The town of Saint-Pierre, commercial by definition, consisting of 

 three-fourths of the population of the islands, was constructed with houses 

 almost entirely of wood, each pushing up from the barren soil, as the ter- 

 rain allowed, some scattered here and there, in an utilitarian culture but 

 with ornate decorations lovingly maintained. 



Of modest exterior, most of the houses were, nevertheless, arranged 

 for real comfort. In many of them one found central heating and a bathroom 

 with running cold and hot water. All were carefully built to endure comfort- 

 ably the cold winter period. 



To this town of wood, the danger of fire was a constant threat. Three 

 times since 1865, Saint-Pierre has been partially destroyed by fire. The 

 streets are laid out widely for defence against this terrible scourge. 



Besides the shipyards, which were in full activity at the end of the 19th 

 century, Saint-Pierre had at this period a dory manufacturer, an oil skin 

 garments maker, and a sea-biscuit factory. Its numerous houses of busi- 

 ness, stocked with French and American goods, catered to all the needs of 

 the vessels, as well as the inhabitants of the colony and its temporary guests. 



The inhabitants of Miquelon, a village of 500 people, live almost entirely 

 on the product of their small fishery. Besides the cod fishery, they prac- 

 tice, in season, the sand lance and capelin fisheries. 



Besides the use of capelin for bait, some is salted and smoked for sale 

 as food at Saint-Pierre and for export. The lobster fishery is also an im- 

 portant resource at Miquelon. Grande Miquelon and Langlade present a 

 modest culture which seems susceptible to great development. A dozen 

 farms maintain small herds of cows and flocks of sheep. 



The climate is harsh at Saint- Pierre and Miquelon. The winter is long 

 and severe. Snow covers the ground from the end of December to April and 

 on certain days of blizzard, it is impossible to venture outdoors. But the 

 cold periods are often compensated for by beautiful sunny days. 



Summer, as on the banks, is a season of fog. The months of June and 

 July, the warmest, are also the foggiest. At this time, the fogs last weeks 

 at a time, during which one sees the sky only at rare intervals. August and 



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