12 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Thc Since these lands are to be held in perpetuity, it 



Government may be that their productive capacity in terms of 



spruce could be increased by raising the diameter 

 limit, say to 14 inches. A conclusive determination of this point 

 would involve a careful study of the comparative rate of growth of 

 the trees 12 and 13 inches in diameter, and whether the increased 

 growth, if present, or the increased stumpage value, would outrun 

 the compound interest charges on the extra capital invested in the 

 12-inch and 13-inch tree. Since, however, at the present time, one 

 finds only one 12-inch spruce tree on 5 acres and one 13-inch tree 

 on 10 acres, and since, according to our growth studies, it will be 

 100 years before the 30 trees per acre in the 4-inch to 8-inch class 

 will get into the 14-inch class, I have not made the computations 

 necessary for the discussion of the benefit of raising the diameter 

 limit. 



There is, however, another consideration that seems to me 

 important in determining the future of the lands from the 

 government's standpoint. The hardwoods are at present biologically 

 dominant on these areas. It may be that this is what nature 

 intends, and that we have too great a handicap to overcome in 

 trying to put the spruce back by natural means. Certain investi- 

 gations to which I will refer later, may throw light on this point. 

 If nature is really against us, it might be the best thing to cut every 

 acre off clean, if a market could be found for the hardwoods, and 

 start the spruce anew by planting. An experimental plot of this 

 kind, of 60 acres, has already been inaugurated by the forester to 

 the Laurentide Company, and its development should be watched 

 with much interest. It may be that, even here, the biological 

 conditions will prove the more favourable to the hardwoods and 

 keep the spruce always in a subordinate position. 



Lack of We talk easily of what we should do with a forest. 



Accurate In this particular case we want to increase the pro- 



duction of spruce, the most valuable species at 

 present on this cut-over land, or at least, we would like to restore 

 it to its former position in the forest. How can this be done? One 

 man says: "Cut heavier, open up the crown cover, let in the light." 

 Another man says: "Make a lighter cut, disturb natural conditions 

 as little as possible." The result cannot be obtained by methods so 

 directly opposed. What is the answer? The answer is that neither 

 man really knows what he is talking about. Your opinion may be 

 just as good as mine, because both have been spun out beneath our 

 hats, or evolved from smoke rings, as we sat in our office chairs. 

 We have no accurate knowledge, no definite records, no actual 



