Page 131 Division of Researc b 



Seed Research. The work in seed research includes (1) seed coating, and 

 (2) basic seed research. 



(1) Seed coating or pelleting: This has two functions (a) to build up the 

 size of small and irregular seeds to permit them to be handled easily, economically 

 and without injury in a seeding mechanism, such as the Brohm hand planter which 

 dispenses one seed at a time. Much research has been done to get non-injurious, cheap, 

 easily-applicable, and non-reactive materials for coating. The second, and at present 

 minor, function of coating is to have it act as a vehicle for fungicides, fertilizers, 

 hormones and rodent repellents, to reduce loss of seed. Greater importance is being 

 given to fungicides in present research, but work on the others is being continued also. 



(2) Basic seed treatment: Research has been started as to the specific con- 

 ditions of moisture, temperature and light requirements for germination and growth 

 of important tree species. This work will be extended as staff and funds permit. 



Silvicultural Field Tests. Programs were carried on in the Mid-Western 

 Region and in the South-Central Region by research foresters stationed at Port Arthur 

 and Dorset respectively. The program has been under way in the Mid-Western Region 

 for the past three years, and in the South-Central Region for two years. A program 

 is about to start in the Northern Region, with a research forester to be stationed at 

 Cochrane. It is hoped that at least one research forester will be established eventually 

 in each of the main forest regions. 



These men appraise the research requirements of their regions, take the results 

 of regeneration or other surveys which lead to well-grounded theories, and test these 

 in experiments arranged co-operately with local timber operators, or others. If they 

 require the assistance of research specialists, these are supplied from the Central 

 Research Station at Maple. 



1949 Field Projects 

 A. Mid-Western Region 



1. Establishment of permanent sample plots in uncut stands (Abitibi Co. limits) ; to 

 assess logging effects on main stand, residual stand, regeneration and site, over next 

 25 years. 



2. Re-examination of permanent sample plots (Marathon Co. limits); to study 

 immediate effects of logging on main and residual stands, regeneration and site. 



3. Examination of plots (Marathon Co. limits) to determine waste of wood by 

 different logging methods. 



4. Slash-burning experiment (Great Lakes Paper limits); to determine effects of 

 slash-burning on regeneration by artificial seeding. 



5. Seeding experiment (Great Lakes Paper limits); to determine practicality of 

 seeding burned, cut-over lands. 



6. Seeding experiments (Longlac Co. and Great Lakes Paper limits); to determine 

 possibility of stocking understocked cut-over lands. 



7. Study of jack pine cone-gathering techniques (Marathon Co. limits). 



8. Field extraction of jack pine seed: to devise portable seed extractor. 



9. Soil scarifying tests; to evolve a mechanical scarifier and seeder. 



