Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, brother of Mr. J. W. Tyrrell, in his evidence before the Senate committee of 1907, stated that to the west of Hudson bay and north of the line of the forest which runs from Churchill northwestward through Ennadai lake, and a short distance south of Dubawnt lake, there is practically no agricultural land. Mr. Tyrrell would not consider that any of the land north of the limit of forest growth was of any value for agriculture. The tree line starts practically at Churchill and runs northwesterly. South of that there are trees, and north there are none. The country north of the tree line is partly rock, but the greater part broken rock and boulders, a rough stony country without any great elevation, and very little vegetation of any kind, except a great many Arctic plants and sedges. Mr. Tyrrell believes the country is permanently frozen. It did not appear to him that there would be any possibility whatever of growing anything on it. That, in Mr. Tyrrell’s opinion, eliminates from an agricultural standpoint that portion northeast of that line.
To the west of Hudson bay and south of the line of the treeless land which runs from Churchill northwestward through Ennadai lake, and a short distance south of Dubawnt lake, there is a belt from one to two hundred miles in width of country that is sparsely wooded. It is not a forest country, but it is wooded along the streams, and in the more protected places, but there is comparatively little wood of any value upon it.
In that country there are, Mr. Tyrrell said, some low lying areas along the streams and in odd places that would support a northern vegetation, but it is not eminently suited for agriculture. The ordinary plants that are grown in many northern countries could doubtless be cultivated in many places. There is very little humus, very little decomposed soil there, except just in the valleys.
Inspector Pelletier, speaking in the report of his 1908 patrol of his route from Artillery lake to Hanbury river, says:—“There are large stretches of arid country covered with boulders. Nevertheless all over is good feeding ground for deer.”
The country surrounding Hanbury river, Inspector Pelletier states, alternates from rocky ridges to sandy stretches and rocks broken up, with country scattered with boulders. Moss and grass grow very poorly down to Dickson canyon. From there on vegetation improves gradually until when, below the last fall, it becomes most luxuriant. The contrast is very noticeable.
Good Pasturage Along the Thelon.
August 9, while descending Thelon river, Inspector Pelletier’s party camped for the night on a big grassy flat with a clump of trees at the back of it on a little mound. The inspector says in his report:—“I got to the top of the mound, and with my glasses I could see an immense tract of prairie country growing good grass with a few little low trees in the far distance. This tract of land, if situated in a more accessible spot, would certainly make the very best ranching country, and there are many more stretches like this on Thelon river.” The day previous they had passed places where the banks of the river had washed away “showing very good and fertile soil.” Towards evening of August 10, the country, which had got quite barren about noon-time, resumed again a green and fertile appearance and became well-wooded.” The following day another section “barren in places” was passed, while later again quoting the inspector’s report:—“the country assumed a better appearance, and timber became larger and thicker, until it became a continuous forest alike on both banks, and as thick as on any river in the timbered belt. This kept on for about ten miles, and we camped near a bluff about eighty feet high, at the edge of the timber. The country then alters to low lying ground, and timber again grew, but very stunted, and only in bunches, which gradually became more scattered, and after fifteen miles disappeared totally to give place to long willows along the banks with large grassy flats farther in.”
Hardy Vegetables Might Grow There.
In his summary of observations on this section of his trip Inspector Pelletier states in his report:—“There are large stretches of prairie country (along the Thelon) growing grass profusely. The soil seems to be most fertile. I am told the river opens in May. If such is the case I would judge that some of the hardy vegetables would grow there. The days are very long in summer.” Accounting for the absence of native settlements from this valley, Inspector Pelletier says the Eskimos do not like timber on account of the flies in the summer and soft snow in the winter. They like the open barren coast, where the wind has full sweep, where the snow packs hard in winter and where game is permanent. The Indians, on the other hand do not inhabit this tract because it is far from trading posts, and because there is no birch for them to make their canoes.
Mr. J. W. Tyrrell, in his book “Through the Sub-Arctics of Canada,” says “Agricultural development is not to be expected anywhere in the northern parts of the district, but throughout the more southerly wooded portions there are great possibilities in this direction.”