RESEARCH WORK OF THE DOMINION FOREST SERVICE. 1 09 



The main part of the work in this region has been carried on 

 at the Petawawa Forest Experiment Station, established in 1918. 

 The growth here is about 45 years old and is typical of that 

 following a single fire, in the range of white pine in Eastern 

 Canada. 



There is no large pine such as is being cut for saw-logs in 

 Ontario ; studies of cutting methods to secure pine reproduction 

 are limited to that extent, and it has been necessary to sup- 

 plement these studies by work outside the reserve. It is 

 proposed, further, to establish experimental areas in Ontario, 

 similar to the one on the Bathurst Company's limits in New 

 Brunswick. 



A study is being made of the economic possibility of increas- 

 ing the proportion of softwoods in the poplar-birch pine associa- 

 tion, and thus improving the value of this mixed type of forest. 

 Systematic experimental cuttings of poplar and white birch have 

 been made, to release softwoods already established and to 

 provide more suitable conditions for the establishment of soft- 

 wood reproduction. These cuttings were made under com- 

 mercial conditions, the material being sold under regulation on 

 a stumpage basis. 



No experimental planting has yet been undertaken, but 

 preparations are under way to have this started next season. 

 Studies of yield of white pine, red pine, jack pine, and spruce are 

 in progress. Thinning experiments are being undertaken, and 

 material is being gathered for site classification. This work, 

 like that on natural reproduction, has been extended to cutting 

 operations off the reserve. 



Simultaneously with these studies of yield an extensive study 

 is being made of taper and of the application of Swedish 

 methods of estimating volume. We hope to develop the use of 

 these methods for commercial purposes, and for accurate 

 measurement of standing timber in investigative work. Com- 

 mercial use of the methods is being made by the Wayagamack 

 Pulp and Paper Company, and in periodic volume measurement 

 in connection with permanent plot work, there is a distinct 

 •advantage in a means of volume measurement that does not 

 involve cutting sample trees. The results obtained so far have 

 encouraged us to extend the work to spruce in New Brunswick, 

 and to spruce, jack pine, lodgepole pine, and other species on 

 the forest reserves in the west. 



