15 



tively short, and in the more southern sections the 

 peach is successfully cultivated, and the chesnut 

 grows spontaneously. 



The mineral resources of this region, like those of 

 the eastern portion of the champaign district, are 

 comparatively few. Besides building-stones, lime, 

 and. cements, however, may be added gypsum and 

 petroleum, both of which will be mentioned in their 

 proper places. 



It being the plan of this essay to notice in the 

 first place those points in the natural history of the 

 country which are connected with its agricultural 

 interests, the supplies of artificial manures for the 

 soil, and of peat for fuel may be here described. 

 The building materials of the country will next be 

 noticed, and finally the various ores and other mine- 

 ral products which are the subjects of mining and 

 manufacturing industry. 



ARTIFICIAL MANURES. 



In addition to the manures which are the produce 

 of the farm, modern agriculture avails itself of 

 various other materials which are capable of restor- 

 ring to the soil the elements removed by tillage, or 

 in other ways of promoting the growth of vegeta- 

 tion. Of the more common of these materials, lime 

 and gypsum, Canada contains an abundant supply. 

 The further notice of localities of lime, which is 

 found almost everywhere through the province, is 

 reserved for a subsequent page, under the head of 

 Building Materials ; but mention may here be made 

 of the deposits of white calcareous marl, which 

 abound in a great many lakes and marshy grounds 

 throughout Canada, and being pure carbonate of 

 lime, constitute a valuable manure for soils lacking 

 this element. 



