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NORTH-WEST TERRITORY OF CANADA. ^,>, , 5 , P ^7fl i,^^-'^f^- ^ > •' ''w .4 Sir, C'oNSULAT DKS 1 )r-:rT.SCIlKN llKICllKS MONTKKAL, \4tli June. 1.S81. I hiivo th« lionour to iulorin you that I have be.Mi rt>(ju»'st«'d l)y llic Chiiiicolloi' of tlit; (icnn.in I'hupiiN'. •l)y lott -r dati'd Hi'i'liii, 27tli May, to i^ivi' lull and rt'liabh' iiilorniatiDU regarding the Dominion of Canada. Knowing as I do that you art' in i>os.st's.sion of the most reliable data, and that you are at all time.s anxious to further the interests of Canada, I take tin- liberty to ask your kiiul assistance, so 'IS to enable nu' to si-nd a roinplele and reliable rejxirt. Mom especially please answiT the following clue^tio)Js : — I. — Clin you pivf some Npcciflcinformntioii riKanliiii; tin- Kxt-n(, UonourccR, and Oftpaoity for Si'ttli'nii'Ut, of Unit rt'Kioii in tli<'(;iiiiii''ouie diiliculties incident to olxaining the kind of information which it seemed neci'ssary to furnish, have been the occasion of much longer delay than was anticipated ; and I trust this will be accepted as a sullicient apoloiry for what might otherwise look like dilatoriness. The (|uestion8 have been answered in their order, iis given in your conuniinication ; and the table of Contents, along with the frequent references which occur from one page to another, will materially assist in ascertaining particiilars given under the several headings. As regards the variety of information adduced in the section entitled " C/iiiidfoldSi-// of Caiimla'' permit me to remark here, that there is so miich misapprehi'nsion, if not misrepresentation, current almost everywhere beyond the limits of the Dominion about its climate, that it seemed nicessary to give such a diversity of data as migh!^ serve to disabuse the pojmlar mind of its misconceptions in that respect. I feel encouraged to hope, that an examination of the records of meteorological observations given on jiages 24 to 29 inclusive, will satisfy candid investigators that the climate of Canada is very far from being either polar or equatorial. In compiling the information embodied in the following pages, I was compelled to have the " matter put in type," for the purpose of securing accuracy, especially in the numerous tables of iigures, — ior it seemed as if that could not be satisfactorily attained, had a copy or copies been prepared in manuscript. Trusting the cllbrt I have made will meet your expectations, and be of service to the Chancellor of the German Empire, — I am. Sir, Yovir obedient servant, WM. J. PATTERSON, Secretary. W. C. MuNDERi.oH, Esq., Imperial German Consul, Montreal. CO NTENTS. I.— EXTENT, RESOURCES, FBKTILITy, &c., OK THK CANADIAN NORTH- WEST:— Introductory and Ccneral StntementH 9 Conflgiiration and Adaptability f(ir SettleriK'nt 10 1. The Plateau of the l!id River I'lairio U 2. The Serond Great I'lnttau.. 12 3. The Third Prairie Plateau 13 Rain-Fall 13 Water Supply 15 Depth and (juality of the Prairie Soil 16 Luxuriance of (J ruin Crops 16 Root Crops and Vcftetables 18 Native Fruit, &o 19 Grasses and Hay ; Wintering of Cattle 19 Wood for Kiiilding, fencing, and other purposes 20 Coal Measures 20 II.— CLIMATOLOGY OF CANADA:— A Current Fallacy 22 Climate of the Nortli-West 22 Results of Observations on Temperature, Snow and Kain-Fall 23 Mean Temperatures, also Highest and Lowest Indications throughout tho Dominion 24, 25 Monthly and Annual Kain-Fall 25 The Average Snow-Fail thrciigliout tin; Dominion 25 Temperature, Humidity, and Precipitation at Montreiil 26, 27 Analysis of Temperatures at Montreal during six years 28 Dates of certain Periodic Events at Montreal and Toronto during twenty- six years 29 III.— WILL FKRTILITY OF SOIL BK LASTING 7— Probable Continuance of Fertility 30 IV.— 8T0CK-RAISINO AND DAIUY-FAUMING :— Stock-Raising in the North-West 31 Cattle-Raising and Dairy-Farming in the older Provinces 32 v.— OENHtAL EXPORT TRADE OF THE DOMINION:— Exportation of Canadian Products 33 Opinion about the Future Export Trade 35 Expaniiion of Canadian Commerce, Exemplified by Trade of Montreal .36, 37 i 8 VI-THE CANADIAN HIGHWAY DKTWKKN KUHOrK AND THE ORIENT: The Canmla Pm i(i.,. nn,| otl.or llailway Linrs ag Factor* in C'oinmorie and SL-tilenii'iit Vn.-PRESENT AND FUTURE MEANS OF INTERNAL COMMUNicATioN: Prostnt convenient AtccHs to the Interior Inland Coniinunicationg SiK.rt.Ht liiHtances from Ports on Continent of Europe !! Canada's Winter Ports VIII.-FACILITIES FOR SAFE NAVIGATION OP THE OULF AND RIVER KT. LAWRENCE:— Extimsion of tlie Telegraph Sy&tem Niglit Designation of Lightlionses in the River and Giiif fg Further Shortening of Lines ol Communication between ' lin'rope' and Canada 47 NORTH-WEST TERRITORY OF CANADA. I.-EXTENT, RESOURCES, FERTILITY, &c. I. — Can you give wjino spei'ific information r<'(;ar(linK the extent, ri'soiirccd, and capHcity for Rfttlcment, of tliiit rcKion in tiie Ciinadiiin Nortli-WoBt, which U gcnfrally alleged to be best adapted for agricultural purHuitH, and in commonly designated tho "Fertile Hull"? It would be dcgirablu to include a Btatemcnt of meteorological and climatic char- actorieticH. INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL STATEMENTS. It seems expedient to preface a detailed reply to the forei!;oing infjuiry, by briefly stating a few f'ucts, for the purpose of assisting to form an approxiiniito estiniutc of the area of the Canadian North-West. The extent of territory included in it, and not yet brought under organized Provincial (jrovernment, is reckoned to be considerably'niorc than one million of s(juare miles. This immense region is diversified by numerous great lake.s and rivers, by wooded country, as well as by rolling and level prairies. Some of the lakes are as truly " inland seas " as those in Canada and the United States, with which people arc well ucrjuainted; while some of the rivers may fairly be classed among those great ones which arc dcEcribed in geographical works. Of the numerous lakes that might be particularised, Great Bear Lake, N. Lat, 66°, is the largest, — 250 miles long, and nearly as many wide. — that is (if these dimensions are correct), it probably covers a larger area than Lake Superior, which has hitherto been considered the largest fresh-water lake in the world, its area being about 33,000 square miles Great Slave Laki; is 300 miles long, by 50 miles wide. Lake Athabaska is 200 miles long, and varies from 20 to 40 miles in width; and Lake Winnipeg is 280 miles long, varying greatly in width, fay from 5 to 55 or 57 miles. Respecting the rivers, a few need only be men- tioned. The Saskatchewan, Assiniboine, and lied River, empty into Lake Winnipeg ; seven or eight rivers of very considerable length discharge into Hudson's Bay ; and several flow into the Arctic Ocean. The Mackenzie River is 2,500 miles long, and drains an area of 443,000 square miles. The Saskatchewan River is 1,300 miles long, and drains an area of 343,000 square miles. 10 There is ^ond authority Air the jjencral Htotcmcnt, that tho viist territory embrao.'H U(IO,0(M) M|iinru miloH of vuluiible a};riculturul land, well adaptoil for ccttit'iiiceit mill cultivation, — 'j<|Uiil to 38 1, 000, ((()() acres. It in a niisDomcr to call thi.s a (i-rtilo " bolt," for the rich land, bh will by-and-by bo shown, docs not lie in a sin^iit undivided rc<;ion. It unibriic>e»( largo tracts of vegctablo and grass lands; what may bo called |>ro|)erly the Wheat land, however, includes several areas, the uL'^rregato of which is about 370,000 M(uare miles, or 210,800. 000 acres. The Red Uiver prairie is larj^c and exceedingly valuable. The fertile re;;ion in tlie Haskatehewan Valley, covers un area of G 1,400 scjuaro miles, (or 41,21(),000 acres), in a continuous stretch of about 800 miles in lon;i;th by 80 miles in width. But by far the greatest Wheat area is beyond the Saskatchewan, in the ^'ulley of the Atliabaska, and along the Peace Hiver, Westward lo the Rocky Mountains, and as far North as the lino of GO^'. This stretch of country has an area of 470,000 sijUun! miles of good land, or about 300,000,000 acres. From the eastern boundary of the North-We^t to the foot of the llocky Mountains, there is a gradual rise of 3,500 feet ; affording, therefore, not only variety of ^oil, but appreciable dilferenees of climate, the average temperature moderating as progres-t is made westward. As an example of now many people such a country wonld sustain, take the following: — The population of (Jermany in 1871 was 42,7-0,844, spri'ad over an area of 212,001 !-(|uare miles, — the average being 201 persons to a sipiare mile. To show the capacity of the most fertile part of the Nortli-West to sustain in comfort, if not allluence, an industrious people, it has been computed that there would be ]»lenty of room within the (')00,000 s((uare miles first-mentioned for over 120,000,000 inhabitants, — that number being nearly cijual to the combined populations of Germany, rraiice, Italy, and Spain, in the year just mentioned. The area of the United Kingdom is only eijual to about one-fil'th of these fertile lands ; while the extent of (Jermany and France are, respectively, but little more than one-third. CONFIGURATION ANH ADAPTABILITY FOR SETTLEMENT. The geographical features of a largo part of the North-West have been well described by Dr. O. M. Dawcon, in his " Report on the Geology and Risourccs of tlir Rrgion in the ri'riulli/ of the Forfi/-N!nth Parallel, from the Lake of the W(ior. Pawmtn, then-furc, diviilcs tlio rcjjioii wliioli lie ticficrilies, IjiiifT botwci.'ii the f'orty-uintli iind firty-fnurth dinrofs of lutitiidc, into throe f;roat Htctions, ennxtitiitin^ |iii»toiius or steppes, cxtendinj^ aloni; two IIium, wliitdi aro, ill u m'lural way, parallel in a iiortli-west«'rly and >()iitli-t'aHt«'rly eoiirvc. Ol' these, the I'lati'ini of the Red Hiver is the lowest; the second and third plateaus, or steppes, rising by successive csciirpnients. The ri>'o accnuiitud lor by these escarpments is, however, but slij:ht compared with that due to the unihirm east- ward slope, tho«_t:h they are sometimes sufficiently distiml to be loeally known as " hills,'' or even '■ mountains." The aeeoii.jianyin;; Map (A) prepared in the Department of the Interior at Ottaw", will aid )i. 'inprehetiding the CoUowiiig greatly abbreviated dctinitions. 1. — TlIK I'l.ATKAU OV THE V UlVKU I'RM MK. i: The first steppe, or hiwest j>rairie level, is thiit nt' which the poutherii part lies aloiif^ tli<: Ued Hiver, and which nnrtliwiird cm i races Lake W'innipi ji and associated lakes, and the flat laud siii roundiiiji them, Tlie averairt! height abovi^ the sea of this plateau is about SOO feet, — the lti\ve«t part surroumlinv; the Winnipeir i;roui) of lakes, lieiii'.r about 7(1(1 feet ibov(\ thesea-level. The v. ', Iiii of this prairie on the forty-ninth parallel is only r)2 jiiiles ; its area north of that line is estimated at 5r),tiO() S(|uare miles, — the lake system cnveriiiu' about l,',,Hfl() s(|uarn miles. A jrreat part of this prairie level is more or less densely wooded. The southern part, extendiiii,' from the Houndary-line to nearly the south end of Lake VViiinipeg, inclmles the prairie of the Reel |{iv<'r Valley, with an area of about 6,900 square miles, — one of the nio Autumn, and the moisture rising by capillary attraction, prevents the entire desiccation of surface soil. It has been estimated by Prof. Thomas, that the rain-fall in the western portion of the (U. S.) plains during Spring and Summer is only 7-34 inches,— a most obvious deficiency, the result in the following States during the same period being— New York, 23; Cincinnati, 0., 25; Missouri, 2G; Michigan, 18. The average rain-fail at Winnipeg, during three years was 15-96 inches as follows:— 1872. January . . . . February . . , March April May • June July August. ... Septt'mber. October . . . November . December. Total Rain-fall. Melted Snow . . Total Precipitation. Inches. 0-00 O'OO 0-25 1-50 3-80 3-80 1-62 1-85 7-25 1-55 0-00 0-00 1873. 21-02 8'57 30'19 Imhcs. 0-00 0-00 0-00 0-87 2-38 3-37 3-55 1-17 2-22 0-02 0-00 0-00 1874. Inches. 0-00 0-00 0-45 002 1-99 4-35 3-07 3 35 1-73 0-04 0-00 0-00 13-58 3-51 17-09 15-00 3-29 18-29 Precipitation in the Red River Valley has seemed to be least near the Boundary-line; lor at Pembina a three-years' average is said to have been 13-16 inches. In 1873 it was 1-4-185 agaiu.st 17 -00 at Winnipeg; while at Fort Abercrombie (180 miles south of the 49th parallel), it was about 15-5, and at Fort Wadsfforth (50 miles still further south) 29-45,— the average for five years at the latter place being 18-95, or probably about the same as at Winnipeg. In brief, it is believed to bo the result of experience that the rain-fall of the Red River Valley, supplemented by the water remaining in the soil from Spring floods, is ample for agricultural purposes. There are few regions where ordinary wells, of moderate depth, do not produce plentiful supplies of water. Artesian wells have been successful in past years at Winnipeg,— all tending to show that there need be no apprehension about water-supply. See p. 15. The rain-fall over a good deal of the second Plateau is supposed to be quite sufficient for agricultural purposes, although it is probably slightly less than that m of the Red River Valley. It seems, ho«tvcr, that vast areas of the Western Plains, south of the feitiie portion of the h'askatchcwan re-ion, and west of the Misgoiiri Coteau. must remain as pasture grounds, for which, in -roat part, thoy are well fitted. But there are indications that the wooded area iu the vicinity of Turtle iMountain receives a much more copious rain-fail than the surrouudin- country. " Note.— For tahhs showing the monthly andanuuaJR.iin-fuU and Snow-fall at various places in the Dominion,— see pages 24 to 29 inclusiie. WATER SUPPLY. It is essential to know that a good water supply is easily attainable. As an amphhcation of the somewhat general statement on page 14, it may be remarked that not (mly are there numerous rivers, .streams and creeks throughout the Morth-West, but aKso a large number of lakes and lakelets; and it has been now pretty well established, from actual experiei.ee, that good water for household and other puri)oses, can bo obtained wherever explorers have gone, or settlers have located themselves. The following analysis goes iar to establish this in.portaut pomt. Reports received from 140 settlers, show the subjoined results as to the depths at which supplies of good water were fuuud :— One n( a (iepth of - 5 feet. Oae i( . 6 11 Two i< _ 7 It One II . 8 u One II 8 to 12 a Om II ^ 9 It Six II . 10 a One II 10 to \R tt EiKht II _ 12 ti One II 12 to 11 u two II 12 to 1.5 u Seven i< _ 14 (t Four u •• 15 u Five at a depth of i6 feet. One One One One! Three One One Two One Olio One 16 to 20 - 17 18 18 to 24 20 20 to •10 - 0') - 24 - 25 32 to 40 . 72 Eleven of the reports m-ntion abundant .M.j^plies of Sprin- Water; while many allude to excellent wells, without giving particulars. The last in the above list was artesian. DEPTH AND QUALITY OF THE I'RAIRIE SOIL. As valuable practical evidence ref.'aid:ng the depth of Foil in the prairie regions it may be stated here that the rich black loam has an extreme variation of from' G to 8 inches, up to 7. 10, and even 12 feet. Its elements are specially favorable to the production of Wheat,— this tine soil resting on a deep substratum of tenacious elay. An analysis of 1 4G statements written by farmers and settlers, shows how many varying depths have been reported. H..me of these principal depths mentioned were : G in. to 14 in. ;— 1 ft. to 2 ft. ;— 1 ft. to G ft. ;— 2 it. to 3 ft. ;— 2 ft. to 4 ft. ;— 2 ft. to 7 ft. ;— 3 ft. to (i ft. ;— 3 ft. to 10 ft. ;— 4 ft. and 5 ft —5 ft. to G ft. ;— and 12 ft. Of the number of statements, seventeen reported depths of 2 ft.; eight, 2 to 3 ft. ; live, 2 to 4 ft. ; seven, 3 ft. ; seven 3 to 4 ft. ; four, 4 ft. ; one did not find bottom at 12 ft., while two did not find bottom, but did not state how deep they had gone. LUXURIANCE OF GRAIN CROPS.* The following table shows the average yields of particular crops during each of four years, as deduced from statements made by farmers themselves, showing their personal experiences in the North-West : — 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. UuslielH Bushels. Bushels. Busliels. Averngc yield II II of Wheat, per Bcre If 21! J 32 20j 34 20:1 32', 29;S 38 j II II Barley, II 40 J 63 37:, 41 (1 II Oats, II 59J 60J 58 57i II II live. II 30 30 40 40 II II I'otiltoCB, 11 304 308 302 318 The averages for Wheat were derived from 124 statements; for Peas, from 21 statements ;\r Barley, from 101 statements ; for Oats, from 115 statements; for Rye, 1 statement; and for Potatoes, 92 statements. . After ,hi. ...ion ^^"}^^^ ^^^^ll^^^ -^^^,^^^^^1^"^^^'^^ crop iu Manitoba aiul he I^""''.^^^*''"''',,*''^"' '';?',,, ,,,,1 in of the land at pre.sent unJer eultivation, S^'^l ^^e^ :U hu^l;: ■^^^r^^^bl;^:';::^^;^-^*"-;."^'- ^ ^ive .0 bush. ;-a„a 1 glvea only 15 bush. 17 The followin,^ con.parativo figures show the .yi.hl por acre of certain kin.ls sLliri"" ^'""'^J'"" North- We«t, and the Western and North- Western WlIKAT. I Gti.shcls |i.>r aeri'. Cnnadiiin Noith-Wcst 2G Minnesota I j 7 Wisconsin 53 Iowa ] Illinois i g Indiana j Ohio "j ,0 •\Vl„lo these fi.u^ures are not (,uoted as from a strictly offieial source the .«i..,o.ned statement is vaiuabh, as having- been derived IVon. the '^ Sfa,is'!o^^ Als^ruc^onhc rnitrd SMes," published by the Government at Washinj^ton, I) Q J he period to which it refers consists of ten years, fron. 1870 to 1S71J ineiusive _' and the particulars ^iven are, the avera.^e annual yield per acre, also the highest and lowest yields, with the years in which they occurred :— AVKKAOB OF 10 VKAna. IIioiiKsr VlELD. Wheat Indian Corn Kvo Barley Oats Potatoes liiisliils |if r acre. | Knsliols per acre. 12-04 27-01 14-01 22-00 28-04 87-07 13-09 in 1877 30-07 in 1872 16-00 in 1878 24-00 in 1879 31-07 in 1877 110 0.5 in 1875 ( 69-09 in 1878 loWRHT VlSLD Binliels per aero. 11-00 in 187") 20-07 in 1874 13-00 in 1875 19-02 in 1872 22-00 in IS74 The greatest Wheat-crop in the United States was that of l.SSO the yield a,nount.nn. to 459,057 043 bushel.. If only one-twelfth part (;!0,00o's,, a iles) >f the good Wheat-lands of the Canadian North-West were under cultivation, and .^oretoy,eld, (accordino to the average shown in a precee.lin,; table,) L'(i bushels per acre the product, of one harvest would be nearly five hundred millions of bushels (490,200,000 bu.), or about forty millions of bushels more than the U S crop of 1 880. lieferring to the superior quality of Wheat grown in Manitoba, the foHowin-^ statement appeared in the - rioneer Press," of St. Paul, Minnesota, less than a year ago : — 18 Mo m.rf..ctiun not only in quality, but in .•v-ry oth.r particula . 1 l.c btrryobtins "L'luten, the lift-sustainmK inimnilo of Hour '^""'\, ., ,„,.,,,■„, rho .. t«n.,.l « were ,,roc«r.-.l f.on. several pK. ts of the Province of Mau.toba for *'«•■<- .. ;: of thiB wa« placed iu th. hands of .o.e of our ...adin, ;;''-;-f;-7/- ^^ ; ; .. tion One variety of Scotch Fife yielded the first year at the late f 37 bushel, to :; cacr' f a »,ard an.her color, which the wheat inspector for the M.l.er AsHOCuU.on ..at Minneapolis, pronounced the tinest specin>cn he had seen s.nee he had b.cu '. connected with the Association. .. Straw stood up still and s.ron,, son.o of it being over Ave feet h.gh ; the heads .. were long, while the color of the growing grain was superb." Writing to the .an.c nc^-.^paper iu relation to the Focluctiveno.s of the Wheat land': in the Canadian North-West, near the elo.e ot 18.0, the Un.ted States Consul at Winnipeg, (Hon. J. W. Tajl.-v,) .aid: "In 1871 Mr Archibald, the well-known proprietor of the Dun.ias mills in southorn Minne^a^llt!- Manitoba..' He re.arUed ^^^--^^;y^^^^;^:^:;^X^:^^^^^ rskarhewan latitude 53 degrees, longitude 106 degrees, and another f.om Jo rr'^trrs^::^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ttl ^::lr:;:t:;ion of the wheat plant, attained acco.hng to the well known physical law, near the n>ost northern limit of its successful growth." HOOT CROPS AND VEGETABLES. The yield of root crops in the North-Wcst is simply innuense. With the ,nost ordhfary eultivation Potatoes give an average of over .00 ushels per a.e Turnips aflord 800 to 1000 bushels per aere ; Carrots are very large, and Bcct^s Z in the ,uture,_when the Bce.-.ugar industry shall con. to be develope Lto be a n.ost profitable crop. Cabbages attain an enormous s,ze, and Bean, have yielded GO bushels to the ucre. NATIVE FRUIT, &c. . Very little pro-ross has, cf courx', been made in fruit culture. The nativ.- kn.dH include Strawberries, Uaspberrie.s, Whortleberries, Cranberries, Plums Wlack and Red Currants, Blueberries, and (Jrapes, all of fine flavor, and pronounced to be superior to the cultivated varieties in voi;ue elsewhere. The pamphlet before referred to says : " Donbt8 have exist..! as to wh,.th..r appLs can lu- Rrown, with any ^r-at ile^uo of KUcceBs.n.he North.W..«t ; but lat.ly tl>,. att.ntion of nursery-m.-n in th- East ha« lH'.n attracted to tlii« conntry, an.i s.v.ral s.iccfssful offort.s l,ave b..en ma.io to m reduce a variety of plantn. There is no r.ason wby a,.plo tre.s sl.ould not be r« sed m tbi« ,„nntry,,f care istak.n at the..,„sct to pn.b.t the plants in th. Spring; and . l.«s been sngK..st,.,l by a writer that all y.„„,. appb. fees shonld have a wrapping of straw, so as to pr,.te.t then, in the Sprinj,^ fr.nn alternate thawing' and freezing 1 gn^at detMrr-ent to their growth. It has l,een prove.l ,|,at appb. trees .io thrive in this cuntry, Xdlced""" ^ '° ^''""""' """ ""■ ^■^■'^■''™''^^' "I'-amense" of .inebee could bo At a IIuds,'h wooded ^'roiind is a partial barrier to tho north-westerly winds, and ruiikcs Autumn warmer in the latter rejjiou ; while in yprinj; the ico accumulations of the lake, and woode 1 character of the surrouudinj,' country keep the temperature niueli lower than in the Red River Valley. As the lowest trouj^h of the interior ref,'ion of the continent, that Valley 8C( m.s to serve as a channel for the cold northerly winds in Spiini: ; for, immediately on passiiifr out of it, and up to tlie level of the seeoiid steppe, ve-etiition becomes Hlij;htly but tlistinetly more advanced. There is sullieient information to prove the remarkably uniform progress of tho Spring .sea.>*on along the so-called " Kertilo Bilt," wiiich, passing north-we.slward from the Red River Valley, nearly follows the Saskatchewan to the Roeky Mountains. Parties wh) have wintered in diflerent part.s of this third steppe have stated that the snow-fall is not deep, that it does not lie for more than about three months, and that the temperature is much mlMer than in localities further east. From the altitude of the country, however, early and late fro.sts may, agriculturally speaking, po.ssibly shorten the season a little. As a pastoral and stock-raising country, the higher mean annual temperature gives the third plateau an important advantage over the region to the east of it. RESULTS OF OBSERVATIONS ON TE.MPEKATURK, SNOW, ANi) RAIN-FALL. While the preceding statements, of a general nature, may he considered conclusive, so far as'they go, it is most satisfactory to be able to submit the results of careful .scientKic observations, which will be found embodied in a very comprehensive seriesof tables given on pp. 24, 25 and 20. Charles Carpmael, Esq., Superintendent of the xMeteoroiogical Service of Canada, has, in the kindest manner, supplied from his office at Toronto, Ont., a number of exceedingly valuable documents, relating to the Meteorology of Canada, coverinir a period"of over ibrty years. Tiie tibles referred to show the highest, lowest, and mean monthly and yearly temperatures, embracing observations made regularly at many prominent places throughout the Dominion ;— also, the snow and rain-fall.s, fiiving the number of days per annum on which they occurred,— besides a large number of periodical events as they happened at the Cities of Montreal 24 and Toronto. All tliat iiirorinatioii wan prcpiiroil umltT Mr. CarpiuaerH direction, and iu usu iioru wai !JH])(iiidunc.! witii whii-ii the Uospuulont liiiH been iuvoied. The tiibli's on j^p. 2o 20 12 'S 7-0 a:. -7 •24-7 in-7 ID- 7 »2'2 13-7 8-1 - 23S 27 2 a 27 2 1) i.'i'; 22 S 2U'S 12 3 lO-S 125 II) 51 »-7 31-2 Yeir. 3'< - \i \ - H-S - Iv2 - 2.1» - 3,- -3 - 17 2 - 2l-.'> - 10(1 - 2! - 88 - It'8 - M5 - 3i - 111-7 Monthly and Annual lltin-faU in Inches for various jihtccs in the Dominion of Canatta/rom thrw or more years. Toronto (lotleriuli \Voo('stock r<;torl)oroii;{li... IViiiliMkc Moiitru;il tViiflicc St. .lolih liiisi Kiver Ilalifiix Syiliiuy t'Imrlditetown . . Winiiipeji Speiicu's Hndite. Jan. Peb. Mar. .V|.rll 1-23 0-80 I '02 2 44 0-(l(l O-.i.l 1-31) l-,sl •.■>'.! 0'.)S 1-31 1-00 oil* o:to l-ol !-■ ■ ^-,'> ' V:,\ ' -83 ' 4-17 ' 3-40 I -44 I 2 72 ' 0-78 I .luiio. .luly. Ao;f. Sept. 2 08 3-2i 3-02 3-72 2-.-)l) 2-114 2-78 3-21 2 45 2-IMI 4 41 2-1)3 2-03 2-4", 2-00 3-22 2-28 2-,-il 2-30 3--.'l 3-01 2-20 3 (12 3-0 I'll 2-;->2 4-27 2 81 3-00 3-4". 3- 8.1 4-38 3-30 2-.-|3 3-77 2 -.'18 3-04 2-37 3-01 3-01) 3-1(1 3-42 .5-07 f>-48 3-7!) 2-1)2 3-48 3.1(1 3-84 2-75 2 12 3-73 0-81 0-2:> 0-47 0-32 1-30 -40 -li4 I -1)3 -."'8 .-t 7,5 •» 81) 4 08 4 ■*■< ,f, 02 ;i 04 4 02 1 .'.4 -20 Nov, Dlv. 2-118 1 (1.-. 144 O-D.-i 0-,s4 0-t,2 1-81 O-O.'i 1-00 0-21 2-00 0-«.'i o-i):i (1-00 .^33 2 117 3-78 1-1.-. 4-OS 3 44 0-88 4-03 2-40 l-llO 0-00 (1 - 00 0-37 0-20 1 Year. Average Fall of Snow in the several Provinces of the Dominion of Canadi, with themimher of Days' Snow, and number of Days' Rain. Depth of Snow In inches. Total Snow- in Season. No, of Days- Snow-, No, of Sept, Out. Nov. Doe. Jan, Feb. Mar, April. May. Day.t' Halo. Ontario 3-i 2-2 2-0 1-3 0-8 4-'8 13 -.1 13 1) 10-1 4-0 12-.T U-0 U-0 20-1 23-2 31-11 21-9 2'i-O 8-1) 8-7 2.-. 1 31-8 10-2 17-0 l.'.-O 7-4 lU 14-i) lU 4 10-3 18-1) 22- 1 13-4 5-5 10. 1) 17-5 15-3 11-S 170 9-7 3-3 2-2 8-8 10-2 13-3 17-2 3-0 S S 1-4 0-8 1-1 0.1 U-0 0-0 ().■•. 1) 113-0 108-4 1)2-4 112-4 02 -,S 33-J 58 (10 58 52 78 ,51) 27 <;oehcL' 8» New Uruiiswii-k Nova Suotia I'rinee Kilwarcl IkIuiiJ . Manitoba Ilritiili Columbia. 1)4 107 117 1-20 02 i I hi" P3 Eh O <1 O >— I Eh <} Eh e 5 P 8 « i P3 ?^ H o "-9 -5" «■ S 3 1 < s i 'J it Si H ii 1' Id Ii 00 12 00 00 ift 8 CO 8 Ift Cl CJ Ift 1- n I- Cl 00 1- CO 08KI 00 1- § s s !5 fe S s 00 I'. s §3 Ift Cl I~ 6i8I 00 4ft 83 ^ s -♦ s 1^ 1- S •ft 8i8l 5S IN CJ s s S S i2 12 R S5 s CI Lin <» I' s s 3 & S S n: 00 s S3 ii:8i 00 1- »■"■ s o 5 CO 8 s OJ 1"- S3 S3 "ft 1- SiSI » n s fe § CI Ift s s S S u El s u a |,1 OS CO 1 CI r-t C4 CI ■«*• s Of C4 Ift Cl 00 0881 CI t 1- 1 CI r CI o OS is ao 31 00 3 CI CI EX) r to r-i tU8l 11^ 1 ift 1 M i? Cl ?5 o ?! (M Cl -M '^ Cl IH 1 rH 8i8l 00 O 1 o CI 3 CO o 00 Ift CO O ?! 2i8l OS CI • 1^ 1 O OS 04 1 o ■>8 :3 Cl ?! Ift 00 t-l CO OLSl 1 1 9 1- 00 •* tft 3 1;- 00 V CO 00 pH 9Z8I «7 o "7 rH 00 k ift o Ift CO Ift OS CI bi as Ed a. Eh ft CO 00 kft Ift )-4 ■* 8i8l ec ?1 M 3S CO S OS s ?1 CO CI CO Ift ■-f Zi8I 01 ^ 1- » o s •^ fi CI 8 CO to Si CO i ^ OiSl to 00 M fe k O i- o ^ CI ••a 1-1 ■f GZ8I o 1^ !2 2 CO i 00 i CI ■if r* i t- III8I o QO CI « in ■T5' I- ^7 s ^ Cl 0981 CO 1- ii 00 i •r. 8 ■ij CO Cl 00 1 Xi 1 rt 55 1 < S" s 5 3 3 < 1 > o 'A 1 si a >5 a u s u o a >5 is o M OS ^ •* . «5 lO i*t Jl 30 CI '* 0S8I T. m tn "M W lA f.iSl 00 t- -»< s s °s 8ZSI M ^ •?) ^ OS lO »n CO .^ 9 ec ^ ^ 01 CJ O 1- lit ZiSI psssssssss 9i8I I 3 fe g §S ^ 55 f§ 00 ^^ "»< C-5 Ci lO 1^ 00 rH Ut iM 1, 9i8l TltRl 0981 » jC- ^ « CO *i <» -»■ O i-t " r- r r ift (N il S 2 S fe SS '-' 9) O ^ -^ »rt « (o oi » I- M sn 3 C ^ M ei r* 8Z8I irt Ol ^ i S 2 Lin fH CD GO Oi o Ht o 0i8I yiRi rs (- — K ^ o <>!>8l M r- -^ t-H « t^ O rH .-• B o b. g ;:? 00 s 8 10 O to I- •»• fl « M "M - ^7 3 ;:; r^ ti^ ^ f>\ Vi ^ f^ i^i rt ^ l^ o so « I- o O 'II Tl o cJ -^ o -?> Ci o X) I- -11 -t ^ ^ .2 ^ cy RiRI ZISl 9 Si I, 'O ^ -*« rH in « 2J 2 r* S '^ ''> 'O O o o CI »H o CI « eo o i-H ec r- ( p-t M ^ T^ 0181 X .-H 1^ « lO .-( O -^ CI rH CO « rH lO CI rt li)«I o tn « c* -* 7" 1- I- es S O O p-« Cl QO C 3 V J3 a; s 0) ■t^D fi t« „„" o! r? a 5 s f« i4 P * 09SI r S S R s S n S a £ g ,- O J^, ^ a ^1 28 Table showing the numher of dii/s on which the mean temperature ha$ been below Zero, 32°, 40'', Ax. To find the number of days on which tbo moan tcinpprature was above any given temperature, subtract tlie number of days on wliieli it was below tliat temperature fram 365; — Thus, in 1877, tlie number of days on wbitli it was above 60 was: — 365—249 = 116. Similarly to find the number of days on which the temperature was between (say) 60' and 70 in l.s77 ;— 320— 249=71. Year. At and Bklow Zkiio. At and Below 32' At and Below 40' At and Below 50' At and Below 60' At and Bklow 70' At and Below 80' At and Below 90' 1875 23 145 186 239 262 336 365 365 1876 11 118 181 228 275 317 362 366 1877 7 110 163 208 249 320 365 365 1878 5 95 156 190 253 330 362 365 1879 9 137 164 193 264 342 365 365 1880 12 130 173 206 211 252 259 307 325 366 366 Means . . 11 122 170 364 365 During the months November, December, January, February, and March, (in 1875-SO) The mean number of days on which the mean temperature was below zero was 1 1 " '< 11 11 II 32" 11 1 18 « M II « (1 Ii u i< u -0 < Sg"g2S«^£S-S»S--Si?.-S---SSS ■5"-5 < s ^?; :=" |<;;I4'' ' -3 S ' -< t~ 00 M lO o m rq _ „ S, it! CO ?.2S::S2^'s?.°^2S;^S*°^S?:;'*2«2-2o« U O ;, O t3 o;z;o2;o o " V5 > 2 C o a,' •< S < « t: s >o ■* ^-i:2::"g---"-3-»-2SSS---?i2 -3 i O Z- a .-' }i '? ir ~ CO -5 ■1<0-Ja '■■hO-ji c x c o O 1^1. 1.1-,-, cv, _<^,c^„„p,„ a> > 2 ^ o ; Si S_£ Hj H, ^ |t St ?-t S -3 l^< O y; O 5 S o o S S .o o t; S S = n; 5 « ;;!; '^ «> >- 00 « c ^ M n ^ B 30 lll.-WILL FERTILITY OF SOIL BE LASTING? II. Do you think the comparatively inexpensive methods presently adopted by farmer* in cultivating the lands in the North-West will continue to be effective for many years? — or will they bo supplanted by more scientific farming, and the use of improved implements, phosphates, &c. 7 PROBABLE CONTINUANCE OF FERTILITY. The answer, in detail, to Inquiry No. I., affords sufiScient evidence for th& belief that, while the farmer with more or less capital, can fairly count upon aa ample return for investments in improved agricultural implements and machinery, —the settler who has simply been able to effect the transportation of himself and family, and secure his homestead on surveyed lands, or effect his prc-emptioD farther away, may by persistent industry, soon attain to comfort, and be able to adopt improved methods. There would appear, from reliable accounts, to be but little likelihood of the virgin-soil being exhausted, or even seriously deteriorated,, during the first generation of settlors. An instance has been reported where a field has yielded wheat for fi/ti/ consecutive years, without the use of manure. It would seem, therefore, that all who have courage and vigor enough to carry them to their destined homes are not likely to be vexed about the wearing out of the soil. Other transient obstacles may, however, cause inconvenience for a little ; for instance, lack of roads into the heart of the country, and distance from markets. But as settlement progresses roads will be made, and a consider- able diflBculty obviated ; the prospect is, also, that railways from Winnipeg— the capital of Manitoba, and for the present the starting-point for the interior — will Boon radiate in all directions, and bring new settlements into easy communication with important centres. , 31 I V.-STOCK-RAISING AND DAIRY FARMING. III.-I. What are the prospects for Stock-Raising, as a disli.ict branch of agricultural enterprise in the Dominion ?_and what are the resources upon which the future export trade in Cattle may legitimately hope to draw? 2. Are there any lands, in the older Provinces of the Dominion, adapted for Stock- Raising and Dairy-Farming ? 3. Are the climatic conditions more favorable in any one Province than another of the Dominion for Stock-Eaising?^ STOCK-RAISING IN THE NORTH-WEST. As will be seen by referring to paragraphs on p. 19 about prairie--rass and hay, and the winterin- of cattle, the country is excecdin-ly well ad"aptcd for stock-raisin- A subjoined statement affords undoubted evidence, as to how thoroujihly tliis is understood, in the arrangements made, and in pro^^ress for the establishment of extensive cattle-ranches on the Third Prairie Plateau, where tiiere is an immense area of pasture-land specially adapted for the her'din- of gr( at droves. So nutritious is the prairie-grass, that cattle driven for hundreds of miles across the plains improve steadily in weight and condition as thev proceed onward. There cannot be any doubt that the raising of horses, cattle, and sheep, will be a great branch of farming industry in the North-West. In this department of enterprise, the "Cochrane Ranche -Company " may with great propriety be culled the pioneer company of Cajiada. Two or three pngects of a similar nature are spoken of, but so far actual operations in the 1 erntory have not been commenced. There arc, however, some small ranches belonging to private individuals, which promise fairly, considering the scale on winch they have been begun. The capital of the Cochrane Company is «500 000 and IS all subscribed. The ranche is situated in the How River district of the Third I'lateau, ,u the vicinity, so to speak, of the Rocky Mountains, and em- braces over 100,000 acres of land. It is already stocked with about 10,000 bend of cattle-ineluding 50 pure-bred bulls imported from England, and 50 more will arrive in Canada during the present month (October). Arrangements are also n.ade for the breeding of horses-a large number of mares and two thorough-bred stallions having been sent to the ranche. The Company also in- tends to raise sheep of the best breeds. Referring t., remarks on pages 19 and 20, it has been considered important to mention these particulars, to show l,ow much confidence is felt by the best inf. rmed parties about the suitableness of regions in the North- West for stock rai.,Dg purposes. This will be all the more striking when it is remembered, that 32 the Company is iiniMirtiiiir the finest Knuiish stock, and sending it .into a region where alt (heir cattle will lointcr in the ajxn cotiutri/. As regards routes to tiie interior, given on pages 42 and 43, the Bow River region can be readied by railway from Winuip(\g, to Glyndon on the Northern Pacific Railway — thence west by rail to Bismarck, on tlie Missouri River — thence by steamboat to Fort Benton — taking the road I'rom that point nortli- westerly to Fort Calgarry. This is a long, round-about way; but there is ex- pected to be direct railway communication between Winnipeg and Fort Calgarry before the end of next year (lSS2j, via Canada I'acitic Railway. CATTLE-RAISING AND DAIRY-FARMING IN THE OLDER PROVINCES. The export trade in cattle from Canada is comparatively new. Commencing about eight years ago, the farmers in the older Provinces soon found a larger and better market in Great Britain for their beef-cattle, the demand amply warranting increased production, until now, that the businoris is profitable and expanding every year An examination of the table on p. 34 will sliow how greatly the exportation (principally to Great Britain,) has increased witiiin five years; and it may be fairly inferred that its future development will be as remarkable as its past growth has been. Present sources of supply are Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and, as yet very partially, Prince-Edward Island. — the larger propor- tion hitherto coming from Ontario. The agricultural regions of these Provinces are well adapted for stock-raising of all kinds, — this being specially true of the " Efistern Towiitthips " of Quebec. A large p.-rcentage of the land in these Provinces produces plenty of all kinds of roots and coarse grains, so necessary for Winter-feeding, — the Summer grazing being also excellent, If the weather in Winter renders suitable stable and .shed accommodation more necessary than in the North-West, there is this advantage in favor of the stock-raiser near the shipping ports, — he has not to incur the risk of deterioration that must necessarily be encountered on long distances of transportation by railway. There is a steadily increasing demand for horses in Canada for the Uuit-'d States, as stated on page 35. Dairy-farming is now a most important branch of agricultural industry in Quebec and Ontario, — but most extensively in the latter Province. By adopting improved methods of pr'fduction, the brands of the best Canadian Cheese-factories and Butter-cre- s^r;". • ml: most deservedly high, and command extreme price?. The table oi 'n ■ • '^'-^ .vill show the volume of the trade during five years; while ane . ,. o; .;•>> . 37 indicates the immense increase in .shipments of Butter and t.';,;, ■.!«. h. i-rt of Montreal during a period of eleven years. The shipnici. . i ^tr . (ncipally to the United States, is an increasing and profitable business. 35 An examination of the values, in ditiiil, as given in the table on p. 3i, will sliow in what articles increases or decreases have occurred. For cxan.ple,-the average annual grand total of value f.,r the five years was §71,752,00ti, while the aclwi! '^niud total for 187fl-80 shows an increase of 1<>-15 per cent. The average annual value of foreign products exported durin^' the five years, was §9,421,336, while the actual total for 1879-80 shows an increase of 41 per cent. It will be noticed fr.iui the items in the " Products of the Forest " that there was a marked decrease in the value of square timber shipped during 1878-79. The falling-oft- did not arise from a scarcity of that article— but was occasioned by great depression in the foreign market. Large stocks were held over in Canada to await the return of prosperous times— which, it is believed the .statement for the fiscal year ended on :}(Jth June last, and 'for the current twelve months, will show to have been experienced. The figures in detail which relate to the export of Canadian " Animals and their Products," indicate that high annual averages are maintained. Within the past few years the shipment of Cattle and Sheep to Europe (mainly to Great Britain,) has become immense ; and there is also a large demand for horses, cl iefly at the instance of buyers from the United .States,— very considerable shii)ments being made by railway to the New England States,— also to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The values of Cheese, Butter and Eggs exported cannot fail to attract the attention of Dairy-Farmers in Europe ; while the values of the various kinds of cereals, represent large exportations, and indubitably show what an outlet there is for surplus productions of every kind. OPINION ABOUT THE FUTURK EXPORT TR.VDE. An opinion about the increase of Canadian Trade in the future is given with a good deal of difiidenee. The Respondent reasons in this way. The progress of the City of Montreal may be looked upon as representative in its character. During the past thirty or forty years, that progress has been eon- current with the settlement and developement of the resources of the country. Coincident with the flow of population into the North-West, and the completion of communications that lead in that direction, it may be asked, is it unreasonable to imagine that the agricultural enterprise of all kinds which will be entered upon in the vast, rich prairie-land, will directly tend ti)ituJ. Value of Mcrcliiituiise liupnrled, 1850 211 1 46,156 710 628,271 $ 1,714,772 30,224,904 $ 7,174 780 1880 37,103,869 The figures concerning vessels and tonnage arc for seasons of navigation in the respective years, — the statements regarding Exports and Imports are for fiscal years. The average capacity of the vessels in 1850 was about 220 tons, — the greatest was probably 100 tons, or thereabout. The average capacity of the vessels in 18S0 was about 900 tons, — the greatest was over 4,000 tons. The number of vessels in 1880 included 854 steamships, their aggregate tonnage being ten times greater than that of all the vessels in 1850. The aggregate value of imports and exports at Montreal during the fiscal year 1879-80 was $07,328,775, — or about 43 per cent, of the entire merchandise imported into Canada ; — the value of exports being 34 per cent, of total exports. The progress of the Grain and Flour Trade of Montreal is represented in the ibllowiug table : — 1850. ! 1880. llcceipts. Shiimients. i Receipts. Sliipments. Wheat, biisht'ls. 845.277 51,965 71,359 5,719 9,637,124 7,772,549 9,084,266 Indian Corn, busliels 7,622,161 IVas, '• 21,256 98,006 2,617,656 3,081,674 Oats, " 3,677 1,061 1,191,531 1,853,829 Barley, " 512 350 337,176 293,023 Kye, " .... .... 443,528 452,847 Flour, barrels, 483,003 182,988 733,596 739,007 The comparative aggregates of the trade in these two years (receipts and shipments added together), were, in round numbers, fifty-one millions and three quarters of bushels in 1880, against four-and-a-half millions in 1850. There are no figures at hand to show the shipments (if any) of Butter an! Cheese from Montreal in 1850. Some idea may be formed of the increase in the 37 Irade in tlicso articles, by comparing the following fi-ures relatinjj; u, the ycurs 1870 and 1880:— ° ^ Shipmrnts in 1870. ^""cr, 7,763,971) ll,s value .«l,r,n7,59l C*'««»« 5,033,883 .' .. sin]no iSliipnietits in 1880. ?^;'"'""' 13,983,840 llis value ?2,882,3«0 ^^''''^''' 34,776,180 " u 3;9U5;220 These statements show remarkable results. For instance, the quantity of Butter shipped in 1880 exceeded that of 1870 hy (1,219,804 lbs., or 80-12 pjr cent.; the increase in shipments of Clieese, bein^ 20,142,207 lbs., or 514 per cent. The a,srfrrefj;ato value of Hutter and Cheese shipped in 1870, was .'ji;2,;508,7G 1 , n-ainst 80,877,580 in 1880,— the increase in the latter year over "the former being 84,508,819, or 197-SO per cent. llailway and Lake connections between the seaboard and the North- West, all trend directly or indirectly towards Montreal, at the head of ocean navigation,— sec " Inhind Communications," on pp. 41, 42. 43. If then, the foreign trade of Canada increased so much in course of the past generation, with a comparatively small and sparsely located population,— the Respondent feels warranted in cn(ertaini..g a firm belief that the dcvelopemcnt of the next ten or twenty yens uill prolabli/ he in a geometrical ratio. VI.-THE CANADIAN HIGHWAY BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE ORIENT. VII.— What will the probable eftect of tiie building and completion of the Canada I'aeitio l!ailn-ay be upon the trade, home and foreign, of the Dominion ? Vlll.-Wliether do you think the settlement of the North- We.st Territory by a numerous population, will increase or lessen the voluuio of Canadian export trade — especially in cereals,— to countries in Europe? ' THE CANADA PACIFIC AND OTHER RAILWAY LINES AS FACTORS IN COMMERCE AND SETTLEMENT. A satisftictory answer to much that is involved in the above inquiries, will be found in the accompanying Map (B.). As will be noticed, it was prepared a few years ago, by Thomas Keefer, Esq., C. E., specially for the '• Annual Report .1 -J 38 of the Trade (iiiil Commtrce of Montrfal" ; and. to facilitate refiTencc, the idllowin^ Ktatcnicnts are submitted. It is hliowii that tlie distance from Quebec to Liverpool ia 475 miles less tlian from New York to Jjiver|iool. Kingston, at the foot of Jiako Ontario, is 125 miles nearer Liverpool than is New York. The distance from ILimilton, at the head of Lake Ontario, is the same as Irom New York to Glasgow. Lakes Ontario, Erie, and the southern point of Huron are nearly in a straight line with the Ports of Great Britain, through the Straits of Belle-lslo. An examination of the table on p. 44 will show how this saving of mileage applies to German and French ports. . The iMap al.so sliows what are the geographical relations between the South- western and Western States and the Pominion, — indicating that the shortest line that may be drawn from New Orleans to Liverpool touches the Province of Quebec, passing through Miramiehi in New Brunswick. A straigiit line from Cincinnati to Livcrjmol passes northward of Montreal and the city of Quebec. The shortest route from St. Louis to Liverpool would pass far to the north of this city ; and an air-line from San Francisco to ALintreal passes through Sault Ste. Wario. It would, therefore, seem that all that part of North America west of St. Louis, should find the shortest and otherwise most available route for exporting to, or importing from, Europe, to be that which is afJ'orded by the River St, Lawrence. While the ^lap includes a profile of the line of water communication from the head of Lake Superior to the seaboard, it also indicates the route of the Canada Pacific Kailway, — besides the shorter sea distances on the Atlantic and Pacific. For example, take the following comparison of distances to Japan ani China : — Canadian Route. Mites. Liverpool to Montreal, via Bille-Isle 2,790 Montreal to Port Moody, C. P. U.K.. 2,870 Port Moody to Victoria, li. C UO Victoria to Yoltohania 4,108 Yokohama to Shanghai 1,045 Total..... 10,903 Difference In favor of Canadian route. 1,022 11,923 Unilel Stales Route. Miles. Liverpool to New Yorii 3,040 New York to San Francisco. . 3,370 San Francisco to Yokohama 4,470 Yokohama to Shanghai 1 ,045 Total 11,925 The route from Southampton via the Suez Canal is also longer than the proposed Canadian line, the distances being — Southampton to Shanghai, China, 30 10,359 miles, or to Yokohan,,,, Japan, 11,110 n,iI.s;-fl.o Camulian routo to the attcr port, as .shown abovo, beinf. only 0,858 n.il.s. A c„n.p„rison of distances to S..ln..y, Australia, is also considerably in favour of communication with the Australian Colonics vir Canada. It will be noticed .hat the Lake Superior frnmnis of the Canada Pacific Ka. way ,s nearer, by water carria^'c, to Montreal and New York than is Chiea-^o And another most nnpor.ant point i.s, that 8ault Stc. Marie is the shortest outlet to t.de-water lor Minnesota and places west to Salt Lake and San Francisco. I he deeper gnrn fnt, eoverin,^ a portion of the United S.at.s, .hows at a -Hancc ho very lar,c region of country that would be tributary to the .rcat air-line Routes Contitcnl " ""■"""'' ''"'"'^ '' '^^'■"^^ '^'""'" «"^ *'- ^--!-" Fnro!"!' ';|'"^'""f ;;;"■•■ ''■•""' "- ^«<'v»ntascs of a most f.vorablo inlet from E,r.,pe to the North Western States, from the extension of the (Canadian railway y>t m to Sault Ste. Marie, the benefit to Manitoba and the New Territories of the JJominion will be immense. Thi.s may be .s.mewhat appreciated by reflecting on t e .s,n,le s atement that, when the railway from Wi •„;,., „ ,.,i„ee Arthur'^ Undin, IS n,shed, and the conneetin, line ,rom Lake NipLsin. completed to tl.: fet. Mane Kiver. pas.sen.ers from Montreal to Winnipe,- will be able to make the journey in k>s, probably, than sixty hours. Another result of the complin .c.Ui/e that the distance from Montreal to Lake Nipissinu is praetie.llv the ^ame as rom ^L.ntreal to Toronto.-the small diSeren; ("21 nappreeiab^ on such a distance. From Montreal to Sault St . MaHo m ^^ . d to be the same .. from Montreal to n.ti..t-the difference beinj^^^ nnl^. lie distance from Montreal to Chiea,., is Rm miles,_from Mont^.al to Prineo Arthurs Landin, is but 842 miles, .howin, a small diffe. . i. nnles; while the route from Montreal to Winnipe, is but a few (22) n. es 1 1.:" than the railway mileage between Montreal and St. Paul, Min. It is worthy of notice here, that the export trade in Wheat from Orcon- a go being taken on board ship at Portland, about 110 miles up the Colu'mbia >ver, while sometimes part of it is lightered to Astoria.-fiuds' a .ood d^ri f us supply in the interior State of Montana, and even, it is .said, in Dakot,. Th grain is pu into sacks, and conveyed by water, in barges, a distance of 350 mile, or more there being at present two portages (each of about five miles, traveled vai es, say, from 2s. Od. to 4s. sterling per cental, insurance costin.^ 1 J to 2 per cent a good tnp by sailing vessel occupying five months. It does not seem unrobae therefore, that when all the railway connections between Montreal and Sault Ste. Mane are completed, the Canadian freight and passenger traffic will be imiuonsely aiiKmeiitcd from Montana, Dakotu, ami Minnesota, — the surplus jiioductH of tlie.xe StaU\i Giulinf; a It.ator. beo.iusi! (|uick<'r uml dioapiT, transit to tlio Canadian inland ocean port, and a noaror outlet tlioru to Kuropcau countrio'i, than at any United States port on the Atlantic .seaboard, In view of tlio fore^Miinj^ statements, and all that has been advanced in answT to In((uiries Nos. I., IV., and V,, it may be safely alfirmed, — 1, Tiiat the co u- jilction of the Canada I'aeilie Railway will exert a powerful influenec for f^o >d upon the home and foreign trade of the Dominion ; — and, 2, That the settlem 'Ut of the Canadian North- West by a numerous, thrifty and industrious population, will greatly tend to increase tlie volume of Canadian export trade. — ijspecially in cereals, dairy produce, and cattle, — to the nations of Eurojtc. VII.-PRESENT AND FUTURE MEANS OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATION. IX. — 1, Wliftt arc the prtBcnt auil prospective moans of Internal Communication between the Atlantic sea-board and the interior, for tho transportation of passi'ngers and merchandise? 2. Are the rates of inland transportation in favor of the Canadian as against the United States routes to the Interior? PRESEiNT COiNVENIENT ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR. An examination of the foUowinf^ routes from the seaboard, and from Monvreul at the head of ocean steamship navigation on tho River St. Lawrcnc \ to the North-Western States, and especially to the immense tracts of agricultural lari in the Canadian North- West, as indicated on the accompanying Skeleton ^{ilp (0) — will show that they afford at present, and are likely to do so for years to conn, the .safest, cheapest, and most convenient lines of transportation for passengers and raerchandi,se. They will also afford complete immunity from tho vexatious importunities, and expensive deceptions practised upon travellers en route to places in the United States, — especially upon strangers from foreign countries. There is an all-rail route from Montreal, through a portion of the United States to Winnipeg in Manitoba ; but there arc now three Canadian routes (partly by rail, and partly by water) to the head of Lake Superior. One is by railway to Goderioh, 41 . «U3 t,. ,oll.„.w„„.l; wlulo there will by-and-by be a lourth via Midland City ut the south (Mist end of (Jour-iu„ Buy. ^ The Cnuda J' .cific Hallway ('on.p.ny ha, c„nnn.n..el t,. push r.,r»vard Its l.n to the ,o.n where Ste, Marie Kiver Is to be en.s,s,.d C.r eo „....ti„„ with th- Northern I'ac.hc, and other Uaiiways in the Knited S,,,,,,. \t . i„ t .1 . J '" '"^ I'imi.d i^iates, It ni:iv reasonub v r ZTi. u's "7"' "" ":;';'"^ ""■»' "■"""■"•■ >'-''- «'■» " ''- ,1 • v-mtinent (,f K,iro|,o (or convey n- nnssen-ers of all classes via ports on the Riv.T ^f I , .. . . ' .i^ii„i.isoi an Tenitorv of ('«,.,. ,/.^"'; ^t- J">wrence, to Manitoba and the Xorth-Wet e.nnK N ttr''- '^ "'" T''"' ^'"^ '''" ^""'" '•'-""^' "- '>"--'-' " 0,'n 8t f ;; '""^ >'f " '"'""^ '''■ ^°'"" '" ""■ ^^'-'-' -'^1 North U t un Mates of the ne>.hbor.n,^ Republie-it b .in,- shorter and n.ore eomfort- bl than routes va sea-ports of the United States. It can hardly be iX 1 d .:::: r T''' -nnnunieations are established beuve! / ;: , ;;;.^^thebusines.re,atio„« between .erehlllt^.:;^^^ INLAND COMMUNICATIONS. Mtnaf^r;'r'' •;'" rT ^^''' "*" ^'"^^'^ '^"'•'"■^' «^^-^'° ""^-f'- ^f the year is situated 180 „„les farther inland than Quebec, and about 1 ()()(» n.il . C ., I^ean^ It afl^nis to travellers and .erclts ,reat ^lllllZ:^: " ^t^r nn.e, expense, &c.. the eo.n.unications with the interior being of tl. :n;;i::t lino from Portland, Me., to Montreal, and thence to Chlca<-o a distance of 1 r« aai 42 1. The journey by the Great Water Highway of the Dominion, by first- class passenger and freight propellers, is as follows: Montrenl to Chifngo, 111 , c 1,121 Miles. " to Fort William, Wan., 1,100 » " to Duliitl), Min., 1,294 " 2. The all-rail journey from Montreal westward, to make connections in the West and South-Western iStates^, is as follows : — Montreal to C'hicngo, by Grand Trunk Railway... 836 Miles. " " by Grand Tmnk and Great Western Railways. .... 845 " The present all-rail journey from Montreal by Grand Trunk Railway to St. Boniface, via Chicago and St. Paul, is as follows: — Montreal to Chicago, 836 Miles. Chicago to St. Piitil, 410 " . ' St. Paul to St. Vincent, 389 " St. Vincent to St. Boniface 67 " 1,702 ,;. New York to St. Uoniface, via Chicago and St. Paul 1,846 Boston to St. Boniface, via Chicago and St. Paul, 1,906 3. There are several routes by railway and water, all of which, though difi'ering somewhat in length, nevertheless save large distances, as compared with the all-water route, — and besides, meichandise transported avoids the tolls levied on the Canals. The comparative distances are as follows : — a. Montreal by Grand Trunk Railway to Toronto . . . 333 Miles. Toronto to CoUingwood, by Northern Railway. . . 94 " Collingwood to Chicago, by propeller ■ 600 " 1,027 6. Montreal, by rail, to Collingwood, (as above) 427 Miles. Collingwood to Fort William, by propellor 54 4 " 971 c. Montreal, by Grand Trunk Railway, to Toronto... 333 Miles. Toronto to Owen Sound, by Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway 122 " Owen Sound to Chicago, by propellor 585 " 1,040 d. Montreal to Owen Sound, as above 455 Miles. Owen Sound to Fort William, by propellor 625 " 980 e. Montreal. l,y (Mand Trunk Railway, to L'.llcville. 220 Miles. Bflltvillf to Midlan.l City on Gforgian Bay 160 " Midland City by propdlor to Cliicaao coo " 980 ./: Montreal to Midland City, as above 380 Miles. Midland Ciiy, by propellor, to Fort William 545 << 025 ff. Montreal, by Grand Trnnk Hail way, to Godorich. 4CG Miles, (iodericli, by propidlor, to Chicago (joo •• 1,006 A. Montreal, by Grand Trunk Railway, to Coderich.. 466 Miles. Goderich, by propellor, to Fort William 540 >■■ 1,006 ir. When certain intermediate links are completed, ti.e all-rail distances and connections with the Canadian North- We.^t and the xXorth-Western States will be principally as follows : — 1. Via Canada Pacific Railway, north of Lake Snperior,— Montreal to Ottawa, by Q. M. O. & 0, Ky., 119 Mi'ea Ottawa to Calendar, by Can. IVilic E.Ktension,... 23C " Calendar to Fort William, say 67j " Fort William to St. Boniface, '.,'.'.' 426 " 1,450 2. By Canada Pacific Railway, via Sault Stc. Mario,— Montreal to Calendar, as above 349 jjjiyg 300 Calendar to Sault Ste. Marie Sault Ste. Marie to Dulutb, ..._ ^hq Duluth to Glyndon .' " ] 244 Glyndon to St. Boniface 2:;3 1,516 3. By Grand Trunk Railway, via Belleville, Poterboroufjh, Gravenhur.t and Sault Ste. Marie,— ' Montreal to Belleville Belleville to Peterborouj
  • s oftected by the Grand Trunk Kailway, the distance from Montreal bein.^ only zvi miles. ° It is expected that, ere Ion., there will be another outlet on the Canadian ^.aboard in Winter, by the port of St. John, N. B.,_the distance by railway rom Montreal, being about 450 miles. The railways in the Province of New Brunswick, t e State of Maine, and the Province of Quebec, which will be a.soc.a ed to orm the route from St. John, will, it is proposed, effect a connection u h the railway system loading westward and up into the North-West, by bull ing a bridge across the Kiver St. Lawrence at a short distance aLove W r ; 1 S ^''' '■''' ''"^ '' "''"''' '^^^"'■'•-1 ^-"'ties both for » inter and bummer connection with the seaboard. VI 1 1. -FACILITIES FOR SAFE NAVIGATION OF THE GULF AND RIVER ST. LAWRENCE. X.— What are the chief difficulties e St, Lawrence ? ncoimtLTod in the navi