50 EXPEDITION TO THE 



having found but little advantage in trading in these furs, 

 Ihey arc not sought after. By comparing this amount with 

 that yielded by the fur trade on the St. Peter alone, we 

 will be able to judge of the small importance to be attach- 

 ed to the trade of Pembina. Twelve trading houses on the 

 St. Peter made up the year before we visited the country 

 about two hundred and thirty -six packs, which consisted of — 

 No. of packs. Weight and No. of skins in each. 



Martins, very few ; they inhabit in preference evergreen 



woods. 

 Ermine abundant, but not traded. 

 Lynx, less than one pack. 

 Antelope, none. 



Thus the trade of the St. Peter, reduced as it is at pre- 

 sent, is still far more important than that of Pembina. 

 But whatever this trade may be, it will diminish as the 

 population increases; hence it is only to the agricultural 

 resources of this settlement that we must look with a view 

 to the future improvement of the country. And no doubt 

 can exist that, in this respect, Pembina will equal, if not 

 surpass, all other settlements on Red river. The most 

 important question, however, which suggests itself to 

 us is, not what can be raised, but what market can 

 be obtained for the produce of the country ; and here 



