tubed seedlings. Pine and spruce seed were subjected to a wide variety of pre- 

 germination treatments, and the most promising methods were recommended to 

 obtain rapid and uniform germination. The soils selected from each District for the 

 growing of the seedlings were analyzed and the required fertilizers were prescribed 

 for each soil. In addition to this, a study was made of the various watering regimes, 

 with particular emphasis placed upon root development and frequency of watering. 

 A number of other factors were also studied, such as temperatures, humidities, 

 depth of sand covering in tubes, and then a comprehensive manual was prepared 

 to guide Districts engaged in the mass-production and planting of tubed seedlings. 

 Prior to 1965-66, the Developmental Unit was responsible for the designing 

 and developing of prototype equipment, in co-operation with the Mechanical 

 Research Section, to produce and plant tubed seedlings. This included tube-loaders, 

 seeders, sand applicators, planting equipment and also a portable-type greenhouse. 

 In 1965-66, the Research Branch arranged for the mass-production of this equip- 

 ment for large-scale operations. 



MECHANICAL RESEARCH SECTION 



It is the special province of the Mechanical Research Section to design, 

 develop, adapt, modify or construct equipment and instruments to meet the special 

 needs of the Department, especially the Research Branch. Also to test and evaluate 

 equipment and materials, and to provide engineering services as required for the 

 solution of technical problems which arise. The following outline is briefly repre- 

 sentative of specific items given attention during the past year. 



Further design refinements were made to the Helicopter Aerial Seeder used 

 by the Timber Branch in direct seeding tests. Development was initiated of an 

 adaptation for metered broadcasting of seed and fertilizer from fixed-wing aircraft. 



A modification of a standard attachment was contrived for towing heavy- 

 duty scarifiers used by the Silviculture Section of the Timber Branch for forest 

 seed-bed preparation. 



Additional units of equipment were produced for the Department's tubed 

 seedling project, and some modifications were made for further testing. 



An improved battery-powered Automatic Volumetric Spore Trap, with con- 

 tinuous recording capacity of 72 hours, was constructed for the Forest Pathology 

 Laboratory of the Canada Department of Forestry. 



A portable gasoline-powered tree-core borer was designed and constructed 

 to obtain large-diameter cores for experimental wood pulping in connection with 

 the Wood Quality project. 



The forest fire equipment testing programme was continued, and included 

 further fire pump endurance and lubricant tests, and some testing of sub-surface 

 fire protection devices for the Forest Protection Branch. 



Two hand-operated hose folding machines of modified design were made for 

 the Forest Protection Branch, for stationary operation, and a re-designed peg board 

 portable model was constructed for field testing. 



An experimental endurance testing apparatus was constructed for the Fisheries 

 Section to measure water pollution effects on smallmouth bass. Reduced swimming 

 ability against current is indicated. 



A rotating sand and acid solution power mixer was constructed, to determine 

 the rate of release of nutrients from mineral samples, for use in site research. 



A pressure bomb instrument (pressure chamber) was constructed for use in 



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