122 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 



schemes will go into effect in the United States for the impounding of the 

 head waters so as to bring about two important results, viz: To prevent 

 the freshets of early spring, at the time of the melting of the snows ; and, to 

 equalize the flow of the streams and the water supply throughout the periods 

 of present low water. On many streams this is easily possible and will be 

 of the greatest utility, because of the many requirements for which water 

 is so essentially necessary, including those herein stated, viz. : for domestic 

 use, in the interest of public health, for irrigation, for river navigation and 

 transportation, and for the development of power in various forms. So very 

 important is this question to the United States that from this time forward 

 development is sure to take place along these lines with ever increasing 

 vigour. Some of the streams on which improvement will sooner or later be 

 undertaken, while running principally through the United States, have their 

 head waters in Canada. Again, there are international streams, and even 

 the waters of the Great Lakes themselves may sooner or later become involved. 



The question, in its national form, affecting only the United States, 

 is one of vast importance to that country. So also must it become of great 

 importance to Canada, if indeeM it is not already so. But from the fact 

 that we have such a large joint interest in rivers, streams and lakes as above 

 mentioned, the question is sooner or later to assume one of International 

 character and importance; and if I may be permitted to say so, I consider 

 the United States are to be congratulated on inviting Canada to participate 

 in the initiative proceedings : and I desire to express the hope that the cordial, 

 kindly and neighbourly feelings extended to Canada on this occasion will 

 continue. 



At the same time, and upon the same days as the National Rivers and 

 Harbours Congress was in session, another highly important Convention was 

 held at Washington presided over by Mr. Pinchot. The time and attendance 

 of Mr. Campbell and myself was divided between the two Conventions. If I 

 remember correctly, the latter was called a Convention for the Conservation 

 of National Resources; and I must say that I cannot think of anything 

 more important and interesting than the proceedings of this Convention 

 proved to be. The initiative in this great national undertaking was taken 

 bv President Roosevelt, in Mav last, when, on his invitation, the Governors 

 of the various States convened at the White House, and he, the President, 

 presented to them his views on the rapidly diminishing natural resources of 

 the United States, and requested them to join in an organization for the 

 purpose of ascertaining the nation's supply of the different resources ; their 

 annual rate of consumption and the period of life or exhaustion for each 

 resource. There resulted a vast scheme of what is termed "stock taking, " 

 and a full and most interesting report was read upon each. The proceed- 

 mgs, however, were prefaced by a large public meeting held in one of 

 the Washington Theatres, presided over by President Elect Taft and 

 addressed bv President Roosevelt and by Mr. Taft himself. The general 

 convention was then held and presided over by Mr. Pinchot, as already 

 stated. First, the various reports of the stock taking were read, covering, 

 one on each, the following subjects, viz.: Public health and the great 

 deirabilitv of improving and promoting it for the endurance and well 

 being of the nation. On Land; the extent cultivated, the extent possible 

 to be cultivated, the production of the various cereals and crops per acre; 

 comparisons with other countries, and the great desirability of improved 

 methods of cultivation so as to preserve soil fertility and increase production. 

 Minerals; the wasteful methods of producing each, and their approaching 



