22 Forestry Quarterly 



secured by thinnings, without reducing the amount of the harvest 

 crop, but the rotation as far as it is designed to produce sizes can 

 be reduced at least 20 years. 



It is, then, desirable to institute thinning experiments in other 

 than the Jack pine stands. 



The Muskeg Problem 



Such experiments suggest themselves at once also for the Black 

 spruce stands on the peaty muskeg areas which occupy such large 

 extent in the Reserves, and usually grow in overcrowded condi- 

 tion, retarding the development to size of the single individual. 

 Whether by thinning, the rate of growth can be changed covild 

 be easily found out. The probability, however, is that lowering 

 the water-table would show better results. 



Altogether, the problem of the proper use of these extensive peat 

 bogs is one that should early occupy the attention both of the 

 Forestry Branch and the Agricultural Department, for there is 

 hidden in them a great resource that it has so far not been given 

 to us to fully realize. 



The Fallen Timber Problem 



In the Rocky Mountain Reserves fires have killed large areas of 

 mature growth, and as a result there are thousands of acres of 

 windfalls covering the ground with a labyrinthian maze of down 

 trees, which make the areas almost inaccessible and unmanageable 

 for cropping. What can be done with this unforttmate condition? 

 After some time this material rots, disintegrates and becomes a 

 part of the soil, but in the alpine climate this process takes a long 

 time. 



Meanwhile, these areas form also dangerous fire traps. 



Here again, the Forest Products Laboratories may be able to 

 work out a solution, devising means of utilizing such material. 



Altogether, the problem of finding use for minor wood mater- 

 ials is one that would often make it economically possible to solve 

 the silvicultural problems. 



There are, then, a host of problems which it takes time to solve. 

 Their solution should be attempted at an early date. This is 

 possible by experiment on a small scale before the necessity of 

 solving them on a large scale arrives. But it should be reaUzed 



