25 



Forest Research 



As this question is to be discussed by Dr. Howe, my reference 



to this investigation will be brief. Our research work in co-operation 



with the Laurentide and Riordon companies, and with the Dominion 



Entomological Branch, has been continued under the direction of 



Dr. C. D. Howe. 



Dr. Howe is making a careful study of the reproduc- 

 St. Maurice . , , r , , j • • , o 



Valley tion and growth oi the pulpwood species m the bt. 



Maurice valley, Quebec. As he finds that present 

 methods of cutting in Eastern Canada are destructive and that there 

 is no adequate provision for the future, he is endeavouring to ascertain 

 what modifications of cutting methods are necessary to secure adequate 

 reproduction and growth. Unless checked, the increasing predom- 

 inance of the hardwood in the mixed forests will, eventually, eliminate 

 the spruce and balsam as commercial species. Apparently, logging 

 the hardwoods as well as the conifers is the only solution of the 

 problem. 



Dr. Howe's investigations show that, under the cover of hard- 

 woods, the average 4-inch balsam in the St. Maurice valley is 55 

 years old, the average 8-inch tree is 70 years old, and it was 80 years 

 old at 10 inches in diameter, breast high. At 4 inches in diameter, the 

 average red spruce was found to be 80 years old; at 8 inches, 120 

 years old, and at 12 inches, 165 years old. 



The crucial point is Dr. Howe's statement that our 

 Lessons from i i • 



Growth Studies growth studies, SO far as they have been made, 



indicate that, with the exception of the white birch- 

 balsam type, the trees of the smaller diameter classes grow so slowly 

 that they cannot be depended upon to reach commercial size during 

 a period within which the lumberman can afford to hold his limits. 

 More data must, of course, be obtained before we can say that this 

 conclusion has been carried to a demonstration. 



It is not too much to say that this investigation of our pulpwood 

 resources — which we trust will determine the measures necessary to 

 ensure their perpetuation — is one of the most important questions 

 now in progress by the Commission or any other governmental 

 organisation, and we can congratulate ourselves upon being the 

 pioneers in this matter, inasmuch as we initiated it early in 1917. 

 Work of ^^^ value of our investigations has been recognized 



Commission by the Pulp and Paper Association, as well as by 



financial contributions from the Laurentide and Rior- 

 don companies. The Abitibi Power and Pulp C^o. has also discussed 

 the possibility of a similar co-operative arrangement respecting inves- 



