344 



FORESTRY IN THE STATES. 



may so retard its fall that its fire is lost. If a spark is not so 

 killed, and reaches the ground alive, it is almost sure to fall 

 inside the bared strip. There it finds little to burn, but if some 

 grass or dried leaves are ignited the fire can gain little force or 

 headway before it reaches the bared strip. Under ideal condi- 

 tions, even with considerable wind, a small fire would rarely 

 cross the ten feet of bare ground, but must go out for want of 

 fuel. In practice some fires will find opportunity to cross, yet 

 with reasonable vigilance on the part of the section men and 

 fire wardens the number that escape need be few. 



* ' The whole work of constructing fire lines is to be done by 

 the railroads, and at their expense, within the next five years. 

 But though only one-fifth of the total is cut each year, all that 

 may have been cleared must be recut or reburned at least once 

 each year to maintain its effectiveness." 



NEW YORK. 



1883 — An act of Legislature prohibiting further sale of 

 land owned by the state in ten Adirondack counties. 

 Appointment by State Comptroller of a committee 

 to investigate conditions in Adirondack state hmds. 



1885 — Report of the investigating committee recommend- 

 ing the establishment of a Forest Commission. Ap- 

 pointment of a Forest Commission by the Governor. 



1886- 1889~Organization by the Forest Commission of a 



fire protecting force. Determining boundaries of 

 parcels of land aggregating 715,267 acres. Enforce- 

 ment of the law against trespassers. 



1890 — Appropriation of $25,000 for the purchase of 

 16,320 additional acres in the Adirondack Mount- 

 tains. 



1891 — ^Promotion of Col. Wm. F. Fox to the position of 

 Superintendent of Forests. 



1892 — Establishment of the Adirondack Park by Act of 

 Legislature. Inauguration of a plan for producing 

 revenue from forest preserves by leasing camp sites. 



1893 — Reorganization of Forest Commission. Publication 



