114 NATURAL RESOURCES OF QUEBEC 
fire in such a severe way is likely to endanger the soil's fertility, but if 
the season has been rainy there remains sufficient moisture in the black 
muck layer underneath the moss to check or even stop, the fire's activity, 
After burning, immediate ploughing is possible, as the land in Abitibi is 
comparatively free from boulders and stones of any kind. Except in 
swampy areas, where drainage has to be provided by means of trenches, 
the average soil of this region, which is a gently rolling land, may be freed 
of its surface water by appropriate ploughing. 
Although vegetation is remarkably rapid on account of the long days 
and short nights in the summer months, seed should be sown as early as 
possible. Experiments so far have shown that wheat, peas, and vege- 
tables sown in the first week of May ripen before the autumn frosts. To 
ensure a good crop, fall ploughing is advisable, as spring ploughing is 
likely to give unsatisfactory results. 
Abitibi is not a region of wet soil. There is a certain portion of peaty 
land, but the rest of the country owing to its undulating surface is nor- 
mally dry. The dryness of the atmosphere and the absence of excessive 
humidity in the soil act as safeguards against the disastrous effects of 
sudden frosts, which may occur in the early and late parts of the season. 
The climate of this region, at one time a drawback, has of late years 
become much milder owing to the gradual clearing of the forests whereby 
the soil is exposed to the warming influence of the sun and evaporation 
is reduced.” The altitude diminishes toward the north so that the northern 
part compares favourably with the southern. Spring break-up occurs 
at the end of April and freeze-up comes near the first of November, but 
slight frosts are liable to happen during every month of the year. The 
annual precipitation is about 28 inches. The greatest precipitation is 
during late September and October. During the summer the nights are 
cool and the days normally hot. A hot, dry spell in summer is sometimes 
followed by a storm with sudden drop in temperature. In this, as in 
other districts, summer frosts will disappear as the land becomes settled 
and cultivated. 
TIMISKAMING 
The Timiskaming district is situated in the westerly part of Quebec, 
south of Abitibi. It extends easterly from the province of Ontario to 
Great Lake Victoria and northerly from Kipawa lake and river to lac 
des Quinze. The total area includes about 3,500,000 acres, or 35,000 
farms of 100 acres each. In 1925 the population numbered 11,700. 
The most suitable portion for colonization lies along the eastern shore 
of lake Timiskaming and along des Quinze river. The whole district lies 
in the clay belt and is well adapted for agriculture. A branch of the 
Canadian Pacific railway crosses the district, running from Kipawa to 
Angliers on the lac des Quinze.