i \\ADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 81 



any time the nucleus of forest growth in the park be threatened with extinction, legis- 

 lation of a special nature could be enacted to modify the rights of licensees, and thus 

 preserve the territory for all time in forest. However, the topography is of such a 

 character that the contingency above cited is unlikely to occur. 



Altogether we have under license to cut timber in the park some 2,300 square 

 miles, and it is quite possible that the whole area will eventually be taken up. 



I am prepared to admit that the carrying on of lumbering operations on a tract is 

 not conducive to improvement in the fishing and hunting thereon, but take this ground 

 that as timber is the staple product of the country, it would be unwise to throw any 

 obstacles in the way. particularly as the fish and game under such conditions reassert 

 themselves after a reasonable lapse of time, when the cut-over areas are left unmo- 

 lested. 



Thus it is contended that although the cutting of timber is allowed, the forest is 

 yet preserved, even if certain varieties are lessened in quantity. 



Protection as regards fire is perhaps more easily accomplished in the park than 

 elsewhere. The park 'and club guardians exercise a judicious patrol, lumbermen are 

 possibly more careful, and members of clubs see to it that their guides and other mem 

 employed take proper precautions. At all events it is gratifying to be able to state 

 that no forest fires of any consequences have occurred in the park since its creation, 

 and any burning that has taken place did not start within its boundaries. Perhaps the 

 fact that the whole area is withdrawn from sale, and the consequent total absence of 

 settlers, can be attributed as a reason for immunity from the fiery element. More- 

 over, as there is no line of railway closer at any point than, say five miles, the park is 

 thus relieved of this fruitful source of forest fires as well. We may safely conclude, 

 therefore, that proper steps have been taken for the protection of the forest growth in 

 the park, and that the results so far have been reassuring. 



MAINTENANCE OF WATER SUPPLY. 



The authorities, as will be seen by a glance at the map, made a judicious selection 

 of territory in order to furnish an example to the rest of the province of the good 

 results attendant upon preserving in forest the sources and valleys of rivers. 



.From the interior of the park streams radiate to all points of the compass: The 

 -Metabetchouan, Upika, Pikauba, Cyriac, a Mars to the north and north-east; the Mur- 

 ray to the eastward; the Ste. Anne de Beaupre and Montmorenci to the south; the 

 Ste. Anne de la Perade and Jacques Cartier to the south-west ; the Batiscan inclining 

 still more to the west, and the Bostonnais waters running nearly due west to the Sc. 

 .Maurice. 



The year 1903 is a period of time which affords students of forestry an opportunity 

 of testing the claims made that the preservation of forest at the sources of rivers and 

 along their banks results in a comparatively well sustained and even water supply, 

 and this on account of the general drought which occurred last year. 



Let us sum up results. On inquiry we find that the drives on the rivers of the 

 north shore of the St. Lawrence all came out. It is necessary to remark here thaty 

 except in cases of some small streams, the headwaters of rivers on the north are all 

 wooded. South of the St. Lawrence, in Quebec province, the sources of rivers axe of 

 course to the south, but many rivers take their rise in settled districts, or very near 

 thereto, and are to a greater or lesser extent settled along their banks. The drives on 

 the rivers of the south shore in a great many instances were either only partially suc- 

 cessful, or even less, except in the Gaspe peninsula on the southern watershed. 



Naturally a thickly settled country and forests are not found occupying the same 

 area; the latter must recede and disappear upon the advance of the former. Would 

 it not, however, be possible under such circumstances to maintain a timber belt at 

 least along the water courses? 



Some years ago a disastrous landslide, accompanied by loss of life, took place at 

 St. Albans, on the River Ste. Anne. A large area became loosened by copious rain, 



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