150 Third Annual Report of the 



A cabin built of boards or logs, and located as near the observa- 

 tion point or tower as possible, completes the equipment of the 

 station itself. Under some circumstances tents may be used ; but 

 a substantial cabin is much to be preferred, as the weather condi- 

 tions on the top of a mountain are often rigorous, even during the 

 summer months. 



If it is found necessary to have a tower, one can often be built 

 from timber secured in the adj acent forest. Standing trees may be 

 utilized as lookouts by fastening poles across one or a number, and 

 using them as uprights for constructing an observatory. In this 

 case the tops of the trees are cut off diagonally and creosoted, and 

 all bark is removed from the trunks. 



Discarded steel windmill towers make excellent observatories. 

 They can be taken to pieces and are so light as to be easily trans- 

 ported up a mountain. They can usually be secured for $20 or 

 $25 each. 



Following is the cost of the average equipment for a mountain 

 observation station, not including telephone. It is considered that 

 the labor of construction can be performed by the fire patrol force 

 or bv the observer during wet weather. 



Tower $20-$25 



Cabin $20-$40 



Field glasses $ 8-$10 



Map " $ 5 



Total $53-$80 



Telephone Lines 

 The greatest efficiencv cannot be secured from a mountain obser- 

 vation station unless the station is connected with the ranger head- 

 quarters by telephone. A single ground-circuit line, attached to 

 trees, will usually answer the purpose. The cost of telephone 

 equipment for a station is as follows. One mile of wire is used as 

 a standard. AVhere more wire is needed, add cost of wire for the 

 additional number of miles. In this estimate it is presupposed 

 that the wire will be attached to trees : 



