be in this respect, there 

 would be none to fight, and no loss from this source. 

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