The Unexploited West: A Compilation of all of the authentic information available at the present time as to the Natural Resources of the Unexploited Regions of Northern CanadaChambers, Ernest J.
History
The Unexploited West: A Compilation of all of the authentic information available at the present time as to the Natural Resources of the Unexploited Regions of Northern Canada
Chambers, Ernest J.
Canada -- Economic conditions; Northwest, Canadian -- Economic conditions
As to Alexandra falls, so named by Bishop Bompas in honour of the then
Princess of Wales, Mr. McConnell states that they present a clear
unbroken sheet of falling water, and are exceedingly picturesque in
appearance. The gorge through which the river below flows here suddenly
ceases, and the river precipitates itself over the hard limestone band
through which the latter is cut, with a sheer descent of about
eighty-five feet, as measured by a single reading of the aneroid
barometer.
From the base of the falls the river flows along rapidly for about a
mile, and then makes a second leap of about fifty feet, below which are
three miles of rapids. At the lower falls the cliff is broken down near
the centre, and the descent of the water is interrupted by projecting
ledges. Above the falls the river loses its valley almost altogether,
and has failed to produce more than a feeble impression on the hard
limestone beds which floor the surrounding country. Near the foot of the
rapids below the falls “a graceful effect is produced by a couple of
small streams which fling themselves on either hand over the brow of the
cliffs bounding the valley and make one clear leap to the floor
beneath.”
AGRICULTURE AT RESOLUTION.
Mr. McConnell reported the western arm of Great Slave lake “bordered all
around by a flat wooded country, which has been proved to be adapted to
cultivation of barley, and of potatoes and other vegetables. The soil is
usually a loam, but in the ridges is often sandy, and in low places
passes into a clay. The alluvial lands along Slave river and the grassy
plains on Little Buffalo river are the best sections of the district,
and deserve the first attention. At Fort Resolution a few acres of land
are farmed every year with good results by the Hudson’s Bay Company. Mr.
Flett, who has charge of this post, informed me that barley is usually
sown on May 15, and requires about one hundred and ten days to reach
maturity. Potatoes are planted about the same date, and are dug about
September 15; wheat, according to the same authority, has been tried
three times with only one failure. At Hay river, sixty miles west of
Fort Resolution, some potatoes are annually grown by the Indians, and
even at Fort Rae, which is situated on a bleak island in the northern
arm of the lake in latitude 62° 39′, some gardening has been attempted
by the energetic Roman Catholic missionaries who are stationed there.
The soil at this place is very stony, and much difficulty was
experienced in removing the boulders, and in bringing the ground into a
proper state for cultivation. When this was once effected several kinds
of vegetables were grown without trouble. Potatoes planted on May 25 are
dug in the middle of September, and yield twenty fold, and the list of
garden vegetables raised here includes turnips, onions, cabbages,
carrots, radishes, beets and peas. Wheat and barley have not been tried
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account