FARM FORESTRY IN THE EASTERN PROVINCES, 



Revd. a. E. Burke, Alberton, P.E.I. 



There can be no phase of forestry, which fortunately is 

 beginning to receive somewhat of the great attention which it 

 deserves from the central authority, as essential to the general 

 prosperity of the country as well as productive of direct in- 

 fluence on the conservation of its great water sources, the health 

 of its people and the beauty and charm of life amongst us — 

 nothing so eminently practical in its effect on the greatest 

 number of our population as farm forestry. The farmer in the 

 more fortunate wood-growing divisions of Canada has only 

 within a comparatively short time awakened to the value of 

 trees not only as a source of fuel supply — and fuel will always 

 be a heavy charge against farm revenue — and the lumber which 

 is always a requisite about the place, but as a temperer of the 

 adverse winds, a protector of the fruit plantation, the pasturing 

 cattle, the dwellers on the steading themselves; and as a source 

 of beauty and comfort beyond anything else we can name. 



Having to contend with the great forest at settlement, it is 

 not wonderful that it was considered by the average pioneer an 

 enemy; and, therefore, to be removed at the earliest possible 

 moment. Even where wood and wood products were little 

 sought, the torch and axe were in reqtiisition until all the acres 

 of the holding were for the most part bare and treeless. This 

 did not so much matter where the misguided operator was 

 somewhat isolated, but when all the land became occupied 

 and a general policy of destruction was adopted, the effect was 

 signally adverse to the productiveness of the lands and the com- 

 fort of the land holders. In the large provinces, even areas 

 which would constitute states in smaller and less favoured 

 countries were thus stripped; in the smaller provinces the dire 

 result of such a short-sighted policy became more and more of an 

 affliction. The new additions to the older provinces formed 

 a magnificent reserve and afforded all the timber supply necessan,' 

 for local requirements; the older sections began to find out the 

 error of complete denudation ; the public mind became awaken- 

 ed and informed to sane principles; and early an attempt to 

 retrieve lost ground was discernible. That disposition to help 

 themselves on the part of the people has actuated the Govern- 

 ment of Ontario in the generous and organized s)^stem of re- 



