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IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED.

The number of observation stations was increased from twenty to thirty-six and several additional stations are contemplated. The new stations to be recommended will be so located as to give the best service, fill in the present gaps and at all times aid in furtherance of a comprehensive plan to best protect the entire forest area. The stations installed during the year, date of installation and their locations are as follows:

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The value of these stations for observing and locating fires is indicated by the record of fires reported from these observatories.

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In connection with the establishment of these stations, it has in all cases been necessary to build telephone lines. I wish to call your attention to the hearty co-operation of landowners and others in this work, without which, in many cases, it would have been impossible to have established several stations. We enjoy the free use of over 100 miles of private lines of lumber companies, and, furthermore, the stations are in touch with their camps and a source of help in case of fire. This hearty co-operation demonstrates the value of the system and the landowners are materially assisting.

Your instructions to determine the actual demand for patrolmen, define districts which they are to cover and thus place this part of the work of the Commission on a definite basis, are being carried out and such information will be ready for your consideration at an early date. This will put the organization on a better basis than ever before and must increase its efficiency. In 1910 each patrolman had about 120,000 acres to patrol and protect. This year the number of patrolmen was judiciously increased from forty-eight to sixty-four and the size of a district reduced to approximately 100,000 acres each. The districts are, in many cases, still too large and provision should be made to increase the number of active patrolmen.

*Not installed in 1910.

† In use but part of present season. Report for 1910 not available.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

The value of our two great forest preserves is so great, not only commercially, but from the standpoint of protection to watersheds, as a great playground, health resort, game refuge, and source of wood material, in all of which the State is vitally interested, not only from the standpoint of State policy, but also as owner of several million dollars worth of property, that the State necessarily commits itself to a policy of protecting these great resources. In order to accomplish this work properly, a permanent annual force, sufficiently large and of the most efficient men, should be provided. The fire force consists (including observers on mountain stations), during the summer season, of approximately 100 men, while only about one-fourth are retained during the winter. The men thus dismissed in the fall find it difficult to secure employment during the winter and it usually becomes necessary to employ new and inexperienced men the coming year. The loss of trained men means decreased efficiency and the training of new men again, a waste of time and money. The great forest preserve needs protection, not only from fire in summer, but from trespass in winter; therefore, there is sufficient work to employ a much larger force during the entire year. These men would also be used in the enforcement of the top lopping law and surveying State lands. The position of fire patrolman should be abolished and that of forest ranger created. The latter should have all of the powers and duties of the present fire patrolman and have full police duties relative to protection of State lands. A permanent force of about fifty men, employed during the entire year at a salary of $720 per year, should be established. The title of fire superintendent should be changed to district forest ranger. The present official designated as special fire patrolman should be called fire warden, thus preventing any complication.

THE FOREST PRODUCT.

In accordance with the provisions of the law, I submit herewith statement showing "amount of lumber manufactured and wood used for commercial purposes from timber grown in the State." These figures are for the calendar year 1910, as it is impossible,

on account of the large amount of work required and, further, for the reason that several mills cut to the end of the year, to secure these statistics in time for the annual report of any year.

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MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.

Round wood for alcohol, excelsior, cooperage

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*No separate report for balsam. It is included in the total for spruce.

The data as to ties and posts are those reported by saw mills and do not include those cut by others. The estimated quantity is 1,300,000 ties and 2,000,000 fence posts.

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WHITE PINE PLANTATION, CHESTERTOWN, WARREN Co, N. Y. Twenty-eight Years Old, 24,000 Feet Lumber per Acre.

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