152 NOTES ON MANITOBA. 



known as the " Fertile Belt " and that the southern part about which 

 so little was said, was set down, or assumed, to be arid and of slight 

 value ; an opinion still generally prevalent and mainly fostered by 

 writers whose views have been based on a misinterpretation of Capt. 

 Palliser's remarks. 



The survey of the International Boundary and the establishment 

 of the Mounted Police Force in 1874, tended in some degree to 

 dispel the cloud which hung over the south. Their frequent journeys 

 have done much since then in the same direction, yet in the minds 

 of the general public, and even of many others who should be better 

 informed, the old prejudice, in a measure, exists against it. 



.In this position of the question the past only repeated itself. 

 How many are the instances of wealth unknown having passed for 

 centuries under the eye of the dwellei-s on the spot unappreciated 

 and untouched? 



In our day the growth of the Dominion, demanding a through 

 communication from east to west, and the exigencies of the over- 

 populated counti'ies of the old world, have brought it about, that we 

 should be the meaias of enlightening the world as to the extent of the 

 resources of the " Great North-West," and in so doing, possibly of 

 acting as special agents, fulfilling the beneficent intentions of the 

 all-wise Creator. 



Explorers have traversed its length, and settlers have here and 

 there dotted the new land and the reports of one and the other only 

 stimulate us to further research. 



Amongst those sent out to explore, I was first commissioned by 

 Mr. Fleming, in 1872, to examine the flora of the prairies between 

 Winnipeg and Edmonton. The same year I was despatched in com- 

 pany with* Mr. Charles Horetzki to explore the Peace River and 

 examine the country on its banks. The results were the discovery 

 of the low passes through the Rocky Mountains and of an extensive 

 tract of fertile country, since known as the Peace River District. 



In 1875, I accompanied Mr. Selwyn, Director of the Geological 

 Survey, in the capacity of botanist, to British Columbia and from 

 thence by the Peace River Pass to the east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 Circumstances compelled me to descend the Peace River from the 

 Rocky Mountains to Lake Arthabaska and I was thus enabled to 

 see the country as far north as lat. 59°. Tux'ning eastward at this 

 point a journey of 1,200 miles brought me to Winnipeg. 



