16 REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS No. 3 



Reforestation 



The work at the three chief nurseries was carried on this year along broader 

 lines, resulting in an increased output of nursery stock. The transplant nur- 

 series at the Sand Banks and Kemptville have been restocked for local distri- 

 bution. One new county forest was established and planting work begun. 

 Seed collecting was the most successful in the history of the Department. Large 

 quantities of native species are on hand for use in urgent reforestation projects. 

 For a detailed report of this work. (See Appendix No. 36.) 



Revenue 



The forest resources provide by far the largest share of the revenue for the 

 Department, over 90 per cent, of returns being directly due to the operations 

 of the Woods and Forests Branch, the balance to land sales, leases, water power 

 rentals, etc. 



The total amount collected was $4,494,720.03, less by half a million than 

 that of the previous year, 1925, when the largest revenue in the history of the 

 Department was collected. The difference was largely due to reduced cutting 

 operations reflected in both the bonus and timber dues. The sale of lands 

 accounted for $116,252.40, or 12 per cent, increase over the preceding year. 

 Rentals brought $116,027.47, and miscellaneous items, including refunds, the 

 remaining revenue. As the outlook for any increased production in the logging 

 or lumbering industry during the ensuing year is not bright any addition to 

 the revenue is not expected. A certain return is expected from the Provincial 

 Land Tax Act, the first returns of which are due and payable on February 1st, 

 1927. (See Appendix No. 4.) 



Disbursements 



The total expenditures for the year totalled $2,453,731.84, which excludes 

 those formerly covered in this report under the heading of Colonization Roads 

 and Northern Development. While the Fire Ranging Service cost less by 

 nearly $200,000 and Forest Ranging by over $35,000 and other services by lesser 

 proportions, there were counteracting increases in other services. Surveys ran 

 $27,000 higher, due to extra work in connection with the running of base and 

 meridian lines in the newer portions of Northwest Ontario, particularly in the 

 Quetico Reserve and the Patricia regions. Extra efforts towards removing fire 

 hazards at strategic points and clearing townsites accounted for an increase of 

 slightly over $16,000. 



Refund items comprising two large deposits on timber tenders, not accepted, 

 enlarged the outlay under this vote by $56,000 over that of last year. Another 

 exceptional expenditure of approximately $200,000 covered by a special war- 

 rant, was required in connection with the return to the Government of two 

 large townships held by the New Ontario Colonization Company, Limited. 

 The agreement in respect of the.se townships followed a Court judgment declar- 

 ing invalid the alleged cancellation by the Government of the original agreement 

 made between the Company and the Province in 1912. 



For complete statement in itemized form of expenditures see Public 

 Accounts. 



