14 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



be that those which survive in the struggle for existence in the 

 forest are those which are predestined to survive from the beginning. 

 The truth or falsity of this suggestion is capable of being demon- 

 strated by field experimentation and, logically, is the first problem 

 to be solved, for, if true, it would automatically solve many other 

 problems as well and render further experimentation along certain 

 lines unnecessary. 



To Determine ^ ne more . illustration of the necessity of field 

 Effect of experimentation. Why is the young balsam so 



abundant and so aggressive in the logged-over 

 forests; why is it more successful than the spruce, its principal com- 

 petitor? Unless checked by its greater susceptibility to disease, 

 balsam may, in time, dominate all our northern forests no longer 

 pine forests, no longer spruce forests, but balsam forests. Why the 

 dominance of balsam reproduction? One man says it is because 

 the balsam can endure more shade than the spruce, and another 

 says the spruce can endure shading better than the balsam. One 

 man makes the first statement in one of his papers, and the last 

 one in another; and one of our best authorities makes the two con- 

 tradictory statements between the covers of one book. Personally, 

 I think the importance of light as a determining factor in the forest 

 has been very much over-estimated by foresters. We have accepted 

 it as a kind of tradition from our fathers, as we accept other tradi- 

 tions, without thinking very much about it and, still less, subjecting 

 it to experimental proof. 



Experimental plots should be established in the forest where 

 the balsam and spruce seedlings are growing naturally and the 

 light intensities should be measured in the two cases. Not only 

 this, but other points need investigation, such as the comparative 

 vigour of the roots of the two seedlings, their ability to penetrate 

 tfie leaf litter in order to reach the mineral soil ; their relative ability 

 to endure drought; the rate and abundance of root growth in the 

 two cases. With data of this kind, the result of measured records 

 of environmental conditions, we could determine the reasons why 

 certain methods of lumbering encourage the growth of balsam and 

 discourage the growth of spruce. With such data, we could discuss 

 with intelligence the means by which to increase the production 

 of spruce pulpwood in Quebec. 



To improve upon nature, we must first know how nature acts 

 and reacts upon the thing we wish to improve. This is so self- 

 evident as to be axiomatic, but, thus far, we have made no deter- 

 mined and sustained effort to get such data in regard to the forest. 

 This has been the basis of plant and animal breeding and it must 



