[Illustration: {The Rocky Mountains}]

8. Then we began to descend. We ran through dark clefts in the rocks,
along the edges of steep cliffs, across rivers, and by the side of
lakes. High above us were the snowy mountain tops. It was all very grand
and very beautiful.

9. At last we left the mountains behind us and reached the plains. We
are now speeding over these plains. The country is as flat as the palm
of your hand. Here and there, far apart, I can see farm-houses. On these
plains the best wheat in the world is grown.

10. In winter the whole land is covered deep with snow, and the rivers
are frozen over. In April winter gives place to spring. Then the snow
melts, and the ice on the rivers breaks up.

11. No sooner has the snow gone than the wheat begins to spring up. The
wheat grows very fast and ripens very quickly. Much of it is sent to
Britain. Very likely the loaf which you ate for breakfast this morning
was made of wheat which grew on the plains of Canada.

[Illustration: Harvest-Time in Canada.

(From the picture by Cyrus Cuneo, R.I. By kind permission of the
C.P.R. Co.)]

12. In other parts of Canada there are forests which cover thousands of
miles of country. The trees in these forests are cut down, and are made
into planks which are sent to all parts of the world.