18 



is due to the very porous nature of the soil after it becomes once dried out. 

 This condition will improve as the vegetable matter in the soil becomes more 

 decomposed and the ground becomes more solid. 



As this island is situated along the coast, coast climatic conditions prevail 

 there, including a very heavy rainfall, especially during the winter season. 

 Ground under cultivation at the present time becomes ready for planting from 

 the middle of May to 1st of June, and the growing season continues until the 

 latter part of October. 



Very little improvement work has been done on the island. Picture 13 

 shows a patch of land under improvement. (Note the open ditches.) Tree 

 and small fruits have been tried, but the nature of the climate is such that 

 the island cannot be a successful fruit district. Where vegetables have been 

 tried under favourable conditions, they have invariably made excellent growth. 

 The settlers say they can produce a very high quality of celery. There are 

 a few meadows on the island where they obtain a very strong growth. After 

 the land has been well drained and cropped for a few years it should become 

 solid enough to be seeded down for pasture land, and in this way might be 

 used for dairying and stock-raising purposes. A few of the settlers have 

 chickens, which they say do well there. 



Picture 12. Section of Porcher Island along Kitcatla Inlet. 

 of land and class of timber-growth. 



Note rolling nature 



A number of settlers on this island have pre-empted, and there is a fairly 

 large acreage yet to be taken up. Porcher Island will require the use of 

 considerable capital before produce in any quantity will be handled there. 

 With careful handling of the soil there appears to be no reason why it should 

 not be made productive for agricultural purposes. 



