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It is very doubtful
whether people who have never lived in the Yukon can appreciate to any
accurate extent the climatic conditions which exist in this Territory
during the v inter and summer seasons. Some are under the impression
that the winter is extremely rigorous, and that the few hours of light
during the day render this season of the year anything but delightful.
It is quite true that at times the cold is intense, but at the same time
an exceedingly low temperature does not continue for a long period at a
time. The weather may be extremely cold for :i week or occasionally two
weeks, and then there is usually a milder period, when the thermometer
registers not more than 20 or 25 below zero. A temperature of from 15 to
25 below zero, with a few hours of sunlight, may be characterized as
ideal Yukon winter weather. The snow is fine and powdery, the air is dry
and crisp and the sky is clear. What may be termed the most depressing
period of the year is between the middle of December and end of the
first week in January. During this period the sun occasionally shines on
the surrounding hills, unless there is severe cold, in which case the
sun may not be seen for several weeks. By the middle of February,
however, there are usually a few hours of sunlight. The trails leading
from Dawson to pie different creeks are comparatively level, and by the
middle of January are in splendid condition for sleighing. Wrapped in
costly furs and seated behind spanking teams, many of the citizens of
Dawson avail themselves of this exhilarating form of enjoyment.
It has been well said
that the climate of a country is the sum and average of the weather. If
this be so, then a glance at the accompanying chart will convince the
most sceptical that a Yukon winter has its periods of moderation as well
as its periods of extreme cold, and that there may not be such an
unfavourable comparison with the climate experienced on the western
plains. (See opposite page 137).
A very low temperature
is usually accompanied by a thick fog, which hangs over the Yukon valley
to a depth of four or five hundred feet. While Dawson is enveloped in
this grey shroud the atmosphere surrounding the tops of the mountains is
quite clear, and at an elevation of S00 or 1,000 feet the temperature is
from S to 12 degrees warmer than in the valley.
Dawson is well
protected from winds by the surrounding mountains but as Shore is a
marked absence of winds throughout. the district, this condition may be
due in the fact that this part of the Territory is situated on the
extreme north of the Temperate. Zone, and therefore outside the range of
the anti-cyclonic area of the interior. Occasionally during the winter
the Chinook winds sweep across the Yukon valley; which would seem to
indicate the passage of a storm centre to the eastward, if we accept the
theory that the cause of these wind-is similar to that of the foelm
experienced in Switzerland.
One of the greatest
ranges of temperature within such a short period that has been
experienced in the Territory, or that has been shown by the official
records, occurred in February, 1907. On the 14th the temperature was 1
below zero, on the 15th it was 45 above, and on the I8th it was 45
below, a difference of 90 degrees within three days.
As is common in all
northern latitudes, the display of the Aurora Borealis is, at times
during the winter nights, magnificent. For a moment a flickering light
may be seen at some distant point in the sky, then with the speed of a
javelin flying from the hand of Achilles, there flashes across the sky a
streak of light, the end of which is lost on the opposite horizon. There
is an apparent twitching of the phenomenon, and in a few seconds waves
of light radiate in all directions. Vivid flashes overspread the sky. as
if 1 ethereal radiance 'were escaping from Prometheus' reed. The sky is
lit up with the lurid glare of this remarkable phenomenon, which writhes
and mists in all conceivable forms; at times presenting huge parallel
arches, then suddenly changing into the most irregular and fantastic
shapes.
The following is an
extract of a report on the climate of Dawson, by Air. F. F. Sinpart:—
'Spring may be said to
open towards the end of April, the last zero temperature of the winter
usually occurring about the fifth of this month. A lay, with an average
temperature of 44 degrees, is by no means an unpleasant month, and the
twenty-third is the average date of the last frost of spring. Daily
observations during five summers indicate that on the average the
temperature rises to 70 degrees or higher on 46 days, and to 80 degrees
or higher on 14 days; 90 degrees was recorded in Dawson in June, 1899,
and 95 degrees in July of the same year. These temperatures with much
bright sunshine and an absence of frost during three months, together
with the long days of a latitude within a few degrees of the Arctic
circle, amply account for the success so far achieved by market
gardeners near Dawson in growing a large variety of garden produce,
including lettuce, radish, cabbage, cauliflower and potatoes, and
warrant the belief that the hardier cereals might possibly be a
successful crop both in parts of the Yukon Territory and in the far
northern districts of the Mackenzie river basin. August 23rd would
appear to be the average date of the first autumnal frost, the
temperature rapidly declining during the close of this month. Although
night frosts are not infrequent in September, the month as a whole is
mild, with a mean temperature of 42 degrees. October may be fairly
termed a winter month, the mean temperature being but 22 degrees, and
the first zero of winter recorded on the average about the 18th.'
Professor John Macoun,
in a report on the climate and flora of the Yukon Territory, described
the effect of the Coast range of mountains on the climate, as follows:—
'Instead of the Coast
range being an injury to the interior, it makes the climate pleasant
both in summer and winter. The Yukon district has two climates, a wet
and cold one on the coast, which may be called the Alaskan climate, as
nearly all the coast region belongs to the United States. The climate of
the Yukon district in Canada is just the reverse, being dry and warm in
summer and cold in winter, with a light snowfall. Owing to the moisture
rising from the warm Japanese current being carried inland by the upper
southwest air current and striking the Coast range, this moisture is at
once precipitated on pie sea face of these mountains in the form of rain
or snow, and the air freed from its moisture descends on the Yukon plain
as dry air and having an increased temperature. It follows that the
rainfall must be light in summer and also the snowfall in winter.'
The following' table
shows the length of days at certain periods of the year between December
21 and June 21, namely:—
SPORT AND SCENERY.
To the tourist in
search of an ideal trip, to the sportsman in search of adventure and
abundance of large game, to the geologist or scientist desiring- to
study the enormous upheavals of the earth's crust and subsequent
transformations which have taken pi ale in this northern country, to
those who desire to come into close touch with pioneer life and view
some of the most wild and rugged scenery in the. world with the full
comforts afforded by modern transportation facilities, to the
mineralogist and capitalist who desire to see the most modern mining
machinery extracting gold from the earth under conditions such as exist
nowhere else in the world and who may desire to find a field for
profitable investment, it is doubtful if there is a part of any country
in the world affording such a wide field for exploitation and investment
as can be found in the Yukon Territory. Wider the heading of
transportation, we have shown what can be constituted a great circular
route from Pacific coast ports through the Yukon Territory and Alaska. A
beautiful inland voyage, a trip of 2,000 miles down the Yukon on
palatial river steamers, every part of the route marked by some landmark
of the adventurous explorers of the early clays or relics of the
thrilling escapades during the great rush of 1897 and 1898; and, if
desired, an ocean trip between St. Michaels and Seattle or San
Francisco.
We will now endeavour
to give the tourist an idea of this scenic route, and the hunter a few
facts concerning the abundance of game to be found in the Yukon,
VICTORIA OR VANCOUVER TO
SKAGWAY.
Sailing from Victoria,
Vancouver or Seattle, and seated on the deck of one of the luxuriously
fitted steamers plying along the Pacific coast from those ports to
Skagway, passenger;, and tourists enjoy what ' Official Bulletin No. 10'
published by the Provincial Government of British Columbia, designates
as ' the trip par excellence of the American continent.' We have not the
slightest hesitation, however, in assuring the prospective tourist that
the trip along the coast of British Columbia, when extended to the
Yukon, is the trip par excellence of the American or any other
continent. Travellers who have visited all parts of the world and have
admired scenery rendered immortal by poetic genius, have freely admitted
that the scenery along this unparalleled inland voyage not only equals
but excels even the beautiful fjords of Norway and the wondrous beauties
of the ' Isles of Greece.' The official bulletin we have just mentioned,
in describing the trip along the coast of British Columbia, says:—-
'Free from the cares
and conventionalities of every-day life, and breathing the very air of
heaven itself, you burst, like the ancient mariner, into an unknown sea
tilled with untold beauties, and sail over a bosom of waters unrutiled
as glass; among myriads of islands; through deep, rugged, rock-walled
channels; past ancient Indian villages, media-val glaciers, dark,
solemn, pine-clothed shores, snow-capped peaks, dashing cataracts,
yawning mountain gorges, spouting monsters and sea-v helps—away to the
north a thousand miles almost, to mix with the icebergs that once
floated under the sovereignty of the Czar of the Russias, but now drop
peacefully from ancient glaciers over which the American eagle holds
watchful guard—a continuous panorama in which the purest, the rarest,
the wildest, the most beautiful and the grandest forms of nature are
revealed.'
On the tints of Dyea
and at Skagway, which is reached in three or four days, the multitude of
gold-seekers landed [during the great rush. Where shiploads of supplies
were piled up in almost inextricable confusion there is now a well laid
out city and commodious wharfs. When the trains arrive from the north or
the steamers from the south, hotel porters jostle each other in their
noisy attempt to attract passengers. Busses are in readiness, and
passengers are rapidly driven to some of the well-equipped hotels in the
city.
SKAGWAY TO WHITEHORSE.
The passenger train
leaves Skagway at 0.00 a.m., and arrives at Whitehorse at 4.30 p.m. The
journey across the White pass is one of unique scenic grandeur. Quickly
passing from the railway yards at Skagway, the railroad follows the
Skagway river, passing through the canyon, and then commences the ascent
across the famous White pass, which was named by Mr. Ogilvie in honour
of the Honourable Thomas White, who was Minister of the Interior of
Canada between 1885 and 1888, and who authorized the expeditions to the
Yukon district in charge of Dr. Dawson and Mr. Ogilvie. Some remarkable
engineering feats were accomplished in the construction of this road
through the White pass. The distance from the bottom of the pass to the
summit is 21 miles, and the altitude is 2,052 feet. Clinging to the
rocks the railway winds its way up the precipitous mountain sides; on
one side a sheer wall of rock, on the other a yawning chasm through
which rushes a mountain torrent. Across a high cantilever bridge, Rhich
was substituted for a switchback, and through several tunnels in this
mountain fastness, the timber line is passed and the summit is reached.
At several points on the road a splendid view is obtained of the Skagway
valley, and on either side of the pal are serried and jagged rocky
peaks, which stand out in hold defiance like the battlements of some
ancient fortress. From the summit there is a gradual descent to the
north and the scenery changes. Professor John Macoun, describing this
part of the route, says:—
'Here we were above the
tree line, and bare mountain slopes, broken rocks, pools of water and a
truly Arctic or high mountain vegetation showed the climate to be cold,
while the stunted or broken trees lower down indicated the immense
snowfall, which is characteristic of the whole coast region.
'As we descended
towards Fake Bennett the vegetation rapidly changed, and stunted firs
gave place to small spruce and the high mountain shrubs and herbaceous
plants began to be replaced by forest species.....
'At Caribou crossing,
twenty-four miles from Bennett, without descending one foot, the whole
vegetation had changed and everything indicated a genial climate."
Describing the tract of
country between Fog Cabin and Bennett, a writer in 1899 says: 'Here the
valleys narrow and here they widen out. We begin to find the bogs, which
in the fall of '97 destroyed 1,700 horses engaged in packing to the
lakes. Though years have passed since then, the winding trail is passed
every now and again, and it has the appearance of having been used
yesterday. Sticking out of the bottomless mud we see forelegs and
hindlegs, with occasionally the still bloated body of some poor beast
who died in the service of man over a route which it was contended would
never be crossed in any other way—a time when any talk of a proposed
railroad was scoffed at and regarded as a good trail joke.'
The railway follows the
east side of Lake Bennett to Car-cross, at the foot of the lake. From
this point steamers run to Conrad, on Windy Arm, where there are
valuable quartz mines from which large quantities of ore have already
been shipped. There is very little change in the character of the
country between Caribou crossing and Whitehorse.
Whitehorse is situated
l>n the left bank of the Lewes river, at an elevation of 2,01)0 feet,
and is the terminus of the White Pass and Yukon Railway. It is also the
head of navigation on the Yukon river, and the terminus of the winter
stage route from Dawson. During the spring of 1005 the greater part of
the town vas destroyed by fire. The principal public buildings are the
post office building, in which are situated the offices of the Mining
Recorder and Crown Timber and Land Agent, the customs office and
telegraph office, erected at a cost of $05,000, and a public school at a
cost in the neighbourhood of $7,000. Whitehorse is also the distributing
point to the Kluane gold-fields, and several valuable copper properties.
Miles canyon and Whitehorse rapids are only a short distance from
Whitehorse, and are the scenes of many a wreck in the early days. AI any
lives were lost in shooting this turbulent portion of the Lewes, which
is well worth a visit.
'The distance from the
head to the foot of the canyon is five-eighths of a mile. There is a
basin about midway in it about 150 yards in diameter. This basin is
circular in form, with steep sloping sides about 100 feet high. The
lower part of the canyon is much rougher to run through than the upper
part, the fall being apparently much greater. The sides are generally
perpendicular, about 80 to 100 feet high, and consist of basalt, in some
places showing hexagonal columns.'
'The Whitehorse rapids
are about three-eighths of a mile long. They are the most dangerous
rapids on the river, and arc confined by low basaltic banks, which at
the foot suddenly close in and make the channel about thirty yards wide.
It is here the danger, lies, as there is a sudden drop and the water
rushes through at a tremendous rate, leaping and seething like a
cataract.' (Ogilvie.)
During the great rush
of 1897-98 hundreds of boats and scows made this perilous passage. The
following graphic description has been written of the experiences of the
thousands of reckless and resolute men, who fearlessly entered these
rapids regardless of danger, and without thought of the disaster which
befel many of them:—
'Fiftymile river
brought the migrating thousands to Miles canon and Whitehorse rapids
.... Put when our indomitable swarm of gold hunters arrived there, there
was only a momentary hesitation, and, the one behind the other, the
boats tiled into that tremendous first, section of the canyon, dodged
the whirlpool in the middle, rushed down the second section of the
canyon, tossed around for awhile in the seething waters of the Squaw
rapids, made that stupendous turn into Whitehorse, an extra grip was
taken on the oars, as with rapidly accelerating speed they plunged into
that final chaos of angry water, which landed them either safely below
or gave the life-saving station a quick ten minutes' work. All night and
day the procession continues. There being no darkness, there was nearly
as many passing there at midnight as at midday. Weeks and months the
procession continued, and only the ice of the fall put a stop to this,
the most stupendous feat ever performed by a non-aquatic stampede of
gold hunters.
'At the foot of
Whitehorse (rapids) boats were baled out, and clothes and provisions
laid out in the sun to dry after the drenching of spray just received.
Over Lake Laberge went the white fleet of unpainted boats, and then came
the final tug-of-war in Thirtymile river, which wrecked more brave
fellows in a day than Whitehorse did in a week. Sunken treacherous
rocks; a shallow rapid current reaching a speed in places of nearly ten
miles an hour; gravel bars over which the rapid waters were lashing into
foam which concealed protruding boulders and impassable shallows,
mammoth rocks standing in the river in groups, as if they would bar the
path of the intrepid miners and against which the current would dash
itself in impotent fury, carrying everything which floated upon its
surface with a devilish malignity and well-nigh irresistible force upon
those flinty points which could and often did break a heavily built scow
into two or three pieces with as great ease as a clay pipe stem can be
broken on an anvil with a blacksmith's sledge hammer. Few indeed were
the miners who passed there in the early summer without repeated
hairbreadth escapes both for themselves and their property. Felow
Thirty-mile was found the placid Lewes and mighty rolling Yukon, and
boats floated serenely on to the metropolis of the great Northwest, and
tied up to the shore, where boats were ten and twelve feet deep.'
WHITEHORSE TO DAWSON.
From Whitehorse to
Dawson there is an almost daily -en-ice of steamers, and the journey
down the Yukon river is now made with absolute safety on the splendidly
equipped steamers which ply on this route. The tourist or traveller has
ample opportunity of viewing the Thirtymile river, which has just been
described, Five Fingers and Fink rapids, and other interesting parts of
the journey. To the sportsman in quest of valuable trophies, the Felly,
the Stewart and the Peel—the latter a tributary of the 'Mackenzie—afford
excellent fields for sport. Mr. F. C. Selot, who has a world-wide
reputation as a hunter of big game, and who has captured many trophies
in the jungle and in the African forest, has visited the Yukon on
several occasions, and secured some splendid specimens of the big game
which are so abundant in many parts of the Yukon.
'Among the game animals
can be mentioned caribou, moose and mountain sheep. There are no goats,
deer or elk in the vicinity. The caribou is of the woodlands variety;
plentiful along the foothills of the mountains, travelling about during
the fall in large herds, the upper Klondike being a well known range of
theirs. A smaller variety, known as the barren ground caribou, inhabit
the Mackenzie river country. The moose, the largest wild animal in North
America, is well known in all the upper Yukon region, this section
furnishing the largest specimens obtainable. The horns of both caribou
and moose produced in this country are handsomer and more massive than
those found in other sections. A spread of five or six feet for moose
antlers is not uncommon, and most caribou head- will average over thirty
points, and are of most graceful contour.
'The mountain sheep of
the country is a very different animal than the Fig-Horn of the Rocky
mountains, being entirely white, younger animals having patches of grey.
They are peculiar to Alaska and the Yukon country, and although existing
here for years they have but recently been brought to the attention of
the scientific world, and as yet are very rare in outside collections.
They are often hut erroneously termed mountain goats, the resemblance
being their colour; the fleece and horns are totally different, even
"ibex" and "chamois" are terms likewise applied to them. Farther north,
in the barren ground- of the Arctic circle, is found the little known
musk-ox, which do not extend their travels to the Yukon.
'The lakes contain fine
trout, and the familiar pickerel. Brook trout are scarce, but the
handsome greyling are everywhere in the swift water, affording delight
to the Isaac Walton of the vicinity.
'Ducks, geese, cranes
and kindred species abound, for this is their natural rendezvous; but
even here in their chosen country they are of local distribution, very
plentiful in the low swampy sections where they breed, and almost
unknown in others except during migration. At this season of the year
(latter part of October) the majority of the ducks follow up the Yukon
valley while the geese choose the downstream route and follow the salt
water coast to California.' Sandhill cranes in great number, however,
pass Dawson in the fall, going up , the Yukon. They are often mistaken
for geese owing to their habit of travelling in Y-shaped Hocks and
columns, but can be easily distinguished from them by the high pitch of
their call note, and from the fact that a crane's flight consists of a
series of flaps and a long sail on extended wings- something not
observed with geese. The varieties of duck noticed are mallard,
pin-tail, long-tail, green wing teal, widegon, buttflr-ball, blue-bill,
golden eye, surf duck and harlequins.
"Grouse are well
represented by five varieties, the bine grouse of the heavy timber known
as looters, ruffed grouse, inconvetly called pheasant, Canada grouse,
sometimes called fool-hens, owing to their tame unsuspecting natures,
allowing themselves at times to be actually knocked over with sticks;
the harp-tailed grouse, the prairie chicken of the Northwest, and
several kinds of beautiful ptarmigan, a bird peculiar to cold countries,
of mottled brown coat in summer, changing in winter to rosy white. This
rose tint, however, is most noticable in life, since in market specimens
or mounted birds the bloum fades to immaculate whiteness.'
Hears are also
numerous, and comprise the small black variety, several specimens of
brown bear and the Alaskan grizzly, which attains a great size.
The sportsman who
desires to devote all his time to hunting, if he selects the Pelly
district, can leave the steamer at Fort Selkirk. Arrangements can be
made to obtain a guide either at Whitehorse or Selkirk, together with
whatever assistance may be required and the necessary outfit. There is a
small steamer makes an annual trip from Whitehorse to Foss Fiver trading
post, which is situated at the mouth of Ross river, and to go by this
steamer is the quickest and easiest was to reach any point in the upper
Pelly district.
If the Stewart district
is chosen, then it might be advisable to come to Dawson, obtain an
outfit, and take the steamer Prosjtrrlon which usually makes several
trips to Mayo and occasionally to Fraser falls. Mr. J. Keele, of the
Geological Survey, in his report of 1000 on the upper Stewart river
region says: 'At the month of Lansing river ATessrs. Frank Braine and
Percival Nash have, established a trading post, and a small band of
Indians live close by in cabins. Several Indians from Fort Hoodhopo, on
the Mackenzie river, make regular journeys to this point, trapping and
hunting along the route. A few white men make a regular business of
trapping on the Ross river and its branches.
''This region offers a
great field for the sportsman and explorer, most of the country between
the Stewart and Felly headwaters and the Mackenzie being quite unknown.
'Suitable boats or
canoes can be poled or tracked on the main rivers well up into the
watershed ranges. Several of the higher mountain groups offering
sufficient inducements to the mountain climber and huntsman are situated
within a day's journey from the river.'
Writing of the game in
the Pell river district, which is also reached by the upper Stewart, Mr.
Camsell, also of the Geological Survey, in his report says: 'Moose,
though found over the whole region explored as far as the delta of the
Mackenzie river, are ne\or as abundant as they are on the Yukon side of
the divide, and on the Peel river itself are rather scarce.
'Caribou are plentiful
everywhere in the vicinity of the mountain ranges, some even being found
on the plateau.
'Bears, both black and
grizzly, arc plentiful near the summit of the divide, and numbers of
them were seen all the way down the Peel river, and particularly on the
Mackenzie delta and in the mountains to the west of it. Numbers of white
mountain sheep were seen on both Braine and Nash creeks. In the mountain
section of the Wind river several of them were encountered on the hauls
of the stream, as well as the slopes of the valley. A small band was
seen on Mount Goodenough, west of the .Mackenzie delta, and they are
said to be abundant in the mountain range to the west of this; so that
the range of this animal covers the whole district explored.'
The tourist who does
not desire to enter the field of sport, will come direct from Whitehorse
to Dawson. There is splendid scenery all along the river, and many
picturesque and grand views; high benches, gravel terraces, partially
bare rounded hills, bluff's of rock and bold rampart-like cliffs.
Between Selkirk and Dawson the Yukon valley cuts through a high
undulating plateau. From the mouth of the Stewart to White river the
Yukon averages about a mile in width, and is filled with many beautiful
islands.
Five Finger rapids are
formed by several islands standing in the channel and backing up the
water so much as to raise it
Caribou in the Mountains, near the Head Water of the Klondike.
Mountain Sheep, a species of big game found in the Yukon.
about a foot, causing a
swell below for a few yards. The islands arc composed of conglomerate
rock similar to the hills on each side of the river, whence one would
infer that they had been a fall here in past ages.
'Six miles below these
rapids are what are known as "Kin rapids.'' This is .simply a barrier of
rocks, which extends from the westerly side of the river about half-way
across.'
Tourists and other! who
have visited Dawson are arguably surprised on seeing for the first time
the Golden Metropolis of the North. As the steamer swings around in the
stream, and gracefully steams alongside the wharf, the visitor is at
once impressed by the long line of wharfs and large warehouses.
Merchandise is being unloaded from steamers, which may just have arrived
from St. Michaels, on Behring sea. 1,800 miles from Dawson, or from
Whitehorse. On the upper river steamers there is invariably a large
quantity of mail which h handled as expeditiously as are the
consignments of an Atlantic liner outside Moville or Queenstown.
Instead of the
temporary business structures and rudely constructed dwellings, which
visitors expect to find in the Capital of the Yukon, there are many
commodious frame houses and beautifully furnished homes; spacious stores
behind the large plate glass windows of which are artistically arranged
the most up to date and high-class Canadian, English and American goods.
There is no one who visits Dawson but admires the handsome public
buildings in which the business of the different departments of
government is transacted. Government House and the Court House front on
the river, and are situated respectively on the north and south end of
the Government reserve. The Administration building is situated in the
rear portion of the reserve, and is surrounded by a well-appointed park,
around which maple, fir and other trees are planted. In front of the
building is a beautiful lawn, which during the summer is kept like a
bowling green.
Behind the
Administration building are the tennis courts, which are well
patronized. Baseball, football, cricket and other athletic games are
played on the recreation ground adjoining the south of the
Administration building.
Among the other
prominent buildings in the city are the two hospitals, one of which has
lately been built along the most modern lines. There is a Carnegie
library, containing over 5,000 volumes, amongst which are the most
recent works of all classes of literature and other valuable reference
books. This building contains a large general reading room, lecture
room, ladies'' reading room, and a room where miners and others can
transact business. Then there is the Dawson Amateur Athletic Association
building, in which there is a large skating rink, a curling rink,
gymnasium, reception room, billiard room, &c. There is a Masonic hall,
and a large hall belonging to the Arctic Brotherhood, in which banquets,
mass meetings and political meetings are held. There are also several
spacious hotels providing ample first-class accommodation for tourists.
In the principal
business and residential sections of the city arc wide and substantially
built sidewalks, upon which pedestrians can walk along the different
avenues from one end of the city to the other. The Canadian Yukon
Telegraph line extends from the boundary line 100 miles north of Dawson
to Vancouver, a distance of over 2,000 miles. There is a morning and an
evening newspaper, and each issue contains a greater amount of
telegraphic, despatches than can be found in any paper on the American
continent published in a city of twice the population of Dawson. There
is telephonic communication with all the principal creeks in the
Klondike district, and miners fifty miles from Dawson can at once
communicate with any of the business houses in the city.
From Dawson tourists
can visit any part of the Klondike goldfields, and see the famous claims
on Bonanza and Eldorado which have produced such enormous wealth.
"Within a short
distance of Dawson the
visitor Inn see the various, mode- of placer mining, huge dredges
handling every day thousands of cubic yards of auriferous gravel, and
hillsides being washed down by hydraulicking. A splendid trip can als.o
be made up the Stewart river as far as Fraser falls on the steamer
Prospector. If, however, the time of the traveller is limited, a few
days can be spent in Dawson, and the journey down the Yukon can be
resumed on some of the lower river steamers to St. Michaels. On the 21st
of June hundreds of people climb the mountain behind Dawson to see the
midnight sun, which disappears only for a short time. On the lower
river, however, as soon as the steamer enters the Arctic circle, the sun
can be seen the whole twenty-four hours. The scenery on the lower river
Somewhat resembles the scenery between Whitehorse and Dawson, with the
exception of the Yukon flats. On this stretch of the route the river is
about sixty miles wide and filled with islands. From St. Michaels
passage can be taken on ocean steamers to ports on the Pacific coast.
SYNOPSIS OF GAME
ORDINANCES.
Except as provided, the
following beasts and birds shall not be Minted, taken, killed, shot at,
wounded, injured or molested in any way during the following times of
the year respectively Muskox, elk or wapiti, moose, caribou, deer,
mountain sheep or mountain goats, between the first, day of March and
the first day of September in each year;
Grouse, partridge,
ptarmigan, pheasants and prairie chickens, between the fifteenth day of
March and the first day of September in each year;
Wild swans, wild ducks
and wild geese, snipes and pipers or cranes, between the first day of
June and the first day of Sept ember in each year.
No one person shall
have the right, to kill during the same season, except as hereafter
provided, more than two elk or wapiti, six moose, two musk-oxen and six
deer.
Any person who kills
any of the above beasts shall report himself at the Mounted Police
detachment on his way to Dawson or the creeks, and declare his name, the
number of beasts killed and the place where he killed them.
All members of the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police are game guardians; and any game guardian
may call upon any person at any time found in the possession of game to
state when, where and from whom it was obtained, and whenever he has
reason to suspect that any person is illegally in the possession of game
he shall have the right to inspect any bag, or other receptacle, vehicle
or other means of transportation in which he supposes it to be, and any
person refusing, molesting or obstructing the said game guardian in the
accomplishment of such duties is liable upon summary conviction to a
penalty not exceeding $100 and costs, and in default of payment to
imprisonment not exceeding one month.
Any of the beasts or
birds hereinbefore mentioned may be lawfully hunted, taken or killed,
and eggs of any of the birds or other wild fowl so mentioned may be
lawfully taken,—
1. By explorers,
surveyors, prospectors, minors or travellers who are engaged in any
exploration, survey or mining operations, or other examination of the
Territory, and are in actual need of the beasts, birds or eggs for food.
2. By any person who
has a permit to do so granted by the, Commissioner or any officer or
person duly authorized by him, permitting such person to take or kill,
for scientific purposes, or to take with a view to domestication, am
number, not exceeding four of Bach of tho said beasts or birds, or to
take eggs not exceeding twelve of each of any of the said birds or of
any other species of wild fowl.
Every such permit shall
set forth in detail the name, address or calling of the person to whom
it is granted, the object for which it is granted, the number of each
species or eggs which it is intended such person may kill or take, and
the period of time during which the permit is to be in force.
It shall be unlawful
for any person to use poison or poisonous substances for the purpose of
taking or killing any birds or beasts of any kind whatsoever, and the
fact that any person places any poison or poisonous substances in such a
position that it may be reached or taken by any bird <>r beast shall be
proof that is was used for such purpose, and shall be deemed an offence
against the provisions of the game ordinance.
Every person who has in
his possession without lawful excuse during the closed season any beast,
bird or eggs, killed or taken during such close season, shall be liable
on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding $500, and in default of
payment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.
EDUCATION.
A superintendent of
schools for the Yukon Territory was appointed in 1902, and in the same
year a general system of education was inaugurated throughout the
Territory. The course of study prescribed is similar to that adopted by
the new provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, 90 teachers are employed
unless they hold at least a second-class certificate, with normal
training, and efforts have been made to employ only specialists in the
Dawson public school. The teachers in this school have been selected
from some of the best, educational institutions in Canada.
The high school branch
of the Dawson public school was instituted in 1D0:. There are two
teachers in charge of this branch, one a specialist in classics, modem
languages and history, the other a specialist in mathematics and
science. In 1904 a laboratory was established with apparatus and
materials for the prescribed work in physics and chemistry. In the high
grades of the Dawson high school the course of study prescribed by the
University of Toronto for pass and honour matriculation is carefully
followed, and candidates were prepared for university matriculation in
the years 1905 and 1906. As a result of the examinations, several
candidates were awarded honours in Classics, Mathematics, English,
Physics and Chemistry.
There are eight rooms
in the Dawson public school, three of which are devoted to high school
purposes, and one to the kindergarten, the latter being supplied with
complete equipment for this work. Fire exits are provided for every
room, and a regular fire drill is practised by the pupils, who can be
out of the building in half a minute after the sounding of an alarm.
In certain districts
where the number of children does not warrant the establishment of a
regular school under the provisions of the school ordinance, regulations
have been made by the Commissioner for the establishment of ' assisted
schools,' but the average attendance must be at least five pupils
between the ages of six and sixteen, and the course of studies
prescribed by the Council of Public Instruction. Teachers of c assisted
schools' are also appointed subject to the approval of the Commissioner
and Superintendent of Schools.
AGRICULTURE,
Though the agricultural
resources of the Yukon are beyond doubt of considerable economic value,
yet it must not lie considered that the territory is suitable for
occupation, at the present time, by a large number of agriculturists
depending absolutely upon this industry. A large agricultural community
can only exist in a country where the produce of such an industry can be
disposed of at a reasonable profit, or where access can be obtained to
markets at a distance, provided transportation rates will permit of fair
competition. In the Yukon the principal industry is mining, and
agricultural development must necessarily proceed according to the
requirements fits the population engaged in the mining industry. Farming
operations can only be successful so long as those who are engaged in
agricultural pursuits produce no more than is required for consumption
within the Territory. Up to the present time, however, the number of
agriculturists is not sufficient to supply the local demand for farm
produce, and the quality of some of the products is not quite equal to
the imported article; but as Professor Macoun has pointed out in his
report on the Yukon, ' these matters will right themselves in time, but
the climate must not be blamed for the ignorance of the cultivator.'
Careful and systematic farming operations, with due regard to the
peculiarities of the climate, would abolish the importation into the
Yukon of many of the agricultural products required by the people of
Dawson and surrounding district. If hay, oats, potatoes, &c., were grown
in such quantities as would supply the local market, the price would be
much less than is paid at the present time for imported products, the
transportation rates would be avoided and the consumer would derive the
benefit. Instead of the people of the Yukon paying large sums' outside
of the Territory for these products, the agriculturists in the Yukon
would transact the business, and the money would be retained in the
Territory, and probably invested in such a way as would aid in its
future development.
It was computed by Dr.
Dawson in 1907 that within the drainage area of the Yukon, as far north
as Port Selkirk, there was an area of 60,000 square miles, of which a
large proportion might be utilized for the cultivation of crops, and in
which cattle and horses could be maintained for local purposes. Since
that time there have been discovered other important agricultural
districts, which would afford ample scope for farming operations, and
the extent of territory available for agricultural purposes is greatly
in excess of the area computed by Dr. Dawson. It might be interesting to
quote here an extract from Dr. Dawson's report of 1887, showing how much
lie was impressed at that time by the agricultural possibilities of the
Yukon; and it is also important to note that his remarks had immediate
reference to the Felly river district and the valley of the Lewes:—-
'To instance a region
which produces the general conditions of the Yukon district and adjacent
northern portions of British Columbia, we must turn to the inland
provinces of Russia, to which allusion has already been made in
connection with climatic features. The province of Vologda, in European
Russia, appears to offer the nearest parallel. It is circumstanced
relatively to the western shores of Europe as is this district to the
western shores of the Nortli American continent. Its area is 155,498
square miles, situated between the 5Sth and G5th degrees of latitude.
The climate in both cases is a continental one, in which severe winters
alternate with warm summers, and the actual degrees of cold and heat, so
far as our information goes, are not dissimilar. There is no very heavy
rainfall in either region, such as we find near the western coasts
bordering on the Atlantic and on the Pacific respectively. The
agricultural products from the province of Vologda are oats, rye,
barley, hemp, flax and pulse. The mineral products comprise salt,
copper, iron and marble, but the precious metals do not appear to be
important, as in the Yukon district. Horses and cattle are reared, and
the skins of various wild animals, as well as pitch and turpentine, are
among the exports. The population of the province is 1,161,000.'
There is no reason why
the agricultural products grown in the province of Vologda should not be
grown equally as well in the Yukon. During the past few years
comparatively large quantities of oats, potatoes and vegetables have
been grown along the Yukon valley, particularly in the vicinity of
Dawson, and in nearly all cases excellent results have been obtained. It
is computed that the quantity of potatoes grown near Dawson last season
and placed on the market aggregated 200 tons. It has been estimated that
the population in the Yukon consumes annually over $200,100 worth of
potatoes. During the present winter potatoes were sold at a fairly low
rate, and in the spring it was found that there was a scarcity in the
market. In the latter part of April one family near Dawson, who had held
his stock of home-grown potatoes during the winter, sold 13½ tons at 13
cents per pound, which brought him a round sum of $3,000. Potatoes grown
in the Yukon are quite equal in size to the importerted product, and
when the proper kind of seed is planted in suitable soil and attention
is given to the cultivation, potatoes can be grown fully equal in
quality to the best outside product. The best quality of potatoes so far
have been grown on the islands in the Yukon river. On the land
surrounding Dawson, either in the valleys or on the benches, potatoes of
good quality can only be grown after the land has been cultivated for a
few years. On an island in the Yukon river at Ogilvie 175 pounds of
potatoes were planted on the 12th of May, 1900, and by the first or
second week in September the crop was ready for lifting, and yielded
5,000 pounds. The ground was ploughed as early in April as the frost
would permit, stable manure and about 300 pounds of lime per acre being
applied. The potatoes were planted as near the surface as possible, and
hilled up as the vines grew. It is estimated that during the present
season a much larger quantity of potatoes will be grown than in former
years, and some of those interested in agriculture predict that within
the next few years there will be a sufficient quantity of potatoes grown
to supply the market. Besides what is required for the local market, a
considerable quantity of potatoes is shipped every year to Fairbanks,
and other points in Alaska.
On an island in the
Yukon at Ogilvie three or four buihels of oats per acre were sown about
the first of May, and harvested about the middle of August. The yield
was about two ton- of oat-hay per acre, which was sold at an average of
$50 for ton. Native hay, averaging one and one-half tons per acre, was a
so harvest el about July 15.
About thirty miles up
the Stewart river is what is known as the Mazie May ranch, owned by M R.
Samuel Henry. Mr. Henry allied for this land in 1897, and in the summer
of that year harvested 20 tons of native hay. During the last five years
about 100 acres have been under cultivation! and crops of oat-hay have
been annually taken from the land. In 1902, 125 tons of oat and native
hay were cut and sold from this ranch. Mr.Henry says he has no
difficulty in selling all the hay he can grow. The native hay is cut
about the middle of July and the oat-hay about the first of August.
After the hay is harvested it is placed in stacks for about three weeks,
and then baled in a 10 by 18 baling press. It is then shipped to Dawson
by steamer, if possible, and if a steamer is not available it is brought
down the river on rafts. The rate for carrying this hay to Dawson, a
distance of about 100 miles, is $7.50 per ton. Mr. Henry has also grown
rye and barley, but finds the oat-hay most profitable. A mixed lot of
S00 pounds of timothy, clover and red top, was sown on a piece of well
cultivated land of about eight acres, but the result was unsatisfactory.
Clover seems to grow well in a wild state around Dawson, and there does
not seem to be any reason why it should not grow equally as well on
cultivated land if it is properly seeded- Mr. Henry is of opinion that
much of the seed may have been lost by being covered too deeply. Last
year the native hay grown on this ranch was sold at from $55 to $60 per
ton, and during the present winter the oat-hay was sold at $110 per ton,
when outside hay was selling at $120.
In the fall, as soon as
the crop has been taken from the ground, it is ploughed to a depth of
about six inches. As early in the spring as possible the land is
cultivated, a disc harrow being used to cut and pulverize the sod. The
seed is then sown, covered with a square-tooth harrow and rolled in. The
price of oat seed in Dawson at the present time is six cents per pound,
and 100 pounds of oats are sown to the acre.
The following is a
list, of the implements on this ranch, namely: 5 ploughs, 2 disc
harrows, 1 spade harrow, 2 mowers, 2 snlkv rakes, and 1 steel haling
press, 16 x 18.
In discussing the price
of agricultural implements. Mr. Henry says that the importation of these
articles is very expensive. For instance, the original cost of the steel
haling press was $350, but before it was delivered on the ranch it cost
$1,800, or two and a half times the original cost.
At the head of Flat
creek, about sixteen miles from Dominion, there is a ranch of 100 acres,
on which are grown oat-hav, turnips, potatoes, vegetables, and a large
quantity of native hay is also harvested. On this ranch there are eight
cows and a bull, hogs, poultry, &c. Dairy farming is carried on on a
small scale, butter being made, for -which there is a ready demand on
the creeks in the locality. Besides the native hay required for the
cattle, a large quantity is sold to freighter-. It is estimated that
along the Flat creek valley there are twenty square miles of good
agricultural and meadow land. Of the large quantity of excellent native
hay which grows wild in this valley, only a comparatively small quantity
is harvested, apart from tin1, ranch, some freighters cutting only as
much as is required, under permit, for feed for their horses. There are
also several farms situated along the Klondike valley.
About four miles up the
Pelly there is a farm of 100 acres, which supplier oat and native hay to
the roadhouses along the winter trail, and also to cattlemen who drive
cattle over the winter trail in the spring, the hay for the cattle being
placed at different points along the trail. Most of the root crops grown
in this vicinity are disposed of at the roadhouse- aloud the trail. Oats
have been ripened and threshed in the Pelly district, but not to any
great extent.
In the Duncan and Mayo
districts sufficient garden produce is grown to fill the requirements of
the community: and sufficient wild hay is cut to supply the local
demand.
The following is an
extract from a report by Professor John Macoun on the Yukon Territory:—
"... July 16th 1
crossed the Yukon by the ferry, and visited the gardens and farm in West
Dawson. The gardens are on the Hat along the Yukon, and seem to have
been established before any others in the district. Everything was in a
forward state for the season. Munro's farm is on a hill about 300 feet
above the river, and about a mile west of the gardens alongside of it.
Here was actual farming, and besides the usual garden vegetables there
was at least 25 acres of oats which had been sown for fodder. To the
north of the oat fields 25 acres were cleared and were being broken up
for a summer fallow.
'On August 6th I again
visited this farm, and found a marked change in the growth of the oats.
Some of the seed had been sown late and some early, but the greater part
late and on freshly broken ground. As a result of this the crop was
patchy, and tall and short grain grew in close proximity. The land
ploughed the year before produced the earliest and best growth of straw.
'Nearly all the grain was in the milk, but where there evidently had
been a crop last year 1 pulled up specimens of wheat, barley and oats
that were far advanced towards maturity. Fine specimens of oats were
gathered that were colouring and had very remarkable grain. Instead of
one full grain and an abortive one in the fascicle there were always two
and often three. This condition I had never seen before, but it, seems
to be universal at Dawson, as later I noticed it in other fields.
'On August 23, I again
visited Munro's farm in West Dawson. lie was then cutting his oats for
fodder. In his late stoats the Volunteer barley was all ripe, and this
was not sowed until -June 5. In this case the barley ripened in 70 days.
Tallies in my possession show that there is no frost from May 23 to
August 23, or 91 days.
'Owing to the high
latitude of Dawson, 61° 15' north, the altitude of the sun above the
horizon is never very great. In.' nearly three months, however, there is
scarcely any darkness and the sun is above the horizon over
three-fourths of the time. The rainfall and snowfall are both light.
This light deposition, combined with so much sunshine, gives much
warmth, and on exposed soil great evaporation. These conditions are so
varied that while on one side of a creek there may be two or more feet
of moss and beneath that permanent frost, on the other side the soil may
be so exposed to the sun that no moss can exist, and only the deepest
rooting' grasses can maintain a foothold. Hence people talking about
deep mosses speak of land facing the north, while those who claim
irrigation is necessary have in their minds terraces exposed to the sun.
This being the case, any one writing on the subject of vegetable growth
or the production of crops must take all the circumstances into
consideration.
"... From what I saw of
growing crops I am satisfied that the soils are good. That in the river
bottoms was alluvium, overlying the river gravels. On the hills the
soils seemed to be chiefly loams, with sometimes sand in greater or less
proportion. As no glacier action had taken place, the soils were very
local in character, and largely resulted from the disintegration of the
rocks of the locality.
'All attempts at
cultivation were apparently successful, even in the Dawson swamp. When
the ground is properly worked, the soil mixed, and the ice or frost
stratum in late summer is found at a depth of eight or ten feet, there
will be a complete revolution, and all crops will mature much earlier. I
took notes during the seven weeks I was at Dawson of the growth of all
cultivated grains and vegetables, and below will be found my remarks
written at the time. Everything, be it native or exotic, grew
surprisingly, and while I never found any cultivated thing a failure, I
must say the same of weeds. In every case they were a success, and
numbers of them were natives of California.
'White clover, alsine
and red clover, as well as timothy, grew wonderfully well by road side
and on dry soil. In the swamp muck of Dawson much of the clover on
lawns, sowed in the swampy soil, looked yellow and had a sickly
appearance.
Timothy acts similarly;
when sowed in the bog it is sickly and yellow looking, while along dry
roads in the woods or on the hillsides it is quite tall and has a seed
head from two to three inches in length.
'Barley is certainly
well suited to the Yukon district. On August 6, on the farm of West
Dawson I found grain quite hard mixed with oats that were much later in
appearance. On the I8th August I visited the gardens in West Dawson
along the Yukon, and found oats being cut for fodder. Mixed with the
oats were many Barley heads fully ripe and others that had hard grain.
In all cases the grain was large. West Dawson was again visited on
August 21, and 'Mr J Munro was then cutting his oats for fodder. In his
latest oats the Volunteer barley was all ripe, and this was not sowed
until June 5, so that the ripening of barley at Dawson is an assured
fact.
Oats do well
everywhere, but are seldom even a fair crop on ground just broken up and
then seeded. In all cases I found good oats where sown on second year
cultivation. The grain was earlier, taller and better in every way. On
August 9, I found self-sown oats on Munro's farm on West Dawson fit, to
cut, but only a few bunches on dry ground. Barley was ripe at the same
time under the same conditions. This showed me that up to that date
there had been enough heat to ripen oats and barley if sown early on dry
soil.
'In the matter of wheat
I do not speak positively, but I believe that after a few years wheat
will ripen on all fairly warm soils, although at present its ripening is
doubtful. As far as my investigation wont I could find no person who had
sown wheat. Mr. Munro had sown oats grown somewhere in the United
States, and he informed me that he was led to believe that the wheat
mixed with it was spring wheat. Instead it nearly all turned out to be
fall wheat and only made leaves, stooled out, and its roots penetrated
the soil to a remarkable depth, and so remained when 1 saw it on August
23. That it will ripen next summer is to me a certainty, and I trust Mr.
Munro has not ploughed it all under. Of the spring wheat I may say it
was generally taller than the oats, but scarcely as ripe. All the ears
were filled to the tip with grain, and the grain was filled out and
since has hardened so as to give the appearance of ripe grain. Since my
return to Ottawa I have had the grain tested, and the report on the
Yukon wheat received from the grain tester, Mr. Ellis, of the
Experimental Farm I'm, is as follows: 100 grains planted; 100 grains
germinated; 100 grains made vigorous growth. Germinations very quick and
growth exceptionally good.
'When grain ripens in
the country and is again sown there, it will take on the conditions of
its environment and mature earlier, and early frosts, like those
attributed to Manitoba, will have no effect as the crop will mature
before they come. I may remark here that the wheat in the Northwest
ripens earlier now than it did twenty years ago, and many people believe
it is the climate that has changed, whereas it is only the wheat that
has adapted itself to its environment.' (Macoun.)
Writing of the
agricultural possibilities of the Yukon, Dr. Dawson says, that to-day
the Yukon Territory may well be characterized by the term which has boon
employed in connection with the Mackenzie basin, a portion of Canada's
great reserve' ... In the future there is every reason to look forward
to the time when this country (Yukon) will support a large and hardy
population, attached to the soil and making the utmost of its
resources.'
At the present time,
however, wc can only say that t ie development of agriculture must
necessarily depend upon the development of the mining industry. Under
existing conditions the Yukon agriculturist could not possibly compete
in outside markets. The price of labour is high, and for competition in
agricultural products, distance and transportation rate- re prohibitive.
HORTICULTURE.
Many islands in the
Klondike valley and along the Yukon have been cleared and made into
gardens, in which vegetables of excellent quality are grown. Last season
a comparatively small quantity of vegetables were imported, the market
gardeners near Dawson being almost able to supply the demand. The seeds
of nearly all vegetables are sown in hot-homes early in February, and
then transplanted to cold frame boxes, where plants which are intended
to be planted outside are strengthened and prepared for outside
planting.
Cabbage plants are sold
at $2 per 100 in boxes containing that quantity, or in larger boxes at a
similar rate. As soon a-cabbages weigh about a pound each they are
placed on the market, at 50 cents a head. Later in the season, however,
is they increase in size, the price ranges from 15 cents to 6 cents per
pound. Yukon cabbage is placed on the market early in August. Between
the opening of navigation and the first of August this vegetable is
imported, and sold at from 20 cents to 8 cents per pound according to
quantity and competition.
Lettuce grown in
hot-houses are sold in Dawson about the latter part of March at 25 cents
per bunch. For a short time the demand will reach about 100 dozen per
week at this price. In a few weeks, however, the price is reduced to two
bunches for 25 cents, and then the demand increases to about lid dozen
per week. In summer the usual period between the time of transplanting
and the time when the lettuce is placed on the market is three weeks.
The leaves are exceedingly crisp and tender.
Messrs. Paddock
Brothers, of Dawson, have about 10,000 feet under glass. Last year this
firm sold over half a ton of tomatoes at from 75 cents to 50 cents per
pound; and they have 1,000 tomato plants, which they expect will yield
about 20 pounds per plant during the coming summer. It is expected that
ripe tomatoes will be on the market in Dawson by the first of July. The
Yukon tomatoes are quite equal in quality to what is grown on the
outside, and some weigh as much as one pound each. Tomatoes grown in the
hot-houses near Dawson are not placed on the market until they are
almost ripe, whereas imported tomatoes are shipped green and lose much
of their flavour.
Nearly all other
vegetables are grown in sufficient quantities to supply the market.
Cucumbers are ready by the first week in April, and are sold at from 75
cents to 50 cents each. Celery is ready for the market by the 00th of
June, and sells from 50 cents to 25 cents per bunch. 1'eas are also
grown in large quantities, and range from 40 to 15 cents per pound.
Writing of the growth
of garden produce in the Yukon valley, Professor Macoun says: 'Growth of
Vegetables is so rapid and vigorous that to a person coming from the
east it is simply astounding. When I reached Dawson on July 10 early
cabbages were being cut, and on August 5 their weight ranged from 3 to 5
pounds. On the 22nd, when I made my last visit, hundreds of matured
cabbages and cauliflowers had been cut and sold. 1 measured the two
lower leaves of a cabbage cut the day before, and these placed opposite
each other had an expansion of 3 feet 9 inches with a breadth of 10
inches. I cannot call this even an average one as there were hundreds
larger but later in maturing. Cauliflowers were from 6 to 10 inches in
diameter, but I was told larger ones had been cut.
'No doubt the constant
daylight gives the force necessary to expand the growing organs of the
vegetables in cultivation, but behind the long day are climatic
condition^ that as yet are little, understood which in my opinion are
the prevailing factor in this wonderful growth.'
Flower seeds are also
sown under glass, and the more sensitive varieties can be replanted in
the open by the 24th of May. Mist flower seeds, however, can be sown in
the open ground l>y May 10. Florists say that much of the soil in its
natural state is detrimental to the bloom of giant lift, and that it
requires to be well worked before successful results can be obtained.
They prefer the soil taken from the inlands and bars along the river
valleys. This soil requires very little treatment, and with some
additional fertilizer will produce almost any flower grown out of doors;
which mature before September 1st.
The Iceland poppy grows
splendidly in the Yukon. and when once planted it seeds itself and
continues to spread. In some cases the pansy and pink also bloom without
replanting, even after a very severe winter.
The bloom and foliage
of all plants are strong, bright and (dean. Sweet peas will grow from 9
to 12 feet in height. Canary creeper and Japanese hops will run from 9
to 12 feet in a season, while the nasturtia grow very rank with foliage
of immense size.
The bloom of the
stocks, asters and nicotine cannot be surpassed in quantity or quality.
TIMBER.
A few years ago there
was a large demand in the Yukon for lumber. A large quantity was
required for the const ruction of houses, for city improvement, for the
construction of flumes to carry water from streams to the different
mining claims to which water rights were appurtenant, and for the
construction of sluice-boxes and power-houses erected in connection with
mining plants installed 011 the principal creeks. The establishment of
a. mining camp of the magnitude of Dawson, and the enormous quantity of
lumber required within such a comparatively short period, created great
activity in the lumber industry, and the four sawmills in Dawson,
aggregating a capacity of 0(>,000 feet, were working night and day
during the summer season.
The demand for lumber
in Dawson may be said to have reached that point where the output is
governed by the quantity required for maintenance of buildings and other
improvements in the city. On the creeks, however, the operations of
large companies necessitate a continual supply. Dredges, parts of which
are native lumber, are being constructed, several large water grants
necessitate the construction of great lengths of flume, reservoirs and
impounding dams are being built, and the general repair of water
conduits already constructed may be said to have considerably increased
the demand on the creeks for lumber. The Yukon Consolidated Gold Fields
Company erected a sawmill on the Twelvemile last fall, of a capacity of
o0,000 feet, and have boon manufacturing their own lumber during the
past winter.
An enormous quantity of
timber has been cut in tin1 Klondike district for mining operations.
Wood is the only fuel that has been used up to the present time in
thawing the frozen ground, and it is, therefore, an essential factor in
the developing and working of claims. At one time a certain quantity of
wood piled on a claim was accepted as representation under the old
placer mining regulations. Under the Yukon Placer Mining Act, however,
this mode of representation was abolished, and in the computation of the
value of work as defined by the schedule of representation, the cost of
wood used for fuel has been included. In consequence of the enormous
quantity of timber used as fuel in connection with mining operations,
nearly all the timber of any importance has been cut on the creeks in
the Klondike district proper.
Large quantities of
excellent timber are cut annually on the upper Klondike for lumber and
fuel, and floated down the Klondike river to Dawson, where the logs are
caught in booms adjacent to the sawmills, and the smaller timber is
piled on the beach for fuel. Besides the supply from the upper Klondike,
good timber for fuel is found in the Indian river district, and along
the tributaries of the Yukon north of Dawson. From Indian river the wood
is brought down the Yukon in rafts, which are moored along the Dawson
water front, and from the district north of Dawson it is hauled over the
ice h\ sleighs during the winter.
There is also a large
extent of timber along the Stewart and Pelly and their tributaries.
Owing to the distance from Dawson, however, very little of this timber
has been cut except what is required for mining purposes on the creeks
and tributaries of these rivers. Writing of the timber on the upper
Stewart, Mr. J. Kecle, of the Geological Survey, in his report of 1006,
says:—
'The principal forest
trees are white and black spruce, balsam, poplar and birch. The limit to
which trees grow 011 the mountain slopes varies from 1,800 feet to 2,800
feet above the river.
'The white spruce is
the most valuable tree, and furnishes good timber for building and
mining purposes. The best groves of this tree are found on the islands
or 011 the alluvial flats along the river, but good specimens occur in
scattered, groups on the slopes to a height of 2,000 feet above the
river in the lower valleys.
'There is a marked
deterioration both in the size and appearance of the spruce as the more
ortherly branches of the river are approached.
'The balsam fir occurs
only on the valley slopes mixed with spruce, beginning at an elevation
of about 1,200 feet above the river and continuing upward to the limit
of trees. On the slopes of the Ogilvie range, however, the balsam
disappears entirely, its northern limit in this area being about the
forks of Uackla river.'
On the Pelly river
between the Macmillan and the Lewes in northern exposures are thickly
wooded. There are numerous groves close to the river, with good spruce
up to two feet in diameter. Spruce of the same size is also found along
the upper Pelly, but not so plentiful. On -Moose creek there is a
beautiful grove of jackpine. The grove is about two miles in length, and
the trees will average about sixteen inches in diameter. It is
considered that the best timber in the Territory i- situated on tin1
Macmillan, a tributary of the Pelly. The Macmillan is well timbered for
about 100 miles from its mouth, the breadth of valuable timber along the
valley being about, half a mile in many parts. The spruce is straight,
tall, and averages about twenty inches in diameter; some have a diameter
of about three feet. The trees carry the size well up, and furnish five
twelve-foot logs to the tree.
""The prevailing trees
on the river-flats of the Pelly are cottonwood, aspen, alder, spruce and
willows.
The open season in the
Yukon Territory is characterized by its great drought at the time the
mining operations can be best conducted. During the early part of the
season, in the month of May, there are occasional rains of many hours'
duration, which increase the water supply very materially. During the
month of dune there are no rains, and according to past records none are
expected between the first week in .Tune and the fifteenth of -July.
During that time the mining operations depending on rains for their
water supply are at a standstill. The fall rains commence about the
first week in August and continue until the freeze-up.
THE SNOW FALL.
On account of the
dryness of the atmosphere and the severe cold the snowfall is extremely
small. The first snows of any account come in October, although at that
time the hilltops are already covered for many days before. If the
temperature i> colder than ten below zero Falir. one cannot expect any
snowfall. The snowfall comes at intervals during the winter when the
temperature rises above 10 below zero. The depth of snow varies with the
temperature. In extremely mild winters there are fifty inches, but on
the average the depth does not exceed, thirty-six inches.
THE TEMPERATURE.
The temperatures
hereunder given were taken from the official records kept by the lioyal
Northwest Mounted Police. The table shows the average maximum and
minimum temperature for each month. The average temperature of the month
was deduced from the daily temperatures. The accompanying sketch Rows
the fluctuation of the temperature during the months of November,
December, January, February and .March, in the year 1905-1906.
THE GRADE OP STREAMS.
The grade of streams,
one of the most essential conditions neeessarv in a placer camp, is a
subject which has received, within the last few years, a lot of
attention. All pumping plants but two have been replaced by ditches and
Mines Avliere grade was sufficient to conduct the water from the
neighbouring tributaries. The gradients of the gold-bearing streams are
seldom found sufficient for the disposal of the tailings from the mining
operations without resorting to artificial means. It is exceptional to
find a gold-bearing stream where the natural grade can be used to
advantage in sluicing operations.
TABLE SHOWING THE GRADE
OF STREAMS.
STREAM VOLUMES.
The expression 'a
sluice-head' is a favourite one of the miner.-, meaning the amount of
water that twill be sufficient to wash the output of four men shovelling-in.
In other words, it is the amount of water that will £0 through a box 10
by 12 inches set on a 9-inch, to the box length, i.e., 12 feet, grade,
and the depth of the water in the box to be 5 inches.
The volumes of all
streams in the Yukon Territory vary a great deal with the seasons. We
have Hood time, high water, mean water, below mean and low water. The
flood time of the main tributaries of the Yukon river is during the
latter part of the month of May and the beginning of the month of June,
while the Hood time of the Yukon river itself is during the second week
of the month of June. The small gokl-bearing tributaries have their
flood time during the month of .May.
The reader will find in
the accompanying table the approximate volumes of the principal streams,
including the gold-bearing tributaries, in the Yukon Territory, as
measured by the Government mining engineer.
The streams in the
Conrad district are torrential during the months of June and July. These
streams are practically dry during the -winter. |
