DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1929 151 



Georgian Bay Provincial Forest 



Preliminary to future investigations concerning the forest conditions on 

 the Georgian Bay Provincial forest it was deemed advisable to have complete 

 information on the status of land ownership in the area and the condition of 

 farming. 



One man was attached to the Forestry Branch district office, Parry Sound, 

 and was employed during June, July and August. 



The area covered amounted to slightly over 433,000 acres and comprises 

 the townships of Blair, Brown, Burpee, Burton, Harrison, Mowat, Shawanaga 

 and Wallbridge. 



The results of this survey shows 14,509 acres held as patented, leased and 

 under license of occupation. There are 9,071 acres patented, 384 acres leased 

 and 5,054 acres under license of occupation. In addition there are known to be 

 thirty-nine squatters on the area for which no area figures can be given. 



Attention was paid to the extent to which the land was being cultivated, 

 and in the area of 14,509 acres, 685 acres are reported as cleared. 



VI. — Forest Insect Control 



(1) Hemlock Looper {Ellopia fiscellaria). 



The operations commenced in 1928 in connection with the control of an 

 infestation by this insect were continued. These operations were centered 

 around Foote's Bay in the Muskoka District and around Parry Sound. 



By the use of a seaplane calcium arsenate was dusted over the infested 

 area while the insect was in the larvae or caterpillar stage. Tests made of the 

 results indicated a mortality of from seventy-five to ninety per cent. During 

 the dusting period the weather was not all that couldjbe desired , several dustings 

 having to be repeated because of rain, but it is believed that the outbreak has 

 been sufficiently checked to enable parasites to practically exterminate the 

 Looper. 



The area actually dusted was 1,040 acres on which 16.5 tons of dust were 

 distributed. 



(2) Spruce Budworm {cacoecia fumiferana) 



Experiments in connection with the control of the Spruce Budworm were 

 again carried on in the area west of Sudbury. This work is on a co-operative 

 basis with the Entomological Branch of the Federal Department of Agriculture 

 which supplies the technical supervision and the Department of National 

 Defence which supplies the plane for dusting purposes. 



(3) Larch Sawfly {Lygaeonematus erichsoni, Hart.) 



A considerable outbreak of this insect has been noted in some districts. 

 The Dominion Entomological Branch is introducing parasites as rapidly as 

 possible to the various affected areas. 



(4) Jack Pine Sawfly {genus neodiprion) 



What appears likely to be a serious attack on the jack pine along the Cana- 

 dian Pacific Railway west of Sudbury was the subject of a preliminary study 

 during the season. The exact species of the insect has not yet been determined. 



