The Forest Trees, so far as known, particularly the spruces and other trees of proved utility for general purposes, with some account of the hardwoods in the province, and of the distribution of serviceable woods, for export over-sea, or to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains, when the railway is finished Page 90 to 94. A consideration of the facts above presented, suffices to show that the country, naturally, is highly favoured in many respects. British Columbia, it is manifest, is not a country with "one string to its bow." The climate is very attractive. The province is not agricul tural and grazing only, but has mines, fisheries, and forests, probably more valuable than has been realized. Its fine harbours are open throughout the year. The geographical situation of British Columbia, moreover, is favourable to commerce. The "Alta California" newspaper says "That these new settlements are yet to become competitors for the trade of the east, if not the commercial supremacy ' of the Pacific, it were useless to deny." 66 PART II. BRITISH COLUMBIA COMPARED WITH OTHER The progress of the north-west is one of the most remarkable events on the North American continent within the last decade. is an index of the future. It British Columbia (British), Washington, Oregon, and California (American) are the four principal countries on the Pacific Ocean side of the continent. These are fine countries, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. British Columbia, upon the whole, is the best of these countries to settle in, for the following substantial reasons. The demand for labour is great, and wages high. Taking the whole year round, or taking a series of years, the climate is more healthy and enjoyable. The wheat, barley, and hops of British. Columbia beat those of California, and her root crops beat those of Oregon. Her grass-fed beef and mutton are the best on the continent. British Columbia has more coal and better coal, finer harbours, superior fish, sounder trees. Her mineral lands, containing precious metals, are very extensive. The public domain is sold cheaply; the taxation is immensely less; titles are securer; the Government maintains free unsectarian public schools; the laws are better carried out; the people have as much political freedom as any people can desire. The prosperity of the country is due to two main causes. (1.) The steady growth of legitimate industries and trade. (2.) The construction of the western section of the Canadian Pacific railway, which is now being carried on vigorously, from the seaboard of the province, eastward to connect it with the Canadian system of railways. annual expenditure on public works in British Columbia is about three millions of dollars. WHO SHOULD COME. The General advice can be given only as to the classes of emigrants. The application of this advice to special cases must be the business of each individual himself. The same qualities are necessary to success here, as elsewhere. Any other notion will lead to disappoint ment. We cannot at present encourage the emigration of more than a few professional men, such as lawyers, doctors, surveyors, and civil engineers, unless they have money beyond the expected earnings of their profession, and are prepared to take their chances after arrival. Clerks, shopmen, or those having no particular trade or calling, and men not accustomed to work with their hands, if without means of their own, would probably meet with disappointment, and, perhaps, hardship. Tutors, governesses, housekeepers, needlewomen, and women generally above the grade of domestic servants, should not go alone to the province at present, and they should not go at all, unless to join friends or relatives able to maintain them for some time after arrival. For men there A good woman servant might soon make money. is an open field with no favour. For women an, open field full of favours. Unfortunately it has been found that some of those women who have reached the province have been tickle. Many of them have been disinclined to go to country work, and some have "tiptilted" their noses at everything. Surely, however, the right class can be found, when wages are so good. Men who hang about the Government offices in search of "appointments" are nuisances in all colonies. This class is not wanted. The urgent requirements of the province at the present time are men and money, the labourer, the mechanic, the real farmer, dairyman, fruit-grower or stock-raiser, and the large and small capitalist. Every man who is able and willing to work with his hands can find employment at good wages, especially those who are fitted for railway work. There is scarcely an industry in the province that is not, at present, hampered by the scarcity of labour. Railways, public works, mines, mills, logging-camps, fisheries, and farms-all require more labour. Any smart, active, capable man, with only a little money, but accustomed to work with his hands, is sure to succeed in making a comfortable home in British Columbia. Wages are very high; land, food, and house materials are still, relatively, cheap. If such a settler has a strong heart himself, and is blessed with a common-sense wife used to country work, he may confidently look forward to becoming even rich. He need not long remain in the condition of a labourer. This certainty of rising in the social scale must stimulate the emigrant. Many new avenues to success will be opened when the railway is finished, and men should be here to discover these for themselves. To farmers' sons, or persons with moderate means, qualified for the life of a settler in a new country, who cannot see openings in older countries—who cannot go up, because the passages are blocked-who cannot go down because their habits and pride forbid, the varied resources of the country would seem to promise success, if they avoid whiskey, and are industrious and patient. Farmers themselves, with limited capital, who are uneasy about their own future, and that of their children, and are prepared to |