Glimpse of a Saskatchewan Forest. 175 



in places only by crippling, or impairment of at least diameter 

 growth for life. Swine-raisers know by experience that a pig 

 starved in its youth will always be a runt. It is a question in 

 how far the same will apply to trees. The whole stand is of such 

 even growth naturally as a result of the fire and the innate 

 characteristics of the species, and the cutting is so similarly and 

 evenly done, that it presents an appearance as if planted and 

 thinned according to methods of forestry. While at times and 

 places the rabbit may become destructive, it would appear that 

 the future Canadian forester, far from waging indiscriminate war 

 against this humble creature, may be called upon at times to 

 protect and control it as one of his most efficient natural allies. 

 [? Ed.] His greatest initial problem, however, here as almost 

 everywhere else, will be that of fire protection and control. That 

 solved, one of the next may be the encouragement of the spruce. 



While as a forest these north woods of the west must take a 

 humble rank in comparison with those of other parts of Canada 

 and the States, it will yet constitute a great resource to the coming 

 settler of the adjacent lands for construction material and fuel. 

 While at present this "bush" is commonly considered as of little 

 value, the fact remains that jack pine sells in the nearby prairie 

 towns at $8.00 and even aspen, known as poplar, at $6.00 per 

 cord. The forest will therefore steadily acquire value, depending 

 only upon the increase in population, and the consequent building 

 of industries. When this region will be crossed in many direc- 

 tions by railroads, these will gladly avail themselves of the large 

 quantity of tie timber. For the coming of the railroads is only a 

 question of a few years, because rich and untouched agricultural 

 and mineral districts He yet farther to the north and northwest, 

 while the great prairie to the south will be dotted with its towns 

 and cities, and millions of people will find their homes in this 

 broad land in the future. 



J. C. Bl^UMER. 



