SETTLEMENT AREAS 
115 
The land in this district is composed chiefly of grey, yellow and black 
loam with clay subsoil, and produces abundantly all the cereals, vegetables 
and fodder plants. 
Ville Marie, the oldest parish of Timiskaming, is also the most im- 
portant and has a population of about 1,200. It is situated on the eastern 
shore of lake Timiskaming and is an active business centre. The Crown 
Lands and Timber agent for the district is located there and colonists may 
obtain from him information regarding Crown lands and the relative 
values of the different soils. In 1926 there were 75 schools in the county 
of Témiscamingue, 19 school minicipalities, and 3,998 pupils inscribed. 
The two best townships are Guérin and Latulipe, the former opened 
for colonization in 1907 and the latter in 1910. These townships are 
heavily timbered which furnishes a source of revenue while the farms are 
being cleared, as a market for all lumber products is easily found. There 
are few boulders and the soil being a clay loam the tree roots do not grow 
to a great depth. Stumps are easily removed the second year after being 
cut and the land made ready for ploughing. The soil is very productive. 
To the north of this region are the recently discovered gold mines of Rouvn. 
MATAPEDIA 
The Matapédia valley comprises the county of Matapédia, the southern 
portion of Matane county and the westerly part of Bonaventure. It 
extends from S. Moise to Restigouche river, being 40 miles from east to 
west and 25 miles from north to south, and contains an area of 1,500 
square miles. It is traversed throughout its length by Matapédia river 
and the Canadian National railway, which give easy access from all the 
settlements to Quebec. Montreal, or the maritime ports to the south and 
cast. 
The land is neither stony nor hilly and the soil is very fertile through- 
out, while the climate is about the same as that of Quebec, although the 
summer is two weeks shorter. Owing to the unknown quality of the land 
the district was for a long time avoided by settlers, but to-day the region 
is attracting numerous farmers. In some parts large parishes have been 
settled and are completely organized, while in others recently opened 
all the lots suitable for agriculture have been taken. Considerable good 
land still remains to be settled. At present, the population of the district 
is about 11,000 and it is rapidly increasing. 
Seeding takes place during May and harvesting as late as October, 
the danger from frosts even at that date being small. Drought affects 
the Matapédia valley less than other parts of the province as the very 
heavy dews which fall provide much moisture for plant life. 
Six parishes were recently opened for settlement and all the lots 
suitable for agriculture are for sale without reserve. In addition to the