1908 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS' AND MINES 83 



General Features. 



Tlie greater part of the berth, is covered with high rocky ridges inter- 

 cepted by valleys in which there is usually found h lake or a stream of water, 

 the surface being covered with timber and underbrush. 



Timber. 



Large white and red pine originally covered the greater part of this 

 timber berth, the most of which has, however, been cut off, leaving a still 

 very valuable growth of smaller and apparently very healthy red and white 

 pine, spruce, -cedar, poplar, etc. There are portions on the northeast and 

 south parts which still contain some exceptionally good large white and red 

 pine. Along some of the ridges were found some valuable large bird's-eye 

 maple and birch. Some fair sized ash trees were met with about the centre 

 of the berth. 



Soil. 



There seems to be no great depth of soil in any part except in the valleys 

 and on a few clay and sandy ridges. This area is not suited for agricultural 

 purposes except in a few scattered points. 



Water and Water Powers. 



The Montreal Eiver flows through the berth from northwest to southeast, 

 the average breadth of which is about two hundred and fifty feet and depth 

 varying from two to forty feet. Its immediate banks rise to an average 

 height of about ten feet above low 'water, but at a short distance from the 

 shores the hills often rise to an elevation of several hundred feet. There are 

 several water powers on this river, which may be described as follows : 



(1) Hound Chute with a natural fall of sixteen feet, (2) Ragged Chutes 

 with a natural fall of thirty-seven feet, (3) Fountain Falls with a natural 

 fall of sixteen feet. There are two rapids known as Red Pine and Long 

 Rapids, both of which are dangerous for canoes. The river is generally con- 

 sidered to be treacherous and many drownings have occurred in its waters. 



The discharge of the river at low water is one thousand cubic feet per 

 second. 



Numerous small and large lakes were found within the subdivision, the 

 waters of which were clear and apparently good. 



Minerals and Geology. 



The Provincial Geologist, I believe, is making a complete and exhaus- 

 tive report on these subjects which will no doubt appear as soon as possible. 



Game. 



Moose, red deer, bear, wolves, beavers, foxes, musk-rats and mink were 

 occasionally seen. Pike, bass and trout were found in the Montreal River 

 and in many of the lakes. 



Forest Fires. 



In the early part of July a fierce forest fire raged in the west part of the 

 sub-division adjoining the township of Lorrain, which had apparently orig- 



