Report of the Forest Commission. 23 



On the same day, May 22d, a fire started on Township 15, of Totten 

 & Crossfield's Purchase. This fire burned over about ],500 acres, of 

 which 200 acres only had been lumbered, principally hard wood, with 

 some second growth mixed through it. This land was valued at about 

 $2.75 per acre. This fire was started, as is generally supposed, by a 

 farmer who lives on a piece of adjoining land, and who, in burning a 

 fallow, allowed the fire to escape from his premises. The rain put this 

 fire out, also, as it was about impossible to fight it. 



On the 25th of August a fire started in the forest on Township 33, 

 Totten & Crossfield's Purchase, which did not amount to much, as it 

 was attended to right off, and put out before it did any damage. 



Herkimer County. 

 Henry Conklin, firewarden for the town of Wilmington, Her- 

 kimer county, reports : 



On the 8th of May a forest fire occurred in the Remsenburgh Patent, 

 on Great Lots 63 and 64. It is supposed that it was caused by some 

 fishermen who had been smoking and carelessly threw down a lighted 

 cigar stump. On Lot 63, which is owned by John V. Flansburg, about 

 50 acres were burned over before the fire could be put out, causing 

 damage to the amount of nearly $50. There was but slight damage 

 done on Lot 64, as the fire was nearly extinguished at dark by the men 

 that worked there. At night there came a heavy rain which put it out 

 entirely. This fire on Lots 63 and 64 burned over about 100 acres ; 

 but nearly one-half of this land is an old brier patch and old clearing, 

 with no valuable timber on it. In the south part of the town quite a 

 good many of the farmers burned their fallows in the fore part of May, 

 but were very careful that no fire got into the forest, or beyond 

 cor trol or off of their own land. 



I have made inquiries as to the north part of the town, and can not 

 learn that there were any fires there. I spent two days posting 

 notices in my part of the town, and sent a package of posters to 

 Mr. David Charbonneau, whose post-office address is at Old Forge, 

 Herkimer county, N. Y. I have forwarded his appointment as district 

 firewarden as per instructions from you. I did not go to Old Forge 

 and the territory beyond it to post any notices, because I supposed 

 that Mr. Charbonneau would attend to that. 



Charles L. Ives, firewarden for the town of Salisbury, Herki- 

 mer county, reports : 



There were two small fires on Spruce creek, one on August 3 1 st, the 

 other on September 1st. The property is owned by private individuals. 



