The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-11-26
Names Forests.
Forthco ming Report of Commissioner Ring.
Forest Fires One of Principal Subjects.

Forthcoming Report of Commissioner Ring.
Forest Fires One of Principal Subjects.
Tie fourth biennial report of Hon.
Edgar E. Ring, forest commissioner OF
Maine, is in the hands of the printer and
the $50 OR more pages will contain much
valuable information to all interested IN
the forests of the State.
The features of the report will be an
interesting article on the history OF the
wild lands of the State, dealing with
their disposition from the times of the
early grants down to the selling of prac-
tically the last acre the State owned. A
list of the islands sold by Maine and
Massachusetts is given in response to the
frequent inquiries for information OF
this kind. A resume of the forest fires
of 1907 and 1908 is also given, dealing
with the causes, acreage burned over,
money damage, ETC. An article that
will be of more than usual interest, will
be one from the pen of Prof. w. j.
Morse, of the Maine Agricultural station
dealing with the white pine blight. ?"
His assurances should set at rest the anx-
iety concerning the cause of the death OF
many of our small white pine the past
two seasons. He shows that it was
without doubt caused by the weather con-
QltlOnS OF the past TWO winters.
FOREST FIRES OF 1907,
Owing to plenty of rain the timber
land holders We're given very little occa-
sion for worry in 1907 as it was almost
impossible for fire to run in the green
growth. The total area burned over IN
the incorporated townships was only
2124, less than one tenth OF township,
with loss of only S., PSI.
+lo C+,+o by foraSt
fires in 1907, both in incorporated and
incorporated towns was only 1924 acres
at an estimated money loss of S14, SGT:
That included $4,000 loss in the town OF
Standish in Cumberland county, the
greater portion being to buildings IN the
path of the flames.
The causes of the 1907 fires were as
follows: Unknown, II; clearing land. 3;
a campers, 2; burning rubbish, l; railroads,
2; berry pickers, l; incendlary, l; river
drivers, l.
MR.. RINGS RECOMMENDATIONS.
In his conclusion and recommendations
to the Legislature Mr.. Ring says: ''The
forest fires of the season of 1908 should
drive home to the people of Maine the
need of the most thorough protective
legislation The long continued drought
of 1908 made conditions more than I'M
usually difficult, but we had have dry sea-
sons before and shall have them again.
The results of this seasons work shows
that Maine has as good fire laws as any
State in the Union.
'sIt is unnecessary to speak of the
value of our forests they are extensive
and valuable and unless DESTROYED by
fire the danger from lumber famine
is very remote. The wasteful cutting
of our spruce is practically thing OF the
past and our woodlands will be reforest-
ed by nature if proper care is exercised
in cutting the timber. There is no fear
but this will be looked after by the land
owners, but if they are to be protected
from fire the State must do it.
well enforced laws for the protection
of our fish and game has made our for
est paradise for sportsmen, who are not
slow to take advantage of it. During
the open season our woods are filled with
hunters, who leave in the State hum
dreds of thousands of dollars and give
employment to up wards of 2, 900 guides.
'But while they are welcome guests
they should not be allowed to enter our
forests during a dry and dangerous
period and believe a law should be en-
acted similar to that recently passed by
government to issue a proclamation to
prohibit all hunters from entering the
woods of the State during an extremely
dry time,
''As further protection | recommend
that the close time upon all inland amin
ais game and game birds, be extended 10
Octboer first at least upon the wild lands.
For some years an effort has been
made by the Maine Sportsman Associa-
ton to have alaw enacted prohibiting
the taking of firearms into the WOODS
during the close time on game. Like all
new legislation that is suggested for the
better protection of our forests and game,
considerable opposition to it was shown
and the matter was dropped. l believe
the time has come when such law
should be passed. Few persons take gun
into the woods during close times with
any good intent. The claim by some
guns are needed for protection from wild
beasts is too absurd to notice.
''Such law will keep out Of the woods
during the summer season a class OF
men who have undoubtedly been the
cause Of our forest fires.
Il can suggest no change in the fire
warden law, but sufficient emergency
fund should be available to work with
during an extremely long dry season. We
should have sufficient fund to patrol
all our waterways and thoroughfares.
While but SOLO has expended during the
season of 1907 it will require at least
$4,000 to do efficient work for a season
like 1908. Such a season is rare but we
should be prepared to meet it when it
comes. The sum of $4,000 is expended
annually for the protection of our game.
Is Names game more valuable than its
forests?''
FINANCIAL. NOTES