THE DOMINION OF CANADA. 153 



i'700,000 a year. Why should not half that sum for 

 some years be put aside for the purpose of selecting and 

 establishing these reserves, thereby securing not merely 

 the present but a progressively increasing outturn leading 

 ultimately to a revenue tenfold and more the present amount. 

 There can be no doubt that the supply of coniferous woods in 

 other parts of the world will fall off, and Canada will be looked 

 upon as the only country, whence the diminishing supplies 

 from other countries can be made good. Indeed, it is not too 

 much to say that Canada, if she takes proper measures now 

 before it is too late, will become the source of supply, not 

 only for the British Empire but the whole world, as far as 

 coniferous timber is concerned. 



Fortunately, the movement in favour of protecting and 

 husbanding the forests has lately received a new impetus. 

 The Canadian Forestry Association has taken up the matter. 

 The head of the Dominion Forest Department, Mr. Stewart, 

 has started a successful system of protection against fire in 

 the Dominion forests. A Canadian Forestry Convention has 

 been called by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Premier of the Dominion, 

 to meet in Ottawa on the 10th, 11th, and 12th January, 1906 

 (that is before this book leaves the press), " to consider the 

 forests of Canada and means for their preservation and 

 reproduction." His Excellency Earl Grey, Governor-General 

 of Canada, has accepted the position of Honorary President 

 of the Convention. The Convention has the support of the 

 leaders of the Dominion in national affairs and assumes a 

 national character. It is to be hoped that wise counsels will 

 prevail, and that at last something substantial will be done 

 to stop the destruction of the immensely valuable forests of 

 Canada. 



While the above passed through the Press, the Con- 

 vention has been held. On the lOth January, Mr. Stewart 

 read a paper, from which the following resume is 



given : — 



