HORTICULTURE IN CANADA. 105 



on the one side and the deep green of the sprnce-clad banks on 

 the other, all help to form a most harmonious and striking pict- 

 ure. Kear by, but about a thousand feet higher, Lake Agnes 

 bursts upon the view, with wilder and totally different surround- 

 ings. 



One more stretch of about four hundred and eighty miles, 

 through wonderfully varied mountain and valley scenery, takes 

 us through to the valleys and delta lands of the coast line. Here 

 we have the coast climate, which, on this part of the shore of the 

 Pacific, is cool in summer and mild and moist in winter; but 

 returning eastward towards the interior, it becomes hotter in 

 summer and colder in Avinter, with less rain. 



At Agassiz, seventy miles east of the ocean, the most westerly 

 of the experimental farms is located, in the valley of the Fraser 

 river. Seven years ago this place was a wilderness. Now 

 there are one hundred and thirty acres of land cleared and 

 under cultivation, and about half of it has been planted to fruit, 

 and more than two thousand varieties of fruits are under test 

 there, nearly all of which are doing well. The climate is mild, 

 and suitable for this industry, and nowhere do the plum, apple, 

 cherry, and pear bear fruit in greater profusion. Every variety 

 likely to be of benefit to the country is being tested, so that the 

 fullest information may be available to the settlers as to the 

 best and most profitable varieties to plant. 



All sorts of small fruits succeed remarkably Avell here. A 

 very large number of ornamental trees and shrubs are also suc- 

 cessfully grown, including some of the more tender varieties, 

 which are not hard}" at Ottawa. Flowers also succeed admirably 

 in this moist climate. The Japanese and other lilies grow 

 luxuriantly, and during the flowering season they fill the air 

 with their fragrance. 



I must not trespass further on your time. I have but touched 

 here and there on the almost limitless field covered by my sub- 

 ject. I hope, however, that I have succeeded in showing that 

 horticulture is not entirely neglected in Canada, but that indi- 

 viduals, communities, and governments (both Provincial and 

 Dominion) from one end of the country to the other are striving 

 to help along this good Avork. While we cannot expect soon to 

 reach that degree of horticultural advancement which we see 

 and admire so much in older and wealthier communities like 



