leaving strips of the original coniferous growth, principally along the shores of the
lakes and in patches on the surrounding mountains and hills. The most valuable
and predominant tree in these timbered areas is the spruce, varying in size from
8 to 80 inches in diameter. A generous proportion of pine, with more or less balsam,
is also included. Upon inspection, this timber growth appears to be quite old, as
a rule an appreciable percentage having matured, and now showing the first signs of
decay. The classification of these lands, therefore, as carrying a sufficient quantity
of merchantable timber to bring them within the meaning of “timber lands” is
materially affected. Ample supplies of good timber, however, exist to more than
supply the requirements of ordinary purposes.

VALLEY HAS BEEN SWEPT BY FIRE.

The major portions of the valley have been swept at different times by fire, the
dates of which may roughly be guessed at by the size of the second growth (pine,
poplar, willow, alder, spruce), which varies from 6 inches in places to 2 or 3 inches
in others. Windfalls are only encountered in portions that have escaped the main
sweep of the fires, and do not prevail, as a rule, to any extent. These areas lying
west and south of the second lake, and south of and along the Nation River, carry
a yery open growth of small pine, poplar, and willow thickets, which renders the
proposition of clearing possible at a minimum cost, and almost any particular piece
of land readily accessible.

EXCELLENT AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED WATER-SUPPLIES.

The fact that excellent and evenly distributed water-supplies are to be found
practically anywhere is in itself a very attractive feature of the country. Almost
every quarter-section in the surveyed area is amply supplied by one or more of the
numerous creeks, or borders on the shores of a lake. On the larger plateaux, where
dry areas may be expected to exist, the network of smaller lakes with their connect-
ing creeks provide an ample supply within easy reach. As a rule, these creeks are
hardly adapted for the economical development of water-power, but sites may be
found that will hold attractive possibilities.

SOIL GENERALLY A SANDY LOAM.

The soil of the Nation Lake basin may be characterized generally as a sandy
loam; only along the lower levels of the lakes and river is clay noticed to any
extent. Along the undulating areas immediately surrounding the lakes, where, as
stated before, most of the timber is found, the soil is a loose, light-brown loam. This
gives way in places to soil of a gravelly nature, containing varying quantities of loose
rock or “free stone,” on the higher ground. On the bench lands or plateaux, where
the main blocks lie, the prevailing soil is a finely divided, dark-brown or reddish
sandy loam. This is of considerable depth in certain areas, as is evidenced by the
cuts along the creeks and main river. Large deposits of a whitish silt, probably
glacial in origin, are encountered mainly along the Nation River, where cut-banks
of 50 to 100 feet in height have been noted. Other sections carry a soil that is more
or less gravelly in parts and contains small loose boulders. Broadly speaking, it
may be said that the soils are of a very desirable nature, and the gravelly or rocky
areas, where met with, are in the minority, and are so distributed as to result in
no depreciation to any particular section of land. As to what agricultural purposes
these soils may be best adapted would be determined as a result of more or less
experiment in the future. On every hand is evidence that the loams are very fertile.
A vigorous growth of grasses, shrubs, and weeds spring up where fire has opened
the country and seed has found its way. Special mention must be made of the
smaller wild fruits, which, where found, grow most luxuriantly and bear heavily.
Among these is included black and red currants, raspberries, and gooseberries, etc.

In a block of 50,000 acres surveyed for pre-emption by J. M. Milligan, B.C.L.S.,
lying south of and along the Nation River, containing a large proportion of excellent
agricultural land, a number of wet swamps on muskeg land were encountered. As

22