"Dr. Dunlop, the Warden of the Company's Woods and Forests, surveyed
the great Huron tract in the summer of 1827, assisted by the Chief of
the Mohawk nation, and Messrs. Sproat and MacDonald. They penetrated
the huge untravelled wilderness in all directions, until they came out
on the shores of the Huron, having experienced and withstood every
privation that wanderers can possibly be subject to in such places."*
[* Mac Taggart's "Three Years in Canada."]

The Doctor himself has given a very accurate account of the valuable
resources of the Huron tract. He says in his journal--"I have already
adverted to its nature and fertility, and think I may be justified in
adding, such is the general excellence of the land, that if ordinary
care can be taken to give each lot no more than its own share of any
small swamp in its vicinity, it would be difficult, if not impossible,
to find two hundred acres together in the whole territory, that would
make a bad farm. Although the land may be capable of raising any kind
of produce usual in that country, yet some spots are more particularly
advantageous for particular crops. The black ash-swales (a kind of
swamp) make the best ground for hemp; as by the scourging effect of two
or three crops, the ground will be made more fit for the raising of
wheat, for which, in the original state, it is too strong. The rich
meadows by the side of the rivers, (more especially such as are
annually overflowed,) are ready without farther preparation, for
tobacco, hemp, and flax. The lower meadows, and meadows adjoining
Beaver dams, which are abundant, produce at this moment enormous
quantities of natural hay and pasture; and the rest of the land, for
the production of potatoes, Indian corn, wheat, and other grain, is at
least equal, if not superior, to any other land in the Canadas.
Independent of the swamps, the timber on the land is very soon