GEOGRAPHT AITD NATURAL HISTORY OF THE TOBIQUE. 31 



of the way; the foxes and smaller quadrupeds are bolder. A 

 little wood-chuck wanted to block the road once and not let 

 me pass. I saw an otter trying very patiently to catch some 

 ducks. They kept well out of his reach, but always returned 

 when the animal swam ashore, and again scattered when he 

 came after them. A mink was observed. 



The resources of the region lie in lumbering, farming, 

 plaster, grain mills, and saw mills; and the more speculative 

 pursuits of limestone burning and gold mining. Last sum- 

 mer, work was carried on on the Serpentine, in getting out 

 gold-bearing quartz, and about a ton was sent away for exam- 

 ination and analysis. Gold was also reported to have been 

 rediscovered on the Wapskehegan, where a specimen was 

 found many years ago. 



Much plaster is used in Aroostook County, Maine, and 

 mills have been put up there for grinding it, as it enters the 

 United States in a crude state free of duty. It is princi- 

 pally brought from Albert County; for the demand for Tobique 

 plaster has been far greater than the supply, which was limited 

 by the number of teams able to work at hauling gypsum from 

 the rock to the mouth of Tobique. A great many tons, how- 

 ever, have been taken out in this way. In 1887, the only 

 year for which I have the returns, the amount was 1,300 tons. 

 The railway now being built along the river, will help trans- 

 port and by greatly decreasing the price of the material in the 

 farming centres, will cause a large increase in the consump- 

 tion. A considerable section of the plaster rock is in the 

 hands of men who are largely interested in the railway, and 

 the intention is to set up mills at the rock to crush gypsum 

 for the New Brunswick and Canadian markets, as well as to 

 export large quantities of raw material to the farming 

 districts of Maine and other States. 



It is also proposed to start shingle mills on the river to 

 take advantage of railway transportation, and the large sup- 

 plies of lumber still existing. Mills for grinding grain are 

 much needed on the Tobique, as there is only one now, and 



