a deep valley, and its tributaries, with deep ravines, break up much of
the country and make it too rough for grain-growing. Those valleys and
hillsides afford good grazing. Dominion surveyors say that taken as
a whole this district is well adapted to mixed farming and ranching. In
1914 G. B. Milligan, B.C.L.S., reported about sixty settlers hereabout,
and the number is now said to be about Ioo.

VICINITY OF HUDSON HOPE.

In vicinity of Hudson Hope, adjoining the westerly boundary of the
Peace River Block and extending 14 miles north from Peace River, about
45,000 acres, drained by Lynx and Portage Creeks, were surveyed by
G. B. Milligan, B.C.L.S., in 1912. He said this area is well watered by
the forks of Lynx Creek and their branches, excellent mountain streams.
There are also numerous swamp meadows carrying water for the greater
part of the season. Chinaman’s Lake is in a slight depression about a

ee
~~

HALFWAY RIVER, PEACE RIVER DISTRICT.

mile from the foot-hills, surrounding country being mostly covered with
small willow, poplar, and alder, with a few spruce.. Forest fires have
devastated this country. The larger timber, excepting isolated clumps,
has disappeared, and under present conditions of brulé and light windfall,
with second growth of poplar and willow, clearing is light. Large areas
have been almost entirely cleared by the fire, and grasses of wild varieties,
peavine, bluejoint, etc., have taken root, and as it cures standing, affords
considerable winter feed.

The two stores at Hudson Hope, which hitherto were merely trading
outposts for Indian trade, have increased stocks to meet expanding
demands of travellers and settlers, about forty of whom have taken home-
steads in the immediate vicinity during the past summer (1912).

This area lies on a nearly level plateau about 500 feet above Peace
River and includes practically all the available land between the Peace
River Block and the foot-hills to the west. Top soil varies, being mostly
a few inches of black loam and in places sandy loam with clay subsoil.

Forty-three.