DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1933 69 



The Country 



For from 1 to 2 miles north of Lake Temiskaming, the land is low, swampy 

 and soft. It is being gradually drained and brought under cultivation. Since 

 the original survey, Lake Temiskaming has been dammed so that shore line 

 and low islands are now drowned. This accounted for loss of some of the 

 monuments. 



From Mile 2 to 11, the country is settled, most of this stretch being in 

 what is known as Belle River Valley. This is very fine farming country, and 

 is now well improved. Settlement began here long before the railroad had 

 entered, transportation being by the lake. 



From Mile 11 the line passes through unsettled country to Mile 83 at the 

 north side of Lake Abitibi, with the slight exception of crossing the railroad 

 at Cheminis, Mile 41-42. From Mile 83 to 89 it is partly settled on the Quebec 

 side, not at all on the Ontario side. 



At about Mile 7, the top of the bank of the river valley is reached and 

 country is fairly level. It is more or less open, with some scrub. Any streams 

 that are here have furrowed deep and narrow ravines and gullies. Soil is a 

 fine clay loam, easily worked and very fertile. 



Rock exposures are passed over at Mile 14-15 and continue in greater or 

 less degree to Mile 75 in Lake Abitibi. From Mile 75 to 89, while not actually 

 on the line, rock is in evidence in the country in close proximity. 



Brule, brush and scrub described in a general way the covering of the 

 land where not actually farmed till Mile 18 is reached. Small patches of green 

 timber occur from this point and near Mile 22 quite heavy bush is entered. 

 From this point on to Mile 48 some very heavy bush is passed through. This 

 timber includes some large scattered white pine, spruce, poplar, jackpine, 

 balsam, cedar, birch and ash. Considerable pulpwood and merchantable 

 timber is scattered all through this area. Nearly all this bush has a heavy 

 tangled undergrowth. Lumber operations are proceeding in Labyrinth Lake 

 area at the present time where spruce and cedar are being taken out. 



At 39 M 60 and about 20 chains east in Quebec, lies Mt. Cheminis, 

 the name meaning an Indian Chimney. This is a prominent mark for the 

 surrounding country up to 25 miles away. This hill stands by itself, with per- 

 pendicular sides and slightly rounded top, and at a distance seems to rise out 

 of level surrounding country. Two or three more hills to the north and east, 

 present at a distance a similarity, having about the same elevation, but they 

 are not so distinctly a separate hill by themselves as is Cheminis. 



About Mile 45, to the west of Labyrinth Lake and on to Mile 57 the 

 country has been burned over and now when viewed close at hand presents 

 a very desolate appearance. Windfall, second growth, chicots, alder, hazel 

 and raspberry canes with occasional small areas of green timber are the order 

 in this locality. It is very rocky and hilly, has few lakes and viewed from one 

 of the higher points seems to be an elevated region broken up by series of small 

 ranges of hills. 



From points of vantage, however, the views across this country are very 

 fine. Hills and low mountains can be seen up to 30 to 40 miles away, and 

 what with lakes and valleys, wooded slopes and bare burnt hills, stately lone 



