10 



operations much farther back. If, as is stated, the land is much better 

 farther to the north, it would be better to renew the clearing there, so as. 

 to leave a broad belt of forest to the south of the new settlements ; for a 

 forest district to the south (without prejudice to the height of lands con- 

 siderations) will attract summer showers to the cleared land north of it, 

 while from a north forest comes liltle rain at the season when moet 

 needed. 



He then goes on further to remark in this connection, " This region of 

 country possesses many and valuable water-courses, which would dry up- 

 were the country cleared, but which the retention of the forests will 

 retain in full value. I would also state, that the quality of the water 

 flowing over the granite bed, it being free from lime, is remarkably well 

 adapted to various textile manufactures, and would suggest that large 

 manufacturing villages and towns might find occasion for profitable 

 existence in the heart of the large forests which, I conceive, Government 

 should retain in this part of the country. Such towns and villages will 

 by no means lack communication with other parts of the country, as the 

 Canada Pacific, and its connecting railways, will pass through the present 

 wilderness near the vicinity where it is desirable these forests should be 

 maintained. I would here suggest that large portions of forest might be 

 preserved, let us say, after the merchantable lumber has been carried off 

 by the lumberman, by alloting them in free grants to persons who would 

 undertake to maintain the land in its wooded condition." 



The whole great peninsula to the west is destitute of most of the 

 original forests on the elevated lands which gave her rivers water, and 

 has little in the way of woods save the small reserves farmers have kept 

 for themselves. These are being rapidly used ; they fade away and are 

 not replaced. The list at the end of this section will show exactly the 

 acreage under wood still left in each county, out of what a century ago 

 was all forest, and judging therefrom, if the present system goes on with- 

 out remedial measures being applied, the great peninsula of Ontario will,, 

 in a few years, become a disforested land. 



Mr. Phipps says, "If wo pass through much of the forest which Ontario- 

 still retains in governmental hands, we shall find, here and there, many 

 a largo expanse desolated by fire and growing up again, a brushwood 

 choking itself to uselossnees, covering a burnt and impoverished soil. 

 We shall find great areas of forest the lumbermen have culled of pine and 

 spruce, of ash and oak. Every here and there are the relics of their 

 operations the close hewn stump, and, a goodly distance therefrom, the 

 great pile of decaying branches whore the head of the tree had fallen- 

 \vhile the whole distance between, if round timber had been got out, 

 shows nothing but a few scattered side limbs, but if square it is paved 

 with immense pine fragments short thick slabs whose deep clean cut 

 show the force of the ecore-hacker's arm, and long lengths of those 

 peculiar chips, slightly connected, thin and broad, smooth on one side, 

 the depth and etraightnoes of which show how deftly the handler of the 

 broad-axe has plied his unwieldy tool; and if you come near the stump, 



