Forests of the Yukon Territory. 69 



or gravel has a matrix of clay. This material thaws out rapidly 

 when deprived of its covering of moss and trees. When thawed 

 to a certain depth, masses of the loose material are apt to slip into 

 the creek bottom and interfere with mining operations. 



Indians were apparently quite numerous in this district long 

 before the coming of the white man. Vestiges of ancient camps 

 are often met with in various parts of the district where there 

 is not one recent sign. It is probable that the Indians burned 

 large areas of forest for hunting purposes, for in the clearings 

 thus made the moose is easily seen and stalked. The Indians are 

 now few in number and hunt over very limited portions of the 

 districts. 



Early in September the leaves of the poplar, birch and willow 

 turn to an almost uniform tone of golden yellow, and a simple 

 colour scheme of green and gold continues for a few weeks. 



Mr. J. C. Hallman, of New Dundee, Ontario, writes urging 

 that action should be taken by the Canadian Forestry Association 

 to elaborate some system for remedying the evils of overclearing, 

 which he states are so plain in Western Ontario, that people are 

 getting alarmed at the situation, and are asking for remedies. 

 Mr. Hallman has taken this for a subject at Farmers' Institutes 

 for some years, and finds that a great deal of interest is taken in it 

 and that it raises a great deal of discussion. He considers it the 

 greatest question that older Ontario has to solve in the near 

 future. 



The Ontario Government, through the Agricultural College, 

 are taking steps to meet this issue, but it is to be regretted that the 

 larger problem of the lumber industry, has somewhat overshadow- 

 ed this equally important one in the deliberations of the Canadian 

 Forestry Association. 



