The Department of Forestry¹ is hereby authorized to enter into co-operative agreements with local forest fire associations, within this Commonwealth, for the prevention and suppression of forest fires; and is hereby authorized to expend, from its general forest fire appropriation, for this purpose, a sum of money equal in amount to the amount which shall be expended by each local association for the employment of proper persons to patrol such lands during those danger seasons of the year known as the forest fire seasons, and for such period of time each season as, in the judgment of the local association and the department, it is necessary or expedient to maintain such regular patrol; and under such terms and conditions made with such local associations as, in the judgment of said department, will produce the best and most satisfactory results in the prevention and suppression of forest fires: Provided, That such expenditure by the department shall not exceed thirty dollars per month for each patrolman.