46

of spring along the whole line of this fertile belt is indicated by the dates of the flower-
ing of the various plants, a point referred to by me in some detail elsewhere. It is
further unquestionable that the winter is less severe and not subject to the same
extremes in the Peace River and Upper Saskatchewan regions as in Manitoba.”

Professor Macoun’s Report.

Professor John Macoun; in a report written specially for this Bulletin, says :—

“Tt is difficult to define the limits of that part of the Peace River District lying
within British Columbia, as comparatively little has been done to fix these, owing to the
absence of surveys. Generally stated, however, the eastern boundary of British Columbia
follows the summit of the Rocky Mountains to latitude 54. At this point it passes
due north on the 120th meridian to the 60th parallel, and thence westward to the Pacific.
That part which lies east of the Rocky Mountains is what is usually known as the Peace

River country, and includes a great agricultural reyiou both north and south of the river.

In making a sketch of this region, it is not desirable to limit its extent to that part
immediately within British Columbia, as no definite points have been fixed. On this
account I reproduce that part of Dr. G. M. Dawson’s report of 1879 which deals with
the extent and capabilities of the district in question (reproduced elsewhere) :—

‘AN IMMENSE District or GREAT FERTILITY.

“From 5,000 to 10,000 square miles of the above area is included in British Columbia,
and both at Hudson Hope and St. John the climatic conditions are favourable where the
land is suited for agriculture. The country between Dunyvegan and St. John, south of
the Peace River, is largely prairie and poplar copse and everywhere the soil is good.
North of St. John, on the plateau back from the river, common grasses attained a height
of from four to six feet, and vetches were found eight feet late in July, 1875. -

“Since then many reports of the fertility of the region have been written, but none
have denied the earlier statements made by the writer and Dr. Dawson. On this
account it is fair to assume that our opinions are established facts, and that the 31,550
square miles of area mentioned by Dr. Dawson are not too much, and that when proper
surveys are made, 10,000 square miles of this will fall to the portion of British Columbia,

‘Poplar and spruce for all purposes and of good size are to be found throuchout
the district, except where prairie predominates. ~ Many fine prairies are to be seen in
the drier part, but in all cases these prairies seem to have been caused by repeated fires.
The ‘Grande 2 airie,’ which is said to be of great extent, is eminently suited for
agriculture, as it ismeadow and copse, and in places covered with berry-bearing bushes
chiefly saskatoon berries (A m«lanchier wdiuifota), Ttis now well known-that spring
opens about the same time between Winnipeg and Peace River, and if either is earlier
it is the Peace River. Summer frosts are practically unknown, but local late spring and
early fall frosts may be expected for years to come. These will soon pass away as
cultivation increases, in the same way as they have done in Manitoba and the Territories,
At present farming is being carried on at the head of Lesser Slave Lake and on the
plateau near the mouth of Smoky River. From both places I have seen fine samples of
wheat grown during the past season.

_ “After having seen the growth of vegetables and cereals at Dawson, in the Yukon
District, and remembering what I have seen on Peace River, the Nechaco, Lake Babine
and the reports from the Skeena and Stikine, I am led to believe that the day of a
general awakening has come, and we can now say that Northern British Columbia will
in the future, support a very large population on its own productions. Throughout the
whole region, including the Yukon District, fodder for horses and cattle in any quantity
can be grown. At Dawson, clover and timothy were found last season to do remarkably
well, Oats, barley and wheat were found in the same field, The two former were rips
on August 23rd, and the wheat so far matured that, after drying the ears looked vi a
Last month I sent three ears of wheat grown at Dawson, in latitude 64° 15’ to 7 é
Experimental Farm in this city, to have it tested. The report received the alte: dag
wane Sena eS ae gens sprouted, and 100 grains were vigorous, and no

plants produced, Such a report as the above shows that all lands suitable