252 Topographical Notices. 



the region favorable to its [)ro(luctlon, by all account, 

 extends some hundred miles northward. The Grand river, 

 which traverses this region, with its numerous tributaries, 

 promises to afford the means of obtaining the pine for 

 market, from an almost indefinite extent of country ; and 

 in which we may expect the growth of the timber to be 

 more than sufficient to keep pace with the annual cutting. 



In all likelihood, a great proportion of these northern 

 pine lands will be found unfit for settlement j but, con- 

 sidering the great support and encouragement which the 

 timber trade of the Ottawa must afibrd, both to the 

 agricultural and mercantile interests of the colony, the 

 existence of this accessible red pine region unquestionably 

 is a most favorable feature in the country, more so,, per- 

 haps, than if its place were occupied with the most fertile 

 hardwood lands. 



The passage of the timber down the various rapids and 

 falls does not form the chief obstacle in prosecuting thi* 

 business. In such a flow^ of water as the Ottawa, there is 

 always to be found some method of passing it, either in 

 cribs or single pieces, without much damage or extraor- 

 dinary delay. The grand obstacle consists in the difficulty 

 and expense of providing the provisions, grain, &c. neces- 

 sary for the winter's operations, at a distance beyond the 

 settlements, and with the interrupted channel of the 

 Ottawa alone as a means of conveyance. The survey and 

 settlement of what eligible lands maybe found along the 

 river, is one evident means of assisting the trade in thi* 

 important particular. Indeed the unusual value of every 

 species of produce in the neighborhood of the lumbering 

 establishments has induced a number of people, at everjr 

 risk, to occupy and clear lands at various places above the 



