A Glance at Forest Conditions in New Brunswick. 27 



brace a more intimate and intelligent knowledge of their habits 

 and uses, and how to take care of them, it would lay a good found- 

 ation for future study. Such instruction can only be effective 

 by a close acquaintance with the trees themselves, and by mak- 

 ing the groves temples of instruction as they once were. 



It is generally, conceded that'the^study of forestry as a science 

 belongs to the university or college, and not to the secondary 

 schools. In the University of New Brunswick which is supported 

 by the Government, there is a fine opportunity to establish a de- 

 partment of forestr5^ of which advantage might be taken by 

 students from the other eastern provinces of Canada. The situa- 

 tion of the University at Fredericton, not far from the extensive 

 forests, and near some of the greatest lumber industries of the pro- 

 vince, is an ideal situation for a school of forestry. The improve- 

 ment in practical courses in science, kindred to forestry, which 

 has recently taken place in the University, renders it compara- 

 tively easy to establish a course in that subject, and thus mater- 

 ially advance the greatest industrial interest of the province. 

 Clearly it is the duty of the Government to take this step. 



It is now four years since Professor W. F. Ganong proposed 

 a plan of reserving a section of forest about the Nictor and Nepis- 

 iguit Lakes for a provincial park, which incidentally should serve 

 as a resort for the people, but where the best methods of lumber- 

 ing might be tested and a practical study of forestry problems 

 be made. Although the Government signified its approval of 

 the scheme, no practical steps have since been taken to carry it 

 into effect. The establishment of a department of forestry at the 

 University would open a new avenue to activity for the young 

 men of the province, the setting apart of a reserve forest which 

 could easily be reached from Fredericton by the extension of 

 the Tobique Valley Railway, would serve as a practical school 

 for students, and open a new era in our lumber industry. 



