employ are the only solution of this problem. There can be no doubt that the right men starting out in this line could make a vast success of it.

Forest Schools

It is noteworthy that Columbia University has within the year committed itself to the establishment of a professional school of forestry. There is, however, an extensive need for a class of foresters of a lower grade of training than those contemplated; a different type of men altogether from those turned out from most of the forest schools of the country. Highly trained professional men are indispensable in their way, and there is no likelihood of training too many or too well for the needs of the country, but they are too fine a tool for a great many purposes. The compensation they expect is considerable, and they are intellectual men, too highly developed on that side to stay by the plain and simple jobs which make up the body of the work of forestry. On the other hand, these jobs, to be done at their best, require training, and much of it is of such a nature that it can be better and more quickly acquired in a school than in practice. There seems, therefore, to be opportunity for one or two schools which, if more than one, should be in different sections of the State, to turn out this class of foresters. The training required, it is believed, should occupy two years, coming on top of a high school education. The men thus turned out could go into the State service as inspectors and patrolmen and the force could then be placed entirely on a civil service basis. They would also find employment, when their capacities became known, as foremen of lumbering operations and managers of forest estates, in this capacity, guided often, no doubt, by more highly trained foresters.

It is pleasant to be able to state that a movement is now on foot for the establishment of such a school in northern New York.

Other Features of the Work

During the past year a revised edition of the Adirondack map has been issued and a new map is being prepared of the Catskill region.

A new edition of the land list is now (December) in press. The last previous edition was issued in 1905.

A supplemental list of all lands acquired by the State by purchase has been, during the year, prepared in the Comptroller's office, containing in addition to the facts given in the regular land list, the names of grantors, price paid and number of certificate. This is designed mainly for the use of State officials.

Personnel

The force employed under the direction of the superintendent of forests consists of

Office force:

Arthur B. Strough, statistician, in charge of statistics of forest products and of title papers and records relating to State land.

Lester S. Emmons, auditor of fire accounts.

Pierce E. Beswick, assigned here from another branch, engaged on timber statistics.

One stenographer, with occasional outside assistance.

This force is barely sufficient, with some assistance from field men, to take care of the current business of the office. With any extension of its duties more force will be needed and better system will have to be introduced. The field force under control of this office is one of diverse character and at present it is not very clearly organized. For the maintenance of the State's rights in the forest preserve, all classes of employees of this Commission are called on inspectors (called fire inspectors in the law), game protectors, patrolmen and superintendents of fires. Though a large number of men is thus at command, we are nevertheless weak in this direction because of the lack of correct training and of system. There should be a few men regularly and entirely devoted to the interests of the State land.

The list of men of different grades and the main duties to which they are looked for are as follows:

Assistant superintendent of forests, Ernest H. Johnson, Sabattis, in charge of forest fire service, engaged in various duties connected with the State property.

Foresters:

Clifford R. Pettis, Lake Clear Junction, in charge of nurseries and plantation work; preparing new editions of Adirondack and Catskill maps.

John W. Stephen, Salamanca, in charge of Salamanca nursery, and engaged in co-operative work among farmers and others.

F. F. Moon, Highland Falls, forester for the Highlands of the Hudson Forest Reservation, has made a study of forest conditions, particularly as to fires, on Long Island.

William G. Howard, Fulton Chain, appointed in September, employed now and will be employed in surveying and inspecting land and in various capacities required in maintaining the States' interests in the Adirondacks.

E. E. Aldrich, Blue Mountain Lake, inspecting lumbering operations under reservations on State lands in the Adirondacks.

Inspectors (fire inspectors of the law):

S. B. Kellogg, Adams, employed mainly in working up trespass cases in the Adirondacks.

A. B. Bruce, Walton, similarly employed in the Catskills; also looks after the railroad matters in that region.

D. S. Lombard, Plattsburg, on railroads in northeastern Adirondacks and variously employed otherwise under direction of Superintendent M. C. Hutchins.

C. J. Gibson, Fulton Chain, appointed in October. Will be employed summers in looking after railroads; at other times, in connection with forest preserve boundaries.

W. C. Murray, Chateaugay, appointed in November. Duties similar.
Fire Superintendents:

M. C. Hutchins, Ellenburg, superintendent of fires for Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties; employed also in directing surveys, working up trespasses and otherwise protecting State land.

A. D. Lowe, Northville, superintendent of fires for Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Fulton and Hamilton counties.

James D. McBride, Old Forge, superintendent for St. Lawrence, Herkimer, Lewis and Oneida counties.

Stratton D. Todd, Arkville, superintendent for Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster counties. Also employed in protecting State property in Catskill region.

Patrolmen:

Forty (40) regular patrolmen were employed at the height of the fire season, supplemented with a larger number of specials, with three watchers