and grizzlies are to be hunted on the higher hills. Moose-tracks are seen
toward easterly limits. Caribou herd on the higher plateaus. Oppor-
tunities for the trapper are many. At present only a few Indians reap
good profit by trapping numerous species of fur-bearers, including beaver,
mink, marten, otter, weasel, lynx, and large numbers of musk-rats. Many
ground-hogs—a species of marmot—are taken every fall from the open
mountain-sides. Although their fur is more or less valuable, they are
taken by the Indians chiefly for their fatty meats, which, being dried and
smoked, provide food during the trapping season later on. The various
species of grouse were plentiful while surveyors were on the ground,
and good shooting is afforded each fall when the ducks or geese pass
along on their way south.

“The presence of hot springs at the west end of the second lake will
no doubt prove of future value.

“The country was prospected for gold-bearing gravels years ago,
but no information is at hand to show that any quantity of the precious
metal was ever taken out. At present colours may be found in most
of the larger creeks, and especially on the bars of Nation River, where
work was carried on until comparatively recent years. All of which
would tend to bear out the opinion that further prospecting might be
attended with some results.

“Tn contemplating the foregoing remarks regarding the Nation Lake
country, one can confidently anticipate what the future offers to the
pioneer. Richly endowed by nature, with soil that seemingly can be
rendered highly productive at a moderate initial cost, and with conditions
generally that are particularly suitable to mixed farming, settlement must
be rapid as the various advantages of the country become known and
transportation facilities secured.”

F. C. Swannell, B.C.L.S., in 1912 said: “ There is still much land in
addition to that surveyed in the Nation Lakes District, especially to the
southward. The soil is mostly loam, but where the country escaped the
fire the stand of timber is often too heavy for classification as agricultural
land. Nation River occupies a wide trough-like valley composed of jack-
pine benches. While considerable of these are gravelly and sandy, yet
this is by no means the rule. A cruise from the extreme easterly end of
Nation Lake across to the foot of the swift water on the river was
through a new growth of jack-pine, but the soil was loam or sandy
loam everywhere except on the ridges, which were gravelly. A large
area of these jack-pine bench lands lies south-east of here, and if the
soil holds as good as the portion cruised, six or seven townships are
obtainable—approximately 150,000 acres.

“A large valley draining into Upper Nation Lake parallels Indata
Lake on the west and runs nearly through to Tsayta Lake, the north-
western lake of the Nation Lakes. Twenty square miles of good land
lie here, with much open meadow country. The meadows, however,
are generally wet and need draining. Between Upper Nation Lake—

Nineteen.