144 COMMISSION OP CONSERVATION 



for the enforcement of existing provisions. More complete provision 

 should therefore be made for the proper enforcement of such require- 

 ments through an increase in the forest staff and by raising the standard 

 of personnel through the general adoption of the merit system of ap- 

 pointment and promotion. 



In order to make properly effective the measures which the rail- 

 ways are required to take for the prevention of fire along their lines, 

 provision is especially needed for the proper disposal of slash along 

 all railways through forest country. It is essential that existing in- 

 flammable material be removed along a wide strip outside the right-of- 

 way, and that this action be made a fundamental requirement in con- 

 nection with the issuance or renewal of timber licenses in the future. 

 The same precautions should be observed wherever wagon roads run 

 through forest sections. 



Co-operative Fire Protection 



One of the most encouraging signs during the past year in connec- 

 tion with better fire protection in the east, has been the organization 

 of the St. Maurice Forest Protective Association. This Association 

 is composed of limit-holders in the St. Maurice valley. Que. A manager, 

 three inspectors and 50 rangers for patrol work were employed during 

 the past season. As a result, while 97 fires were extinguished, only 

 one attained proportions of any consequence, and this was in an old 

 cutting. In addition to patrol, a start has been made in the construc- 

 tion of permanent improvements such as trails, telephone lines and look- 

 out stations. The cost is met by an assessment upon limit-holders in 

 proportion to acreage, aided by a contribution from the Quebec Govern- 

 ment, in consideration of the protection of provincial property. It 

 is to be hoped that the activity of this association will be extended, and 

 that others will be formed. Most efficient results have been accomplish- 

 ed in a similar way through the formation of lumbermen's co-operative 

 associations in the states of the Pacific Northwest. 



Forest Surveys and Fire Statistics 



Provincial ^* ^^ essential to the preparation and adoption of 



Forest any intelligent plan of forest management to know first 



in a general way, what are the conditions to be met. 

 In this cormection, the great importance of a general stock-taking to 

 determine the extent and location of the forest resources of Canada, 

 should be emphasized. A false sense of seciuity has prevailed in the 

 past, due to the general belief in the existence of forest resources very 

 much greater in extent than now appear to exist. A forest sirrvey 

 of the entire Dominion would be a tremendous task for the Commission 



