The Great North- West 423 



there is an abundance of fish of the following kinds : whitefish 

 (regarded by many as equal to that caught in Lake Superior), 

 pickerel, pike, catfish, sturgeon, rock bass and black bass, perch, 

 suckers, sunfish, gold-eye, carp, and, in some parts, trout and maski- 

 nonge. The dry air of the North-West, the clear skies and the rich 

 flora of the prairies and woods indicate that bee-culture can be 

 carried on successfully. Several farmers have already paid successful 

 attention to the production of honey, and in the woods swarms of 

 wild bees can be found. While agriculture will undoubtedly be the 

 principal industry in the Canadian North-West for generations to 

 come, that of stock-raising will be next in importance. 



Its vast prairies covered with rich grasses, the sheltering groves 

 and forests here and there, the abundant supply of good water to be 

 found almost anywhere, and the favourable climate, all proclaim 

 this fine country as certain to become one of the best for grazing in 

 the world. We have already shown that the wild grasses are con- 

 sidered by many as superior even to the cultivated species. The 

 winters, owing to the atmosphere being dry, are most favourable 

 and in addition to this the great area of pasture available for the 

 grazing of immense herds, would indicate that stock raising will ere 

 lono- be followed on a lame scale in the North-West. The same 

 advantages in connection with the raising of the larger class of stock 

 apply also to sheep ; and the experience of many of our old settlers 

 shows conclusively that wool growing in the Canadian North-West 

 is a branch of industry which will prove of great profit to every 

 farmer undertaking it. Already, in the valleys of the tributaries of 

 the Upper South Saskatchewan, stock raising has become a pro- 

 fitable industry, and is growing into very great proportions on a 

 scale so rapid that one is struck with wonder and amazement. 



Horses, too, thrive equally well, and rapidly increasing droves of 

 the latter are already to be seen in the same neighbourhood. When 

 this industry of cattle and horse raising reaches a degree of success 

 even partly equal to its possibilities, and when that vast and fertile 

 grazing country north-west of the Athabaska on the alluvial grove- 

 dotted plains and park-like meadows of the Peace River country is 

 occupied, hundreds of thousands of these animals, over and above the 



