1909-10 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 63 



conflagrations, the forest here showing an average growth of from twenty to thirty 

 years. Much of the country south of the river and over tlie whole area shows 

 streaks and patches, sometimes of considerable extent, of brule of the above char- 

 acter. In many places through this brule, which contains a thick growth of spruce, 

 jack pine, white birch and balsam and to a lesser extent of tamarac, seedlings of 

 white and red pine are beginning to gain a foot-hold, and will doubtless, if properly 

 protected, again gain the supremacy once held by this species in the forest growth. 

 South of the river and west of the second meridian the country is largely occu- 

 pied by timber of larger growth and of the same species mentioned above. Next 

 to the white and red pine, the jack pine probably S'tands first in importance and 

 much of this is fit for lumber and ties. Some fine timber of this latter species is 

 (to be found along the meridian boundary of 3 A-o B, tall straight trees of a di- 

 ameter extending to 18 inches. Timber of the same character is plentiful on the 

 first base line westerly from II. M. 3 B to the lake at the meridian intersection 

 and southerly along the meridian 3 B-3 C to the lake at III. M.; and also in the 

 tract cut by the first base line west from II. M., 4 C to Lake Minnesinaqua. Again 

 along the meridian 4 C-4 D, northerly from IV. M., a similar quality of jack pine 

 is met with. Associated with the jack pine in the larger timbered area there is 

 a considerable quantity of spruce running to 14 inches in diameter and also some 

 white poplar. White birch, though much in evidence, seldom exceeds ten or twelve 

 inches in diameter, and does not appear to be of much commercial value. Balsam 

 in many places forms a thick undergrowth, and thickets of moose wood and hazel 

 Iserve effectually to screen any object more than a few feet away. Scattered red 

 pine and white pine up to 24 inches in diameter, in about equal proportions, are 

 met with from mileage 1 to 314 on the north boundary of Township W, and also 

 in small bunches and scattered trees along the westerly boimdary of the same. It 

 would appear that this township would afford sufficient pine to render lumbering 

 profitable. Again, along the northerly boundary of 3 C, extending from III. M. 

 to Lake Minnesinaqua there is a good sprinkling, chiefly of white pine, ending in 

 a thick pinery at the shore of the lake. Along the meridian forming the boundary 

 3 C-3 D, pine, scattered or in small bunches, is also met with. Scattered trees also 

 occur in the area lying "between the southerly shore of Lake Minnesinaqua and its 

 river outlet and the first base line. There is scattered pine in considerable quan- 

 tity along the meridian line 4 C-4 D from IV. iM. northerly and westerly along 

 the second base line to the large lake at I. M. 52.51 chains. Travelling east along the 

 second base line scattered trees and small blocks are met with at intervals as far 

 east as III. M. on the north boundary of 4 B. By far the most important pine 

 area passed through, however, lies adjacent to the Wenebegon River in the westerly 

 part of Township 4 D. This area is entered on the first base line at about III. M. on 

 the south boundary of 4 D and continues with slight interruptions across Niven's 

 second meridian, forming the westerly boundary of the said town-ship. 

 On the second base line this area is entered at IV. M. about half a mile 

 east of the Wenebegon and continues across the west boundary of 4 D. Streaks 

 and patches of bum cut this tract, but it still presents a fine appearance of almost 

 solid pinery, and from the second base, where a good view could be obtained to the 

 jBouth, it extended as far as the eye could reach. The average of the pine seen in 

 this block would appear to run about 14 logs to the thousand, and the timber of 

 good quality, sound and generally free from defects, with the exception of a little 

 istump rot. The white pine would probably average well over 60% of the whole. 

 The Wenebegon, cutting the tract centrally, leaves little to be desired in the way 

 of transport for the logs. 



