NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY CONVENTION 27 



can equal, but what would be the value of these water powers unless the 

 reservoir from which the water is derived is preserved by the forest in the 

 neighborhood of the source of supply, thus ensuring an even and continuous 

 flow. 



We have already noticed how our export of timber to foreign countries 

 is increasing from year to year, not only to the old world but even in a 

 greater ratio to the United States. We have quoted the opinions from the 

 best authorities in the world, that their only hope for the future is in 

 Cinada's supply, bui, there is .one quarter from which an ever increasing 

 demand will come that we have not so far noticed, and that is from our own 

 people. 



We find the total value of forest products as given in the census returns 

 for 1901 to be $50,183,044, while the exports for the same year were only 

 $32,852,190, leaving $17,330,854 as the value of our home consumption. 

 What the increased future home consumption will be will depend on the 

 increase of our population, and when we witness the rapid increase of immi- 

 gration during the past few years into a country such as our North West 

 prairies where every stick of timber used has to be brought in, and when 

 we see the vast extent of that country to be supplied, it is evident that our 

 home market for lumber will continue to enormously increase. Taking this 

 along with the foreign demands we cannot but conclude that we will require 

 an immense supply to meet all these requirements. 



Have we such a supply ? 



This is a question very difficult to answer but this much may be said 

 that unless the people and the several governments of the country awaken 

 very soon to the importance of the question and adopt a more rational policy 

 in dealina with their forests than what has prevailed in the past they 

 find when the days of great scarcity arrive how unwise and improvident t 

 have been in failing to look a little into the future and to c 

 perpetuate their greatest natural resource. 



The present is the time for action. In the case of agricultural products 

 a scarcity of supply can be quickly replenished by increasing the acre; 

 under cultivation. How different with the forest. Most of our timber tree 

 are from fifty to one hundred years old, some of them much old 

 crrowincr side by side with these are others in all stages of growth from 

 Joung seedling just starting on its course up to others which have waged 



