52 CAN ADI AN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



THE CHAIRMAN: Replying to Mr. Robinson, 1 do not hesitate to say 

 that in the Ottawa Valley up to date twenty times as much timber has been 

 destroyed by fire as by the lumberman's axe. 



Hon. Charles E. Oak was down for the next paper, and before pro- 

 ceeding to its formal reading he said: Before reading the paper I have 

 prepared, allow me to say that I have virtually severed my connection with 

 all paper and pulp making of every kind, shape and description. 



THE CHAIRMAN: And have, therefore, changed your views. (Laugh- 

 ter.) 



MR. OAK: And, therefore, what I am saying is rny conscientious, honest 

 belief for the welfare of New Brunswick. Let me briefly tell one thing be- 

 fore I commence this paper. The word "merchantable" lumber has been 

 used by the first speaker this afternoon. What constitutes merchantable 

 lumber in the market? That word merchantable is very elastic; one thing 

 in one country and another in another country. A few years ago very 

 many can remember when nearly all of the merchantable lumber on the St. 

 John River was an eleven inch log at the top. Quite a different proposition 

 to-day. Of the vast quantity of lumber cut in the United States to-day only 

 four per cent, is used for the making of paper. Therefore, the saving you 

 can make in other directions will more than offset that demand from the 

 paper mills. 



THE PULPWOOD QUESTION IN NEW BRUNSWICK. 

 HON. CHARLES E. OAK, BANGOR, MAINE, AND CHATHAM, N.B. 



While many topics of great importance are being discussed at this meet- 

 ing, it seems to me from the standpoint of the average citizen, there is no 

 one subject which is so little understood as the one indicated by the title 

 to this paper. Without casting any reflections upon anybody, because 

 the system of lumbering pursued here is not materially different from that 

 pursued throughout adjoining States and Provinces until very recently, 

 allow me to call your attention to the condition of our forest territory as it 

 appears to-day. We find that the woodsman with his axe has virtually 

 reached every acre of the forest domain. Without supervision or restric- 

 tion of any kind, other than size, he has been at liberty to pick and cull such 

 lumber as pleased his fancy, or, rather, the class of lumber from which he 

 could reap the most profits. 



The status of the lumber business many seasons has been such that only 

 by selecting the choicest and best could he hope to get a new dollar for an 

 old one. High stumps and large tops have always been left behind him. 

 Insufficient regard for the amount of destruction caused by felling and 

 handling logs has also been the rule. Stream improvements have been 

 made with reference to a single year, or a very few years' use. No tree 

 was felled unless it was expected it would make a first-class log. At least, 

 this was the condition at the comencement of the lumbering operations, but 



