1913-14 DEPAETMENT OP LAxNDS, PORESTS AND MINES. xi 



The Department endeavored to obtain this year the percentage of fires that 

 took place — small and great — the number that were suppressed by rangers and 

 the causes of the fires. Our reports indicate that altogetlier there were 2,396 

 fires occurred during the season. Of this number 2,266 did no damage to timber. 

 Of the total number 2,181 were reported by rangers patrolling railway lines — 

 nearly all the fires being extinguished before they had a chance to spread. Of 

 the causes of the fires 69 per cent, is ascribed to railway engines and railways; 

 7 per cent, to settlers ; 7 per cent, to campers, hunters, fishers and careless smokers, 

 and 17 per cent, to causes which were not ascertained. 



There was from one million and a half to two million feet of pine damaged, 

 together with considerable quantities of young pine, birch, spruce and basswood. 



On the lands under license, 91 fires were reported: 69 per cent, of which did 

 little or no damage. Ten per cent, of these were said to be caused by railways; 

 30 per cent, by settlers ; 26 per cent, cause unknown, and there were a number of 

 individual fires caused by fishers, section men, careless smokers and others. Only 

 15 or 20 fires went over areas exceeding 10 acres, ' 



The cost of patrol of forest reserves was $84,148.59 ; on railways and Crown 

 lands $148,079.28. The cost of extinguishing fireS' in forest reserves was $2,952.07; 

 on railways and Crown lands $2,508.77. There are, as already stated, 325 rangers 

 on licensed lands, the estimated cost of which would be approximately $85,000. 



Cullers' Examinations. 



Only one cullers' examination was held during the past year, viz., at North 

 Bay. Only seven candidates were successful at this examination, and these were 

 duly granted certificates authorizing them to act as cullers. 



(For a list of cullers who passed at this examination see Appendix 35, 

 page 85.) 



(For a complete list of licensed cullers see Minister's reports for 1911, 1913 

 and 1913.) 



Crown Surveys. 



The following Crown Surveys have been concluded this year: 

 Township outlines in the Districts of Algoma and Sudbury. 

 Township of Scholfield, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Lowther, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Caithness, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Orkney, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Ebbs, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Shetland, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of Talbot, in the District of Algoma. 

 Township of O'Brien, in the District of Timiskaming. 

 Part of the Township of Mattawan, District of Nipissing. 

 Township of Stirling, in the District of Thunder Bay. 

 Part of the Township of Ware, District of Thunder Bay. 

 Part of the Township of Oorham, District of Thunder Bay. 

 Township of Drayton, District of Kenora. 

 Township outlines, District of KenoraT 

 Township of Malachi, District of Kenora. 

 Township outlines, District of Kenora. 



