Report of the Forest Commission, 37 



of rye straw and grass, about $40. A fence was burned with a loss of 

 $8. An effort was made to extinguish the fire by whipping it wilh 

 brush, which was of no avail, on account of the wind. The fire occurred 

 in the western part of the town. So far as I am aware there were no 

 other fires. 



Among the documents turned over to me by my predecessor I found 

 this blank, together with stamped envelope, instructions, etc., showing 

 that he had made no report as firewarden. This report may be too 

 late to be of any use, but I send it for what it is worth. 



Suffolk County. 



James H. Pursin, supervisor of the town of Southampton, Suf- 

 folk county, reports : 



A forest fire occurred north of Southampton village early in the sum- 

 mer. The area burned is estimated at about 1,200 acres. The timber 

 was of all sizes ; some of the land had recently been cut over, and part 

 of it was covered with a growth of 30 or 40, and, in some instances, 

 more years. A conservative estimate of the damage done would be $7 

 or $8 per acre. The large wood is being cut for fuel. The principal 

 damage was to that which was unfit for fuel, and where the growth 

 was entirely lost. The cause of the fire is unknown. It was extin- 

 guished by throwing earth upon it, starting back fires along roads, etc. 



Tioga County, 



J. W. Allen, supervisor of the town of Richmond, Tioga 

 county, reports : 



There was a fire in this town which burned over land to the extent 

 of 100 acres. Damage, nothing. The fire passed over a section of 

 land from which all valuable timber had been removed. 



L. W. Hull, supervisor of the town of Spencer, Tioga county, 

 reports : 



About 125 acres of land have been burned over during the past year 

 in this town. The land was mostly covered by what is termed " slash- 

 ings." Damage is estimated at $250. The fire was caused by farmers, 

 who were burning fallows for clearing their land. 



