5 



The higher bench lands will most likely be the first to be developed in 

 quantity. They are much lighter timbered than on the lower benches, and 

 have practically no underbrush, as shown in the above picture. Very little 

 of this timber (except on the bench lands on the side of the valley) is 

 merchantable except for fuel puri>oses. The trees are easily uprooted, so the 

 cost of clearing will be comparatively small, ranging around $no to $7.' ] .fi- 

 acre at present labour prices. Most of this land is flat, with slight varying 



Picture 2. Section of soil along roadway on low bench lands, 

 Lakelse Valley. 



slopes, principally south-western. The top soil average is about two feet 

 in depth, underlaid with gravel and sand, thus insuring good natural drain- 

 age. The surface soil is of a loam and silt composition, and this type of 

 soil, when "brought into condition" (this term is dealt with later), makes 

 a first-class general-purpose soil. This land, providing tree fruits are found 

 to be adapted to the district, will prove better for this puriK>se than the 

 river bench lands. 



There is some bench land on the side of the valley which contains very 

 little surface soil, being mostly a gravel-bed, and it is questionable whether 



