12 



abundance crops of all kinds, but particularly adapt- 

 ed for wheat, and was in former times noted for its 

 great fertility. These clay lands of Lower-Canada, 

 have been for a long time under cultivation, and by 

 repeated cropping with wheat, without fallow, rota- 

 tion, deep plowing, or manure, are now in a great 

 many cases unproductive, and are looked upon as 

 worn out or exhausted. A scientific system of cul- 

 ture which should make use of deep or sub-soil 

 ploughing, a proper rotation of crops, and a judicious 

 application of manures, would however soon restore 

 these lands to their original fertility. The few trials 

 which within the last few years have been made in 

 the vicinity of Montreal, and elsewhere, have sufficed 

 to show that an enlightened system of tillage, witli 

 sub-soil draining, is eminently successful in restoring 

 these lands, which offer at their present prices good 

 inducements to skilled farmers. Besides grain and 

 green crops, these soils are well fitted for the culture 

 of tobacco, which is grown to some extent in the vici- 

 nity of Montreal. Notwithstanding the length of the 

 winter season in Canada, the great heat and light of 

 the summer, and the clearness of the atmosphere 

 enable vegetation to make very rapid progress. 



The mineral resources of this champaign region 

 of Eastern Canada are chiefly confined to stones for 

 building, paving, lime and cement, stone for glass- 

 making, and peat. Large peat-bogs are very nume- 

 rous in various parts of this region, and may be made 

 to furnish an abundant supply of fuel. This part of 

 the country is also remarkable for the great number 

 and variety of its mineral springs. 



To the northeast of Quebec, besides the plains 

 which border the river, there is a considerable area 

 of low-lying clay land, cut off from the great St. 

 Lawrence basin by Lauren tian hills, and occupying 



