102 TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



The fines imposed in these cases by the local justices varied from $20 to 

 $100, and amounted in all to $493. In four other cases the defendants 

 were acquitted ; and one case is awaiting trial. 



With the constantly increasing number of people in the Adirondack 

 and Catskill districts there is a corresponding increase in the number of 

 forest fires started. It is well to consider here the direful results that would 

 have ensued from the 142 fires mentioned here had there been no organized 

 force to extinguish or fight them. 



In fighting these fires there were 1,021 days' labor expended in the 

 Adirondacks, and 982 in the Catskills. The cost to the State, including 

 all other expenses incurred by the fire-wardens, was $2,949.13. A part of 

 this sum was expended in the prevention of fire, — for the payment of 

 patrols, posting of the " Rules and Regulations " along forest roads and 

 trails, and services of fire-wardens superintending the burning of fallows 

 where permits had been issued. Of the 131 forest towns there were 71 in 

 which no fires occurred, and in which no expenses were incurred for any 

 purpose. 



Forest Product of Nev ^Ior^ 



But few people ever think of the Empire State as one of the forest 

 States of the Union. Its far famed pre-eminence rests on its great cities, 

 large population, railroads, canals, navigable rivers, productive farms, 

 and diversified industries. And yet, according to the twelfth census 39 

 per cent, of its area is in woodlands. It includes not only the mountain 

 forests of the Adirondacks and Catskills, but also large wooded areas in 

 other parts of the State, while, on most of the farms there are productive 

 wood lots. The annual product of these forests and woodlands attains an 

 amount that gives New York a place among the lumber-producing States, 

 contributes materially to its wealth and industrial developement, and con- 

 stitutes an important factor in the forestry question that is now engaging 

 everywhere the attention of thoughtful men and women. 



This percentage of area in forest and woodlands (39 per cent.) as 

 given in the last U. S. census is evidently too large. If added to the area 

 of farm land as stated by the same authority it would exceed greatly the 

 total area of the State. The only way the discrepancy can be reconciled 



