REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 187 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



planted this spring. The tunmier had been exceedingly hot and dry, but where a sufRci- 

 ency of water had been supplied the young trees had not suffered and judging by appear- 

 ances, had made fair growth. Much of the land was surrounding the lake and is very 

 similar to that of the benches higher up, as at Peachland and Fruitland, the character 

 of which we discussed in our report for 1904, in our account of the Okanagan district. 

 On small holdings devoted to fruit culture very few animals are kept and hence the 

 supply of the manure will not be adequate for the soil's needs. It will be a matter of 

 considerable importance to keep up the humus content of the soil by the occasional 

 turning under of leguminous crops, for excessive cultivation will undoubtedly mate- 

 rially reduce the small supply now present. It is characteristic of a semi-arid district 

 that the soils are not rich in vegetable matter, and the climatic conditions are against 

 its accumulation. With a soil fairly rich in humus less irrigation water will be neces- 

 sary, for it will then be more retentive of moisture. Undoubtedly much better results 

 will be obtained by keeping the soil fairly well supplied with organic matter, followed 

 bj' cultivation to check surface evaporation, than when irrigation is entirely depended 

 on to furnish all the water required by the growing trees — for such invariably leads 

 to surface washing, leaching of the plant food, and on the lower levels injury to 

 vegetation from seepage. 



In comparison with the prairie soils of the northwestern provinces these bench 

 soils are not excessively rich in plant food; indeed, many of them are distinctly poor, 

 but it is believed that subsequent analysis will show a considerable portion of their 

 plant food to be in a more less available condition. Such is generally the case with 

 soils in a semi-arid country. If this be so, it behooves those entei-ing on these virgin 

 lands to adopt methods that will minimize their depletion and exliaustion. These soils 

 give exceptionally good returns at first, but the excessive use of irrigation water, vdth 

 no return of humus-forming material will prove disastrous and render the fruit-grower 

 in time entirely dependent on commercial fertilizers. 



In this matter of fertilizers,. I would not be misunderstood. Those who are pur-' 

 posing raising early vegetables and small fruits will undoubtedly find the judicious 

 use of fertilizers profitable, but for apples and larger fniits especially such a course 

 should scarcely be necessary, at all events until such time as the orchards are in bear- 

 ing. 



The soils that are lower — the bottom lands — and which we have spoken of as suit- 

 able for dairying are very much richer, and will need little or no addition of plant 

 food for many years. Drainage and a rotation of crops are all that is at present neces- 

 sary for very profitable returns. On them we saw many excellent crops of hay, roots, 

 forage plants and oats. 



Our thanks are due to !Mr. W. T. Shatford, the local manager of the S. K. Co., 

 who drove us over a considcrnble area of the land the Company had recently laid out 

 in lots and planted, showed us their extensive irrigation system and generally supplied 

 us with information respecting the district. 



A very interesting and well attended meeting was held in the evening at which 

 the nature of the soil and its rational treatment were discussed. Many local problcais 

 were brought forward and advice given as to the best means to meet the difficulty. 

 Mr. Anderson gave a practical address on the planting and management of orchards, 

 and in concluding outlined the benefits to be derived from the establishment of a 

 farmer's institute and co-operative society, as regards marketing products. 



From Penticton we drove to Iveremeos, a distance of 35 miles, in the Simillva- 

 meen valley. There has been but little land taken up along this route for agricultural 

 purposes; much of it is sandy. In parts it is well timbered, hut irrigation is necessary 

 for agriculture, and this so far has only been possible in a very limited way at one or 

 two points. About half way, Mr. Kitely has a small area planted, but unfortu- 

 nately his supply of water was not of good quality; of good water the supply 

 was apparently quite inadequate for the area rf^qniring irrigation. Certain areas 

 showed decided indications of allvali and it was evident that caution will have to bo 



