18 FRUIT RANCHING. 



by tlie relatively heavier rainfall in the Kootenays. 

 The total annual rainfall averages 28 inches. This 

 figure includes the snowfall. The amount, when dis- 

 tributed by "seepage" in the manner I have 

 described, through the summer months, is suflicient 

 to enable the rancher to dispense ^vilh irrigation. All 

 the same, if the fruit-grower is able to command a 

 supply of water, and is able to distribute it to his 

 crops during July and August — and he generally 

 is able to do b(jth — he will find it greatly to his 

 advantage. 



The prevalent soil throughout the Kootenays is 

 a light sandy loam, generally of a reddish colour, with 

 a clay subsoil. In places the surface consists of gritty 

 sand of a light grey colour. Fruit trees grow equally 

 well in both soils. The atmosphere of British 

 Columbia is impregnated with a peculiar quality of 

 dryness; in fact, it might almost be described as 

 parching. Owing to this, and to its own inherent 

 lightness, the soil is apt to dry quickly on the surface. 

 But this evaporation can be in great part, if not 

 cntirelv, overcome by inducing the formation of 

 liumus and by continuous and uninterrupted cultiva- 

 tion. The formation of humus is efTected in one way by 

 the working into the land of good manure. It must be 

 farmyard manure, which will contribute vegetable 

 matter as well as animal matter. Artificial or chemical 

 manure will not serve the purpose. Another effectual 

 means to secure the formation of humus is to sow 

 clover, vetches, cow-peas, or some other leguminous 

 crop and plough it under. Both these methods enable 

 the surface soil to retain a larger proportion of 

 moisture, and to that extent diminish the need for 



