16 



LORNE CREEK DISTRICT. 



In this district it was impossible to spend any time other than to arrange 

 for a distribution of experimental trees and obtain some information re 

 district. It was time the experimental trees were planted, and to insure 

 them being planted in ample time to secure a good start it was necessary 

 to pass over the Upper Skeena district hurriedly. 



In this district, according to information obtained from the settlers, there 

 are about 15,000 acres of high bench land and very little bottom land. The 

 soil is a loam 2 to 3 feet in depth, underlaid with a fine gravel subsoil. 



The rainfall is said to be not as heavy as at Kitselas, otherwise climatic 

 conditions are much the same, and the report on the districts mentioned above 

 will cover this district. This district receives a good name from those well 

 acquainted with it. 



There is a large acreage of land at Meanskinisht and Kitwangah, on 

 which little Information was obtained. From conversation with those who 

 knew the districts they were well spoken of. 



HAZELTON- 



There is a considerable acreage of land around Hazelton, a report of 

 which will be made by Messrs. Weir and White, now inspecting that part 

 of the country in the interests of the Provincial Department of Agriculture. 

 A photo is attached here which was taken at Hazelton. 



PORCHER ISLAND. 



Porcher Island is situated about twenty miles south of Prince Rupert 

 and contains a fairly large acreage of land. Four points were visited on 

 the island, viz.: Refuge Bay, Spiller River, Oolna River, and Kitcatla Inlet, 

 where a number of settlers were met and considerable information obtained 

 re conditions on the island. 



The timber for the most part is light, principally jack-pine and cedar. 

 On this account it might be inferred that the cost of clearing would be small. 

 In a number of places it would where there is very little timber. However, 

 where the timber is heavier the cost will sometimes come fairly high, as 

 the nature of the soil makes it difficult to remove the stumps. Very little 

 clearing has been done, so it was impossible to obtain reliable information on 

 the cost. The photo included here will give a good idea of the class of 

 timber. 



The laud is mostly rolling, with sufficient slope to offer good drainage, 

 providing the soil drains well naturally. The depth of soil varies greatly, 

 in some places being quite shallow on a gravel or clay subsoil, and in other 

 places a few feet in depth, with the same subsoil. The top soil contains 

 considerable peat, being composed of moss and vegetable growth in different 

 stages of decomposition. In most places the ground is covered with a fairly 

 heavy growth of moss, and this condition, along with the nature of the soil, 

 is responsible for the soil holding an excess of moisture, which does not 

 drain well naturally. Although the settlers reported that they had had very 

 little rain for weeks, the ground was quite wet and soft where the land 

 had not been improved. 



One of the first steps to take in the improvement of this land will be a 

 thorough system of drainage. Good, deep, open ditches will be the most 

 satisfactory method, as, besides giving good drainage, they would aerate the 



