THE CENTRAL INTERIOR.

Reports by Mr. Bell and Dr. G. M. Dawson.

Mr. H. P. Bell, M. 1. C. E., made a report in 1896 for the Provincial Government,
in connection with the then proposed British Pacific Railway from Yellowhead Pass to
Bute Inlet. He says :—

“The eastern flank of the Coast Range of British Columbia possesses pastoral lands
of exceptional excellence. Some time was spent this past summer in the examination of
those lying east of the mountains along the foot-hills between the Chilco River and the
west end of Tatla Lake. It would be difficult to find a better section of country for
cattle-raising than a large proportion of this, or to see fatter cattle than those to be found
at Tatla Lake and vicinity. The prevalence of the Chinook wind upon the eastern flank
and foot-hills of the Coast Range has a favourable influence on the climate and capabili-
ties of that belt of country.

“The measure of the capacity of a good cattle ranch in this section of country is
said to consist of its ability to furnish winter feed, and in this respect the eastern flank
and foot-hills of the Cascade Range afford opportunities, although necessitating
preparatory work in some instances—as, for example, when beaver dams are found upon
the outlet from a meadow, the proper regulation of which will furnish the means of both
drainage and irrigation.*

“<The configuration of the country examined along the eastern foot-hills of the Coast
Range would, if divided into homesteads with reference to utilising the neighbouring
ranges, probably provide all the winter feed required.for a long time to come for the
respective locations so set apart. It is not to be supposed that, with the lapse of time
and the accumulation of stock, natural meadows could be found for every settler ;
but it will be noticed by those who traverse the country that the opportunities afforded
by nature for the making of meadows with a minimum of clearing are many. In some
cases creeks for irrigation purposes present themselves, and in others irrigation is not so
much required as drainage. Some of the best natural grasses known may be grown here
upon an extensive scale, for no more trouble than the cutting and burning of one crop and
the sowing of another, for a confirmation of which an inspection of ‘the native grasses
now cultivated at the west end of Tatla Lake will suffice.

** Having made one trip from Tatla Lake to a summit of the Southgate River, and
returned after making a south-westerly exploration to the Chilco River, the number of
good locations seen were certainly more than one would expect to find from a cursory
examination of the existing travelled routes. + 5 ‘

“Tt has been stated by the present Director of the Dominion Government Geological
Survey, G. M. Dawson, C. M.G., LL. D.; F. R.S., that many of the mountain tops
throughout British Columbia furnish nutritive summer pastures for cattle. The expedi-
tion above referred to is a corroboration of that statement, as good pasture was found
at 5,000 feet over sea level, together with an immunity from the pest of summer flies.

«<* At one of the highest cattle ranges in British Columbia, the following information was given >—That
they used as a general average for winter feed one ton of hay per day for 300 head of eattle for a period of
from one to two months’ duration, and in the worst of seasons the same amount of feed per day tor four
months. This present winter they had to put up 186 tons of hay for 300 head of cattle and 160 fa Ls Nature
seems to have supplemented the higher ranges with more abundant natural hay meadows uian the lower
levels of the country, a beneficient provision more than once noted during the summer of 1895.

**+In the neighbourhood of Choilquoit Lake there is an open slope with a southerly exposure where the
Indians of the country round about have been ac customed to winter their horses. a In reply toa cussion:
as to the depth of snow in the winter, a very old Indian replied by intercepting six inehes ot the au ot ze
riding stick and holding it up. He said that no horse had € er died there, bec ause the wink cane anc Ras
away the snow. All the horses seen travelling with India n this vicinity were in good conc ition. Asked
Tae lone Tatlaico Lake was generally frozen during winter, the same Indian said, not mot Sue a iy
days before the wind comes and takes away the snow. The same testimony is corroborated by settlers
of that vicinity. ;

“+ There is a mountain some twenty miles west of Tatla Lake where a Party ment to aboot cena:
Having turned their horses loose upon the top of the mountain they were subsequently found in an
extensive pasture and in good condition.