Nine Lies of B.G. Davies

The Line in the Sand (Part 2)

SIR, I have the honor to transmit herewith my report upon the exploration work performed by Exploration Survey Party No. 3 under my control during last season.

In accordance with the instructions received I have endeavored to acquire as much general knowledge as possible regarding the districts allotted me for exploration. These districts comprise the territory lying east, west and north of Lake Temagami and on either side of the Montreal river and its tributaries east and west of the district line between Nipissing and Algoma, and I am pleased to state that we have been successful in covering this entire country in as thorough a manner as time would allow.

The districts explored by us proved to be, in all respects, much more valuable than we had expected to find. On this side, or south of the Hudson's Bay watershed, the timber and minerals are the most valuable assets of the province, although we find localities containing large areas of good agricultural lands.

The territory on the Hudson's Bay slope, or north of the height of land, which is well adapted for agriculture, is now principally covered with large quantities of pulp-woods of the most valuable kinds, spruce and balm of Gilead predominating.

A very noticeable feature of all the territory outlined for us to explore was the complete network of water-ways,rivers, lakes and creeks that drained the entire country. The even distribution of these water-ways has obvious advantages, inasmuch as the country is thus perfectly drained, and the timber will be cheap to operate. The rivers are also well-supplied with water powers that can be utilized for all kinds of manufacturing enterprises.

The healthy condition of the flora specimens that we gathered, as well as of those that were observed at different points during the season, proved conclusively the absence of early frosts. In fact, at no time or place did we notice the slightest indication that even the most delicate flowers or plants had been blighted before their maturity.

The scarcity of fur-bearing animals was very noticeable throughout the entire district traversed by us, and is due, no doubt, to the immense quantity of fur exported yearly by the Hudson's Bay Company.

Not alone will this vast territory with its many resources furnish employment for the lumber and paperwood man, work for the prospector and miner and homes for those who wish to make their livelihood by farming, but it will prove a paradise for the followers of the rod and gun and a resort for all lovers of the picturesque in natural scenery.

George R. Gray to the HON. E. J. DAVIS, Commissioner of Crown Lands. LAND AND TIMBER ESTIMATOR'S REPORT OF EXPLORATION SURVEY PARTY NO. 3. Toronto, Ontario. Jan. 7, 1901.

***

Picturesque in natural scenery. That was a certainty, some days. Had we ever stopped our labour to rest, perhaps we would have had a moment to appreciate the beauty of the land. Sadly, when one is up to one's thigh in mud and muskeg, dragging sodden packs across portages whilst mosquitoes and black-flies chew at one's flesh, one does not ponder the beauty of the landscape. However, there were, admittedly, moments when a dram of Gray's whisky warmed the belly and the calm of an evening lake or the lone cry of a loon filled one with wonder and the realization of one's good fortune to be at such a placid place at such a serene moment. Then a fly would buzz, and the swatting would resume.

Those men in the party who were most accustomed to the wilds suffered from the relentless mosquitoes and black-flies too. Mac, the Ornkeyman, said very little, save a mumbled curse now and then; the Frenchman Rudy was a man of grunts and groans, expressing his truest feelings in language that only I and the Métis canoeman Wally could understand; DeMorest and Silvester hunkered down best they could, but the welts and blood marks seemed most severe on the surveyors. Parsons, the Geologist had more experience in the field and took the insects as an unwelcome yet necessary part of the package.