1914-15 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FOEESTS AND MINES. 69 



rangers have shot and poisoned many. I tried to get bounty for them but failed. 

 Trappers outside of the Park have killed man}^ but also failed to get a bounty. 

 Those animals kill many deer in winter, but as there is no inducement offered to 

 destroy them hunters and others do not take the trouble to kill them off. Coyotes 

 are very numerous in the Park and surrounding country, and owing to the 

 scarcity of partridge and rabbits they have become very bold and come close to the 

 buildings. Partridges are seldom seen this fall. The cold, heavy rains in the 

 early part of June last seem to have destroyed the eggs and young birds. No 

 doubt the coyotes have killed many also. Many large flocks of black ducks and 

 mallard were seen in the smaller lakes this year, but they do not remain as there 

 is no feed for them. I would suggest that a supply of wild rice and celery be sown 

 in some of the lakes with a view to increasing the food supply of the ducks, thereby 

 encouraging them to remain in Park waters where they could breed and rear their 

 joung without molestation. 



1 have cleaned up quite a scope of ground about the buildings so as to protect 

 them from fire, and in cutting my firewood for the winter I am cleaning up all 

 the debris along the shore of French lake near the house. 



It will be necessary to secure about three hundred feet or so of lumber to cover 

 and fix up a woodshed, as our wood is often covered by snow drifts in winter. 

 This done, I intend going to the south portion of the Park along the eastern 

 boundary when I can travel on the ice. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



A. J. McDonald, 



Superintendent. 



Appendix No 26. 



Report of the Forestry Branch. 



Parliament Buildings, Toronto. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report of the Forestry Branch 

 for the year ending October 31st, 1915. 



The following phases of forestry work have occupied the Branch during the 

 past year: — 



Provincial Forest Station in Norfolk County. 



Distribution of forest planting material to applicants throughout Ontario. 

 Reports and correspondence in regard to various forestry problems. 

 Course of lectures at Ontario Agricultural College. 



Railway Fire Protection along lines under the jurisdiction of the Board of 

 Railway Commissioners of Canada. 



