50 THE VERMILION IRON-BEARING DISTRICT. 



thinner than to the west. The timber is the same as that which occurs 

 farther west, with the difference that, since it is nearly all second growth, 

 poplar, jack pine, and birch predominate, in the order given. In some 

 places within this area the fire has been so intense that even the swamp 

 growth has been destroyed, and in place of the original cedar swamps we 

 now find grassy meadows. There is no way of determining accurately 

 just when this area Avas denuded of its forests. On the Government plats 

 there is a note to the effect that the country near Gunflint Lake was burned 

 over in the sixties. In some places the section corners are marked on 

 second-growth trees, showing that the burning took place a number of 

 years prior to the time that the region was surveyed. In other places the 

 second-growth birch is at least twenty years old, and here no survey lines 

 of any kind were to be found. On the other hand, there is abundant evi- 

 dence that fires have run over portions of the area since it was surveyed, 

 for large trees with the marks of the corners and quarterposts, and the bear- 

 ing trees with their marks on them, have been scorched since these marks 

 were made; and, indeed, in many cases, the marks themselves have been 

 nearly obliterated. 



SOIL. 



The soil throughout the district is thin, but what there is, being of 

 ■ glacial origin, is of very good character and lends itself readily to cultiva- 

 tion. In the valleys the soil has accumulated in places to considerable 

 depth, and where some of the swamps have been drained and properly 

 treated the crops produced are excellent. However, farming is injured by 

 the climatic conditions, which are unfavorable to the growth and maturity 

 of all but a few crops. Hay can be successfully raised. Potatoes, cab- 

 bage, and rutabagas of excellent quality can also be grown, and all of these, 

 especially the hay, bring good prices. Suitable land for farming on a 

 large scale is found in but few places. On some natural meadows in dried 

 lake basins and along the margins of the streams aiid lakes good crops of 

 hay are made. 



GAME AKD FISH. 



This portion of Minnesota is fairly well stocked with game. Moose, 

 deer, and bear were seen repeatedly. In many places the swamps are trav- 

 ersed by deep cut, recent moose trails, and occasionally there were found 

 small areas so tramped and torn by these animals as to resemble a cattle 



