1968 Seed Crop 



Bushels 

 Species Collected 



Red Pine 808 



Jack Pine 2,516 



Black Spruce 262 



Black Walnut 4,378 



Other Species 276 



Total 8,240 



TREE IMPROVEMENT 



Through application of the scientific principles of forest 

 genetics we are improving the quality and increasing the 

 quantity of available seed. Our approaches include the 

 selection of additional "plus trees", the development of 

 seed production areas, and the planting of grafted trees m 

 seed orchards. The program is concerned mainly with white 

 pine, red pine, jack pine, white spruce, black spruce and 

 red spruce. 



During the year, we collected 7,500 scions from "plus 

 trees"; these were grafted at our four co-operating nurseries. 

 A total of 21.0 acres of seed production area was thinned, 

 released or improved in other ways for seed production 

 purposes. Planting of 2,600 grafted trees was completed on 

 20.0 acres of seed orchard. 



Another phase of our program was the grafting of 1,000 

 scions from white pine trees which have shown resistance 

 to blister rust disease. 

 As of March 31, 1969 Number Acres 



Seed Production Areas 26 287.2 



Seed Orchards 12 104.8 



NURSERY SOIL MANAGEMENT 



Our objective is to maintain the balance of soil nutrients to 

 produce top-quality seedlings. During the year, 448 soil 

 samples and 438 plant samples (consisting of 11,695 seed- 

 lings) were analyzed for chemical composition and physio- 

 logical properties. The analysis data is used to evaluate soil 

 and plant conditions and in the preparation of the soil 

 amendment program needed to produce high quality stock. 



Herbicides and soil fumigants are being tested constantly. 

 When a new technique proves effective in nursery practice, 

 it is used to reduce disease, control weeds, and increase 

 seed germination and seedling growth. 



Disease and nutrient studies are also being carried out on 

 a co-operative basis with staff of Research Branch and the 

 Canada Department of Forestry and Fisheries. 



AGREEMENT FORESTS 



Section 2 of The Forestry Act authorizes the Minister to 

 enter into agreements with the owners of lands suitable for 

 forestry purposes for the management of such lands, and 

 to make grants to any conservation authority or to any 

 municipality to encourage and assist it in the acquisition of 

 lands that are to be managed under such an agreement. 



A total of $136,068.92 in grants to assist with the acquisi- 

 tion of 6,730.90 acres of land was paid during the year. 

 Canada will contribute $40,102.56 of the foregoing amount 

 to Ontario under agreement made between Canada and 

 Ontario. 



TREES CONSERVATION 



Under authority of The Trees Act, and with the approval of 

 the Minister of Lands and Forests, counties or municipalities 

 in territorial districts may pass by-laws with respect to 

 private lands to restrict and regulate the destruction of trees 

 by cutting, burning or other means. Such by-laws have been 

 passed by the following municipalities to permit the cutting 

 of designated species to specified minimum diameter limits. 



Counties: Brant, Bruce, Dufferin, Elgin, Grey, Haldimand, 

 Halton, Hastings, Huron, Lambton, Leeds & Grenville, Lin- 

 coln, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northumberland & Durham, 

 Oxford, Peel, Perth, Renfrew, Waterloo, Welland, Welling- 

 ton, and Wentworth. 



Townships: Brunei and Hudson. 



PRIVATE LAND FORESTRY 



The intent of the private land forestry policy is to improve 

 the management of privately owned forest land. Ultimately, 

 the benefits of this improvement will be an increased flow 

 of better-quality logs and other products for wood-using 

 industries and greater returns to woodland owners. The pri- 

 vate land forestry program provides a free advisory service 

 to landowners on planning and establishing plantations and 

 tending and marketing forest crops. 



In addition, under The Woodlands Improvement Act, 

 1966, landowners may enter into agreement with the 

 Minister for improvement of their lands through tree plant- 

 ing and rehabilitation of existing woodlands. Department 

 staff plant trees and carry out stand improvement in accor- 

 dance with mutually agreed upon plans at no cost to the 

 owner. The owner pays for the nursery stock and agrees to 

 protect his woodland. 



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