methods for determining the age of beaver, and the second, an assessment of 

 the ovary as an index to reproductive rate, were initiated at the Southern Research 

 Station. The main objectives of determining carrying capacity, population turn- 

 over, growth, reproductive rate and sex and age composition of colonies in 

 various habitats were pursued by means of a trapping program in which some 

 live animals were tagged and released and a series collected for studies of growth, 

 reproduction, age compositions and pelt quality. With the establishment of an 

 experimental winter trapping program, the beaver project has been put on a 

 twelve-month basis, permitting a study of the entire annual cycle. 



The study of the movements of marten were continued in a live-trapping 

 and tagging program. Nineteen animals were trapped and their movements in 

 relation to forest type investigated. 



As in past years, facilities was provided at the Station for co-operative 

 studies with the Ontario Research Foundation and University of Toronto. 



Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project 

 Since 1948, this project has been concerned with the site requirements, 

 growth and culture of shrubs considered to be of value in improving habitat for 

 wildlife on agricultural land. Since this work has now reached a stage where it 

 can be largely maintained through a series of inspections of experimental plantings, 

 it was possible this year to expand the program to a study of aquatic plants of 

 value to waterfowl. A survey was made in co-operation with the district foresters 

 to determine the distribution of wild rice. A series of specimens collected 

 across the province were identified by Dr. W. G. Dore, Canadian Department 

 of Agriculture, and it was found that there are three varieties of wild rice widely 

 distributed in Ontario. During the summer of 1955, an experiment was carried 

 out in co-operation with the staff of the Parry Sound Forest District to explore 

 the prospects of introducing desirable aquatic plants into a few Precambrian lakes. 

 Plantings of six species were made at eight sites, but none of these was success- 

 ful. 



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