G8'2 JOURNAL OF TEE ROYATj HO.RTrCUrjTIJRArj ROOTETY. 



A sewerage system was installed last year. Two companies are 

 already established for the handling 'of fruit and similar produce in 

 connexion with the markets, and the place undoubtedly has a great 

 future before it as the centre of the finest fruit-growing district in 

 Canada. Within two or three years there will be two millions of trees 

 bearing fruit in the Valley, and Vernon will undoubtedly be the central 

 point for the very large business which will result. Our markets in 

 the North- West Territories are practically unlimited, and thousands of 

 new settlers pour in there year after year in ever-increasing numbers 

 out of all proportion to the increase of bearing orchards. Vernon fruit 

 is already well known, and a large proportion of the British Columbia 

 exhibits which have been shown at the R.H.S. Shows of late years has 

 been composed of Okanagan fruit. These exhibits have gained the 

 highest awards, the Gold Medal of the Society having been won more 

 than once. Besides apple-growing, the climate and soil are eminently 

 suitable to the growing of pears, plums, peaches, and cherries, while 

 strawberries and other small fruit and vegetables can be grown to 

 perfection. A distinct and most valuable point in connexion with the 

 Vernon district over many other localities is said to be the faet that the 

 great fruit pests, Codling Moth and San Jos6 Scale, are unknown, and 

 the strictest precautions are taken by the Government and people to 

 prevent their introduction. 



A special point to be noticed with reference to land around Vernon 

 is that most of it requires no clearing at all, and the remainder can 

 be very easily cleared. This is a point in favour of the new settler, as 

 he may start getting his land into shape and planting his trees the 

 moment that he has arranged his purchase, instead of having to wait 

 for a year or two before he has his land cleared sufficiently to start 

 fruit-farming. 



The social life of the district is very enjoyable. There is, it is said, 

 an entire absence of the rough element to be found around towns in 

 mining districts. Fruit-growing does not attraet the lazy man, and 

 the Okanagan Valley is consequently peopled with a good class of 

 well-educated, industrious, and desirable settlers. The free-and-easy 

 life, the absence of formality, and the pleasure of living almost entirely 

 in the pure open air appeals to many a man, not only for himself, but 

 on account of his family. Probably no country has a future before it 

 like Canada, and no Province in Canada has a brighter prospect 

 than British Columbia, while it is claimed that no district in British 

 Columbia is so highly favoured with climate and excellence of soil as 

 Vernon. 



With regard to the disposal of fruit there are available not only the 

 local markets and those of the rest of Canada and of Great Britain, 

 but satisfactory beginnings have also been made in the shipment of 

 apples from Vernon to Australia, New Zealand, China, and else- 

 where on the opposite shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Australian 

 and New Zealand market is particularly attractive, because, being 

 antipodean, their seasons are the exact opposite to British Columbia, 



