Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for fiscal year ending March 31, 1950 Page 134 



This map is intended to indicate the order and degree in which forestry should 

 be replaced by agriculture. That is, which lands should be opened up first to settle- 

 ment, and the extent to which they should be developed for agriculture, or a combina- 

 tion of forestry and agriculture. 



Field parties also made detailed site classifications in selected sections of the 

 North Bay-Mattawa, Algonquin Park and Nipigon areas. The work included mapping 

 of representative types, recording of forest and soil relationships, and collection of soil 

 samples for laboratory analysis. The data referred to exposure, depth over bedrock, 

 relief, drainage, texture, geologic origin, soil profile, past and present forest. 



The information obtained lays the foundation for the silvicultural research, 

 such as regeneration and growth studies, which should precede forest management 

 planning. 



In the North Bay-Mattawa and Algonquin Park areas, studies were made of 

 yellow birch and sugar maple on shallow soils over rolling bedrock, and on moist 

 gravelling soils. White pine, red pine and jack pine were studied on deep gravelly and 

 sandy soils, and on shallow, rocky soils. 



In the Nipigon area, studies were made of white spruce, black spruce, aspen 

 poplar and jack pine on deep soils of shaly gravel, and on shallow soils over slate 

 bedrock. It was noted that heavy yields of timber occurred on shale and slate soils, 

 in contrast to the lower yields usually found on granitic soils. 



Soils Work at the Southern Research Station. Maps and charts were 

 prepared from field notes, work sheets and marked aerial photographs, for graphic 

 presentation. 



In the laboratory, physical and chemical analyses were made of the 400 repre- 

 sentative soil samples collected in the field. In addition, tests were made periodically 

 of soils used in greenhouse experiments. 



During the past year a series of experiments was conducted in the greenhouse 

 to determine the nutrient requirements of red pine, in the range of its natural site 

 conditions in Ontario. 



Mechanics 



(1) Pack Tractors: In the fall of 1948 it was decided to produce a pilot model 

 of a mechanically propelled machine of suitable design to facilitate the transportation 

 of fire suppression and other equipment through the bush. From the beginning it was 

 realized that this tractor would have to be capable of operating under very adverse 

 conditions, such as thick bush, rocky country and swamp areas. As no like equipment 

 had ever been produced, it was necessary to prepare original plans. Design was com- 

 pleted in the winter of 1948-49. 



Actual construction commenced in March, 1949, and the first prototype was 

 ready for testing in May. Tests during the summer and fall showed that performance 

 was very satisfactory. It was found that this 500 lb. machine could take a 700 lb. 

 payload up a 50 per cent grade with ease, and was readily manoeuverable in rough 

 terrain. 



As a result of these tests it was possible to set up improved specifications, and 

 in the following winter and spring two machines were constructed, to be ready for 

 testing under actual field conditions in the summer of 1950. 



