ideally suited to the growing of potatoes, which is the main crop, with 8,000 acres in production. Forage and cereal crops are also grown, and there are many dairy, beef, hog and poultry farms. The land is suitable for livestock grazing, and there are fine herds of cattle throughout the area.

Some 35% of the potato crop is processed, although not locally. The remaining 65% is exported overseas or to central Canada as table stock. For several years prior to 1980 the return to the farmers for their potatoes failed to match the cost of production, creating a growing con- cern for the future of this part of the industry, and the agricultural way of life generally. Happily, 1980 promises to be a good year, and the outlook for the family farm, which has been the basic factor in the development of the Prince Edward Island character and lifestyle, is good.

Tourism

Summer visitors have long been part of the Souris scene, as old pictures of groups of tourists outside the Seaview Hotel testify. Nowadays only a small proportion of the thousands of holidaymakers who crowd Prince Edward Island in the summer find their way to eastern King's County. Many of those who do are en route to or from the Magdalene Islands, whose ferry, the Lucy Maud Montgomery, makes daily arrivals and departures at Souris except on Tuesdays.

Tourists who fail to visit the Souris area deprive themselves of some outstanding attractions. There are excellent museums at Basin Head (fisheries) and Elmira (railways), operated by the Prince Edward island Heritage Foundation. Some of the best beaches in the province are near Souris, as, for example at Fortune, and Souris itself. The famous Ark, where research is done into low energy consumption food production, is at Spry Point south-west of Souris. The “tuna capital of the world" is said to be North Lake, a pretty harbour north-

east of the town. There are opportunities for boating and deepsea fishing. The countryside offers pretty drives on good roads along indented shore lines. and down to fishermen’s wharves at little ports in river estuaries.

Local music festivals, such as the Old Time Fiddlers' Festival at Rollo Bay, fairs, and sports meets enable visitors to mingle with local people and absorb the flavour of the rural Island culture. Lobster suppers and strawberry ice cream socials also abound in the summer season.

Tourist accommodations are also good. In Souris town the Lighthouse Inn and the Seaview Hotel offer old- fashioned hospitality, and there are several restaurants, which are clean and attractive. Just off the beaten track near Souris West is the Lord Rollo Motel overlooking the sea, and a little further to the east is the Sea Breeze Motel.

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The Harbourview Training Centre, a sheltered training workshop for mentally handicapped adults.

Souris and its surroundings offer visitors an unself- conscious charm unspoiled by tourist traps and plastic artificialities. The people are friendly, and the welcome mat is out.

Secondary Industry

While the foundation of Souris' prosperity will continue to be the primary industries of fishing and farm- ing, the scaffolding necessary for the erection of new structures of secondary Industry has been put in place by the development since 1977 of a Souris Industrial Park located on high ground on the northeastern borders of the town. Should the attraction of this facility prove irresistable to prospective enterprises the town will make significant advances in size and importance,

The Souris Area Industrial Commission, which developed the park, was incorporated by the Province of Prince Edward Island on July 18, 1977, under the terms of a then new provincial area industrial commission act. Its members are unpaid volunteers who have taken ad- vantage of government programs and resources designed to encourage industrial development in Prince Edward Island.

On February 11, 1978, after much study, and negotia- tions with the provincial government, the land for the In- dustrial park was purchased for $75,000. On September 12 of the same year the provincial government funded the commission in the amount of $440,000 to develop the park. Since then 13 acres of industrial land and 17 hous- ing lots have been serviced with an 8 inch water main, fire hydrants, paved Industrial roadways and 550 volt electrical power. The part of the site designated for fami- Iy dwellings has been zoned residential, and plans made for a green area and recreational and play grounds for family use. The lots have been carefully laid out to take advantage of the aesthetic possibilities of the site, with pretty views of the ocean and a rolling landscape. At the same time they are within walking distance of churches, schools, medical facilities and shopping services. Very close by is the Eastern King’s Arena and a new shopping mall.