86 Third Annual Report of the 



eluded in our list of fires. A careful check has been maintained 

 upon all fires reported and whenever an observer has failed to 

 report a fire which was within a reasonable radius of his station 

 an investigation has been made to determine if it was visible from 

 the station. There are, however, areas which, on account of 

 topography, are not suitably protected from the established moun- 

 tain stations and there is need of an increased number of stations. 



During the first few years of the present protective system, 

 telephone lines to mountain stations were built in large number, 

 and, on account of the limited funds, the construction was cheap. 

 During the past year a large proportion of these lines has been 

 rebuilt, largely by the ranger force during wet weather. The 

 value of the observer on the mountain station depends entirely 

 upon the efficiency of his telephone apparatus. Therefore, every 

 effort is being made to establish these lines in a most thorough 

 manner in order that the service may be perfect at the time 

 required. 



One. new mountain station has been constructed during the 

 year, at Tooley Pond Mountain, near Xew Bridge, in the south- 

 ern part of St. Lawrence county. This station overlooks a large 

 area of timber land in the western foothills of the Adirondacks. 

 The expense of material for the tower, cabin and lines was borne 

 by the R. W. Higbie Lumber Company. 



During the spring, also in the fall and portions of the summer, 

 the climate on the summits of the various mountains, where the 

 observers are required to live, is very cold and it is necessary to 

 have suitable quarters. During the past season several cabins 

 for the rangers have been built replacing tents which were formerly 

 used. The latter proved both expensive and difficult to maintain. 



Roads and trails are very important in any comprehensive sys- 

 tem of fire protection. They not only are routes which enable 

 the men to reach the fire with less exertion and quicker, but also 

 serve as fire lines or points from which back fires may be set or 

 an advancing fire checked. During the past season there has been 

 but little time, on account of the extent of dry weather, for this 

 work. However, ninety-four miles of such roads and trails have 

 been cleared and made available for these purposes. 



