To the Honourable S. C. Wood, 



Treasurer of Ontario, 



Sir, — Agreeably to the instructions of the Ontario Government, I have prepared a 

 report on the important subject of the forests of the Province. The object of the Govern- 

 ment, as I have understood and endeavoured to carry it out, has been to circulate the 

 information procurable in so popular a form as to ensure its being generally read, and 

 thereby to enlist the understanding and sympathies of all in the valuable work contem- 

 plated — that of preserving such portions of forest as are necessary for our future supplies 

 of timber, and for that still more important result, which the maintenance of forests 

 secures the great climatic and agricultural benefit derived from regular supplies of mois- 

 ture, whether in river, spring, or rainfall. 



The subject has long been one of my favourite studies, my first writing thereon in 

 the Ganada Farmer and other journals dating thirteen years ago, while I have had myself 

 much personal experience, which I have found useful in preparing the report, a work 

 which, I may remark, has occupied me several months. 



I have concerning the matter actually presented, followed the plan generally observed 

 in other countries in drawing up such documents, namely, that the first Report should 

 present the scientific aspect of the case as applicable to the country in question, together 

 with statements of what steps have been taken by other governments in such matters, the 

 results which have attended their efforts, as well as the causes which led to their action ; 

 accompanied by such additions to the stock of facts as personal knowledge enabled me to 

 supply, and compilations, in as concise a form as possible, of such evidence touching the 

 subject as is on record from the pens of gentlemen well acquainted with Canadian 

 affairs, and such quotations as bear most directly from the most celebrated writers in 

 America and Europe, concerning the advisability of action in the care of and reproduction 

 of forests, and their explanation of the great principles on which such advice is based. 

 Such reports have generally been preparatory to a more exact personal examination of 

 the country, and the obtaining of evidence from individuals in its different localities, 

 which, the writer would suggest, should now be undertaken. 



It may be added, that of the various scientific explanations adduced, none has been 

 given except on the highest authority, nor without consulting numerous authorities, of 

 some of which I now append a list. Of those authorities to which I am chiefly indebted, 

 I may mention the various reports presented from time to time to the American 

 Government, the valuable report compiled by the Commissioners of the Ontario Govern- 

 ment concerning the Forestry Congresses at Montreal and Cincinnati ; the Montreal press 

 reports of the former; the numerous excellent writings of Prof. Hough, U.S. Forestry 

 Department ; some very useful and exhaustive reports concerning the examinations made 

 by the East Indian Government in the system of European Forestry (for which I have to 

 think Hon. M. Joly and Prof. Goldwin Smith) ; Le Traitement des Bois, par Ch. 



