CHAPTER XL 



AGRICULTURAL AND MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE AREA 

 OF LAKE AGASSIZ. 



Agriculture must evidently be always the chief industry and source of 

 wealth throughout the pi'airie portion of the area of Lake Agassiz, attended, 

 in villages and towns, by needed branches of trade and manufactures. 

 The great fertility of this disti'ict and its capabilities for agi'iculture depend 

 largely on the character of the imderlying alluvial, lacustrine, and drift 

 formations, which in their diverse development upon different tracts give 

 considerable -s-ariety to the soils. Beyond and above the inherent qualities 

 of the land, its value to the farmer and herdsman is further de])endent in a 

 very lai:ge degree on the climatic conditions which are brought by the 

 changing seasons of the year. Both these factors of agricultural prosperity 

 had expression, before the land was cultivated or pastured, in the native 

 flora of the country and in its former herds of elk, antelopes, and buffaloes. 

 After the consideration of these sources, conditions, and natural evidences of 

 the adaptation of this district for diversified and successful agriculture, the 

 development of this industry is shown by a partly statistical re\'iew of its 

 rapid progress in the production of wheat and other crops and in stock 

 raising and dairying. 



The more strictly geologic resources of tliis region are next noticed, 

 comprising its building stone, lime, and bricks, all of which, and especially 

 the last, have much economic importance. Mention is also given to its salt 

 springs, lignite, and natural gas, none of which, however, occurs in such 

 amount that it can be profitably utilized. 



Lastly, the water power and other natural aids for the development of 

 manufactures within the area of this glacial lake are considered. Some 

 of its streams, as the Red Lake and Clearwater rivers, the upper part of the 

 Red River before it enters this lacustrine area, and especially the Winnipeg 



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