90 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July 



This is particularly true ot tbe region along the Fraser River 

 between Chilliwack and Hope. Briefly, the region along the 

 Fraser River from Agassiz to the coast is one abundantly sup- 

 plied with water and now producing large quantities of plums, 

 pears, apples and berries. Some of the interior valleys are 

 eminently adapted to the requirements of the tenderest tree 

 fruits. Peaches are being successfully cultivated here and there, 

 on the bench lands. 



The climate of parts of the Okanagan Valley is described 

 by those who have studied it carefully as approaching perfection. 

 At Vernon fruit growers, stimulated by the example of His Ex- 

 cellency, are planting fruit trees extensively. With irrigation the 

 upper plateaux and interior regions are proving wonderfully 

 fertile and productive, and with this life-sustaining agent the 

 possibilities of fruit growing in the province would appear to 

 widen as we advance. The increased interest in mining will in 

 time re-act favourably upon the fruit interests of the province. 

 With favovrable freight rates, should not the fruit growers of 

 British Columbia supply the homes of the rancher and farmer 

 throughout the vast area between the Rocky Mountains in the 

 West, and the Red River in the East, with this flower of com- 

 modities ? And is he not in a position, at the Western Gateway, 

 if supplied with proper shipping facilities, to give of his plenty to 

 his cousins in Australia during their season of scarcity. 



Did time admit, I would like to speak of the canning 

 industry of Canada, the evaporating industry, and the great 

 nursery interests of the Dominion. It might interest you to 

 know that a single canning establishment in Prince Edward 

 county made a shipment last year of canned fruit and vegetables 

 put up in one factory, consisting of a complete train of cars, 

 which steamed away to supply settlers in the Western prairie 

 provinces with the good things of life, concentrated and properly 

 conserved. 



