62 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



the lighter foliage of white birch and poplar, and the mov- 

 ing shadows cast by the clouds made an impressive scene. 



The region is rich in lakes and streams. Bald Eagle 

 lake, which is about three miles in length and wide in pro- 

 portion, has such a handsomely wooded sloping shore 

 and fine islands, and looked so cheerful on the bright 

 summer day we entered it, that I thought its name could 

 well be changed to the Lake of Smiles. Bellissima 

 lake is still larger, with more islands and equally as beauti- 

 ful. There are many other large, fine lakes, some of 

 which are stocked with whitefish. 



Over a dozen moose were seen on the trip, always near 

 water, and nearly as many deer. Also ducks and part- 

 ridges were seen. The country is fairly well stocked with 

 fur-bearing animals, such as the black bear, martin, lynx, 

 otter, beaver and fox. If set apart as a forest reserve the 

 region would prove a great game and fish preserve, and 

 no doubt a favorite resort for tourists. There is any 

 amount of water power in the rivers, especially in Cross 

 river, where the spruce could be made into pulp. 



The forest reserve law provides for the utilization at its 

 appraised value of all merchantable timber in a reserve. 

 If any considerable area of agricultural land is found in a 

 forest reserve it is to be restored to the public domain. 



ALONG THE RAINY RIVER. 



I went the latter part of September, fifty miles through 

 a timber country on the line of the Canadian and Northern 

 Railway from Beaudette to Warroad (on Lake of the 

 Woods), in the northern portion of Beltrami and Roseau 

 counties. The road has been in operation a year, but I 

 saw scarcely any trace of recent fire along the line of 

 route. This was the first time I had visited just that 

 portion of the state, although it was the third time I had 

 visited Rainy River. For the greater part of the distance 



