1927 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 167 



Six hundred square miles were mapped in considerable detail, the waterways on 

 the original maps being very poor. Forty-five hours constituted the total 

 flying time, of which probably thirty-five were used in actual sketching. 



2. Forest Studies connected with Aerial Sketching: 



In conjunction with aerial sketch mapping, a programme of special forest 

 studies was carried out under the direction of the sketching personnel. During 

 the current season a total of thirteen specially selected plots were studied entailing 

 the analysis of over 200 trees above stump height (1.5 feet from the ground); 

 an additional 200 seedlings were analyzed for growth data below stump height. 



Of the thirteen plots, three were located in the Sioux Lookout region and 

 ten in the neighbourhood of Longlac. All of these represent variations of the 

 northern coniferous forest and cover pure spruce and jack pine associations. 

 The proportionally small number of plots studied at Sioux Lookout was due to 

 (1) the difficulty of locating suitable plots within a reasonable working distance 

 of the air base, and (2) the occurrence of a comparatively high fire hazard period 

 which did not permit of observing personnel leaving the base, even when not 

 actually flying. At Longlac better opportunities for this work were present; 

 plots were closer to the camp and fire hazard was comparatively low. 



Studies of selected plots included the following lines of information: 

 (1) Stand tally down to 1 inch (including dead and "down") ; (2) stem analysis 

 of twenty trees at 8.15 foot intervals (above a 1.5 foot stump); (3) general 

 forest description, including stand photographs; (4) collection of typical annual 

 plants and shrubs. Plant collections included 170 typical specimens. 



The importance of detailed local studies in developing a sketcher's ability 

 to recognize and classify forest growths can hardly be overestimated. Work 

 of a similar nature has always been recognized in the development of an aerial 

 sketcher; it would seem that a certain amount is essential to maintain the 

 abilities originally acquired. 



If the sketcher is to improve, a systematic programme of forest studies 

 primarily for his benefit should be maintained. 



