340 



FORESTRY IN THE STATES. 



report on forest conditions in southern New Hampshire and in 

 1907 by a report on forest taxation. 



At the date first mentioned above a new law went inta 

 effect which provides for a Forestry Commission, a State For- 

 ester, and a complete fire warden service. 



The Forestry Commission is composed of 3 members who 

 serve for 3 years each without compensation. Their chief pre- 

 scribed duty is the appointment of a state forester who shall 

 serve at the will of the commission at a salary to be fixed by 

 them under a given limit. 



The forester's work is outlined under the following heads: 



1 — Educational lectures on forestry delivered at farmers' 



institutes and similar meetings in the state. 



2 — Execution of all matters pertaining to forestry within 



the jurisdiction of the state. 



3 — Serving without additional compensation as State For- 



est Fire warden. (In this capacity the Forester has 

 the power of appointment and removal of fire war- 

 dens and the execution of all laws to prevent and 

 extinguish forest fires.) 



4 — Co-operation with counties, towns, corporations and in- 



dividuals in the preparation of plans for the man- 

 agement of woodland. 



5 — Preparation of a biennial report to the Governor. 



The state has a number of forestry laws that have been 

 tried and found successful. Some of these are mentioned be- 

 low : 



Portable steam mills must be provided with suitable spark 

 arresters. 



Railroads are made responsible for all damages to property 

 caused by fire from any locomotive or engine on their roads. 



Shade tree wardens are appointed by mayors and select- 

 men to care for ornamental and shade trees growing in parks 

 and along public highways. 



Owners of forest tree plantations having not less than 

 twelve hundred trees to the acre are entitled to a rebate of 

 ninety, eighty and fifty per cent of their assessed value for the 

 first, second and third periods of ten years respectively. 



