192 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



labour was so high and competition in truck growing so keen by the Chinese, who 

 were tilling small areas, that profits were very small. In passing it may be noted that 

 Chinese, wherever we found them, invariably made a success of their work in vege- 

 table and small fruit growing, evidently due to their industry and the knowledge they 

 have brought with them of this branch of agriculture. From what we saw, apples 

 and cherries of the Morello type thrive well in this locality. 



Cranhroolc. — From Fort Steele we continued to drive to Cranbrook, about 12 

 miles, stopping en route at St. Eugene Mission, where we found garden crops and 

 apples doing well. Cranbrook on the Crow's Nest line of the C.P.E. is a thriving 

 town, with some fair agricultural land in the vicinity. In companj- with the Govern- 

 ment Agent, Mr. Armstrong, we visited several ranches in the neighbourhood upon 

 which vegetables and small fruits Vv-ere raised. Apples also can be grown here, but 

 their commercial success has not yet been proven. The altitude of Cranbrook, about 

 3,100 feet above sea-level, probably precludes the growing of tender fruits. 



Nelson. — This was made headquarters for several days as it formed a central 

 point from which we could conveniently visit ranches in the surrounding district. 

 Great activity is here evident in the matter of opening up and selling land for small 

 fruit ranches, and a considerable number of settlers have recently been attracted by 

 the accounts of success of those few who planted some years ago, and whose trees are 

 now producing fruit. Much of the soil is poor, being, generally si^eaking, light and 

 sandy and in some places partially covered with boulders. Nevertheless, we found on 

 most unpromising looking sites, vigorous trees producing splendid fruit of many 

 descriptions. Evidently the climatic conditions are very favourable and more than 

 counterbalance deficiencies in the soil. Available areas, on both sides of the lake, 

 many of them necessarily small, are rapidly Iheing taken up, cleared and planted and 

 means taken to provide for the necessary irrigation. We pointed out the great desir- 

 ability of more care in clearing the land by fire, iso that as little as possible of its 

 vegetable matter should be destroyed. It would be difficult to realize, unless one had 

 Been it, the degree of success in fruit-growing that is possible under conditions that 

 appear at first sight so unsuitable. The probability is that our analyses will show 

 that while the total amount of plant food in the eoil is comparatively small there is 

 relatively a large proportion of it in a readily assimilable condition. 



Two meetings were held here, both ..very well attended and at which a number of 

 local problems in connection with soil management, irrigation and kindred subjects 

 were discussed. 



Slocan City. — This was the next spot visited and I was pleased to note consider- 

 able areas of Very good land in the neighbourhood, and indeed, all along the Slocan 

 river. As yet very little has been cleared and as it is fairly heavily v.-ooded it will 

 be some time before this district — one of great natural beauty, wiU be thickly settled. 

 In time, Slocan City, now almost deserted through the decline in mining, should be- 

 come the centre of an excellent fruit producing district. We saw some very fine 

 apples, cherries (sweet), and plums, find in selected sites no doubt peaches and grapes 

 would thrive. Tomatoes, Indian corn, and vegetables generally also did very well. 

 On the lower lands dairying: should be profitable, but many of these first require clear- 

 ing and draining. Mr. Hall's ranch, about 6 miles distant, was visited and some 

 advice given regarding drainage and soil management. Mr. Hall is making a success 

 of dairying; everything was being done well and thoroughly and in a few years he 

 will have a very fi.ne ranch. 



Mr. Anderson and I, in company with Mr. Dennis, visited a number of ranches, 

 spending the day in field demonstrations. In the evening an interesting meeting was 

 held at which there was a good attendance. As Mr. Anderson remarked ; ' With the 

 revival of mining and the fine lumbering facilities, the excellent opportunities for 

 fruit-growing and dairying, the Slocan district would surely become of importance.' 



