20 Canadian Forestry Journal 



one. I have said a hundred times that I have no interest in a 

 forest that is not of use for something. If our forests are simply 

 to stand there and all we get out of them is the knowledge that 

 we ha\e them, then, so far as I am concerned they disappear — 

 I care nothing about them whatever. But the great aim and 

 object of this whole movement as the President has stated over 

 and o\er again is the making and the maintenance of prosper- 

 ous homes. Our forest reserves are part of the great equipment 

 of our country for the good of its citizens; and, just so far as we 

 use these forests to promote family life, to make prosperity for 

 the people — ^in fact to make and maintain prosperous homes — 

 just so far shall we think ourselves successful. (Loud applause.) 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



WEDNESDAY, IOtH JAXUARY. 



At this session the first paper on "Dominion Forestry" was 

 read by Mr. E. Stewart, Dominion Superintendent of Forestry. 

 It is reproduced elsewhere. 



Dr. Robert Bell, Acting Director of the Geological Survey, 

 followed with a paper on "Forest Fires." The northern forest 

 area, as defined by Dr. Bell covers a tract nearly 4,000 miles in 

 length, by from 500 to 800 miles in width. There have been 

 great forest fires in this region and the areas so denuded have been 

 marked out by the Geological Survey. Looking over this country 

 from a high hill, it presents a patchwork of different colors, 

 according to the age of the different parts of the forest. There 

 is the light green of the poplar and birch contrasted with the 

 dark green of the coniferous forest. Most of the fires in the north 

 are caused by lightning, but human agency is responsible for 

 its share. The white men are careless and have taught the 

 Indians to be the same. These fires sometimes cover tens of 

 millions of acres, and the forests burned are of the value of 

 hundreds, if not thousands of millions of dollars. Surely it is 

 most important for the Government to take any reasonable 

 means to prevent this destruction and loss. What we need to do 

 is to give the forest a chance to grow. Dr. Bell exhibited a map 

 showing the forest areas referred to, on which were indicated 

 the burned-over and the still forested tracts. 



C. H. Keefer, C.E., representing the Society of Civil Engin- 

 eers, read a paper on "The Effect of the Conservation of the Forests 

 of Canada on the Water Powers." After reciting the various 

 factors that entered into the question, Mr. Keefer stated in con- 

 clusion, that the effect of the conservation of the forests on the 

 water powers is most beneficial, and its importance cannot be 

 overestimated. While the influence of forest covers on rainfall 



