Mercier. — Effect of Forest Protection 97 



place is to be in either Wisconsin or Pennsylvania, but in 

 order that there may be no misunderstanding as to fu- 

 ture plans, I give notice that Quebec is in the field to 

 receive and welcome both societies at the earliest possible 

 occasion. 



We may possibly be unable to do everything for you 

 that Ottawa is doing, but we will do our best to give you 

 the time of your lives, and you may perhaps not be un- 

 aware of the fact that Quebec is credited with certain 

 attractions for which our friends and neighbors of Ontario 

 have some cause to envy us. 



I have been asked to say a few words to you on the 

 importance of forest protection in connection with its 

 effect on fish and game life. 



It is a remarkable fact that man alone, of the animal 

 creation, is responsible for any disturbance of the har- 

 monies of nature. So exact was the balance of both veg- 

 etable and animal life as it left the hand of the Creator 

 that so far as we are able to judge, it might have remained 

 so to the end of time, subject only to the conditions of 

 natural development, were it not for the changes produced 

 by human action. 



It is true that man, finding himself in the rudest stages 

 of life dependent upon spontaneous animal and vegetable 

 growth for food and clothing, has protected and propa- 

 gated to advantage certain birds and quadrupeds, and has 

 warred at the same time upon rival organisms which prey 

 upon these objects of his care or obstruct the increase of 

 their numbers. But what havoc has he not wrought with 

 many of the useful wild things of our woods and waters! 



Wise laws and many state, provincial, national and in- 

 ternational fish and game protective organizations are at 

 work to prevent further improper destruction of fish and 

 game, and to repair as far as possible the damage caused 

 in the past. 



