8

machinery is going to be made available to the farmers in British Columbia
probably with payment for the work amortized over a period of years. This
form of assistance can be economically sound and considerably more satisfactory
than food and clothing relief which settlers have at times been forced to accept.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Forested land may be classified as arable on the basis of soil, topography
and climate if it compares favourably in those respects with areas where farming
is being carried on. It is thereby implied that the land is marginal as well, that
is, that the products which can be produced can be sold at a price which will at
least equal costs of production.

It is difficult to predict changes in prices and methods of production which
may alter the net income from land under its present use. If it can be assumed,
however, that economic conditions will remain somewhat stable then the physical
factors can be used to determine the suitability of raw land for settlement. That
is to say, raw land similar with respect to soil, topography and climatic conditions
to improved land which is being successfully farmed, may reasonably be declared
suitable for settlement.

Some factual data concerning settlement progress, living conditions and
farm income on improved land are necessary if the factors associated with success
are to be determined. The purpose in undertaking this study was to assemble
those data in the Prince George-Smithers Area.

Specifically the study aims:—

(a) to briefly state the conditions of soil, climate, arability and farm
water supply associated with the area.

(b) to describe the agricultural development in terms of roads, markets,
types of farm, land use, financial gains and progress in bringing
the land under cultivation.

(c) to describe conditions of living that were found associated with
land settlement in the area.

(d) to describe the farm business organizations as they appeared
during the year of study.

THE SOURCE OF DATA

The data for this study were obtained mainly by trained enumerators who
interviewed farmers in the areas. The farmers co-operated by supplying details
of their farm business. Each record included information for a single farm of
financial transactions for one year, land utilization, livestock, history of farm
development, cash living expenditures and social facilities. The field survey was
conducted during the fall of 1944 and the summer of 1945. Consequently, the
business transactions recorded are for the crop year 1943-44 in the Prince George
and Vanderhoof districts and 1944-45 in the Smithers-Telkwa and Francois Lake
districts. A total of 263 records was obtained, which was a sufficient number to
provide the data required for this study.

THE STUDY AREAS

The area covered by the study extends along the line of the Canadian
National Railway from Prince George on the east to Smithers on the west.
Settlement is not continuous throughout but is found in blocks. As a conse-
quence the farms studied were taken from four fairly well defined districts,
namely, Prince George, Vanderhoof, Francois Lake and Smithers-Telkwa. The
numbers of farm records obtained in each of these districts were respectively, 83,
76, 19 and 85. :