Study of the records shows that the period of forest fires begins in April and ends in November, most fires occurring in normal years either in May or in September and October, though the seasons vary considerably from year to year. The plan should be to start in the season, as soon as weather conditions point to the necessity, with a force of men sufficient to organize the whole district and to cope with the fires of a normal year. In case of a very dry year, such as 1903 or 1908, rapid expansion must be made and this will have to be planned in advance.

The equipment of a full system of mountain stations has been or will be mainly paid for out of the appropriation of 1909, so that this expense will not be had another year. There are, however, other permanent works requisite to make up an efficient protective system, such as the clearing

up of fire traps, the construction of fire lines at special points and of trails to get into isolated sections. Works of this nature carefully and economically planned are a part of the best fire systems, and to some extent expenditures of this nature will take place of the observation stations in the accounts of other years. These, however, are matters that of right really belong to the owner of property to look after.

Depots of fire-fighting tools, well located, are a very desirable feature in a system of this kind and it is expected to stock a considerable number of such before the next season opens up. Fire extinguishers in Massachusetts have long been known as a most effective means of fighting fire in brush or slash and they have recently been employed with excellent results in the Pacific Northwest. They were tried out in this State the past year, and it is expected in some localities to provide them in some numbers. This equipment, however, should be more useful in the settled counties than in the great tracts of woods for which the Forest, Fish and Game Commission is responsible. The State's use of these will probably in the end serve as an introduction to their far more extensive use among private owners. Patrolman Bisland of Sullivan county, is to ascertain the best form and make for different circumstances, during the course of the winter.

It is suggested from the experience of the past season that by accident we may have hit on a system of fire protection intermediate between the town system and that carried out in the Adirondack Preserve, that in large sections of the State might be used to advantage in the prevention of forest fires. One man of the right stamp and training in a county containing much. woodland, to organize the forces working for fire protection and keep them up to tone, is a measure involving but little expense and promising, from experience, to furnish a large degree of immunity, even in sections having a large proportion of forests. When, as is hoped may soon be the case, young men are being yearly turned out of a New York State forest school, one form of useful employment for them may be in the shape of county foresters.

Lastly, every forward movement interests more of the public, and every means of creating an appreciation of forest values and of individual responsibility in regard to forest fires, is an advance in the line of better fire protection.