14 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



FORESTRY BRANCH. 

 Fire Protection. 



This past season forest fire protection was made very difficult owing to the 

 lack of snow during the winter and the extremely dry weather prevailing in 

 most parts of the Province during the summer. The small amount of snow 

 during the winter disappeared very early in the spring. In many districts very 

 little rain fell until August, and in some districts late in September. It is 

 interesting to note that fires of railway origin are rapidly decreasing. The 

 following table shows the percentage of fires of railway origin: 



In 1917 49.5 per cent. 



In 1918 46.5 per cent. 



In 1919 37.0 per cent. 



In 1920 23.9 per cent. 



In 1921 14.8 per cent. 



It is felt that the improvement in connection with fires of railway origin 

 is largely due to the increased protective methods applied along railway lines 

 and largely to the increased efficiency of locomotive inspection work. During 

 the past season 1,526 round-house inspections were made, showing a decrease 

 in the number of defective locomotives over past years. In 1918 there were 

 32 per cent, of the locomotives defective; in 1921 only 8.3 per cent, were found 

 defective. 



As usual a large percentage of the area burned over by fires during the 

 past season occurred on cut-over lands. As might be expected, these cut-over 

 areas, with the resultant slash, are very difficult to protect. 



During the past season 5,966 permits were issued for the burning of slash, 

 which covered 23,678 acres. 



The most important additions to equipment during the past season was the 

 securing of additional portable fire fighting pumps. These pumps are supplied 

 with 500 to 1,000 feet of hose and have more than saved their cost in saving 

 wood products in connection with fire protection. 



Forest Investigation. 



During the past season the Forestry Branch has completed a survey of 

 the southern portion of the fire district commonly known as the Huron-Ottawa 

 region. From this survey working plan and maps are being prepared in con- 

 nection with forest protection and reforestation on the old cut-over areas of 

 this region. 



Reforestation. 



The outstanding feature of the work in reforestation during the past season 

 has been enlargement of the Provincial Forest Station in Norfolk County. 

 At this station large quantities of coniferous seeds were sown during the past 

 spring, and a very fine stand of one year old seedlings has been obtained. 



The nurseries at present have a total of some nine million plants, which 

 should insure at least seven or eight million plants ready for final planting. 



An enlarged water system has been installed with a 20,000 gallon tank, 

 which, it is expected, will meet the requirements of the new nursery development. 



The distribution of trees to private applicants was increased over the 

 previous year. 291,769 plants were distributed for demonstration plantings 

 by private owners. 



