165 



the most solemn duties imposed upon us by laws of humanity and morality 1 Are we 

 worthy to enjoy the bequest of our forefathers if we are not just and liberal enough to 

 provide for our descendents ? " 



Such were some of the prominent features of the first session of the American 

 Forestry Congress, held in Cincinnati, in April, 1882. It is evident that thinking men 

 believe that it is now high time to pause and consider what the destruction of the forests 

 by the axe of the lumberman and settler, and by the yet more extensive and deadly sweep 

 of forest fires, is rapidly bringing us ; and whether means may not now be devised to 

 regulate the cutting of timber and prevent its waste by fire, so as to prevent the disastrous 

 results which the denudation of the country would soon bring to pass. Judging from the 

 tone of the remarks and suggestions made, it would seem to be the general impression 

 that the first step to be taken towards the accomplishment of this very desirable object, 

 is to create an enlightened and healthy sentiment on the whole subject of forestry by the 

 dissemination of correct information, thereby awakening attention and convincing the 

 public mind of the necessity and benefit of preserving our forest wealth from destruction. 



This important subject will be more fully discussed after the report is given of the 

 second meeting of the American Forestry Congress, held in Montreal. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Wm. Saunders, ] 



D. W. Beadle, V Delegates. 



Wm. Browx, ) 



REPORT OF DELEGATION APPOINTED TO ATTEND THE AMERICAN 

 FORESTRY CONGRESS HELD IN MONTREAL, PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. 



To the Honourable the Commissioner of Agriculture : 



Sir, — The delegation appointed by you to represent the Government of Ontario at the 

 meeting of the American Forestry Congress, held in Montreal, August 21st — 23rd, 1882, 

 beg to submit the following report : 



We arrived at Montreal in time to be present at the opening of the Congress, and 

 to greet many of the gentlemen who were present at the session in Cincinnati, and other 

 distinguished gentlemen interested in the subject of Forestry, as they gathered at the 

 commodious rooms, No. 132 St. James street, provided by Mr. Little, Chairman of the 

 Committee of Management. 



The Forestry Congress began its opening session at two o'clock on Monday afternoon. 



In the absence of the President, the Hon. H. G, Joly, one of the Vice-Presidents, 

 was requested to act as temporary President of the Congress. 



Over two hundred gentlemen were present, comprising, besides members of the Con- 

 gress, many of the leading citizens of Montreal, with several influential gentlemen from 

 other parts of the Province and Dominion. 



Mr. C. E. Belle, Crown Timber Agent for the Province of Quebec, ofiered for the in- 

 spection of the Congress, a box containing forty -four specimens of Canadian wood, natural 

 on one side and varnished on the other. They were greatly admired by those present. 



The following is a list of papers entered on the programme : 



1. Forest Fires Joseph S. Fay, Wood's Holl, Mass. 



2. The Distribution of Hard Wood Trees in the Gulf Region of the Southern 



States Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 



3. Tree Planting by Railroad Companies, 



Franklin B. Hough, Ph.D., Lowville, N. Y. 



4. The Rational Method of Tree Planting.. N. H.Egleston, Williamsto^vTi, Mass. 



o. The Russian Mulbeny D. C. Bunson, Topeka, Kan. 



6. The Larix Europea (European Larch), its quick growth, adaptability, prop- 

 agation and culture David Nicol, Cataraqui, Ont. 



