144 



Canadian Forestry Journal. 



The moth expands about se yen-eighths 

 of an inch in width when the wings are 

 spread. In colour it is dull gray, the 

 fore wings overlaid with bands, streaks 

 and spots of brown. In the middle of 

 the upper margin of the front wings 

 there is a rather large conspicuous 

 whitish spot. In British Columbia, this 

 year, th,e moths were of a distinct red- 

 dish colour, but all the eastern speci- 

 mens noticed were of the gray form. 



When an insect attacks forest trees, 

 as the Si)ruce Bud-worm has done dur- 

 ing the past summer, it is, of course, 

 impossible to do anything in the way of 

 applying remedial treatment, such as 



is done for leaf-eating insects when at- 

 tacking orchard or ornamental trees. 

 Fortunately an outbreak of such a 

 nature, however, is generally attended 

 by natural parasites, which sooner or 

 later restore the balance of nature. 

 From observations made, and from 

 parasites reared in the Division of En- 

 tomology from material collected in the 

 Baskatong district, we have reason to 

 hope that the Spruce Bud-worm will not 

 next year continue to any serious extent 

 its work of destruction. Undoubtedly, 

 too, birds will help materially to reduce 

 the numbers of the hibernating cater- 

 pillars. 



The British Columbia Timber Situation : Two Remedies. 



f'- (The JouRN.\L presents herewith two 

 views of the British Columbia timber 

 situation, both from foresters of high 

 reputation and recognized ability. Both 

 these experts agree in recommending the 

 modification of the royalty or stumpage 

 dues. Prof. Roth suggests that, in- 

 stead of an arbitrary tax on all timber 

 alike, a proportion of the real stumpage 

 vakte of the logs be levied; Dr. Clark 

 would base the tax on the f. o. b. value 

 of the mill product. In both ca.ses what 

 is plainly aimed at is to make the dues 

 proportionate to the actual value of the 

 wood. 



As regards the licenses Prof. Roth 

 emphatically advocates not only the 

 non-extension of the present licenses 

 but the complete abolition of the license 

 in its present form, the transfer feature 

 of the licenses being especially objec- 

 tionable. Dr. Clark aiins only at the 

 modification of the terms of existing 

 licenses, and, from the standpoint of 

 the bona-fide investor and holder of 

 timberlands, seems to have a good case. 



Both are agreed that the reduction 

 of taxation on licen.sed land is impera- 

 tive, if forestry methods are to be in- 

 troduced. It is interesting to note Dr. 

 Clark's suggestion that the high ground 

 rent is a method of paying for the tim- 

 ber on the instalment plan. Both agree 

 that no general cutting regulations 

 should be laid down, as, on account of 

 widely varying conditions, a set of 

 regulations which would suit one tract 



of forest land would be altogether un- 

 suited to another. 



Prof. Roth's views are taken from an 

 article in the "Vancouver World," 

 while the expression of opinion credited 

 to Dr. Clark is taken from his testimony 

 before the provincial Forestry Commis- 

 sion). 



Prof. Roth's Views. 



Prof. Roth, who is the head of the 

 department of forestry at the University 

 of Michigan, gives a short summary of 

 conditions in British Columbia as below, 

 and then goes on to give his suggestions 

 for a remedy of existing evils. He 

 writes in part as follows: — 



British Columbia Conditions. 



(1) The bulk (probably 80 per cent.) 

 of all good forests of the province are 

 held under license. 



(2) The greater part of these licenses 

 are new, less than ten years old. 



(3) The men who now hold the timber 

 limits paid but a small sum for them; 

 they have not bought the merchantable 

 timber, let alone the property. 



(4) It is fair to assume that they can 

 easily log off enough timber to well re- 

 pay them for what they paid, even 

 within the 21 -year limit and with 

 present rental and royalty. 



(5) Most of the limits are held not 

 to saw timber to supply an eager mar- 

 ket, or help develop the country; they 

 are held on speculation. Nearly every 



