17 



quantity of timber on them and their constant exposure to forest 

 fires, form the most advisable class of security for a banker to 

 take, and on the other hand, whilst the mill-owner has some 

 reasonable claim for regard, yet the interests of the country at 

 large must necessarily be paramount to his individual interests 

 and, at any rate, his case is not different from that of every other 

 manufacturer who has in a similar way to provide himself for the 

 future with supplies of raw material. If all timber limits were 

 leased for a limited term only say for five years all mill-owners 

 would be placed on terms of equality, and limits would in addition 

 be kept out of the hands of speculators. A result which would 

 almost of necessity also follow the shortening of the term of lease, 

 would be that smaller areas would be purchased. As to the period 

 of rest which should be allowed there is room for discussion. In 

 a paper on the pines, read by Mr. John Langton some years ago 

 before the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, a table was 

 given showing the estimated rate of growth, and from this it 

 would appear that at 100 years in age, the pine is about fifteen 

 inches in diameter, and that the annual increase between that age 

 and 200 years is very nearly one-fifth of an inch. If this be a 

 correct estimate, twenty-five years would not be too long a respite, 

 as even in that time the trees could not increase to a size sufficient 

 for good. square timber, though large enough for saw-logs. 



It is asserted that in getting out the larger timber there is a 

 great deal of unnecessary and reckless damage done to the younger 

 trees, which might be prevented by more stringent regulations. 



To sum up these conclusions : 



1. Limits should only be sold for short periods of time, say 

 for five years, and in smaller areas than in former years has 

 been the practice. 



2. No trees of a less girth than fifty inches at a height of 

 twelve inches from the ground should be cut, and heavy penalties 

 should be imposed if they are. 



3. On reverting to the Government, each timber limit should 

 be allowed to rest, say at least twenty-five years, to enable the 

 younger trees to attain merchantable size. 



