16 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



tained within the archives of the Department. The time elapsing between 

 advertised and sales dates is determined by the geographical features of the area, 

 general accessibility, nature of timber, density, etc., and possibility of competition, 

 all of which factors enter into a consideration of the price. For red and white 

 pine prices ranged from $7.25 per M. ft. B.M. to $13.50 per M. ft. B.M., while 

 the range in respect of jack pine was equally wide. Details of the kind of proposi- 

 tion in the various sales are recorded in the tabulated statement. 



Logging 



A gradual improvement in the lumber trade was reflected in the cut of red 

 and white pine throughout the year just closed. ' In last year's report for 1927, 

 attention was directed to the marked decline in the cut of this class of logs in 

 comparison with the year 1926, there being less by 70,000,000 feet B.M. But 

 the year 1928 shows a return to a production in the log in excess of that of 1926, 

 thfere being cut some 210,532,068 feet B.M., as against 128,314,028 feet B.M. for 

 last year, while it is problematical to announce any figure for the coming year, 

 it is hoped that a quantity approximating the cut of this year will result. 



Jack pine operations increased considerably over the previous year, some 

 seventy-four odd million feet having been cut against forty-eight million feet for 

 the year 1927. In addition to the board measure jack pine, the tie output prac- 

 tically doubled that of last year, there being 1,719,471 pieces as against 829,627 

 for 1927. 



In other classes of timber except pulpwood logs, the output was much the 

 much the same as for the previous year, there being 3,410,524 feet B.M 



Considering the whole field of timber and lumbering operations, the Province 

 has reason to be satisfied with the spirit of optimism displayed by the operators 

 and dealers during the year just closed. The lumber industry, being the oldest 

 with that of farming, must necessarily expect its fluctuating markets and be 

 subject to a variety of competing factors. To maintain such an old-established 

 industry and be one of the beneficiaries of its ramifications the Government is 

 insisting on a close co-operation with the investors in the timber wealth, and 

 every legitimate means is being employed to encourage a recognition on the part 

 of all those engaged in logging operations that the forests, being a bounty of 

 nature, must be so controlled that future generations may have a harvest to 

 reap, 



Inspection of Agencies and Supervision of Operations 



The thirteen Timber Agencies throughout the Province were visited by 

 Major Hartt, and with the exception of one were found to be satisfactory. A 

 change was made in the excepted case and the work there is now being carried 

 on in a very efficient manner. A very rigid checking up of pulpwood cutting 

 in the clay belt region, where much wood cutting was being done by alleged 

 settlers, has resulted in the elimination of the "pulpwood farmer," and in the 

 encouragement of the well-intentioned settler to a keener appreciation of the 

 need of following more closely the regulations respecting clearing and cultivating 

 his land. The Supervisor of Operations has been instrumental in the settlement 

 of various disputes and the solving of different problems that are of mutual 

 concern to the Crown and the lumberman. The readiness with which the timber 

 operator suggests and accepts the principle of mediation through an officer of the 

 Crown and the general success resulting therefrom, amply justify the office of 

 Inspector of Agencies and Supervisor of Operations. Actual visitations of this 



