10 



season, length of growing season, etc. As far as could be ascertained, the 

 rainfall would average around 30 inches annually, with a fairly heavy pre- 

 cipitation in the fall, from September to the end of November. The summer 

 months are fairly dry, although occasionally there is a fairly heavy rainfall 

 in June. The snowfall varies from 2 to 4 feet on the level, and generally 

 remains -all winter, affording a good protection. Twenty degrees below zero 

 is exceptional" during the winter, the thermometer generally being around 

 zero on the coldest days. The season is, at present, some three or four weeks 

 later than Victoria, light frosts being occasional throughout May. Sweet 

 cherries .w^re in blossom about 18th of May, although the season this year 

 is later than the average. They have a late fall, usually not having frosts 

 before October. The days are long during the summer, providing a large 

 amount of sunshine, which would insure rapid growth. There is a possibility 

 that climatic conditions will change considerably as the timber becomes 

 cleared away, and most likely to the advantage of the district. On the whole, 

 considering the latitude of the district as comparing it with inland districts 

 to the south, climatic conditions are especially favourable. 



Picture 7. Clearing in Kitsumkalum Valley. G. T. P. main line on left of picture. 



Some information might be given here as received from the settlers and 

 observations taken as to the possibilities of the district. Small fruits and 

 vegetables do exceptionally well. Grasses, clovers, and cereal crops are also 

 doing well where tried, so that the district should become largely self- 

 supporting i.e., not limiting itself to one branch of agriculture. Returns as 

 high as $1.100 an acre were taken from strawberries and potatoes last year. 

 Prices are high at the present time, and this is no indication of what will 

 be received in the future, but returns are sure to be good. As far as small 

 fruits are concerned, they come into the market at an exceptionally favourable 

 period, after the lower country berries are off, and as a result command high 

 prices, 25 cents a box f.o.b. for strawberries being a common price for them. 

 Berries were shipped from this district last year to Vancouver and arrived 



