
CAPABILITIES WITH REFERENCE TO SETTLEMENT. 277 
tains known as the Three Buttes—till the immediate flanks of the Rocky 
Mountains are reached 
640. The West Roseau River would seem to be navigable by steam 
launches, or stern-wheel boats of light draught, from the Red River 
nearly to its intersection with the old St. Paul and Garry road, From 
this place to its crossing of the forty-ninth parallel, it is barred by the 
rapids above mentioned, which, from their shallow and boulder-strewn 
character, are difficult of navigation, even in abark canoe. From a point 
a few miles south of the Line, a small steamer might pass through the 
Roseau Swamp and Roseau Lake, and possibly ascend the Kast Roseau, 
nearly to its intersection with the forty-ninth parallel. 
641. Of the wooded country between Lake of the Woods and the 
margin of the Red River prairie, a comparatively small proportion there- 
fore appears to be fit for cultivation, though much of the surface could be 
reclaimed at smallexpense. The areas formerly occupied by small lakes 
show better soil than the ridges and higher grounds, which are generally 
sandy or gravelly. The chief present value of the region would however 
seem to be as areserve of fuel, and timber for construction, for the more 
fertile prairie land bordering the Red River. A large quantity of valuable 
red pine (Pinus resinosa) lumber has been cut during the last few years on 
dry ridges near the Pine River, which runs into Roseau Lake from the 
north ; and similar pine-bearing highlands, will probably be found in 
other parts of the area. The timber cut on Pine River, was floated into 
Roseau Lake, and thence by the West Roseau River, to Red River. It 
therefore passed for a portion of its course through the northern part of 
the State of Minnesota. The Roseau, and probably also the Rat River, 
may be used in the conveyance of fire-wood to the Red River country, 
should the demand require it. 
The Red River Prairie. 
642. Of the alluvial prairie of the Red River, much has already 
been said, and the uniform fertility of its soil cannot be exaggerated. 
The surface for a depth of two to four feet, is a dark mould, composed of 
the same material as the subsoil, but mingled with much vegetable matter. 
Its dark colour is, no doubt, in part due to the gradual accumulation of 
the charred grasses left by the prairie fires. The soil may be said to lie 
ready for the plough, and in turning the tough thick prairie sod, the first 
year, a crop of potatoes may be put in, though it is not efficiently broken up 
till it has been subjected to a winter’s frost. When the sod has rotted, 
