Capabilities of the New Westminster District.

The capabilities of this district, which contains nearly half a million acres, are not quite realised by the public. Men look at the large trees which cover a great portion of it, and shrug their shoulders. It should, however, be remembered that the New Westminster district contains the only large mass of choice agricultural land anywhere on the mainland of the Pacific slope lying actually upon the ocean, with a shipping port in its midst. A navigable river cuts it through, which is sheltered at its mouth. The river is full of salmon and other good fish, and the district abounds with game. The climate, though somewhat humid, has neither the wetness of Western Oregon, nor the withering dryness of some of the larger Californian valleys.

Similar land to that of the New Westminster district is found immediately south of it, across the national boundary line, but, being formed by smaller page 49 rivers, it does not lie in such a mass. The land is lower, and comprises more tidelands cut up by sloughs.

I do not remember in Oregon or California any such land, so placed, as the New Westminster district. Portions of the Willamette valley, in Oregon, have as good soil, and the Willamette valley is far larger, but the nature of the approach from the sea to Portland is a drawback. In California, the transport from the interior to the shipping port adds considerably to the cost of wheat. I should be sorry to see our British Columbian settlers "crazy on wheat"—dairy or mixed farming will be best in the New Westminster district—but it is clear that the New Westminster district farmers will be less dependent on provincial markets for any wheat they may produce than farmers in other parts of the mainland. Being upon the ocean, will give them the world for a market, in case of need.

The drawbacks are not greater than have been overcome by settlers in places that do not present such general attractions of fertile soil, situation, climate, &c. A good part of the district is covered with very large timber; other parts require draining and dyking; the mosquitoes are vigorous for a few months. But go where a settler will he has to balance conditions.