34 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 



this lack; this should be to found a regularly organized forestry school whose grad- 

 uates would be as a nursery of enlightened specialists. 



There is a great deal said at the present time of special schools of various 

 kinds ; some are to be opened in several cities of this country and this is very good. 

 Some of these days I feel sure, forestry schools will be thought of. The riches 

 which we have in wood are more than sufficient to authorize the expense. The 

 more so as these schools are far from costing as much as the technical schools, 

 strictly so called. Moreover it is very probable that the limit holders themselves 

 would be glad to avail themselves of the services of these specialists, just 

 as is done in the Uuited States. The manager of a very important timber limit 

 has already advocated something of the sort. Others would undoubtedly imitate 

 it. This would be a new career opened to our educated youth. , 



At all events, while waiting for the blessed day when that shall be possible, 

 let us work with all our might to spread among our agricultural population sane 

 ideas as to the preservation of private forests. I have said, and I think that I have 

 demonstrated, that the wood lots run great dangers and it needs nothing less 

 than the co-operation of all the public spirited to save from complete destruction 

 this important part of our public and private fortune. 



At the risk of committing a great indiscretion, I will add that the French-Can- 

 adian clery might play here a role of the highest importance. In perpetual contact 

 with the people, enjoying great authority amongst his parishioners, the advice of 

 the cure will always be listened to with deference and will certainly end by produc- 

 ing surprising results. It is not necessary for him to make a great noise, to deliver 

 resounding lectures, to express himself in eloquent phrases. On the contrary, 

 private conversations produce the greatest effect. Good advice given in passing, 

 but apropos, will cause the farmer to reflect; then the idea of trying will come to him, 

 and then safety is near. 



But in all this there is a matter of the highest importance with which it is 

 necessary that our people should be thoroughly imbued. I have already men- 

 tioned it above and permit me to mention it in concluding. It is to convince those 

 interested that the forest does not yield harvests at brief intervals like the cereals. 

 It is slower in maturing. Consequently in working to-day to manage it properly, 

 one may well hope to work a little for himself, but it is mainly of the future of his 

 heirs that he must think. The saying of the octogenarian Lafontaine: "My grand 

 nephews will owe to me this shade," is always true; this is what we must not forget. 

 Must one say it? The greatest obstacles will come perhaps from this consideration. 



The PRESIDENT. We must all thank Mgr. Laflamme for his very practical 

 paper. Very few people in Canada have such facilities for securing original in- 

 formation as Mgr. Laflamme, and he has given it to us, just as he secured it direct 

 from the habitants, who are the people best able to give the information. I think it 

 is better that the general discussion should be postponed until all the papers have 

 been read, and then we will declare the meeting open for discussion. 



I will now call upon Mr. E. G. Joly de Lotbinidre to read his paper. 



