encountered, but results which these had obtained would come up to the
expectations of the most optimistic. At Beattie’s ranch on the north
side, 20 miles above Rocky Mountain Portage, tomatoes were ripened on
vines out-of-doors from seed sown outside. Vegetables and iruits grown
at Hudson Hope would compare most favourably with those grown on
Vancouver Island.

“From the upper bench at Hudson Hope on the north side of the
Peace, at elevation of about 2,400 feet, practically all the land in a north-
easterly direction to Vermilion Chutes is good land for mixed farming.

“ Following in a south and easterly direction from Hudson Hope
via Moberly Lake to South Pine River, very few have as yet come in,
and practically all those who filed on homesteads have since left, claiming
that farming in this district was unsuccessful on account of summer
frosts. This section contains large stretches of commercial timber, being
the only section which has escaped being burut. No timber of conse-
quence is found between Finlay Forks and Hudson Hope.”

Peace River, leaving Finlay Forks, flows northerly for about 8 miles
through what is practically the valley of the Finlay, and then bends
eastward, cutting through the main range of the Rockies in a narrow
valley for 40 miles with little bordering land. Leaving the mountains
the valley widens gradually, and small flats and benches lightly covered
with poplar and pine occur along the river. The mountains bounding
the valley decrease rapidly in height and slopes are open and grass-
covered. Reaching Rocky Mountain Canyon, about 80 miles from the
forks, the river bends sharply south, leaving the main valley, which
continues easterly into width of about 2 miles, and returning to it at
Hudson Hope, about 12 miles from the head of the canyon. The river
between Finlay Forks and the canyon is navigable for steamers at every
stage of water, the only obstacles being Finlay and Parle Pas Rapids.
The former could be improved greatly by removing the rocks which
obstruct the stream; the latter present little difficulty to navigation.

F. Tupper in 1916 surveyed a number of pre-emptions between
Finlay Forks and Hudson Hope; one at mouth of Carbon River, eight
at a point known as Branham’s Flat, one at 20-Mile Creek, four at 12-Mile
Creek, altogether 2,395 acres. He said: “ There is very little good land
along this part of Peace River, which is the passage of the river through
the Rocky Mountains. These lots consist of areas of flat land along the
river, held by trappers who ply their calling along the river and tribu-
taries in winter, and in spring and summer grow sufficient vegetables,
etc., for their own use. There is not sufficient good land at any point
to make anything in the way of a settlement worthy of the name.”

A. W. Harvey, B.C.L.S., said that between where it enters the
Rockies and the canyon there are not over 25,000 acres of agricultural
land bordering Peace River, about half covered by coal licences.

W. Wright, B.C.L.S., 1916, said that in the area between Finlay
Forks and the Rocky Mountains the country was similar to the Lower

Thirty-eight.