170 THROUGH CANADA 



settlers are now being practically solved. The land- 

 clearing difficulty, which entailed much labour, and 

 postponed the fruit of the soil, can now be effected by 

 contract. Companies have been formed for this 

 purpose. The cost per acre is considerably reduced 

 by the disposal of the timber. The other question 

 has been that of irrigation and dyking. There are 

 several low-lying districts in the province which 

 contain rich alluvial soil, but until an adequate dyking 

 system has been established these lands are unwork- 

 able. In the Fraser Valley 100,000 acres have been 

 reclaimed by the Government, and are now ready for 

 cultivation. In West Kootenay there is another 

 tract of 40,000 acres, partly reclaimed, and already 

 rewarding outlay. 



In the higher grounds of the southern interior, 

 irrigation on the part of individuals is well-nigh 

 impossible. But a large portion of these lands has 

 been taken up by companies who are parcelling them 

 out and constructing reservoirs to ensure a constant 

 water-supply. The result is satisfactory, and land is 

 being quickly disposed of and cultivated to ad- 

 vantage. There remain yet many thousands of acres 

 waiting to be reclaimed and turned into orchards 

 and farms. 



In cattle-rearing there are comparatively few of 

 the very large ranches of earlier times. The modern 

 method has greatly improved the quality of the stock. 

 A Dairymen's and Live Stock Association imports 



