CHRISTMAS TREES ARE BIG BUSINESS IN CANADA, AND ALTHOUGH CHRISTMAS IS STILL WEEKS AWAY, A GROUP OF FARMERS IN THE MANSFIELD AREA (SIXTY MILES NORTH OF TORONTO) HAVE NEARLY COMPLETED HARVESTING THIS SEASON'S CROP OF YOUNG TREES TO GRACE LIVING ROOMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

SMALL FARMERS HAVE TO FILE TO TIE AND BALE THEIR TREES BY HAND -- BUT IN LARGE FARMS LIKE THIS ONE, COMPLETELY GIVEN OVER TO CHRISTMAS TREE PRODUCTION, MECHANICAL BINDERS SPEED UP THE WORK. THE MECHANICAL AIDS ARE NOT ONLY A HELP TO THE MEN WORKING ON THE HARVEST -- THEY ALSO TIE THE TREES FAR TIGHTER AND MORE SECURELY THAN HAND TIED TREES. THE TREES THUS TAKE UP LESS ROOM, AND SHIPPING COSTS ARE LOWER.

SCOTCH PINE IS THE TREE GROWN HERE, AND THE FARMERS SAY THAT THIS IS THE MOST DESIRABLE VARIETY. ITS NEEDLES STAY LONGER AND IT ARRIVES ON THE FAMILY DOORSTEP WITH THE APPEARANCE OF BEING NEWLY CUT.

THIS IS NOT JUST A SEASONAL JOB. WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER, THE WORK OF PLANTING MORE TREES BEGINS. MEANWHILE OTHERS, PLANTED OVER RECENT YEARS, ARE GROWING STEADILY AND HOPES ARE HIGH FOR ANOTHER GOOD CROP FOR CHRISTMAS 1965.

THE PRICE OF A TREE TO THE CUSTOMER -- ONE DOLLAR.