52 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



The production in feet, board measure, is very large at the time at which the 

 ]>!>!> measuring from 4 inches to 12 inches diameter at chest height develop into 

 logable trees. 



On the other hand, the production during the early stages of a forest, when it 

 is composed of seedlings and small saplings only, expressed in feet, board measure, 

 is nil. 



Thus, it seems to me that an average production of 1,000 feet, board measure, 

 per decade on an acre of ground is an exaggeration in which we should not indulge. 



It is certain that in British Columbia the growth is very much faster than it is 

 here in the east or than it is abroad. 



To judge from the ' fish stories ' which I have heard last night, in conversation 

 with a number of gentlemen hailing from the west side of the Rockies, phenomenal 

 productions and re-productions are possible in the western province. 



If these ' fish stories ' are true, then I am prepared to believe that in British 

 Columbia 10,000 feet board measure, as an average annual yield from an average acre, 

 lies within the reach of possibility. 



In furtherance of Mr. Knechtel's remarks, I beg to say that I have lived in the 

 fatherland for many a year, and I have traversed the woods of the old country on 

 many a trip, under excellent guidance. 



The forest ranges in which splendid natural reproduction of spruce can be seen 

 in the old country are more than numerous. 



For millions of years Nature has produced spruce in the old country, and mix- 

 tures of white pine, spruce and hardwoods in the new. 



Do you think that Nature will stop producing in the twentieth century ? 



Personally, I believe that Nature will do the same thing in the new century 

 or will try hard to do it which she has done for thousands of preceding centuries. 



Possibly, helped by tLe hand of the forester, Nature may even improve upon 

 her old ways during the present century, producing a greater quantity of conifers 

 than ever. 



In western North Carolina it is easy to produce white pine from self-sown seed. 



Yellow pine is entirely reproduced by these means and, in the management of 

 the Biltmore estate, I never incur any expense within the woods on that score. 



Similarly, the reproduction of the tulip tree (white wood), merely from self- 

 sown seed, is easily obtained. I must confess, on the other hand, tfiat I have been 

 unfortunate in securing a reproduction of oak and of chestnut by seeds, naturally 

 planted, without human aid. The reason may lie in the fact that the humus in the 

 forests has been destroyed by fires and that the seeding capacity of the trees is check- 

 ed on impoverished soil; that the weeds on the ground are heavier now, owing to 

 forest fires, than before. I can offer theories of explanation only, but no explanation 

 in which I take confidence myself. 



