under a partial cutting regime. Maps were prepared for the 

 major hardwood licensed areas showing the proportion of 

 such areas which have not been cut heavily in the past. 

 Ground inspection was completed in the current cutting 

 areas, and cruise data utilized in guiding timber marking 

 crews. Some diameter^ncrement data were obtained to aid 

 in predicting growth of treated stands. 



SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO 



This Unit is attempting to develop practical techniques for 

 the selection, mass production, establishment and culture 

 of fast growing veneer-quality phenotypes of the commer- 

 cially important hardwood species in the swamps and up- 

 lands of southern Ontario. 



Experiments in Creenoch and Beverly Swamps have shown 

 that heavy mechanical thinnings are more effective in pro- 

 moting growth than is heavy or medium chemical thinning. 



The use of a misting bed for propagating silver maple by 

 rooting cuttings has resulted in a great improvement over 

 methods previously used. 



Six fast growing, well formed, lumber-type eastern cotton- 

 wood and three Jackii poplar were reproduced by hard- 

 wood cuttings. Site suitability studies can now commence. 

 Work has also been started on the suitability of lumber-type 

 willows. 



Six hundred two-year-old silver maple seedlings were out- 

 planted in the Newell Tract for evaluation with respect to 

 site, strain and individual superiority. 



Tests are continuing in an effort to develop rodent and 

 deer repellents with sufficient persistence for practical use 

 in establishing hardwoods under swamp conditions. Creo- 

 sote and Lysol in various mixes have been applied to silver 

 maple in rodent infested swamps. Evaluation will continue 

 for five years. 



Studies continue on various methods, including the use 

 of tublings and nurse crops, for producing suitable hard- 

 wood material on upland hardwood sites. 



SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO 



Results of tests on the use of pelleted herbicides, to kill or 

 reduce Ribes in white pine areas, indicate that in this form, 

 handling and application are much easier than spraying. A 

 final report on effectiveness of the pellets will be completed 

 next year. 



Examination after three to seven years of the growth of 

 basswood nursery stock, planted in the spring following cut- 

 ting, revealed that basswood grew better in small openings 

 or in cut strips than in the open or dense shade. 



WILDLIFE SECTION 



The Supervisor has assumed responsibility for organizing 

 the Research Branch programs along systems rather than 

 disciplines lines. A practical application of this has been 

 the studies of the effects of proposed northern watersheds 

 diversions. 



FURBEARERS 



The activities of this Unit were restricted during the period 

 because of the leave-of-absence of the scientist-in-charge, 

 Mr. A. B. Stephenson, who was on loan to the Quebec 

 government on a special assignment. 



Essential long-term studies of beaver populations were 

 continued in Algonquin Provincial Park, Central and West 

 Patricia, and in the RoOnd Lake Indian Band area. These 

 were conducted under the supervision of the Section Super- 

 visor. 



WILDLIFE DISEASES AND PARASITES 



As a result of the existing surveillance procedure, an in- 

 creased mortality in Canada geese and ring billed gulls be- 

 came apparent and was specifically investigated. 



The "Manual of Common Parasites, Diseases and Ano- 

 malies of Wildlife in Ontario" was expanded to include four 

 additional wildlife parasites. 



A severe die-off of Canada geese in the Lake Erie marshes 

 was in\estigated and attributed to lead poisoning caused by 

 the ingestion of lead pellets while feeding from the bottoms 

 of heavily hunted lakes and marshes. 



Over 100 red fox pups were collected for rabies investi- 

 gators. A wild rabies outbreak was then studied under labo- 

 ratory conditions. 



Blue and snow geese trapped in a drive at moulting time 

 on Cape Henrietta Maria. Photo by H. Lumsden. 



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