70 Third Annual Report of the 



was passed by two succeeding legislatures, submitted to the peo- 

 ple, and adopted last Xoveniber. This is the first of the many 

 proposed changes to article VII. section 7 of the Constitution 

 adopted in 1S94. which has been submitted to the people and 

 received their approval. 



During the past year another amendment was passed by 

 the Legislature, providing for " cutting or removal of mature, 

 dead or fallen timber or trees detrimental to forest growth," also 

 " leasing of camp sites." and " construction of roads and trails 

 necessary for protection against tire, and for ingress and egress." 

 and furthermore permitting " the Legislature to authorize the sale 

 of lands outside the limits of the Adirondack and Catskill Parks 

 as such parks now exist by law. The proceeds of such sales of 

 lands shall be set apart in a separate fund and used only for the 

 purchase of lands or for reforestation in such parks." This 

 amendment must be passed by another Legislature, then adopted 

 by the people at a general election before it will be effective. 



FOREST FIRE PROTECTION 



This office is charged with the protection from fire of approxi- 

 mately seven and one-quarter million acres in the central portions 

 of the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions. The area pro- 

 tected is the same as during last year. 



We have maintained in this region during the fire season a 

 force of rangers and observers for this purpose. The aim is to 

 first prevent as many fires as possible, and, second, to be pre- 

 pared to extinguish all fires which cannot be prevented. The 

 lines pursued are varied and have produced excellent results. 



Preventive Measures 



In order to successfully plan a system of fire protection, it is 

 of primary importance to study the causes of fire, the regions, 

 time of year and other elements which contribute to or are 

 responsible for their origin. As a matter of fact, practically all 

 of the fires, the cause of which can be eliminated, are directly or 

 indirectely the result of carelessness. The following table shows 

 the total number of fires reported, classified according to cause: 



