THE TIMBER PIRATE. 



The article of Senator Edwards, published else-where in 

 this issue, covers completely the important subject with which 

 it deals — the destruction of valuable timber as a result of the 

 operations of those who make a pretence of settling lands in 

 timbered areas. The matter is mentioned here not in the hope 

 that we can add am-thing to what Senator Edwards has said, 

 but with the object of urging every reader of the Forestry Journal 

 to use his influence to bring about a better pubHc policy than 

 that which now prevails. Opinions may differ as to the best 

 method of accomplishing this reform, but, if the people insist 

 that the question shall not be shelved until reform has act- 

 uaUv been accomplished, Gxa legislators will certainly solve 

 the problem satisfactorily. 



The fact that, in certain portions of the Dominion, the fire- 

 ranger svstem has greatly reduced the forest waste is no reason 

 whv efforts to make a clear distinction between the real settler 

 and the timber pirate disguised as a settler should be relaxed. 

 This pretended settlement is a cause of steady loss and a 

 constant menace to the most valuable forests we have. The 

 unavoidable dangers are bad enough; but this worst one of all 

 can be removed if the people of Canada will realize the startling 

 fact that the same men who are robbing them of little patches of 

 timber have endangered and are still by their ven,' presence 

 endangering milHons upon millions of pubhc forest property. 



The incorporaiion oi the Xonhern Xew York Forestry 

 Association last June is e\ndence of the rapidly grcRnng interest 

 that is being taken in the preservation of the forest and in the 

 replanting oi waste lands. The chief object of the organization 

 is to collect and distribute information on these points. The 

 Association will make a special study of the best means of re- 

 mo\nng the mature timber from the forest -without injury- to the 

 vounger trees and -will oppose the policy of those who advocate 

 the lea\nng large forest areas untouched. Many lumbermen and 

 operators took a prominent part in the organization of the 

 Association. 



