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CHAPTER IV 
Forests* 
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"YHE . forests of Quebec have always been classed among the most 
valuable resources of the province. During the French regime, 
the correspondence of the Intendants with the Government - 
ance contains many references to the timber wealth of the new lane 
d frequent mention is made of the trade, both actual and botentia b 
‘masts, spars, ship timbers and other forest products. Later, when t ° 
lods were more fully exploited, there emerged the romantic figure o 
b river driver, that hardy, danger-loving French Canadian who, deftly 
lanced with pike pole, rode the booms of logs over river and rapid to 
1 or tide-water. In the past generation the magnificent white pine 
the province constituted the most valuable forest type, but the best 
inds of this tree have now disappeared before the lumberman'’s axe, 
d the pulpwood spe:ies, principally spruce and balsam, are assuming 
eading position. 
The decreasing supply of timber generally throughout the world has 
sulted in gradually rising prices, and in Quebec, as elsewhere, forest 
oducts are becoming more valuable. In 1926 the value of prey 
‘est products in Quebec amounted to $64,976,437. The mer hantab e 
rests of the province were valued in 1928 at more than $1,000,000, 
d were estimated to cover an area of about 120,000,000 acres, Labrador 
tests excluded. They constitute an important source of provincial 
venue, and from 1867 to 1927 those under license brought in a revenue 
$77 008 452 
FOREST AREAS 
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Northern Areas.—The extreme northern portion of the province 
at is to say, the region north of the 55th parallel and covering Ungava 
practically devoid of tree growth, and corresponds in character to the 
ndras of Siberia. Immediately south of this 1s the sub-arctic region 
mstituting the forests of the Hudson Bay basin not included in the 
ctic zone. In area it comprises about 128,000,000 acres not more than 
ie-sixth of which has merchantable timber on it. The country is rolling 
id is covered with small lakes and streams and many muskegs. Since 
« climate is severe, the period of vegetation continuing not more than 
7e months, the trees are much smaller than those farther south, and the 
«cies are few in number, the principal ones being the spruces, balsam, 
marack, aspen, balm of Gilead and paper birch. Although these forests 
# Revised by the Department of Lands and Forests, Quebec. 
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