56

. South of Reéwillow river the land is undulating
and at some time in the past had been heavily timbered
with spruce and poplar. Fires appear to have effectively
removed this timber, leaving only a few semi-~decayed
trunks as evidence of the former stand. The Land was ree
forested by poplar which attained a size of 4 inches to
6 inches. With the encroachment of settlement in the
country to the north an@ east, fires used by the settlers
to clear their land frequently got out of control, with
the result that portions of this country were burnt over
several times and partially cleareG. Such land is to be
found on the south side of ReGwillow river. A strip,
one to one and a half miles wide extenés along the south
side of the river. The easterly tyro tiers of sections
are also fairly opene ‘the cost of making this land ready
for breaking is from 73.00 to °20.,00 per acre. ‘these
figures were obtained from settlers who head given out
eontracts for the clearing ef their lanés. ‘the cost of
breaking is from °6.00 to *10,.00 according to the condition
of the fielé,. The portion of the township on the north
side of the river is undulating to rolling ané is mostly
opene Practically all of the prairie or semi-open country
has been filed on, most of recently anc lergely by returned
mene Very little land hes as yet been wltivmted in the
townshipe Grain growing has not proven much of a success.
Wheat dees not do well at all; it is believed that oats
and barley might do better The failure of even these
erops in the past had been attributed to the poor cuality
of see@ which was then obtained in the district. The
setilers are of the opinion that in this pert of the dis-

.triet (fifty miles from a railway) stock raising would be
most profitable. ‘these conclusions heave been forced on
the settlers oy the bitter experience of several vhe had
been fortunate enough to have their grain ripen, One
settler had shipped out some 2800 bushels of oats to
Fort William. ifier deéucting all expenses his net profit
amounted to ©63.00. ‘his part of the district is not
very prosperous looking although the soil is good. The
housing conditions are not of the best. A few of the
settlers are putting up fair buildings. Very little
threshing wes Gone in the district in the fail of 1920,
eonsequentliy work was soarce, the settlers are now exper
ieneing a trying time, some have left the esountry. Those
who remain will fo doubt do well, for the scil is rich
and easily worked and when more land is brought under
cultivation there is no doubt that the dimatic conditions
will change, and with better transportation facilities
the country is bound to prosper. ‘he soil consists of
a fine sandy leam on a sandy clay subsoil with a little
gravel. ‘the growth of vegetation is luzuriant and an
abundance of both upland and slough hay of good quality
is to be found. Water is easily obtained. ‘The Redwillow
river is the only permanent stream, butsaze of the settlers
have found water at very shallow depths.