Permanent Sample Plots 



Objective: To obtain knowledge of tree growth and of the effect of thinnings, 

 release cuttings, etc., by periodic remeasurement of plots. 



Twenty-one plots on the Orr Lake and Hendrie Agreement Forests in Simcoe 

 County were remeasured and thinned. Twenty-four new plots were established on 

 the Drury Forest. 



Volume Tables 



Objective: Construction of volume tables for our principal timber species. 



Data were supplied in 1962 to a graduate student in the Faculty of Forestry 

 into methods of constructing volume tables on a computer. He was employed 

 during the summer to test additional formulas thought to be better adapted to the 

 construction of tables of merchantable volumes in board feet. Volume tables for 

 sugar maple, according to the Ontario and two other log rules, were constructed. 



MECHANICAL RESEARCH 



During the past year, the Mechanical Research Section was called upon to 

 design and construct a variety of devices required for research and other depart- 

 mental uses. 



The main projects were concerned chiefly with the production of special tree 

 seeding equipment, both for aerial and ground application. 



An extensive program of testing forest fire fighting equipment was carried on 

 throughout the year. 



In addition, tenders were let for the construction of twelve steam cookers, 

 the pilot model of which was produced by this section in 1961-62. These cookers 

 will be distributed at strategic points throughout the province for use on forest fires 

 and other bush operations. 



While space does not permit a detailed report of the year's activities, the 

 projects described below will serve to illustrate the scope and variety of work 

 undertaken by this section. 



FORESTRY SECTION — RESEARCH BRANCH 



In co-operation with the forestry section, complete equipment for the mass 

 production of tubed seedlings was designed and completed during the year. 



Numerous items of equipment are required for this operation, i.e. a machine 

 for coating the paper tubes with latex paint and drying them at the rate of 1,500 

 per hour was built and used to coat an initial supply of 100,000 tubes. Other devices 

 were built to load the tubes with soil, in batches of 200 to a box. To place one tree 

 seed in each tube, a vacuum seed pick-up was specially designed. A planting device 

 for the tubes was also produced. 



TIMBER BRANCH 



Two modified versions of the helicopter seeder which was used last summer 

 were turned out during the winter. Incorporated in these seeders is a retractable 

 device for lowering the seed slinger below the helicopter floats, while actual seeding 

 is in operation. The new models can be mounted on the helicopter in less than an 

 hour, a vast improvement over former models. 



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