46 



Canadian Forestry Journal, January, 1920 



ALBERTA'S ANSWER IS EASILY GIVEN 



(Editorial in Edmonton Journal, Saturday, October 25, 1919.) 



AN ALARMING STATE OF THINGS. 



Mr. Robson Black's statement regarding the 

 loss of Alberta's forest wealth and its conse- 

 quences is starthng. The actual destruction of 

 timber is a serious matter, but it is its effect 

 on the arable areas of the province which is 

 now mainly concerning forestry officials. Those 

 portions of southern Alberta which are depend- 

 ent on irrigation have reason to be specially 

 concerned. 



It should not be necessary at this date to 

 explain how essential to an abundant and uni- 

 form flow of water in our rivers is the preserva- 

 tion of the forests in the mountain regions 

 where these rivers take their rise. It was in 

 recognition of this that some years ago the 

 whole eastern slope of the Rockies was set aside 

 a? a forest reserve. But fire, it seems, has been 

 largely nullifying this action. 



Measures to cope with this evil have been in- 



itiated and carried through with much difficulty 

 owing to the failure of the province to co- 

 operate as it should with the federal authorities. 

 The Dominion now spends $700,000 a year 

 for the protection of forests, but derives no 

 direct benefit from these nor from the irrigation 

 schemes which are dependent upon forest pre- 

 servation. Considering all that Alberta has 

 at stake in the matter, and considering that the 

 provincial government is not called upon to 

 meet any of the actual outlay entailed by the 

 efforts of the forestry officials, it should, at 

 least, help where its help is essential to the 

 securing of results. Legislation has been with- 

 held which would allow Dominion fire rangers 

 to make criminal charges against homesteaders 

 and others who cause fires through wilful care- 

 lessness. Most fires arise in this way and, as 

 prosecutions are impossible, the fires con- 

 tinue to be a menace. They have been especi- 

 ally destructive during 1919. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO 



and 



UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 



WITH WHICH ARE AFFILIATED 



ST. MICHAEL'S, TRINITY & VICTORIA COLLEGES 



ARTS 

 EDUCATION 



Faculties of 



MUSIC 

 APPLIED SCIENCE 



Departments of 



MEDICINE 

 FORESTRY 



HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE SOCIAL SERVICE 



For information, apply to the Registrar of the University, or to the Secretaries of 

 the respective Faculties. 



