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level of the soil and cause hollows to form which serve as traps
for the unwary. It is curious, also, to see a prostrate tree
trunk forming the site for a row of younger trees, the trees of
these parasitic hedges often attaining considerable size. Rank
growths of bracken, fireweed, and other weedy annuals are
common in the more sunny places, and form in some cases
thickets very difficult to penetrate.

Good stands of large hemlock are found in the central part
of the island and smaller areas of large clear spruce and of red
cedar. Yellow cedar grows on the higher portions of the island,
where smaller stands were seen. The timber is virtually unin-
jured by forest fires, of which only two have been recorded, and
these not of great extent.

AGRICULTURE.

The shores in the vicinity of Skidegate inlet are usually too
steep to permit of extensive cultivation, but small areas level
enough for tilling are not infrequent, and excellent vegetables
are raised without difficulty. In the interior no cultivation has
been attempted, on account of the dense forest and the thick
surface accumulation of dead and decaying vegetation. The
Northeastern lowland seems to promise more favourably, since
it has a warmer climate and is said to enjoy a greater percentage
of sunny weather. Extensive flat or gently sloping areas in
the lowland are underlain by stratified sands and clays,
covered by a greater or less thickness of vegetable matter. Once
these areas are cleared and drained, they should be well adapted
to cultivation.

Graham island, in common with some other western com-
munities, has suffered at the hands of unscrupulous real estate
boomers, and various misrepresentations, both favourable and
unfavourable, have been given publicity. Settlers have been
induced to come to the island without being apprised of true
conditions, and their inevitable disappointment and loss has
reacted against the district. If local conditions in regard to
agriculture are intelligently studied, men with ability and some
capital to start operations should make a success of farming
on the island.