Six Mile Meadow, Fort George

HE accompanying illustration gives an excellent idea

of the rich open land that at intervals occurs through-
cut Central British Columbia. While the greater propor
tion of the country is covered with timber, of light or denser
growth, here and there the eye is delighted with spacious
open meadows, that form fine natural fields. “he luxuriance
of the vegetation in these meadows always causes wonder
and surprise when first seen by visitors unaccustomed to
the fertility of soil and rapidity of growth in British Colum-
bia’s rich interior. It is no uncommon sight to see the native
grasses growing to the height of a pony’s back, or even
higher. These grasses and native vines are the finest of feed
for cattle and horses, which in a short time become rolling
fat when left to rustle for themselves in these natural
pastures,

When plowed and put under cultivation these open
meadows make the very best of farming land, and the crops,
either of hay, roots or grain, are remarkable both for yield
and quality. Potatoes usually run about 300 bushels to the
acre. George Ovaska, three-quarters of a mile west from
Fort George, raised 15,000 Ibs. on 3% acres. A quarter of
an acre of turnips produced 4,000 lbs. ‘The ordinary yield
of timothy hay is three tons to the acre. James Shepherd, of
the Kersley Ranch, last year grew 250 tons of timothy on
less than 70 acres, and up to the coming of the railroads
timothy has been selling at from $65 to $85 a ton. In most
countries oats are sold by the bushel, but the absence of

transportation facilities up to the present in the Fort George
country has made horse feed so valuable that it has been
sold by the pound. The average yield of oats is from 3,000
to 3,200 pounds to the acre. One of the grain ranches last
season raised 160,000 lbs. of oats. “They were sold at 7 cents
per pound, which seems a fairly good revenue for any farmer.

The yields quoted above are averages, and do not repre-
sent particularly skilled cultivation or favorable natural con-
ditions. ‘They serve to indicate the average production of
the agricultural district of Fort George.

A fact thoroughly understcod by the British Columbiaa
should never be lost sight of by those thinking of investing
in lands in the interior—only a small proportion of the land
is of the open meadow land, such as that shown on the op-
posite page. Most of it is timbered, either lightly or heavily,
though through some of this bush fires have run, making
clearing a comparatively easy and inexpensive matter. As is
natural, too, in a hilly country, there is a proportion of
gravelly ridges. “The intending purchaser of interior farm-
ing lands had, therefore, better assure himself that he is
buying from reliable description if he is unable personally
to inspect the property.

The particular meadow illustrated opposite is six miles
southwest of Fort George on the new Mud River road. The
cattle to be seen grazing thereon are part of the Pioneer
Dairy herd, which supplies Fort George residents with fresh
butter, milk and cream.

Page Twenty-nine