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17.—Economy or Growine Canapian Poprars upon WaAsTE 
Lanps For THE MANUFACTURE OF PaPER. 
By Wituiam F, Sranzey, F.G.S. 
(Read December 20th, 1904.) 
From the low profits upon farming, in competition with im- 
ported produce, many low-lying lands are found not worth culti- 
vation. These lands are commonly in the market, offered to be 
sold at a low price. My object in the present paper is to bring 
before the notice of this section the commercial value of such 
lands for the growth of poplar-trees, which would be available 
for the manufacture of paper, if works were established near 
where the poplars were grown. 
There is one condition necessary for the success of paper- 
making, which is, there must be a clear stream of running 
water for the necessary water supply. In some cases, where 
there is a good fall in the stream, this would also be available 
for supplying the whole or part of the power required in the 
manufacture. 
As regards the growth of poplar-trees, the experience upon 
which this paper is founded are my own observations during 
twenty-three years. 
In 1879 I purchased six acres of poor clay-land at a low price, 
which had formerly been a brickfield. By filling the pits I made 
the land undulating, and built my house upon it. As the part 
of the plot, where there was original soil, was bounded by build- 
ings on two sides, I planted a band of quick-zgrowing poplars 
(Populus Ontariensis), to the extent of about two acres, to hide 
the buildings. I was afterwards surprised at the rapid growth 
of the trees. During a short stay in Belgium I took great 
interest in the manufacture of excellent paper from the same 
kind of poplar, and afterwards took particular interest in the 
growth of the poplars I had planted, to test as far as possible the 
commercial possibilities of growing poplars for paper-making in 
this country. 
To make this proposition clear, I think it would be well to 
give my idea of the success of a commercial scheme with the 
above premises, founded upon my own data; for this I propose, 
as a speculation, that about a thousand acres of poor clay-land 
should be acquired, having a clear stream running through it, 
with mill-power, if possible. Such land, I have been told, has 
been sold for seven pounds an acre. 
I would suggest forming a syndicate, engaging a subscribed 
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