208 EXPERIMENTAL EARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



out the greatest enemy of all — fire. There were few places where trees of from five to 

 tight feet in diameter could be seen, as was the case there, by thousands. Everyone 

 could do something to create an interest in this subject, if not, indeed, on occasion, 

 to prevent fire from spreading. They were reminded that a single spark was enough 

 to start a disastrous conflagration. 



Starting at 5 a.m. on August 6, the ascent of Mount Arrowsmith, the highest 

 mountain in that part of Vancouver Island, was begun. This expedition to the sum- 

 mit of this mountain was of great interest, and large collections of rare botanical 

 and entomological specimens were made, as well as notes taken on the trees and other 

 indigenous plants observed. At a height of about 4,000 feet grand groves of the Yel- 

 low Cypress (Cupressus Nutkaensis, Hook.) were found. Perhaps the most interest- 

 ing plants collected were Allium Nevii, Wat., a pretty dwarf pink-flowered onion, a 

 blue-flowered caulescent violet and Calandrinia Columbiana, Howell, a beautiful 

 plant of the Purslane family, with large fleshy roots and showy pink flowers. The 

 descent of the mountain was made on the afternoon of August 8, and a long drive of 55 

 miles taken the next day to Nanaimo. 



Nanaimo, August 9. — A good meeting was held in this town at 8 o'clock in the 

 evening, where, although the attendance was small, much interest was taken in the 

 subjects presented. The discussion was upon the best crops to grow upon certain 

 Boils and on agricultural methods suitable for Vancouver Island. Grasses for hay and 

 pastures were also discussed, and the disappearance of the Variegated Cutworm was 

 much commented upon. Nanaimo was almost the only place in the province where 

 any injury was done by this caterpillar in 1901. Leaving Nanaimo by train the next 

 morning, Victoria was reached at 12.30. 



Saanich, August 10. — A largely attended meeting was held at this place. By 

 request, the subject presented was Nature Study in education and as affecting agricul- 

 ture. Nature Study had recently been added to the regular curriculum of the public 

 schools of the province. Many of the audience, including the leading school teachers 

 from Victoria and the district, went out to the meeting by special train provided for 

 the purpose. There was also a large attendance of farmers who joined heartily in the 

 discussions. 



The next day was spent in Victoria, and I had the honour of being shown some 

 interesting experiments in tree culture by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor Sir 

 Henri Joly de Lotbiniere in his grounds near Government House. 



On August 12, in the morning, I visited Cloverdale, the residence of Mr. John 

 Tolmie, and spent a few hours examining his botanical collections, and interesting 

 plants, which he has growing in his grounds. The afternoon was spent in the small 

 but exceedingly well arranged and instructive museum of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. The herbarium, representing the flora of the province, made almost wholly by 

 Mr. Anderson himself, is very complete and several other collections illustrative of 

 the natural wealth of the province are here presented in such a way as to strike the 

 mind of a visitor at once with the capabilities of the country. Among other things 

 may be mentioned that at one end of a room stands a single mounted leaf of the 

 bracken nine feet high. Above this along the ceiling is a single annual shoot of a 

 bramble 12 feet long, and by the side of these a one-year's growth of a young plum tree 

 8 feet long. 



Leaving Victoria by steamer at midnight, we reached Vancouver at 9 o'clock on 

 the morning of August 13. Here I was met by Mr. Tom Wilson, the Government 

 Superintendent of Fumigation, and I went with him and inspected the fumigating 

 house where all imported nursery stock is fumigated for the destruction of the San 

 Jose Scale, and found everything in perfect order. We left Vancouver at 1 o'clock 

 by the Canadian Pacific Eailway, and, proceeding to Harrison, crossed by steam 

 ferry to Chilliwack. 



Chilliwack, August 13. — The farmers of this fertile district always turn out in 

 large numbers, and the last meeting was no exception. Insects injurious to fruit 



