1919-20 DEPAKTMEXT OF LANDS, FOEESTS AND MINES. 13 



resulted in the destruction of considerable property but fortunately there was no 

 loss of life. 



The most serious loss and damage occurred in the central inspectorate, em- 

 bracing, roughly, the middle portion of the white pine belt in Ontario. It does 

 not appear that the loss of standing timber was the most serious factor, but 

 rather the destruction of young growth. In the strip of country lying between 

 Lake Nipissing and Sault Ste. Marie, lying south of the Mississauga Forest Reserve 

 it appears that approximately 522,000 acres were burned over. The western and 

 southern inspectorates also suffered from severe fires. 



The protracted period of dry weather, in some districts, the scarcity of water 

 and the extreme difficulty in securing competent labour, all added to the diffi- 

 culties of the fire ranging staff and added to the losses occasioned. 



Measures will have to be taken having in view the more thorough protection 

 of cut-over lands, and it would seem the time is opportune to consider the more 

 general adoption of slash disposal regulations. 



The total area reported as being burned over exceeded 922,000 acres. 



It is found ^nce again that the various railways were the most fruitful causes 

 of fires. Eeports indicate that 48 per cent, of all fires reported originated from 

 this source. 8.2 per cent, of all fires reported were attributed to settlers, 11.2 per 

 cent, to campers, the remainder from various causes — in numerous cases unknown. 



Improvement Work. 



Improvement work was necessarily curtailed during the season of 1919, owing 

 to the serious fire situation and to the shortage of labour. 



Equipment. 



Steps were taken to have all equipment such as canoes, railway velocipedes, 

 etc., painted the same colour, and after a uniform pattern. All equipment was 

 stencilled, or branded, and the main articles of equipment were numbered on a 

 definite system, to assist in the keeping of proper records, and to determine the 

 life of various goods supplied by different manufacturers. Considerable new 

 equipment in the shape of canoes, power boats, tents, etc., was added. 



Large provision is required for the proper storage of all equipment, and 

 accordingly, a number of store-houses have been erected notwithstanding which 

 it has been found necessary to rent considerable warehouse space. 



The educational campaign in the way of instructing the public as to the 

 prevention of forest fires was continued. Numerous fire signs were posted, and 

 in addition, quantities of pencils, calendars and rulers were sent out in quarters 

 where it was calculated that the best results would be obtained. 



Locomotive Inspections. 



One thousand and twelve locomotive inspections were made at an average 

 cost of $2.07 per inspection. Two hundred and twenty-one inspections showed 

 defects. 



Forestry. 



Particular attention is directed to the section of the Provincial Forester's 

 report dealing with problems of reforestation. Valuable work is being done at 

 tlie Provincial Forest Station in Norfolk County. About 40,000 trees were sent 



