PKOGKESS OF FORESTRY IN LOUISIANA. 39 



While the law makes no specific provision for a system of forest- 

 fire protection, the Stat# forester is required to prevent and control 

 forest fires, and he may employ fire wardens and patrolmen if they 

 are needed. Money for the payment of this force will be supplied 

 by the conservation fund when it is available. 



Penalties are provided for setting fires. Railroad companies are 

 required to keep their rights of way cleared of combustible material 

 during the danger season ; that is, between November 15 and April 15. 

 In seasons of drought they must see that their section crews prevent 

 or promptly extinguish all fires which originate on the rights of way, 

 and train crews must report promptly all fires. There are adequate 

 penalties for the violation of these provisions. No part of the forest 

 law affects the right of action for damages. Individuals or corpora- 

 tions are liable for all fire damage, including injury to young growth, 

 and the cost of fighting fires may be assessed as part of the penalty 

 for willful, negligent, or malicious setting of fires. 



The conservation commission is authorized to purchase lands for 

 forest purposes at not more than $1 per acre. The money for this 

 purchase is furnished by any surplus that exists in the conservation 

 fund. The lands are bought in the name of the State and placed 

 under management as forest reserves. Moreover, the governor is 

 authorized to accept gifts of land, but the total area of State forest 

 within any parish shall not exceed 10 per cent of the parish. 



Besides those provisions which established the State forest organi- 

 zation and State reserves, there are a number of miscellaneous pro- 

 visions covered by the act. For example, consent is given to the 

 United States to acquire land up to 100,000 acres within the State 

 for the establishment of a National Forest. 



Electric or power companies can not attach wires or appliances to 

 street trees. 



Boards of education are directed to provide for general courses of 

 instruction in forestry and for the celebration of Arbor Day. 



In order to encourge forestry, it is provided that land which is 

 worth not more than $5 per acre may be assessed at $1 for a number 

 of years if it is planted to trees and protected. The payment of 

 the tax which accrues through this lower assessment is deferred until 

 the end of the definite period during which the lower assessment is 

 in force. 



o 



