History of the Forest 297 



the first payment. This practice, the subversion of gov- 

 ernment timber contracts, led to a tangle of graft and cor- 

 ruption. 



In 1841, as the result of an investigation of these condi- 

 tions, the home government turned over the administra- 

 tion of the crown lands to the different provinces. A 

 more active control followed, but the efforts were all di- 

 rected toward a larger immediate revenue, and no effort 

 was made to perpetuate the supply. Timber limits were 

 sold on competition bids, the successful bidder securing 

 the exclusive right to cut in a certain definite tract and 

 paying so much additional for the timber actually cut. 

 Many of these limits were held as a speculation. To pre- 

 vent this, laws were passed insisting upon the cutting 

 of a certain percentage of the holdings each year. A 

 tremendous overproduction arid consequent fall in the 

 market was the inevitable result. All the laws tended to 

 force increased cuts in order to bring in larger revenues. 



Out of this chaos the present systems for the sale of 

 timber on the crown lands have been slowly developed. 

 They are all of the same general character, but vary in 

 the details of their application in the different provinces. 

 Certain definite limits are granted for a certain term of 

 years, usually twenty-one years. During this period, 

 definite regulations in regard to cutting and manufacture 

 must be observed, and the holder must pay a ground rent, 

 a fee for the exclusive use of the limit and additional fees 

 for all timber cut. The stipulated prices and regulations 

 can be changed from time to time as conditions demand. 

 An attempt is made to enforce conservative methods. 



As in the United States, a few far-sighted men, notable 



