23 District traversed ly the 



poplar abound, the annual accumulation of tlieir decayed 

 leaves, mixed with the putrid remains of the myriads (;f 

 insects and animals, all of which assist in the decomposition 

 of vegetable matter, a thick and rich strata of earth, closely 

 resembling, what by horticulturists, is termed garden mould, 

 will in time be formed. But even in the richest districts 

 of Canada we find the virgin soil soon become exhausted, 

 and requiring an admixture of calcareous matter to assist 

 in the decomposition of the stalks and other remains of 

 vegetables it has formerly borne. It is well known that 

 vegetables buried in a green state, remain in the groiuuf 

 inert for a greater length of time than when mixed with 

 some more active decomposing matter. 



At the posts of Rat River, Wejxiontachinque and Lac du 

 Sable, where a portion of land has been some years in 

 cultivation, the soil is nearly exhausted ; so much so, that 

 out of a large field of Inflian corn which was sown two 

 years since, at the first mentioned post ; not more than 

 twenty stalks have made their appearance, although the 

 seed was sai<l to be excellent. At Lac du Sable the corn 

 bore only one ear on each stalk : and all other vegetables, 

 (except pease,) have yeilded but poor crops for the last two 

 or three years ; however, by a judicious application of lime 

 the quality of the upper surface may be restored. 



Unfortunately the prevailing timber in these sandy 

 regions being evergreen, the accumulation of vegetable 

 mould must of necessity be remarkably slow ; and an 

 incalculable period will elapse, ere the land in this district 

 can be fit to receive the needy settler who depends upon 

 the produce of his land alone, for subsistence. 



We now beg leave to conclude, only regretting that a 

 limited experieoce prevents our treating this interesting 



