38 Pactric Great Eastern Rainway BE t.

their mind and energies into the business of farming, rather than the sort
who aim to make a bunch of money out of trapping and neglect the agricul-
tural end. Horsefly has two stores, a post-office, telephone connection,
and school-house, and a climate which seldom reaches the extremes either
way. I consider this district is well adapted for mixed farming. It is an
ideal country for dairying. Summer feed is both abundant and good and
stock of all kinds do well. Sheep thrive and command top price when
delivered at Williams Lake. All the hardiest roots and vegetables give
good returns. Potatoes of good quality never fail and small fruits of
most varieties give abundant returns. Strawberries are a successful crop
always. Oats and barley have proved themselves by their bumper crops
and also their good returns of good seed.

“A fair grade of wheat is obtained in some parts, but it is still in its
experimental stage. This is a great district for timothy, and the legumes
give good crops also. Alfalfa has been tried in a rough-and-ready way,
and I am sure, if it was grown with care, it is only a matter of time when
the right method and seed will be hit upon for this climate.

“ We need farmers with some capital in an outlying district of this sort.
Let me once more emphasize the fact that this country is an ideal dairying
country.

“There has been a lot of gold taken from this part of the district and
geologists describe it as a great gold-bearing country. I know from experi-
ence that there is a great mining future for us when British Columbia gets
on her feet.”

A Thriving Centre.

The Beaver Lake section is a most fertile and promising piece of country
and one where conditions are suitable for mixed farming and stock-raising.
Around Beaver Lake Post-office, some 24 miles north-east of Soda Creek,
is centred a thriving agricultural population at the present time. There is
a well-kept road-house, general store, and all the facilities of a prosperous
little settlement. The soil in the valley is generally good and there is a
luxuriant growth of vegetation. Surveys are made in the valley and also
in a block to the north of Big Lake, at the headwaters of Beedy Creek.
Wild vegetation and bush-fruits are characteristic features. All the hardy
vegetables are produced. Timothy, barley, oats, and clover are sure crops,
both in the valley and on the benches, without irrigation, but wherever
irrigation is possible it benefits crops. Clearing costs from $5 to $50 an
acre, there being no timber lands, strictly speaking, although there are a
few tracts of fir and spruce around Beaver Lake.

Peavine Ridge.

The surveyed area to the westward, at the head of Beedy Valley, is
known locally as Peavine Ridge owing to the profuse growth of peavine
amongst the scattered poplars. Hay, oats, and barley and all hardy vege-
tables are grown hereabouts. Cattle do well on the neighbouring hills and
plateaus. Here, too, there are many wild fruits and numerous tracts are
covered with rich loam, the profusion of growth everywhere indicating the