"Farther south these southwesterly currents are known as 'Chinook Winds,' and similar consequences are observed to accompany their occurrence. Sir Alexander Mackenzie, however, in the summer of 1793, found the distance to the Pacific coast from his wintering place, at the mouth of Smoky River, greater than he appears to have imagined at the time he penned the above quoted remarks, and it is difficult indeed to understand how currents of air, blowing for at least 350 miles across a country which is for the most part mountainous, should retain enough warmth to temper effectually the climate of the plains to the east. This difficulty would appear to be particularly great in summer, when the mountains are largely snow-clad, and the mean temperature of the Peace and Saskatchewan Valleys, is probably considerably in excess of that of the region intervening between them and the sea.

"In addition to the favorable climatic conditions indicated by the thermometer, the length of the day in summer in the higher northern latitudes favors the rapid and vigorous growth of vegetation, and takes the place, to a certain extent, of heat in this respect. This has been supposed to be the case from the luxuriant vegetation of some northern regions, but Alfonse de Candolle has put the matter beyond doubt by subjecting it to direct experiment. In latitude 56°, which may be taken as representing that of much of the Peace River country, sunrise on 21st June occurs at 3h. 12m., sunset at 8h. 50m; while sıx degrees further south in latitude 50°, which may be assumed to represent Manitoba, sunrise occurs on the same day at 3h. 49m., sunset at Sh. 13m. The duration of sunlight, in the first case, is 17h. 38m.; in the second, 16h. 24m., or one hour and a quarter in excess in the northern locality. This excess of course decreases to zero at the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the difference is reversed in the winter.

"A further circumstance giving to the Peace River country

and that on the upper part of the Saskatchewan, other things being equal, a value as farming land acre for acre considerably greater than that of most parts of the NorthWest, is the immunity of this region from the visits of the devastating locust or grasshopper (Caloptenus spretus). I have elsewhere discussed the question of locust invasions, in several papers, and it has since been taken up by the United States Entomological Commission. It must suffice to state here, that while a long series of years may pass without the occurrence of serious invasions, these must continue always, or at least for a very long time, to constitute a drawback to the whole territory lying south of a line drawn about sixty miles south of Edmonton, and thence nearly following the border of the wooded country eastward and southward to Manitoba."

Little Slave Lake lies nearly east and west. It is about seventy-five miles long, with an average breadth of about five miles. The south shore is low and marshy. Extensive marshy meadows are around the southwestern extremity, but owing to willow thickets their extent is unknown. South of the lake the country is hilly, some of the hills even rising into mountains, but to the north the country becomes level and is said to pass into marsh some distance from the lake. Vegetables in abundance are raised at the Post, and wheat and barley grow well but are seldom sown. Barley ripened here on August 12th, 1872, while at Edmonton the same year it did not mature until the 26th of that month.

Large numbers of white fish are caught in the lake, and in the surrounding woods moose are quite common, being indeed the chief food of the people. Many beaver are still to be found in the neighbourhood, and the Rev. Mr. Gordon reports that as many as 8,000 were obtained in the winter of 1878.

From the Rocky Mountains to very nearly Fort Simpson

in latitude 62° there is scarcely any difference in soil or climate, except that the latter improves as we recede from the mountains. Near Fort Vermilion, in latitude 58° 24', I found both soil and climate everything I could desire. The soil here is of the very best description, evidently alluvial and of great depth. About half a mile from the river the land rises nearly fifty feet, with increased luxuriance of vegetation, although two degrees north of St. John barley and vegetables grow much quicker and ripen earlier than at that Post. Barley sown on 8th May was cut August 6th, having been on the ground just ninety days. Turnips and early rose potatoes were large with indications of heavy crops. The whole country around this point is a plain, elevated from fifty to one hundred feet above the river. From frequent enquiries regarding the character of the soil at a distance from the river, it is believed to be exactly like that seen at Vermilion. The country intervening between this and the Caribou Mountains seemed level or to slope gradually up towards the mountains, and as far as the eye could see was covered with aspen forest interspersed with a few groves of spruce. No frosts occurred from early in May to September 8th, 1875. Often whole seasons pass without frost from early in May to October. Peace River at this point is 3,000 feet wide.

At Little Red River, farther north, the climate seemed still milder, and if anything the soil richer. Cucumbers sown and ripened in the open air were seen August 15th, and all garden vegetables were ripe. Fort Chipweyan, at the west end of Lake Athabasca has comparatively poor soil in its vicinity, being largely composed of sand; still here I obtained fine samples of wheat and barley that took the bronze medal at the Centennial Exhibition, held in Philadelphia in the summer of 1876. The land is very low and swampy, being but little elevated above the Lake.

Mr. Hardisty, Chief Factor in charge of Fort Simpson,

informed me that barley always ripened there, and that wheat was sure four times in five. Melons, if started under glass, ripen well. Frost seldom does much damage.

Chief Trader McDougall says that Fort Liard, in latitude 61° north, has the warmest summer climate in the whole region. All kinds of grain and garden vegetables always come to maturity. He has been on the Youcan for twelve. years, and says that in most seasons barley ripens under the Arctic circle in longitude 143° west.

The localities mentioned were not chosen for their good soil, but for their facilities for carrying on the fur trade or for Mission purposes. Five-sixths of the land on Peace River is just as good as the points cited, and will produce as good crops in the future. The reason so little land is cultivated is owing to the fact that the inhabitants-whites and Indians are flesh eaters.

For three years the Rev. M. Garrioch has been farming at Vermilion, and has definitely settled the question of fertility and climate at that point. All kinds of grain ripen well and cattle winter as well there as anywhere else. The testimony of residents, and the meteorological observations which have been taken at Fort Simpson for a series of years, show that wheat can be successfully grown as far north as lat. 61°, and barley up to the 66th parallel, or under the Arctic Circle.

All the lakes of the north teem with fish of the very best quality,-whitefish and enormous trout are the principal. Geese, and ducks during the migrations are in countless thousands, and supply the whole population with food. At Fort Chipweyan many thousand geese are killed every fall and preserved for winter use. Not less than 25,000 dried white fish are required for the post every winter. Part of these is fed to the train dogs and the others serve as rations for the men when fresh fish are scarce. The seat of the fishery is at the Quatre Fourche River, a point where four

rivers meet, about eight miles from the Fort. Here fish are caught every day in the

year.

So little is known of the country between the Athabasca and Peace Rivers that I have not attempted to describe it. Rich soil, however, is known to prevail, but much of the land is reported marshy on account of beaver.