News and Notes 73 



invention is that of Mr. Oma Carr, who begun his investigations 

 in this direction some years ago with the Division of Forestry in 

 its Timber Physics work. The practical importance of this use 

 of a hitherto useless waste cannot be overestimated. A company 

 having acquired the patent is building works in North Carolina 

 where the process will be used. Acid wood is worth about $3 

 per cord and all refuse, including bark and even saw dust, can be 

 used in extracting tannins, but for paper stock freedom from bark 

 and a whole fiber are required. The invention consists in avoid- 

 ing the destruction of the fiber, which the ordinary chipper pro- 

 duces. 



In response to the call of the Premier, the Right Honorable 

 Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a forestr}- convention was held in Ottawa 

 on the loth, nth, and 12th of January, which if a large and 

 representative attendance, able addresses, and enthusiastic dis- 

 cussion can be taken as indicative, will give a greater stimulus 

 to forestry in Canada than any previous effort which has been 

 made in its behalf. All the main interests of the country, lumber, 

 pulp, agriculture, mining, railroad, education, and commerce, 

 and boards of trade were well represented, as well as Ministers of 

 the Crown, members of parliaments, and other officials. 



The fact that the Governor General, the Premier, the lycader 

 of the Opposition, and a large number of members of the federal 

 and provincial governments were in constant attendance shows 

 that the importance of establishing a rational conservative policy 

 in the administration of Canada's forests has at last forced itself 

 upon the attention of those in whose hands the welfare of the 

 country is placed. In all about 300 delegates were in attendance, 

 including eight from the United States. 



The results which may be expected from the convention are 

 indicated in the resolutions passed on the last day of the meeting, 

 which asked that the Federal Government inaugurate a general 

 forest policy for Canada ; urged the exploration of the public 

 domain in advance of settlement and the withdrawal and per- 

 manent reservation for the productionof timber of lands unsuited 

 for agriculture ; approved and favored the extension of the policy 

 of forest reserves ; recommended the supervision by properly 

 qualified officers of the cutting on forest reserves in order to in- 

 sure reproduction ; approved the establishment of the fire rang- 



