APPENDIX A 313 



theory, and, right or wrong, the fact is that in all wheat coun- 

 tries summer frost has fled before the plough. We are safe to 

 believe, therefore, that agriculture would have the effect of rais- 

 ing the summer temperature of this new Land of Promise. 



So far as I can learn, the summer climate in general corre- 

 sponds closely with that of Manitoba. 



The soil is in most parts of the highest class, a rich clay loam, 

 of nearly level or slightly undulating surface. There are a few 

 small areas of sandy country and a considerable amount of 

 muskeg. The latter produces good timber and guarantees a 

 continual supply of water and range for cattle. 



The length of the winter is a serious drawback — the most 

 serious — ^but I cannot learn that it differs materially from that of 

 Manitoba, lasting usually from the end of October to the first 

 of April. I make little account of the present extraordinary 

 season (1907) — ^if it damns this country, then it also damns 

 New England, and the whole northern tier of States, as unfit 

 for agriculture. Ordinarily, the rivers here are open and the 

 plough set free by the 20th of April. 



In this lower Peace River region horses can and do, indeed, 

 run out all winter and dig through the snow for their food, but 

 no wise farmer will let them do it. All stock must be winter- 

 fed and housed to get satisfactory results, and in a country of 

 unlimited timber and hay, this is not a great difficulty. 



There is ajiQther drawback, and we ought to point out and 

 honestly face these drawbacks as completely as we do the ad- 

 vantages, for the unscrupulous boomster is almost as mischiev- 

 ous as the unscrupulous libeller. 



In summer there are mosquitoes and bull -dog flies; but they 

 are no worse here than in Manitoba and Minnesota, and those 

 who live in the country have learned to use the various expedients 

 of smudge and mosquito bar, and, I find, think but little about 

 these nuisances that force themselves so fully on the notice of 

 the newcomer. At other seasons there are no pests or special 

 diseases; the climate is, indeed, one of the most salubrious in 

 tbe wor\d< 



