914 Canadian Forestry Journal, January, 1917 



he should be in substantial agreement with the policies of his predecessor. 

 The British Columbia Forest Service is to-day on the right road, and any 

 radically-altered direction would, we are convinced, end in misfortune. 



Having regard to the great tasks awaiting the Forest Service of your 

 Province, this Association feels confident that the Civil Service principle will 

 be followed by you in selecting a new Chief Forester. We do not doubt that 

 a worthy successor can be found within the present staff. It is our hope, 

 equally, 'that your pledged adherence to the merit system in public appoint- 

 ments will lead to the development of a permanent Forest Service staff rea- 

 sonably secure in their appointments and thereby incited to their best efforts. 



Yours truly, 



Canadian Forestry Association, 



ROBSON BLACK, Secretary. 



HON. MR. BREWSTER'S REPLY 



Victoria, B.C., Nov. 24, 1916. 

 Robson Black, Esq.. 



Sec, Canadian Forestry Association, 

 119 Booth Building, Ottawa. 



Dear Sir:— 



I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication of Nov. 

 17th in which you deal at some length with the excellence of the Forest Laws 

 of British Columbia, and the necessity of the careful and judicious admin- 

 istration of these by the appointment to official positions of men who know 

 their work, and can command the respect and confidence of their subordinate 

 officers. 



I note also your intimation that efficient service could be secured best 

 by the entire elimination of the patronage system in the Forest Service. It 

 will be the intention of the new Government to abolish the evils of the pat- 

 ronage system, wherever these have been in evidence, and the Forestry Ser- 

 vice will, in no sense, be an exception to this rule. 



I thank you for the courtesy of your letter and can assure you that when 

 a Chief Forester is> selected the appointment of such an official will be upon 

 merit, as far as the new Government is in a position to decide. 



Yours truly, 



Signed H. C. BREWSTER. 



■"* 



Poor Trees in Woodlots 1 



Many woodlots contain a large in growing more desirable species, 

 number of inferior species, trees that The removal of dead, decayed and 

 have little or no commercial value over-mature trees is also advisable, 

 such as hawthorne poplar, willow. Dead trees or dying trees are a source 

 juneberry, ironwood and blue beech, of danger to other trees. They har- 

 In cutting firewood these should first hour insects and develop rot pro- 

 be removed. They are occupying ducing fungi which spread to sound 

 space which might- be better utilized trees. — B. R. Morton, B. Sc. F. 



