54 



The herd of cattle is increasing, and the animals doing well. The use of the bulla 

 is a great advantage to the farmers of the district. 



On the 22nd some of the neighbouring farms wete visited and the crops exam- 

 ined. Several miles of luxuriant wheat fields were seen on the Bell farm and on the 

 recently established farm of Lord Brassey. The crops on many smaller places were 

 also inspected. Everywhere the wheat looked well, and the growth was luxuriant, 

 but it was noticed here as well as in Manitoba, that wheat on summer fallow where 

 the land was heavy and had been well farmed was much later than that growing on 

 lighter and poorly worked soil. This was a result of the unusual rainfall, and should 

 not lessen confidence in summer fallowing, as such a condition may not occur again 

 to the same extent for years. 



Leaving Indian Head on the 23rd, a day was spent in the Eegina district, where 

 the crops were also very pi-omising ; a drive of about 40 miles enabled us to see 

 many of the neighbouring farms, on most of which the fai-mers subsequently reaped 

 a rich harvest. 



' VISIT TO PRINCE ALBEET. 



On the 25th an early start was made for Prince Albert. After leaving the 

 Qu'Appelle valley the land along the line of railway seemed light and gravelly, but 

 after crossing the river near Saskatoon the soil looked much more fertile. Soon the 

 appearance of the country was entirely changed as we entered on what is called the 

 fertile belt, which extends from south of Duck Lake to a long distance beyond Prince 

 Albert. This district is in many parts well wooded and intersected with lakes and 

 streams, and most of the soil is a rich, black, sandy loam. Prince Albert was reached 

 about dusk. 



The next day a drive of about 40 miles was taken, covering part of the country 

 on either side of the town. A number of farms were visited, among the rest those of 

 Mr. T. Mackay, Mr. T. Miller Mr. Wm. Plaxton and Mr. T. Scott. Much of the Ladoga 

 wheat grown in this section had been cut and some of the Red Fife was nearly ready. 

 Nearly all the wheat was subsequently harvested without injury from frost. The 

 country is remarkably prett}' and park-like, undulating, and intersected at many 

 points by groves of woodland and belts of timber, consisting of spruce, jack pine, 

 tamarack, poplar, birch and other trees. The Saskatchewan here is a fine navigable 

 river. In the evening a gathering of townspeople and farmers assembled to listen 

 to a talk on the work of the experimental farms. The opportunity was also improved 

 by pointing out the advantages of mixed farming, for which, from the presence of 

 abundant shelter, the luxuriant growth of grasses, and a plentiful supply of water 

 for stock, this part of the country seems specially adapted. 



Returning the next day, Moose Jaw was reached on the 28th, where another drive 

 of about 30 miles was taken among the neighbouring farms. The crops here, as at 

 Regina and Indian Head, were excellent, but they were later than those at Prince 

 Albert. 



THE SPULMACHEEN AND OKANAQON VALLEYS. 



Journeying westward, the next point of divergence was Sicamous, B.C., from 

 which point entrance can be made to the fertile Spulmacheen and Okanagon valleys. 

 The conveyance for the first part of the journey, which was begun on the 3rd of 

 September, was a steam hand-car, which made a daily trip to Enderby over the new 

 line of railway then under construction to Vernon. This was an open conveyance 

 with two seats, capable of accommodating six passengers and the engine driver, wko 

 stood behind to feed the little engine with fuel and regulate the speed of travel. 

 Such a conveyance afforded a full view of the scenery, which was very fine. Lake, 

 woodland, mountain and valley in rapid succession, or combined in endless variety 

 of form, made up the ever-changing panorama. Smoke from some burning woods 

 in the neighbourhood sometimes interfered with the view ; but for this, the bright 

 sunny day would have been perfect. A ride of 25 miles in the steam hand-car 



