DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1947 143 



Forest Pest Control: 



The object of this project was a thorough investigation of the possibility 

 of controlling major forest insect infestations by the use of insecticides applied 

 from aircraft. Following the program of 1945 when 100 square miles w^ere spra>ed, 

 an additional 40 square miles were sprayed in the Thunder Bay district. This 

 work organized by the Department received important contributions from the 

 R.C.A.F. and the Science Service of the Dominion Department of Agriculture. 

 The efficienc>' of the cxperiemnt was greath- increased over 1945, when five 

 Canso planes under contract were used. In 1946 one Canso plane owned by the 

 Department covered almost half the area spra3-ed in 1945. The total cost of 

 the spraying operation amounted to $3.23 per acre. Application of DDT ranged 

 from 2 to 4 pounds per acre and a kill of budworm of over 90 per cent resulted 

 from the 2 pound per acre application. A report has been issued. 



II. Economic and Maxagemext Studies 



Some further work was carried out in connection with the stud>' of stumpage 

 as a basis for charges in timber disposal. All operators in Southern Ontario were 

 canvassed as to willingness to cooperate in these studies, but no proper field 

 work could be carried on because staff with the proper qualifications for this 

 work are not \et available. 



A stud\' of the economics of cutting small pine was commenced in the 

 southeastern part of Ontario b\' Mr. M. \\ B. Ardenne, assisted b\- two students. 

 This work would aid the Department and the operators in determining where 

 l)rofit ends and loss begins in the cutting of small timber. The result should 

 make it easier to retain small timber for its full economic rotation. 



III. Mechaxical axd Electrical Investigatioxs 



The main mechanical building of the Research Station near Maple was 

 completed and mechanical work was undertaken. Tests of various commercial 

 forest fire pumping units were carried out as well as tests of fungicides for pre- 

 \enting deca\' of fire hose. A prototype cone extracting machine using infra 

 red heat lamps was constructed. Some 40 jeeps and vehicles purchased b\- the 

 Department were overhauled before being jnit into field use. 



A superintendent's residence was completed, also a garage for storage of 

 eight vehicles. A complete soils laboratory for physical and chemical anahsis 

 of soils was set up. A start was made on a fisheries research laboratory which 

 will feature the unique "artifical lake", where an>" condition found in natural 

 lakes may be recreated in the laboratory and thus aid in obtaining knowledge 

 of fish that will facilitate artificial and natural stocking and fish culture of all 

 kinds. A test well for water suppK" to this lal)orator\- was drilled and an a(lc(|ualc 

 supph' of high qualilx' water assurid. 



