18 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



latter being replaced with steel as permanent locations are established. Tele- 

 phone communication is being established in the older forest regions with a little 

 over 2,000 miles of line now in use. 



An interesting development in the more in accessible regions is that of wire- 

 less communication. Last season eight stations were maintained. These 

 stations have made it possible to keep in daily touch with outlying regions, and 

 have saved many hours of hazardous canoe and overland trips previously required 

 to bring out messages from isolated points. 



\(- 



Reforestation 



The distribution of trees this season reached a total of a little over eleven and 

 one half million, an increase of four millions over the previous year. 



Municipal forestry projects were enlarged by the addition of four new 

 county forests. 



Forest Surveys 



Forest surveys were continued this season, completing the Rainy River 

 watershed, which was commenced last year. This season an area of 2,468 square 

 miles was covered. 



A forest survey was also carried out on portions of the watershed of the 

 Mattagami, Montreal and Wanapitei rivers, covering an area of 1,222 square 

 miles. 



Forest Investigations 



Forest investigations were carried on in connection with several problems. 

 Forest pathology studies were continued in connection with a fungus attacking 

 white spruce. A survey of Parry Sound and Muskoka was made to determine 

 the prevalence of white pine blister rust. 



Co-operating with the Federal Entomological Branch experiments were 

 carried out in controlling insect outbreaks by aircraft dusting. 



Further work was done in studying growth of spruce to determine future 

 yields. 



Revenue 



The gross revenue of the Department for 1928 was the largest in its history, 

 except for the year 1925, the total being $4,741,229.31. Of this amount the sum 

 of $3,557,462.69 was ordinary revenue, the balance, $1,183,766.62, capital. This 

 represents an increase over the previous year of $111,699.48 as regards ordinary 

 income, and a decrease of $34,895 as regards capital. Crown leases, licenses of 

 occupation, including water power rentals, accounted for $211,426.68, an increase 

 over the previous year of $24,533.07, 



The Provincial land tax brought $157,551.83, an amount greater than 1927 

 by over $80,000. Land sales amounted to $105,854.02. Ground rent and fire 

 charges augmented the revenue by some $472,426.40. 



Other sources of revenue are the parks and reserves, where the sale of guide 

 and fishing licenses, lot rentals and miscellaneous items accounted for $35,649.30. 



The largest percentage of the total revenue results from the timber resources 

 and the fees and charges in connection therewith. From timber sales we received 

 $3,648,511.43, of which $1,094,553.43 represented capital. For details covering 

 all revenue see appendices Nos. 3 to 6 inclusive. 



