The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-18
TIMBER
Is Being Rapidly Depleted
In Canada
Startling Information From
Forestry Association
MOlybdenite, A New Mineral,
Is Discovered
For Valuable Use In Harden
ing Of Steel
TO Develop Peat For Fuel
To SuppIant Coal

Ottawa, Ont, Jan. 14.--The secre-
tary of the Canadian Forestry associa-
don, James Lawler, has given out a
statement that came as genuine sur
prise to the general public, who have
hitherto been led to believe that the
timber supply of Canada is illimitable
and practically inexhaustible. In re-
gard to this subject, which vitally con-
Germs the welfare Of the Dominion, it
Is pointed out that in the older por-
lions of Ontario there are at present
over 100000 acres of land fit for
nothing else but the growing of trees.
As an illustration, in Norfolk county
the government recently secured 1000
acres of land, once profitable farm
land. for SIS per acre. The passing of
the forest left this land barren waste,
and now 1t was little or no good, and
would 30 remain until policy of re-
afforestation could be put into effect
upon 1t. Reference was made to the
fact that France had spent $4,000 900
In afforestation, and Germany was TAX
Ing active steps toward replenishing
her supply of timber.
1t was estimated that In the case of
the United states the passing away of
the forests caused an annual loss to
that country of over $5O0,0O0,0OO. AS
to the results to be obtained from the
proper repletion of the country's for
ests, Mr.. Lawler evidenced the case of
Germany, which obtained revenue of
$17.000,000 from forest area of T.
100000 acres. At this rate 1t was es-
timated that Ontario lands, properly
husbanded, with their 116,0OO,OOO
acres, would yield an annual return of
about $609,OOO,OOO.
At one time Canada claimed to have
a forest area more than ten times the
size OF that of the United States. Now
some experts estimate the forests of
the Dominion as only one-f1fth the ex-
tent of the forests of the United States.
1t Is now claimed that the very long
est that the Canadian supply could be
expected to Withstand the present in
roads made upon 1t would be for sixty
years, provided nothing further was
done toward replenishing the waste.
Much work, however, Is being done by
2fforestation, and already 100000
trees have been set out in the barren
parts of the providence. The loss to
Ottawa Valley by forest fires alone
each year is placed at 100000. Great
interest is being aroused throughout
Canada In the work of the forestry as
sociation.
Northern Quebec is soon to yield
from its interior new mineral and
one of considerable value. About seven
years ago, evidences of rich deposits
Of molybdenite were found near Kee-
wagama lake, which Is few miles
from the main line of the National
Continental railway, now In course of
construction. Little was then done to-
ward development, as molybdenite is a
heavy metal and there were no proper
railway facilities for the transporta-
don of the ore at the time of the find
Now, the Grand trunk Pacific railway
is about to open up this country, and
with the coming of the railroad, new
mining corporation, to be known as
the Indiana Peninsula company, is
about to operate claim.
Molybdenite, the raw material, is
worth about 25 cents pound. The
finished metal, in its commercial state.
is known as molybdenum, and is
chiefly of value when applied to steel.
1t acts on steel similarly to tungsten.
hardening 1t and developing 1t so that
1t will not lose its original strength
after 1t has been welded. The worlds
supply is very limited, although a
number OF small deposits are known In
Canada. 1t is In crystal form In gran
ties and pegmatites, and when these
crystals are properly formed they are
hexagonal. That 1t may furnish a
substitute for tungsten is considered
probable.
With the coming to Ottawa of one
the chief inspectors OF gas producing
firms In Germany, the Dominion gov
ernment will inaugurate far-reach.
Ing campaign for the development Of