THE DOMINION OF CANADA. 155 



followed by a scarcity of water, with disastrous results for 

 the irrigation works, as in Alberta. 



Again, these forests form a barrier against the northern air 

 currents ; their destruction would be followed by winters 

 which would be made almost intolerable by the arctic winds 

 sweeping over the denuded land. 



To sum up, voices from all quarters call on us to protect 

 our timber areas. Under these circumstances what should 

 be done ? Fires are the great enemy of our natural forests. 

 They have caused enormous destruction in the past, and they 

 must be prevented in the future. 



Since 1901 a service of fire Kangers has been organised in 

 some of the Dominion lands with the most satisfactory 

 results. That service must be extended until protection is 

 given to all important forest lands. 



The forest reserves must be examined so as to ascer- 

 tain their condition as regards the timber they contain, its 

 quality, the species, their rate of growth, etc., with a view to 

 the gradual introduction of a systematic working on the 

 principle of a sustained yield, and the proper regeneration of 

 the areas where cuttings have been made. 



Exploration in advance of settlement will enal^le us to 

 assign the most suitable areas to agriculture, and to leave the 

 land not suited for it under forest. 



Finally, extensive plantations will have to be made in the 

 treeless region. Up to date, some 7,000,000 young trees have 

 been distributed by the Department, and this policy will be 

 vigorously prosecuted." 



The following resolutions were passed at the Convention : — 

 "1. Resolved, that the time is now ripe for a general forest 

 policy for Canada, and that the Federal Government be asked 

 to inaugurate the same. 



2. Resolved, that this Convention would urge the import- 

 ance of the exploration of the public domain in advance of 

 settlement, with the object of determining the character of 



