CLIMATE SOIL. 359 



try, I found sandy soils the least productive ; those composed 

 of clay and heavy loam bearing&quot; the best crops of every de 

 scription. 



Almost all the writers who have treated of the soil of Up 

 per Canada have represented the kinds of trees which grow 

 on it an index of its quality ; but, after extensive observa 

 tion, I was unable to trace the connexion generally. From 

 the number of mouldering trees with which the forest is strew 

 ed, I was led to imagine, generation hath succeeded genera 

 tion since the beginning of time ; and it is an admitted fact, 

 that one description of tree hath frequently been succeeded by 

 a different species over a considerable extent of surface. Un 

 der these circumstances, the kinds of trees have often more 

 connexion with preceding events and species than the soil; 

 and I regretted time, did not admit of my attempting to inves 

 tigate the longevity of the trees, and the kinds which suc 

 ceed each other, or continue without change of species. It is, 

 however, quite certain, that the oak is found occupying ex 

 clusively the best and the worst soils of the province, being 

 that of sand, clay, and loam. Were it necessary, I could point 

 out tracts of country in support of what I have advanced, and 

 districts where a change of species of tree takes place without 

 any apparent difference of soil. If the kind of tree is not a 

 criterion of soil, neither is the size of the trees, which often 

 depends on the number of them on a given space. 



The quality of soil can only be ascertained by examination 

 with a spade or some such instrument, and which ought also 

 to embrace the subsoil. By such a mode of proceeding a 

 judge of land cannot be deceived. It is as easy to learn to 

 discriminate soils as trees, and both may be examined with 

 the same facility. 



The whole surveyed land of Upper Canada is held by Eng 

 lish tenure, with exception, perhaps, of some patches on the 

 banks of the Detroit, occupied by people of French descent. 

 There is a register in every township, in which money mort 

 gaged on land must be entered before it is recoverable, and by 

 consulting which every purchaser may ascertain if good titles 

 to an estate can be obtained. 



The lands are in possession of the crown, the Canada 



