296 THROUGH THE HEART OF PATAGONIA 



of Patagonia and the introduction of capital in the hands of 

 employers of labour would probably lessen the pressure of hard 

 times on the poorer farmers. 



Beyond the pampas again tower the unnumbered peaks of the 

 Cordillera, and among them all things, minerally speaking, are 

 possible. Perhaps the future of Patagonia is to be found there. In 

 a few years the Patagonian Andes may be as commonly known a 

 seeking-place for fortune as Klondyke is to-day. But concerning 

 this part of the subject I have nothing to say, being no prophet of 

 El Dorados. 



Although during our travels we had little time to spare for 

 prospecting, or searching for the mineral wealth which may lie 

 hidden in the Cordillera, yet there was one obvious source of 

 riches that was always before our eyes in those regions. 



The coast-towns of Patagonia are supplied with wood by sea 

 from the woodlands of Tierra del Fuego, and this while many 

 square miles about the bases of the Andes are covered with 

 dense forests of mao-nificent orowth. Here are to be found 

 beech, cypress and redwood, not to speak of other trees, but the 

 absolute absence of any means of conveying logs to the coast has 

 so far left this store of wealth untouched. Until better means of 

 transport can be developed, there are certainly one or two rivers 

 which miofht be made use of in this connection. 



I can only insist upon the fact that Patagonia is a great though 

 at present undeveloped land ; that it cries aloud to railway enter- 

 prise to become its salvation. Nevertheless, it is even now a good 

 country for the man ready and able to work. A capable man will 

 make £6 a month and his keep, but he must know the work 

 required of him ; a considerable time has to be spent in learning the 

 skilled labour of camp life, and \ery hard labour that sometimes is. 

 An emigrant does not consequently find it so easy to get employ- 

 ment. P)Ut, given vigorous health, an aptitude for hard work, and 

 a small sum in hand to keep him going until he is broken in to the 

 necessities of the life, and I know of few countries more favourable 

 to the umnorried working man. 



There is something further which I should like to sues'est to 

 intending emigrants of my own nation. 



&fc> 



