38

country of the Lower Nechaco. The upper end of the lake rarely freezes completely
across, but this is due, not to the mildness of the winter, but to the great depth of water.
A similar circumstance has already been reported for Francais Lake. A terrace at a height
of about 200 feet is specially prominent around the lake, and after reaching this height
the land frequently runs back several miles at a level or gently undulating plain. In
other places it slopes gradually up, reaching an elevation of 500, 600 or 800 feet above
the lake at from two to five miles from it. The valley is not even then shut in by high
mountains in its central part, but appears to continue at nearly the same or a lower level
in some places for many miles. ‘lhe woods are generally light, aspen and poplar
frequently preponderating over spruce, and considerable tracts with a southern exposure,
from which fire has removed the forest, are covered with luxuriant grass, pea-vine,
epilobium, etc. The portage between Babine and Stuart’ Lakes is low, across wide
spreading benches, and from half to one-third of the surface appears fit for cultivation.
Considerable areas of low land also border Stuart Lake.

“The aggregate area of land below the 3,000-foot contour line, with light slopes or
nearly level, and which may be supposed to have some prospective value, is great, but
it is impossible to form even an approximately correct estimate of it till the maps are
further advanced. That in sight trom the lakes must exceed 500 square miles. ‘The soil
is generally good, and the only remaining question is in regard to the character of the
climate.

“The northern or lower extremity of Babine Lake, being more closely hemmed in
by snow-clad mountains, is evidently less favourably situated than the remainder of this
lake and Stuart Lake, and vegetation was found to be decidedly behind that of the
Sus-kwa Valley. Mr. Sanpere, who is in charge of two Hudson’s Bay posts, one at the
north end, the other at the middle of Babine Lake, states that at the latter he can grow
potatoes and many kinds of vegetables, and that his predecessor grew barley which
ripened well. An Indian living on the portage between the two lakes cultivates a little
patch of land, and though very poorly attended to, he had a fine looking crop of potatoes
and a little field of barley, the latter about three feet high and with the ear just appear-
ing at the date of our visit (July 4th). He also keeps some cattle here, cutting hay for
them in swamps around Stuart Lake. At Fort St. James we found potatoes flourishing,
but rather late, having been cut down by frost in June. Barley was doing well, and
has been grown as a regular crop for many years. In the garden were peas, lettuce,
beets, carrots, onions, garlic, turnips, cabbages and cauliflowers, doing well enough, but
not carefully cultivated. Wheat has been sown this year as an experiment, and had not
suffered from frost at the date of our visit (July 7th).

“Tie Lower Necuaco a LARGE AND Frertme Disrricr.

“Tn the valley of Babine and Stuart Lakes the summer season seems to be sufficiently
long, and the absolute amount of heat great enough to bring all ordinary crops, including
wheat, to maturity, but the question remains to what extent the liability to summer
frosts may interfere with the cultivation of some plants, more especially wheat. Though
this valley may be regarded as a continuation of the country of the Lower Nechaco, its
vicinity to mountains appears to render it somewhat inferior to that district in climate,
and places it in this regard, in my opinion, nearly in the same position with the country
bordering on Francais Lake. In previous reports I have described the flat country of
the Lower Nechaco basin as constituting the greatest connected region susceptible of
cultivation in the Province of British Columbia, Its area has been estimated at 1,000
square miles. It is based on fine, white, silty deposits of the later portion of the glacial
period, constituting a soil almost uniformly fertile, and is remote from high, snow-clad
ranges. In the absence of further information, I can merely repeat what was said of this
region on a former occasion, viz. :—That while itis not probable that wheat can be grown
over all parts of its area, it can scarcely be doubted that barley may be ripened almost
everywhere in it, while wheat would succeed in chosen spots. This region will
doubtless, at some time support a considerable population, but it is to be remarked that
the passage of a railway through it would do little at present towards settling it ; for in

x ace River
inducements to farmers and_ stock-

the first instance, the country to the east of the Rocky Mountains, in the Pe
or Saskatchewan valleys, would ofter superior
raisers.”