40 The Canadian Forestry Journal. 



Forest Survey. 



In order that the Department may have a thorough know- 

 ledge of the reserves and become able to form judgment as to 

 how the tree growth thereon should be managed, a timber and 

 topographic survey is being conducted. Last summer Assistant 

 Inspector MacMillan with a party of five forestry students 

 conducted such survey of the Pines Reserve. Assistant Inspector 

 Dickson did similar work with a party of thirteen in the Riding 

 Mountains. It is the intention to have four such parties on the 

 reserves next summer. This survey serves a double good pur- 

 pose. It gives the Department the knowledge it desires and 

 gives the students the practical side of their forestry course. 



The timber survey makes a thorough study of the tree 

 growth. It gives the areas covered with mature timber and with 

 younger timber and states the quantity of each. It considers the 

 accretion and the reproduction of timber in the forest and 

 discovers means for their encouragement in quantity and quality. 

 It examines areas having no tree growth, and recommends 

 methods by which they may be afforested. It studies the effect 

 of past management upon the forest, and advises improvements 

 for the future. It suggests means by which dangers to the 

 forest from fire, storms, fungi and insects may be reduced. It 

 investigates the utilization of the forest, and seeks new uses for 

 forest products. 



The topographic survey describes the hills and valleys, the 

 lakes, streams and trails. It studies the best routes for the 

 removal of the mature timber and locates trails for protecting 

 the forest against fire. 



Kinds of Timber. 



The following species of trees exist in commercial quantity 

 on the forest reserves : — 



Poplar {Populus tremuloides Michx.) and Balm of Gilead 

 {Populus balsamifera Linn.) exist on all reserves east of the 

 Rockies. Poplar reaches a maximum size of 32 inches at breast 

 height. Fifteen inches, however, is the largest common size for 

 sound trees. Balm of Gilead reaches a maximum of 34 inches, 

 with a common large size, sound, of 18 inches. 



White Spruce (Picea canadensis [Mill.] B.S.P.) and Black 

 Spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) exist on all reserves 

 east of the Rockies except Turtle Mountain, Moose 

 Mountain, Beaver Hills, -Cooking Lake, Elk Island and Buffalo 

 Park reserves. Maximum 48 inches; common large, sound, 18 

 inches. 



Engelmann Spruce {Picea engelmanni Engelm.) exists on 

 the Kootenay Lakes, Jasper Park, Rocky Mountain Park and 



