1921-22 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 75 



Timber. 



Throughout the six townships excellent spruce was found, running from 

 4 to 10 inches in diameter. There are large areas that will yield from 25 to 30 

 cords to the acre. It is impossible to note here the location of these areas; they 

 exist throughout the entire six townships. Reference to the field notes and 

 timber plan will give the locations of the best of this spruce. The townships 

 McGill, Atikameg and Mikano are the best for spruce timber. 



Banksian pine is found throughout all six townships in large amounts, 

 excellent tie timber size. The Austin Nicholson Company, of Chapleau, under 

 permit in previous years, has taken tie timber out from the townships of Ati- 

 kameg, Bryant and Flood, but not to any considerable extent. They have 

 merely touched the fringe of it. They have camps at present on the meridian 

 line between the townships of Bryant and Flood. Last winter through a sub- 

 contractor, this Company cut 87,000 ties, but were unable to get their drive 

 out. They are at present erecting a new dam in an endeavor to get their ties 

 out this summer. No attempt has been made to burn or dispose of the slash, 

 and there is grave fire menace through the several townships on this account, 

 especially as there are Indians, trappers and tourists continually passing through 

 and camping in this area. Two rather serious fires were burning in this area 

 during the progress of the survey, fires which I personally investigated and 

 found not to have been started near or caused by my survey camps. 



No adequate and complete report is possible on the extent of the banksian 

 pine in these townships without a careful cruise being made. The townships 

 are all exceptionally well timbered with banksian pine running from 6 to 18 

 inches in diameter. I was particularly impressed with the possibilities for a 

 sawmill to be located near the north-east angle of the township of Bryant. 

 Excellent roads could be made, several are actually in existence out to the 

 Canadian Pacific Railway siding at Bremner. In view of the scarcity of, and 

 high prices for, lumber in this district, I beg to suggest that if these townships 

 are put up for tender, a clause be included compelling the erection and operation 

 of such a mill. 



Aside from the spruce and banksian pine, there is very little other timber 

 in the townships. There is some large poplar and a little cedar, but not in 

 amounts to be of commercial value. Very little balsam was found and the 

 birch, although frequently mentioned in my field notes, was in areas small in 

 extent and of little value. 



Soil. 



The soil throughout the six townships was sandy with occasional rocky 

 areas and frequent small areas of muskeg. The areas near the Shabotik River and 

 in some other places near lakes or rivers were exceptionally good, but these 

 townships cannot be considered as good for agriculture, certainly not for settle- 

 ment purposes. The value is to be found in the timber and in the timber alone. 



Game. 



The country is overrun with moose, and in the southerly two townships 

 'red deer, partridge were exceptionally plentiful. Pike found in all of the large 

 lakes. Fishing operations under permit are now being carried on in White 

 Lake, the main catch being whitefish. 



