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of a small force of Government rangers, very large forests might be preserved from the 

 ravages of fire. 



In connection with the manufacturing capacities of this region of country, I would 

 remark, that it possesses many and valuable water-courses, which would dry up were the 

 country cleared, but which the retention of the forests will retain in full value. I 

 would also state, that the quality of the water flowing over the granite bed, it being 

 free from lime, is remarkably well adapted to various textile manufacture, and would sug- 

 gest that large manufacturing villages and towns might find occasion for profitable exist- 

 ance in the heart of the large forests which, I conceive. Government should retain in this 

 part of the country. 



I would also suggest that such towns and villages will by no means lack communica- 

 tion with other parts of the country, as the Canada Pacific, and its connecting railways, 

 will pass through the present wilderness near the vicinity where it is desirable these forests 

 should be maintained. 



I would here suggest that large portions of forest might be preserved, let us say, after 

 the merchantable lumber has been carried off by the lumberman, by allotting them in free 

 grants to persons who would undertake to maintain the land in its wooded condition. 



The opinion df Mr. Ward, of Montreal, is, " To have our country remain well 

 wooded for many years, it is but necessary to give the trees indigenous to our country 

 leave to grow, and there will be no necessity to plant. I have no doubt but that much of 

 the land that has been denuded of its timber would in a few years be covered with a 

 spontaneous growth of wood, and so prevent our country from becoming an arid waste, 

 utilizing only that portion of it that can be profitably worked." Mr. Cleveland, of 

 Chicago remarks " A vast area of woodland is running to waste, yielding no revenue and 

 promising nothing better in the future than firewood, of which a very large proportion is 

 yet susceptible of redemption and conversion into timber of great value, at far less cost of 

 time and labour than would be required forthe planting and rearing of new forests." If 

 then we give free grants of land where clearing and cultivation is desirable on condition 

 that the land be cleared and cultivated, I should think it would be well to give free grants 

 of forest where forest is desirable, on condition that the forest be kept in good order, that 

 it be fenced against cattle and thinned as directed by regulations which should be laid 

 down by a Government official of knowledge in such matters. This would give people 

 who wish to acquire land, without being compelled to reside thereon, the opportunity of 

 doing so, as they could hire the necessary labour and care, of persons in the neighbour- 

 hood, and they would naturally see that their employees preformed their duty properly, 

 since that would constitute their only right, to the land, and their only protection against 

 fire overrunning it. 



THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY OF ONTARIO. 



A word may well be said here on this subject. Full control of this territory is 

 withheld from its proper possessors by the delay in ratifying the Boundary Award. 

 It contains a large quantity of very valuable timber, comprising one of the chief timber 

 reserves in all the North- West, so far as present information is obtainable. This 



