improving growth of pines in order that the important pine lumbering industry 

 can be maintained. 



These projects were established approximately ten years ago and will yield 

 useful data during the next year. 



South-Eastern Region 



Prescribed Burning 



The objective is the study of the use of prescribed burning in the management 

 of hardwood stands. This was continued in 1961, when a series of burns was 

 completed in the fall according to plan at Swan Lake, Algonquin Park, but 

 weather conditions prohibited the burning in two other areas. 



In May, 1961, prescribed burning was carried out in a hardwood stand of 

 sprout origin to study the possible use of fire in stand conversion. This particular 

 fire appeared initially to be more destructive than fall fires in hardwood stands. 



Tallies made at Swan Lake suggest that fall burning kills a high percentage 

 of the sugar maple seed which had fallen prior to the fire. 



White Spruce 



The objective is to study the management of an area for timber and wildlife 

 which has been carried out in the Tweed District since 1957. The first regenera- 

 tion tallies of clear-cut blocks, where the slash was completely burned, indicate a 

 high percent stocking of white cedar and balsam fir with fair stocking of white 

 spruce. Pre-cut tallies of regeneration were made on areas cut in the winter 

 of 1961-62. 



Blueberries 



The objective of this study was the effect of culture on blueberry production. 

 The results indicate that, although pruning by mechanical means or by fire 

 increased blueberry production, burning produced a greater increase at a lower 

 cost. On the basis of this study, the Tweed District is carrying out a program 

 of supervised operational burns in blueberry areas. Burning in this manner should 

 reduce indiscriminate fires while safely maintaining the blueberry crop which plays 

 an important role in the local economy. 



Artificial Regeneration (white pine, red pine, white spruce) 



The planting of pine and spruce was done on shallow till over granitic bed- 

 rock to compare their survival and growth. The survival of the red pine was 80 

 percent, while the percent for the other two species was 58. Growth measure- 

 ments will be taken in 1964. 



Nutrient Studies 



The objective was to assess the value of the application of trace elements 

 to plants to reduce frost damage. Field and laboratory tests on white spruce 

 stock (3-2) suggest that two or three foliar applications of borax spray reduce 

 frost damage considerably under severe conditions (more than 20°F. of frost). 



South-Western Region 



The research program of the South- Western Region consists of a number of 

 studies which are grouped into one of several main divisions, namely silvics and 

 forest management, mechanical and soil conservation research. 



Silvics research objectives are long term studies on commercially important 

 tree species of the Region. These investigations were sponsored by the Regional 



272 



