1909-10 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FOEESTS AND MINES. 8.3 



The largest valley noticed was that through which the East Branch flows in a 

 very winding course in the Townships of Charters and Nicol, being from 1 to 2 

 miles wide. The banks of the stream are of good clay loam. The soil in general 

 throughout the country is sandy with loose rounded boulders, but the country 

 rock is not very deep below the surface, even in the swampy tracts. 



Timber. 



The different kinds of forest trees which are found growing in any quan- 

 tities are jack pine or Banksian pine, biroh, spruce, poplar, balsam, cedar and 

 red and white pine. The fires which swept over that country years ago seem to have 

 burnt in small areas and at different times; especially is this noticeable in the 

 southern part, where small second growth jack pine, birch and poplar will be found 

 on one ridge while the next will be covered with the same kind of trees averaging 

 from 6 to 16 inches in diameter. In general terms I would describe the forest 

 which has survived the fires within the past semi-centenary as consisting of Baak- 

 sian pine, spruce, poplar, balsam, birch and cedar, averaging from eight to six- 

 teen inches in diameter. Also small bunches of red and white pine in the Town- 

 ships of Charters, Donovan, Gamble, Brewster, Tretheway and McGifiBn from 

 10 to 30 inches in diameter. That of more recent growth consists of Banksian 

 pine, spruce, balsam, birch and poplar varying in size up to 8 inches and thickly 

 studding the surface. 



During the past season a large tract of country was burnt over adjoining 

 Stony Lake, Bloom Lake, Miller Lake, Lost Lake, GowGanda Lake, Obuskong 

 Lake and along the water routes joining these lakes, and while no great quantity 

 of valuable timber was destroyed one of the finest and most attractive canoe routes 

 in Northern Ontario has been disfigured. No fires occurred to my knowledge 

 during the season south of this one throughout my work. 



Water and Water Powers. 



Very few rainfalls during the past summer caused the creeks to become very 

 shallow and canoeing on the upper waters of the streams met with was diflBcult. 

 Old portages were cleaned up where occasion required their use and several new 

 ones were cut out. Big Bear or Maoobe Lake is the largest body of water within 

 this season's work, being over eight miles long and three wide. 



There are no falls or rapids within the territory attractive for water power 

 development. 



Rock Formation. 



The northern part of this territory has been investigated closely by the 

 Department of Mines, in the southern portion quartzite extends throughout with 

 here and there small dykes of diabase. 



Game. 



A large number of moose were seen during the work in the Lady Evelyn 

 River country. Also signs of bear and several instances of fresh beaver work. 

 Wolves were also heard on several occasions within short range of camp. 



7 L.M. 



