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- VICTORIA ILLUSTRATED. 41
in Alberini as high even as 450 bushels ; oats, 50 to 75 bushels ; hay up to three tons, and turnips 20 to 30 tons. Vegetables of all
classes make wonderful returns. On many persons not accustomed to such things, doubtless the density of the forest has a discouraging
effect. The idea of having to clear their way through gigantic forests alarms them, and, almost immediately they begin to count the cost,
frequently concluding that the expense of clearing would be more than they can afford, and, indeed, for which they will not be likely to
obtain anything like adequate remuneration.
It is very true that it would cost in the vicinity of $100 per acre to clear many farms ; that is, provided the trees be ruthlessly
disposed of. But the timber ought not to be so destroyed, and in many instances it would be a source of considerable profit to the land
owner to clear the less thickly wooded portions of his holding and wait for the opportunity of marketing his logs. On almost all land
holdings, say of 160 acres, there are some 25 to 30 acres that might easily be cleared at not more than $25 to $30 per acre. From this the
farmer can raise far more produce than he requires, and can live?-as many people on this island already do--almost within himself. If
his means be limited, he can gradually extend his clearance, and all the time his property is increasing in value. Many of the cattle
upon this island are of the choicest breeds. In certain parts they can be turned out all winter, and in the opinion of so high an authority
as Professor Saunders, of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, can always be found in the best of condition. The prospects for the small
farmer, within a reasonable distance of Victoria, are among the most promising. His fruits and vegetables (a great portion of the local
supply now comes from California and Washington, or is grown by Chinamen) would always have a ready sale. His facilities for disposing of
them are being much improved by the construction of the Victoria market, and the favorable feeling in the same direction that elsewhere
prevails.
The climate here is particularly well adapted to poultry raising. According to Professor Saunders, the mildness of the climate lengthens
the period for laying, and the pullets commence to produce eggs at a much earlier period than they do elsewhere, all that is required
being the obtainment of the best varieties and careful attention to them. Eggs and chickens are always wanted and the prices paid are most
remunerative, a remark which will also apply to fruits and vegetables. The quality of these products is unsurpassed anywhere. In the past
it has been said by many people that though they might produce and sell these articles at good prices, it did not pay to peddle them. But
there will be no need for this, as far as Victoria is =concerned, which, as has been mentioned, will shortly be possessed of one of the
best appointed public markets on the coast. This institution will be a boon to farmers and town residents alike, and will render it
unnecessary for the latter to be dependent for so large a proportion of their supplies upon an element in the community with which they
have little sympathy ; while they will obtain them much fresher and in a more regular manner. The dairy farmer who aims to cater for city
custom, has a splendid field in the vicinity of Victoria. The Messrs. Tolmie and others, have clearly demonstrated that there is a very
great deal in it ; nevertheless by far the greater part of the Provincial supply of butter and cheese comes from Ontario and the Sound
country. The grain grown on the Island of Vancouver and in the Delta district, Fraser river, is regarded by Professor Saunders, of Ottawa,
as of exceptional quality and yield. Wheat, barley and oats, more particularly two-rowed
MAIN EXHIBITION BUILDING OF THE B. C. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
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