16 REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS No. 3 



Investigations of the growth and life histories of the important commercial 

 trees were continued during 1927. These studies were carried on in spruce 

 and jack pine stands, the primary object of this work being the determination 

 of future yields from the present, immature stands. 



Forestry Board 



Pursuant to the Forestry Act of last session there was created a Forestry 

 Board for the purpose of studying all questions dealing with the problems of 

 making the forest industries of this province permanent by the securing of 

 continuous forest crops. 



The following were appointed as members of the Forestry Board : 

 J. A. Gillies, Lumberman, Braeside, Ontario. 

 Dr. C. D. Howe, Dean of Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 



Toronto. 

 B. F. Avery, Forester, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. 

 H. G. Schanche, Forester, Iroquois Falls, Ontario. 

 E. J. Zavitz, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Toronto. 

 The Forestry Board have held several meetings and have made reports to 

 the Government on questions of Forest Research, Survey and classification of 

 forests lands, and reforestation of non-productive areas in Northern Ontario. 



Revenue 



Thr total revenue collected from all sources throughout the year was 

 $4,664,425.03 an amount greater than any previous year except that for the 

 year 1925. Of this the sum of $3,445,763.21 was ordinary and $1,218,661.82 

 capital. This represented an increase over the previous year collections by 

 $177,956.09, the ordinary revenue for the year 1927 having been in excess of 

 the 1926 revenue by $164,433.63. 



Crown leases and licenses of occupation covering water powers, public 

 lands, water lots and various other purposes, showed an increase of over $84,000. 

 Taxes collected under the Provincial Land Tax Act, which became operative 

 for the first time in 1927, accounted for $76,088.68. Agricultural and townsites 

 sales increased some $35,000. Ground rent and fire protection charges were 

 augmented to the extent of approximately $45,000 and transfer fees by over 

 $6,000, while the collections from timber bonus and dues were less by over 

 $70,000, such a condition having been predicted in the annual report for the 

 fiscal year ending October 31st, 1926. The biggest percentage of the revenue 

 by far is secured from the resources of the forest and the charges in respect of 

 their administration. On the acquirement of a timber area the successful 

 tenderer is required to make a cash deposit as an evidence of faith, and this is 

 returnable on the fulfillment of cutting and other obligations. The cash de- 

 posits for the year amounted to $422,985.00. (See Appendix No. 4.) 



Disbursements 



Expenditures for the year totalled $2,527,146.07, of which $1,762,231.60 

 was charged to ordinary and the balance, $764,914.47 to capital. 



A few of the more important items may be cited. Fire ranging exceeded 

 the preceding season by $169,857.04 and reforestation by $78,503.04. Surveys 

 due to intensive work in the Red Lake and outlying districts cost $25,000 in 

 addition and forest ranging $13,000. Special warrants, however, were less by 

 $165,000 and Civil Government by some $24,000 in round numbers in each case. 



(For itemized expenditures see Appendix No. 7.) 



