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Un dee symbolee suivants apparaftra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". iVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirety included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, plenches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmfo A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* d partir de rangle supArieur gauche, de geuche A droite, et de haut eii bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcassaira. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 p/^f^t re L 3 K^{ lf'1 e'ssiV^ie* mmi^i x.>M^ -'S^kiffi: THI C. v^ - ' 9 ' THE VISIT OF THE TENANT-FARMER DELEGATES TO CANADA IN 1890. ; I I r ) ' THE REPORTS OF Mr. W. EDWARDS, Ruthin. Wales; Mr. G. HUTCHINSON, Brougham Castle, Penrith; Mr. WM. SCOTSON, Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, near Liverpool; And Mr. J. T. WOOD, The Court, Halewood, near Liverpooli ON The Agricultural Resources of Canada:— Prince Edward Island ; Nova Scotia ; New Brunswick ; Quebec; Ontario; Manitoba; North-West Territories; and British Columbia. Published by authority of the Government of Canada (Oepartment of Agrioulture). 1891. e v^-'9 ^^ - J d.H :\ A « I..>B .iS)^;!- CONTENTS. x^RKFAOB t>i •(• ••• •.. Mb. WrtLiAM EowABDs's Repobt Mr. Geohob Hutcoiksom'b Refobt Mb. William SootoOw's Rbfobt Mb. John T. Wood's Report ... PAon r» 13 88 C2 74 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Farm Scene in MA>riTonA— The Beresford Stock Farm 4 View op Qceueo !3 Plouoiiino 16 Farm Scene, Manitoba 22 A View in Stanley Park, Vancodver 25 CiTT OP Victoria 2C Prairie Scene 31 RocKT Mountains, Bow River 32 THRBsniNo AT Sandison's Fabm, Brandok 36 Farm Soenb 38 Ranch Scene, Alberta 40 Vancouver 48 Shebbrooke, Eastern Townships 47. Citt of Halifax 60 An Ontario Vineyard at East Hamilton 61 Parliament Buildinos, Ottawa 64 Toronto .. 6G Wheat Stacks, Manitoba 69 Habvestino at Sandisom's Farm, Brandon 60 A Fabmhouse in North- West Territories (Dnm-n by Colonel FaneJ... 63 Govbrnmbnt Buildinos, Ottawa 72 Apple Orchard, East Hamilton, Ontario ... - 73 A View in London, Ontario 76 Experimental Farm, Ottawa 77 An Ontario Farm ... 79 Plouohino at Sandison's Farm, Brandon 86. A Farmhouse in Manitoba (Z>rawn iy CoZone/ Fane) 87 PAGIi! C 13 88 52 74 4 13 IS 22 25 2G 31 32 86 38 40 43 47 60 51 54 56 59 60 G3 72 73 76 77 79 86. 87 i § In o£ PREFACE. In August last the High Cominisaioner for Canada, by direction of the Minister of Agriculture, invited the following gentlemen, who are all connected with the agricultural industry in the different parts of the United Kingdom in which they reside, to visit the Dominion of Canada, to report upon its agricultural resources, and the advantages the country offers for the settlement of farmers and farm labourers, and the other classes for which there is a demand : — Mr. George Brown, Watten Mains, Caithness, Scotland; Mr- Arthur Daniel, 172, Dereham Road, Norwich, Norfolk ; Mr. "Wm. Edwards, Euthin, Wales ; Colonel Francis Fane, Fulbeck Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire ; Mr. G. Hutchinson, Bropgham Castle, Penrith, Cumberland; Mr. E. R. Murphy, The Kerries, Tralee, Ireland ; Mr. Robert Pitt, Crickett Court, Ilminster, Somerst- 1 ; Mr. Wm. Scotson,Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, near Liverpool, Tjancashire; Mr. H. Simmons, Bearwood Farm, Wokingham, Berkshire ; Mr. John Speir, Newton Farm, Newton, Glasgow, Scotland; Major Stevenson, Knockbrack, Goshaden, Londonderry, Ireland; Mr. J. T. Wood, The Court, Halewood, near Liverpool, Lancashire. The reports, if published together, would make rather a bulky volume, and it has been decided, therefore, to divide them into four parts, as under : — . . i Part I. will contain the reports of Messrs. Edwards, Hutchinson, Scotson, and Wood ; Part II., the reports of Messrs. Daniel, i'ane, Pitt, and Simmons; Part III., the reports of Messrs. Brown and Speir, from Scotland ; and Part IV., Messrs. Murphy and Stevenion, from Ireland. Any or all of these volumes may be obtained, post free, by persons desiring to peruse them, on application to Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., G.C.M.G., C.B., High Commissioner for Canada, 17, Victoria Street, London, S.W.; or to any of the agents of the Canadian Government in the United Kingdom, whose names and addresses are as follows : — Mr. Jqhn Dyke, 15, Water Street, Liverpool ; Mr. Thomas Grahame, 40, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow; Mr. John W. Down, Bath Bridge, Bristol ; Mr. H. Merrick, Victoria Chambers, Victoria Street, Belfast ; Mr. T. Connolly, Northumberland House, Dublin. Copies may also be obtained from the steamship agents, who are to be found in every village. m lla Tht Agricultural Uetoureet of Canada, In addition to these reports, an official handbook of information is innued by the Dominion Government, and approved by the Imperial Government, which may also be procured, post free, on application to any of the Government agencies. It contains particulars of a statistical and general nature about the country, its resources and trade ; the classes for which there is a demand in the Dominion, and which are confldently invited to settle in the country ; the prices of provisions and other necessaries ; the rates of wages that are paid ; and a more detailed description of the various provinces than can be given in the space at the disposal of the Tenant Farmers' Delegation. It is regretted that the delegates, except those from Ireland, were not able, owing to the limited time at their disposal, to pay a visit to the Maritime Provinces; but the pamphlet mentioned above, and others that are issued, supply full information in regard to those parts of the Dominion. The agents of the Government will be glad to supply any in- formation that may be desired as to the trade, industries, and varied resources of the Dominion ; and persons contemplating settlement in Canada are advised, as a preliminary step, to place themselves in com- munication with the nearest Government agent. In Canada the Government has agents at the prihcipal points throughout the country. The following ft a list : — QcEBEO Mr L. Statford, Loaise Embankment and Point Levis, Qaebec. ToBOMTO Mr. J. A. Donaldson, Strachan Ayenne, Toronto, Ontario. Ottawa Mr. W. J. Wills, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario. MoNTBBAL Mr. J. J. Dalbt, Commissioner's Street, Montreal, Province of Quebec. Shbrbrookb Mr Henry A. Elkinb, Sherbrooke, Province of Qaebec. KiMOSTON Mr. R. Macpiierson, William Street, Kingston, Ontario. Hamilton Mr. John Smith, Great Western Ry. Station, Hamilton, Ont. London Mr. A. G. Smvtii, London, Ontario. Halifax Mr. E. M. Clay, Halifax, Nova Scotia. St. John Mr. S. Gardner, St. John, New Branswick. WiNNirso Mr. Tiiohas Bennett, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mr. J. E. Teto, St. Boniface, Manitoba. Brandon Mr. A. J. Baker, Office at the Railway Station. Reoina Mr. J. T. Stbhshorn. Calgary Mr. F. Z. C. Miquelon. Port Arthur Mr. J. M. McGovern. Victoria, B.C Mr. John Jessop. VANConvBR, B.C Mr. Morrison Sutherland. These officers will afford the fullest advice and protection. They should be immediately applied to on arrival. All complaints should be addressed to them. They will also furnish information as to lands "^v open for settlemfint in thoir respcctlvo provinces and dintrictft, forms for Hiili), {ieiiijind for oniploymiiit, nitcs of wa^os, routes of travel, (listancoH, oxpeuscs of coiivoyauce, and on all other matters of intersHt to settlers, and will receive and forward letters and remittances for .settlers, &c. The following ore the land regulations prevoiling in the different provinces of the Dominion : — Prince Edward Itland, — The availablu uncultivated and vacant Qovemment land ia eatimatcd at about 45,000 acres. These consist of forest lands of medium quality, the very best having, of course, been taken up by the tenants in the ilrtt instance, and their price averages about one dollar per acre. Parties desiring to sottlo upon them are allowed ten years to pay for thoir holdings, the purchasc- luonoy to hour interest at 5 per cent., and to be payable in ten annual iustalmonts. Nova Scotia. — There are now in Nova Scotia about two millions of acres of ungranted Government lands, a considerable quantity of which Is barren and almost totally unfit for cultivation ; but there in some land in blocks of from 200 to 500 ai:reB of really valuable land, and some of it the best in the province, and (juite accessible, being very near present settlements. The price of Crown lands is $40 (i.'8 sterling) per 100 acres. New Brunswick. — Crown lands may be acquired as follows:— (!•) Free grants of 100 acres, by settlers over 18 years of age, on the condition of improving the land to the extent of £4 in three months ; building a house 16 ft. by 20 ft., and cultivating two acres within one year ; and continuous residence and cultivation of 10 acres within three years. (2.) One hundred acres are given to any settler over 18 years of age who pays £4 in cash, or does work on the public roads, &c., equal to £2 per annum for three years. Within two years a house IG ft. by 20 ft must be built, and 2 acres of land cleared. Continuous residence for three years from date of entry, and 10 acres cultivated in that time, is also required. (8.) Single applications may be made for not more than 200 acres of Crown lands without conditions of settlement. These are put up to public auction at an upset price of 48. 2d. per acre ; purchase -money to be paid at once ; cost of survey to be paid by purcha«er. Quebec. — Lands purchased from the Government are to bo paid for in the following manner : — Une-fifth of tie purchase-money is required to bo paid the day of the sale, and the remainder in four equal yearly instalments, bearing interest at per cent. The price at which the lands are sold is from 20 cents to GO cents per acre (15d. to 28. 6^. stg.). The purchaser is required to take possession of tho land sold within six months of the date of the sale, and to occupy it within two years. He must clear, in the course of ten years, ten acres for every hundred held by him, and erect a habitable house of the dimensions of at least 16 ft. by 20 ft. The letters patent are issued free of charge. Tho parts of the Province of Quebep now inviting colonisation are the Lake St. John district; the valleys of the Sagnenay, St. Maurice, and the Ottawa Rivers; the Eastern Townships; the Lower St. Lawrence ; and Gospe. Ontario. — Any head of a family, whether male or female, having children under 18 years of age, can obtain a grant of 200 acres ; and a single man over 18 years of ajce or a married man having no children under 18 residing with him, im- / ~ 8 The Agrieultwal Resources of Canada, can obtain a grant of 100 acres. This land is mostly covored with forest, and is litnate in tlie northern and north-western parts of the province. Sach a person maj also purchase an additional 100 acres at 60 cents per acre, cash. The settlement duties are — to have 15 acres on each grant cleared and under crop at the end of the first five years, of which at least 2 acres are to be cleared annually ; to build a habitable house, at least 16 feet by 20 feet in size ; and to reside on the land at least six months in each year. In the Rainy River district, to the west of Lake Superior, consisting of well-watered uncleared land, free grants are made of 160 acres to a head of a family having children under 18 years of age residing with him (or her) ; and 120 acres to a single man over 18, or to a married man not having children under 18 residing with him; each person obtaining a free grant to have the privilege of purchasing 40 acres additional, at the rate of one dollar per acre, payable in fonr annual instalments. Manitoba and North- West Territorieg. — Free grants of one quarter-section (160 acres) of surveyed agricultural land may be obtained by any person who is the sole head of a family, or by any male who has attained the age of 18 years, on application to the local agent of Dominion lands, and on payment of an office fee of $10. At the time of malcing entry the homesteader must declare under which of the three following provisions he elects to hold his land, and on making applica- tion for patent must prove that he has fulfilled the conditions named therein :» 1. By making entry and within six months thereafter erecting a habitable house and commencing actual residence upon the land, and continuing to reside upon it for at least six months in each year for the three next succeeding years, and doing reasonable cultivation duties during that period. 2. By making entry for the land, cultivating it for three successive years, so that at the end of that period not less than 40 acres be under cultivation ; residing for at least six months in each year during that time within a radius of two miles of the homestead ; and erecting a house upon the homestead and residing in it for three months next preceding the application for patent. 8. By making entry, and within six months from the date thereof commencing the cultivation of the homestead ; breaking and preparing for crop within the first year aot less than five acres ; cropping the S'iid five acres, and breaking and preparing for crop not less than 10 acres in addition . Lethbridge Touchwood Winnipeg Edmonton Calgary Prince Albert Agency. a a o a \ a o Q a S 2 J op Post Office Address of Agent. )> II II Winnipeg, Manitoba. Minnedusa, Birtle, Brandon, Deloraine, Regma, Assiniboia, N.W.T. Pr. Albert, Saskatchewan, „ Cannington, Assiniboia, „ Battleford, Saskatchewan, „ Calgary, Alberta, ,| Edmonton, ,, » Lethbridge, ,. „ Saltcoats, Assiniboia, „ Winnipeg, Manitoba. Edmonton, Alberta, N.W.T. CalgaiT, Alberta, „ Pr. Albert, Saskatchewan, „ 10 The Agnmliural Retoureea of Canada, Britith Columbia. — In thifl province any British subject who is the head of a family, a widow, or a single man over Iti yours, may, by paying a fee of 8s. 4d., acquire the right, from the Provincial Government, to not more than 320 acres of Crown lands north and east of the Cascades, and 160 acres elsewhere. The price is 4s. 2d. an acre, payable by four annual instalments. The conditions are — (1) personal residence of the settler, or his family or agent; (2) improvements to be made of the value of IDs. 6d. an acre. Lands from 160 to 640 acres may also be bought at lOs. (jd. an acre, without conditions of residence or improvements. The Esquimau and Nanaimo Eailway Syndicate have not yet fully arranged the terms upon which they will dispose of their unoccupied lands. They own about 1,500,000 acres, but they are much broken up by rock and mountains. The land belonging to the Dominion Government begins near the sea-board, runs through the New Westminster district, and up the Fraser valley to Lylton ; thence it runs up the Thompson Biver valley, past Kamloops and through Eagle Pass, across the northern part of Kootenay district to the eastern frontier of British Columbia. The country is laid out in townships in the same way as in Manitoba and the North-West Territories. The quarter-sections may be pur- chased at a price now fixed at $2.60 (10s.) per acre, subject to change by Order in Council. They raav be " homesteaded" by settlers who intend to reside on them. A registration fee of .^10 (£2) is c^harged at the time of application. Six months is allowed in which to take possession, and at the end of three years, on proof of residence and cultivation, he acquires a patent on payment of $1 per acre for the land. If preferred, the homesteader can hold his land for the first two years after entry by cultivating from eight to fifteen acres (the former if the land is timbered, and the latter if it is not so encumbered). During the three years next thereafter he must reside upon it as well as cultivate it. Homestead grants of 160 acres (price $1 per acre) can also be obtained for the culture of fruit. In case of illness, or of necessary absence from the homestead during the three years, addi- tional time will be granted to the settler to conform to the Government regulations. These conditions apply to agricultural lands. The Dominion Land Agent for British Columbia is Mr. H. B. W. Aikman, New Westminster. In addition to the free-grant lands available in Manitoba and the North-West Territories, several companies have large blocks of land which they offer for disposal at reasonable rates, from $2.50 up to SIO per acre. Among others, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (Land Commissioner, Mr. L. A. Hamilton, Winnipeg) has about 14 millions of acres ; and the Hudson Bay Company (Land Commissioner, Mr. Lawson, Winnipeg) has also a considerable area. The same remark applies to the Canada North- West Land Company (Land Commissioner, Mr. W. B. Scarth, M.P., Winnipeg) and the Manitoba and North- Western Eailway Company (Land Commissioner, Mr. A. F. Eden, Winnipeg) ; and there are several other companies. The Alberta Coal and Railway Company also own nearly a million acres of land in the l)istrict of Alberta. The prices of these lands vary according to position, but in most cases the terms of purchase are easy, and arranged in annual instalments, spread over a number of years. pril in of to \ P "see. 11 In all the provinces improv ou farms may be purchased at reasonable prices — that is, farms on which buildings have beon erected and a portion of the land cultivated. The following are the average prices in the different provinces, the prices being reguhited by the position of the farms, the nature and extent of the buildings, and contiguity to towns and railways: — Prince Edward Island, from £4 to £7 per acre; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, from £2 to jCIO; Ontario, from £2 to £20; Manitoba and the North- West Territories, from ^£1 to £10 ; and British Columbia, from £2 to £15. These farms become vacant for the reasons which are explained with accuracy in many of the accompanying reports. They are most suitable for persons possessed of some means, who desire more of the social surroundings than can be obtained in those parts of the various provinces in which Government lands are sti)^ available for occupation and settlement. Canada has already assumed an important position as an agricultural country, and the value of its exports of such products alone now nearly reaches $40,000,000 annually, in addition to the immense quantity required for home consumption. The principal items of farm and dairy produce exported in 1889 — the latest returns available — were: Horned cattle, 385,708,126; horses, «2,170,722; sheep, $1,263,125; butter, $331,958; cheese, $8,915,684; eggs, $1,851,503; flour, $646,068; green fruit, $1,604,203; barley, $6,464,589; pease, $1,449,417 ; wheat, $471,121 ; potatoes, $287,763. In many respects 1889 was not a favourable year, and if other years were taken, the exports, particularly of food-stuffs, would be considerably larger than those given above. Besides the articles specially enumerated, a con- siderable export trade was done in bacon and hams, beef, lard, mutton, pork, poultry, and other meats, as well as in beans, Indian corn, oats, malt, oatmeal, flour-meal, bran, and tomatoes. The chief importers of Canadian produce at the present time are Great Britain and the United States, but an endeavour is being made, and so far with success, to extend the trade with the mother country, and to open up new markets iij other parts of the world. The products of the fisheries, the mines, and the forests are also exported to a large annual value; and the manufacturing industry is a most important and increasing one, especially in the eastern provinces, and includes almost every article that can be mentioned. In many of the reports mention is made of the money system, and the weights and measures, obtaining in the Dominion. The dollar, which is, roughly speaking, of the value of 4s. 2d., contains 100 cents, equal to |d. each. The following are the coins in use : — Copper, 1 cent ; 12 The Agricultural Resources of Canada. silver, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. Paper money is also much in use, and is redeemable at any time at its par value. The following are the standard weights of a bushel of the various pro- ducts: — Wheat, 60 lbs.; Indian corn, 56 lbs.; rye, 56 lbs.; pease, 60 lbs. ; barley (six-rowed), 48 lbs. -, malt, 36 lbs. ; oats, 34 lbs. ; beans, 60 lbs.; potatoes and otber vegetables, 60 lbs. The hundredweight and ton are fixed by statute at 100 lbs. and 2,000 lbs. respectively. It is not necessary to extend this preface, or to summarise the various reports ; they must be allowed to speak for themselves. They deal with Canada as it was seen by practical agriculturists, and refer not only to its advantages, but to its disadvantages, for no country is without the latter in some shape or form. It may safely be said, however, that Canada has fewer drawbacks than many other parts of the world; and this is borne out by the favourable opinions that are generally expressed by the delegation. Those who read the reports of the farmers who visited Canada in 1879 and 1880, will realise that immense progress has been made since that time — when the vast region west of Winnipeg was only accessible by railway for a short distance, and direct communication with Eastern Canada, through British territory, was not complete. The Canadian Government, in inviting the delegation, wished to place before the public, information of a reliable and independent character as to the prospects the Dominion offers for the settlement of persons desiring to engage in agricultural pursuits, and it is believed that its efforts will be as much appreciated now as they were ten years ago. In Great Britain and Ireland the area of available land is limited, and there is a large and ever-Increasing population ; while at the same time Canada has only a population of about 5,000,000, and hundreds of millions of acres of the most fertile land in the world, simply waiting for popidation to cultivate it, capable of yielding in abundance all the products of a temperate climate for the good of mankind. It only remains to be said that any persons, of the classes to whom Canada presents so many opportunities, who decide to remove their homes to the Dominion, will receive a warm welcome in any part of the country, and will at once realise that they are not strangers ift a strange land, but among fellow British subjects, with the same language, customs, and loyalty to the Sovereign, that are the characteristics of the old country. THE REPORT OF MR. WILLIAM EDWARDS, Ruthin, Wales. Ih" submitting my report upon the Dominion of Canada as a field for settlement, I feel that the undertaking is pregnant with great respon- sibilities. If its capabilities are in any way over-estimated it may lead some of the most sanguine to expect there a paradise of unmixed pleasure, who as a rule are doomed to disappointment wherever they go. On the other hand, if I fail to realise my position, and under-estimate its vast resources, I may influence the procrastinator to be content with his lot, ending his days in poverty, and possibly bequeathing the same legacy to generations of his descendants. I shall, however, endeavour to deal only with facts and figures, addressing myself more particularly to my own countrymen, with whose wants 1 am thoroughly conversant, and I hope in entire sympathy with their aspirations. Sailing from Liverpool on the Allan liner "Circassian" with six other delegates on the 28th of last August, we landed in Quebec on Sunday, September 7th. We had a pleasant voyage, with the exception of one very rough day in mid-ocean, and a moderate breeze for two more days in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which, however, abated into a perfect calm as we entered the grand St. Lawrence Eiver, through which flow the waters of the great inland seas that divide Canada from the United States for some hundreds of miles ; also of Lake Michigan in the States, on the south of which stands the wonderful city of Chicago. j(l(Hj((!,iiiKri«(i-" ^tfn>.lii>l»-(iihflll'IIIIIItMi!fiNi VUW OF ()U£BKC. To iuteuding emigrants a short description of the voyage across the Atlantic may be of some interest. There is no doubt but that this has been the cause of detaining many a hard-working farmer on his mountain plot in Wales, instead of seeking his fortune ou the ricli prairie land of Canada ; whereas, had he only ventured out years ago, he would have found the trip enjoyable, as well as, probably, beneficial to his health, and would have been the proud owner of half a section or 320 acres of land, or more, with his children all in prosperous circumstances, and in a fair way to accumulate an independency which 14 The AgricuUural Rettourcef of Canada. would ensure their enjoyment of lil'o in their declining years, a position rarely to be hoped for in their native land. But it is not too late, there is yet room in Canada for the sons of toil in millions to establish happy homes, with that freedom of action that every independent spirit cannot fail to appreciate. There would have been some excuse for hesitating bad the voyage lasted three months, as was the case with one of the Scotch pioneers of Canada, with whom I had a pleasant chat, and who related with pride his experience 50 years ago. After 14 weeks on board a sailing vessel he was wrecked off the coast of Newfoundland, and at last found his way to the neighbourhood of Toronto, where he resides, and with his own axe had to hew his farm out of the forest, and in his declining years is enjoying the fruit of his labours. Now the nine or ten days' sailing is only a pleasure trip, especially on board one of these floating i.alaccs, where the comfort of all is so much studied by the officials in charge of the vessel. The charges also are moderate, and within reach of the poorest working man. Special through rates are quoted for emigrants to Winnipeg and further ; beds are hired by the Allan Company to those who do not prefer providing their own ; the food is of good quality, well cooked, and supplied regu- 11 larly three times a day. Many times have I heard the remark : " I would have emigrated long ago, but for these little ones ; they would never live to cross the ocean." But my experience is that those are the very people who ought to go. There were on board the " Circassian " 35 or 40 children, varying in age from a few months to 15 years, of whom I took particular notice every day, and found only two of the oldest suffering from sea sickness; all the younger ones seemed to enjoy their holiday, and looked as happy, as if they wex-e in their playground at home. Therefore those with young children need not dread the voyage in the least, and on reaching their new homes they would find the eldest of immense value in sowing and harvest time. I saw one sturdy little fellow of ten summers who had loaded 80 acres of wheat, his father pitching. The latter, who five years ago was a gamekeeper in England, now owns 160 acres of land, with a good house and outbuildings. I find, in perusing my notes, that they are far too voluminous to be of practical use to the intending emigrant ; therefore, much as I regret it, hundreds of names and addresses must be left out. I hope those gentlemen who lost days of valuable time in assisting the delegates and driving them across the ])rairies will deem this a sufficient reason for not acknowledging their vuluable services by personal reference in this report, and that one and all will accept my cordial thanks. I have always been under the impression that the resources of Canada are not known in the principality to any extent, and since my return I find, in conversing even with the best informed, that I was not far wrong. The United States have been for the last 50 years the chief attraction for Welsh emigrants, to many of whom, no doubt, the form of government was the great inducement. The political ten- dencies of Wales being pretty well known, I do not thitik a passing reference here is out of place — in fact, a comparison between the condition of Wales and that of Canada in that respect is most essential in my opinion. In Canada, as in the States, a man enjoys manhouc! WA Mr. William Edwards's Report. 15 suffrage, and if he aspires to political honour, and j)ossesscs the ability, the course is open for him, and ho is paid for his trouble. He can enter the House of Assembly in his own province, and there is generally a minister of agriculture, as a member of the Government, to look after the interests of the farmers. The Minister of Agriculture of the Dominion, the Honourable John Carling, acts for the whole of Canada, and sits in the Federal Parliament at Ottawa, and to him the farmer delegates are deeply indebted ; and his geniality contrasts favourably with some of our far less brilliant official satellites. In my tour through Canada I met more than one practical farmer who was a member of Parliament, and who (!ould ride his own sulky-plough or self-binder; and I have no doubt that the practical knowledge of such men is invaluable in the Councils of the nation. I should like to ask how many such men we can boast of in our National Council. Wales may, perhaps, be proud of being able to return one farmer's son to Parliament, but among 670 Members he is almost powerless to render any assistance to his struggling countrymen. In Canada I find that agriculture and commerce move forward together, their representatives in tlie Provincial and Dominion Parliaments are so equally balanced that one element cannot predominate, and, if I am not mistaken, the situation is not likely to change in the immediate future. I'LOLaUINO. The Agricultural College and experimental farm at Guelph, Ontario, under the able guidance of scientific and practical men, where the young farmers from all parts of the world are taught the practice f! .iiia science ot agriculture, tostiiios to the foresight of Canadians, and will exercise immense inlluonce upon the future agricultural prosperity of this almost endless Dominion. This institution deserves more than a passing reference, the advantages to the young men who fi,*\ le Tlie .if/rimltiiral Be»ouree» of Canada, P ■ attend it aro manifold, and the knowledge acquired in the short space of two years is such as to enable them to start at once upon a successful career; and, in whatever part of the earth they may take up their abode, their example wilt act as a stimulant to their neighbours, and prove of great national value. Applications for admittance from all parts of America, and some rrom Europe, have compelled the governors to give preference to Canadian students, who are admitted on easy terms, and are paid for any manual labour which they perform, enabling the more industrious to support themselves or to reduce the charge to a nominal sum. As a stimulus to theoretical study they are awarded gold and silver medals. Their studies comprise English literature and political economy, agriculture, arboriculture, horticulture, agricultural and analytical chemistry, geology, meteorology, zoology, botany, veterinary anatomy, practical handling and judging of horses ana live stock, dairying, arithmetic, mensuration surveying, book-lteeping, and gymnastics. The scope of this report will not enable me to explain the details of any of these studies ; but I found during my visit to the college that the axiom "Theory combined with practice" predominated. I may instance here what may surprise many practical men on this side of the Atlantic. A field of Indian corn was planted on the 29th June, in rows 32 inches apart, the average heiglit of stalks being 11 feet on the 15th September, when it was cut green and put in the silo for winter fodder, weighing 22 tons per acre. The greatest attention is paid to selecting and experimenting upon the different breeds of cattle, with a view of importing only those that will prove most profitable to the Canadian farmer; a commencement is also made in the same direction with sheep, which up to three years ago have attracted but little attention. Experiments aro carried on with all sorts of grain, roots, clover and grass seeds, vines, and all other trees that may prove of value as shelter or to bear fruit. The students have access to and assist in all these experiments, the different qualities being pointed out, and their useful- ness explained. A lecture hall is provided, where all the students are accommodated with seats in an elevated position. The animals are brought before them, and their defects as well as their good points are brought into view and illustrated by the professors — in fact, everything that will be of value practically* to the student is brought under his notice. The Dominion Government experimental farms at Ottawa, Brandon, Indian Head, and Agassiz, all of which I inspected, are also doing excellent work for the farmers. To assist in diffusing practical knowledge, farmers' meetings are held in many centres, which the professors attend, to give lectures during the winter months. The time of the year in Canada when mother earth refuses to open her arms for cultivation, gives the farmer a grand opportunity to cultivate his mind and prepare to meet the fierce cojipetition that is daily increasing, and mingled, I fear, with a little jealousy, in the United States. While thus encouraging technical education at con- siderable expense, the elementary, which is practically free, is not neglected; and wherever a settlement is established in the North- West Territories, where only a dozen children are of school age. Mr. William Edwards's Itei^ort. 17 con- s not forth- ago. accommodation is provided for tliem within easy distance, three- fourths of tho expense being paid by the Dominion Government. In the other provinces education is under the control of the local govern- ments. I had an opportunity of inspecting five of the public schools at Toronto, where the health, tuition, and general comfort of the children are apparently all that could be desired ; but tho school boards are not siitistied to stand still if any new ideas can be introduced, and on© of their most persevering members came over to England this summer with a view of gaining further information, in order, if possible, to improve their method. With all these expenses to be borne by a comparatively young community, the intending settler will naturally enquire " Where is the money to come from ? " and when told that the rates are merely nominal — about 6d. per acre — probably he will doubt my statement. When I was informed that there were no poor to be supported, no perpetual pensions to be provided for, no sinecure offices to be tilled up, that there is only a small military force, and that .the expenses of Government are relatively small, I found a part of the (explanation. I inquired of the best authority wliat was being paid to the officials in Canada, and was informed that the Prime Minister of the Dominion received about .£1,640 per annum, the Members of the Cabinet about .£1,440, and Members of Parliament about .£200 per annum and a small allowance for travelling expenses. The Government, with all their economy, are perfectly honourable, and pay every one who renders the least service to the State. Even the juryman's services are recognised, and he is paid for his time, and his expenses are refunded. Outside the Province of Quebec, English only is spoken, and an interpreter is rarely called for except in dealing with the Indians, who are treated in Canada with more consideration than they are in the States ; but in face of this encouragement they are decreasing in number. Their mode of living not being cc iducive to health they die young, and in many respects life seems of little or no value to them. They become very excited under the influence of alcohol, but the law is rigorously enforced upon those who infringe it by supplying them with spirits. With regard to the liquor traffic, local option is adopted in parts of all the provinces, and some of the towns which I visited had no intoxicating drink of any kind, except at private houses and chemists' shops, and a doctor's certificate has to be obtained if it is wanted for medical purposes. In Toronto and other large cities the public-houses are closed from 7 p.m. on Saturday till 7 a.m. on Monday, and in all my travels through Canada I saw only one drunken man on a Sunday. On that day traffic is entirely suspended, no street cars run, find very few cabs or other conveyances are to be seen. Perfect religious liberty and equality prevail in every part of the Dominion. In some parts the Roman Catholics are in the ascendant, in others the Presbyterians, ■ir tlie several denominations of Nonconform ists. In other parts the Episcopalians take the lead, but in some places the factious leaning to High or Low Church services have a very deterrent eifect. Every churchman with whom I had the pleasure of conversing shared tho I.— f 18 '/'/ttf Agricultural Rtaoarcea of Canada. II III, ,f 'H !!• i; (1^1, u. same opinion — i.e., that its ministrations have far greater effect tlian if it were connected with the State. Tithes are not heard of except in the Province of Quebec, where the Komau Catholic clergy are allowed to collect from their own adherents, but the law does not compel payment by defaulters, therefore it is much the same as any other voluntary contribution, although bearing the — to Welshmen — odious name of tithe. In addition to many other bugbears that are hurled against Canada with baneful effect is "the climate." Arriving there at the end of the hottest season, and leaving when winter was setting in, I had no opportunity of judging personally of the two extremes, but the uniform testimony of all, whether Canadian born or not, to whom 1 put the question, was that, although in winter the thermometer registers many degrees below our coldest days, the atmosphere is so dry that the cold is not felt to the extent that one might imagine. I'or the first season or two the settler feels more inconvenience from the heat of July and August than the cold of January and February, but when acclimatised he thoroughly enjoys the winter, and endures the summer heat as well as the natives. The seldom occurrence of sunstroke proves that the heat of summer is not unbearable. The two extremes occupying only four months in the most northern part of the Dominion, two-thirds of the year is similar to our own climate, but far drier in winter, which sets in about the beginning of December and ends about the middle of April, when the farmer starts in earnest to put his seed down, and, as a rule, finishes about the end of May. I have seen wheat that vas sown in the last week of June, and was being carted when I was there in the last week of September, a splendid sample, and estimated to yield 30 to 32 imperial bushels an acre ; but this is not an example to be widely followed. In Canada early sowing means success. The Province of Ontario, which is the oldest in the Dominion except Quebec and Nova Scotia, has much th*^ same appearance as the British Isles, but lacks the trim aspect of our quickthorn fences, and for a few months travellers are compelled to put up with badly macadamised roads, as the winter frost i/iakes sad havoc of the best maujiged. The old snake fence is being replaced in many districts by wire; in others the rails are nailed on cedar posts in a straight line, and, although split 40 or more years ago, are fit to stand the exposure another such term. In this province there are many desirable farms on sale owing to various causes. Some are selling to migrate with their families to Manitoba and the North- West territories, some retire with an independency, and others are compelled to leave from a lack of agricultural knowledge, the land refusing to yield a proiitable crop without the necessary stimulant. Many of our most scientific and practical farmers would do well here, and could buy the best farms, with excellent homesteads in thorough repair, for .£9 to ^15 p(^r n,cre, or less by paying cash. Money is HCJirce, and the interest would bo high. If a mortgage were required, tiie rate is from 5^ to 7 per cent., according to the amount and time for wliich it is nniuirpd. At first tlie --iiargi^ appears high, but when Mr. William hAhvanlaa l{fj)oi't. 10 wo t'omo to ounsider that .€100 iu tho hands of a prrtctloal man in Cunuda will p;o further than iTJOO in Great Britain, it will bo Hoon that tho small capitalist has a much better chance of gettinj^ on, and only pays intorost equal to J3 per cent. here. If tlieso farms are hired, tho rent charged is from 12s. to ISs. per acre, according to tho situation, and they can bo stocked with a little more than a third of the capital required in Wales. Tho above amount represents only the tithe and taxes on our land, so that the farmer has prac- tically no rent to pay as compared with ours. Labour is a seriijus item, if he has all to pay for, and no one ought to venture on an Ontario farm without capital or sons to assist him, and even then ho should be prepared to pay for all his stock, besides a third of the purchase money. Fruit farming in some parts of Ontario is very profitable. In the neighbourhood of Oakville, and along the banks of Lake Ontario to the Niagara, there are many hundreds of acres under fruit trees. Vines are planted in rows, supported by wire fencing three or four deep, they yield from four to six tons per acre, in some places a few rows of potatoes or mangolds aro grown between the vines. The grapes are large, and some varieties of excellent flavour, these are sold from 2d. to 5d. per lb. ; and in the neighbourhood of Grimsby, where there are excellent frftit farms, I tasted wine 13 years old, and some two years old ; both had splendid flavour, and would command good prices in this country. Some hundreds of tons of all sorts of fruit from this neighbourhood are shipped to Liverpool, and the greatest attention is paid to the fruit which is most in demand. A new industry is being developed in the " canning," or preserving of all fruits, especially pears, peaches, plums, and other soft fruits that will not keep in transit. I have a list of many farms for sale iu Ontario, a copy of which I should be glad to supply to intending purchasers, or would give the names and addresses of real estate agents who sell on commission, generally acting for the vendor. I deeply regret that I was not able, owing to the limited time at my disposal, to visit the maritime provinces ; but, from w hat I could learn in conversation with gentlemen I had the pleasure of meeting from that part of the Dominion, I have no doubt that many remarks I have made respecting Ontario will apply to them. Improved farms, with portions of the land under crop, with good buildings and fences, can bo obtained at very moderate prices, owing either to the owners retiring from business or to their removing to Manitoba and the North- West Territories, in view of the smaller amount required on the prairies to start their growing sons on farms of tlieir own. My time was too limited to pay a visit to Quebec, consequently 1 cannot offer an opinion on its resources, but from a passing glance in a railway carriage I imagine that Welshmen would prefer going further west. The oldest settlements in Manitoba much resemble those oF Ontario, and a new settler will find there plenty of hospitable and kind neighbours willing to give assistance in erecting a homestead, oi- impart any information that will prove of value to the new comer, so that in a few months he feels quite at homo among his new friends. I.— c 2 20 y''<» ^tf^niltHral If(touirc« of Canada. { > .< h«>i. ! ^it ' The greater nurt of tliispn ,inco coiitaiuM millions of acres of wliciit- growing land, varying in depth from 15 inches to 5 feet of black vegetnbl' lould, and will yield eight or ten crops of wlu'at in sncces- Mion wii ,t rest or manure. The prices at which I'arm.s can be bought hen- varies eonsidenibly, liom KJs. for the unimproved prairicj toi;4 lor till, > partly broken and with good houses and outbuildings for the latter Hgiu- For tlu^ bard-working lurmers of AV^ale.s, with Minall capital and two or three growing Lids, there is a grand opening, with a certainty of success and independency, health and unforeseen accidents jxsrmitting. JJut if any one is willing to siicriiico for 10 or 15 years the hom«5 comforts which lie has hitherto enjoyed, he may go from HO to 50 miles into the interior, where ho can take; up a homestead of 160 acres, paying the (iovernment £2 for the title, and can buy 100 acres more for from 8h. to 10s. per acre, payable over a t(;rm of yejvis. His sons can do the same if they exceed lb years of age. The Canadian Pacific Kaihvay Company, to whom the Government granted about 20,000,000 acres in aid of that great undertaking of eoiistructing a railway from the Atlantic to the Pacilic Ocean, also has land to dispose of on reasonable terms. This railv\ay is nearly ;i,000 miles in length, and winds its way for whom I viMitcd in evi-ry ('ixtrict iiaiiicd in my te|)6rt. Salinoiil.H «('('inH well adapted lor raix'Ml rarnung. CuttU- and horses do wiill, all Horts of grain and roots tai bti grow and biittor of the Ix'Ht quality irt niado in this district. A chc'so and hulNr factory was started last yrar, but the nutnhcr of cows in tho district was t(>o limited to keep up a regular supply of milk, and an effort is made to distribute more milch cows among the settlers ready for next season. I visited one of tho factories near Winnipeg, at wliich HrMt- dass cheese an I bi ' ter was manufactured. From every point of view 1 think the^f i"'^it'i'ions have an important future in the North- West territori .-i. At ! ' iiarnardo Homo at Russell some first-class butter is turm d (Hit, proving that tho district is w
l:.jii;ability for grazing purposes. The kiid in tho neighbourhood of Prince Albert and along the S!iskatch(!wan liiver is of the same nature as Saltcoats, but is more undulating and carrying heavier timber, and is well adapted for barley growing. If sown in time, and tho same attention paid to its cultivation as to that of wheat, it will prove the most profitable. 'I'his district is also well adapted for grazing ; horses do widl I'unning out all winter, and are brought in for work in spring full of llesh. Young foals are left out with their dams, and never handled after being branded till they are wanted for work or for sale. There are also some flocks of sheep in this neighbourhood, the favourite cross being between Merino ewes and Cheviot tups. The ewes are bought for V'h. or ] 4s. each, their progeny yielding per head 5 lbs. to 6 lbs. of very fine wool, \Ahich is generally sold unwashed ; the price realised this year was 6^d. per lb. The lambs realise 148. to 18s., and some of the best run up to 25s. Glenboro', Carman, Wawanesa, and the district about Kapid City, are all similar to Prince Albert and Saltcoats —all good grazing and grain -producing land, and they have convenient railway communica- tion with tho main line, and ])lenty of water ; where rivers are too far, good water can be got by digging wells 10 to 30 feet deep. Grain elevatoi's are erected on the railroads at convenient ..nces, which are of great value to settlers. The farmetrs cart tlieir grain in bushel bags and empty them into the hopper, the grain is then passed through the machinery and deposited in large I'eceptacles, ])erfectly clean and ready for transit. These large grain stores belong to private individuals, corn merchants, or millers, who have practical men in charge sorting or grading and ])ricing the wlieat, which is divided into four different sampl.-s -Nos. 1 and 2 hard : Nos. 1 and 2 Northern. Barley and oats have until now been mostly consumed at home, hut my opinion is ti»at, at no distant date, barley will be largely cultivated for export. The samples which I ins pec led at the agricultural sl)ows, experim.ental farms, and other rila<'es whore it has been grown with care, will compare favourably with barley groun in the best places of Great Britain, and is cei'tainly better than the average of our malting barley in AVales. The samples of oats also are quite equal to 22 The Agricultural Itesources of Canada, ours, perfectly hard and full of flour. The price made of last year's oats in September this year, for home consumption, was equal to ours. The best wheat-growing districts, in my opinion, are in Manitoba, and the same remarks will apply to all of them, commencing with Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, situated 1,424 miles from Montreal. The population is 28,0(.K>, increased from 100 in 1871. Mm, i'AK.M SCIi.NK, MANliOBA. Brandon, ''ortage-la-Prairie, ]S'ee])."wa, Indian Head, and Plum Creek are all grand wheat-producing districts, and farms can be bought at about the same price in all of them — i.e., from 20s. to 60s. for prairie farms with buildings, and partly broken, except in the immediate neighbourhood of Winnipeg, where it is held by speculators at a higher figure, and a great deal of it requires draining. In crossing the stubbles in all these places I noticed the softness of the earth, the surface yielding under tlie foot lik(» snow ; and in looking at the farm imph^ments I could nowhere discover a roller ; the first I saw was not worthy of the name, being evidently home-made, and consisted of a nundier of rails nailed on to two round ends : it was very light and feet long, but could do no good except smoothing the surface, and would not pay for the trouble. The next, and the only other, was a wvy good iron cylinder roller, .*3 feet in diameter, and in two pieces. I questioned tlie owner as to the eff(?ct of this useful im]dement ; he confirmed the idea I had already formed, that it was not used enough by far, and Mr. William Edwards's lie2)ort. 23 that he had a heavier crop of straw, and better grain on the rolled land. This was one of the most practical men I met in the North- West, and his opinion after using the roller for two years is worth recording for the benefit of those who are already settled there, as well as of intending settlers. The nse of a heavy roller on such mouldy, soft soil, must bo of great benefit. The dis- integrating effect of the frost ought to be counteracted, and nothing will effect this but heavy rolling, by which the farmer would be amply compensated for his extra labour — in fact, I believe he could cet one- third more corn on his land, of b(jtter quality, and it would ripen earlier. Consolidating the surface would also assist in keeping the frost and dampness from being drawn out of the ground too fast, which would prove of great importance in a hot season ; and, besides, wheat, like clover, requires a firm grip for the root. I am so convinced upon this subject that I cannot leave it without expressing my opinion, and also a hope that experiments will be carried on in Government farms. My firm belief is that two or three rollings would not be too much, and for the two last very heavy rollers should be us(k1, cither by adding some weight to the frame, or by using the cylinder roller that can be filled with water to any weight desired. The seed distributor, with small spring wheels pressing the ground after the drills, are found to answer well, but the young plant will soon spread its roots to the soft ground on both sides, and until it gets to tlie undisturbed soil will present for a few days a yellow, sickly appearance, indicating that its progress is much retarded. Summer frosts are complained of in some districts, but the harm caused to wheat is much exaggei'ated, no doubt to suit th3 purpose of the buyer. I was informed by the manager of the great mill in Minneapolis, United States, that the frozen wheat, as they called it, turned out as good flour as the other, but not quite so much to the bushel of wheat. Hailstones in other places do occasional damage, but they are of rare occurrence. I saw only one piece of about 80 acres of wheat damaged in this way. Leaving Brandon and journeying westward, passing some 22 towns and cities, including some important settlements, such as Moosomin, Wolseley, and Qu'Appelle, we come to Regina, tlie capital of Assiniboia, where tlie Member of the Dominion Parliament resides, wbo accom- panied the delegates to Prince Albert. Eegina is an important centre, having a population of 2,2i)U, and is increasing very fast ; it is the headquarters of the North- West Mounted Police, a force 1,000 strong, \\inch maintains order all over the territory between Manitol^a and the Eocky Mountains. The Lieutenant Governor's residence is situated about a mile beyond this station. Between this point and Calgary are 88 stations of more or less importance ; the delegates only stopped at M(^dicine Hat, and inspected the produce brought in for exhibition next (lay, to which reference Mill be made in dealing with the agricultural shows. The distance from Eegina to Calgary is 483 miles. On each side of the railway^ at intervals there is some excellent land, but thinly populated; several large ranches, and among them some of the Canadian Agricultural Company's farms (better known as Sir il U 24 The Agricultural Resources of Canada. i " '" "P John Lister Kaye's farms) are to be seen from the railway between these two points — they are ten in number, and contain 10,000 acres each. These have been valuable pioneers, and intending settlers may benefit by their successful, as well as their unsuccessful, experiments. Although ranching in Canada has been successful in the main, the profits realised from the invested capital is not equal to the average of smaller holdings where individual attention to the stock amply compensates the owner. The system adopted in ranching answers well in summer, and if the straw of Manitoba could be utilised as winter fodder and shelter for these large herds instead of being burned, I have little doubt but that the system would suit both corn producers and ranchers, as the latter would suffer less from losses in winter, and the former would benefit by preserving the vegetable matter and other ingredients contained in the straw until the land requires it, which is certain to happen in the next 20 years. I found that some difference of opinion existed among practical men as to the effect of manure after a few crops of corn are taken from the land. One who has adopted mixed farming on the plains of Brandon declared that he got better wheat, ripening sooner, after a dressing of farmyard manure ; another, who grows nothing but corn, condemned it as being worse than useless. Both farm in the same neighbourhood, the former utilising his straw and the latter burning it. This gentleman, I think, ought to consult the Ontario farmer. Calgary, the centre of all the great ranches, and the most thriving town between Brandon and the Eocky Mountains, is nicely situated on the Bow River, and has a population of 3,400. Being surrounded by plenty of good building material, the chief business places are all stone built, and the town has no doubt an important future. Cloth manufacturing has been commenced here, and judging from the quality produced the venture will no doubt prove a success. The samples of barley shown at the agricultural show also commends the district for the cultivation of that valuable cereal, and the exhibits of cattle would have been a credit to a provincial show in any country. There are several important ranches between Calgary and the Rocky Mountains, a distance of about 80 miles, which lack of time prevented the dslegates from visiting. Leaving the unbounded prairie behind, the Rockies present an appearance of grandeur that will baffle the most descriptive pen. Having reached an altitude of nearly 3,400 feet at Calgary, and travelling 60 miles further, the line entering the gap shows an ascent of 800 feet in 18 miles. Further on is Banff, noted for its hot sulphur springs, where invalids resort to benefit by bathing in the wonderful waters, which bubble out of the mountain too hot by several degrees for the patient to enter. From Banff to Stephen station, a distance of 43 miles, the railway ascends to the highest point of the Rocky Mountains, 5,296 feet, rising nearly 1,600 feet in 61 miles. The passenger becomes almost bewildered by the magnificent views, the mountain cliffs towering above on both sides, covered by cedar and fir-trees, the torrent below rushing and roaring through narrow passes, presentinpf nature in its most picturesque garb; but all of a sudden the mind is diverted to the engineering skill that has given Mr, William Kthvards's Eeport. 25 mankind this opportunity, not only of studying nature, but of admiring the accomplishments of modern engineering. The agriculturist must pardon me for wandering for a short time from studying his interest, and if ever he has the good luck of visiting this district he will readily forgive my weakness for scenery. With this very inadequate descrip- tion of these wonderful mountains, mine of their peaks rising 10,000 feet high, I will endeavour to give a short description of British Columbia. The climate in this part of Canada is all that the Britisher can desire. The Hermit and Gold lianges are similar to the mountains of Wales, but the valleys between them are much richer than ours, and grow trees of enormous size. It is not uncommon to see cedars and pine perfectly sound 6 to 7 feet in diameter, and many weighing 30 to 35 tons, and in some places so thick on the ground that it Avould be almost impossible to pass between them. I put my tape around one stump, supposed to have stood the storms of over 2,000 years ; it is now some 60 feet high, and girths 56 feet, or nearly 19 feet through. The value of timber in British Columbia is not known, and the expense of transit A VIEW IN STANIiKV PAUK, VANCOUVKR. e ■■■' ,. 26: r/*/' Afjncultvrul Itesources of Canada. :■ .iw V'' I and handling such inonstei's is a barrier that remains to be overcome. To a stranger tiie splitting up of pine 4 or 5 feet in diameter for fire-wood seems an unpardonable offence. Some of these fine trees run up 200 feet without a branch, and from 50 to 100 feet higher with very few branches of only small dimensions. The land that produces these needs no other recommendation, but the clearing of even a few acre;^ is almost too much for individual exertion. No doubt, in a few years, the timber trade of British Columbia will develop a mine of wealth, and will gradually clear the land for the agriculturist. The valleys that are now available for agriculture are believed to be as rich as any in the world. In many places the alluvial deposit is 15 feet deep, and will grow four tons of hay to the acre, year after year, without manure. On the banks of the Fraser Eiver wheat, oftts, rye, and all other agricultural produce grow to perfection, as do fruit of all descriptions, the trees maturing and bearing fruit in three or four years. I measured one cherry tree near Mission ; it girthed 5 inches, had borne a heavy crop for three years, and was only six years old. This industry will soon be developed, and prove a formidable rival to San Francisco, in supplying the North-West Territories with what they cannot produce ; on the other hand, it would be cheaper for the Columbians to buy A\heat from Manitoba than to produce it on laud that can be made better use of. The land in British Coliunbia is worth about the same as in this country, and lets for about the same rent —20s. to 32s. per acre ; but there is no other burden upon it, except a rate of lOd. per acre, and it is more productive than the average of the best land in England. ^ . hrfT 0» TIGTOSIA. popul The city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, which ilation of 15,000, and is situated south of Vancouver Island, is has a more Mr, William Edivards's Report, 27 like an English town in every respect than any other in Canada, and but for the presence of some 2,500 Chinese, one would have felt quite at home. But where servants are so scarce, and labour so dear, the Chinaman is found very useful. The Island of Vancouver is full of mineral wealth, several large fortunes having been accumulated, and many more are now being made. Nanaimo, a small town 76 miles north of Victoria, is the centre of a busy mining district. Coal of the best quality is raised and sold at the pit mouth at Is. to Is. 3d. per 100 lbs. Miners gain from Ss. to 12s. per day of eight hours' shift. There are many thousands of acres in the valleys of Vancouver Island where the agriculturist would thrive, but the timber merchant must precede him, and while the supply continues on the banks of the Eraser Kiver the timber trade of Vancouver Island will be heavily handicapped. This mighty stream is made use of to carry the timber growing on its banks for himdreds of miles into the sawing mills near the thriving city of Vancouver. This seaport has now a population as large as Victoria, although a much younger town. "When the line of steamers commences plying between here and Australia, India, and New Zealand its future will be most promising. New Westminster, another grow- ing city on the Traser lliver, will soon become an important centre ; a railway running from the opposite side of the river direct to the States will, when complete, give a stimulus to the salmon trade, which is already very extensive. The supply of salmon in the Fraser seems to be inexhaustible, and the Government make every effort to assist in keeping it up by hatching the salmon in a large house, specially prepared, from which they turn out from six to seven million young salmon yearly, after rearing them by artificial means till they are two months old. There are several extensive factories on the banks of the river opposite New Westminster, where the salmon is '' canned '' or preserved. This is a most interesting process, and many hundreds of workmen are employed during the season in netting, cleaning, and cutting up the fish. It is then put into the familiar 1-lb. tins found in almost every house in this country. The tins are then soldered up and put into large vats, where it is boiled by steam at a certain degree of heat ; each can is then proved and the gas let out ; they are then placed on iron carriers and run into a retort, where they are subjected to about double the heat of the vats. One of these factories turns out 20,000 cases, containing 48 tins in each, or nearly one million pounds, in the season. To all classes of young women, especially cooks and general servants, British Columbia has certainly more attractions tlmn any other part of the Dominion. Wages from £12 (for mere children) to .£60 per annum, with board, lodging, and washing, for the best cooks, the Chinamen doing all the rough work. Mechanics are also well paid in all the towns, especially in Vancouver and New Westminster, where the building trade is brisk, and town sites have more than doubled their value in two or three years. Market gardeners are doing well ; i n nf n fro TYi p T 3ommon ii;.tm.\M.\jXX\yA.tJ \AIJkX\X XliiKJSJKXL and they are paid from 30s. to 50s. per week. Capitalists would also find good investments and secure nearly double the interest for their money that is possible in this country ; and the same can be said of all 'x' 1p >M ^.. 1 •?.■ y-.. h I'.' f«. 'v1 H\ H t»l II 'il ■ «;■ til' 111 U i n i: 1 1?'; *. it 'il 28 I V ■ ■ ■ The Agricultural Be9ouree» of Canada. parts of Canada — in fact, there is no class of the community who have energy or capital that could not better their position by emigrating to any province in the Dominion, the choice, of course, being a matter for the emigrant's own taste and inclinations. The agricultural shows in nearly all the provinces are carried on much in the same way as they are in this country, but the townspeople take more interest, as a rule, than they do here. The show at Toronto (the Chicago of Canada), with its population of 175,000, was a grand success, financially and otherwise. The site is well selected, and belongs to the city, but is let by the Corporation to an energetic committee, who have erected permanent buildings with ample room for all the exhibits, more buildings being put up annually as the show increases. This exhibition differed somewhat from others that 1 had the pleasure of seeing. By various attractions other than agricultural and horticultural produce, the show is made self-supporting — the gate- money covering all expenses. The marvellous dexterity of the cowboys in the "Wild West Show and other performances during the day, and the fireworks at night, attracted thousands of spectators, who would probably have never visited an agricultural show pure and simple. Many of the agricultural exhibits would have done credit to our Eoyal Show. The Canadian-bred Shorthorns in all the classes were a grand lot, and a few exceedingly good Herefords were shown. The Aberdeen and Polled-Angus would have run well in the Royal and Highland Show of Scotland. There were many other breeds exhibited, the Holsteins being very numerous. This breed is chiefly fostered on account of their milking qualities, but their straight rib indicates a bad feeder, and unless they can be improved in this respect they are doomed to disappear and make room for the ail-round animal. The horses were a good average lot, but not equal to our best shows in number or quality. Some good imported Clydesdale and Shire stallions -were exhibited, and in a few years the quantity and quality of the Ontario heavy horses will no doubt be much improved. The light horses were not what an Englishman would have called first-class, a great deal of the native form being prominent, especially in the mares — flat rib, short hindquarters, and long backs, not well adapted for saddle-work, but grand harness horses and good stagers, 30 to 40 miles a day with heavy loads is a common journey. In driving after them across the prairies I oft«n admired their power of endurance. With the importation of good sires, such as were exhibited here, a vust change will soon be seen in the Canadian light horses. Shrop- fshires, Cotswolds, Southdowns, and Leicesters were all well repre- sented, and a few Merinos and cross-bred sheep were exhibited. Pigs and poultry were also numerous and well bred, the Berkshire seem t(j lie the tavourite in the former. The Plymouth Eocks and Leghorn are about equal favourites in the poultry ; geese, turkeys, and ducks of enormous sizes were shown, many ct* them far heavier than the average in our best shows. Eoots, grain, butter, cheese, and garden produce were excellent; the pears, peaches, apples, and grapes — grown in the open air — were everything in appearance and flavour that could be desired. Some monster melons, and what are termed " squash," i Mr. William Edwards's Report. 29 were Pigs were umong the produce testifying to extraordinary richness in the soil that produced them. All the cereala wore exceedingly bright, and the samples of barley from all parts of the Dominion were all that a Burton maltster could desire. Up to now its cultivation has not been extensive, but is on the increase, and will prove before many years a valuable commodity for export to England, by which our Midland farmers will be heavily handicapped. The show of implements was in every respect worthy of the Canadian mechanic. By continual improvements and new inventions the "Self-binder" is almost perfect — light in construction, but made of the very best material — durable, and very cheap. AVith the cost of labour in Canada this implement is indispensable to the farmer. The machinery and all the other implements were equal in every respect to the best exhibits in the leading shows of England. The exhibits at Calgary were next in number to that of Toronto. Some of the horses shown were superior to any exhibited at the latter. The agricultural show at Birtle was the only other one in which I saw the whole exhibits. The roadster mares and foals here excelled ; some exceedingly good cross-bred cattle were also shown, the native breed being con- tinually improved by the introduction of Shorthorn bulls. I should like to remind the farmers of Wales, who have for years depended almost entirely upon the rearing of store cattle, that they will find in the very near future formidable rivals in the Canadians, whose exports of live cattle have nearly doubled since 1888 ; last season 120,654 were sent to this country during the six to seven months that the St. Lawrence Elver is navigable. At Regina and Medicine Hat I inspected some excellent mangolds, swedes, potatoes, cabbages, carrots, and all kinds of vegetables and cereals ; at Calgary and Birtle the vegetables and cereals were also exceedingly good, nearly in every case grown without the aid of manure of any kind. I have been engaged in cases of arbitration, and, as a valuer of farm crops in Wales for upwards of a quarter of a century, think I am entitled to venture an opinion upon a subjecc which must be of great interest to my fellow-countrymen in the Principality, as well as to Canadian farmers. I have endeavoured to understate rather than oveivstate the productive capacity of the Canadian North- West, and this Mill be generally admitted when I state that my calculations are based upon a four years' average, one year of which was the worst that had been known for 12 years. The following table shoves the cost of wheat-growing in Manitoba as compared with the cost in Wales : — Cofit of WJieat Growing in Manitoba, Produce per Acre, and Price. Year. 1^87 .•• ... ... XO'^O ... ... ... Xc i5** ... ... ... 18!)0 Yield per Acre. Price per Bushel Bushels. of 60 Lbs. 8. d. 25 70 cents = 3 0.V 23 78 ,, = 3 U 15 90 „ = 3 7i 20 84 „ =3 •«> Avcrn!?c £S 15s. 8Ad. per acre. 82 90 The Atp'iciiliural HtHOHi'ces of Canada. Mi; \m ^: ill IS ii. Ill :,it .'Igiil I'' l^i' ;i4i . 1:-:; 1 1 M |r .'V J!l iitlii Fvpenses. Interest on purchase niunoy of farm bought at X'6 pin* acre, at 7^ per cwit Plou{{hiiig, Bced, niid sowing HarvoBting, threshing, anfl carting to nlevators Winter keep of horses and oxen per aero Kates and taxes per acre Balance profit per acre Cost as above in Waks. Year. 1887 1888 1889 1890 •• • t •• ■•• •■• ■ ( ■ • • • • • ■ • •• Qr«. ••• 4 4 4 3 Ills 3 7 4 £6 128. lid. per acre. il Expenses. 2 ... i'O 4 (I ir> 6 k; 4 1 fi 8 1 18 (i 1 17 H £6 15 si e l)cr tiuiirter. ,K B. d. 1 12 6 1 11 10 1 9 9 1 11 £1 11 3:^ Average Average rent of wheat-growing land Titlie Taxes v Mannre, carting, and spreading Ploughing, seed, and sowing Harvesting, threshing, and marketing Deduct value of straw and unexbanstt d manure left per acre Balance profit per acre NuTK.—lf iiiterciit is added to the workiug capiUl, no lorollt uau be shown to the Welsh farmer. Wages Received by Farm Labourers in Manitoba and the North-Wtst. Farm servants — Summer mouths, from £4 lOs. to £o 10s. per month, and board. » )) £1 12 6 s 4 G 3 1 5 18 7 6 2 1 G 6 2 G 9 £6 12 11 Winter £2 10s. to £3 Os. Maid servants — from £2 to £4 lOs. per month. Stonemasons, joiners, blacksmiths, and other mechanics — 8s» to 12s. per day. Cost of Living compared with Britain. Clothibg that can be bought here for £3 will cost £4 in Canada. Shoes „ ,, „ 16s. will cost 123. in Canada. Kent of cottage here, £i 10s. ; in Canada, £8. (rroceries about the same» . Cbal — one-third dearer in Canada. Butter, poultry, butcher's meat, and broad— one-third cheaper in Canada* Ironmongery for household purposes— one-fifth dearer in Canada. Implements of husbandry and harness— one-fifth cheaper in Canada. Atr. IVilliam Eiwarda^t lhj)ort. 31 JL'o 4 (; 15 6 1(5 4 1 fi 8 1 18 (> 1 17 2* £3 15 »h ivrter. d. 6 LO I) H Taking an impartial viow of the situation, I fear that those who cxpt'ct better prices for agricultural produce in Wales will bo dis- appointed, and their expectation that Canada will require all its production to maintain the increasing population in the immediate future is only a delusion. The progress made in agricultural science will enable the Canadian farmers to cope with tlio extra demand for home consumption, leaving the production of settlers free for exportation ; and, from what I have seen myself accomplished there this year by a native of Iceland, it is easy to imagine that the exports of Canada will rapidly expand in the next few years. This person, with the assistance of one man, a team of oxen, and a team of horses, will this year be able to export 1,800 bushels of wheat at 82 cents, or Ss. '6^di, per bushel, so that, instead of curtailing the exports, populating the country will certainly increase it. In concluding this report, I ha-ve no hesitation in recommending Canada as a field for settlement to the industrious of whatever nation- ality, but I would specially recommend it to the small farmers and intelligent agricultural labourers of Wales. £1 12 6 s 4 (> 3 1 5 18 7 6 2 1 6 6 2 G !l AG 12 11 the Welsh -Went. 1. er day. idUi AfaAnuiwBnL i< „„i|i iii: r '■ill,' n't ■ ii ■ I L,:,, r It' 11 'I :Jill ', S, ISiA' ■ m: w 03 THE REPORT OF MR. GEORGE HUTCHINSON, Brougham Castle, Penrith. oC Havino been honoured by an invitation from the Government Canada to visit the Dominion, and report upon its suitability as a field for the settlement of agriculturists, I complied with that invitation, and now proceed tci make my report. I may mention that I had previously visited Canada in the autumn of 1879, at which time I was appointed to do so by the Penrith Farmers' Club. My first visit having been a very pleasant one, I was glad to have the oppor- tunity of making a second trip, in which I could note the changes that had taken place during the last eleven years. I am afraid that, even after all the reliable information that has recently been spread respecting it, Canada is still considered, by the average Englishman, to be " a small strip of country between the United States and the North Pole," chiefiy characterised by its severe winters and fur-bearing animals. But, in fact, the Dominion is of vast extent, teeming with natural riches, of great agricultural capabilities, and vast mineral wealth. In company with five other delegates, I sailed from Liverpool in the Allan steamship "Circassian," on Thursday, the 28th of August, 1890. We landed at Quebec on the 7th of September, and on the follo'^'ing day sailed up the river St. Lawrence to Montreal. Thence we went by I'ail to Ottawa, where we had an interview with the Hon. J. Carling, Minister of Agriculture. Ottawa is the seat of the Dominion Parlia- ment. The chief industry is the timber trade ; the saw-mills are very large, and are worked night and day during the summer, but, on account of the ice, are stopped during the winter, excepting where steam power is used. Prom Ottawa we went to Toronto, where the largest Agricul- tural Exhibition in the Dominion was being Held. The Agriculturj 1 Exhibitions in Canada are very different from our Agricultural Showt. In Canada, every town of any size has an Exhibition ground, upon which are erected large permanent buildings for exhibition purposes ; the Exhibition itself being a combination of our Agricultural Show, riower Show, Dog Show, Picnic and Variety Entertainment, these added attractions inducing those to attend who are not connected with agri- cultiu-e. As 300,000 persons visited the Toronto Exhibition, it must financially have been a great success. Prom Toronto we went, by way of North Bay, to Manitoba. Some parts of this journey lie through country which is wild and solitary in the extreme, nothing but mountain and wood meeting the eye on every side. Manitoba and the North-West Territories. — We arrived at Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, on Saturday, the 20th of September, and were ruueived at the station by the Mayor and Corporation. Winnipeg is now said to have a popidation of 26,000. A glance at the map L— D n \^3 t ♦; i w % 84 2^he Afjricxdtural RcBourccs of Canada. li I 5';:; St li' h'I' ■ ■i'f ■'( ill:, I- M, ,,'(: i:,*.^ I[|'!.i 1 1" <•!' ^^lln^tol)a will Hhow dearly that tlio luilwayH aio ho controd in Winnipog, that, for all time to come, it must necessarily be the most important city of the North-West. It is scarcely possible to realise that, eleven years ago, not a single railway had crossed either the 3led lliver or the Assiniboino Kiver, and that to-day seven railwayM run into the city. We visited several of the schools in Winnipeg, and had a good opportunity of seeing the excellent way in wnicii everything connected with them is cjirried* on. I spent Sunday, the 2l8t of September, in Winnipeg, and I was pleased to note how well the churches I attended botn morning and evening were filled, and the orderly and Sunday-like appearance of the city in general. On the Monday I drove out to St. Paul's, a few miles north ol Winnipeg, and visited the Indian Industrial School, where 60 Indian boys ana girls were being taught English, and trained under the blessings of civilisation. An erroneous idea is very prevalent respecting the climate of Manitoba. If the seasons there had been as unfavourable as they are often represented, the population would never have increased at the rate it has done during the last twelve years, nor should I have found so many old settlers who have endured the winters from twelve to twenty years still looking healthy and strong. The snowfall is not BO excessive as in some parts of the Dominion, the depth seldom exceeding eighteen inches or two feet. I have heard of cases in which the subsoil has been found to be frozen hard at a depth of four feet. Spring and wheat sowing generally commence in the first week in April, which is generally a dry month, giving the farmers the best possible seed-bed in which to put their wheat. I have been, times without number, assured by people who for years have made Manitoba their home, that, with a little care, they never suffer from the cold, owing to the dryness of the air; and that twenty-five degrees below zero is not felt half so much as freezing point would bo in a place where there is a damp atmosphere. In speaking to the most recent settlers, who have been only a year or two in the country, they will tell you that they do not dread the winter, but rather look forward to it with pleasure, as the season for sleighing. The farmers take advantage of the facilities which winter affords them for carrying their wheat to market, and for cutting and hauling timber, which coidd not be easily moved at any other time. They can then take the shortest route, as the rivers, lakes, and swamps are all frozen up, and make the very best of roads. As a general rule, the climate appears to be favourable for the sowing and gathering-in of the crops — there being very little of that raifiy and murky weather that makes hay-making and harvesting so troublesome in this country — it being apparently easy to tell in the morning the sort of weather there will be during the day, and generally lifter a few days' rain the weather will keep fine for weeks together. 1 heard a few complaints, especially from new settlers, about the annoyance arising from mosquitoes and sand-flies duriug the summer months; but, as a general rule, these pests are not considered of much account by the older settlers. Mr, OeoTf/r flutchintorit tteport. 86 Tho frosts that oooiwionally occur in the autumn, not those ol' winter, an? what the farmer in Manitoba dreads the most. These fi'DHta pasfl along in streakN, something like hail-storms. In some cases you will find that whi ij the wheat on one farm has been injured, that on the next farm has not been touched at all, I saw Boniu very striking examples upon seveial farms I visited in the neighbourhood of Elkhorn. This early frost is a very tantalising trouble: the farmer may have a splendid crop of wheat ready to cut, and in a single night the frost may come and reduce its value by one-half or two-thii'ds ; this being what really did occur in some cases, during last season in Manitoba. The frost which did the most damage last year was that of the night of August 22nd. "When it is considered how short the seasons are, and how liable the wheat is to injury by these early frosts, it is of the greatest importance that the earliest varieties of wheat should be cultivated. Early sowing has also been found to overcome to a considerable extent the possibility of such damage, and the necessity of this cannot be too strongly pressed upon the farmers. Mr. J. W. Sandison, a very exten- sive and successful farmer near Brandon, Manitoba, was very emphatic in his belief that, if the farmers would have as much land as possible ploughed and harrowed in the autumn, so as to be in a position to make the most of the first chance in the spring for sowing, they would very seldom, if ever, have crops damaged by the early frost. He attri- buted his unvarying success in wheat-growing to the strict attention he had given to this. The introduction of wheat from Northern Bussia i» also being tried as a means of overcoming the diflBculty. When it rains in Canada, it does so to some purpose. It is a perfect downpour, such as we do not very often see here. It does not, however, last long. On my arrival in Manitoba, I found the farmers complaining of the wet weather they were having for the harvest ; it was said to be the worst experienced there for fifteen years, with the exception of 1884, the latter part of which was wet. If we had had Buch weather in Cumberland, we should have been congratulating our- selves upon the favourable harvest conditions, as the season was, on the whole, not so wet as many we experience here. I will now endeavour to give some account of the soil and crops in the district of Manitoba which we visited. The soil is a deep Wack mould, extremely rich in the chief elements of plant food, and therefore not easily exhausted. The fanners, knowing this, take all they can out of it, and return nothing whatever in the form of manure. It is true, in fact, that for several years after the soil is broken up, the addition of manure would do more harm than good. By turning up a little of the subsoil now and again, the fertility of the surface is renewed, and wheat may be grown, year after year, for a long period, vvithout exhausting the soil. The province is too far north for growing maize, but it appears to grow garden vegetables in great perfection. Outside the city of "Winnipeg, I saw a large number of market gardens in which were good crops of onions, potatoes, carrots, and many other vegetables, grown in a rough-and-ready sort of way. Leaving "Winnipeg by the South-"Western Branch of the Canadian I.— d2 III mm I- 36 The Agricultural Resources of Canada, "ifc Pacific Eailway, we had a very pleasant trip to Gleiiboro', the present terminus ot the line. I visited two or three farmers in this district, all of whom said they had succeeded beyond their expectations. Many farmers in the Glenboro' district have over 150 acres under crop. Some of them claimed to have over 30 bushels of wheat to the acre, and 50 of oats. At Glenboro' I inquired what facilities there were for obtaining land, and learned that all the free grant-lands had been taken up, but the Canadian Pacific Eailway still held land for sale to actual settlers at from 20s. to SOa. per acre. There are always a number of farmers in every district ready to sell out and move further west. Near the Pelican Lake, fifteen miles north of Killarney, are settled the crofters, who were sent out with the assistance of our Government in 1 888. During a drive between Glenboro' and Souris, a distance of about fifty miles, I saw some splendid crops of wheat, the fine dry weather of the last few days having put the grain into good condition. The farmers were very busy stacking, and in some cases threshing the wheat direct from the stook. Friday, September 26th, was spent in visiting Brandon and farms in the neighbourhood. We went first to Mr. J. "W. Sandison's farm. Some idea of the scale upor which Mr. Sandison farms, may be gathered from the fact that he expected to have over 5,000 quarters of wheat from his crop last year. He used fourteen binders for cutting his crop. He said he would not accept an offer of ^£2,000 for his anticipated profits from that year's returns. r. f^l^:^^s5fFr:-^^¥==i mi^'^' :^ &^^^^»- -■mSr^F'^^i^^^S':^^.'^ ---- -, -^=^fciC-3^^^^s^S^i^r?-:sigr-t:"^^^5=r^ -:j:^ P^^^^^^ i^^^^* 1 "■■\7 '^.S^ /:^^ ' ' «^"'^^i^" '^^^^*l' -^ i'''W''^ -* tnilESUINa AT SAKDISON'S iTAIlU, BBAKDOX From Brandon we drove to Rapid City, which was particularly interesting to me as being the furthest westward point which I touchy during my visit in the autumn of 1878. Kapid City was without a Mr. Oetrge SutckiMOYHi Eejiort, 37 rival in the estimation of its inhabitants. The announcement in 1880 that the Canadian Pacific was to take a more southern course was a great blow to the city, but, having now got railway communication, it appears to be recovering, and, no doubt, in the near future it will yet become a place of somfe importance. Our next halt was at Saltcoats, in Assiniboia, in the North-West Territories. This is a town of some two years' growth. It has a creamery, making from eight hundred to one thousand pounds of butter per week. The cream is gathered twice a week, from a radius of over 20 miles. In the neighbourhood of Saltcoats I called upon several farmers, most of whom appeared to be doing well, although all com- plained about the deficient crops of 1888 and 1889, and said the greatest drawback had been the early frost. Two farmers near Maltcoats, who had children of school age, complained about their distance from the nearest school. This point should be considered by those who have young children, previous to taking up land in a new and sparsely settled district, since the schools there must necessarily be more widely scattered than in the older districts. As this matter of education is of importance to anyone who contemplates removing with his family into a new country, I may mention that the schools in Manitoba and the North- West are endowed by setting apart two sections, or 1,280 acres, in each township; this last being a district comprising 36 square miles. I had several opportunities of visiting the schools, and of noticing the excellent way in which they lire managed. As a general rule, a school is built in a new district as soon as it is required. No school fees are paid, but all the school- books have to be paid for, and these I found were very much more expensive than in England. In fact, parents who had removed with their families from England, stated that what they paid in England for school fees and books amounted to less than the cost of the books alone in Canada. We visited Dr. Barnardo's Home for Boys, where they are taught farming. On leaving, they are assisted to start on a farm of their own, or have situations found for them in different parts of Manitoba and the North-West. This new development of Dr. Barnardo's appears to contain the elements of success, and certainly deserves to be well supported. We also visited Binscarth Farm, where we saw some extraordinarily good Shorthorns, the heifer calves being particularly worthy of mention. We also saw thirty-six cows in milk or calf, amongst which were some very good specimens. The company which owns the Binscarth Farm has two townships for sale, the object of the farm being really to show to intending purchasers the advantages and capabilities of the district. Our next halt was at Birtle, a town in the valley of the Bird Tail Creek, and not unlike Brandon and Minnedosa in the beauty of its site. As far as we could judge during our short drive, it appeared to be in a good district, and surrounded by good farms. We spent Thursday, October 2nd, in Portage-la-Prairie and district. In 1879 this was the most thickly settled part of the North-West. Knowing this, T expected to find great changes in the shape of bottf5r ^. i, !*■ hi p ■■>'■■'"' ^l :?;: .1'-* ,.vll • /I u: ■ter. From Agassiz we continued our journey eastward. "Wages in British Columbia are higher than further east. An ordinary unskilled labourer receives about six shillings pei- day. Farm servants, engaged by the month, are paid from .£4 to £6, with board and lodging. The Chinam<^n perform most of the domestic duties in Victoria, and generally fill the places of the under-servants. Theiv presence, however, is tolerated only for the sake of convenience, white labour for this class of work being difficult to obtain. Women servants are scarce, and get from £2 10s. to £4 per month, with board. The climate of British Columbia is very different from that of the of Canada lying east of the Eocky Mountains. It varies con- siderably in different localities, but, taken as a whole, it is much more moderate and equable than that of any other portion of Canada, UOlL V Mr. George Hutch{nson*s Rejaort, 45 enjoyi j cooler summers and milder winters. The appearance of the country in general denotes a heavy n,' ifall. The wooden roofs of the houses, in some places, have a thick covering of green moss, and the forests have a thick undergrowth of plants and shrubs, which grow only in a moist atmosphere. Ontario. — I spent six days in this province on my first arrival in September, and completed my inspection on my return from the West in the latter part of November and the beginning of December. Before leaving Toronto I had my first experience of a Canadian winter, as at this time the snow was falling fast, and the sleighs had taken the place of the ordinary means of conveyance. At Toronto, the Agricultural Exhibition, or Show, was being held. We had here an opportunity of seeing samples of the agricultural produce from every part of the Dominion, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. The cattle classes were very good, especially the Short- horns. The heavy horses were not an important class, either in numbers or quality. The light trotting horses yoked to light carriages are always a great feature at the Canadian exhibitioTJs — every farmer possessing, as a matter of course, the best trotter. The machinery and implements were an interesting display, their chief notable features being their extreme lightneis of material, and evidently good con- struction. Self-binding reapers were very numerous, the ordinary reaper being conspicuous by its almost total absence. This indicates how largely the binders are used and appreciated. The exhibit of grain was very large, the finest samples being those of wheat and peas, the oats and barley not being so good. Potatoes and mangels were good ; the turnips, in some cases, were very large, but rather coarse. One day was spent at Guelph and the farms in the neighbourhood. This is one of the best agricultural districts of Ontario. The Guelph Agricultural College is also well worthy of a visit. The college and farm buildings are well placed upon rising ground in the centre of the farm, which consists of 550 acres of various qualities of soil. The students do nearly the whole work upon the farm, under the superin- tendence of a foreman for each department. The students are paid for this work at rates varying from 2d. to 5d. per hour. They c ^n in this way largely p:duce the cost of their board and lodging, for which they are charged lOs. per week. In our drive round the farm we saw an excellent crop of Indian corn ; this, after being passed through a cutter, makes excellent food for stock. The college hao also conferred a great benefit on the farmers of Ontario by the importation of thorough-bred stock, and by holding annual sales as the animals increase on the farm. Near Hamilton we saw a splendid crop of grapes, said to amount to more than two tons to the acre. The best fruit section of Ontario is in the south — in the- counties lying between Lakes Erie and Ontario- it being only in this region that, up to the present, fruit-growing has received much attention. ^-a-WUXUpOMLlXOV Wjr ^lULX. T* . JL . V/UUttDUUUI/, V/1. JL»lC*li.Ul.VX U, X T ISll/CU VIK> Bow Park Farm, where I found a herd of Shorthorns which in number and quality cannot be equalled in Canada, and perhaps not surpassed in any othei' country, Canadian farmers, baring such a herd in their '3 ;•« 46 Thi Agrmiltnral Tieeonreta of Canada. U 'V:',*! jll V'fjl , , ,'T Willi',: III'' S»'ti,i.i'« ';,|ll "'li'li''' 'il ilil 11' . :!''• ■ :;t';l in:'' , .1?" IMi'i! ?' ''■ '• If I, 5 S I ';'' .III if:::''". , Ijlh I If'.' niicist, ought to improve the general quality of their stock faster than they are apparently doing; and it is a surprising fact that the majority of the bulls sold at Bow Park are bought by farmers from the United States, whereas it is evident that it would conduce much to the benefit of the Dominion to keep them at home. In the neighbourhood of Brantford, the land is of good quality, and can be bought, a few miles out of the town, for from £8 to ^£12 per acre. At Norval, in the county of Halton, and in the district round that town, I spent four days with Mr. John Eobinson, a native of Penrith, to whom I am indebted for much kindness during my stay. One farm, about two miles from Norval, 100 acres in extent, had been recently sold for £1,600, and afterwards let for 14s. per acre, and another adjoining it for J51,176, and let for 12s. per acre, or on an average for the two, of about twenty years' purchase on the rent. These farms had good dwelling-houses and buildings. The taxes on each of these two farnis amounted to £6 10s. per annum. The average yield of wheat in this district is from eighteen to twenty-five bushels, and of barley twenty-five bushels per acre. At the flour mill in the town of Norval, the farmers were receiving 4s. per bushel for their wheat, delivered at the mill. It is not so easy 'o calculate the cost of growing and marketing an acre of wheat in Ontario as in Manitoba, but, for the sake of comparison, I give the following, which is the average received from several farmers : — Ploughing, Sowing, and Harrowing Harvesting and Carting Th- -ishing Carting to Market ...' Rent and Ta^es 23 bushels at 4s. per bushel Deduct expenses per acre At St. Mary's, in the county of Perth, I called upon Mr. J. D. Moor, who gave me some very useful information about the egg and butter trade, in which he is very largely interested. Mr. Moor sends waggons into the country for fifteen miles around, and collects the eggs and butter from the farmers. Last year from this district 660,000 dozen of eggs were collected by Mr. Moci* and another dealer, the price paid varying from 6d. per dozen in March, to 9d. in November. Mr. Moor pays the farmers 6d. per ^b. for butter in summer, and for a short time in winter as high as 9d. The butter made in the factories generally fetches 2d. "per lb. more than ordinary farmer's butter. At Tavistock I was shown over one of Mr. Ballantyne's cheese factories, by the manager, Mr. Bell, who gave me some useful particulars regarding the cheese trade. Mr Bell is probably as good an authority on cheese>making and the cheese trade as I could have met with. £ 8. d. 1 13 4 6 3 3 2 5 16 £3 1 £ s. d. 4 12 8 1 £1 11 il/r. George IJutc7iiruon*a ltej}ort. There are six cheese factories within a radian of 10 miles from Tavistock, at which 905 tons of cheese were manufactured during last season, and there are over 400 co-operative cheese factories similar to the above in Ontario, so that the total quantity of cheese made must be very large. Almost the whole of this cheese comes to Great Britain. At the present rate of increase, it will not be lopg before more cheese is brought hithor from Canada, than from any other country. The cheese at the Tavistock Factory was sold during last May, June, and July for 4Jd. per lb., and during August for 6^d. At this factory the farmers are charged Id. per lb. commission for manufactur- ing the cheese, so that the farmers would really get Id. per lb. less than the above. It takes about one gallon of milk to make one lb. of cheese, so that the farmers sending milk to the Tavistock Dairy were receiving 3^d. per gallon in May, June, and July, and 4}d. in August. The cost of taking the milk from the farm to the factory is included in the charge of Id. per lb. for manufacturing the cheese. At the Union or Big Factory, the cost of making cheese is |d. per lb., being less than the average on account of the larger amount made, and the shorter distance the milk has to be hauled to the factory. At "Woodstock, in Oxford County, I visited a farm of 300 acres, belonging to Mr. Wm. Donaldson, who is a native of Dalston, in Cumberland. He haj a very superior stock of cattle and sheep, amongst the cattle being some very good heifers. He gave 16s. 6d. each for 60 lambs, which, after feeding them for four months, he had just sold for 208. 3d. per 100 lbs. of live weight, or 29s. each. These iambs were sold to go to Buffalo, in the United States, where 33. duty would have to be paid upon each. Mr. Donaldson also fattens, during winter, about 20 steers, which he says pay very well. During my visit he had twenty, for which he had paid £1 10s. each. He had three men-servants, who w^re boarded in the house, one of whom received in wages .£33, and the other two, each £21 a year. eBlBSROORSt'BASTinw tOWMSBlFS, ? ■< V5 :v» fi 46 TJie jgrlcnlhiral Etioureei of Canada. ,»t'" ■"Mil. 'I, li.te'" My visit to tho Eastern Towiiships and the Muritirao Provinces was j)aicl tuo late in the season to allow me to see tnucii. I was pleased with what I did see of them; their general aspect, in some plucos, being somewhat like that of some partn of Cumberland — hilly, well watered and wooded. The soil appeared to be good, and particularly well adapted for green crops and pasture. The land, too, considering its quality, was cheaper than in the neighbouring provinces. One farm of 180 acres, with comfortable house and good barn, could be bought for .£750, and a second of 300 acres, with two dwelling-houses — one in good order — good farm buildings, railway station upon the farm, and school within one mile, could be bought for i£ 1,250. There are mony farms for sale, of which the two 1 have mentioned are a fair average. I would advise anyone visiting Canada with a view to settling, to see this district for themselves. In Nova Scotia we paid a visit to the far-famed fruit-growing district of thi. Annapolis Valley. Few parts of Canada can show such prosperous-looking farm-houses, or such pretty villages as can be seen in this valley, which lies between Digby and Windsor. The apple orchards are rapidly increasing, not only in the Annapolis Valley, but also in many other parts of this province. It is becoming more generally recognised that excellent fruit can be grown over a large area of Nova Scotia. Another great feature of this province ia the dyke-lands, which have been reclaimed from the shallows at the inlets of tho Bay of Fundy. As the name dyke-lands suggests, they have been enclosed from the sea. In many cases the grass is cut from swamps, which have not yet been dyked, and over which the tides flow during certain seasons. The grass is made into hay and stacked on a frame- work, which is raised several feet above the foot of the piles. It is a curious sight to see the water flowing around and under the stacks, when the tide is at its height. The real dyke-lands are fenced in from the sea by a strong bank of earth, from six to eight feet high, the land within the dyke being quite firm and solid. These dyke-lands, or bottom- lands, are of great value to the owners of the adjoining highlands, their fertility being unusually high. 'rhf»y are never manuved, yet, on an average, upwards of two tons of hay per acre are cut from them ; and this has been done for many years without showing signs of running out. These dyke-lands are worth from £20 to £40 per acre, while a farm on the highlands, with dwelling-housn and buildings, will not be worth more than £2 to ^£6 per acre. Conclusion. Emigration is a matter that should be undertaken very carefully, and an endeavour should be made to get clear ideas of what settling in a young country really means. In many parts of Canada there are as good farmers, as good houses, and as good schools as in England. But it must not be forgotten that considerable capital is required to purchase a farm in these districts. Anyone going out with the inten- tion of taking up a free ^ant, must expect to live for a few years in a vpry thinly-settled distr ct, and, as a consequence, to put up with a good many inconyemeuces, in addition to the usual ones of mosquitoes, Mr, Oeorge llutehinsorCt lUport, 49 lud roails iu summer, and cold in winter. These things are, no doubt, iiioro 01' loss of on annoyance, but I have often noticed how little mo«t of tho people, who have been a short time in the country, regard them. The largo nuiobor of farms for sale in the old provinces may be ivecounted for as follows : — Most of the owners obtained the land for nothing, and by hard work have made it of considerable value ; with the capital acquired by selling it, they wish to take up land in Manitoba, or the Njrth-West Territories, where they have better oppor- tunities of getting their sons settled upon farms of their own. Some of the farmers of Ontario have so reduced the fertilitjr of their farniH, that they find it no longer profitable to farm them in the old way, and either have not capital enough, or are not willing to change tht'ir system of farming, to bring the land into heart again. They therefore want to sell, and begin afresh on new land further west. There are also many farmers who have their farms mortgaged, and are ready to sell and make a fresh start. It may bo said that the same reasons apnly to the British fiumer, and that he also, if going to Canada, should go to Manitoba or the Nc-rth-West. But it appears to me that the English farmer, in taking up land in the older provinces, will find life more like that he has been accustomed to, and will be able to bring the soil into a better state of cultivation in many cases in which it has bean much neglected. On the other hand, no one could be better adapted than the native Canadian to open up a new country. The farmer who has made up his mind to leave his native land to seek a home on Canadian soil, will finri iu ither Manitoba or the old provinces plenty of scope for his e' gies. He will have the advantage of being nearer England than in any of her other Colonies, and will go to a land of immense mineral as wt^l as agricultural resources yet to be developed, a land that has a great future before it. The question might be a-sked, "Who ought to go to Manitoba and the North-West?" L reply, any man who has made up hia mind to emigrate, and is not afraid of hard work, and a few dis- comforts for a few years, especially one whose family is old enough to be of some use upon the farm. No doubt there are many draw- backs to be encountered, many hardships to be endured, but not one that a little pluck and psrsoverance will not overcome, and none that will not be amply compensated for by the comfort and independence to be gained after a few years. Anyone about to take up a home- stead should take plenty of time in making his choice, and do nothing hastily. There are many interested parties who will urgo him to make a purchase which might prove a disappointing one. The soil, and even the climate, vary very much, even in districts not far apart. Great care is therefore necessary in the choice of a location. It is a good plan to spend a year or two in the country before finally deciding, and then to buy or settle in a district of which some knowledge has thus been gained. Anyone, if there be such, who goes to Canada with the expectation that as soon as he sets his foot on her soil he will make his fortune, is under a great mistake. Above all things, an emigrant should have good health, and be prepared to do anything that first comes to hii I.— a i'^*^' wm <.*M !*.«i3 B ^^iSi 4i 60 The Agnculturat SesourcM of Canada, hand ; he will then, in a few yean, find himself his own landlord and independent. I have been careful in this report to avoid even the appaarance of exaggeration, but my desire is that eveiything I have said should be taken in its fullest meaning. In conclusion, I beg to thank all those who showed me such extreme kindness during my sojoiim in the Dominion; especially Mr. G. H. Campbell, who rendered us such invaluable assistance during the time we spent in the West, and the Hon. J. Carling, Minister of Agriculture, who received os so courteously at the outset of our course of inspection, .,^ ^ _,„ ,, \ : ,; . ;. im l^^yaysf on or SAuriz, ; /Wife 411; 1>: 1 ;i! # idlord and )3arance of should be I me sucli especially nee during Minister of our course Wi. 52 The Agneuliural Resources of Canada. '^^ r ; THE REPORT OF MR. WILLIAM 8C0TS0N, J Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. : .it » ■ «■: . 'iit ■■i m •m :«; M ■!l!l(l,„ Having had the honour to be invited by Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, to proceed thither for the purpose of inspecting the agricultural resources of the Dominion, and report thereon, I shall now endeavour to state concisely what I saw, what I heard, and what are the conclusions that I draw from my visit. I left Liverpool on the 4th of Septembei- last in the Allan Line "kojal Mail Steamer " Sardinian." She proved herself a magnificent sea boat, and we never had occasion to waver in the sense of full security, which all on board seemed to entertain, when she began to cleave her way through the ocean. The following day, the 5th, the steamer called at MoviUe, Ireland, to take on board passengers and mails, and we greatly enjoyed oiur view of the lovely scenery. In the foreground stood the ruins of Green Castle, boldly prominent on the shore, whilst white one-storied houses, surrounded by fields whose brilliant verdure bore out fully the reputation of the Green Isle, and by others whose rich freight of ripening grain spoke of com- fortable husbandry, stretched far and wide along the shores of the Lough. When mails and passengers were safe on board we sailed away into a choppy sea, and after a quiet voyage, rather devoid of incident, the shores of Newfoundland were nearcd. Here we encountered a fleet of icebergs, first one, then another, and then quite a flotilla hove in sight, their varied dimensions and fantastic shapes, together with the brilliant rainbow hues in which they reflected the brilliant sunlight, making up a picture not easily forgotten. Then came the cry "Land O! BeUe,Isle." A rocket was fired from our vessel, and ansv/ered by another from the lighthouse. Having passed this wild iind lonely station, we came in succession to Anticosti and to Eimouski. At the latter place a steamer came alongside to take o£ mails and passengers. We proceeded on through mist and rain to Quebec, arriving on the morning of Sunday, the 17th of September. Mr. Stafford, the Besident Government Immigration Agent at Quebec, met our party at the steamer and drove us out to Vermont, just as the church-going people were on their way to the several places of worship. All were well dressed, and appeared to be content and happy. The jttople here are mostly French, or of Trench extraction. The settlements, or allotments, are chiefly what are called 30-acre lots, with 3-acre frontages, and running 10 acres deep. They appeared to be generally well cultivated, and were bearing good crops of potatoes, onions, buckwheat, timothy grass, which is mostly made into hay for workhorses ; clovers, which are given to cows in milk ; and Indian corn, which is grown and used as a vegetable, whilst the stalks are useful as fodder. Vermont is seven miles from Quebec, and seems to be a favourite 'In lli'ii;: Mr. TTtZZtam 8coUwC» Beport» 53 resort of visitors from that city. The church-goers often drive consider- able distances ; the horses are tied to a long rail fixed on posts, without troubling to tike them out of the shafts, and there they remain during the service. Those who drive much usually take a weight in their conveyances, to which they tether their animals when they want to leave them. The horses are quite used to this style of " putting-up "; no policeman interferes, and the animals stand perfectly quiet until their owners are ready to drive away. I was much struck by the clean, orderly, Christian-like appearance, inside and r ;, of an Indian church at Vermont. The falls of Montmorenci, which ? close by this village, would be considered a big thing in England, though on this continent of many waters they are of no great account. I was, nevertheless, much charmed with them. Returning to Quebec, which is a fine city of 75,000 inhabitants, and the parent city of the Dominion, I was much pleased with its general appearance. Its capture from the French by the heroic General Wolfe in 1759 is one of the familiar stories in English history. At that time the whole population of Canada, exclusive of Indians, was no larger than the present population of the city. From the lofty eminence on wli>« : c-j upper part is built a magnificent view is obtained. In thi :. r part are churches, convents, schools, hotels, and high-class resiaeuces. The lower portion of the city is distinctly old-world, with irregular streets and odd architecture, such as are to be seen but in few places on the Western Continent. The docks are commodious, admitting the largest vessels. The lumber trade seems to \>e the chief industry, the vast numbers of enormous logs floating about everywhere being quite a feature of the river scenery. It gives employment to a great number of people. Those who are familiar vrith the timber docks at Liverpool can in some degree realise the scene. We left Quebec by the Canadian Pacific Railway on our long journey westward. The line skirts the magnificent Eiver St. Lawrence, and the land upon the side of the track, as I was informed, is settled upon the 90-acre system — 1.«., three acres frontage and 30 acres back. They are, it must be remembered, old settlements, wholly unlike those which awaited us in Manitoba and the great North-West. As I have stated, the French element is very prominent in the Quebec province, but it was easily to be observed that all the inhabitants, French or not, were comfortable, and apparently contented with their lot. I regret that I was not able to see more of this pro- vince. As we journeyed towards Montreal, which is 172 miles from Quebec, I observed that the land is generally flat, with split wood fences dividing the farms, and that the system of culture pursued is much the same as that I observed round Vermont. The wooden and painted houses and highly ornamented churches give the villages a novel and interesting appearance to strangers. The town of Three Wit 4-1. A Oi. xiawrjiouLuo J auu 4.1 en. HT ixxnuxico. which we passed in the evening, is a fair sample of these Anglo-French villages. We arrived at Montreal about 9 p.m;, and secured comfortable " *!: 64 The Affrimliural lUsoureei of CanaSta^ mm '<.:'li!ihll''i'. '■'I itp'; ' i:!!!:*:!- :^.|.'l»iii» niii h f ■ lit*";: IP"'' III if ^^? quarters at the Windsor Hotel. The electric lights gave this fine place a somewhat weird appearance. Montreal is a city of 220,000 inhabitants, and the chief commercial centre of the Dominion. The large ocean>going steamers of the Allan Line make this their terminus ; and many others also here receive and distribute their passengers and cargoes. There is direct access by railway to all parts of the Dominion, to New ork, Chicago, St. Paul, and other centres in the United States ; and, indeed, Montreal may be regarded as one of the most important cities on the North American Continent. Its streets are wide, long, and straight, planted with trees. At the time of our visit these trees had not cast a leaf, and their effect, added to the well-kept lawns in the better parts of the city, gave it a very attractive appearance. Like Quebec, Montreal has a " Mountain," and from its summit an excellent bird's-eve view of the pretty, busy, and varied scene may be obtained, with the mighty St. Lawrence rolling along at its base. Montreal shares with Quebec the advan- tageb of the great lumber trade, but is less dependent upon it. I vbited the market, where I saw large waggon loads of tomatoes, thrown loose in waggons for sale ; and also fine samples of fruit of all kinds, and potatoes. I was struck with the healthiness and freshness of the foliage in and around Montreal ; it seemed as though no gales or early frosts had disturbed their placid growth, no faded or damaged leaves being visible. t/MMHXSJ BUIU>U».nting purposes. Cattle feeding and poultry rearing are also experimenti^ly practised. The raising of new kinds of potatoes from seeds is another Important part of the experimental work done here, as new varieties, of approved merit, are necessary to replace the older and worn-out kinds as they contract disease or deteriorate in quality. This latter work is most important, for there is not a province that I visited in the whole Dominion iu which this kina of vegetable is not grown to a large extent ; but, to my surprise, the growth consists chiefly of only two kinds — the Early Boso and the Beauty of Hebron. We scarcely had a meal during our visit at which potatoes in some form were not served. Prcm the Ottawa experi- mental farm we returned to Eussell House Hotel, where we dined, and where Mr. G. H. Campbell, of Winnipeg, joined the delegates as guide in their travels. From Ottawa we made all haste to be in time for the great Agricultural Exhibition at Toronto. On Tuesday, the 19th, we visited this show, held in the Exhibition grounds. We found some excellent pure bred shorthorn cattle and Herefords, some excellent polled Angus or Aberdeen cattle, fit for any show in the world ; shire horses, some of superior merit, and Clydesdales in greater numbers, these forming a contrast to the native light horses we had observed doing the work both on and ofE the land. There were some good driving horses, also a competition for high jumping, one particular animal doing something extraordinary in this way. On Wednesday we again visited the show, and were introduced to some prominent citizens and farmers whom we afterwards again met. There was an excellent collection of self- binding, mowing, and reaping machines ; some string binders, cutting as much as seven feet wide — in fact, the whole machinery for dealing with hay and grain was very commendable for utUity, lightness, and atreugth. The Canadian or "Oliver'' plough is made up in all forms, 56 ir%« Agrieultural Bettourcet of Canada. i^Mp "^ ii^'ilisiii ■■■,i 'lit":!''- "ml , ,,, : M: |;lf mil )j|riiL|j" "': m '■i i!' '■■ f . -t ( /■.:-. . . ... as a kind of swing, single and twin, sulkv or x ing plough. One par- ticular implement I noticed was a revolving spade roller, which acts on ploiighed land like an improved acme harrow. This appeared to me as likely to prove a very useful implement for English agriculture. It is a new invention in Canada. The exhibition of fruit, especially grapes and pep^'hes grown in the open, was something that the Canadians mi^ht well be proud of, for in quantity, quality, and variety, it formed a sight not to be easily forgotten. The vegetables and roots were alike a grand collection, not easily- to be matched anywhere. Altogether this Exhibition was a show the Canadians may claim every credit for. A feature that I particularly observed was the orderly way in which the crowds departed, without a sign of intemperance. This commend- able fact, coupled with the absence of beggars, was a most noticeable thing throughout our journey amongst all Canadian crowds. , . TOROKTO. Toronto is a fine city, with wide streets and good buildings, and has a population of 172,000. It is the largest city in the Province of Ontario, and situated on Lake Ontario, and possesses many important manufactories. The Province of Ontario is a fine agricultural province, having an area of 182,000 square miles, and contains a population of about 2,000,000. This province grows almost every variety of grain, vegetables, and fruit in the greatest perfection. The soil was originally all covered with timber, the early settlers having had to clear their farms out of the forest, or, in other words, rid out the timber, stumps and all, to clear the land. This province attracted the early settlers, and, consequently, there are more large cities here than in any other of ili'ii «f Mr. Witliam ScoUonCa Beport, 67 tne provinces, including such as Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kingston,' Brantford, and Guelph, all of which contain manufactories of various kinds, especially agricultural implements. We visited the Osborne Manufactory at Brantford, where some thousands of mowers and self- binders are turned out annually to all parts — in fact, I may say that the manufacturing towns in Ontario are the great workshops for the Dominion. I may, later on, again refer to the agricultural features of Ontario; but for the present the cry is "westward." ' ,,' r'i' - •' " "We left Toronto on "Wednesday, September 17th, on the Grand Trunk Eailway for North Bay; then, transferring to the Canadian Pacific, we proceeded for some hundred of miles through the primeval forest of timber and some scrub, mixed with tall charred tree stumps, showing the remnants of forest fires which sometimes sweep ah before them. These natural forests are interspersed along this railway with creeks, rivers, and lakes containing fish in abundance. Bivers and creeks are bridged over with wooden-built bridges All went well with our train until we arrived at the head of Lake Superior, where the recent rains had caused a slip of limestone to fall across the rail-road track, which brought our train to a standstill for a short time. A breakdown gang soon arrived and cleared the track, and all went well. We halted at a station where 150 cattle were being fed und watered in yards. These cattle, I was informed, were on their way to Montreal for the British Market, and were similar to those I had sometimes seen in the Stanley Cattle Market, Liverpool. Our next arrival was at Port Arthur, which, situated on an arm of Lake Superior, has docks, and is a point whence steamers ply to various points on the Great Lakes. It has a population of some 5,000 people, grain elevators, hotels, &c.. Sec., and is assured of a large and increasing trade in grain, coal, and other commodities. We next passed some fine scenery, one particular huge mountain of Basaltic rock, called the Sleeping Giant, strikes the beholder with its grandeur and immensity. On we travelled to Port William, a Hudson Bay Com- pany's settlement of 100 years old. Near this spot are said to be some of the richest silver mines in the world, one of which, the Shuncahweachu, is largely owned by people residing in Liverpool. Prom Fort William to Winnipeg the scenery is wild, and broken with rapid rivers and lakes. A few miles from the former place are the Kakabeka Falls, said to be higher than Niagara. Westward the train proceeded until the Lake of the Woods was passed, with its saw mills and lumber trade, and still on and on through wild scenery until at last, when nearing Winnipeg, the clear open prairie — a treeless plain — revealed itself to the eye. A wide river was crossed, and our train slowed into the Canadian Pacific Railway Station, Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba. Winnipeg is 700 feet above the sea level, has a population of 28,000 people (twenty years ago the population was only some 215), and is a fine city, situated at the junction of the Bed and the Assiniboine Rivers, both or which are navigable, has imposing buildings, wide streets, which appear to stretch miles, electric lighted, and good railway accommodation to every point. Already ten lines of railway centre in in ill "Irl 1'f \i J •4 I !* m. S8 The Agvieultural Baources of Canada, I; :•'> lif:'" '■It'"' -i li 'i It i -■ fit :■' ii»» m. : ::■ |i 'f'ii ',,.1. Ri i? I 'I' Winnipeg, and these lines are fast throwing out branches. The lines west 01 Winnipeg, and tributary to it, aggregate 2,800 miles, where only ten years ago there was not a single mile in operation. Win- nipeg appears destined to become one of the greatest commercial centres on the American Continent. I am convinced of this fact when I try to realise the future of Manitoba and the great North- western territories. This great plain of prairie land, stretches from Winnipeg to Calgary, or near to the far*famed Bocky Mountains, a distance well on to 1,000 miles, through which the Canadian Pacific Bailway track runs. All along this line of railway are agricultural towns and stations springing up. At many of these, i^uch as Brandon, Begina, Calgary, &c., there are grain elevators to receive the grain as soon as it is threshed from the fields or stacks; also stores of every kind, and hotels and boarding houses, mostly built of wood. My readers will please remember 1,000 miles is « long way, and I have only mentioned tbrtj towns as illustrating quite a number of others, such as Fortage-la-Frairie, a town of 3,000 inhabitants, and situated on the Assiniboine Biver, with grain elevators, flour mills, stores, &c. From Begina a branch railway runs north-west for 180 miles towards Prince Albert. Amongst the other towns, are Bapid City, Minnedosa, Medicine Hat, Wolseley, Indian Head, &c., all on lines of railway. At Indian Head is situated another Government experimental farm, which is presided over by Mr. McCoy, a thoroughly practical man, well fitted for his post. In the same neighbourhood are the great Bell Farm and the Lord Brassey Farm, with their studs of horses and thousands of acres of land. All these places I visited : and when I tell my readers that ten years ago the sites of nearly all of them were unbroken, wild, prairie land, without a sign of civilization, they may begin to form some idea of the thousands upon thousands of acres of this same kind of prairie land still untouched in Manitoba and the North-West territories, and yet these regions are now beginning to export ^rain to the markets of the globe. Therefore, I feel that 1 am doing scant justice to this great plain, stretching from Winnipeg to Calgarv, when ^ say, that it is now only beginning to be realised that here will be the great wheat- growing district, the granary of Canada. But it is not only grain that is- grown here; I was driven over fully a thousand miles in light conveyances, diverging from some of the towns mentioned, and in my travels found potatoes everywhere, grown by all classes of settlers, from the large farms like Sir Donald Smith's, near Winnipeg, ai i those of Sir John Lyster Kaye, which are ten in number, of a' -t 10,000 »cres each, to the 160-acre homstead of the ordinary ^ V, The i oyster Kaye farms, I may remark, are now controlled -tjlish Company, whose head manager is Mr. Thomas Stone, iau» a Juancashire farmer, well known here in the North. On Sunday, September 21st, when at Winnipeg, we went to the Protestant Church, which was just like being in England. I could scarcely realise that I was so far from home. On Monday, the 22nd, we visited the Industrial schools. All over the Dominion, education is more or Ism free, witk a i^stem of teachers and teaching as perfect as can be Mr, William Sootaon't Report, 59 derised. The equality and independence of character observable in the average Canadian appears to have its beginning in these free schools. The scholars ail looked clean and healthy, and full of promise for making good men and women. This same day, in company with others, I was presented to Lieut«nant- Governor Schultz and Mrs. Schultz, who expressed a desire to see Oanada peopled by the English^ speaking races. In the afternoon we drove out west from Winnipeg. Here vegetables of all kinds — celery, parsnips, beets, onions, cauli- flowers, potatoes — all looked fine, including some tall Indian com, which appeared as if touched with frost. One gentleman told me he did not use manure, as it made weeds grow. In the evening I was an invited guest to a banquet given in honour of the Minister of Fublio Works of the Dominion, and was gratified with the enthusiastic harmony of all ; the proceedings, as on all public occasions in Canada, termi- nated with " God Save the Queen " and " Auld Lang Syne." ' t- ' I, ■I'l 1 Mil iCj si. i!i!i!r!'li!|,'in|nj|in'i"in«i|ip|,j, Bte«iil( l!i'"iq| 4 • ,^..'. ,!,ijlid' .! .i HKhiM?? ?•? WBHAT BTACKB, UAMirOOA. On TVednesday I visited the district of Glenborough, going by rail. There I saw wheat growing and harvesting operations going on in all directions and in all stages, from cutting with self-binders to the steam threshing machine. "Wheat ! wheat ! stacks ! stacks ! Everyone busy at this work ; and no preparations for rain, no stack sheets and no thatching being required, as there was no rain or sign of rain, but bright, clear weather right along. Wheat succeeding wheat is grown for years together, withone ploughing to grow each crop. I went to visit some Scotch croftersi and all said they were glad they had oome i *.;. tM e^ >'%i JW Mii if . •*- •4 .- . *«•, 'i :■. w ;'• ■■( ., 5r^« Agnmltxiral Retoureet of Canada, to Manitoba. They were on quarter sections of 160 acres each; now, or soon, would be owners of their own land and out of debt — and their stock, consisting of working bullocks, cattle, pigs, poultry, Ac, tended to verify what thoy said. There were about thirty families settled in the locality, having been, as I was led to believe, assisted by the British Government some two years ago to come out. From Glenborough to Wawanesa we proceeded through a wheut-growing country, and again we saw stacks of wheat in great profusion, and threshing machines doing 1 ,600 bushels and upwards par day. Most of the land is here taken up, all owning their tarniH, and being very happy in their wooden- built homes. A farmer complained that one hrm only put up all the corn elevators, and consequently had mostly their own price in taking the wheat from the farmers. There are I'armers about this district who leave their land in fallow one year out of four or five. On Friday, September 26th, we visited Mr. Sandison's great farm near Brandon. > k * * oi 1 1 •>•" 'm rw^m 5% '€'^ ■ ' ,', i);»i.'>A" f ■.■■ , ' .v'.': ■ ymim m 1 J 1; BAaraatuia at aANPisoM's rAav, baamdon. He had some 40 horses and 60 men at work in gathering his 1,500 odd acres of wheat and 500 acres of oats ; carting, threshing, and taking grain to the elevators ; ploughing for next year's crop, all in full swing, and Mr. Sandison superintending in his " buggy." He has twelve self- binders to cut hs harvest. All this big operation in wheat growing has been got together by this one man in less than seven years. I saw a good many acres of this wheat. I was driven over the stubble between the shocks, and found the whole all a good crop, although it was the sixth on the same land in succession, without either rest manure. Mr. Sandison owns his land and manages it himself. or Hi'j crop doserres. this vfifir ill •v^iTv good prouc, wnicn ne well 1 - Mr. William ScotsoWs Report, m. The Government have an experimental farm at Brandon, with an: nlilo man at its head, Mr. Bedford here doing much the same kind of eillcient work as is done at Ottawa. It was a pleasure to see the eood work in progress to benefit the agriculture of this province, particularlv' in f^raHses, native and artificial ; also corn, wheat, barley, and oats, all of wliicb are hero tried in great variety and accurately reported upon. Altogether the driving in "rigs" around Brandon and Glenborough revealed a sight in wheat growing not easy for British agriculturists to realise, and once seen never to be forgotten. From Brandon to Bapid City we found more wheat districts of like character. I could count from the horse carriage 100 wheat Htaclcs at a time, put up in sets of four, for convenience of threshing. Straw is burnt to clear the land for next year's crop of wheat. As we neared Bapid City, wliich is on the Little Saskatchewan Hiver, there was mure scrub or small timber. This is mostly the case un and about the courses of rivers. There is at Bapid City a corn elevator, a flour mill, and a woollen mill supplied with native wool. The Bed I'ife wheat grown here is quite as good as that known in the British markets as the best Duluth. I left this place for Minnedosa by rail. Minnedosa is a pretty city at the head of a valley of the above-mentioned river, and I found the settlers there happy and contented on their land. On September 28th I left by rail for Saltcoats. On arriving there I drove out to a Mr. Moore, who came from Northumberland, England, and had been there a farm bailiff. He has his place in nice order, including his stacks, buildings, garden, house, &c., and is quite content with his lot, the farm being his own. I then visited the Messrs. Kensington's place. They have acquired 15 sections, or 10,000 acres, at about $3^ per acre, and are busy putting up large buildings, house, cow houses, stables, &c. — all wood — at a coat of about £1,000 sterling, intending to make this estate into a large cattle ranche. I saw some very useful shorthorn cattle as a commencement of this rancliing farm. Next I visited a Mr. Knott, a small settler from Norfolk, England, who came out two years ago, and has now 27 acres of fair grain. His family consists of four children, the eldest about 12 years, and he is without help. He has cut all his prairie hay (25 tons), and cut and staclced all his 27 acres of grain. He was a gardener, has some nice vegetables, and after his two years' toil, is quite content, and looking forward to a prosperous future. At Saltcoats a creamery and butter factory has been established. The farmers who take their cream to this factory are all shareholders, and are supplied with registered cans which shew the quantity of cream in inches, and they are paid according to this registered standard. We visited a Mr. Ferguson, who is a good sample of a settler in this neighbourhood. He is quite content with his lot. His potatoes are a thick, good crop, as also are his swedes. On September 29th we visited Binscarth pedigree stock farm, wliich was commenced in 1882. It is 4,000 acres in extent. We saw some very nice pedigree shorthorn cattle in fine fresh condition, living on nothing but prairie grass, including some very pretty yearlings, both heifers and bulls, all good, two exceptionally so. Altogether we .!f ri «i^ m ,"5 1, #' 62 Thi Agrieultural Retourcet of Canada, 8tt': "*!• Bavt' about 30 pire brt^ pedigree shorthorns intended for sale. The introduction of such animals must be an enormous benefit to this region. There is a large wooden bam built against the slope of the hill used as a cow house underneath and as a bam overhead. Altogether it is a good homesteading. From Binscarth we the next day visited the Birtle Agricultural Show with the Mayor (an old settler). In this neighbourhood there are a large number of British settlers. The exhibitirn of grade or native cattle, horses, and sheep; also roots, particuluflj potatoes ; and neixlle and fancy work, were interesting examples of what 10 years of pioneer life can do in Canada. From this show we drove to Major Wilkinson's farm of 2,000 acres, which is situated on the edge of a pretty creek or valley. There are 220 acres of crop, and 2J years ago there were only 50. A good crop of wheat was in progress of carting to the thresher. "We afterwards attended a conversazione at the Town Hall of Birtle, presided over by the Mayor, a straight and kind-hearted Canadian, who, with great ability, drew from the farmers present some interesting facts as to how well they had succeeded since their settling in the neighbourhood. This interesting ceremony terminated with singing " God Save the Queen " in a very hearty and loyal manner. October 1st brought us to the district of Neepawa, a good grain growing region. The land is a little more rolling, with some scrub in the uncleared portions. The settlers here all seemed content. One farmer told me he came here to please his sons, and was quite satisfied. He did not think the district about Neepawa suffered from summer frosts, like some of the wheatr-growing districts in Manitoba. I learned there that one farmer had had his stacks destroyed by fire during the opera- tion of threshing with a steam thresher. I was informed he was not insured against loss. I thought this a good district as I was being driven through. On October 2nd, at Portage-la-Prairie, I was driven by Mr. Sorby some 17 miles through a wheat-growing level plain to his farm called "The Hermitage." This farm of two sections, or 1,280 acres, had 870 acres of grain, some threshed, and all stacked. Mr. Sorby called himself a " wheat manufacturer," and said he had only two busy months out of twelve— one to sow his land, as soon as the breaking up of the winter f roat allowed him to begin grain sowing ; the other to cut his harvest and thresh, and then plough for next years crop. Mr. Sorby has six string-binders which were in good repair, and neatly stowed away in a wooden shed ready for next year's use. He pushes ahead to get all his land ploughed in the autumn for next year's crop with the help of hired teams. He says he has no difficulty in getting all ploughed before the winter sets in, when no ploughing can be done, the land being usually frozen to a depth of from two to three feet, and covered with fine enow, like frozen dew, dry and hard. "When this period is reached the Manitobans begin to use sleighs instead of wheeled vehicles. This continues until spring, when the snow is evaporated and absorbed, and as soon as the surface of the land is free from frost two or three inches deep, the farmeto begin to sow their wheat. All with them is high preg= sure until t"his is completed. Having little or no autumn sown wheat, this spring sown grain is their staple crop. Then follows the sowing of Mr. WtUiam 6cotion*i Report. 63 ir sale. The nefit to this pe of the hill ^Ito^ether it f visited the •). In this ;tler8. The also roots, I interesting lada. From acres, which There are i good crop I afterwards led over by with great s as to how lood. This 9 Queen " in good grain le scrub iu bent. One ;e satisfied, imer frosts, irned there the opera- te was not was being ivas driven >lain to his I, or 1,280 Mr. Sorby • two busy •eaking up her to cut Mr. Sorby >wed away to get all lie help of led before md being ered with 8 reached )8. This rbed, and ■ee inches iIOpTi rkKAO— n wheat, owing of what little is grown of barley, oats, peas, potatoes, roots, Sto. Only little breadth of artificial grasses is sown. These farmers get their hay from prairi« grass, which grows on low, damp places, called sloughs or slews. This hay harvest is done mostly before the grain is ready ; then all is hurry until the grain is gathered. I feel I must here say that the average Britisher or Englishman does not understand the Canadian winters. Tlie thermometer frequently going below zero gives him a litl le terror, as this very 'seldom takes place in England, even in the most severe winters. The atmosphere in Canada is, however, so clear and dr^ that I was told over and over again by settlers from England they did not feel the cold any more than in' England. One lady from Devonshire, England, told me she had lately spent one winter in her old home and there felt the cold more than in Canada, the air was so damp. No doubt there are times, for a few days, when care is required not to be " scientifically frozen " (as I have heard it described), but this is very rare, and happens only to careless and benighted people. The Canadians do not fear their winter ; I should not do so, nor do I see very much for others to fear. Of course I did see one or two cases of perfsons damaged by being frost bitten, but these instances were extreme ones, through unavoidable exposure. It is usually bright and clear weather, June being their rainy month. A FARM BOVBB IN THI NORTH WEST TSRUIORIC0. '' (Pratm by Colorul Fane.) As we travelled on by rail from Eegina we observed one curious reminder of the life that used to throng these vast plains. Along the 'tm p :■ J'- Ik i<*M is >■*.■■ JS; *l|r;'i.,>. '»*> m Tlie Agricultural Resources of Canada, '* j!ii'l',;"*l' IW-""'"""- •'&..>.- lf|i|&. ■ill'-: -pi' " sides of the railway are piles of buffalo bones, gathered by the Indians, the last remnants of the mighty herds of Bison, v^liich, not so very .many years ago, grazed ove:? these long stretches of country. Our next halting place was Prince Albert, where we arrived on Sunday, October 5th. At this place the delegates were welcomed by the jMayor, and carriages were provided for their use to see the pity and its surroundings. Prince Albert is some 200 miles north-west of Eegina, and well situated on the Saskatchewan Eiver, "which is still navigable. We saw several timber rafts, and saw-mills on the river banks. A railway is projected running west from this point to Edmonton. The town has a good appearance, as it is built on rolling land, sloping gradually to the river. We called upon several farmers in this r^ighbourhood; they were very pleased, especially a Mr. Flaxton, to shew 9 their farms, and all had good grain and vegetables. They all appeared thoroughly happy and content. On my remarking that the land, where not under cultivation, was uneven and scrubby, I was told that further back from the river there is fine prairie land in great quantity ready for settlers. I was sorry that I had not time to see more of this town and district ; for there was much that was new and interesting, with everything, as the Americans say, apparently on the up-grade. I understand that the Hudson's Bay Company have lands in the district, which are, no doubt, for sale. Eeturning to Eegina, our train stopped at Duck Lake. At Mr. Mitchell's cattle ranche, we were driven some miles out to see the land and stock. We foimd plenty of water and prairie grass, which is stronger grown than about Eegina. There are at Duck Lake wooden houses erected, and others in course of construction, forming a considerable settlement. Here also a company, I was informed, hold an extensive portion of land for sale, and have a resident agent. We were shewn some samples of grain, which was of good quality, grown a few miles from this location. At Saskatoon we were again inter- viewed, and shown grain and vegetables grown near this place, where the railway crosses the Saskatchewan Eiver the products being all very good. All is now open prairie land until Eegina, the capital of Assiniboia, is again reached. It might well be called the City of the Plains, the surroundings being so bare and open. The city has a population of some 3,000, is a distributing point, has good railway accommodation, and the Executive Council of the North-West territories meet there. The North- West mounted police, numbering 1,000 men, have their head quarters at Eegina. They look over the Indians and keep order in the country between Manitoba and the Eocky Mountains. Eegina sends a Member to the Dominion Parliament, and has a Mayor and Corporation, wide streets, schools, churches, and hotels, most of which are built of wood. On Tuesday, 7th of October, we visited the Eegina Agricultural Show of roots, grain, &c., with needlework, all of which were nice exhibits. I was sorry we could not remain to see the stock on the nest day, as, no doubt, mixed farming with stock will increase. Here we had rain, which interferred with our seeing more of this district. After we left Eegina the train next stopped at Medicine Hat, on theSa the po have f ( partict place f police and sei „'>■ ' vWll Mr, William SeotsorCs Report, 65 ^ere nice the Saskatchewan Eiver. Here we visited a show of roots and grain.' the potatoes heing extra good and veiy large. I may mention that I have for years noticed that a climate with a soil that will grow roots, particularly potatoes, and wheat well, is always a fruitful and healthy place for man. Here we found a well-appointed hospital, a mounted police station, coal mines not far away, a railway depot with workshops, and several churches, all of which show its progress. At Medicine Hat we were joined by Mr. Thomas Stone, whom I have before mentioned as manager of the Sir John Lyster Kaye's farms. It was a pleasure, as we passed through these farms by rail, to hear from Mr. Stone how he has now arranged the 10 farms of about 10,000 acres to each farm, with a bailiff over each, growing grain and fodder to enable each farm to meet its own wants. The farms are chiefly intended for the breeding of horses, cattle, and sheep. A number of breeding mares and their foals, mostly to Clydesdale sires, were rounded up for us to see these young horses, which well evidence the stamp of their imported sires. Mr. Stone's arrangement of these farms, as told to me, appeared very business-like. He has his self-binders and other implements cleaned and repaired at the close of harvest, and put away in readiness for the next year, an example which should be copied by all who aim at expeditious and economical working. This is a big business, and it is not easy to reckon up as to profit or loss (on my return journey there had been a fire at one of these farms). On October 9th we arrived at the charming agricultural and ranching centre Calgary, situated on the Bow Eiver, overlooked in the distance by the far-famed white-peaked Eocky Mountains. This city is the capital of Alberta, has coal and mining industries near, a large timber trade, is a centre for the mounted police, also for the Hudson Bay Company, and is in the middle of the great ranching prairie land east of the Eocky Mountains, where there are thousands of cattle, besides horses. We had a drive over some of this land from Calgary to Mr. Hull's farm, called Government Farm. He has a large business as a cattle dealer, butcher, and farmer, growing grain and roots for his stock on the low-lying lands of this farm. A large horse machine was at work threshing a fair lot of oats, but they had been a little heated in the stack. 120 head of cattle were rounded up by Mr. Hull on horseback for our party to see. They proved a nice bunch of oxen on clear prairie land, miles in extent. Next day, Friday, 10th of October, we drove with the police team, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Stone joining our party, through the ranching country south of Calgary, through Pine Creek, on to McPherson's, a large horse- breeding ranch. I understood that the foals run with their dams all through the winter and are not weaned. In the stackyard wap a large quantity of prairie hay, mostly used for saddle horses and stallions during the winter months, but some is given in severe weather to the breeding and young horses out on the open prairie. We were unfortunate in not finding Mr. McPherson at home. However, we made the best of it, and remained all night, our good driver and team taking us back the next morning through another ranching country, where we saw some well-bred stallions which had I.— I" S^'»l 66 ■#' The Agrieultural Euoureu of Canada, il' i'iifiii:? ;il»':'" lili li iiS''!:-,.. .,|f:li/^ '■' .111 WM ■nil, been in use on the ranch. Here we were again unfortunate, the manager having been taken ill, and sent this day to the hospital, where be died. From this "ranch home," with its good loose boxes and yards, we went on through prairie land, some fenced, but more not, with an occasional settler's home. "We then reached Calgary, having driven some 100 miles in the two days. All along this drive we came across cattle of various breeds belonging to big ranching companies, who Own some thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep in this district. Calgary citizens are proud of their city, and have great hopes for its future. On Sunday, October 12th, at 2*30 a.m., we left Calgary, arriving at Banff for breakfast. The Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel at BanS' is situated amid charming scenery, on the valley of the Bow Eiver, with cascades,' pine trees, and mountains vieing with each other in height and vastness. There are natural hot sulphur water springs here, which are utilised as the best natural warm baths I ever used or saw. Banff for charming scenery is a place not to be forgotten, with its delightful winding valley and hillside drives through its National Park and ever-varied scenery. We again joined our train, proceeding on through the far-famed, mighty, overawing Eocky Mountains, whose grand range of scenery, and the efEect produced on the beholder, I will not att^empt to describe. On and on we passed over marvellous wooden bridges, and at last along a winding gorge, through which the Eraser Eiver threads its course westward. After leaving Banff we passed along this marvellous engineering feat, the Canadian Pacific Eaalway, for a distance of 500 miles, along mountain sides, over ravines and rushing waters, one endless panorama of wild and glorious scenery, until we arrived at Hope, the head of navigation on the Eraser Eiver, which runs into the Pacific. The climate and vegetation here savours of home. Still on the Canadian Pacific Eailway, we skirted the valley of the Fraser Eiver, until once more along a tidal stream the journey to New Westminster was accomplished, and we entered one of the most flourishing seaports of British Columbia. New Westminster has a population of 5,000, is well situated on the north side of the Fraser Eiver, and is one of the foremost towns in this province. Here we found street-making and building actively going on. There are numerous canneries for preserving salmon, several of which we visited, and all were doing an enormous trade in the season. There are many fine builuiUgs, including the Agricultural Hall, in Queen's Park. Large saw-mills are a distinct feature. In these mills big logs are picked up from rufts in the river, passed through perfect machinery, and, like well-regulat«d straws, are cut into the required dimensions for home and export trade to China, Australia, &c. Eegular steamers from this port also ply south to Victoria. On AVednesday, October 15th, we visited the agricultural lands border- ing on the Fraser Eiver, some of which are called delta lands, at Ladnor's Landing. Here the soil is of rich quality, growing very fine mangolds, and particularly fine white oats, weighing 44 lbs. to the bushel, rye, and fruit. Here we had rain, and it seemed very much like being in the marshy lands of Britain, with dykes to take the water into the river. On Mr. Hutchinson's fruit farm we saw young apple and Mr. Wxttiam Scotaf America tik Niagara Falls, and re-entecei Canada by rail bound for Hamilton, whicb is a manufac- turiug i^ity in the Province of Ontario. We arrived in tline to vif'iii the Brib>D'(ia Silver Works the same afternoon. Our next visit was to rsra,T!ti:ord. Wo were intifnluced to the Mayor, &e., and utteii.ed a meetMig of the .0«-> .?«! of Trade to discuss the question of increasing the boundary of fcht C'itj •: J^'rantiord. The discussion was a good one, the sc-veral spoakere sbowing much ability. On Wedjjie«day mo; ulng, accompanied by Mr. Blue, Deputy Minister of Ao'vicuJturii for Ontiirio, and others, we drove out to Bow Park, a farm ^i' about 1,000 acres, and managed by Mr. John Hope (well known In English agricultural circles) for Messrs. 2'telson, of Edinburgh. There is liere an excellent herd of shorthoraa in fine condition, with I>one and hair showing vitality, a treat to see. This is i\ nice farm, abont three miles from Brantford, and bounded by the errand Eiver on one side. The stock and crops on the farn^ showed good uianagement. At Brantford we went through the factory of Harx-is 4 Co,, makers of the " Osborne " Eeapers and Mowers, where 6ome Lv dsands are turned out annually. Professor Bell gives dis- tinction to this city, as the inventor of the telephone." We left Brantford by the Grand Trunk Eailvay , paesing through the counties of Oxford and Elgin, observing all along the route good mixed farm- ing, and 'stock in the fields in good condition. At St. Thomas we were accompanied by Alderman Martin, and were driven to Yarmouth, overlooking what is known as the Quaker's Valley. Here is a good country, well farmed ; indeed, the whole valley is like a series of prize farms lying side by side. This drive of many miles revealed some of the best farming we had seen in Canada. The next; item in our pro- gram me was a return to Windsor, Ontario, and thence by train along the rrUey of the Thames Eiver to London, the county town o* Middle- sex. On Saturday, November 8th, we arrived at Guelph !& was market day. We examined soma barley in sacks on a farmt iiggon for sale. A brewer who bought this barley said he pr '• ^d the native four or six-rowed the two-rowed ; Mi-. >Tl m, from Mosboro, Ontario, said mv- i ae same thing. I saw :/;Xi.vi Kwo-rowed barley grown near Prince Albert, North- West terviti. samples from British Columbia, near Victoria, Brandoru • - i all of which for malting I should have preferred to any of %•' six-rowed barley shown to me in Ontario. I was well pleased with the arrangements, and the pruv ' ^1 good and also Alberta, ■. four or Mr, William ScoisotCs Be^ort, 71 being done at the Guelph Ajipricultural College. President Mills, with Professor Suaw, showed the delegates all the working at this college and experimental farm. Stddents are taught in the college the spirit of af^riculture, and on the farm they work out the practice, in the manage- II lidt of the land, sowing and harvesting the crops, in breeding cattle, yif. p.and pigs, in veterinanr science, and in experiments with different r: :. . jns lu to feeding the different classes of animals to make the most profitable return on the produce consumed, the weighing machine being regularly used, and accurate reports taken of all proceedings. I must say I was instructed as well as interested in this work shown us by the ge; ial President and staff. I feel that I must specially thank the Minister of Agriculture, Ontario, for arranging for Mr. Blue, the Deputy Minister, to show Mr. Wood and myself some of the farms, stock, and agricultural lands of Ontario. I think, further, that I am justified in saying that Ontario has sown the seeds of most of the farming now practised in the Dominion west of Ontario, and that she may still be called the premier province for stock and mixed agriculture. We jo\imeyed on through Ottawa and Montreal to Quebec, accompanied by the courteous Secretary to the Department of Agriculture (Mr. H. B. Small) and Mr. Campbell, of Winnipeg, to both of whom my best thanks are due for their kindness and assistance, as indeed they are due to all Gk>Temment agents and Canadians generally. We joined the Allan Boyal Mail Steamer " Parisian " on November 13th, and, after a safe passage with pleasant company, arrived in Liverpool on the 22nd. I exceedingly regret that, owing to the limited time at my dis- posal, I could not visit the maritime provinces ; but from what I ascertained from Senator Prowse, of Prince Edward Island, from genVieui^n I met in tarious parts of Canada, and from those of the delegates who were more fortunate than myself, I believe that these provinces are in many waye similar to Ontario, and that they offer very good openings to .iP"ner8 and others with capital. In conclusion, I have to say, after travelling through the heart of Canada, from Quebec to Victoria, a distance of some thousands of miles, that I saw in Manitoba and the great North-West thousands of square miles of good prairie land yet untouched, and waiting for men and money to develop its worth and to win for themselves competence and inu iper« lence. ^n travelling through this vast country I conversed with rr.'.ay hundreds of settlers of different nationalities, and tV' seeme 1 .^^bisfied with tb ;}? lot. I met many men who a few years ago hac gone out to Canada with no^.hic^ but their hands and brains, who ^re now in good positions on ^air farms, and glad that Canada is their present and future home. These men are mostly locat d on their own lands, and feel a freedom hitherto unknown; x^hiist they find the Oanadians quite as English as themselves. It is hard to realise that this is the case so many thousand miles from England, yet it is undoubtedly the fact, and the farther west you get from Quebec %'/■-. more English in character you find the people. After careful *.i..vciv^< ligations in all direcUona, ample opportunities I 4 I ':Wm \ I % 1 I yv% 79 * The Agricultural Reiourui of Canada, for which were afiForded me, and after thoroughly testing all statements made to me by the light of my own hard practical experience of nearly half a century, during which period I have become familiar with nearly every agricultural district in efreat Britain, and the methods of farming adopted therein, I can safely say that, in my upinion, there are homes and independence in these vast regions for thousa'ids in at least three conditions of persons, viz.: the young of both sexes, who can get employment at good wages, provided they are willing to make them- selves useful as labourers and servants, with an excellent chance of winning homes and homesteads for themselves ; and, secondly, for the small farmer with a little capital, who can here use his strength, intelligence, and small means to greater advantage than perhaps anywhere else in the world, both to himself and to the country of his adoption ; in the case of his richer brethren, though they may not need to win a livelihood for themselves, the openings for settling sons and daughters advantageously are not to be despised. I may add that, in order to assist and advise intending settlers, and prevent them being imposed upon, the Canadian Government have appointed agents in all the larger towns and cities in Canada, and also in England, from whom all information that they can desire is to be obtained. The Canadian Eailway Comptmies, the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, and several large land companies, which have lands for sale in various parts of the Dominion, also have local and European agents, by whom information will be readily given. .■.»••'■■ . > I ; -f; .' .11;"' T ■rX. •••'."A' ;.4|H"' :^i^:\ «i;i, .!'.',:*• . "*1 Wk Iff:? .-I. 'i "It' mviMMin suuiouaai oixawa (iast slock). ^. ^ -* I 4 » . ' * ' -* ■ .,; *yvJ ■•■ii:i 'a>7 '!--T-.?^;'i .};!•• 0) '•■•i'.rr- ■'X''.'' 'J-'-;''- .'- .-^■^i'.y it !,>: ■,'. *■-.■;,:■ » : ; ■iiiii; itatementa of nearly ith nearly )f fanning are homes east three 9 can get ake them- chance of ly, for the strength, I perhaps ;ry of his not need sons and y settlers, nent have , and also 'e is to be Bay Com- >r sale in n agents, ME0~ 74 T7u Agricultural Resources of Canada, THE REPORT OF MR. JOHN T. WOOD, The Court, ' :w )' ^, near Liverpool. At a meeting of tho r.^yrorpool Farmers' Club, or. January 31, 1891, Mr. Eichard Webster in the chair, Mr. Johh T. Wood read the follow- ing paper : — In response to a letter in the public rro-r '' ^ Sir Oharles Tapper, the High CommiHHioner for the Dom' rii ju in England, luvitiug applica-> .tionsfrom gentlemen willing to proceed to Canada to report on the agricultural resources of the Dominion, my services were tendered at the request i f influential farmers in this district, and accepted, and I left my homf< n the 4th September last to join the Allan Line steamship " Sardinian,' on which I met three colleagues who had received similar appointmoni/d. We cleared from the Alexandra Dock, Liverpool, directly alter midday, and were soon speeding on our way to Moville, there to await the arrival of the mails. At' the outset, I may say that it is almost impossible in a brief report, such as thus, is intended to be, to sufficiently condense the information, that the public who are interested in Canadian emigrrtion may obtain a succinct account of a tour which has been to me al ince both delightful and instructive. I trust, therefore, I shall be pardoned by the general reader if I touch lightly on the pleasiirable portions of the trip, about which volumes could be written, in order that the time and space at my disposal may be more usefully employed in spreading a knowledge of the present condition and probable future of one of our Colonial possessions, of which Englishm'^n may be proud, and concerning which there is such a lamentable display of ignorance end misconception. It will, therefore, be sufilr!ent for mt to say, that passengers of all grades by the AX"! Lin , receive very care and attention at the hands of the ship's officers, wbose e adeavours are successfully employed to render the voyage a period of enjoyment to all concerned. Ghui:<.es on deck, reading, Tnx:.H he llth, and proceeding, enjoyed the unique spectacle, on a waim, br%it lunny day, of sixty icebergs in sight at one time — some of immense size and beauty, and th toajority of which appeared to have grounded on the coasts and bulks, after floating from the more northerly regions. The "Sardinian" dischai^ed passengers and mails at Bimouski, and pro- ceeding, arrived at Quebec at midnight on the 13th September. A walk before breakfast past the citadel to the Plains of Abraham (where Wolfe fell), and a subsequent drive to Indian Lorette, were all that our limited time would permit of. The lands passed through, '. I Mr. J, T. WooiVt h ,ort, 75 especially in and near the Indian village, were of good quality and pro- ductive, but dirty; being indifferently and roughly cultivated. The natives are Huron Indians (civilised) and French Oanadians ; the latter a fine race of happy people, who grow sufficient to keep themselves and their families, but who do not appear to attempt farming as a business- like end profitable operation. In this district we were informed that at least, five-sixths of the inhabitants are Roman Catholics. There are no truants; each farmer owns his own lot. French Canadians do better here than English and Scotch settlers, and my advico to the latter would be, go further west. Travelling by rail from Quebec to Montreal, we passed through immense tracts of land, which, viewed from the railway car, is certainly not inviting; though, after passing Three Rivers, the plains were more fertile. Montreal, possessing 220,000 inhabitants, was reacned at 8 p.m. ; and an inspection of the town showed how rapidly cities in Canada can increase in population and importance. The buildings are solid and handsome, the streets well laid out anu lined with maples, which grow luxuriantly ; pavements of wood, compressed asphalia, and macadam, are the ml ). Thoroughfares and buildings are lighted by the electric light ; and on all sides are evidences of progress and success. It is important to the farmers in the neighbourhood to have such a population m their midst. A.9 the time at our disposal did not permit our seeing much of the Pro/vice of Queb"^, und absolutely nothing of the maritime provinces,- I pv ')se deulin,, first with Ontario, and then with Manitoba, the great ^S'orth-Wcst Territories, and British Colombia, in the order named; nd I trust I shall be excused if I make a digression, and attempt lo jive such information as I was able to gather respecting the mining and manii' cturin^ industries o* Alberta and British Columbia, with which, in opinion, to a very great extent, the agricultural prosperity of each is inseparably bound , ,v.yu^)i% . Ontabio. Ontario has a superficial area of 181,800 square miles, and possesses a population of over two millions. The principal city in this province is Toronto, which contains very nearly 200,000 people. Here is the ueftt of the Provincial Government, and also of very considerable rnanufac- turing industries ; indeed it may be described as a city of wealth and success. In the years 1881 to 1888 an incrc ise from 86,415 to 172,000 inhabitants is recorded. ' Ottawa, the seat of the Dominion Government, contains about 50,000 inhabitants. The Houses of Parliament constitute a group of exceedingly fine buildings, which, whilst architecturally beautiful, are extensive, well arranged, and convenient. The lumber (timber) trade of the Province of Ontario is located here, whilst the various manufactur- ing industries carried on in Ottawa, and in the adjacent town of Hull on the opposite bank of the river, combine in inairiTig this an important centre of trade and commerce. Other cities I visited in Ontario were Hamilton, a manufacturing town of 45,000 inhabitants, London with 30,000, Brantford with 15,000, and Guelph with 11,000, each pos- II" ' 7d The Ar/rtcuUtiral lieaoureei of Canada, sessing distinct evidence* of growth, which arc not Burprlsing when their improving manufactures and the quality oi the agricultural landa in their vicinities, coupled with the excellent railwajr facilities, are borne in mind. i^T'^'inff^mf^ I ) " 4.^.' ^■'i'rti Vtm. •M.- , I l/.u. i' I ■-■ i iV. Ill, II.'' •'•' •< ■''-*■■ ,»■ ■ jf ,■' ■^v^'L: III* "Jj I! 1 I ■'it A' V„ ■ , A VIXW IN LONDON, ONTARIO. (KlohmoiiA BtTMt, lookiii4 South.) At Ottawa we had the opportunitj of Inspecting the Central Experimental Farm, of enquiiing fully into its management and aims, and of examining the work being accomplished under Professor Saunders' scientific and practical guidance. Words are incapable of expressing my appreciation of the extreme importance to the agri- culturist and the Dominion generally, of the experiments and trials in every branch of husbandry there in progress, and of the exceeding carefulness with which all records are kept, to render the information published annually by the Department of Agriculture, thoroughly reliable. To no other country in the world can an Englishman emigrate and find the same deep interest taken by the Government in the welfare of settlers ; indeed, it is difficult to conceive that anything more could be done to render them greater assistance. The establishment of the remaining Government farms, and the selection of the sites at Brandon for Manitoba, Indian Head for the North-West Territories, and at Agassiz for British Columbia, each of which I visited, reflect the highest credit on all concerned; whilst the intelligent support Pro- fessor Saunders receives in the seconding of his end^vours by the respective managers of those farms, leaves nothing to be desired. I much regret I had not an opportunity of visiting the farm at Nappan, Nova Scotia, established for the maritime provinces. That in Canada, and especially in some districts, there are serious drawbacks— chiefly climatic — to be combatted, no one can deny. It is then of the utmost importance that an exact knowledge of the varieties of grains, locality si stock, &c, establishr visit to officialiBD the farm* be well 1 free of ( vitality. cereals, i qualities is'largel any vari< and as i 12,000 ( gratis d wheat, 1 50 of I been mi hybridifi benefit beets, J Profes8( grown Mr. J, T, WooS^t TUporC 11 aXTBRUtlNTAIi rABM, OTTAWA. of grains, fruits, fodder, plants, vegetables, and trees suitable for each locality should be gained, and this and other information relative to stock, &c., is what is sought to be obtained and disseminated from these establishments. Not the least agreeable feature connected with my visit to the Central Parm, was the entire absence of red-tape and officialism. To mention all the branches working advantageously in the farmers' interest, would occupy too much space. It may, however, be well to enumerate a few. Grain and seeds of all kinds are tested free of cost to the sender (and post free also), for germination and vitality. Experiments are made with all varieties of wheats and other cereals, and with grasses and fruits, to test their relative productive qiialities and period of early ripening. Seed and plant distribution is largely made, when it has once been established beyond doubt that any variety of grain or fruit is certain to prove useful to the recipients ; and as an ins^nce of what is being accomplished, I was informed that 12,000 samples, chiefly wheat, oats, and barley, had been distributed gratis during the past season. Tests of over 70 varieties of spring wheat, 100 of fall wheat, 80 of oats, 20 of rye, 50 of barley, as well as 60 of Indian com, for productiveness and earliness of ripening, have been made in one year ; whilst the experiments with fertilisers and in hybridising grains (especially wheat), must result in a permanent benefit to the Dominion which is incalculable. The growth of sugar- beets, and all kinds of roots and vegetables, claim a share of the Professor's attention. In 1889, 251 varieties of potatoes alone were grown side by side under similar conditions, whilst 237 new varieties Iri ;■.)!'«': i > n ' J •■'^.''»'-.y I n', 4 1 I -■' ':!'.■• ■ ,-1 ^: 'w i.'ll 78 The Agricultural Resources of Canada. ■;fti -, "I" ; hilifii'"-' r ?'ii ?i.; nil , :>J|! .nl» l# ■'ill?':.-..;' ' .'''ihi > " :i'fv„,.T *' I* ',;■ •"' ■■■' &».<«■ ft 13^ '-'liv*.'" - ■&;■■ -r |iiir«> T ■■■.•■; "ii .... ■**,■ lilt' . were raised from hybridised seeds. Orchards containing 360 kinds of hardy apples, pears, plums, cherries, &c., are being tried; the vine- yard contains 127 varieties of outdoor grapes ; and small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, &c., are receiving careful and i'-*telligent study. The planting of the wide prairies, especially round the farm steadings, with shelter belts of forest and other trees, is a matter of first consideration, and, therefore, it is a satisfaction to the settler to know that he will, in the near future, be able to obtain from the Agricultural Department all the information he requires in this important branch. Poultry are kept in pure breeds and first crosses for ascertaining their relative hardiness, and their merits as egg producers, and as table fowls ; and the whole of the Dominion to which civilisation has extended being admiiably adapted to this industry, renders this a work of great utility. The immense interest to the stock-raiser in every part of the Colony attaching to the satisfactory laying down of grass lands, and to the growth of fodder plants, is fully recognised; and the experimental plots of native and foreign grasses under trial will, in another year, enable satisfactory advice to be given to the public. I may state that Indian corn grown for ensilage has been most successful; a crop of 30 tons per acre was being cut and chafPed during the period of my visit, forming an excellent winter food for stock. The experiments in cattle feeding, and in the relative milk producing properties of the respective breeds, are carefully noted, and each year's experience is published in the reports of Professor Saunders, and by the respective heads of departments. The foregoing must be taken as representing a portion only of the scientific and useful work here accomplished. The Chemical Department is admirably conducted by Mr. F. T. Shutt, M.A., F.C.S., and the Botanical and Entomological Sections by Mr. James Fletcher, F.E.S.C, F.L.S. ; whilst Professor Robertson is engaged visiting all parts of the Dominion, spreading broadcast information by lectures relative to the best known methods of butter and cheese making, a branch of agriculture for which Canada is well adapted, and one which must soon become very much more important than is at present realised. Toronto. — The Canadian World's Fair at Toronto being open at this time, that city was the next visited ; and two very interestiiig days were spent in an examination of the exhibits of horses, cattle, imple- ments, fruits, vegetables, farm produce, " A very pleasing feature of the exhibition being the friendly rivalry uisplayed by thb inhabitants of Manitoba, Assiniboia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and other provinces, in placing before the visitors a collection of the pro- ducts of their respective districts. These exhibits were well arranged, and in charge of trustworthy officials — usually farmers — who were at all times ready to ^.ve Irxformation and answer enquiries. Pleasing mottoes across the front of each provincial dif^jplay, such as " We love Alberta the home of our adoption," prepared me in some measui- when afterwards visiting them, for the general contentment of the peov ie, and for their enthusiasm when insisting that their ovu ■'rtic^lar locality was the best in the whoio of Canada. If j |l ■*;;:?■.; Mr» J, T, Wood^t Me^ort. 79 It would be an almost impossible task to attempt to do justice to: the exhibition ; I should, however, like to place on record my impressions regarding the marvellous variety and perfection of the excellently- grown fruits, roots, and vegetables. Allowing for the fact that none but the very best specimens find their way to an exhibition of this description, many of the entries were of exceptional merit, and showed clearly what can be accomplished with a Canadian soil and climate, by men well versed in the practice of the various branches of horticulture and farming. The innumerable varieties and extent of the show of out-door grapes, mostly grown in Southern Ontario, was a great surprise, all being well ripened and fine fruits. Apples, pears, plums, peaches (out-door), damsons, and cherries were alike excellent, whilst smaller fruits, such as red, white, and black currants, raspberries, and straw- berries, shown in preserve and acid, testified to their vigorous growths. The display of roots and vegetables was equally praiseworthy. Long red, globe, and tankard mangolds, swedes, cabbages, cauliflowers, pota- toes, carrots, parsnips, sugar-beets, capsicums, and tomatoes, forming a collection which would have done credit to a first-class show in England. The exhibit of honey would have delighted the heart of a British bee-keeper in its quantity and excellence. The agricultural implement and machinery department was a very extensive one, and an examination in detail showed clearly how far ahead of ours in perfection and cheapness these necessary appliances are. The samples of grain were good, field peas being in every instance of marvellous size, quality, and colour. ' 'iig in the lower lake areas induce a rapidity of gro^A'th which enables the resident to raise almost any variety of plant or fruit ./hich flourishes in a temperate zone, as instenccd by the magnificent peaches and grapes produced annually out of doors, There has been for some ftsfB a gr 'Jl VVest, resulting; in a considerable depredM'^^n in the province a monetary point of view, as they are usually intelli will do bett«.;r in their I',' ym im- 8^ {the Agrtcvliurat Resources of Canada, 4' ■'.'*: m*- ■nil.';!',*' » ' ,J»t" :-i .€*■■' J 1^^^' ■'AiK:, .iii '!i. gent, shrewd, hardworking men, who make good settlers, and who start out with the intention to succeed. It is very easy, however, to conceive that there are very many Englishmen, who can no longer be described as young men, who have enjoyed considerable comforts at home, contem- plating emigration, who should weigh well the advantages Ontario offers in its climate, in the present reasonable terms on which good lands can be acquired, and in the similarity of farming operations generally, with those they have been accustomed to at home. I look upon the present prices of land in this province as tempting ; and I shall be much sur- prised, indeed, if there is not an appreciation in the value of most of the best farms^ which now range from .£25 or .£30 per statute acre for good lands, well situated, and possessing a desirable and comiortable house and fair buildings, down to £2 per acre for those having few improvements, and only a portion of the area of which has been brought under cultivation. The free grant lands of Ontario are in the northern portions of the province, and are mostly in wooded districts, and such as I should advise Englishmen to leave to the future you.'-h of Canada to clear. It may be stated, that at Sudbury and other places on the north side of Lake Superior, valuable mines of nickel, copper, and other minerals hare been discovered, and are now being sucoc ssfuliy worked. L, . - Manitoba. — 60,520 Square Miles. Population. — In giving my views of the present and probable future of Manitoba, it is essential that Winnipeg, which is now, and probably will ever be, the principal ciuy of the great North West, should claim a few remarks. It has a resident population of about 27,000 people, and can claim a rapidity of growth which is astounding; as 20 years ago the then village contained only 215 persons. The city charter was secured in 1874, with a population of 3,000 ; in 1876 there were 6,500; in 1880, 8,000; whilst 1889 saw 25,0v"0 persons resident within the town limits. If an examination is made of the causes of this phenominal extension, it will be found that there are numerous reason "'. ■P IS;. 4 .?■•. fS ■>.:■ . ,•-; I Emigrants with a good knowledge of kitchen gardening desirous of settling in Manitoba, would find the soil around Winnipeg every- thing they can desire, and capable of producing fine roots and vegetables of all descriptions for consumption in the city. It should be stated that the area of Manitoba is nearly equal to the whole of England, Scotbnd, and Ireland,. It is not surprising, therefore, that a portion only of the Government free grant lands have been taken up, and that there will be ample room for many years for those who are desii as of reaping the benefits derivable from the breaking up of the virgin prairie, and who are not afraid of the small amount of hardship entailed in this pioneer work. The Hudson's Bay Oon^any, the Canadian Pacific, and the Manitoba and North Western Eailway Companies, and the several Colonisation and Land Companies, are owners of most extensive and desirable properties, and are only too willing to give information to intending settlers, and to accept reasonable prices, and, if necessary, deferred payments. A great deal has been from time to time written respecting the cli ije of Manitoba, and I certainly should prefer to have had a winter's experience, that I might with greater confidence give expression to my views. I did, however, at each point touched, endeavour to procure the best information from English and Scotch residents ; and I am perfectly convinced that there is not a more invigorating and laealthf ul climate in any country. There was an universal testimony to the extreme degree of cold as registered by the thermometer, but over and over again was it pointed out that the extreme dryness and clearness of the atmosphere rendered the sharp bracing winter weather enduiable, and even enjoyable. Eesidents protect themselves from the cold by warm clothing — especially for driving — and plenty of fuel, so that women and children pass the winters without discomfort. Greater drawbacks, to my mind, from an agricultural standpoint, are the occasional storms, blizzards, and siunmer frosts, which are sometimes of a character sufficiently severe to injure vegetation, especially in those districts where there is a minimum of shelter. As civilisation extends, and the planting of belts of maple and other trees on the wide prairie becomes universal, there must be a very considerable diminution of the inconvenience now felt from these causes. It is impossible to imagine a people more sanguine of their success, and the future of their country, than are the Manitobans. All inter- viewed, of whatever nationality, were unanimous in declaring their preference for Manitoba over Quebec, Ontario, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, or whatever country they happened to hail from, and were equally emphatic in their disinclination to return, except to visit friends and relatives j whilst they are robust, independent, and happy. It would be easy to give many instances of exceptional individual successes achieved ; it will be less misleading, however, if I give a few taken at random from my note-book, which may be accepted as repre- sentative of the general body. Visiting the crofter settlement south of Glenboro' and near the Pelican Lake, Donald Stewart was interviewed. Mr, J, T, Wood's BeporU 85 Stewart was one of the crofters sent out under Government auspices in- 1888. Ho has worked steadily and well, increasing fthe area of prairie broken each year, until, at the time of our visit he had 60 acres under crop, from 50 of which he expected a yield of 2,000 bushels of wheat. His oats (10 acres) were good ; he had 20 head of homed stock (includ- ing two teams of working oxen, and eight in-calf cows), besides pi^fs and poultry. His potatoes were fine. He possessed a self-binding reaper, a waggon, plough, harrows, and other necessary implements, and being the owner of his 160 acres, has every reason, as Mrs. Stewart remarked, to "bless the day we came out." After visiting Boderick McKay, another crofter who had also been successful, but in a lesser degree, I halted on the borders of Pelican Lake to interview the son of a Liver- pool merchant, who was educated and intended for a commercial career, but who elected four years ago to try his chances in agriculture. - He has married and settled, and expressed himself as more than satisfied he did not go into an office or bank, as was originally intended, and where he could not have led the free and independent life he is now doing on his own farm of 320 acres in a beautiful locality. His crops, which he was busy harvesting, were very good ; and he informed me that his brother was farming the adjoining T ~ D acres, and that two sisters who had come out on a visit to him had married Scotch farmers on the north side of Glenboro', who were also prospering. A most interesting half- hour was spent with Mr. John Barnet Watson, of Kindar House, Stockton, Glenboro', a native of Northallerton, Yorkshire, who, prior to leaving England four years since, was a gamekeeper in that county. Mr. Watson says, that on arriving out he had five cents. (2|d.) in his pocket, but, being willing to work, was soon able to save money, and ultimately purchased his present holding of 160 acres for £50. At that time 80 acres had been broken but had run to weeds ; now, out of the total, there are 130 acres in wheat and 10 in oats, all very full crops ; he has 17 head of horned stock, a pair of large working oxen, and a comfortable home and good living. Mr. Watson states " the winters are not so bad, and the dry climate suits me ; there are about three or four days each year when you can't go about during high winds or blizzards, but I work out getting posts, rails, 4&c., during the full winter." I should add that he suffered very much in ELgland from a weak chest, but as this does not now trouble him, and as he is evidently pleased with his success as a farmer, he expresses regret that he " did not come earlier." Mr. Watson estimates his yield of wheat at 40 bushels per acre on the newly broken ground, and 30 bushels on that previously cultivated, and the value of his freehold has advanced to three times the price he so recently paid for it. One of the best managed farms in the neighbourhood of Brandon is that of Mr. Sandison ; and although his success must be taken as being much above the average, it, nevertheless, shows what is possible in a good district when the farmer is thoroughly master of his work, and understands the management of his soil. It is Mr. Sandison's pride to relate how, in 1884. he, as a farm labourer, ent-ered the North West, hiring himself as a servant at Carberry, and saving money until he was in a position to gradually and quietly acquire land ; how, in ^6 '>. A" • 4 1% "1 i'^ <:• *J, .,^^>-s 1. '^ 1 1 * 1 8S The Agricultural Beeoureea of Canada, f .', : 'Iv y^ ft." *'« m t ■>••'■'■■. ;¥•;; '_Ji,,..||.'-, 'it' ^' •• 'e f,. •■ .11 i if! -■■I ,«'•■■■ 1886, he commenced farming on a half-seotion (320 acres), and being fortunate with each succeeding croj), has addjid annually to his area until in 1800 he had 2,000 acres under cultivation, the purchase pricn of which had nearly all been paid; he has 70 men who are housed and FLOUOHIKa AT SANDISON'S FAHM, BRAITDON. fed on the premises, and during the harvest season just completed had 40 horses, and 14 self-binding reapers. Mr. Sandison's crop of wheat, oats, and barley, (principally wheat) aggregated 60,000 bushels, and he estimates the value of his present property at £10,000, giving quitci as much credit to the wonderiul soil and climate as to his own pluck and clear head. Mr. Sandison maintains that Manitoba compares more than favourably with Dakota, and that its superior advantages Avill soon be universally recognised. At Binscarth on the Manitoba and North "Western Railway, I met with the son of a well-known Liverpool Steam Ship owner who has been out six years, and who, prior to going to Canada, had no experience of agriculture, and, indeed, still admits he has much to learn. He claims, however, to have been successful, and is loud in his praise of the life, preferring the climate and the freedom obtaining everywhere, to his prospects in Liverpool. At Moosomin in the extreme west of the province 1 called on a farmer's wife, who a few years ago left Euncom with a lady then going to Canada. After being there some time, she married a native of Ontario who had gone west, and she was also most enthusiastic in describing the life ; she considered the climate a good one, and said she would like to visit England to fetch her mother, but that she prefeired Manitoba to live in. Conntiess instances of such contentment could be quoted. Tf will be observed, that so far I have not dealt with the gi'ovvth of roots and vegetables; we had, however, many opportunities of cauliflower In conjum Barnardo . some of t follow : — C ference of heart; tur circumfere 4| in. anc potatoes, he^, 2 ft 2 in. and 1 ft. 8^ in. length, and 4| in. and 7 in. in circumference respectively; whilst the parsnips, potatoes, &c., were equally fine. The pedigree shorthorns at the Model Parm, at Binscarth, also in the north western portion of the Province, des8r^'e especial mention, and are evidences of wliat can be done in the succest*iul raising of cattle of fine quality, where skill and capital are each utilised. The NoETH-Wr^sT Tereitoribb. I Assiniboia ... ba.»katchewaa Alberta Athabuiica ... Fi'ovisioiiitl Districts. about 95,000 square Hiiles. A c\nt\ ... ... I, J . w v>/ ,, ,, ... ... 3, . '|UUU ,1 .. '■'00 Total 431 •!, ) square mile*. r. m -.ii-' .V SI. ■i '3 '. ; V.I *^,^ "' t t .> n ^1 '■II ■>''-1«l -f ■'' nm m m '^Q !'^ *:V X ;.' } ■ . V' £ '";>■• ".^ ■f' «*; m 68 The JgricuUural lUtourcu of Canada, 'W ,'■' ''rl t • ■■{■.11 Hi! •*'«! Many of the exaroplea I have already given would ppply to those portions of the Tei)"*^'-: : which are contiguous to the Munitoban western boundary, an., uotably to the dictrict abutting on V:-'.- Manitoba and North- Wof torn Eailway lying between BiuHcarth til Yorkton. Two days s^jent in visiting crofters and farmers resident in lioldings of 160 acres each, in the vicinity of Saltcoats, proved that once agaiu we were araongat a people who considered they were farming some of the best lands in Canada. Certainly the"e appeared to be no lack of assistance forthcoming to give these men a start in the world. The crofters had, like those near Pelican Lake in Manitoba, been settled by the English Government; whilst many of the farmers in the neighbourhood had availed themselves of the advances which the Bailway Company are willing to make to Englishmen or others of good character, to enable them to start comfortably on these free grant lands. The Company's advances vary from £40 to £100, they charging interest on the amount obtained, and taking as security a lien or mortgage on the property. The loans are not made in cash, but the settler is allowed to purchase his outfit subject to their approval, when they then pay for the articles so purchased. The above arrangement applies to any of the Company's free grant lands, whether in Manitoba or Assiniboia. Whilst we were at Saltcoats, an agent, acting on behalf of a nimiber of Mennonites farming in Dakota, took up 30 quarter-sections of land (160 acres each), in readiness for their removal during the ensuing spring; tha gentleman in question having travelled over a very large extent of coniiivy. and finally settled on that district as the one best suited to tueir ">quirements. This is one of many evidences of emigration from thy ITnited States to Canada. To describe in detail the remainder of the huge territories of Assiniboia and Saskatchewan would occupy too much space. I may say, however, that I hold the opinion that Englishmen may settle and succeed in many districts, and notably in the vicinity of the Saskatche- wan and other rivers which flow through this portion of the Dominion. Prince Albert, for instance, is a rising town at the confluence of the north and south branches of the Saskatchewan River, where the prairie land is undulating, well sheltered, and watered, and the climate good, and where mixed farming may be successfully conducted. On Mr. McNiven's farm at Kirkpatrick, near Prince Albert, I examined probably the best sample of two-rowed barlev 7 saw in Canada ; whilst his " Prize Prolific Oats " were also heavy and good. The seed of both these grains had originally been sent from the experimental farm at Ottawa. Roots and vegetables also grow to perfection here. On the return journey from Prince Albex't to Regina, we had a few minutes to examine samples of roots and grain grown in the neighbourhood, and brought; down for inspection to Saskatoon station. Here again the best samples of grain were grown from Ottawa seed, the Danish Chevalier barley and pri^e cluster oats being bright and well-matured. The inspection of a very creditable exhibition of affricultural produeo at the annual show at Rogina next engaged our attention. Butter, roots, cereals, and the special exhibit of grasses H!i.\ rm Mr, J, T, Wood's Bepori* 89 and grain from the Indian Head farm, wem all pleasing. A similar' examination was made of the exhibits at the show at Medicine Hat, where a fine display of potatoes was especially worthy of note, w hilst the cabbages, mangolds, turnips, red and white carrots and parsnips, all bore testimony to the special adaptibility of the soil to pioduce them. I have now to deal with Alberta. Here Calgary b i ame our head- quarters whilst the surrounding country was explored. This district varies in many respects from all other portions of the Dominion already dealt with. The Kocky Mountains extent' ah >« we, t^'u boundary, and lend special features to this area of natui^ h. The country abutting on the foothills of the far-famed ra "3:6. es scenery of the most magnificent description, whilst the nm eai '^ and rivulets descending from the sides of the mountains \ ov ter in abundance for man and beast. Agriculturally, Alberta is distinctly a stock-nuc^.iig district, wh6re horses and cattle thrive remarkably. Th« inhabitants claim that it is also suitable for grain growing; and no doubt a certain quantity of corn and roots can be produced in favoured localities. Eanching and dairying, however, are the pursuits to be adopted by those who desire to make headway,, The climate of Alberta is probably much more liable to changes of temperature in the winter time than any other part of Canada. During the prevalence of a north wind, a degree of cold is experi- enced as great as anywhere iu the North- West. The prevailing winds, however, blow from the Pacific, and during its continuance milder weather is experienced, which clears away the snow, enabling horses to obtain their own feed and live in the open all the year round. In considering and estimating the future of Alberta, it should be borne in mind that it is the district nearest to British Columbia, and that, as the latter province develops and extends its industrial opera- tions, a very considerably increased quantity of butter, bacon, poultry, eggs, and beef will be required, and these are commodities Alberta is fully capable of supplying. I was informed that British Columbia now imports 75 per cent, of its beef, 50 per cent, of its bacon, 60 per cent, of its flour, and 40 per cent, of its dairy produce, besides poultry and eggs; and there is the probability that its increasing mercantile, mining, manufacturing, and other industries will more than keep pace with tne development of its agricultural resources. Alberta already possesses on its ranches an enormous number of cattle and horses. The former are low grades of shorthorns, large framed, vigorous, and healthy, but devoid of quality, and of the characteristics of feeding and early maturity so highly appreciated by butchers and consumers. In looking through the large herds, one could not help wishing that a ship load of hardy polled Angus bulls, which have proved such a success in the West wherever used, could be imported. Were thi^ done, the present prices obtained for stock exported would be considerably augmented, and an all-round benefit conferred. The polled Angus cattle at the Toronto show were remarkably good specimens, exhibiting a quality to fully satisfy any lover of this most useful breed. As 1 have intimated, horse- ranching is carried on extensively, and it would appear that a .; , i !^»Hl "», J/ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) k A ^/ ^ ..v\ ..** < do Ths AfrimUural SMOwrcei of Canada. s I* .V ■I "I ft *•:« '»;¥ ; to. 't ■■'"►"Si honM can realiM a good profit when sold at four years old for j622 or ^23. Here there ia scope for the capitalist farmer in breed- ing higb-class animals — say roadsters and shires — for the Dominion, United States, and English markets. If this were attempted, after allowing for interest on capital and all expenses, a very handsome profit might be realised, in comparison with what is now obtained from the breeding of the hard but weedy inimals usually found, which are produced from a second or third rate thoioughbred stallion and a nondescript mare. In the whole of the Dominion there is no district equal to Alberta for horse breeding. Great as are its possibilities in ranching, however, there are still greater in mining. Immense deposits of iron ore have been found to lie ir the Bow River and other valleys, and few countries possess such an extensive coalfield, with qualities ranging froln high-class lignite to semi-bituminous, semi-anthracite, and anthra- cite proper : whilst in the Foot Hills an excellent gas and coking coal has been tound, which yields as high as 60 per cent, of coke. Coal mining is at present carried on at Lethbridge, the output being 1,000 tons per day, and gradually increasing. It is extremely probable that this coal wUl soon be used at the great smelting centres of Montana, as a railway connection has been established. Two deposits similar to the Lethbridge coal crop out at Grassy Island, in the Bow River, and on the Rosebud River, north of the Bow. Recent geological explora- tions have discovered deposits of anthracite, extending prolMibly 50 miles along the north branch of the Saskatchewan River ; and at Canmore, where most of the exploration has been carried on, no less than 14 seams varying from 2 feet 6 inches to 14 feet in thickness, and in quality from bituminous to anthracite. I have it on the authority of Mr. Fierce, the Inspector of Mines, that the adjacent immense beds of iron ore are equal to producing the highest grades of steel. It is said, that the greatest undeveloped fields of petroleum are those of the Athabasca and Peace Rivers and their tributaries, a basin covering thousands of miles square ; and arrangements are now being perfected, to have thorough tests made. Alberta is rieh in sandstone, and limestone, and clay for building and fire-bricks, whilst its proximity to British Columbia enables a good supply of timber to be obtained at an easy cost. ' ■*"' '1 BbITZSE COLTTUBIA. Area a^out Zil,'305 square miles,— 'Population about lOOfiOO, British Columbia is that portion of Canada abutting on the Pacific Ooaan, a;;d includes Vancouver and other islands along the coast. Its principal towns are the capital city of Victoria, and the coal-mining town of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and the cities of Vancouver and New Westminster on the mainland. The province may be described as generally densely wooded, and, to a very great extent, unexplored; yet it is knovvi? to possess immense mineral wealth, and probably the finest coniferous timber in the world. Compared with the rest of Canada the available area of agricultural land (other Mr, J, T, WooH'g R^pwU 91 tban the uncleared forests) is small, much of it is, bowerer, very productive, and capable of growing the very finest fruits and cereals. The climate of Vancouver Island and the coast districts of the mainland already populated is ec^uable and good, and much resembling that in the more favoured districts in the south of England, though with a heavv rainfall ; the combination produces a luxuriance of growth. Snow is selaom known to lie. The climate of the interior of the pro- vince varies considerably, the extensive valleys lying between the moun- tain ranges being subject to warm days and cold nights. Vancouver Island is well wooded, yet a considerable portion of arable land may be obtained, and this will, in all probability, be utilised in the production of butter, poultry, eggs, fruit and vegetables for the supply of the populated districts. The Chinese population in Victoria are excellent market gardeners, and compete with the Oanadians in producing saleable vegetables ; there are, however, many openings for emigrants who understand garden and dairy work, and a good living is obtainable from a small &rm, the short- ness of production maintaining excellent prices. The city of Victoria is beautifully situated on a lovely harbour on the south-east coast of the island, and here the value of real estate would appear to be a decidedly improving one. There is an electric tramway running to Esquimalt, and the city is lighted b^ electricitv. The buildings are substantial, and the people thoroughly English in style and feeling. A railway connects Victoria with Nanaimo, which is at present the seat of the coal-mining industry of the province. Here and at Wellington about 2,500 men find employment, the output being approximately 560,000 tons per annum, of which 500,000 is raised for export. This has been proved to be the best coal obtainable on the Pacific coast. All kind)) of hardy and half-hardy &uits flourish, such as pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, quinces, and apricots ; and I shall long remember the enormous crop of beautiful apples, the weight of fruit inr innumerable instances bringing the branches of the trees to the ground. The city of Vancouver is the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Eailway, and is built on the shore of a splendid harbour. Its population in 1886 was 600 j in 1888, 6,000; and in 1890, 15,000; it is therefore not surprising, when the extraordinarv extension of the city is considered, that the Value of building lands has increased ty leaps and bounds. Electric lighting, electrical trams, gas and water works, are established; and, when the overland traffic to China and Japan is fully developed, Vancouver must become a great shipping port. The magnificent growths of fir trees and cedars in the vicinity of the town render farming practically impossible; the day is near, however, when these giants of the forest will be turned to account, and a lumber industry of an extensive character further developed. As instances of the grandeur of the specimens of conifers to be found, I may state that trees of remarkable straightness and quality were measured 54 feet, 35 feet, 36 feet, and 39 feet in circumference at 4 feet above the ground level. New Westminster is a rising town of probably 8,000 inhabitants, 1) ^ '^-*> |r i^ m The AgrieuHtural Besources of Canada, I • A ffc :• «• J. ::| ' .»/■ r «■ rt'' --I '%^^. and omng to its situation on the bank of the Eraser Biver (about 16 miles from its mouth), it is within easy communication by steam- boat and road with the best agricultural lands in the coast districts of the Province. I may at once say that in my judgment I have never seen better land for all-round farming and gardening purposes than the rich black soils of Lulu Island and other delta lands of the Eraser. There are probably 60,000 acres of these strong and rich alluvial deposits, which five or six years ago could have been purchased for 4s. or 5s. an acre. Such, however, is the opinion oi the present owners, that X15 to ^20 an acre now is asked ; and, when its compara- tive proximity to the rapidly increasing cities is considered, in con- junction with its capability to produce the heaviest crops obtainable in any country, its present price must still be reasonable. There is nothing this land and climate will not produce which now goes to make up the ^250,000 worth of farm and garden produce annually imported into British Columbia. The lands of the Chilliwhack district are also very fertile, but further removed from the town populations ; they are, however, desirable localities for f^t and dairy industries. The Okanagan and other valleys possess 300,000 acres of land suitable for arable farming, and probably 1,500,000 acres more or less suitable for grazing. I was not able to visit this neighbourhood, but from the products exhibited, and the information obtainable, it is clear that this is a productive country. I have beside me while I write, several well-grown and well-ripened ears of Indian com raised there ; and the cultivation of wheat and other cereals is proceeding so satis- factorily, that in 1890 20 tons of binding-twine was sent into Okanagan Valley, which is now being opened up by a branch railway from Siccamous, on the Canadian Pacific Eailway. The town of New Westminster is destined to become the manu- facturing city of the ma'- i of British Coluimbia. Already energy and capital are develoi^ tha valuable resources of the district. Extensive lumber mills are in operation ; the salmon-canning industry is very largely conducted, giving employment during the season to 5,000 workmen ; woollen and cigar &ctories are started, and machine shops and foundri(3s at work. A branch of the Canadian Pacific Bailway runs into the town, and the Northern Pacific BaUway has a terminus also ; so that by sea and rail it may be said to be in touch with almost every part of the globe. Good labourers are paid high wages here. The mineral resources of British Columbia constitute its greatest wealth, and the gold, coal, silver, copper, iron, and other minerals are widely distributed. ; *, . t Q-BinDEAlLT. V Having now completed my attempt to condense the vast amount of knowledge of the country, gained in a tour which extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, and from the boundary of the United States in the south to Prince Albert on the Saskatchewan Biver in the north, and which comprised 17,000 miles of travel by steamer, rail, and rqad— the latter necessitating a distance of over 1,100 miles, in order .:'M -■i--*->-^i'^ Mr. J. T, Wood^s Heport, d3 to thoroughly examine lands situated, in many instances, long distances from the railway — it is necessary that I should state the obj-^ct the Canadian Government had in view in issuing the invitations ; and also that I should give my opinions, recommendations, and words of warning to those who, being interested in emigration, may read my report. " / rirst, let me say, then, that the Dominion Government have f6r some time felt, that, considering the great advantages the country possesses for settlement, they were not obtaining a proper share of the emigrants from the United Kingdom ; and conceiving, that, notwith- standing the general accuracy of the information relative to the various provinces which has been published from time to time with their sanction, it might possibly be that the public viewed this official emigration literature with an amount of suspicion; hence the deter- mination to invite representative agriculturists from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, to investigate the present condition and probable future of their vast territory, and whose reports, being voluntary, might spread information which is sorely needed. In all my investigations I have ever felt the great responsibility of the task I had undertaken, not alone to the Government of Canada, but equally to the people of England, and my own county in particular ; aud it is therefore with sincere pleasure that I record the fact that a perfectly free hand was accorded me to visit those districts I thought most desirable, and to obtain the information I required in my own way. It will be conceded that it is the policy of the United States to decry Canada as an agricultural country, and in my opinion a large amount of the prejudice existing, and of the general belief in the great hardships to be borne by settlers in the more northern country, is the result of misleading, if not absolutely incorrect, information supplied by those whose anxiety it is to secure the constant flow of the tide of emigration to the land of the Stars and Stripes. For a considerable period the Americans have been able, with a modicum of truth, to point to the fact that Canadians had given up their homes and crossed the border. It should be remembered, how- ever, that when this emigration occurred Canada had no lands to offer to her sons, except uncleared forests, as Manitoba and the North-West Territories had not been acquired, whilst the prairie lands of the Western States were available and in process of being opened up for settlement. Again the excellence of education in Canada for a long time has been such that her people have received a superior training to that obtainable in America; it is not surprising, therefore, that Canadians were at a premium. This movement has now stopped; indeed, many of those who left and adopted agricultural pursuits are returning sadder but wiser men ; and we at many points met American farmers, acting on behalf of their fellows in the States, examining into the agricultural capabilities of Canada, in view of their settlement in the Colony, and that this tide, which has already commenced to flow —especially from Dakota — will continue, I have no reason to doubt. Amongst the many advantages Canada offers to the emigrant, the following may be enumerated : — mm:; ;r ■'■■'''.% 4H "*■„ 04 7^^« Agricultural Segourcei of Canada, The Dominion Goverment is composed of men of the highest integrity and honour, whose sole aim and work are exercised for the good of the community at large, and who are keenly alive to anything which will tend in the smallest degree to improve the proud position the Oolony at present occupies. The Provincial Governments, and even those of the Municipalit'es, are equally free from suspicion, and would compare most favourably with similar institutions at home ; and this is the more pleasing when it is remembered that frequently, and especially in th^ recently settled districts, the class of men obtainable are not always of the social status we in England are accustomed to elect. The educational system ot the Dominion is exceedingly good, enabling children to obtain a grounding which is not excelled in any older country, and at quite a minimum ot inconvenience to the children, and cost to the parents. The school teachers are capable, and the school districts so arranged, even in the sparsely populated areas, that no habitation is more than three miles from the school house. The taxes are very light, and those raised are spent entirely in the Municipality produciog them, on necessary road and works, and for educational and other purposes. There is an absolute safety of life and property, and mme generally is quite, you may say, unknown, as instanced by the absence of even a single prisoner, at the time of our visit, in the district gaol at Brandon, m Manitoba. There is no class distinction as in England, and especially is this so in Manitoba and the Territories, whilst political and religious freedom are universal. There are no paupers or beggars, and consequently an expensive poor-law system is not required. The invigorating climate, the educational advantages, which ax'e highly valued, and the intelligent interest taken by all classes in everything appertaining to Pederal and Local Government, combine to produce the vigorous spirit of independence atid contentment met with throughout the length and breadth of the land. Finally it may be pointed out as worthy of the intending emigrants' consideration, that, if he finally selects Canada for his future home, he will be welcomed there by a people of kindred sympathies, who live under the protection of the British flag, and enjoy the right to acquire and hold real estate without being called upon, as in many parts of the United States, to renounce his birthright, and swear allegiance to the President, and his willingness to take up arms especially against Her Majesty the Queen, which also means, m the majority of instances, against those who are most dear to him in his old home. Now for a few wolrds of warning to those, who, being from any cause dissatisfied with their lot here are contemplating a new start in life abroad. First, let me say that there is no royal road to makii:^; money and be successful, without labour, in Canada ; there is, however, ample scope for those, who, understanding agricultural operations, whether as farmers or labourers, are not afraid in the early part of their residence in the country to undergo a certain amount of hard work. To such men, Canada offers a fine field and successful future ; but to those who have been accustomed to a life of comfort and refinement, and who do Mr, J. T. Wood'* Mepprt. 96 not care to oevote their entire energies to the pursuit of their occupa- tions, 1 would say by all means stay at home. : Intending emigrants would do well to obtain all the information possible respecting the various parts of the Dominion, for when it is remembered that Canada is nearly as large as the whole of Europe, and is 600,000 square miles larger than the United States, leaving out Alaska, it will be seen how easj it is for a man who would make a most certain success in one province to make an utter failure in another. In the selection of the district to which he emigrates, regard should be had to his training, and his capacity to engage in any one of the multifarious branches of the work of the garden or farm ; and to those who have the opportunity before leaving England, I would say, make yourselves thoroughly conversant with the best known methods of butter and cheese-making, for assuredly there is a great future in many parts of the Dominion for a dairy industry, ft&d it is almost unnecessary for me to point to the advantages gained by those who producing the best articles command the highest prioe« and the readiest sale. In my judgment it is undesirable that either a farmer or labourer should emigrate and immediately purchase or take up land. The prominent and successful men in Canada are thost) who have not been impatient, and many of whom, whilst earning good wages as labourers, acquired a local knowledge of the greatest import, and at the same time saved money to purchase their subsequent holdings. With regard to carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, masons, blacksmiths, and other tradesmen emigrating, I should advise in every instance that they obtain from the nearest agent of the Canadian Government, infor- mation as to the precise points to whiah they should proceed, the rate of wages at the time being paid, and the cost of the necessaries of life ; there are many openings for skilful ^men, but by fdlowing this advice disappointment may very frequently be avoided. There is room in Canada, and good wages, for domestic servants of all kinds; but ladies who obtain their living by teaching music, languages, or other accomplishments, should not go out unless they have previously obtained appointments. This applies also to clerks, male and female, whose past lives have been spent in oflSces. There are very few openings for professional men. Capital is required almost everywhere, and many openings are thus available for the employment of money, which at the present time brings such a poor return in England. Excellent freehold securities, and 7 per cent, and 8 per cent, interest are obtainable in Manitoba, and 6 per cent, and 7 per cent, for similar securities in British Columbia; and a still better return can be ensured by those who assist in extending the numerous manufacturing industries. I look on Vancouver Island and the mainland west of the Rocky Mountains, as the portion of the Dominion having the greatest manufacturing future by reason of its geographical position and great wealth of minerals ; and where the manufactories centre, there will the best prices for agricultural produce be obtained. British Columbia is, undoubtedly, a province with a grand destiny. mnm' 00 V TJie Aijrlcullnral Resources of Otnnita. hih. " " *n ic • • vJ^'fti I have been frequently questioned since my return, on the nubject of the Indians resident in the Dominion, and it may therefore be useful infornmtion to intending emigrants to know that the wise policy of the Government in originally settling the Indiuns on some of the best lands — and through the Indian department and its agents, clothing, and, where necessary, providing them with food, teaching them in schools, and instructing them in the cultivation of their reserves, and generally in pursuing an honest policy of civilisation, as opposed to a policy of extermination — has borne good fruit, and I do not fear in the future any such risings as those we hear of at the present time in the United States. Indians in Canada are now frequently employed as farm labourers, fishermen, and in other branches of work, and are contented. The wild animals of the Dominion, too, are sometimes alarmingly spoken of, but extermination has been carried on to such an extent, that residents who are fond of sport regret that the gradual settling of the countiy has deprived them of their pleasure. There are still, however, deer and moose in some districts, and prairie chickens, ducks, geese, and other wild fowls in abundance. Emigrants have therefore nothing to fear ; indeed, it will surprise me much if there is not a very considerable exodus from the United States to Canada, where, as I have intimated, security of life and Property is equal to that prevailing in England. The last week in larch is the best time for arriving in the country. In conclusion, I desire to bear testimony to the kindly consideration I received from Canadians generally in the course of my investigations, without which it would have been difficult to have accomplished my -> task. I also desire to thank the officials of the Canadian PaciOc, Grand Trunk, and the Manitoba and North-Western Bailway Companies, for their generous assistance at all times rendered ; and especially are my thanks due to the Minister of Agriculture, and also to the Senators, Members of Parliament, and other official gentlemen, through whose , districts I travelled, and svho at all times were ready to supply me with \ necessary introductions, and generally to assist in making my visit profitable and instructive. ' C i »• lii'iit " y: } M<'Corquodale k Co., Limited, Cardin(irton Street, London, N.W. he subject I be UHei'ul licy of the at lands— ,nd, where loots, and inerally in policy of the future le United i as farm jontented, ilarmingly Ltent, that ng of the , however, geese, and II surprise he United i life and t week in isideration istigations, ►lished my - ific. Grand Eanies, for y are my Senators, iigh whose , r me with \ my visit .m-Wkimmiaam^i . 1 *''^;>.*i,. ..^io jjj. i ' • \r- r m TB % r^>J 1 ^ T^ iSg 1--. lOO ir ■«r IBS' z -r/1 O^il' \T *p ■ A : 1. Ce. VM (Wv f..< y p a rt of tl^c , »>'••' "~ till i%S--s:;:r>»'M *<-' 1^ A 9 ^a:-^J;^'' KKM v; 11 lOHW ^^ ^^KU"" "• '•**'»^'"^^ . h c. Hw y p a rt of tJ^c «* ^o^' Hi ■ •I nS ■«'«"''^ JO*' <**» 'V ^•^t t)l /> il» V ^ ¥W ,!••«•" /'/ p"""?- ^_, it«4 \ u'cw** I. *r curt*"" • ►»»»*, 95 iiTTi rr. v» 1^ m ■ \ ■ ■• "■¥■ ■.•'■(*:• KJi Copies of the Tenant-iFarmers' Beportg, and qtlier lllustm^/ Pamphlets on Canada, may be obtained, post fre^e, on application to . f, , '■■> ■ '. . ■ ',■'.'■■■•■■''' ■'■' i lie High Commissioner for Canada (Sib CHABLES TTJPPBE, ^itEx:, G.C.M.G., C.B.), 17, Victoria Street, London, S.W. j , Oy to the following Canadian government Agents r— Mr. John Dteb, 15, Water Street, Liverpool j^ Mr. Thomas GEA.HAMB, 40, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow j ' iRfr. Thomas Connoxlt, Northumberland House, Dublin, , i Mr. Hekry Mbeeiok, Victoria Chambers, Victoria Street, Belfaat ; . , Mj. J. "VITt Po^^» Bat^ Bridge, , Bristol. . mmmim ■ "•■ ■ ■ . • X, ..";.',.?' 1' ■ . .■ ■. V J;.- . ■.' A. »-. .>■ - .-i ■ '(-'- ■ ■■'•/..■ .• ti 'J.; <^ ' .'y-l'\' ■ \ %;■ a" ,':?■■.' v. Ik, vv ^■•- ? '.«^JJ