The Gaspesian Forest Reserve. 1 1 1 



sula, but it is more prudent to take precautionary measures now 

 before any particular locality suffers than to wait until matters are 

 in the same condition as in the western part of the Eastern 

 Townships, the Chaudiere River, the St. Francis and the small 

 rivers flowing north into the St. Lawrence. 



I myself have seen the old stumps of fifty or seventy-five yea'"s 

 ago being cfxploited for firewood southwest of Montreal. I have 

 met men who, visiting these places, which they were familiar with 

 many years ago, were unable to find the brooks and streams they 

 used to fish in, nothing being observable but dry beds partly grown 

 with weeds. 



The territory I should suggest being created a forest reserve 

 can be described as follows : — 



"Commencing at the intersection of the 67th meridian, thence 

 along the rear line of Bonaventure County, thence on the same 

 bearing to the 65th meridian at Lac Edouard ; thence north along 

 the 65th meridian to the 49th parallel ; thence east along the 49th 

 parallel to the intersection with rear line of Township Cap Chat, 

 hence following rear line of Townships Romi'eu and Dalibaire and 

 Cherbourg to the 67th meridian ; thence south along the 67th 

 meridian to the place of beginning, comprising an ari.a of about 

 2,500 square miles, or say 1.500,000 acres, more or less." 



Quite a large percentage of this territory is under license 

 to cut timber, and if created a reserve these limits would im- 

 mediately be enhanced in value by reason of such action ; better 

 bids woud be obtainable for the lands not already licensed when 

 put up for sale, — any lumberman being willing to pay more for 

 a limit in a reserve than an equally well timbered berth outside ot 

 it where there is danger of encroachmenit by settlers. And as re- 

 gards settlers and colonization, such reservations of river sources 

 and watersheds are directly in the true interests of such move- 

 ments — at least the very best and most learned authorities arc 

 unanimous on this point. 



The natural irrigation of the Gaspe Peninsula, as it exists 

 to-day, is perfect. By all means let us maintain it. 



To demonstrate the remarkable concentration of river sources 



