20 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



administration on a large enough scale promises success, the result 

 cannot fail to prove satisfactory. 



As to financial outcome we can quite reasonably figure that a 

 500,000 acre reserve, half the present forest area, managed in the 

 manner indicated, even in the poor condition in which it is found, 

 could almost from the beginning pay for its maintenance by the sale of 

 odds and ends of available timber at the rate of 5 cents per acre, or 

 $25,000 per year. Within a decade, when the first 750,000 cords of 

 poplar pulpwood become available this would yield, if cut off in 25 

 years, at least $100,000 per year, or 20 cents net revenue per acre, from 

 this sotirce alone. By the time this is exhausted and replaced by a 

 young pine stand, further pulpwood areas and some pine woiild have 

 become ready for the axe, wood values would have increased, and an 

 annual income of not less than $2 per acre from a sustained wood 

 yield may be assured forever. This would be less than one-third of 

 the net revenue derived from a forest property of approximately the 

 same size in Germany, the State Forest of Wiirttemberg — not an 

 unreasonable expectation ! 



The natural reproduction on the areas that are kept free from fires 

 is found unusually favourable ; it would therefore not be too sanguine 

 to expect eventually an annual increment of 100,000 M. feet of saw 

 timber besides other materials ; that means an aimual business in 

 growing, harvesting, transporting, and manufacturing of not less than 

 $5,000,000 to $6,000,000. 



A special problem is that of the poor population. With such a 

 development as would come from the management of the forest re- 

 serves, there would be occupation for a number as guards and labourers 

 in the reserves, and some of the better farm locations within the reserves 

 might be of advantage in keeping these on the ground. But the greater 

 portion needs to be re-located on more suitable lands, and, as far as 

 could be ascertained, they would be most willing to accept assistance 

 from the government to secure new locations, say in the Northern 

 Ontario Clay Belt. It is important that this matter be made a subject 

 of special inquiry. 



In conclusion, I would point out that this survey and report with 

 these suggestions as to procedure, is to be taken only as a basis for further 

 inquiry and planning, a clearing of the decks as it were, and that the 

 Commission of Conservation should follow up this work by formulating 

 in more detail plans of co-operation and by bringing them to an issue.* 



*At present writing, following up this suggestion, the Commission haa put Dr. 

 Howe in the field to secure further information, especially as to reproduction and rate 

 of growth, as a basis for further financial discussion. 



