Farm LANDS AND NatuRAL RESOURCES. 25

part of the country south of the Anderson Lake region, where the southerly
limit of the Dry Belt is reached, is in the coastal zone, where climatic
conditions are similar to those on the Coast itself, with considerable precipi-
tation and an average mean annual temperature of from 44° to 49°; the
summer average being about 55° to 61° and winter 30° to 40°.

Where the westerly winds of the Pacific strike the cooler slopes of the
Coast Range they are forced to discharge their moisture, and the Interior
Plateau in the lee of the Coast Mountains receives little precipitation—
roughly about 15 inches per year, partly in snow, compared with variations
of from 40 to 120 inches in different parts of the Coast region. The
temperature of the Interior also varies in cold and warm spells from approxi-
mately 45° to 100°, the lower temperatures occurring in the northerly part.
Near Quesnel, and northward in increasing extent, precipitation is greater
than in the area between Anderson Lake and Quesnel.

During the summer the temperature is rarely such as to cause any
discomfort and the nights are always agreeable. The maximum summer
temperature over the greater part of these districts is about 90°. In the
district south of Quesnel the maximum is about 94°. The summer days
are long and promote rapid crop-growth. The rainfall in summer is
generally sufficient for all agricultural purposes and there is no shortage
sufficient to cause a failure in crops. Between Quesnel and Soda Creek
the rainfall is sufficient in the ordinary season, but where irrigation is readily
feasible it is advantageously.employed for the growing of alfalfa.

Light frosts come during September and the first snowfall is about
the middle of October. This rarely remains for more than a day or so,
and ploughing can usually be continued until about the middle of November.
Winter sets in definitely in December. There are occasional cold waves
when the temperature drops as it does on the Prairies, but with an absence
of wind. The average winter temperature is from 10° to 20° above zero.
There are winters when the minimum is about 20° below. A feature of
the winters is the abundant sunshine and the freedom from violent storms.
The supply of plant-food is conserved by the type of winter weather in
this area and there is hastened growth in the spring.

Destructive storms either during the summer or winter are practically
unknown in Central British Columbia. Settlers find both seasons healthful
and invigorating and the Coast dweller who is inclined to boast of tide-
water climatic conditions finds his arguments seriously shaken by his up-
country brother at times.

MIXED FARMING AND DAIRYING.

Generally speaking, mixed farming can be followed under ideal con-
ditions on the greater portion of the arable lake and valley lands that lie
within easy distance of the railway. Most of these areas are wonderfully
fertile and where properly cultivated give generous yields and afford ample
scope for diversified lines of industry.

Wild peavine, vetch, and nutritious grasses provide fine pasture and
forage for dairy stock, and the presence of innumerable creeks and streams