210 TIMBERS AND THEIR USES 



plantations are maintained, the climatic con- 

 ditions being such that the forest renews itself 

 immediately after the timber workings are 

 deserted. Indeed, it is only by constant labour 

 that the encroachments of the young growth on 

 cultivated areas can be prevented. Forest fires 

 are a source of considerable loss despite a 

 stringent Bush Fires Act. ■ 



" Among the trees of commercial value, the 

 fine Douglas Fir, which sometimes attains a 

 height of 300 feet, and a basal girth of 50 feet, 

 ranks first. It is widely distributed, stretching 

 from the coast eastward to the Rocky Mountains. 

 With about the same specific gravity and strength 

 as Oak, it has a wide range of usefulness, being 

 largely employed in ordinary building and con- 

 struction, as well as for bridges, jetties and 

 shipwright's work. Next come the Red and 

 Yellow Cedars, the former attaining the greatest 

 girth of any British Columbian tree. They are 

 used for general building purposes, furniture and 

 panelling work, the red variety being the 

 favourite tree of the settlers in erecting their 

 houses and fences." 



Among the Spruces, the most useful is the 

 White Sitka variety, which has a girth almost 

 equal to the Douglas Fir, but does not attain 

 the same height clear of the branches. It makes 

 good dressed lumber, and is largely used for 



