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which my father is author. I mention this principally to show that the aims of this 

 Association ought to have my support, and that the subject of conserving and re-planting 

 in America comes home very warmly. 



It needs but a glance at the map of North America to feel that such an immense 

 body of land must possess physical conditions that have both the working and the regula- 

 tion of its own climate. The older part of Ontario, wedging west as it does into the 

 States, and bounded south and west by great bodies of water is a very peculiar portion of 

 this great block of land under discussion ; it is indeed perfectly unique, and hence I beg 

 the particular attention of the convention to some phazes of its forest and rainfall. 



I submit first, that there are five active over-ruling agents in the construction of 

 climate thus far inland on a large continent : 



1. Geographical position. 



2. Configuration of surface — such as altitude. 



3. Large bodies of water. 



4. Vegetation. 



5. Storms from distances. 



What, and how much, each does, is not evident, and maybe never will be ascertained. 



On the accompanying map I have drafted and indicated some facts with reference to 

 proportions of forest still existing and with reference to the average annual rainfall 

 throughout Ontario proper. From Detroit to Quebec Province boundary is about 500 

 miles, and from Lake Ontario to Lake Nipissing, 200 miles. The configuration of this 

 triangle is pretty uniform as regards non-possession of any mountains or prairie, but 

 with a marked table land, as shown, immediately south of Lake Huron, nearly butting 

 on the lake fifty miles broad and running south-east for one hundred miles — two-thirds 

 of the distance to Lake Erie. This high land averages 800 feet above Lake Ontario and 

 500 above Huron. The fine parallel lines represent where over 50 per cent, of the 

 original forest still remains, and the broad stripes where less than 50 per cent, exists. 

 Rainfall from thirty-five to forty inches per annum is shown by the chequered lines ; the 

 dotting indicates where less than thirty inches fall, and the remainder of the land receives 

 from thirty to thirty-five inches of rain and snow per annum on an average. The path^ 

 or direction of the great storms having their origin outside of the Province, and which 

 bring rain, is indicated by the long arrow which has a bearing of N. 65° E. 



It appears, therefore, that two-thirds of Ontario is still in possession of from 50 to 

 75 per cent, of her natural forest, and, let me add, none of it has less than 20 per cent.^ 

 so that possibly about one-half over the whole, still stands. 



Now, with all these data on hand, allow me to ask some questions — knowing it is- 

 easier to ask than to answer questions : — 



(1.) How is it that so little rain falls on the 75 miles of highly wooded neck of land 

 between Lakes Erie and Huron along the River St. Clair "? 



(2. ) Why, immediately thereafter, does heavy rainfall occur all along the shore of 

 Lakes Erie and Ontario up to and a little past Toronto, where tree surface is least 1 



(3.) Why is rainfall heavy over most of the table land formerly referred to, the 

 greater part of which is well wooded % 



(4.) Why is rainfall so small between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, over a district 

 embracing Lake Simcoe — part well covered with trees and part having the least pro- 

 portion 1, 



(5.) Why are all the backwoods north to Lake Nipissing in annual receipt of heavy 

 rain ^ 



(6.) Why is there no heavy annual rainfall on the lake shore or midland counties, 

 east of Toronto ? 



Permit the following solution : — 



(1.) Lakes Erie and Huron are stronger attractions for moisture than a river, small 

 lake and a comparatively flat belt of heavy wooded country. Even an outside storm will 

 be drawn south or north of Detroit by these large bodies of water. 



(2.) The well-watered north shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario as far as Toronto, is 

 clearly large lake influence. 



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