ARRIVAL AT THE COAST 



89 



found that the climatic conditions of the growing time had to be 

 the proper standard. At this time, Canada was looked on as, 

 "Our Lady of the Snows," owing to the fact that all our public 

 sports were held in the winter: tobogganing, snow-shoeing, and 

 occasionally ice palaces and carnivals. On this account, even 

 men writing in England had stated that Canada was merely a lump 

 of snow. 



While crossing the continent between Winnipeg and the 

 Pacific, I noticed a wonderful sameness in the flora and concluded 

 at once that there must be a sameness in the amount of heat 

 given off in each district and, therefore, the plants of one district 

 give a key to the climate of another that produced the same plants 

 and the result was that I published the statement that it was only 

 the growing months of the season that should be counted. Many 

 other problems came before me and, in thinking them out in after 

 years, I came to certain conclusions that were expressed in future 

 years. 



While Mr. Fleming and myself were absent, a change of 

 Government took place and Mr. John A. Macdonald gave place 

 to Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, and, upon our return, Mackenzie 

 reigned instead of Macdonald. Mr. Fleming and myself were 

 both conservatives and he at once told me that my allegiance was 

 to Mr. Mackenzie and to do what was right in my report. 



