Canadian Forcstri/ Journal, Aiu/ust, 1918 1817 



Nova Scotia's Stake in Forestry 



By Dr. B. E. Fernow, in 

 ''Forest Condilions in Xova Scotia.'" 



"Fully two thirds of the area of the Province consists of non-agricultural 

 land covered with forest growth or not fit for any other use than timber grow- 

 ing. This forest resource which furnishes not less than four to five million 

 dollars in value of product annually is in danger of exhaustion within the next 

 two decades." 



"The actual green forest area consisting of some five million acres and 

 stated as occupying 52.5 per cent, of the area of the Province must, on the 

 other hand be increased by the potential 5 per cent, of recently burned area 

 and by nearly 12 per cent, of the better class barrens which can eventually 

 be reforested so that the actual or potential forest area may be set down as 

 representing 70 per cent, of the total land area. The balance, some 10 per 

 cent, is hopelessly barren. This is a rather small percentage for waste land 

 and only conservative treatment of the woodland area, protection against 

 fire, and recuperative measures in the old burns and hopeful barrens will 

 keep it there." 



"Less than 100,000 acres of virgin or semi-virgin timber remain and 

 altogether not over 1,400,000 acres, one quarter of the green forest area, are 

 furnishing the log supply of the present mills. 



Of the green forest area, pure hardwood forest is represented by less 

 than 7 per cent, and pure coniferous growth by 20 per cent, the bulk of the 

 forest, namely 73 pet cent, being of mixed type. 



A Challenge to Nova Scotia 



By the Editor of the Halifax ''Echo'' 



Conservation of natural resources that will go far to doing the same 

 has been much talked of during the work that a host of rangers might do. 

 last decade, but it cannot be said It matters not in which direction 

 that here in Nova Scotia there has one turns, the lesson is again and 

 been enough public interest in the again borne in upon us that the 

 matter to give us any material ad- greatest drawback to development 

 vantage. However, it is hardly to be in this province is an active, en- 

 expected that a country that wastes lightened, widespread public spirit, 

 its infant life through carelessness Every avoidable forest fire is not 

 and indifference would be particular- merely a severe loss to the country 

 ly interested in protecting its forests at present and for the future, but it 

 and other resources. Yet the is in itself an accusation against our 

 loss is almost immeasurable. people's lack of public conscious- 

 Unquestionably, it is impossible ness. We are too apt to think in 

 that a small province like Nova terms of our individual interests. 

 Scotia with a limited income, could Community interests apparently have 

 provide forest rangers enough to as- little weight with us, and that can 

 sure the protection and preserva- only come from failure to think in 

 tion of the forest, but it does come community terms. Public schools, 

 within the limits of possibilities to churches, institutes, and all other 

 reate a widespread public sentiment clubs and organizations should band 



