54 REPORT OF THE No. 4 



Branch of the Onaman River. The winter route consists of a road leading 

 directly to Tashota Station. 



Timber 



On the timber plan which accompanies this report, the various areas 

 of timber have been divided into three (3) age classifications. The areas 

 shewn in green will indicate timber over sixty (60) years old, while the portions 

 in red will indicate timber between thirty (30) years and sixty (60) years of 

 age and the areas in brown indicate timber and brule' under thirty (30) years 

 of age. 



The total length of the line was 4815 chains. Of this area water areas 

 directly on the line amount to 920 chains. This leaves a timber area of 3895 

 chains. This latter distance can be subdivided as follows: — 



Brule' (10 years and under) 150 chains 



Second growth timber (non-commercial) 220 chains 



Swamps 1350 chains 



Spruce stands only (apart from swamp) 420 chains 



Mixed timber 1755 chains 



The swamp areas were mostly all of commercial timber though there 

 were 430 chains which would be classified as the acid type of swamp on which 

 only stunted trees of no commercial value are to be found. The total chainage 

 of non-commercial species would amount in all, to 800 chains. This includes 

 brule', second growth and acid swamps. The total chainage of commercial 

 timber amounts to 3095 chains. Of this latter amount, Spruce is the only 

 commercial species of 1340 chains, while mixed timber occupies, as mentioned 

 above, 1755 chains. In mixed timber areas, spruce and jackpine are the 

 predominant species. The main stand of jackpine however, is located on 

 that portion of the line lying between the north and south branches of the 

 Onaman River. 



On the portion of the line East of Onaman Lake and extending from 

 thirty-fourth (34th) Mile Post to Onaman Lake, the forest except in the swamp 

 areas, is past maturity. From a count of the annular rings, it was estimated 

 that this forest is about 200 years old. This is one of the oldest stands of 

 timber we have seen in this section of the country. It was interesting to note 

 that the less desirable species of Balsam and Birch has re-seeded to better 

 advantage than the Spruce, though Spruce appears to have been the main 

 species when the forest was younger. This is indicated by trees ranging up 

 to two (2) feet in diameter. 



The percentage of the line which has been burned over in recent years, is 

 remarkably small. However, we do not believe this gives an accurate picture 

 for the entire area, as at times, we appeared to be passing very close to exten- 

 sive areas of brule'. One of these was north of the line between the point of 

 commencement and Poilu Lake. Another large section of brule' was observed 

 south of Onaman Lake. The fire which destroyed the timber here occurred 

 in 1933 and extended north from Atigogama Lake to Onaman Lake. There 

 was also a considerable section of the timber burned about three (3) or four (4) 

 years ago, north of the Tashota Mine. No fire was observed during the 

 time we were in the field, as the season was a particularly wet one and 

 the fire hazard at any time was very low. 



