NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY CONVENTION 



land. Large tracts, unfitted for successful cultivation, which have been 

 stripped of trees by private owners, have been re-purchased by the State and 

 re-stocked at great expense. Thus, as Fernow says, "public money paya 

 for public folly." 



We noticed by the discussion on the recent opening of the Legislature, 

 that reforestation will have the attention of the Government and the bat 

 method of proceeding thereon, becomes a question of much interest. 



A gentleman of Ontario informed me that he had grown from seed a 

 considerable quantity of black walnut trees, valuable for wood and nut bearing, 

 but on inquiry, Mr. Robertson, of the Experimental Farm at Nappan, Nova 

 Scotia, says that on a fair trial he found much difficult}- in growing these 

 trees successfully in the climate of these Maritime Provinces. Perhaps 

 others may be able to report more favorably. 



In rapidity of growth the German record shows that Spruce, for the 

 first ten years, has less percentage of increase than Fir or Pine, but after 

 that period, the accretion is yearly greater than shown by these other kinds. 

 The increase of wood yearly per acre, is of course largely dependent on soil 

 and other conditions, but it would not perhaps be an exaggeration to expect 

 in some locations an annual addition of from 600 to 100 superficial feet. 



Where lands have been denuded of trees and are unfit for profitable 

 cultivation, the question of the best means of securing a return of growth is 

 important. The natural rotation of nature's demands, the adaptation of 

 varieties to the soil, the differing rapidity of growth, and the ultimate value 

 of various trees, all bear on this interesting subject of reforestation, and I 

 feel convinced that the opinions of gentlemen who are conversant with such, 

 matters, will not be the least interesting records of the session. 



The ravages of fire and the axe have in the past contributed vastly to 

 the diminishing of our property value in forest lands, but with increasing 

 realization of these drawbacks, and the employment of better facilities for 

 their reduction in the future, encourage the hope of great improvement in 

 many ways. We will come to recognise and value the forests for the regu- 

 lation of water flow in streams, providing a more uniform supply of well 

 water, as wind brakes and a health restorer, as a covert for harmless fur 

 bearing animals, a shelter for the birds, a cool resort for tourist and hunts- 

 man and for the student of nature who likes to roam for pleasure "in the 

 pathless woods," 



