1921-22 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 229 



The muskeg type as defined above covers 2.4 million acres or 28 per cent, of 

 the whole. Percentically the proportion is much higher than in the coastal 

 plain where it reaches 40 per cent. 



(e) Burn. — In all, around 1.9 million acres were mapped as burn, or 22 

 per cent, of the whole. This is made up of about 20 per cent, of the coastal 

 plain region and 26 per cent, of the northern clay belt. The loss has been small 

 in the coastal plain, since the burned areas originally were largely dwarf spruce 

 or muskeg. In the northern clay belt, however, fire has burned considerable 

 timber. The greatest damage has resulted west of Little Abitibi Lake towards 

 the Abitibi River. Reproduction in the northern clay belt is by poplar and 

 birch with spruce coming in as an understory. East and west from the Matta- 

 gami River along the escarpment between the two main regions, dense jack pine 

 reproduction is to be found. 



(f) Jack Pine, — This species was found in clumps in short ridges or low 

 gravelly knolls in a virgin state in the belt of country intermediate between the 

 northern clay belt and coastal plain. Most of the mature jack pine found was 

 in the vicinity of New Post on the Abitibi River, where it was accompanied 

 by an understory of black spruce. 



4. Tree Species. 



Black Spruce. — This is the tree characteristic of the whole territory, occurring 

 in mixed and pure stands. It reaches a development up to 80 feet in height and 

 15 inches D.B.H. and is in general quite sound. Average conditions confine 

 the species to a general diameter range of five to nine inches and height of 45 

 to 60 feet. This species constitutes three-fourths of the total pulpwood 

 supply of the area. 



White Spruce. — This species, while forming a small percentage in the black 

 spruce type, is mainly found in the mixed type on the banks of rivers and streams. 

 It is a less important feature in the pulpwood resources of the coastal plain than 

 of the southern region. About 13 per cent, of the total pulpwood is white spruce. 

 The tree reaches 120 feet and 30 inches D.B.H. 



Balsam. — The balsam ranks third after the two spruces as a source of 

 pulpwood in the region. It reaches a maximum D.B.H. of 18 inches with a 

 height of 60 feet, the common diameters being seven to nine inches. Balsam is 

 severely affected with heart rot, and the estimated deduction would be one- 

 third of the volume. 



Jack Pine. — Trees of this species were tallied up to 18 inches D.B.H. and 

 70 feet high. The northern limit for the species was a scrubby growth inland 

 from the mouth of the Onakawana River. 



Tamarac. — Scattered young trees were noted throughout the whole area, 

 but of no commercial value. Along the smaller streams, trees were seen up to 

 six inches D.B.H. It occurred in pure stands of a scrubby character north of 

 Moose Factory, adjacent to James Bay; southward, it merged in with dwarf 

 black spruce. 



Cedar. — Cedar occurs in the mixed type along the main rivers and streams 

 to James Bay. It shows only a stunted growth. 



Aspen Poplar. — This is the typical hardwood (broad-leaved) species of the 

 region, just as the black spruce among the conifers. While occurring throughout 

 the whole region, it is largely confined to the better drained banks of the streams, 

 and is the predominating hardwood in the inland patches of the mixed type. 

 It grows well to a D.B.H. of 20 inches and height of 80 to 90 feet, but suffers 

 severely from heart rot. 



