and it lies at an elevation of from 1,700 to 2,000 feet, between Rock Creek on the 

 west and Cascade on the east, the International Boundary on the south, and 

 extending into the small valleys north of the railways a short distance. 



In general climate the district is not unlike that of the Northern Okanagan, 

 both in summer and in winter, the particular conditions being much the same, save 

 that in " the boundary " the snowfall is not so heavy. The winter temperatures are 

 about the same as Vernon, and low temperatures make the tenderer varieties of 

 fruit impracticable. Midway has th6 reputation of having a colder winter than 

 Grand Forks, due to the configuration of the valley and its slightly greater altitude. 

 At Rock Creek, which lies at about 2,000 feet, the snowfall is rather heavier, and 

 it is probable that the total precipitation is considerably greater. 



The soils of this district, which is in the Dry Belt, are not unlike those of the 

 other Dry Belt districts above described. At Rock Creek there is a considerable 

 proportion of light and open soils, especially on the bottom lands, while on the 

 benches it is usually a black loam. At Midw r ay the soil is a light to sandy loam, 

 and varies a good deal at different elevations, while in the Grand Forks District 

 there is a great deal of rich black loam on the lower levels, with sandy clay subsoil, 

 and some good moderate clay loams on the benches, which lie at heights of from 

 40 to 100 feet above the river. 



The orchards of this district find a market nearly altogether in the mining 

 towns of the Boundary, the Kootenay, and the Crowsnest, but increased quantities 

 are reaching the Prairie, while Grand Forks apples sent to Australia have given 

 good satisfaction. The district is well situated with regard to freight rates locally 

 and to the Prairies, but the long haul to the Coast results in a higher rate that 

 way, and the transfers in moving the fruit out in any direction at present result 

 in some delay. The completion of the Kettle Valley line to the Coast will be of 

 the greatest assistance to this district in providing for it an additional outlet. 



Fruit-growing commenced to develop at Grand Forks quite a number of years 

 ago, this district being the site of the Hon. Martin Burrell's ranch and the Covert 

 Estate. The survey reports given below indicate the development of the fruit 

 industry in the principal areas included in this valley: 



" Rode Creek District. 



" Eighteen orchards, with an area of 406% acres, were inspected here. Of 

 these, five were not irrigated and two only partially irrigated. 

 " The following tables show numbers planted, etc. : 



" Apples 16,088 



Pears 280 



Plums 36 



Prunes 288 



Apricots 250 



Cherries 20 



" Varieties of Apples. 



" Wealthy 25.8 per cent. 



Mclntosh Red 24.6 



Crab 5.4 



Jonathan 25.4 



Other winter varieties 18.8 



(The latter include Delicious, Winter Banana, and 

 Wismer's Dessert.) 



" Midway District. 



" Nine orchards, with an area of 174% acres, were visited here, with trees 

 planted as follows: 



" Apples 8,394 



Pears 55 



45 



