1903] Soirees. 245 



the lecturer described the natural vegfetation of the Yukon and 

 Klondike River valleys. The abutidance of truit was especially 

 note-worthy. Red and black currants, blue-berries and rasp- 

 berries were everywhere abundant, and cultivated varieties of all 

 these fruits will do well. Vegetables of all kinds, except corn, 

 do well, and though potatoes are said not to mature, new 

 varieties more suitable to the soil and climate will doubtless be 

 planted. There is nothinp- unsuitable to the growth of potatoes 

 in the climate itself. Cabbage, turnips, etc., grow to an 

 extraordinary size. 



Caretul metereological reports have been kept for five years, 

 and these indicate that there is an average temperatuerof 70*^ or 

 higher on 4b days each summer, and of 80 or higher on 14 days. 

 These temperatures with bright s'-nshine and no frost for three 

 months, amply account for the successful growing of vegetables. 

 Spring opens about the end of April, the usual date for the last 

 frost being May 23rd, and the first about August 23rd. Oats, 

 barley and wheat, were secured on the latter date, and though 

 the wheat was not ripe it ripened afterwards, and of 100 grains 

 planted at the Experimental Farm none failed to grow and all 

 were vigorous. Prof. Macoun made it clear that though the 

 reports about trozen ground were in a measure true, the causes 

 to which this condition was due are easily removeable, and they 

 apply only to a part of the region. The physical features of the 

 Yukon district were described, and the lecturer expressed the 

 belief that in the very near future the district would be self- 

 supporting. As a proof that the climate of Dawson was much 

 the same as th it of Ottawa he cited the fact that he collected a 

 rose {Rosa acicularis) in bud at Aylmer, Que., on the 3rd of June. 

 When he reached Dawson he found that Mr. Tyrrell had collected 

 the same species in full bloom one day earlier, and other species 

 collected by Mr. Tyrrell were found to be as early in blooming as 

 at Ottawa. Prof. Macoun's address will be printed in full in an 

 early number of The Naturalist. 



The report of the Botanical Branch was read before Prof. 

 Macoun's lecture was delivered. 



