REPORT ON TOWNSHIP 52, RANGE 4, WEST OF THE FOURTH MERIDIAN
ACCESSABILITY AND ROADS
This township is easily reached from the village of Islay which is four miles south and from which two main roads run north through the township. Other roads branching off make nearly all parts accessible. The Canadian Pacific Railway has located a branch line from Edmonton to Lloydminster which will pass about two miles, to the north through township 53. This line will likely be in operation within two or three years.
VILLAGE
The village of Islay is situated in the southerly part of township 51, range 4, on the line of the Canadian National Railways between Winnipeg and Edmonton via Saskatoon and North Battleford. It is an important trading centre for a large district to the north and south and nearly all lines of business. essential to the needs of a large farming community are represented here. The shipping facilities are good and include four elevators with a total capacity of 175,000 bushels. There is a daily passenger and mail train service both east and west.
SURFACE
Vermilion river cuts through the southeast quarter of this township flowing northeasterly through sections 3, 10 and 15, then southeasterly through sections 14, 11 and 12. It is from 50 to 80 feet wide and under normal conditions the flow is sluggish. The valley is approximately 200 feet deep and about one mile wide. At the point where the river enters the township it bas an elevation of 1,870 feet above sea-level. There are many summits within the township which reach an elevation of 2,100 feet. With these wide differences in elevation the surface of the township is somewhat rough and is about equally divided between gently rolling, rolling, heavily rolling and hilly.
SURFACE COVERING
Approximately one-fifth of the land is under cultivation. This small percentage of cultivated land is due largely to the, rough surface and to the fact that thirty per cent of the township is unoccupied. The uncultivated lands are prairie with scattered bluffs of young poplar and willow covering about 10 per cent of the surface in the westerly part of the township and about 20 per cent in the easterly part.
Wheat and oats are the chief grains grown, of which the former is sown on the greatest acreage. Oat greenfeed is the principal fodder crop and is supplemented with hay, cut from the upland prairie, and straw for winterfeed for stock. Mixed farming is carried on by most of the settlers. Cattle, horses and hogs are raised. Dairying is engaged in by many of the farmers and has proved to be an important source of revenue.
FUEL
Poplar wood and lignite coal are used for fuel. The former is secured from the bluffs within the township while the latter is shipped in from the Edmonton district and costs from $6 to $8 per ton at Islay.
DRAINAGE AND WATER
Deer creek, which flows intermittently, and Vermilion river are important drainage courses that carry off nearly all surplus water. Good water is obtained from wells from 30 to 70 feet deep Vermilion river is an important source of water for stock.
SOIL
The main soil type of this township is black fine sandy loam from 6 to 10 inches deep. It is interspersed with areas of clay loam and clay and many stony ridges and stony slopes.
SETTLEMENT
The settlement of this township was begun in 1905, about the time the railway was being constructed through the district to the south. At present about 70 per cent of the land is occupied, the greater part of which is being used as private pasture. The settlers are all English-speaking and they are mostly of Canadian or American origin.
CROPS, STOCK AND WINTER FEED
Wheat and oats are the chief grains grown, of which the former is sown on the greatest acreage. Oat greenfeed is the principal fodder crop and is supplemented with hay, cut from the upland prairie, and straw for winterfeed for stock. Mixed farming is carried on by most of the settlers. Cattle, horses and hogs are raised. Dairying is engaged in by many of the farmers and has proved to be an important source of revenue.
POST OFFICE AND SCHOOLS
Isilay, Bridstow and Irwinville are the post offices used by the settlers of this township. Schools are located on the east side of section 24, on the west side of section 29, and in the southeast comer of section 1.
July, 1924.
(Sgd.)
R. H. KNIGHT,
Dominion Land Surveyor.
