BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Gold was known to exist in Queen Charlotte's Island in 1850, and in April 1856 Governor Douglas reported to the Secretary of State that considerable quantities of gold had been found in the Upper Columbia River. It was subsequently discovered in its natural state of deposit in the districts of Fraser River and of Thompson's River, commonly known as the Quaatlan, Couteau, and Shuswap countries. Rich and extensive gold fields were in the summer of 1865 discovered in that portion of the Columbia River known as the "Big Bend," lying between 51° and 52° North Latitude.

Important discoveries of gold have been made on the Findlay branch of the Peace River, latitude 56° N. The diggings are considered very hopeful, and are known under the name of Omineca.

Statement of value of gold shipped from British Columbia by the Colonial Banks from 1862 to 20th September 1871.

Dollars.

The following is taken from the Report of the Minister of Public Works to the Governor General of Canada, dated Ottawa, March 1872.

The coal mines of British Columbia are reported to be very valuable and numerous. The mines of Nanaimo which yield bituminous coal are those which, at the present time, are most worked. They are very easy of access, and vessels can be loaded from them without difficulty. This coal abounds on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, not only at Nanaimo but also at Departure Bay, Bayne's Sound, Isquash, and at Moskeemo near the end of the island.

The harbour of Nanaïmo is situated on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, about 65 miles from Victoria.

The Blue Book of 1869 states that 200 men are employed in the mines of Nanaimo. The yield for 1869 was 40,883 tons, of which 19,700 tons were shipped to foreign ports. The price of coals at the pit's mouth 248. sterling a ton. The coal contains 66 per cent. of carbon. The area of the mine is 900,000 square yards. Three pits are worked. The seam is generally four feet thick.

It is stated that veins of coal have been found in several parts of the Province. The coal is of excellent quality, but a deficiency of capital has prevented the veins being worked. On Queen Charlotte's Island excellent and valuable anthracite coal is found, containing 72 per cent. of carbon. Coal has been found not only in Vancouver Island, but also in the interior of Columbia, 160 miles from the sea near the Nicola River, a tributary of the Thompson, which is said to be superior to the coal on the sea coast.

NOVA SCOTIA. Gold and Coal Mining.

The following statements are from the Report for 1871, of the Hon. William Garvie, Chief Commissioner of Mines and Works:

Gold.

The gold mines have been worked steadily, and in many cases, profitably. The returns, indeed, show a small decrease in the yearly standard of production; but they are quite as good as could be expected, taking into consideration the scarcity of men and the consequent high price of labour. There has, perhaps been no year since the commencement of gold mining in this Province during which the business has been of a more legitimate character than it was in 1871; there has been no unhealthy speculation, and the losses generally have been small, whilst in some cases the profits have been large. I still have to regret the absence of improvement in the appliances for amalgamating and saving gold. It is also a matter of regret that there are a number of mines, which have been proved capable of being worked at a profit, that have been allowed from one cause or another to remain idle. In one or two instances efforts are in progress to remedy this inaction, but to what extent, it would now be premature to judge."

Men ozs. employed.

676

The yield of gold in 1869 was 17,868 1870 19,866 555

This year, 1872, will show a decrease in the number of ounces produced in consequence of a scarcity of labour; but the results are expected to be, at least, as favourable per man employed.

CHARGES ON LAND AND EXPENSES OF CLEARING.

The following statements as respects charges of clearing land, which vary with circumstances and localities, must be accepted as approximate only.

CANADIAN DOMINION, Quebec.-The cost of clearing waste lands is stated at about $16 (or about 31. 68. 8d. sterling) per acre; the expense is, however, greater in the remote and unsettled districts, in consequence of the difficulty of procuring labourers. The only charge on land is a tax which seldom exceeds 1d. per acre on cultivated lands, and three eighths of a penny currency on wild lands.

Ontario. The cost of clearing wild lands is about from 12 to 14 dollars per acre. The expense is, however, greater in the remote districts, in consequence of the difficulty of procuring labourers; but this work is generally done by contract. The only charge on land is a tax which seldom exceeds 1d. per acre. It is applied to local improve. ments alone, in which the person taxed has a direct interest.

NEW BRUNSWICK.-The average cost of cutting and clearing off the trees, leaving the stumps standing, is from 31. to 41. currency (21. 14s. to 31. 128. sterling) per acre. The proper season to commence clearing the land is the month of June. All underbrush should be cut down, and this is in some cases done with a scythe; but the small trees require an axe. The large trees should then be felled, leaving a stump of two or three feet above the ground. The branches should be cut off before setting the fire, and such trees as may be of value for fencing or other purposes removed. The timber thus levelled should be spread as evenly as convenient over the ground, in order that the fire may consume the whole. The proper time for setting the fire is any dry day in August or September. Such logs as remain after the burnings should be piled in heaps and consumed. The ashes should then be scattered over the land, when it will be ready for planting. The tax on a good farm of 100 acres with houses, barns, and stock, is about 4s. 4d. sterling. The poll tax in the country districts is about 3d. sterling.

NOVA SCOTIA.-Woodland can be chopped, rolled, and burned for about 31. per acre. As a general rule the first crop pays for such clearing. There is a moderate county tax upon all real and personal estate, the proceeds of which are applied to the county expenses.

ness land, and 6s. 8d. currency on every 100 acres of improved land in the possession of individuals, 11 Vict. cap.7., and 24 Vict. cap. 35 (29th April 1861). This tax in 1854 amounted to 4,9214. currency, and in 1863 to 4,5697. It is applied to free education.

NEWFOUNDLAND.-Land may be cleared by the ordinary mode at a cost of about 51. per acre, or if the stones are thoroughly removed, at from 6. to 61. 10s. per acre.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.-The land generally requires little or no clearing. Fences are seldom required. Lands already granted are liable to a road tax, which, however, is not levied regularly, and cannot exceed one penny in the pound in any year.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-No useful information can be given, there being no fixed process where clear- ! ing is required, and the cost being dependent on the process, and the timber, if any, to be cleared.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.-There is much good land, with little or no timber, and much more, free from underwood, with timber only in such quantity as is useful and desirable for fencing, fuel, and country purposes. The expense of ordinary fencing is from 3s. to 4s. per rod.

QUEENSLAND.—The average cost of cutting down and burning off the trees, leaving the stumps of those over two feet in diameter, is 41. per acre in the low lands, where the timber is thicker than in the upland. Trees of smaller growth are usually "grubbed "out by digging around the roots till they can be easily overturned by the weight of the branches, and then the roots are drawn out of the ground. The roots of the larger trees are left two or three seasons, and then got rid of by an easy and simple process called "steaming." After the first expense of clearing this further process may be we omitted for several years. In many localities, espe cially on the lands best suited for wheat, there is little timber, and the expense of clearing is very much less. Generally there is enough timber of the best description for fencing, having the deb advantage of being very durable and being easily spa

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Except in occasiona patches of swamp lands, the average cost of clearing is from 21. to 5l. per acre.

TASMANIA.-The following is an estimate of the cost of preparing heavy forest land for the plough 1st year.-Scrubbing per acre, L., felling all trees not over a foot through, and "ringing" all large standing ones £1 10 0 Burning off same

- 0 10 0

Total per acre

- 0 10 0 - £40 €

CLIMATE.

The following remarks have been received from the authorities of the Canadian Dominion respecting the Climate of the five provinces:

Province of Ontario.

"In a country of such vast extent as Upper Canada, the climate varies materially. Throughout the agricultural or settled part of it along the St. Lawrence and the Lakes, and which extends from 50 to 100 miles in depth, the winter may be said to commence early in December. Snow usually falls in sufficient quantities in the eastern section of this range to afford good sleighing about the middle of that month, and to continue, with trifling exceptions, until the middle of March. In the western section, although we have occasionally heavy falls of snow, we are subject to frequent thaws, and sleighing cannot be depended upon except in the interior at a distance from the lakes. On the cleared lands the snow generally disappears about the middle of March, and the sowing of seed for the spring crops begins early in April and ends about the 10th of May. Ripe wild strawberries in abundance may be had by the last of June, and green peas and new potatoes are brought into market about the same time. In the southern parts the harvest commences about the last of July, and becomes general about the first week in August. The fall sowing of wheat and rye begins and should end in the month of September, as grain sown at a later period seldom does well. The weather during the fall months is generally remarkably pleasant except in November, during a part of which the climate resembles that of England during the same period."

From the head of Lake Ontario, round by the Niagara frontier, and all along the Canadian shores of Lake Erie, the grape and peach grow with luxuriance, and ripen to perfection in the open air, without artificial aid.

The grape is likely to be more generally cultivated. A vinery of some 30 acres has been started at Cooksville, 16 miles west of Toronto, and there are several other vineyards now in operation in the Niagara district, where wine is made.

Province of Quebec.

"The climate of Canada East, like that of the Lower Provinces, is unquestionably the most healthy in North America.

"Disease is unknown among the usual population, except that caused by inequality of diet or imprudent exposure to atmospheric changes. The extreme dryness of the air is shown by the roofs of the houses (which are covered with tin) remaining so long bright, and by a charge of powder remaining for weeks uncaked in a gun.

"It is supposed that the long winter is unfavourable to agricultural operations; and though the period during which ploughing may be carried on is shorter than in more favoured climes, yet there are many compensating advantages in the excellence of the snow roads, and the great facilities afforded thereby in conveying produce to market, in drawing manure, and hauling out wood from the forest.

"If the real excellence of a climate depends upor the earth yielding in perfection and abundance the necessaries of life or those which constitute the principal articles of food for man and the domestic animals, then Canada East may compare favourably with any part of the world. The steadiness and uniformity of the summer heat causes all grains and fruits to mature well and with certainty."

NOVA SCOTIA.

The climate is agreeable, and extremely healthy The weather is warmer, clearer, and drier in sumDe and colder in winter than in England. At Annapol it averages 6° warmer than the state of Massachusetts. and the winter is a month shorter than in Canada and New Brunswick. In Halifax and the eastern counties the mercury seldom rises in summer above 86° in the shade; and in winter it is not often down to zero. The province produces all the grain, roots, and fruits which grow in the middle and northern parts of Europe. It exports lumber, fish, coal, iron, gold, building stone, gypsum, and general agr cultural produce.

NEW BRUNSWICK.

Although the winters are somewhat severe (less so, however, than those of Lower Canada), the climate is exceedingly healthy.

On the shores of the Bay of Fundy there is much fog during the summer season, but this extends a short distance only into the interior. The city of St John is frequently wrapped in a dense sea-fog, whe the days are bright and cloudless at the distance of a few miles only.

There are no fogs on that coast of New Brunswick which is within the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the ar there is particularly dry and bracing.

In the interior of the province, the air is much warmer in summer than on the sea coast; and there is a greater degree of cold in winter.

The ranges of temperature are:

At St. John, on the Bay of Fundy, from 150 below, to 88° above zero. At Richibucto, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from 16° below, to 90° above zero At Fredericton, in the interior, from 20 below, to 95° above zero.

Course of the Seasons in New Brunswick.

The winter is fairly established at Christmas. In January, as in the other North American colonies, there is the usual thaw; in February is the deepest snow; which seldom exceeds four feet on the average in the northern portion of the province, and three feet in the southern portion. In March, the sun acquires much power, and the snow begins to melt. In the cleared country the snow disappears in April, and spring-ploughing commences; seed-time continues, according to the season, from the last week in April until the end of May. In June, the apple trees are in full blossom; in July, wild strawberries of fine flavour are ripe and abundant; haying then begins. In August, early potatoes are brought to market, as also raspberries, and other wild fruits. In September, oats, wheat, and other cereal grains are ready for the sickle; these are generally secured before October. The autumn is long, and the weather is then delicious; this is decidedly the most pleasant portion of the year. There are usually heavy rains in November, but when not wet, the weather is fine and pleasant; the rivers generally close during the latter part of this month, and in December winter again fairly sets in.

The average interval between the earliest sowing and latest ploughing, or mean length of summer, is six months and twenty-two days. Of this period,

the growth of wheat and crops of spring corn requires an average of three months and seventeen days. After reaping the corn crops there are generally about seven weeks clear for ploughing before winter sets in. Before the average sowing time in spring there are usually about six weeks, during which ploughing and other preparatory treatment of the land can be carried on.

The severe frosts in winter generally penetrate so deep into the ground, especially when it is not covered with grass, as to raise up and separate the particles from each other, to a considerable depth; so that when the thaw comes, it is already so loose and open as scarcely to require ploughing at all, or if ploughed, to be done with little force and great speed.

The manner in which all root crops thrive in the province is remarkable, and the frost by opening and pulverizing the soil, is one of the agents by which the large product is brought about.

The meteorological observations from which the following seasonal summary is compiled (from a diary kept by Gilbert Murdock, Esq.) were made in the city of St. John, New Brunswick (latitude 45° 15′ north, and long. 66° 4′ west), at an elevation of about 140 feet above high-water mark; and embrace a period of 12 years, commencing with December 1850, and ending with November 1862.