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level of the soil and cause hollows to form which serve as traps for the unwary. It is curious, also, to see a prostrate tree trunk forming the site for a row of younger trees, the trees of these parasitic hedges often attaining considerable size. Rank growths of bracken, fireweed, and other weedy annuals are common in the more sunny places, and form in some cases thickets very difficult to penetrate.

Good stands of large hemlock are found in the central part of the island and smaller areas of large clear spruce and of red cedar. Yellow cedar grows on the higher portions of the island, where smaller stands were seen. The timber is virtually unin- jured by forest fires, of which only two have been recorded, and these not of great extent.

AGRICULTURE.

The shores in the vicinity of Skidegate inlet are usually too steep to permit of extensive cultivation, but small areas level enough for tilling are not infrequent, and excellent vegetables are raised without difficulty. In the interior no cultivation has been attempted, on account of the dense forest and the thick surface accumulation of dead and decaying vegetation. The Northeastern lowland seems to promise more favourably, since it has a warmer climate and is said to enjoy a greater percentage of sunny weather. Extensive flat or gently sloping areas in the lowland are underlain by stratified sands and clays, covered by a greater or less thickness of vegetable matter. Once these areas are cleared and drained, they should be well adapted to cultivation.

Graham island, in common with some other western com- munities, has suffered at the hands of unscrupulous real estate boomers, and various misrepresentations, both favourable and unfavourable, have been given publicity. Settlers have been induced to come to the island without being apprised of true conditions, and their inevitable disappointment and loss has reacted against the district. If local conditions in regard to agriculture are intelligently studied, men with ability and some capital to start operations should make a success of farming on the island.