366 APPENDIX C. 



The climate is rough, and is characterized by long winters with an 

 abundant snowfall, and by rapid changes of temperature ; at the 

 same time it is throughout favourable for forest vegetation, especially 

 for conifers. 



The details will be found in the description of compartments. 

 Generally speaking, the spruce and silver fir are the prevailing trees, the 

 former being more abundant in the middle and upper parts, the latter 

 at the lower elevations. The beech is associated with them locally 

 and in varying proportions. Scotch pine is found in the granite region 

 chiefly upon dry, steep, rocky slopes with a southerly aspect, and in 

 the sandstone region, especially on dry ridges and the top of the 

 mountains, as well as here and there in other localities. The three 

 conifers attain a maximum height of 140 feet, with regular shaped 

 and little tapering stems. Towards the upper limit of the area the 

 height growth diminishes rapidly, dwindling down to 20 or even 15 

 feet on the high plateaux. Here the mountain pine and the birch 

 are also found. Reproduction is generally good, except at the higher 

 elevations. A marked difference is found between northern and 

 southern slopes, the growth and reproduction being far more 

 vigorous on the former than on the latter. 



The silver fir is much exposed to cancer. Windfalls and snow 

 breakage are fairly moderate, while the damage from insect attacks 

 is very small. During the years 1874-83, the following proportion 

 existed between the different classes of fellings : 



Cuttings caused by insect attacks = 1 per cent, of total fellings 



snow breaks = 12 



windfalls =16 



Cancer and other diseases and injury = 19 



Other cuttings = 52 



Total = 100 



4. Method of Treatment and Rotation. 



The situation and the species necessitate the area being treated 

 under the high forest system. The quality gradations, as indicated 

 under 2, are so conspicuous locally that it is possible (as well as 

 desirable in order to secure a proper idea of the condition of the 

 forest), to group the growing stock according to its characteristics 

 as produced by the quality of the locality, and according to the 



