Farm LANDS anp NaturAn RESOURCES. 35

over the next as well. Among the crops raised are hay, oats, barley, rye,
and wheat; the oats averaging from 80 to 100 bushels per acre. Nor is
the farmer deprived of his garden. Vegetables of all kinds, parsnips,
carrots, cabbages, roots, and potatoes, can all be grown with a surety of
success. The admirer of flowers has also the opportunity of satisfying his
longings. My wife is an enthusiastic gardener. In fact, I might say, one
of the sources of her keenest delight and greatest pleasure is her flowers.
Even as late as the latter part of last month they were to be seen blossoming
in front of the house.

“ As for stock-raising, the country is admirably suited for that branch
of agriculture. The hills and valleys are covered with jack-pine and large
firs. The latter are to be seen in greater abundance here than in most
parts of the land bordering the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. Beneath
these trees there is no underbrush. The ground is covered with wild hay
and vetch, on which the stock can graze for miles around. Horses are left
out to rustle all winter. Many of the settlers ship cream to the creamery
at Quesnel, a short distance away.

“ This section of our Province can be considered most suitable for home-
steaders for the following reasons: It is accessible by two transportation
routes—the Pacific Great Eastern and by the Cariboo Road from Ashcroft.
Many good tracts of land are still available for homesteading. The land
is easily and quickly cleared. There is always good hunting and fishing,
which enables the farmer to obtain his winter and summer meat. The
settler can run a trap-line in the winter months when little can be done
around the farm. By this means he can make a start with almost no
capital. The climate is very invigorating and healthful. We have a saw-
mill in our midst, also school, post-office, and general store.”

Potatoes 7 Tons to the Acre; Sunflowers 7 Feet High.

Deka Lake is located in nice country with fertile land and good road
connections. Perhaps the experience of Mr. H. C. Richardson, a settler
of nine years’ standing in the Bridge Lake section, will prove of interest
here, as showing the high repute in which this territory is held. We quote
from a recent letter as follows :—

“T have resided in this district for nine years and have lived on my
place at Deka Lake for five years. I bought a half-section and pre-empted
a quarter. I have always raised good crops of oats and wheat, even in
the dry season of 1922, but generally cut them for green feed, though all
grains will ripen here. As soon as I can get a threshing outfit I will go in
for more cereals. My potatoes are always a great success and there is a
good local market for them. I raised 7 tons to the acre this year; also
raised some splendid cabbages and cauliflowers, and, in fact, all kinds of
garden-stuff. My Russian Giant sunflowers grew over 7 feet high, and
I believe sunflowers will prove a great stand-by for dairymen here in time,
when more of the land is slashed for clearing, thus eliminating any summer