Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-03
Commissioner Ring Talks
About Forest Fires.
Saws Greatest Precaution Should
Be Exercised In Woods.
lev Insurance Co. Authorized to
n Work In Maine.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Tuesday, April %, at 10 A. M.


Forest Commissioner Ring is prepar-
Ing for the seasons campaign against
forest fires. Twenty thousand BE
ware" notices are ready for distribu-
ton to the different towns, forest fire
wardens and land owners. These will
he nosted at points in the forests most
freousntGd by camping parties. and
explain the laws relative to setting
fires on the wild lands of the State and
the penalties therefor.
Tn speaking of the subject Thursday
Mr. Ring says: "It is now conceded
that there is no question of greater
Importance before the people of Maine
today than the protection of our for
estS. not only for their commercial
value, but for their effect upon the
water power upon which SO many in
dustries depend, and the one great
danger to our forests is from fire. All
other causes for apprehension of injury
are very slight in comparison to it,
and could this one cause be removed
| believe that the natural renewal of
our timber lands would be sufficient to
maintain the present capacity of the
pulp and lumber Industries for many
years to come. Wasteful cutting is
rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
leaving the battle against fire as the
paramount issue.
every person familiar with the sit
uation knows that this danger has in
creased ten fold within the last ten
years. and is rapidly growing. AS
Maine becomes more famous for it's
fishing and hunting, our woods are
bound to be more frequpented by fish
ermen, hunters and tourists, each OF
whom during a dry season is an ele-
ment of grave danger. So long as we
make our forests 'one big game pre-
serve which under the common law
we are obliged to do, everything that
can be done in the way of fire pro-
lection should be the first aim of those
interested in the forests.
"Another element of great danger
and one that is rapidly growing is the
constant march of the railroads
through the forests, each year seeing
new territory opened up. This is nee
essary in the development of our State
but every new road that is built means
more fishermen and hunters, and the
unavoidable danger that comes from
IL lOCOIHclINc pdSSIII6 tiii'Noii q N''~
ed section. The management of the
Maine roads have, however. in, every
Instance where their attention has
been called to the forestry department,
displayed a willingness to do all in
their power to eliminate the danger of
fire along their lines. going SO far as
to have railroad bicycle patrols, dur
ing dry time, over sections of their
roads running through timberlands.
''The State now appropriates the
sum of $4,000 each year for the pro-
lection of our forests against fire
which allows one dollar per square
mile In addition the private owners
are expanding much more for patrol
work realizing that it is easier to put
out small fire than large one. but
it is still better policy to prevent,
If possible, the small fire getting start
ed"
Announcement was made at the Of
flee of the insurance commissioner
Thursday that a certificate granting
permission to do casualty business
in Maine had been issued to the Ridge
ly Protective Association of Worcester.
Mass. the certificate dating from April
/. This company was formerly an
assessment association and was rein
corpOrated into q stock company under
the laws of Massachusetts, Dec. 26,
1907. The company has q capital stock
of 500. and q surplus to policy holders
amounting to SOL. 1880. The officers
of the company are as follows: Presi-
dent. Francis A. Harrington; vice pres
iLcnt, Charles B.. Perry; secretary, AL
bert L. Pratt; treasurer, Frank NJ.
Heath.
Among the new additions to the col
lection of specimens at the bureau OF
entomology are a number of eggs of
the lappet moth (Epicnaptera ameri-
cana), which were laid by moth
raised from o. caterpillar that was sent
to the bureau last fall. This moth,
while not common in Maine. is found
occasionally, and were it present in
the State in sufficient numbers 1t
would be menace to orchards, as 1t
feeds on the leaves of the apple tree.
The caterpillar of this moth is of the
hairy type. about two inches in length
and reddish brown in color. and the
moth itself which spreads between
IA and IL inches, is also reddish
brown in color with white markings.
both the anterior and posterior wings
being notched The moth deposits her
eggs in scattering punches on the
tWigs OF the apple tree, a small num-
Der III each bunch. These eggs are
about the size of a mustard seed. and
are white with brown markings, and
when viewed under the microscope re-
semble somewhat the eggs of the king
bird
Hon. A. w. Gilman of FoXcroft. COM
missioner of agriculture, was at the de-
partnent yesterday for the purpose of
attending the meeting of the Governor
and Council.
The following corporations have filed
their certificates of organization at the
ofhce of the secretary Of State:
Somerset Mill e Timber Co., organ
lied at Portland. for the purpose of