38 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



of the west coast points it out for development along the lines of 

 market-gardening and fruit-growing. 



Back to the Atlantic 



We had now crossed the continent from ocean to ocean, and 

 were ready to start on our long homeward journey. We had, 

 however, some calls to make by the way. We had to see the Delta 

 country in the vicinity of Vancouver ; we had to go south to the 

 Okanagan Valley ; a visit had to be paid to the irrigation works 

 of the Canadian Pacific Railway at Gleichen ; homesteading south 

 of Maple Creek demanded attention ; the park lands in the 

 Edmonton and Prince Albert districts had to be examined ; the 

 bald-headed prairie round Saskatoon had to be explored ; a day in 

 the Carman district south-west of Winnipeg ; and then home as 

 fast as trains and steamer could take us. 



Delta Lands 



On returning to Vancouver on Wednesday, 16th September, a few 

 of the Commission went to Shaughnessy Heights above the town, 

 to see a steam stumper belonging to the Canadian Pacific Railway 

 clearing the ground of timber at a cost of 150 dollars per acre. In 

 the evening we were entertained at a smoker " by the citizens of 

 Vancouver. At 8.30 the following morning, we started, along with 

 many of our Canadian friends, for a tour in the delta country. 

 We travelled out of the city by the electric railway. At Eburne 

 we left the cars and were driven round Sea Island, which is about 

 seven miles from Vancouver. In the drive we saw some very fine 

 alluvial land, brought down by the Fraser River. The soil is many 

 feet deep, and is used for dairying by white men and market-garden- 

 ing by Chinese. Judging from the price of produce, it would be a 

 veritable earthly paradise for the dairyman and the market-gardener, 

 but for the fact that the price of land is too high. Much of it is 

 held under leases at from £2 to £4 per acre, and it sells at about 

 £60 per acre. On returning from our drive, we got aboard our cars 

 again, and after a short time arrived at Steveston, where we examined 

 the Columbian Salmon Tinning Company's works. Leaving this 

 factory we crossed the Frazer River. At Ladners we found motor 

 cars waiting to drive us through a rich agricultural district, where 

 the land is as fertile as the Sea Island land, and capable of producing 

 as abundant crops. After motoring many miles through this district, 

 we ascended some hills, and got into a better country from the 

 picturesque point of view. For miles we swept through woodland, 

 with nothing but the long trail of the road in front and rear, a road 

 which ran like a switchback railway, and was not so pleasant to 

 ride over. After more than an hour's run, we reached New West- 

 minster. There was not time, however, to stop. Crossing the 

 Fraser River, we made for Vancouver direct, from which at 5.15 we 

 had a great send-off. 



