70 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



In this way provision is made for a careful inspection of every part of the shores 

 of the island twice each day. When the day is clear, inspection can be made with 

 glasses from certain look-out points, but in foggy weather, which is very common, the 

 whole distance must be travelled over and the result telephoned to the Superintendent. 

 Island ponies are used in travelling. In case a vessel is seen flying signals of distress 

 this is reported at once to the Superintendent, who gives prompt instructions as to what 

 is to be done and proceeds with all speed to the scene of action. There are three life- 

 saving stations, the central one, No. 3, and No. 4, where life boats and other life-saving 

 appliances are kept, and a life-saving crew can be assembled at either of these stations 

 in about half an hour. 



RECENT HARDSHIPS OF FISHERMEN. 



The fishing for cod on the banks is usually done in small boats with two men in 

 each, and each fishing schooner is supplied with several of these boats. In foggy wea- 

 ther the men sometimes lose sight of their ships and drifting to sea are lost. A few 

 days before we arrived two boats had drifted to the island, each containing two French 

 fishermen; one boat had been out for five days, the other for two days, and during this 

 time the men after the first day had nothing to eat but raw fish. The men who were 

 five days out reached the shore of Sable Island in a very exhausted condition, scarcely 

 able to crawl. Another boat also with two men had for a time been in company with 

 one of the two boats saved, but after the first day they parted. Nine days later this 

 boat drifted to the island shore bottom upwards. There are generally more or less 

 cases of this sort every, year. 



Substantial wooden buildings have been erected by the Government at different 

 points to serve as shelters for shipwrecked people which are fitted up with beds and 

 sleeping berths and provided with bedding. Sufficient stores of food are also kept on 

 the island to feed for some time a considerable number of people so that there may be 

 enough for the crew and passengers of any ship which may be so unfortunate as to be 

 wrecked here. 



The remains of many wrecks were seen during this drive, the most prominent of 

 which was the Crofton Hall, a good sized iron vessel, which was wrecked some three or 

 four years ago and still remains unbroken, embedded in the sand on the bar at the 

 eastern extremity of the island. We visited station No. 4, where some additional sites 

 for tree planting were selected, we examined the life-saving appliances there and visited 

 also the eastern lighthouse. 



On the return journey we drove along the north beach for some miles, here seals 

 were very abundant in large bands, of about 50 to 200, lying on the shore enjoying the 

 warmth of the sun. As we approached the members of the flock would raise their 

 heads in alarm and wobbling along in their own jerky way with a sort of undulating 

 movement th%y soon reached the water. Their style of moving on land was very ludic- 

 rous. Sometimes the young seals which cannot travel fast are left behind and may 

 then be easily caught. After a very pleasant and most interesting drive we reached 

 the main station a little before sundown. 



REACHING THE END OF OUR VISIT. 



Wednesday was our last working day, the weather was bright and tree planting 

 was pushed along rapidly, and by the close of this day we had succeeded in planting in 

 all about 10,000 trees, leaving 71,000 still for the Superintendent and his men to plant 

 before the work would be completed. 



On Thursday morning there was a dense fog, the work done was reviewed and full 

 instructions left with the Superintendent in reference to the completion of the plant- 

 ing. About 10.30 the fog lifted when our steamer was seen about a mile from the 



