514 



the line of boundar}' traced upon the Topogra- 

 phical Map, giving an average depth of about 

 a league and a half : it is now the property of 

 Monsr. Couillard. In proportion to its extent, 

 this is one of the most valuable possessions in 

 the whole province; it lies generally low, with 

 the exception of a small ridge or two that sepa- 

 rate the settlements on the St. Lawrence from 

 those on the Riviere du Sud. The soil is so 

 rich and highly productive, particularly in grain 

 of all species, as to obtain for it the distinguish- 

 ing epithet of the granary of the Lower District. 

 As may be supposed, no part of so good a soil 

 is neglected, and the whole is actually under a 

 state of cultivation not surpassed by any grant. 

 Owing to the great extent of agriculture, very 

 little timber remains. It is advantageously 

 watered by the Riviere du Sud, a large branch 

 of the same called Bras St. Nicholas, the Ri- 

 viere a la Caille, and many rivulets. The first 

 mentioned is a beautifully winding stream that 

 has its source in the mountains, about the rear 

 of the seigniory of St. Gervais. Another prin- 

 cipal branch of it descends from the heights 

 much further in the interior. From the con- 

 fluence of this branch with the main stream in 

 the seigniory of St. Vallier, it meanders through 

 a fine plain in a north-easterly direction to the 

 village of St. Thomas^ where it forms a large 



