110 Canalian i-'orestfy Jonryxal 



Should this prove to be the case, then the Government covild 

 study the subject and adopt the best means for inducing a suc- 

 cession of the conifers, which varieties of timber are best adapted 

 for the requirements cf this country, being so easily floated to 

 the manufacturing points. 



The White Spruce, the predominating variety of tiniber in 

 this Province, is so prolific a seeder naturally, that many are of 

 the opinion that, provided mature growth only be crt, crop after 

 crop can be taken at intervals of the same variety off the same 

 territory. If tliis be the true state of the case, then the perpetuat- 

 ing of our Spruce Forests is a forestry problem easily solved. 

 We have only to exercise ordinary care and we will continue 

 tc maintain the position now held, viz., the most extensive spruce 

 growing country. 



I submit a district map of the Gaspe Peninsula with the 

 territory outlined in green which I would suggest being created 

 a reserve. A glance thereat will show how vitally important it 

 is to this locality to have the sources of rivers left in forest. 

 About a dozen large streams take their rise in the Shick-Shock 

 Mountains wdiich form, as it were, a backbone to the peninsula ; 

 these streams run in all directions from the main apex, i.e., the 

 said mountains. 



We all know^ the character of the soil in this district, viz., 

 sandy loam and friable, until one reaches the foothills of the 

 moi ntains. Imagine the consequences if the sources of these 

 rivers were denuded of forest growth — disastrous floods in the 

 spring, the streams nearly dry in the sumn>er time, the soil carried 

 away from the declivities in immense quantities by the freshets, 

 and finally the whole territory rendered, comparatively speaking, 

 a desert and uninhabitable. 



Should the projected railway from CasupscuU to Gaspe Bay 

 be completed there would be an additional reason for protecting 

 lands to the north of same, as we have had experience of a bitter 

 nature as to the forest fires by operation of railways. 



At the present time it is quite true that there is no danger to 

 be apprehended of lack of timber or water in the Gaspe Penin- 



