4 CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY

Water power ‘is widely distributed and practically unlimited, pro-
viding cheap power to operate electric plants, driveways for logs, irriga-

tion and other purposes.
CLIMATE.

The climatic conditions of British Columbia are varied by the Japanese
current and the moisture laden winds from the Pacific Ocean exercising
a moderating influence upon the climate of the coast and for at least a
hundred miles inland. In great part these moist winds are arrested by
the Coast Range, but the higher currents carry the moisture on to the
loftier peaks of the Selkirks, causing heavy snowfall by which they are
distinguished. Thus a series of wet and dry belts are formed, the latter
getting the larger part of its water supply from rivers and creeks instead
of actual precipitation. The dryness of the atmosphere, the purity of the
air, and freedom from malaria make the dry belt of British Columbia
an ideal country for those suffering from insomnia, nervous and rheumatic
affections.

The climate of Vancouver Island and the Coast generally corresponds
very closely with that of the south and west of England, one authority
likening the southern end of Vancouver Island to that part of the south
of France bordering the Mediterranean, and the district immediately
around Vancouver City to Devonshire and Cornwall. Heavy snowfall
and severe frosts very seldom occur.

These unique atmospheric conditions, combined with the scenic
grandeur, give a charm to life in British Columbia, enabling one to live
outdoors under conditions almost ideal. Wild flowers abound, and the
floral beauty of the old world can be easily reproduced in this province.
In fact British Columbia presents all the climatic and other features to be
met with on the continent of Europe.

RESOURCES.

To say British Columbia is ‘‘mineralized all over” is merely repeat-
ing a well worn platitude, scarcely a day passing without reports of fresh
discoveries from prospectors. The coal measures now being operated are
large enough to supply the whole world for centuries, while others hitherto
untouched, of equal extent, are known to exist. Iron exists in abundance,
and the same may be said of the precious metals, including quicksilver.
The province also contains the greatest compact area of timber in North
America, of so much value as a national asset that the Government has
deemed it necessary to place some restriction on the exportation and waste
of past years. British Columbia salmon fisheries are the most extensive
in the world, the sheltered spawning grounds of the interior, many of them
hundreds of miles from the Coast, now under Government control, seem-
ingly providing an inexhaustible supply of fish. British Columbia fresh
salmon in the pink of condition are now placed on the English market and
sold at satisfactory prices. thus supplementing the already extensive trade
in the canned product. Other fish, including halibut and sturgeon, are
also plentiful in Western salt waters. Less than one-tenth of the agricul-
tural land of the province is settled upon and not twenty per cent. under
cultivation. Much agricultural land is being planted with fruit trees, the
value increasing with the enormous production of first class fruit of every
variety. Petroleum deposits have long been known to exist in various
parts, but exploitation is not far advanced. Nature has been very prodigal
in all the essentials for the luxuries and necessaries of life and the potential
value of the natural resources of British Columbia cannot be estimated,
they are only waiting the influx of capital and labor to develop them,