236 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [Jan. 



SiK, — In your very favourable notice of Newfoundland, the 

 Oldest British Colony, you quote tlie opinion of a " lumber-man," 

 to the effect that a statement in page 405 of the book "bears 

 absurdity on its face " and is " grossly exaggerated." The state- 

 ment objected to has reference to the quantity and value of pine 

 growing in a district of Newfoundland called the "Valley of the 

 Gander. Mr. Alexander Murray, head of the Geological Survey, in 

 one of his reports, estimated the pine area here to be 720 square 

 miles, or 460,800 acres in extent. The quantity of timber he 

 estimated to be nine billions two hundred million feet, Avhich 

 would give 92,160,000 feet annually for 100 years. This is 

 pronounced to be " absurd " and " exaggerated." 



Our first remark is that the statement objected to is quoted from 

 Mr. Murray's report, and that he alone is responsible for its 

 accuracy. It should be remembered, however, that IMr. Murray is 

 one of the ablest and most experienced geological surveyors in 

 North America. For twenty years lie was a colleague of Sir 

 William Logan in the survey of Canada. His character stands 

 very higli. Tliat he would knowingly misrepresent or exaggerate 

 is entirely out of the question. He and his able assistant, Mr. 

 Howley, made a careful examination of the region referred to, and 

 they concur in the estimate to which exception is taken. 



We submit a second remark. Mr. Murray's estimate is founded 

 on the supposition tliat there is an average over the wliole area of 

 twenty pine trees on each acre, and that each tree will yield 1000 

 feet of lumber, or 20,000 feet per acre. This is by no means an 

 extravagant estimate. In a pine forest there are frequently many 

 more than twenty trees on an acre, and 1000 feet of lumber 

 from each is no unusual yield. Tiiis being granted, j\Ir. Murray's 

 calculation as to quantity is strictly accurate. As to the value, he 

 reckons it at the rate of twenty dollars for each thousand feet — 

 also a very moderate estimate. The aTinual value would thus be 

 1,843,000 dols. It is evident, however, that this estimate implies 

 skilful and economical management in the manufacture of the 

 lumber. He also qualifies his calculations with the terms " more 

 or less merchantable produce." 



For these reasons we submit that Mr. Murray's estimate is moderate, 

 and that " lumber-man's " hasty condemnation is unwarranted. 



We beg to state further, that the greatest care has been taken by 

 xia to secure accuracy in our account of Newfoundland, and to 

 avoid doubtful or exaggerated statements. We are not aware that 

 any error of importance has crept into our volume. — Yours truly, 



Joseph Hatton and M. Haevey, 



Authors of " Neuifonndlaiiil." 



