S 4 Paciric Grear HasterN Ramway. 1922

statement that the present number could be at least doubled and the productiyeness of the valley
materially increased if certain colonization and development assistance were provided by the
Government.

I motored up this valley from Pemberton, a distance of some 15 miles, and it is evident that
the first and most pressing need is a good road and some permanent protection against the
eroding banks of the river. The success of the present settlers and the chance of further
agricultural development would be materially aided by the establishment of a creamery and
a small jam-factory at Pemberton, and, in addition, some assistance should be given towards
clearing land in the yalley, both on existing farms and in many areas suitable for additional
colonization. The timber on the bottom lands in the yalley is not heavy and the cost per acre
of clearing should not be prohibitive. It is quite clear from the evidence available on existing
farms that clearing could be carried on within reasonable limits of expense and the resulting
cleared areas would be highly suitable for settlement.

Leaving Pemberton at the crossing of the Lillooet River, the line ascends the Birkenhead
River to the summit of the Cascade Mountains, and thence following certain tributary streams
and lakes to the Fraser Valley at Lillooet. Between Pemberton and Birken Station at the
summit of the Cascades the country is heavily timbered with a fine stand of merchantable timber,
referred to in detail later on, and there are no tributary areas of agricultural land, except a few
very small scattered areas already occupied, which can be further developed. From the summit
of the Cascades, proceeding east and north, a district of semi-aridity is reached, within which the
production of crops is only possible with the aid of irrigation. and there are no large agricultural
areas adjacent to this portion of the land, with the exception of some small tracts at the south
end of Anderson Lake, between Anderson and Seton Lakes, and at the eastern extremity of ihe
latter. These small areas are now occupied and developed through the medium of small irriga-
tion systems, and there does not seem to be any possibility of adding thereto, the slopes of the
mountains being abrupt, and only in the bottoms of the narrow yalleys is there any land which
would justify clearing for occupancy.

At Lillooet the first large area of land suitable for agricultural development is met with.
The district, which is practically all devoid of timber, covers the bottom lands and the first
benches of the Fraser Valley for some distance north and south of Lillooet. An automobile
trip was made for some 15 miles south from Lillooet for the purpose of inspecting the existing
ranches, and while cultivation in this district is, of course, only possible with the aid of irrigation,
the character of the soil and climate are such that where water is available most luxuriant crops
of grain, fodder, roots, and fruit can be produced. It is evident from the inspection made and
the information obtained that practically all the land suitable for cultivation in this district is
now being occupied, the area, of course, being limited by the water-supply available. It is possible
that this area might be materially extended by the construction of more extensive systems for
water-delivery, and possibly further development may justify the construction of these more
expensive irrigation systems, but until they are undertaken it would seem that there is little
hope of more extended settlement or cultivation in the district.

The Lillooet District, owing to its elevation, climate, and soil, with irrigation is suitable for
the production of practically all crops, including high-priced fruits, and many of the so-called
larger ranches are very attractive in appearance. I ascertained, however, that a very consider-
able portion of the land under cultivation was being deyoted to the continuous production of
potatoes, and that, as was to be expected, continuous cropping with one character of crop has yery
materially reduced the output, and I am of opinion that unless steps are taken to introduce on
these areas a proper crop-rotation system, particularly in the early introduction of the growth of
alfalfa, clover, or some other leguminous erop, many of the most productive areas will be
destroyed. I also understand that the condition referred to is largely due to the renting of
large ranches to Chinese tenants, who persist in producing continuous crops of potatoes, and
I fear that a continuance of this system will materially reduce the yalue of the land and erop
productiveness of the district.

In view of the suitability of the district for a more intensive class of agriculture, it seems
certain that the district would benefit materially in haying the larger ranches cut up into smaller
holdings, which could be devoted to the production of a higher-clasS product, including fruit and
early vegetables, and the introduction of such a system would, without doubt, be of great material
benefit to the general prosperity of the district. .