Despite the great serviceability of the camels as pack animals, it seems unlikely
that they could have remained in use for very long in the Cariboo: even if the other
domestic animals had become accustomed to their presence eventually, for the unsuit-
ability of their feet for the terrain would probably have made their continued use
impossible. Regarding the failure of camel trains in North America generally,
however, W. S. Lewis says that but for the Civil War and the contemporary
completion of the Pacific railroads, the imported camels would undoubtedly have
become familiar and accepted domestic animals for pack trains throughout the West.

@ BY J. W. W.

Acorn and Beechnut

UESTIONS have been raised on the scarcity of oak trees in Canada. A few
grow in Southern Ontario, and Vancouver Island holds some of smaller
growth, among the rocky crevices of its lower border: two small patches have

been found on the southern mainland.

Those who miss the “‘gallant tree’ have lived overseas where the oak is monarch
of the woods. They were brought here, probably in oaken ships, from homes with
oaken rafters standing in gardens with oaken fences. Little wonder that in the
grandeur of these forests, they should expect to find sturdy oaks.

Should they travel down the Coast they will find the oak increasing in size,
abundance and variety, California having half a dozen kinds, some evergreen or
‘live oaks”. They will be surprised to see the “White Oak” of Oregon, a stately tree
five and six feet in diameter and a hundred feet high, identical with the small oaks
of Victoria.

This Garry Oak, named by David Douglas in honor of the secretary of the Hudson’s
Bay Company, loses in stature and magnificence as it comes northward through
Oregon and Washington to the forty-ninth parallel. At its northern limit it takes
only rocky soil, where broken stone or rocky crevices provide quick drainage.

In such dry spots its yearly growth finishes early in the summer. The tree goes
into its winter rest and dryness before the Autumn rains. It is better able to with-
stand any winter hardships that may come. Using a shorter growing season, it does
not attain the greatness of those further south. Neither do the long, hard winters
agree with the Eastern Varieties.

Yet the British oak was named “roborant” for its strength, and the Isles are all
north of the forty-ninth line. The sea-mild climate may be the cause, but that oak
does equally well here. Fine trees now stand wide and sturdy where acorns were
planted, while Garry oaks seldom survive transplanting.

All the family thrive here, for the oak is of the family of the beeches, and chestnuts
are cousinly. All of them have nuts encased in soft shells, known anciently as
“mast”, the fattening food for swine in the autumn, and equally good for modern
game birds.

Where our native trees have been removed, the “mast” family would make extra
wealth in “food trees” for bird and animal, and excellent variety in landscape
features, also in wood for service. Few trees so ornamental are so useful.

las