RE POUT OF THE CSEMIhT 193 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Kaslo. — From Slocan we returned to Nelson and thence took the boat for Kaslo, a 

 town which has also suffered through the decline of mining, but which has great possi- 

 bilities for fruit growing, as available areas for planting are larger here than at most 

 points in this part of East Kootenay. The soil for the most part is a red loam and 

 stated to be excellent for fruit. In company with Mr. Cockle and a number of others 

 a day was spent in visiting the recently cleared and planted areas in the vicinity. 

 As yet fruit-growing here is in its infancy, but interest in this industry has been 

 awakened and orchard planting is progressing fairly rapidly. Note must be made 

 of the beautiful garden and grounds of Mr. George Alexander, where flowers and 

 fruits were in abundance. Mr. Alexander is experimenting with a number of English 

 apples, which so far. have given great promise. Tli? meeting in the evening was 

 given up to the discussion of topics of importance to those just starting orchards and 

 fruit-growing, and it was very gratifying to note the intelligence, interest and 

 enthusiasm evinced by the ranchers in this, for them, new venture. 



Proctor. — From Kaslo we went to Proctor, where we were met by Mr. Eenwick, the 

 Government Agent, Mr. Proctor and others, and made an inspection of several newly 

 planted orchards in this district. By means of a gasoline launch we were enabled to 

 visit the larger number of ranches on both sides of the lake between this point and 

 Nelson. With a few exceptions these were quite new, very little planting being seen 

 more than two or three years old, and the greater part but one year old. The soil 

 over a good deal of this area is light and sandy and in many places anything but 

 promising, nevertheless where the trees had been supplied with a sufficiency of water 

 good growth had been made. Unfortunately, in clearing the land a large proportion 

 of its humus had been destroyed by fire and we consequently advised the more care- 

 ful restriction of this agent, so necessary and yet so injurious in its effects on the 

 soil, in the clearing up preparatory to planting. No doubt the ashes so produced have 

 furnished a considerable amount of mineral plant food, very useful to the yoimg 

 trees, but it will be necessary to grow clover or some other leguminous crop to return 

 the elements that have been destroyed and dissipated by the fire. A young orchard's 

 requirements in plant food are but small for a number of years, and this undoubtedly 

 accounts in a large measure for the progress the trees at first m.ake, but as they come 

 into bearing more attention will have to be paid to keeping the soil in good heart. 

 As the supplies of farmyard manure will be very limited, leguminous cover crops 

 turned under, supplemented by potash and phosphates will in all probability be the 

 means used to ensure good yields. Many of the areas are on steep slopes and irri- 

 gation must be carefully done to prevent washing. Several samples of soil taken at 

 various points were collected and forwarded to the Experimental Farm Laboratories, 

 Ottawa, for future study. 



In concluding this brief notice of the East Kootenay district, I must state that I 

 was deeply impressed with its fruit-growing possibilities, not so much from the soil — 

 though that from the mechanical standpoint is satisfactory — as from the practical 

 evidences afforded in these orchards which have attained a bearing age. There can 

 be little doubt but that favourable climatic conditions for the most part, must prevail 

 for this industry. And I m.ight remark in this connection that experience in other 

 countries has shown that favourable temperature conditions with judicious irrigation 

 can produce wonderful effects even when the soil is apparently very poor. 



Grand ForJcs. — This, our next point, at the junction of the North and South 

 branches of the Kettle river, is in the Boundary district. Here we spent several days 

 visiting the farms and orchards in the neighbourhood. First we went over the pjcneer 

 orchard, planted by Mr. Covert and now in full bearing. It is now in the hands of 

 Mr. Ilonsberger, who at the time of our visit was daily making large shipments of 

 fruit. A large area is planted with prunes, which we were told had proved a most 

 profitable crop. This ranch has its own water supply from Fourth of July creek. A 

 portion of the original ranch has been laid off in lots of 10 and 20 acres, all of which 



16—13 



