Canadian Forestnj Journal Xorember, U)18 



1923 



appears to give excellent promise of 

 satisfactory' developments along this 

 line. A test run was made, the 

 results of which indicate that uj) to 

 ten per cent, of birch groundwood can 

 be used to excellent advantage in 

 mixture with spruce and balsam 

 groundwood in the manufacture of 

 newsprint. 



Great Boon to Conifers. 



It is expected that further tests 

 will be made, in collaboration with 

 the Dominion Forest Products La- 

 boratories. Should the final results 

 be satisfactory, and should the use 

 of tractors solve the problem of 

 transportation to any material ex- 

 tent, a new era will be opened up in 



the intelligent handling of our vast 

 areas of mixed forests. It will then 

 be possible to utilize large quantities 

 of birch, in the manufacture of news- 

 print, thus materially relieving the 

 increasing drain upon spruce and 

 balsam, and at the same time leaving 

 the corresponding logged-over areas 

 in good condition for future produc- 

 tion, instead of constantly depreciat- 

 ing their quality as has been the 

 tendency under the only methods of 

 operation hitherto considered feasible. 

 Should these developments come to 

 pass, forestry will find an immense 

 scope for activity in our northern 

 forests, replacing at least in part the 

 destructive methods so generally 

 practiced heretofore. — Clyde Leavift . 



Eastern Canada and British Trade 



By T. H. Blacklock 

 Resident Editor of Montreal Gazette, in London, England 



British and Canadian timber ex- 

 perts believe that for several years 

 after war, Britain, France and Bel- 

 gium will have to import practically 

 their whole requirements of pit 

 props, railway sleepers and heavy 

 timber and deals. The home sup- 

 plies will be almost exhausted and 

 these countries must look to North- 

 ern Europe — Norway, Sweden, Fin- 

 land and Russia — or to Canada, for 

 ordinary requirements and for re- 

 construction work in devasted 

 areas. Many Canadian timber ex- 

 perts, now in the forestry corps and 

 combatant ranks, believe that Can- 

 ada can capture the bulk of this 

 trade if proper and energetic elTort 

 is made. They count Russia and 

 Finland out of the market owing to 

 present and in a great measure 

 continued business and political dis- 

 organization. The supplies from 

 Norway and Sweden are limited and 

 also much of the timber business of 

 these countries was due to Russian 

 imports partially manufactured and 

 exported to Britain. They also point 

 out that for two or three years af- 

 ter the war Britain's timber imports 



will be controlled by the govern 

 ment, as will in a measure ocean 

 transportation facilities for this pur- 

 pose. 



Pit Props 700% Higher. 



Pit props are selling here at pre- 

 sent at twelve cents per foot for props 

 three inches at the top. This is 

 about seven times the price in pre-wai- 

 times, and although it will decrease 

 as conditions make for normal, yet 

 for years it will be remunerative. 

 The demand in Britain for pit props 

 is enormous. For sixteen mines near 

 Doncaster the yearly requirements 

 are about 32,000,000 and this area is 

 only one of many throughout South 

 Scotland and the Midlands. Rail- 

 way sleepers will be required by the 

 million and heavy timber to the 

 extent of the entire requirements. 

 Look to Quebec and N. B. 



Canadian hardwood with the ex- 

 ception of birch, will find but a 

 limited market, as Britain's local 

 supply has not been seriously impair- 

 ed and her imports will be drawn from 

 the East and Central and South 

 America. Many are looking to 

 Ouel)ec and New Brunswick as the 



