AGRICULTURE. The kind and quality of soil vary greatly with the underlying geological for mation, but it is generally fertile, though much of the surface is too hilly to admit of profitable cultivation. In most of the valleys, and in the diked districts, for instance at the head of the Bay of Fundy, the fertility is of a high grade. Originally, the whole area was covered with forests, of which about one-half has been removed. The nature of the forests is not uniform, but they usually consist of both hard and soft woods. On the Bay of Fundy the species are largely confined to spruces and firs, as a consequence of the cold winds of that region. Spruce, fir, and tamarack also pre vail in the' western part of the province. But farther eastward the hard-wood varieties, such as maple. beech, ash, and birch, prevail, interspersed with spruce and pine. The elm abounds in the river valleys, and with it are found the birch and red maple. In 1902 a law was passed for the establishment of a large national park and game preserve at the sources of the Tobique, Nipisiguit, and Miramiehi rivers. The destruction of the for ests in New Brunswick, as in the other Maritime Provinces,seemsfto have had a climatic effect quite different from that which usually follows, namely, the rainfall increases, resulting in the growth of the soft woods—balsam, spruce, and tamarack—in the region where the hard woods were removed.
Agriculture is the leading occupation. but it has not reached extensive proportions. The natu ral growth of marsh bay the valleys supplies an abundant and valuable bay product. About 180,000 acres are devoted to oats. 'Buckwheat, potatoes, and wheat are next in importance in the order named. The conditions especially favor the growth of turnips and other root crops. On the other hand, the climate is rather too severe for the large fruits, except in certain regions like the valley of the Saint John, where the hardier varieties are successfully grown. The smaller
fruits, however, are abundant, and, ripening late, are put on the New England market at monopoly prices. The situation of the province on the sea board gives it a marked advantage in marketing produce.
Considerable attention is given to the raising of sheep, and more especially cattle, and in very recent years there has been a decided growth in the dairy industry.
\TANE•F:\GTl'RI\G AND COMMERCE. Dominion, provincial. and munieipal aid has greatly facili the construction of railways; the mileage for all lines aggregated 143s miles in 1900. The Canadian Paeilic connects the province with the railroad systems west by running west, from saint John and (Tossing the State of „Maine. The IntercoIonia] enters time province front Que lwe Im the north and traverses the east side of the province, one branch connecting. with titbit John. The position of New Brunswick on the Atlantic coast. and the large number of excellent harbors, greatly favor its commercial advantage. The foreign trade of the province passes through the port of Saint John. Regular ship lines nect this port with Atlantic coast points to the south, and With European countries. In 1900 the merchant marine consisted of 122 steamers and :05 sailing vessels. the total net tonnage being 78.700. Lumber is the chief article of export. The manufacture of lumber and of prod ucts lead the manufacturing industries. Ship building. which was formerly important, has been all hut discontinued. The manufacture of pulp. on the other hand, is assuming large portions, and the future of the industry is assured, because the supply of wood used for this practically ble. In 1900 time creameries in the province munimered 33 and the cheese factories 54.
In 1900 there were 43 banks. with 7e0• depositors and an average deposit 14 $353.46. In the same year there• were five Government savings banks, having 15,SS7 depositors, with an average of $396.20.