26 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS.

a minimum amount of irrigation. One great advantage possessed, however, is the
natural warmth, and, being loose and friable on the surface, the soil is well adapted
for the germination of seeds.” x

CHESLATTA LAKE TO FORT FRASER.

From the head of Cheslatta Lake to Fort Fraser the trail follows Cheslatta-

Lake on the north side throughout its full length, and is very rough, though there
is plenty of feed on the lake slope for such pack-trains as travel this way. From
the foot (east end) of Cheslatta Lake (elevation 2,800 feet) to Fraser Lake, a
distance of about forty-six miles, the country is rolling, rocky plateau land covered
with jack-pine, scrub alder, and some spruce. A number of lakes are to be found
along the way. In only two places, however, is there sufficient feed for horses to
enable one to camp overnight. ‘The trail is hard and dry and practically free of
mud-holes, which makes almost impassable for some months in the spring many
trails in the north.
VEGETATION.

When Messrs. White and Weir, of the Department of Agriculture, journeyed
through this district in 1911, the wild vegetation made a great showing. Fireweed,
or willow-herb, meadow-rue, and larkspur were 3 to 4 feet high on the open patches
and among the poplars. None of the fireweed had yet flowered, but the blossom
had all fallen from the meadow-rue. Peavine and vetches were very luxuriant and
mostly in bloom. Grass of many tribes, among them Poa, Bromus, Triticum, and
Agrostis, were abundant. The growth was very rapid indeed, as a splendid rain a
short time before had started all growing rapidly. Between July 1st and 11th the
wild grass, fireweed, cow-parsnip, and meadow-rue made a growth of 15 inches in
many places (by actual measurement) on the trail between Francois and Ootsa
Lakes. Indeed, this vegetation on all the open patches in the vicinity of the small
lakes was the most luxuriant seen anywhere by them. Large openings several
hundred acres in extent, covered with a mass of native grass and weeds so thick
and high one could searcely force one’s way through, and dotted very thickly with
the great white blossom of the cow-parsnip, certainly presented a most luxuriant
appearance. Its appearance at a later stage when these plants have reached a
height of 6 to 8 feet, and are covered with climbing peavine and yetches, is truly
wonderful.

Som AnD Rapipiry oF GrowTH.

All the land in this part is covered with 6 to 8 inches of vegetable mould from
the decay of these plants. This induces rapid growth, and the plants themselves
soon shade the ground to such an extent as to prevent evaporation (though con-
siderable must pass off from the leaves), thus keeping the ground in splendid
condition. The extreme luxuriance of the vegetation indicates a highly productive
soil and a rainfall sufficient to grow most of the cereals and root-crops. The rapidity
of growth of this wild vegetation can scarcely be realized by people living in more
southerly latitudes. It is no doubt partly accounted for at least by the greater
length of day and greater solar radiation during the growing season. The clear,
dry atmosphere characteristic of this region favours the absorption of a large amount
of heat during the daytime, which is not readily parted with on account of the heavy
covering of vegetation. The variation in temperature between sunrise and noon is
very great, however (40 to 80 degrees, and often even more), and it would almost
seem that an increased activity were given plant-life during the day by this great
range of temperature.

The Saskatoon, or service-berry, tree reaches a height of 12 to 14 feet, and was
white with bloom early in July, part of the fruit having already set. High-bush
cranberry was abundant and bearing a heavy crop of berries. Wild roses in full
bloom (July 12th) and Indian paint-brush were plentiful in the dry sandy places.

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