CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 75 



We have in Canada vast forests, no doubt, and natural reforestation 

 goes on apace in many old burnings and other places, but when one con- 

 siders the increasing population, the corresponding increase in consumption 

 of the products of the forests and the quantity of timber burned each year, 

 it is obvious that we, even in Canada, have reached the point where it i? 

 necessary to take all precautions possible to discomfit our greatest enemy- 

 fire. If we had a climate throughout Canada such as obtains in the British 

 Isles, I think the problem of preventing forest fires would be easily solved. 

 But the evaporation is so great with us that the situation is quite the con- 

 trary as compared with the aforesaid country, surrounded as it is by the 

 sea and supplied, thereby with the maximum of humidity. 



My experience in these matters causes me to assert that the dangei 

 spots are the new settlements,' near the borders of the forest proper, and 

 along the line of railways running through private or Crown forests. Of 

 course a fire may occur in any part of a forest, however remote. The sun 

 shining on a bit of glass may do it, trees rubbing together may be the cause, 

 lightning, unaccompanied by rain, occasionally is responsible for the dis- 

 aster; but the fact remains, established by unimpeachable statistics, that 

 near civilization and each side of railways, are the places where most fires 

 occur. 



How can we bring about immunity, to the greatest extent possible, for 

 these fruitful sources of danger? It is indeed a difficult task, but one to 

 which we in Canada should give the closest attention. We have first to com- 

 bat the idea, deep rooted in many minds, that the forest must be obliterated 

 in order to accomplish the ends of agriculture. Literature must be spread 

 broadcast through the country, explaining how absolutely necessary for 

 agriculture it is to have substantial areas of forests in the rear, as other- 

 wise that extremely costly system, artificial irrigation, will have to be re- 

 sorted to. This work should be persisted in until the masses have been 

 reached, and they understand clearly tKeir own interests, and are willing to 

 co-operate with the authorities. Secondly, we must lose no opportunity cf 

 providing a thorough patrol, all through the forests, by means of fire- 

 rangers, club guardians, guides, forest-rangers, and any other individuals 

 who are willing to assist in this patriotic work. We must keep up to date 

 and avail ourselve.s of every approved means of protection, from employ- 

 ing competent men for the patrol, to the use of chemical extinguishers. 

 Above all, let us agree that politics shall not be a factor. This is a national 

 affair, and every Government* should leave those in charge of the forests, 

 in so far as protection of them is concerned, absolutely free to select the 

 very best men. This ensures an efficient service being given, and in no 

 other way is it possible to bring it about. 



The question of preventing forest fires along railways is one which is 

 quite as formidable as the preceding one, if not more so. To illustrate 

 forcibly this menace to the forests, Mr. de Lotbiniere's railway guards, on 

 a stretch of fifteen miles long, in 1908, on the Intercolonial Railway, ex- 

 tinguished nineteen incipient fires in one day. If this can occur on the In- 

 tercolonial Railway, where the right-of-way was cleaned up many years ago, 

 what are the chances of fire taking place along a newly constructed line. 



