IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET {MT-3)

1.0

I.I

^ !^ IS

i lis IIIIIM

1.8

1.25 1.4

.4 6" -

►

'el

% ;>

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

L1>'

'";^

1^\^^

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagie

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaur^e et/ou pelliculie

□ Cover title missing/
Le titre de couverture manque

□ Coloured maps/
Cartes giographiques en couleur

□ Coll
Enc

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
ncre de couleur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
ReliA avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La reiiure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge int6rieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela itait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 filmies.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl6mentaires:

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il iui a hxh possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage
sont indiquAs ci-dessous.

D
D
D

D
D

Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommag6es

Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes

Pages detached/
Pages d6tach6es

HShowthrough/
Transparence

Quality of print varies/
Quaiitd in6gaie de I'impression

The
to th

The
poss
of th
fiimi

Origi
begi
thei
sion,
othe
first
sion,
or ill

Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel suppi^mentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refiimed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuiliet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 film6es A nouveau de fa^on k
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

The
shall
TINl
whic

Map
diffe
entir
begii
right
requ
meth

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est fiimi au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous.

10X

14X

18X

22X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thank*
to the generosity of:

Library of the Public
Archives of Canada

L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grAce A la
g4n6ro8it6 de:

La bibliothdque des Archives
publiques du Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol —^(meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reprodu'tes avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la nettetd de l'exemplaire filmd, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
fiimage.

Les exemplalres originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film6s an commenqant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la derniire page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole — ^- signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbole V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diags-ams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
filmis i des taux de reduction diffdrents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir
de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite,
et de hput en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mdthode.

32X

Ti
('

II
w

PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK

A S I >

(illDE TO ]JAMT0I!\

\M)

TJiE xoirn]-\\M^:sT

CONTAI^•ING

INFuliMATIoN ON rilK I'OJ.LOWINC .-^r l',.l Ij TrS

1I..U (.. ;;.:t tu Miillituliii lni;iiirt.ui..ll uf W.ll liii't ^tM,•l^

Ihcr^t of til.' j(,iiri|i V. S;ilt iiliil >;ilt slirili';^.

Bmiiliim iirniiiuciiifnts 'I'i,,. i.iiniall.

A (l( -i.-ij|itiiiii (if till' jii;iiin\ \\n J'hf in.st.

tliL' liil.us ami \'\ Mil rail l \n' m :i>(iii>

What to ila nil tl.c' \va\ ncaltlifiiin. .> ,,r ;li>,i:,ti'

l>cscri|>lii.ii <if WininiM';:. Ahsciur ni .iiiiliinio

I's tr.Mic, etc . 111(1 Itcal IMatc. \N .alluT K.Tinl l.ir 1>7«;

.SU'aliil'uat i:ite-rt-.t- .11 tli< Ki (I 'I'lic m-assliupinis

\{\\v\: Kcii.'liiy.

TraiU' liclwctii I, S 111(1 Mini- I'licl ami tiiiilicr

'"'''*■■ Tree .•nltinv ■■n i),,. ,,|,i,ii.

Ilic M'ltK'iuMit hell ai.d i!- I'lairii lirc-

,,, ''■•''■'^'"•^V. ^, ,, . , ''"-■'■> 1,1 a-iic.iltural ini|.lc
llif town ut .Scllviik. imiit>

I'-.rta-ul-i I'raiiifaml w,:.uv:tnl. I'rlivs ,,f ^taj.lo in ■■ri,r,-yu-.

Tlic .■.•Ktluuionto l'v:e.'>..|(ln ;;. ..,.!> ali.l hanlu ,n

I ic.|-(i|i>(il imli\i.iiia)riiiiR...>. Price-. if fmiijtiire and ImiMin- I

I iiv ck'-tcral liiv jvi.iiis.

('roll ifjiort for IsTii.

< Iiaiii aii.l root rro|is

Fi iiit>

II. M iiiil iia\ urouii.l-..

Wa't.T

Soil

(iaiiic. laiLT -111.1 >ina|l.

Fl-'h ill hint's .Mllll |!\ IT-

A|iicult lire
Stock raisin'^.

U o.il ■j,vn^s Uil;,

I 'ii'V j.roihic'

material
.Malntnl.a Markit-
'I'hi' r-a,i-..
I'.\l'o.lalio|i of .\l liiilol.a vv lua!

for S", ,1.
N( cc-^ji \ io|- railway '■•■niiiiiini

I'alioii,
)fail«a\ |.i-o.-|ic.I--
Naviu'alioii of Lake \VJn)ii|„.u

an. I Sa«i^,i'clu->\aii
I'lic trail.. ,,f \Iaiiit..lLi
.statistic, of 'j'la.le mil \ .' \ i.^a-

'ion

i:aak.

! loiiii -t.Mil la i\ .
■111. n-.r.cv
Till- (Jov .■ihliii lit
A;;ri.ailtiiral So... tii -.
\ coiii|:ari--on of /■]■< 'ii-.
A ile.«ci-i|nioii of |irt''( 111 -ttt..i-
Kilii.ati.iiiai matter^.
( 'liiiiclic.s and Socii'tii',-.
I'<.4 ottl.,..saml niailv.
lApros ami tell urii'li.
.\ihice to the iinini'^ranl.
'I'lie lali(l> ill the I'loviiice o|,vii

for M'ttli iiu m.
'I he dilVerciil ii,odc> . f aciniirin-

Jinic! ill .Mamtoha aiKlthe N.irlli

Wi-t.
;. a-..|i> w |i\ iinnii-r.iiii - -lionlH

iC't -ctt'.' far in a.lxaiicc of

-cttli niei:|v.
'I'll!' ileiiiaiid for iiu-ciK;iiii al !ahor

.iml .k.H.
riitnii' |.ro>|„., t> ,;) t;,i \-,M||

U.si
The coiiiitr;. uci \\ af.i.
A roni|iari-on I., . ,v . i n tl,r I ni

1. d S.ale~alii| ll..- .\..i|l| U c-t .
Stali'ieelits from ~'-v i r i! -om .-i -

and l,(cl> *o jir.A c I h.. I or'-, i i

iii.'>- of t'li- pami'.'i'i I

['( >t'.-- A 1 ( I ;

IviiSK-BELFOH D PUULrSillNG CO..

Mill . I \\ I \.

.^^_..4

OF CANADA.

^•— •-

THIS COMPANY WILL BE PREPARED to arrange for
4]ie transportation ot intending settlers in Manitoba during the
spi-ing, and special facilities will be given to large parties with their
household effects, by all rail, or l)y lake and rail upon the opening of

navigation.

W The first large party from the Grand Trunk line mill leave early

in March.

Programme with lowest rates of fare and all other informatior.i caiik
be obtained upon direct application to Mr. WAiNWRiGHivGeneml Passen-
ger Agent, Montreal, or through the Company's Agents.

JOSEPH HICKSON,

General Manaijev;

m~ THE FHORTEST, pCKEST, AND ONLY DIRECT ROUTE

TO ALL POINTS IN THE

NEW NORTH-WEST V

- IS VIA THE

NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD

Leave CHICAGO Daily, Except Sunday.

Via O. M. & St. p. Railway, at 10.00 A.M.

Via O. & IT. VT. Railway, at 10.00 A.M.
St. Paul to Blsmark, 22 Hoiir» I St. Paul to Deadwood, 66 Hours | Chicago to Deadwood, 84 Hours.

-o oo-

1^ ALL PASSENGER EQUIPMENT ON THIS LINE

18 PROVIDED WJTII

WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE, MILLER PLATFORM, &C.

-o eo o-

DAILY STAGES BETWEEN BISMARCK AND DEADWOOI>

^Seven Stages Eadi Week.)
Eismarck to Montana and all points on Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers.

TRl-WEEKLY STEAMERS leave Bismarck for Forts Berthold, Buford ami Benton : Powder, Ton {ju«,. Yellow-
stone, and Upper Missouri Rivers ; Bi<j Horn Citj', Bozeman, Hjlena, and the liijj Horn Mountains.

W Remember the above and purchase Tickets over no other Line.

For further information, apply to or address—

6. G. SANBORN, Gen'l Fr't & Pass. Agent, N P. R. R., St. Paid, Minn.
Or, L. P. HILLIARD, Agent, 64 Clark Street, Chicago.

} for
the
their
ig of

PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK

AND

GUIDE TO MASIIOBA

AND

! caiik

THE NORTH-WEST

-CONTAINING-

INFOPvMATION ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:

k Hours.

OOI>

How to get to Maiiitohfr.

Tlie cost of tho journey.

Bonding aiTajigenients.

A dt'scription of tlie journey via
tliu lakes and ))y all rail.

What to do on the way.

ncseription of Winnipcfr.

Its trade, etc., and Heal Kstate.

Steamboat interests on the Red
River.

Trade between U. S. and Mani-
toba.

The settlement belt and its
parishes.

The town of Selkirk.

Portage la Prairie and westward.

Tlie settlement.^.

The crops of individual farmers.

The electoral divisions.

Crop report for 1876.

Grain and root crops.

Fruits.

Hay and hay ground.s.

Water.

Soil.

Game, large and small.

Fish in lakes and rivers

Apiculture.
Stock raising.

Wool growing.

Oairy produce.

Importation of well-bred stock.

Salt and .salt springs.

The rainfall.

The frost.

The .seasons.

Healthfulnes.s of climate.

Absence of epidemics.

Weather Recon' for 187fl.

The grasshoppers.

Fencing.

Fuel and timber.

Tree culture on the prairie.

Prairie fires.

Prices of agricultural inH>le-
ments.

Prices of staples in groceries.

Pricesof dry goods and hardware.

Prices of furniture and building
material

Maiutoba markets.

The roads.

Exportation of Matiitoba wheat
for Sf^ed.

Necessity for railway communi-
cation.

Railway prospects.

Navigation of Lake Winnipeg
and Saskatchewan.

The trade of Manitoba.

Statistics of Trade and Naviga-
tion.

Banks.

Homestead law.

Tlie reserves.

The Goveniment.

Agricultural Societies.

A comparison of croi)S.

A descripcion of present settlers.

Educational matters.

Churches and Societies.

Post Otiices and mails.

Express and telegraph.

Advice to the immigrant.

The lands in tho Province open
for settlement.

The different modes of acquiring
land in Manitoba and the North
West.

Reasons why immigrants should
not settle far in advance of
settlements.

The demand for mechanical labor
and skill.

Future prospects of the North-
west.

The country westward.

A comparison between the Uni-
ted States and the North-West.

Statements from several sources
and facts to prove the correct-
ness of the pamphlet.

era*

1^ Yellow-
ns.

Line.

TORONTO :

Rose-Belford Publishing Co.

MDCCCLXXIX.

il, Minn,
mgo.

A PllACTICAL

HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

MANITOBA

AND THE XOirril Wl-ST.

The object of this })amphlet is to place before the public an
array of facts in as clear and concise a manner as possible, to
demonstrate the <^reat advantage possessed by M;uiitoba and
the North-West for intending settlers and cai)italists.

One of the first questions likely to b<' asked in reference to
the country is — How can a person get there? and, in the next
place — How much will it cost ? To these queries we reply as
follows : — Takirg Toronto as a starting point, you can go by
the Great Western Railway, or the Grand Trunk liaihvay to
Detroit ; Michigan Central to Chicago ; * The Chicago and
North Western Railway, and Chicago, St. Paul and Minnea-
polis Line to St. Paul; the St. Paul and Pacific Railway to St.
Vincent, and thence to AYinnipeg by the Pembina Branch of
the Canada PaciQc Railway, ji:st com})leted. If you prefer
rail and water route, you can go by the Northern Railway to
Collingwood, the Grand Trunk to Sarnia, or the Great Western
to Windsor, and from either of these three places you can take
the steamer direct through the Lakes, without transhipment,
to Duluth. From that city you take the Northern Pacific

♦Samuel Beatty, Agent C. & N. W. iry, iiossin House Block, York St.,
Toronto.

A IMlALTirAL HANI) IIWOK AND OUIDE

Railway to Olyndoii, and from tluMico by tlu^ St. Vm\\ and
Pacilh; Railway, an<l tlie I'enibiiwi liiancli of tiio Canada Pacific.
Railway to Winnipeg.

Parties living along the lino of the Canada Southern Rail-
way, can take it to Detroit, and the roads mentioned above
from Detroit to St. Paul.

These are tlie ^jrincipal routes ; and now a few suggestion??
to the travelh r may prove of service.

When in Toronto, or wherever you may start from, go to
the diflerent railway or steamboat oflices and see where you
can make the best terms for a througli passage direct to Win-
nipeg, and V)e sure to mark the route indicated on the ticket
ottered you, so as to judge whether the accommodation will suit
the circumstances of your case. If you have animals, house-
hold or other goods to bring with you, try, if possible, to make
special arrangements for their freight, at a through rate, direct
to Winnipeg, and if you succeed in doing so, be sure and get
the agreement in writing from the office where you make the
contruct, so as to render it binding ; also make certain that the
office is a responsible one before you complete your bargain.

Where there are several parties travelling together we would
recommon*! them, if they have no special agreement in regard
to a through rate for their effects, Ac, to club together, and
engage a whole car at car rates to Winnipeg. Each individual
can then pay his proportion of the amount according to the
quantity of effects, &c., he may have in the car, and this plan
will be found a great saving in the item of freight.

The railroads allow one man to ride free with car of house-
hold goods when the car contains live stock.

Passenger and freight rates will be furnished to any one who
will api)ly personally or by letter to any of the Roads advertis-
ing in this guide.

We subjoin the following extracts from letters written at
our request by G. B. Spencer, ICsq., Collector of Customs in
Winnipeg, and J. W. Taylor, Esq., American Consul at the
same place, and the information they contain will prove of great

service to tliosr wlm may dt'sin* to conio to Ma'iitol)a, arnl
liriiig vvitli llii'iu ilieir cattU', househoUl goods, or fanning
implements: —

" I will, liowever, a'' 1 that eiinj»rantH from any of the otlior Pro-
vinces of the Dinninitin, hrinifint,' with them any j^oodw <»ther than
etiectH in n.se, iiiclii(lin<^ liorHew and catthi, iVe., Ac, nmsr fnrnlHh
the Ciistonis on arrival here with a ct(rtificate and nthcial Htanip
from Home om; of the C/ollecturH of Ountoms at or near their place
of departure, that the goods or animals are the mannfactiire or
production <»f thu Dominion of (Canada «»therwiae thuy will bo
treated on arrival here as if imported from the I'nited States, or
any other coimtry, not of the I).»minion of ('anada.

"(Signed) (J. H. Spknckk,

" ir»th .Tannary, 1877."

" U. S. Consulate,
"WiNNiPKo, January 2r>th, 187C.

" Dear Sik, — In response to your communication of tlie 17th
instant, asking vvliat facilities are (extended hy the Treasury De-
partment to emigrants from Eastern Canada passing through Ame-
rican territory t(» Manitoba, I transcribe Art 72.3 of U. S. Custtuns
Regulations, which end)odies the tcms of comnnmicationsmade to
this Consulate at ditlerent periods since 1871 .

" Art. 723. Upon due entry and the giving of a proper bond at
frcmtier ports, by parties intending to i)ass through the territory of
the llnited States to the Province of Manitoba via Pembina, c»f
their pers(,)nal and liousehold etl'ects, including horses, cattle, and
waggons, imported for their own use, and not for sale, the articles
may be delivered into the custody and control of the party for tho
purpose of such transportation and exportation, instead of recpiir-
ing them to be transported over a regularly bonded route. In such
cases, Collectors shall canse entry to be made in trii)licate, care-
fully specifying the articles, with (piantities, values and duties, one
of which shall be transmitted by mail to the Collector at Pembina.
Another given to the owner of the goods, to be by him delivered to
the said Collector, and the third detained on the files of the Collec-
tor at the post of departure. If desired, parties may give a bond
without sureties, on depositing the estimated duties with the Col-
lector of the port where entry is made, which deposit shall be
returned on presentation of the proper proofs of exportation.

"In view of these regulations, I would advise any intending
emigrant to obtain a Consular certificate in Canada, showing items
and values of his stock, present the same to the collector of the port
of entry in the United States, and then make his special arrange-
ments for transportation to Manitoba— either by giving his bond
with citizens of United States as sureties, or his individual bond
without security, or depositing the amount of accruing duties. The
latter procedure has been very convenient — the Collector's draft to
order of emigrant following the receipt of Collector Spencer's (of
Winnipeg), In.nding certificate.

"The ft't'B t<i Atuuriciiii ()tli»'i;ilM will not oxc«oU livu tlulluih uh
folltiwH :—

♦• CtinH\jliir cortilicfite iit tho uiitsut of JDuniey from

Ciiiiiiiiii rJ no

"Entry for iiminxliatc triiiiHpnrtiitinn in !• tnd to

Manitoltu 1 no

*' Iii«i>t'ctii»u, tVc.,!it I'oiubiiiu 1 0<)

" Aftor |)iissi?ij,' tho I'nitfd States fnmtior, tho ("iiiiLfnint nriy taku
iiiiy I'lMitc iiL' (liuDHCH : l)iit I wiiiild u(l\ iwc tlutt lut.shmihl remain in
jKiHHessiiin uf liis clt'ectH nntil )iis arrival in MHnitiil)a. Me should
niiderMtand, liuwever, that liiH l)iiiid will nut bo releiwed or tho
duties refuiiiled, if lie (lis|>(iseH of any portion of his stock {\n\-
HVoidaldi' casualties, to Ite fully explained, excepted), in transit
through the I'nited Stutes,

" r am A-c,
"(Signed) .). W. Taylou,

" U. S. Cnnsnl."

If you intoiid taking your team with you und (Irivin;^ from
Moorhead over the prairie to Wiiiuipc j,, you would do well to
])rovide yourself with the following articles, if you do not
luipjxMi to have them : —

A Tent. Tin cujjs.

Fryiuj^ pan. Tin j)late.s.

Kettle to boil water. Knives and fyrks,(common).

Tea i)ot. Iron spoons.

Water })ail. Some wrought nails.

Axe. A piece of leather (strong),

Hatchet. i)a[)erof wrought tacks, some

Butcher knife. stout twine.

One or two plough lines and

Bedding.

And your provisions as follows :

Tea. Hatn, Uacon or pork.

►Sugar. Flour.

Salt. Jiakiii^^ Powder,

Pej)i)er. Butter.

Biscuits. Matches.

Some Pain -Killer in case of sickness.

Get hobbles'^ made for your horses to prevent their straying
away from you at night. When travelling make it a rule to

* Hobbles are 8traj)s made to confine the fore feet of the horse to prevent
his galloping aAvay. Tliese straps are fastened on just over the hoof above
the fetU)ck, tbe legs being allowed a i)lay of about a foot apart. In this
way the animal can only hoj) along and cannot consefpiently travel any
distance during the night. Hobbling horses does not in the least interfere
with their feeding.

Ti) MANITOHA .V.N|> IHK M IITII WhHT.

imrnint?, take loni; n-Mts in th«

start n'< «'arly jis possihlc in th»

ini<l<lh' ;inii hi';it of the day, nixl trav«'l again in tho cool of tlio

evening so as not fo ircdr nul i/our /utrstn.

It JH always <^'8invl)I»' an<l in fact nrrcsMary for yon to tako
a supply of o. ,,m Moorlirad, tofeod your horses on the way,
as grass is not sinilcimt to keep animals in good condition,
where they have to travel day after day with loads. There
is, however, pasture all ahmg the road froFU Moorhead to Win-
nipeg. In order to camp at the b<!st spots for water and wood,
yojir plan is to encpiire, as you go, at the dill'erent stage stations
along the road, as the men \\\ (diarge (»f them will givt; you all
the information you dtisire. While you kciep along the river
you are all right, but at some places you have to make a detour
and d<'p(ui(l upon small lakes and creeks for water; and, as some
of them an^ salty, if your horses should drink at them they
wojild prol)a.l)ly become sick, and it is for this reason we adviso
you to empjire at the stations for the liest cam[)ing grounds.

With regard to the cost of travelling to Manitol)a, we have
given a list of rates, but we have done so merely to give some
idea of the expense, and would advise parties to make their
own terms with the cheapest line.

In rfferenco to this subject, we clip the following from i\\o
Winnipeg Free /Vr.ss of the I Ith, which may be information
to some of our readeis :

" Immigration Kates. — Mr. John lialston has been offere<l
through passeng<'r rates from Montreal to Winnipeg for next sea-
.son at$l.^, or to Dulufh f(»r$8.4()per 100 lb. for freight ; horses,
SlOand cattle -IrH, to the last mentioned point. The route is from
Montreal to Hamilton by boat, thence to Southampton by (Ireat
Western Railway, and thence to Duluth by boat, thou by
Northern Pacific and Red River boats to Winnipeg."

We are informed that the IJeatty and Windsor line of
steamers, ])lying to Duluth have combined under the name of
the North-west Company, with headquarters at Sarnia. This
line will be an extra strong one, and doubtless parties will be
able to effect good arrangements with them for transportation.

The third ([uestion which is likely to be asked is " What
sort of a trip is it to Manitoba ]"

Our reply is as follows : — If you take the steamer either at
Collingwood or Sarnia, you will find the boats commodious
and comfortable, and the otficers, as a rule, most attentive to
their passengers. The scenery along the north side of Lake
Superior is very fine, and you will have opportunities while
the boat is wooding, and receiving or discharging freight, of
enjoying yourself fishing, l)athing and scrambling about the
shore picking up pebbles, mosses and curiosities. To any
one in poor health, nothing is so apt to bring the roses to tho
cheeks as the clear bracing atmosphere of the lakes, especially

TTT

'■ii-Ul

. 1 1 i-rar . . " m-.*-!

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

that of Superior. Parties must bear in miiul, however, that
the weather during the tirst trip or two of these Lake Superior
.steamers is apt to be rather cold, and they should prepare
themselves accordingly. Our description applies to later in
the season. The passage to Duluth through the lake consumes
about three or four days, unless you are detained by bad
weather,which will not be very often, as the boats are seaworthy,
ajid do not put in fur every slight storm. The time, however,
jiaisses so plea!;antly, that it is hardly felt, and on the arrival
of tlie boat at Duluth, the almost universal feeling amongst
the p'assengers, is regret at the termination of the
voyage. The accommodation for the second-class passengeis
is very good, and every attention is paid to their comfort. The
tiist thing you do on arriving at Duluth, is to go to the C-'us-
t(>m House, and prefeent your papers through a bi'oker (whose
ottice you will easily tind), so as to facilitate the forwarding of
your eti'ects, if you have more than ordinary baggage. As a
rule, freight is forwarded on the Northern Pacific Railway
without delay, but if there is any appearance of your goods
and chattels being neglected or left behind, apply to the agent
of the steamboat company, or to the captain of the boat you
arri\ ed in to interfere in the matter. We would here refer you
to wha^ we have already said in regard to several [larties dub-
ing together - nd hiring a car, so as to cheapen the rate of
freight between Duluth and Moorhead.

Duluth is situated on the side of a high and steep hill at
the extreme westein end of Lake Superior, and is possessed of
a good harbour. It has a very scattered appearance at present,
but is destined without doubt to become in time a place of great
importance. As you leave it on the cars of the Northern Pa-
cific Railway, you pass through a very mountainous country,
nothing but rocks and pine bting visible, and you cross several
bridges of immense height spanning deep ravines between the
mountains. Gradually, however, you come to a prairie country
which does not strike the eye as b( ing very productive, the soil
being too sandy in many places, and in others covtred with
great (juanlities of stones. The land along the Northern Pacific
li. K. is thinly settled, and we fear it will be long ere its popu-
lation will increase to any gieat extent. The rapid growth,
however, of some of the towns along the line, through the in-
strumentality of the railioad company, is remarkable, especially
that of Brainard, Moorhead and Fargo, places of only a few
years' standing. As you approach the Red River, the soil
improves in quality, and indeed, if you take the overland
route from Moorhead to Winnipeg, you will find the land
along the river side fair, but a mile or two out on the prairie
it is little better than a desert in most places. It is astonishing
how little really good land there is unoccupied and suitable for

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WEST.

successful cultivation in the north-western States. Thus, along
the banks of the Red Kiver in Minnesota and Dakota, the good
landis contined to a narrowstrip oneacli side of the stream (most
of which is already taken up), and out on the prairie it is hardly
fit for settlement. You leave Duluth in tiie morning and reach
Moorhead in the evening, but if the Red River steamers are
running to Crookston ; you will have to change cars at Glyndon,
and take a branch line of the St. Paul and Pacific R. R. to
that place. It will consume the best part of the next day ere
you reach Crookston, but when you arrive there you have no
further transhipment until you arrive at Winnipeg. You will
find the Red River steamers commodious, and the oiiicers cour-
teous and obliging. The meals on board (for which you have
to pay extra), are good and substantial, and the berths clean
and comfortable. The trip down the river although a little
monotonous is not unpleasant, especially as you generally meet
some nice people on board, and the officers of the boat vie with
each other to make themselves agreeable to their passengers.

If you intend to go overland from Moorhead you will be able
to start the day alter your arrival, and will experience the
novelty of travelling and camping out on the prairie for the
next eight or nine days.

The pleasure of travelling over the prairie may be interrupted
now and again by mosquitoes and sometimes bad roads, but
taking it altogether, it is quite an enjoyable trip. You eat
heartily and sleep well, and you have plenty to employ your
time in looking after your team, making and striking camp,
and cooking meals. Occasionally you will find some shooting,
and at some seasons of the year, especially in the spring and in
the fall, you will meet with numbers of ducks, pheasants and
prairie chickens. It is not improbable that you may come
across a deer, a fox, a skunk, or even a bear, but they are not
numerous: altogether you will not find the journey irksome,
especially if you take care at starting to have everything in
proper shape, according to the instructions we have given you.

When you pass through Pembina, at the boundary line be-
tween United States and Manitoba, you have to repoit yourself
at the American Custom-House, and be careful to see that your
bonds are properly cancelled l^y the officials before you pass over
into British territory. When you cross over into Manitoba,
you will have to obtain a clearance from our own Customs offi-
cials at West Lynne, after which you may consider yourself
free to travel through the British North- West. If the saving
of time is an object to you, we would advise you to take the
iitage — not otherwise, as you travel day and night (a tedious
operation), and make the <listance from Moorhead to Winnepeg
in thirty-six hours.

And now to retrace our steps, we deem it hardly necessary to

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

describe the all rail part of the trip from Toronto via Chicago and
St. Paul, as it simply means taking your seat in a car to be
whirled through the country at the rate of thirty or forty miles
per hour. It is the usual meeting of strangers whom you may
never see again — the calling out of stations by the brakesman
as you pass along — the slamming of doors, and the whir whir
of the wheels as you speed past the telegraph poles — catching
now and again a glimpse of fertile fields with lazy cattle grazing
in them, or rushing through dense forests, or past farm houses
and villages, and now and again a passing train. At the
stations it is the same bustle and confusion as any v here else —
the towns and cities appear very much alike, ann you rush
through the country without an opportunity of judging as to
its merits or disadvantages. You are pestered by news-boys
and squalling children, and now and again your eyes are glad-
dened by the sight of a pretty face amongst the lady passengers
— you get very thirsty, very dusty very sleepy and very tired,
and you are glad when your journey is ended, your only satis-
faction being that you have got over the distance at a rapid
rate.

So now we have said all we can say about the trip, and we
again join you as you approach the city of Winnipeg, the future
great centre of trade in the North- West.

As you approach by land or by the river, the first objects
that arrest the attention are the Cathedral, Convents, and Col-
leges of St. Boniface on the eastern side of the Red River.
Next you see McLane's mill, a large three story building, and
Fort Garry, the Hudson's Bay Company post and head-
quarters, situated on the Assiniboine River, near its mouth ;
and beyond lies what appears to be a very large city, somewhat
scattered at the edges, but compactly built in the centre, and
this is the city of Winnipeg. It is about sixty miles from the
boundary line — the custom-house centre for the North- West,
and the seat of Government for the Province.

The growth of Winnipeg has been truly wonderful, as will
be seen in the following table : —

700
1,600
3,500
5,000

((

1871,
1872,
1873,
1874,

and since then a proportionate increase.

The origin of Winnipeg was caused by its proximity to Fort
Garry, the Hudson's Bay Company post, to which a few years
back all the settlers had to resort from far and near for their
supplies. This induced several free traders to establish stores
in the vicinity to cat».h the stray pennies, and as the hunters
and fur traders usually came *,<< the fort twice a year from the

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

Saskatchewan, Rocky Mountains, and Norway House for their
trading outfits, a good deal of trade was picked up from them
by these outsiders. The H. B. Company tried in every way
(and who can blame them for it), to discourage this independent
trading, which was in opposition to them ; but the time of
monopoly was drawing to a close, and the small village near
the Fort gradually grew in size and importance. The natura
advantages of the place, situated as it is at the junction of the
Red and Assiniboine Rivers, which connect through Lakes
Manitoba and Winnipeg, with the North and South Saskatche-
wan, reaching to the Rocky Mountains, making it thereby a
centre of trade, assisted greatly towards building it up. Stores
and dwellings increased in number ; strangers coming to the
country made Winnipeg their headquarters, and in 1869 and
1870, during the rebellion, it became the principal scene of the
acts caused by that uprising. This brought it prominently be-
fore the public of other parts of the world, and its natural ad-
vantages soon became acknowledged, for when peace was re-
stored to the country, and Manitoba became one of the Pro-
vinces of the Dominion, Winnipeg became its seat of Govern-
ment. In consequence of this, it was and is the centre for all
Government officials, Dominion or Provincial, to transact their
business, and all the supplies for the interior have therefore to
be taken from it. It was not incorporated until 1873, when it
received the right to elect a^ Mayor and twelve Aldermen for
the Civic Government of the place.

Old inhabitants, who held land within the city limits, which
they had purchased in by-gone days at comparatively small
figures from the Hudson's Bay Company, had their attention
suddenly drawn to the value of their real estate. They began
by having their properties surveyed into city lots, and fields
which had been used only for pasture, were all at once valued
at so much per foot, from which time lots quickly increased in
price, thus bringing wealth to their possessors.

Some idea of the rate at which Winnipeg city property has
increased in value may be gained by the following instances,
being one or two of many such cases :

One lot on Main Street,lwhich could have been purchased in
1871 for $500, is now held at $6,000, a small one story build-
ing on it being valued at about $500. $5,000 was refused for
this property during the past year. Another corner of Main
and Thistle Streets was sold for $500 and is now worth $10,000,
and the returns from it warrant the value.

Winnipeg as it stands at present and what it was five years
ago, are certainly two very different things ; but as we are
more interested in the city of to-day than the hamlet of yester-
day, we will deal with the former and leave the latter without
further remarks.

A PHACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

The limits of VVii

3nck

imits ot Winnipeg enclose an art a of abonb 2,000 acres
or three square miles, and if it goes on at the rate it is now
doing, they will soon have to extend the suburbs tar beyond
where they are at present. The })rincipal thoroughfares are
Main Street, which runs the entire length of the city from the
Assiniboine River to the northern limits, and Portage Avenue,
which commences at Main Street and extends to the western
suburbs, each having an almost uniform width of 132 feet. The
other streets are 6') feet wide, except Burrows Avenue, which is
9'J feet. Main Street can boast of some very fine structures,
a few of which we may mention by name, most of them being
three story buildings built of brick ; and by the way, we may
state here that the bricks manufactured in the neighbourhood
of the city are of the very best description and quality, and
there can be an unlimited supply of them obtained. But in
regard to the buildings, there are first, the Hudson's Bay Co.'s
offices ; next, the Canada Pacific Hotel, followed by Hespeler's
Block, Custom House, Dominion Land Office, Free Press Build-
ing, Brown's Store, Ontario Bank, Brouse's Hotel, Schultz
Block, Bain it Blanchard's Building, Manitoba Club, Merchants'
Bank, Bannatyne's Store, Higgins' BuHding, Post Office, Ash-
down's Hardware Store, Court House, and the City Hall. Be-
sides these there are numerous finely finished frame buildings,
presenting ([uite as tasteful an appearance as their more costly
neighbours built of brick. One noticeable fact in regard to the
buildings in Winnipeg is, that very few of them, if any, can lie
called shanties. Going through the city it is most pleasing to
observe the neat and tidy appearance of even the meanest of
the houses. You see handaome bow windows, fine verandahs,
large plate glass panes, and other signs of taste on the part of
the owners, but no where will you find the rude cabins so often
to be found on the confines of old as well as new cities. There
are, it is true, a few of the old log houses still standing, but
they look so mean alongside of their more modern neighbours,
that their owners are rapidly tearing them down and replacing
them by finer buildings.

The streets, as a rule, are all well laid out, and t)f late the
Corporation authorities have not been idle in grading and sup-
plying them with broad side- walks throughout the entire length
and breadth of the city. A move is now being made to have
the sides of the streets lined with shade trees, which will make
Winnipeg one of the handsomest cities west of Chicago. Cer-
tain parts of the city have been laid out for public parks, their
names and extent bein;.' as follows : —

Burrows Park 5 acres

Victoria '• 8 "

.vlulligan " .. 3 "

TO MANITOKA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

Winnipeg can also boast of one of tlie finest driving parks in
the North- West, with its stan(ls^ for judges and spectators. Tlie
city is thoroughly drained by immense sewers, built something
on the i)lan of the Chicago sewerage, at a cost of over$-40,0()0 ;
and it is proposed, at an early day, to supply the people with
as fine clear water as can be found anywhere, from the rise of
land up the Assiniboine River. In the mean time, however,
as a means for extinguishing fires, there are immense tanks
sunk at the corners of the principal streets, which are always
kept filled with water, and the city is provided with two Silsby
fire-engines, and a first-class hook and ladder apparatus, in
charge of an efficient Firemen's Aj-sociation.

There are, in all, eight hurches in the city at present, as
follows : —

St. Mary's Church Roman Catholic.

Holy Trinity Episcopf^l.

Christ Church do

Knox Church Presbyterian.

Grace Church Wesleyan Methodist.

Zion Church do do

Bethel Church Episcopal do

Baptist Church.

The educational interests are not forgotten in the St. Boni-
face College ; St. John's College, to which a Ladies' School is
to be added in the spring at a cost of $10,000, as well as the
Central School, which is contracted for to be built in the spring
at a cost of $15,000 ; Manitoba College, Wesleyan Institute,
St. Mary's Academy, and the Common Schools, two in number.
The Winnipeg General Hospital is an institution which is well
kept up, both by public and private contributions.

In mills and manufactories, the city gives proof of the enter-
prise of i's people, there being two large flouring mills, three
saw mills, four planing mills and sash factories, one foun-
dry, two carriage manufactories, one distillery, one biscuit and
confectionery manufactory, and a woollen mill and carriage fac-
tory at St. Boniface, besides a number of smaller factories
scattered throughout the city.

There are two, daily papers, the Morning Herald and Even-
ing Free Press. There are also two weeklies, the Free Press
and Standard, besides a B'rench paper, Le Mdtis, published at
St. Boniface.

There are now over 1,000 buildings of every description
within the city limits, and included in that number are several
very comfortable hotels, amongst which the principal are : —

The Canada Pacific,
The Grand Central,

l»M.i^-/- ,,.■?..-

A PRACTICAL HAND HOOK AND GUIDE

The Inteniatiuiial,
Monchamps,
The Dominion,
Broiise's,

and several others of a minor character.

Along the bank of the river, fronting the city, the scene
presented during the summer is one of great activity. The
grist and saw mills working night and day, sash factories in
full operation, the steamers and barges loading and discharging
cargo, and the flafi boats moored to the bank unloading their
goods — proclaim the fact that Winnipeg is a thriving and
prosperous ])lace.

There are now three steamboats plying on the Red River
between the Stone Fort and Winnipeg, a distance of almost
twenty-one miles, making occasional trips up the Assiniboine
to Portage la Prairie, and up the Red River to Emerson on the
boundary line. A daily line is also projected for next summer,
to run between Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie. The Red
River Transportation Company employ seven steamers, and
the new line from Moorhead intend building two more, so
that will make a total of twelve steamers plying to and from
Winnipeg.

The trade of Winnipeg has rapidly developed into a very ex-
tensive one, and the city can now boast of several large houses
doing business each to the extent of from $100,000 to $250,000
per annum. Of course this does not include the Hudson's Bay
Company trade, the Winnipeg branch of which is very great
and more than triple that of any of the outside merchants.

In the old days the traders' carts from Fort Oarry were
accustomed to go as far as Dul)uque on the Mississippi for their
supplies, they then shortened their trip by going to St. Paul iis
soon as that city was in a position to furnish them. After this
the brigades of carts went only to St. Cloud, when the railway
became extended from St. Paul to that place, and to-day the
fur traders who used to go to St. Paul for their goods, purchase
their outfit in Winnipeg.

Thus the march of commerce has gone on throughout the
Western and North- Western States, and as Chicago became the
centre of trade in the Western, and St. Paul in the North-
Western, so is Winnipeg destined from her position to be the
commercial emporium of the British North-West.

In connection with the trade of Winnipeg we quote the fol-
lowing, taken from the St. Paul Pioneer Press :

*' The trade between the United States and the Province of
Manuoba is inucli larger than is generally suppcjsed. The re-
porter uf the Pitnteer ascertained incidental!) hat the Kittson line
of steamers on the Red River of the North had carried diiring the

TU iMA.MTOKA ANi) THK NORTII-WKSr.

past season over live millions of pounds in bonded goods, or j/oods
which simply passed through the United {States to and from Mani-
toba witlumt undergoing any insjiection from subordinate custom
house otticials. Three Imndred car loads of these goods were trans-
ferred at St. Paul under tlie supervision of the customs othcers in this
city. This fact naturally led the reporter to the ottice of Dr. Phillips,
the Commissioner of Statistics of Minnesota, who, in order to make
his forthcoming report as complete as ])ossible, has obtiiined a sche-
dule of arcicles 8hii)i>ed into and from Manitoba through the Custom
House at Pembina. These articles are, of course, additional to
bonded goods, and are simply as are grown, produced or manufac-
tured in the United States or in the Province of Manitoba. Dr.
Phillips has appreciated the importcance of securing some reliable
facts on this important point which seems to have been overlooked
by his pre(U'ces8t)r in the Statistical Department of the State (iov-
ernnient, and hence in his correspondence with Mr. A. E. Nelson,
the special de )Uty co'lector at Pembina, he has received a complete
schedule of articles imi)orted into Manitcjba during the season of
1870; from the customs district of Miiuiesota. A glance at this
schedule, which appears in full in the report of the Commissioner of
Statistics, shows tiuit the aggregate value of these exports is given
at ^802,400. Manitoba is able to very nearly balance her exiiorts
■with her imports, the value of the latter being $704,8()8 ; or within
less than $8,000 of what was paid for the articles brought into the
province from the United States. Tlie imports into the Customs
District of Minnesota are given as follows by Mr. Nelson, in the
schedule forwarded to Dr. Phillips.

" Value of goods entered for ex})ortation $155,3<>1

" Value of free gooJs entered ()35,8(>r)

*' Value of dutiable goods entered for consump-
tion 3,638

'* Total imports from Manitoba ... $794,808

*' Though the items are not specified in the list of imports, the
article of fur is of course the m(jst important producti(^n of Man-
itoba, undressed furs being on the free list. Flour, grain and lum-
ber are also entered free of duty.

" The foregoing facts and figures are interesting, as showing the
commercial importance of Manitoba, and of the necessity of com-
pleting the lines of communication between St. Paul and Win-
nipeg. The difficulties of transjjortation on Red River during the
winter are well kni>wn, and it only remains for the opening of direct
rail connuunication between the United States and the populous
and prosperous regions north of the boundary line, to quicken the
trade between Minnesota and Manitoba, into proportions which can
now be scarcely estimated.

" It is to be hoped therefore that Dr. Phillips' valuable statistics
on this subject may serve to direct attention to the subject, which
is worthy of careful consideration on the part of Minnesota legis-
lators, and all other citizens who have an interest in the development
and prosperity of the State and the great North- West. ''

That Winnipeg is to be the centre of competing lines for the

A PIlArTICAI, HAND-HOOK AND OUTPF,

carryiii',' trade (eastward and westward, tliorc cannot Ix' a
shadow (tf a douht. Kiastward, railways via United States,
will contend with tli<t,se throiij^di our own teriitory, ancl Win-
nij>e}^ heiiig the junction of tiu^ lines, will be the location for
th(^ principal de|)nts.

Tliere a?'e also several local roads jnojected, the termiiii of
which are to he at Winnipeg ; and in the near future, it is not
difHcult to fon'see that ;i network of railroads westward will
1)0 constructed through this vast country, diverging in different
directions from one main centre of supply, which from its posi-
ti(m and advantages must he Winnipeg. Another point in
favour of the city is, that she has the start already in wealth
and influence, two very powerful auxiliaries; and although
then^ will douhtless ])e other cities and towns established in the
North West, yet she will hold the first place and will be in
fact the great feeder of the country.

In reganl to the future trade of Winnipeg, one has only to
look at the immense country opening uj) wt^stvvaid to the
Rocky Mountains which will have to be sup[)lied, to form an
idea of what that trade is likely to bo. One more word in con-
nection with the future metropolis of the North-West and we
say it for the purpose of claiming the attention of capitalists to
th(^ splendid field here open for investments. Real estate, as
we have already shown, has rapidly increased in value in Win-
nipeg during the i)ast few years, and lots in the city are bring-
ing fair prices, present value ; but there is not the least doubt
that even the highest priced lot in the city will more than
quadruple its value in the course of the next five or ten years.
There are, however, oi)portunities of buying city property in
what is now known as the suburbs, for comparatively low
figures, and it is to thes(^ especially we would like to draw at-
ter.tion. The ])resent suburbs will, without doubt in a few years,
become more central as the city extends its limits, and the value
of what are now considered suburban lots will increase to a
wonderful extent. Of course the more central the more valu-
able will be the property, but an investment in Winnipeg city
j)roperty of to-day, if held a few years, will tell the same tale
as investments in Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Chicago, Mil-
waukee and St. Paul have done before in their day. It is well
known that jtarties who purchased real estate in these cities in
their early days and held it, lived to see it the source of great
wealth to tiiemsi'lves and their children after them.

A!ul now, turning our steps from the city to the country, we
will take a cursory view of the Province ere we go into details
as to its advantages and resources.

n; MAiNiiuJiA Ann lt^^, m>t\i ti-n r.Ri ,

GENERAL DESCKIPTION OF THE PROVINCE.

The main liigliway, l»y wliicli you enter tlie Province at West
Lynne, on the American Boundary line, runs northward .along
the western side of tin; lied Riv<>r. A branch office of tlie
(Canadian Custom House at Winnij>eg lias been established at
West Lynne, where you have to report your airivnl and ])aKs
the necessary entries, and you will find the officer in charge
(Mr. Bradley), a most accommodating official, who will give
you every assistance in his power. The steamers fiom the
United States all stop here, and if you are a passenger on
board with your effects, you have nothing to do, as the clerk
of the boat reports his manifest, but your personal luggage
will have to be examined V>y the landing waiter, the same as at
any other ])ort of entry in the Dominion.

At West Lynne there is i Hudson's Bay Company Post
with stores, i^'c, and shortly afterwards you come to a ferry
which connects with the Town of Emerson on the o])posite
bank of the river. This latter place is in a most flourishing
(;ondition, and bids fair to become a largo city in the near
future. Its inhabitants are enteiprising and liberal, and its
position as the terminus of the Pembina Branch of the Cana-
dian Pacific Railway, will undoubtedly make it a place of
importance. Already, it can boast of several fine buildings,
amongst which arc; one or two churches,, hotels, and several
handsome stores. And the houses generally, as in Winnipeg,
are all of a superior kind, no shanties being visible. There
is also a Dominion Lands office established there for the con-
venience of intending settlers, taking up land in the neighbor-
hood.

Before going further, I will now give you a short outline of
the Red River, from West Lynne, until it empties into Lake
Winnipeg. From the southern boundary of the Province,
till you reach the lake, it is 104 miles in a direct line, but the
river is very winding in its course, which more than doubles the
distance by water. The average width of the stream is 300
feet, and the banks are from twenty to thirty feet in height,
until you reach the low and marshy district in the neighbour-
hood of Lake Winnipeg. It is navigable to vessels of light
draught the entire distance, the only trouble some places
being in the parishes of St. Norbert and St. Andrews, where
it is very shallow, with slight rapids and boulders in the bed
of the stream. It will neither be a difficult nor an expensive
matter to entirely remedy this evil, and of late years much has
been done by the Government and private enterprise towards
that object. The banks on both sides of the river are lined
with wood, chiefly poplar, tamarac and a mixture of oak, elm,

^•*l»IWWtlOAr 'M^lrSIT-WJuk'^^NiryVTiLifi

and biicli. Hotwctui West Lyiiiic, and the parish of St. An-
drews, north of tlie City of \Vinnij»(% tlio woods appear
heavi(!r and more continuous on the east«!rn si(h? of the river
than on the western, and beyond tliis forest line to tlie east-
ward and to the westward the vast prairie extends as far as the
eye can reach, (h)tted here and thtsre on the bhitt's, and along
the numerous creeks, with uroves of trees.

The prairie, as a ^eiunal rule, is h^vel, although in some
j)artH it is slightly undulating, and everywhere it has an incli-
nation towards the river. The soil varies slightly in some
parts of the Province, but is chietiy of an alluvial black argil-
laceous mould, rich in organic deposit, and rests at a usual
depth of two and a-half feet on the prairie, and from two and
ahalf feet to twenty feet on bottom lands. There are swami>8
and marshes here and there, but on examination they will bo
found to possess a firm bottom of alluvial soil, similar to the
prairie, and so hard that horses and cattle can wade through
them in every direction, and as they are generally at a much
higher level than the streams, the channels of which are deep,
it will not be a difficult matter to drain them so as to bring
them under cultivation, when they will prove perhaps to be
the finest land in the Province.

Leaving the ferry landin-- opi)osite Emerson, you now i)ro-
cee(l along a level prairie road, with here and there a deep
creek or coolie to cross, keeping at a distance of a mile or so
fn»m the river, until you reach the site of the proposed town of
Morris, at Scratching Uiver ; you meet with very few houses on
the way until you arrive at the latter place, where you will find
several brick and frame buildings, amongst whiih are an hotel,
school-house, and one or two stores. This is the point of
diversion for the Manitoba Southern Railway, which, although
at a stand still now, will undoubtedly be built in the near
future. When constructed, this railway will run from Win-
nipeg along the west side of the lied River directly south to
Morris, where it will diverge in a south-westerly direction to
the neighbourhood of Rock Lake, thus opening up communi-
cation with one of the finest portions of the Province, the
Pembina mountain district.

After leaving Scratching River, the country gradually ap-
l)ears to be better settled, the houses more numerous, and the
land fenced and under cultivation. You now and then pass a
tavern or stage station, a church or a-school house, and when
you get within about twelve miles of Winnipeg, you lose sight
of the prairie altogether, and enter a belt of woods. From this
point you meet with small log houses in close proximity to
each other, belonging principally to the poorer class of French
half-breeds, until you reach " Riviere Salle," where there is a
large grist mill belonging to Joseph Lemay, Esq., M.P.P,, three

TO MANITOUA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

stores, a clmrch, a rt^nvont, and several fino frame buildings.
From this point until you reacli Winnipeg, tiie road continues
through the woods, and tliere is nothing particularly worthy of
mention, except that tht! eastern side of the river api)ears
to be as thickly populated as the western on which yuu are
travelling.

You have now ])asRed four ])arishef : those of St. Agathe, St.
Norl)ert, St. Vital, and St. lioniface, and wlu'U you arrive at
the Assinihoine river, you havt> to pass over cm a rope ferry,
whi(;h lands you within thi' city liinits of the levee and ware-
house of the Red River Transportation Company.

You now pass through Winnipeg, and enter upon another
of the main highways of the Province. Your course continues
to be in a northerly direction along the west(!rn side of the
Red River, and one of the first objects of interest which attracts
your attention is vSt. John's Cathedral, with the Colleg(!s and
Bishop's Court in the back-ground. Near here is R^'dwood
Brewery, a fine property adjoining the fur-trading establishment
of Hon. Alfred Boyd. As you jourui^y onwards from this point,
the thriving condition of the farms along the road, and the high
state of cidtivation in which they are kept, attest the thrift
and comfort of their owners. You pass on the right-hand side,
field after field of waving grain, and to the left is the b,)undless
praiiie with herds of cattle grazing here ami there, proclaiming
the wealth of the neighbouring farmers in live stock.

After leaving St. . John's Cathedral, the next church you pa,ss
is that of the Rev. John Black, in Kildonan Parish, ami further
on a few miles the Middle church in St. Raul's ; near the latter,
on the river bank, is a fine grist mill belonging to Mr. H.
Pritchard, which turns out very good work indeed. There are
also several windmills in operation along the road, and somo of
the old settlers prefer this primitive mode to that of steam,
asserting that it turns out stronger and better flour.

The country, M'hich is open prairie with a belt of wooil along
the river, and soil similar to that described between Winnipeg
and West Lynne, is very much the same all the w.iy until you
enter St. Andrew's parish, soon after which 3^ou p.i,ss into
woods, and these continue until you reach St. Peter's Indian
Reserve.

In St. Andrtjw's, there is a fine stea.n grist mill belonging to
E. H. G. G. Hay, and in connection with it the following ex-
tract may be read with interest ; —

•' Manitob V Flour Abroad. — The following are extracts from a
letter received by Mr. E. H. (>. G. Hay, of St. \n Irew's, from Mr.
William Greoy, Go/eriiimnt Flour Inspector, at Toronto, in refer-
ence to satnphis of floiii'sjut to hiin by Mr. Hay. It will be seen
th;it the flour is spoken of in the highest terms. Mr. Greey says : —
' Your favou" of 28th ult. , and sanii)leof flour arrived here on the
C

p I

A I'HACTICAL HAND HOOK AND OUIDE

nth inHtunt. TliL' tloiir JHun excelluiit liiHt cIhhs " btruii^' luikuiu,"
II tip toj) <|uulity. It lii'iilHiiiy Htjiii<liiiil of tlmt griidi!. I fxhibitcd
tlin HiimpU^ on tluj Corn Kxchani,M' ycHti'idiiy, iind it wuh yicutly ud-
niinul l»y all lluf dciili'iH and niillciH 'Hay twinty or thirty), whowiw
it, and I inviti'd all 1 rould. Tlio tloiir is very lively, strong, hright
and ili-arly drcsHi'd. It was Ihi' iinprcsHion that sui-li wonid hrin;^
in price li:<r>.*jr) to .^.""i.IM* per hand. Some " stronj,' hakiTH" made
near here s(dd fur ^o. 15 u <lay (»r two ago. Vour spring wlieat nnist
evidently he much phinipir and stronger tlian ours (»f this year,
wliich is unusually thin and poor. Ndur kind is niueii needed in
wheat or tlour if it eould he got hen; safely. You untjerrutud yt>ur
sample ; yotir kind is nuuh neede<l in wheat ; it is mueh better than
my (Government sample of spring e.xtra.'"

There are sevcsral stores and taverns along the road in St.
Andrew, and two fine churches, and the l)ank of the river is
thickly 8lu«lded witli binall log houses the lionies of Knglisli
lialt- breeds, wlio (h) not farm on so extensive a scale as tht^y
do in other parts of the Provincf. Of course there are indi
vidua] cases of men who farm hirgeiy in tliis })art of the coun-
try, but they are not nunieious. The banks of the river in
the neighbourhood of the stone fort are very higli, and there
are large quantities of stone bouhh-rs to b»; found on the shores
and in the bed of the stream, i)rincipally limestone.

Tlie stone fort or Lower Fort Garry, consists of about six
acres of land enclosed by a high ston*; wall with })astions at
each corner. Inside this enclosure are the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany stores and warehouses, and in the centre of the scpiare
there is a fine building used for officers' (juarters. An exten-
sive farm is also carried on in the n(!igh))ourhood, in connection
with the fort. A few miles below the stone fort, the new Town
of Selkirk is situated at a jjoint where it is exi)ected the
Canadian Pacific Railway may cross the lied Kiver. This place
has grown wonderfully within the past two years, and it now
can boast of the best wharf in the Province, with warehou.ses,
several stores, and a good hotel. There is no doubt, Scdkirk
will grow to be a large place, as it has a fine country surround-
ing it, and having seemed a start, it is V(;ry likely to keep it
against any com[)etitors that may arise near it in the future.
You now ])ass into St. Clement's parish, the road being through
the wo (Is all the way, until you reach the St. Peter's Indian
reserve, where the country gradually begins to decline, until it
sinks into swamps and marshes at the mouth of the Ked River,
where it empties into Lake \Yinnipeg. The character of the
soil along the road we have just travelled, is as follows : —
From Winnipeg to St. Andrew's, black loam, after which the
land becomes lighter in character, and towards the bank of the
river, somewhat mixed with gravel. From St. Andrew's down-
wards, the soil cannot be surpassed for wheat growing.

Tlie next highway, and perhaps the most important one in

TO MAWITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEHT.

tliP Provinco, oominoncrs at tho City of Winnipoj,', and runs in
u w«'Ht«'rly (liit'ctioM towanls I'ortaiifc l.i I'rairic It starts aloni:
the iiortlicrii siilc nt'tln' AssiMilxtiiic liivi-r, tirnt passing' tliroiiyli
tlu' parish of St Jaiiu-s, wliicli is tliickly settled i)riiicipally l»y
Kii^'lish half breeds, and the desceti(hu)ts of the pensioners sent
out hy the Ihitish (Jovernnient in tlie tiuie t)f the Hudson's
liay ('(unpatiy. Ahout five inih'H frojn Winnipeg;, tiiere is tlie
Assitiihoiiie Mi'ewery, a hirije ('stal)Iishnie!it capaltl*^ of tuniinj^
out a liue article Of beer, in tiie niauufac.ture of \vhi(;h tiiey
liave been hitely usiii^ the native hop, wiiich •^rows wild in hirge
quantities in the *'oods, and can be cultivated to perfection.
Hey<»i)d the brewery is Silver llei^dits, and the site of a fine
prist mill and distilleiy which was burnt down a couple of
y«'ars a;^'o. Silver lleiu'ht-*, the residence of lion. , lames
McKay, in one of the beautiful spots in the Provim;e. His
garden is filled duriui,' the suninier with ve<,'etables and fruit,
amongst which are Lfooseberries, sti'awbenies, ras))beirics, cni-
I'ants, red and black, melons, cucumbers, j)umpkins, c(dery, &c ,
etc., in great pi'ofusion.

The aspect of the country, with a fvw exceptions, is very much
tho same as along the Red liiver, the settlement IxMug along
thr> baid< of the stream, and on the opposite side of the road
open i)rairie. From St. James you pass into the j)arish of St.
Cnarles, and from that i?ito Ibiadingly where thei-e are several
extensive market gard(Mis, tho pro])rietors of which find a leady
sale for their ])roduco in \Vinni})eg. Here also you will find
a comfortable hotel. V'ou now ))ass into St. Fran(,'ois Xavier,
which is ])rincipally settled by Fretich half-bn'eds from which
you enter Jiaie St. Patd, also inhal)ited by the same class of
peojjlo. In tho latter parish tbore is some of the finest pasture
in the Provinco.

Tho advantages of this country for cattlo-raising on a large
scal(^ ar(! domonstratod by tlu' herds of fat cattle seen feeding
(12th December) on tli(! nutritious grasses of the wide m;irsli
in the Big Bay. It is a striking fact that cattle jtrefer the snow-
sprinklod marsh grass to tho carefully saved hay, oftentimes ;
for what reason we have not hoard. With tho shelter of woods,
such food, there is no doubt, would sutlice for cattle a groat
portion of the winter, and, even in the "open," lessening the
time ro(piirod for stable and feeding to a material extent. In
fact, we have the experience of farmers in the neighbourhood
of tlu; great marshes, to prove that horned cattle may fatten
on the marsh grasses up to December, and as early as the 1st
of March.

The soil up to this point is the black loam, but we now be
gin to come to lighter land, which, although it may not last so
long as the former, is splendid for wheat-growing and is easier
worked. At White Horse plains tliere is a fine hotel with

• i '

PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

ample stabling accommodation, and within a mile or so, a H.
B. Co. post, in connection with which a large farm is carried
on. You now enter Poplar Point, and until that parish is reached,
the halt-breed reserves monopolize the land outside of the two
mile reserve limit ; but from its eastern line westward as far as
the eye can reach, the country is dotted with comfortable
houses and well cultivated fields, exhibiting what the neigh-
bourhood would soon show if the stifling embargo of the re-
seives were removed. The farmers of tliis section, as far as the
" Beautiful Plains" west of the White iMud Kiver, are mostly
fi'om Ontario, and, though sorely tried duifng the ])ast three
years, hope to clear themselves from debt with this year's
bountiful crop, and make themselves independent in a few
years more. They claim that it is the wheat country " par ex-
cellence" of the west ; certain it is that their wheat crop of
this year was the best, and the grain nearly all No. 1 quaUty ;
of many samjiles of wheat examined by us, shrunk or small
grains were the exception, and the yield returned from the
thresher better than was hoped for, oats averaging 65 to 70, and
wheat somewliat over 30 bushels to the acre. The land along
the river continues to be thickly settled through tlie parish of
High Bluff until you reach Portage la Prairie, which is looked
upon by many as the future city of this part of the country.
We may mention that churches, school-houses, taverns, and
stores, are to be met with along the highway at ititervals, but
there is no necessity for enumerating them. At Portage la
Prairie there are two good mills, a branch of Dominion Lands
Office, a stage office, and several stores ; and taking it altogether,
it is quite a lively place. A regular line of stages carrying the
mail run between this place and Winnipeg. We have now given
a short description of the three principal highways in the Pro-
vince, running along what is known as the Settlement Belt, and
will therefore proceed to a short description of some of the
principal outside settlements.

Riviere Salle settlement is best reached by way of Headingly
and thence south over the Pembina trail which crosses the
Riviere Salle near the upper end of the settlement. Good
water can be had by boring to a depth of a dozen or twenty
feet. The country is prairie soil, black loam, with numerous
coolies or gullies atfordinj» good fticilities for drainage. Splendid
pasturage in the neighbourhood, with good shelter from groves
and fringes of woods.

BoY\E RivKi; Settlrment.

Towmkip 6, Rfihg' 4 an I 5 JVe:^t.

Tiio Boyne Riv.:'r ta^ces its rise in the Pembina mountains,
and is about fif.y mile; long. Its hanks are lined with a fringe

TO MANITOBA ANP THE NORTH-WEST.

2iJ

of heavy oak and elm timber which extends into a forest nianj
miles in extent as you approach the mountains. The soil here,
as in the previous settlement, is heavy black loam. This part
of the Province is peculiarly adapted for stock-raising, on
account Oi' the fine pasturage, water, and protection by timbei"

POINTE DES ChENES OR S'lE. ANNE DES ChENES

is situated on the Dawson Road. The country along here has a
line ]>ark-like aj)pearanee, with laige tracts of woods in th
vicinity. It has numerous surface springs, and the land is very
fertile. In the neighbourhood of Puinte de.s Chenes there ar
the settlements of Clear Sprirjg and Caledonia ; the land in both
these townships is very rich and well cultivated by the settlers.
Plenty of hay, wood, and water in this part of the country.

Springfield Township, 11, Range 4, East, is almost directly
north-west of Pointe des Chenes, on the eastern side of the Red
River, about four miles north-east of AViiinipeg. This locality
is well sheltered by a range of hills o/i the north, and on the
east and south by an irregular spur frorri the same. Water, pure
and clear, is obtained near the surface, and hay land and wood
in sufficiency.

The soil is so rich and easily worked that, as an intelligent
farmer remarked, his farm seemed all ready except the build-

ings.

SUNNYSIDE.

Township 11, llamje 5, East.

The same remark is applicable to this settlement as to th«
previous one. It extends to the heavy belt of timber reaching
to Lake Superior.

Cook's Creek, Township 12, Range 6, East, is in the same
electoral division as Springfield and Sunnyside, and the descrip-
tion of these two townships is applicable also to it. It is well
settled.

The electoral division of Rockwood contains the following
settlements :

Rockwood, Township 13, Range 2, East.
Grassmere, Township 13, Range 1, East.
Woodlands, Township 14, Range 2, We.st.
V^ictoria, Township 14, Range 2, East.
Brant, Township 14, Range 1, East.
Greenwood, Township 15, Range 2, East.
Dundas, Township 10, Range 2, East.
Meadow Lee, Township 13, Range 2, West.
Argyle, Township 14, Range 1, West.

These settlements are in the neighbourhood of inexhaustible
quarries of grey limestone, very valuable for building purposes.

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

The Penitentiary, which is situated in the Township of Kock-
wuod,has been constructed partly oftliis stone and partly of brick
manufactured on the spot. There are also immense deposits of
gravel on the rid<;es. The land of all these settlements is rich
prairie with parts heavily tindierod. There are abundant surface
springs from which excellent water can be obtained, and there
are also very fine hay grounds in the vicinity. The railway
reserve of the Canada Pacific has letarded the growth of some
of these settlements to a certain degree, but not sufficiently so
to prevent the district from being one of the most important
and flourishing in the Province.

To the north of the Township of Woodlands are the settle-
ments of St. Laurent and Oak Point, on the eastern side of
Lake Manitoba, and in connection with this lake we may state
the following : The uniform depth is from fifteen to eighteen
feet, after passing a short distance from the shore. By far the
greater portion of the land bordei ing on it, especially the south
end, is well adapted for settlement, and for the raising of wheat.
In many parts the shores are low and marshy at the edges, but
which are very valuable for grazing purposes. On the north
shore of the lake are innumerable salt springs, from which the
natives make a very fine article of salt, and which, if properly
worked, would yield largely. Also on the north shore are im-
mense forests of spruce of a gigantic growth, and the waters of
the lake are stocked with unlimited quantities of a very superior
kind of white fish. The only limestone of any consequence in
the Province, west of Poplar Point, is found in inexhaustible
quantities on the east and north shores of this lake.

The settlements of Oak Point and St. Laurent are well lo-
cated, and at the south-western end of the lake, situated near
the mouth of the White Mud Kiver (a stream of fine clear
water), is the town of Totogan, which aspires to future impor-
tance, having about the best harbour on the lake, besides being
in the neighbourhood of first-class tillable land, and having good
road communication with the eastern portion of the Province.
A saw and grist mill, store, hotel, and several houses, have been
elected here, and the town is surveyed into lots and well laid
out. South of Totogan is the village of Westbourne ; the land
in the neighbourhood is of the best (quality, and the White
Mud Kiver on which it is situated is fringed with oak timber.
Westbourne possesses a Church of England, a large hotel, and
several stores. The river could no doubt be easily made navi-
gable for schooners and flat-boats, from Lake Manitoba to this
point. West of Westbourne is Palestine, probably the largest
Canadian settlement in the Province. It is bounded on the
west by the White Mud River, and on the north by the " big
grass," an immense marsh which is covered along its edges with
the very best of hay. Palestine is well wooded with poplar,

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

oak, ash, maple, elm, Szc. Wild fruits, such as grapes, plums,
black currauts, &c., grow iu abuu< lance, an*l the soil is Mack
loam, rather lighter in character than that around Witinipeg,
and so fertile, that the farmers who have settled there are as-
tonished at the yield, it being on an average larger than most
parts, and equal to any in the Province. Palestine has a flour-
ing mill containing two run of stones, with the most improved
machinery, driven by a thirty-five horse power boiler and engine
— attached to this mill is a rotary saw-mill, witli lath machine,
planer, <kc. In the immediate vicinity there is a Waterous
portable saw-mill, with twenty horse power boiler and engine,
capable of sawing 2,000 feet per hour, together with coupling,
c^c, for running a threshing machine. To the north of Pales-
tine, especially along the P>ig Grass River, is a fine tract of good
land in every way suitable for farming purposes. There is
plenty of wood and cold spring water flowing down from the
Riding Mountains. To the north-west we soon read: the
Riding Mountains, where there is abundance of water and wood
and arable land. The country here produces great quantities
of plums and other wild fruits.

We must now, however, retrace our steps in the direction of
Portage la Prairie, so as to complete our list of the principal
settlements.

About half way between Palestine and Westbourne, is the
rising settlement of Woodside, which is situated at the second
crossing of the White Mud River, and has a post office. The
soil is about the same as described in Palestine.

After passing Westbourne on your way to Portage la Prairie,
you come to the settlement of Burnside, which is also a very
flourishiii j; Township, and contains some of the largest farms
in the Province. The land is excellent here, with abundance
of hay, wood, and water.

Portage la IVairie we have already mentioned, but we may
add here that steps are being taken for placing a splendid mill
in operation at this point, the necessity for which may be seen
by the following list of crops produced by the farmers in the
neighbourhood during the past year.

Dilworth 1,700 bushels.

Alcock 3,000 "

Moss 2,000 "

McKenzie 7,000 "

Grant... 4,000 •'

Monroe 3,000 "

A. McKenzie 3,000 "

Houir 1,600 "

Gerrard 1,000 "

Brown 2,500 "

A PRACTICAL HAND BOOK AND GUIDE

Burgess ^.200 bushels.

Cuthbert ^.^^^

Coadman 1'200

Wilton •'^'^00

Whimster ?>???

Ogletree
Connor .
Sissons

1,800

3,200

^ _ 2,000

Kittson '-^'^0?

((

5,000
5.000

Bell

Ferris

Meelon ^^^^^ "

Logan ^,500 ;;

Mawhinney 5>500

62,200 bushels.

Havino- now given a short description of some of the princi-
pal settlements in the Province, we will subjoin a list accord-
ing to the late ehctoral divisions, distinguishing the parishes
from the settlements.

1. Lake Manitoba,

St, Laurent (parish),
Oak Point.

2. Westbourne,

Burn side,
Totogan,
Woodside,
Palestine,
Livingstone,
Beautiful Plains.
Portage la Prairie (parish),

Oak Land.
High Bluff (parish).
5. Poplar Point "
Ossowa,
Melbourne.
Bale St. Paul (parish \

Poplar Heights.
St. Francis Xavier, East (parish).
St. Francis Xavier, West (parish).
Headingly (parish).
Riviere Salle,
Boyne.

3.
4.

8.
9.

Note -Since writing the above, the Marquette Milling Co. hare suc-
ceeded in putting their mill at Portage la Prairie in operation, and art,
turning out a very tine article < f iiouv

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WEST.

10.
11.

12.
13.

14.
15.
16.

17.

18.

20.

21.
22.
23.

St. Charles (parish),

St. Boniface, West (parish).
St. James (parish).
City of Winnipeg.
Kildonan (parish),

St. John's (parish).
St. Paul's (parish >.
St. Andrew's, South (parish).
St. Andrew's, North (parish).
St. Cltment's (])arish),
Dynover or St. Peter's,
I'own of Selkirk,
Clandeboye,
Whitewold.
Rockwood,
Grassmere,
Brant,
Victoria,
Greenwood,
Dundas,
Meadow Lea,
Argyle,
Woodlands.
Springfield,
Sunny side,
Cook's Creek.
St. Boniface (parish),

Notre Dame de Lorette (parish),
Prairie Grove.
St. Vital (parish).
St. Norbert "
St. Agathe "
Emerson,
Hudson,
Franklin,

Riviere aux Roseaux,
Mellwood,
West Lynne,
Dufferin,
Letellier,

Rivit^re aux Marais.
Riviere aux Prunes,
Riviere aux Gratias,
Riviere au Rat.
St. Anne,

Ste. Anne des Chenes.
Clear Spring,
Caledonia.

*A*Pit^(TItOAL''rfA'^irBorrK and guide

And now in order to give our readers an idea of the prodnc
ing qualities of Manitoba soil, we publisii the following reli-
able statement from the Manitoba Free Press, of the 1 6th Sep-
tember, 1876.

It will be seen by these returns, gathered simultaneously in
thirty-four different settlements by intelligent farmers, who in
some cases spent days in inspection before summing up their
conclusions, that the famous average of Manitoba's growth has
been somewhat lessened by various causes, some local and some
general, but mostly peculiar to this year. The unusually
heavy rains of the late season have done their share, especially
on low lands selected last year— an average season ; whereas
this has been the wettest known since 1869. Another cause
by which the average has suffered materially is the sowing on
a first ploughing, as done often by new settlers rather than
await the slow process of rotting the sod ; the half crop grown,
is, however, better than none at all, and will go far towards
provisioning those settlers' families for the winter. The loss
by the depredations of blackbirds in some neighbourhoods sug-
gests an in([uiry into a means for their destruction. Another
cause strongly felt in some places is from old and deteriorated
seed, it being remarked that where new seed was used the
difference was easily perceptible.

These returns are interesting also, as showing the remarkable
evenness of the productive quality of the land and its capacity
for producing what would be considered most surprising
returns elsewhere, under such special disadvantages as ruled
this season. Just now, when it seems so distinctly marked
that the Middle and Eastern States and Ontario are becoming
less reliable for agriculture, the endless virgin lands of our
North- West are becoming known as specially productive wheat
fields, and may be offered to their people for settlement on
condition only of building railroads to reach them by.

AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE.

SETTLEMENTS ON RED RIVER.

"0 ^

<D 25

-S >» . c .B'

• g cS OS ® O tf

^ pq O i^ Oh H

Emerson 25 40 50 25 200

Whitehaven, (Plum Creek) 35 40 50 35 200 400

Scratching River 25 40 40 25 200

Union Point 30 50 25 400

St. Vital & St. Norbert 35 45 60 30 100

Kildonan 30 45 50 30 200

TO MANITOBA

i i
'% ^ i '^ ^ I

rr rt rt « o 3
• !:: fO O Ph Ph H

S. St. Aiulrow'8 30 40 Ah 20 250

N.St. Andrew. 30 30 28 32

St. Clement's 35 50 55 40 300

St. Peter's 35 50 55 40 300

SETTLEMENTS ON THE A8SIN1B0INE RIVER.

St. James 30 45 50 30 250

St Charles 30 40 50 30 250

Headin«ly 30 45 00 20 150 100

St.F.Xavier f 30 35 50 40 500

Bale St. Paul 40 50 05 40 200

Poplar Point 35 40 55 22 300

HighBlulf 35 40 55 22 200

Portage la Prairie 30 40 40 30 2oO

SETTLEMENTS ON WHITE MUD RIVER.

Toto^an 35 45 50 35 400 1000

WooTlside 35 40 00 00 400 lOOi

Westbourne 36 40 GO 40 150

Palestine 35 TS 25 200

OUTLYING PRAIRIE SETTLEMENTS EAST OF RED RIVER.

Springfield -28 30 45 25 300 70.

Prairie Grove 35 50 50 40 350

Snnnyside and Cook's Creek... 35 40 50 200

Rosseau 30 40 60 30 300

OUTLVTNO PRAIRIE SETTLEMENTS NORTH OF ASSINIBOINE RIVER.

Rockwood, Victoria & Gress-

niere 25 52 40 20 260 500

Greenwood.".."-' 30 40 50 30 350

Tp. 15, R. I. E 45

Woodlands and Meadow Lea.. 30 35 50 20 200

Ossowa 20 25 45 140

OUTLYING PRAIRIE SETTLEMENTS SOUTH OF ASSINIBOINE RIVER.

Pembina Mt. 35 • 50 20 150

BoyneRiver 38 60 60 30 300

REMARKS.
Emerson.— Later growth here much retarded by heavy
rains, and a local hailstorm which battered grain down ; about

6{j

A I'RAOTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

one-third of the whole area sown on the fresh soil, and pro-
duced 18 to "JO 1ms. per acre.

Whitkhavkn. — Being a young settlement and crops sown
on new ploughed land, this average is very satisfactory.

ScKATciriNO liiVKli,— Crops mostly on new ploughed land,
its average, however, is about 15 to 20 bus. per acre.

KfLDoNAN. — Loss of average here, owing to rust and mil-
<lew ; rains very heavy in hitter i)artof seas(m.

S. St. Andrew's. — Wheat liglit, and all crops shrunken from
effect of unusually heavy rains in August.

N. St. Andhew's. — Average below ordinary season. Har-
vest very wet and trying. Roots will still increase in product.

St. Clement's and St. Peter's. — Wheat and barley suffered
I'rom wet season, still average will likely be higher than given.

St. James. — Great loss here from lodging ; samples inferior,
and somewhat shrunken by extreme wet weather.

Headin(;ly. — Bailey and wheat will be poor colour, but
all grain heavy. Root crops will yet be good. Peas a com-
l)aratively light crop ; very wet season.

PoI'LAR Point. — Grain did not till as well is usual. The
wettest season known since '59 ; crops too luxuriant in stalk,
but grain heavy.

Hi(iH Bluff. — All crops suffered in quantity and colour
from heavy and continued rains.

Portage la Prairie. — Average higher than given ; season
wet ; roots much damaged.

WooDSiDE. — Loss here from blackbirds.

Palestine. — Loss of average here by local causes and in-
feriority of seed.

Totogon. — Al grain, and oats particularly, suffered from
blackbirds and lodging by heavy rains.

Springfield. — Some injury here by rust from wet harvest,
grain very much delayed in ripening.

Prairie Grove. — Damage by blackbirds and rains.

SuNNYSiDE AND Cook's Creek. — Average lessened here bj
drowning in low lands, a)id wet harvest. Root crop light.

RocKwooD, Grassmere and Victoria. — Crops here not up
to usual average ; considerable grain lodged.

Woodland and Meadow Lea. — Average five bushels less
than would have been in average season. Seed inferior.

Ossowa. — Most of area sown here newly broken ground,
average lessened thereby*

Pemhina Mountain. — Less returns on account of large area
sown on first plownig, but even then good half crops. returned.

BoYNE River. — Blackbirds destroyed one-tenth of the crop.
Settlers complain of unoccupied homesteads.

It may safely be assumed, that but for the special causes
mentioned, such as heavy rains, old seed, and sowing on new

TO MANITOBA ANI> THE NOUTIl-WEM.

:i7

land, the returns of the wliolc Province v ouUl liavt been one-
nixth better. We have collected the av(iag<'8 in divisions of
areas separated by tlie ;^M'eat riveis whidi liaAe nsjiectively
formed the nucleus of settle;iient and of ^vhose ricli valleys this
city is tlie natural marketing centre, as i'oUuws :

AVKriA(}K rUODlT'T VTAl Af'HK.

Skitlkment on Red Rivkk. — Wheat 32 bushels, l»arley 42
oats 44^, })eas 27 J, potatoes 1S2, turnips 400.

Settlement ON the Assiniiujine Ivivei!.— Wheat 33A bush-
els, barh'y 40^', oats 53J,, peas i:9,l, [xttatoes l.'>0, turiiij)s 750.

Settlemen'I" ON White JVlri)' Riveu.— Wheat 35 bushels,
barley 40, oats GO, peas 31 j, potatoes 287J,, turnips 1,000.

Settlement Kast of Red IIiveil— Wheat 2'Jj,, barley 40,
oats 51 1, peas 32, potatoes 387, turnijjs 700.

Settlement Noiith oe As.slnip.oine. — Wheat 30. barley 9,
oats 41, peas 23.^,, potatoes 235, turuijjs 700.

Settlement South of Assinilolse. — Wheat 3r.^ bushels,
barley 60, oats 55, peas 2."), potatoes 225, turnips GOO.

the total AVERAOE IMIODUCTION

throughout the whole Province of Manitoba this year, will
therefore be found to bo, as nearly as may be : Wheat 32^
bushels, barley 42^, oats 51, ])eas 32, potatoes 229, turnips GG2^.

This is a much less total than was expected in the early part
of the season; still greater than was latterly looked for, it being
feared that the continual rains during the usual term of harvest
would have utterly destroyed the crops in many sections.

The figures cited above, together with others in our posses-
sion, would indicate the total vieldsof the Province to be about:
Wheat, 480,000 bushels ; barley, 173,000 ; oats, 380,000 ; Peas,
45,000 ; other grains, 5,000 ; potatoes, 460,000 ; turnips and
other roots, 700,000.

It has been feared by some that the effect of the bountiful
yield will be the reduction of prices below a paying point.
However, while prices are sure to range much lower than they
have for many years i)ast, we think that next spring, wheu the
immigration, which is sure to pour in, begins, will demonstrate
that those who have sold their wheat at much bclovv one dollar
a bushel are considerably out. Estimates, based upon impor-
tation statistics, place the Provincialand North-West Territorial
consumption of Hour for the next year at ninety thousand bar-
rels, an equivalent of 360,000 bushels of wheat. This would
leave only 120,000 bushels for seed and holding over — plaiidy
insafficieut. However, we are disposed to believe that the
flour consumption has been slightly over-estimated ; but not so
much so as to leave any considerable surplus of wheat after the

A rUACTfCAL HAND-noOK AND GUIDE

I I

next twelve irontlis' n'f|uirement« aie supplied. The flour-
manufacturing capacity of tut? Province has been increased by
twenty run of stone.

Of the c(/ar.se grains th(^ si'l'l'lv ^^^' ^^^ (greater in proportion
to the (h^niand, and prices theieof may be expi^cted to ranj^e
low. Ihit even tlirst! we eonlidently expect t(» see fairly remu-
ner.itive, as a lar<,'e (piantity will be consumed in fattening meat
for our own marki't, which hitherto has been supplied, almost
entirely, ])y importaiion, not for the want of stocik so much as
ihii want of grain to bring the same to fair slaughtering con-
dition.

Thus, taking everything into account, it is really doubtful,
had we shipiniig facilities, whether they would be called into
requisition for grain expt)rtatiou even with this year's ])roduc-
tioii (Jii our hands.

Imu/igration being bound to keep ])ace with our increasing
grain growing, it may be reasonably deduced that long before
we have a surplus for exportation eastward we shall be i!i pos-
session of competing routes of trans})ortation in the Canailian
Pacific Kailway to Thunder Bay, and the American railway
system. NeitluM' is it going too far in the hopeful direction to
conj(^cture that when we have a sui'plus to (export, an abundant
and liigh-i)ric(!d market will be available in the wants of more
southern provinces and states for new and hardier seed. A
veiy high authority on the subject has predicted that for the
first ten years of our surplus production it will be export"d for
seed j)ur]joses, and at the expiration of that time the North-
VVest will be known dl over the continent as its principal
granary for the supply of breadstuifs. In view of the general
feeling of joy and congratulation, we think it would be well to
proclaim a day of thaidcsgiving and prayer throughout the
Province for the grand results of an abundant harvest.

In addition to the above, we give

A FEW FACTS CONCERNING GRAIN AND ROOT

CROPS

In Manitoba.

Wheat. — The average yield is from thirty to forty bushels
per acre. Individual cases are known of sixty bushels spring,
per acre, and as much as seventy bushels have been produced
from one bushel sown.

Oats. — The average yield per acre is from fifty to sixty
bushels, although individual cases are known of 100 bushels
to the acre.

10 MANITOBA AND THE NoHTH WEhT.

Haim-KY. — Nt'xt to wlu'jit, l»arl(>v is a fiivomito cereal >vitl»
tlio Manitoba tariiMT ; its yit'lil varies from forty to fifty lui.s)iel8
per aci'e, aitlioiii^li as liii^li ;is sixty Idishels liave Iteeii kiiowii.
Itb weii;ht is lioin lifty to titty five jiouiids jx-r l)iislie!, and it
is an acknowledged fact tl.at the barley of Manitoba is nnsnr-
passed unyvvhere for brewing |)Ur[)oses, oii account of the
su))erior (piality and fine ( ulunr.

I'oT ATOMS a.c produced to perfection in Manitoba. Their
mealy (piality, snowy w liiteness, and farinaceous pro}tertie8 can-
not be excelled anywhere, and the yield is enoinuais — as liigh
as GOO bushels to the acre — the average being from 400 to 500
bushels.

TuuNll's yield immensely, in some cases as many as 1,000
bushels, and from 500 to 700 being Cjuite common.

Corn. — Indian corn is not extensively cultivat«'d, and it is
thought that the large kind cannot be successfully raised, oiw
reason being the cool nights for which ^Manitoba is noted, and
which is beneficial to all other croi)s except corn, but the
smaller de.scri})tion can be protitably grown. Sweet corn suc-
ceeds admirably.

Flax and Hemp have been cultivated and grown well, but
the want of pro])er mills caused their cultivation to be almost
discontinued.

Grasses all grow to perfection, especially Timothy.

Beets, carrots, and all other root crops come to hirge growth,
and their cpuility cannot be beaten anywhere. In fact, tlie
Province of Manitoba excels in root crops, and in regard to
beet especially, it is looked forward to that the [)ioduction of
this vegetable will in future rise to great imj)ortance in connec-
tion with the maiuifacture of beet-root sugar. A large tield is
open to capitalists in this line.

In garden vegetables and salad plants, we may mention the
following as being particularly worthy of notice : —

Cabbages attain enormous size.

Cauliflower do.

Lettuce, very crisp and fine.

Celery, large and white, with delicious flavour.

Cucumbers grow to a large size.

Melons succeed well in the open air, first started in the hot
bed.

Rhubarb succeeds well.

Onions are another speciality in the Province, and yield
largely of every variety.

Tomatoes do very well, and the generality of other garden
vegetables attain great perfection.

The vegetables, however, that attain the greatest perfection
aie

Potatoes, Cabbages,

A PRACnCAl. HAND-n (OK AND (IUII»E

Onions,
Jicc'L,

CauIiM'jwerB.

In conclusion we injvy quote tin- folio .ving from the Montroal
f/eratd in ni^^'anl to sornf M vtutoba productH exhibited in the
(Jorn Kxchiui^'f of that city :

"The oatH wcro very lino, ami tin* numbor of staikH growing
fruinoiii! HiMiil h1iowo<| liow pnxlujtivL' wmh tlio cntp. Tho wild hopn
rivallod anytliiii.; <»f tin- ciiltivatoil class tliat \vt; iiave Nonn, and tho
puas and broad beans woro rually sploiulid. Fancy oarly nttti) pota-
toes, somo tubers nitie indues loiij^ and woif^hiii;^' two fiounds, the
whole of til') selections averaLfinL,' from U to 1 / pounds eiicli. Then,
there weresecMlliu^ potatoes ol" the first year, as lari^o as aj^'ood sized
hen's o<m, ajid onions -the red and brown sort, from a pound to a
pound and thnte ipiarters. A twenty-six poun'ls marbli- head
cabba.;e is a rath.!r sub-itantial vegetable product, wliiie a red cab-
ha^^e of ten pounds was* also on view. And these are n<» imcommon
things,"

In roots and vegetables we would refer our readers to the
extract under this class taken from the ri'poit of the Manitoba
Provincial Show of 1(S7G, and inserted at the end of this book.

The culture of fruit has heretofons been neghicted in Mani
toba, but lately the attention of nurserymen in the east has
been attracted to this country, and several successful elForth
have been made to introduce a variety of plants into the Pro-
vince. Thtire is no reason why apple trees, should not be
raised in this country, if care is taken at the outset to protect
the plants in the spring, and it has been suggested by a writer
that all young apple trees should have a wrapping of straw so
as to protect them in the 3[>i'ing from alternate, thawing and
freezing — a great detriment to their growth, it h is bee'i provcl
that apple trees do thrive in this country, and there is n- doubt
that the celebrated " Fameuse" of Quebtic could be proauced
here to perfection. In Minnesota, not many years ago, it was
contended that apple trees would not grow there, and yet to
day the Minnesota apple is a notable product of that State. If
Minnesota can produce apples, there is no reason why Manitoba
should not do so equally as well.

Wild fruits abound in the Province, amongst which may be
mentioned strawberries, raspberries, whortleberries, cranber-
ries, ])lums, black ami red currants, blueberries and grape, so
that there is no scarcity of fruit for the settler.

The principal wood in the country is poplar, next to which
is oak, and in addition to these are the following : — spruce,
tamarac, birch, elm, ash, and miple. All along the rivers
and creeks, the banks are lined with woods, and the prairie is
dotted with groves which afford a plentiful supply of firewood
and fencing for the adjoining settlers. Timber for milling pur-

TO MANITOFIA ANH TJIF. NnRHrvVRHT.

[idHOH \H [HfKMinMl ill tilt' vicinity of tlio lak«?H, and on tho lianks
of solium of tlir strcatnH, sucli as liossjMUi, lirokcn-Hcad rivor— •
Wliit»i Month, hinli rivtT, and n|)iifr end of tho Assinihoine,
and at the northern end of Lako i\Ianitoha tlin piim grows to a
vrry lari^c siz«*, ami is of the best description.

The uncnhivatcd portions of tiic [)rairie, and the minuToiis
marshes, afford everywhere u i>lentifiil siipj^y of hay whidi can
l)e liad h>r the i,'atheriiig l>y th;; settler — and water, we have al-
ready shown, can he procured almost anywhere, either fnjiii
the river or creek, or hy digging surface wells on the prairie.

The country abounds with ganu; of great variety, consisting
of the folhtwing kinds :
In the f(»ath<'re(l trilx! : —

I'rairie chickens. Swans.

IMieasants. * ('rancs.

Partridges. (Jee.se.

I'igeons. Snipe.

Duck.s. Plover, &c., &c.

In the largt'r game; we may mention : —

•Moose, Mink,

Deer, Martin,

Antelope, Otter,

bear, • Muskrat,

Wolves, Beaver,

Foxes, Skunk, and large numbers of

rabbits are to be found in the woods.

The lakes and rivers are filled with fish of the following
kinds : —

White-fish, Perch,

Pickerel, Suckers, (Red and White),

Pike, Sun-fish,

Catfish, Gold Eye,

Sturgeon, Carp, and in some parts, trout

Kock Bass, and Maskinonge,

Black Bass,
The white-fish of Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba is particu-
larly worthy of mention, as being equal in quality to that found
in Lake Superior.

In the woods there are swarms of wild bees to be found, the
honey from which is of a very fine quality, and there is no doubt
that apiculture can be carried on with great success iv Mani-
toba. The dry air and clear skies, together with the rich flora
of the country, afford every facility for remunerative bee cul-
ture. A very fine sample of honey was shown by a Mr. Robin-
son, from the Rosseau, at the Provincial Show of 1876.

Manitoba is destined to become one of the finest stock-rais-
ing countries in the world. Its boundless prairies, covered with
luxuriant gFasses, and the numerous marshes containing the
1)

' I

A PRA(;TICAL IIANn-BOOK AND OUH)E

very best feed for cattle, are amoiii: the peculiar advantages of
the Province for this line of industry. The cool nights for
which Manitoba is famous, is a most beneficial feature in regard
to stock, and the remarkable dryness and healthtulness of the
winter tendc to make cattle fat and well conditioned. The
easy access to tine water whicli exists in nearly every part of
the Province, is another advantage in stock-raising. The abun-
dance of hay everywjiere makes it an easy matter for farmers
to winter their stock, and in addition to this there is, and will
be for years, a ready home market for beef.

In fact there have been «wery year heavy importations of
live stock from the United States to supply the demand in the
Province, simply because our farniers have not heretofore paid
sufficient attention to this branch of farming. The usual
yield of prairie grass when cut into hay is from three to four
tons per acre. It usually grows about five or six feet high,
and, although coarse, is very nutritious. Cattle can be
wintered without any coarse grain, and keej) fat.

It is now over forty years since the intioduction of sheep
into Red liiver, and no case of any disease attacking them has
ever been seen or heard of. The wool is of a very good
quality, and the yield is from six to eight pounds per fleece
from wethers, and from 2 to 3/, from ewes. Beef and mutton
from Manitoba-fed cattle is very juicy and tender.

There are as yet no cleese factories established here, but
there are good openings for that branch of industry, especially
as farmers find it very profital)le to cultivate stock-raising in
conjunction with their other branches of farming. There is a
large home demand foi- butter, which as yet seems never to be
fully supplied, aud in consequence a great deal has been im-
ported from the United States. We wouhl recommend those
who are able, to bring with them well-bred stock, especially
bulls and stallions, the better classes of which are scarce in the
Province. In fact anything tliat will tend to inq)rove the
stock of any class of domestic animals now in Manitoba, will
be a boon to the country generally. Sufficient attention has
not been paid to this important matter by our farmers, although
there have been indi\ idual cases where well-bred animals have
been brought in f »r breeding purposes, the venture having
proved remunerative in the highest degree to the enterprising
men v ho undertook them.

In connection with stock-raising, dairy produce, Si,c., and in
conjunction therewith beef and butter packing, we may again
refer to the salt springs which exist in parts of the country.
The brine from these springs yields almost a bushel of salt to
thirty or forty gallons of tlie water, and the article thus pro-
duced is equal to any English, American, or Canadian maiui-
facture. The salt business has not been cultivated as yet to

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

any extent, but in the near future it will certainly become a
very important feature of the country, when beef, pork, butter
and fish packing is gone into extensively.

The rain-fall of Manitoba is peculiarly favourable to agricul-
ture. In the spring and summer there are refreshing showers
at short intervals, and what is termed a dry season is seldom
or ever known.

In another part of this pamphlet will be seen a thorough
weather record for 1876, by which, however, it will be observed
that the year just passed experienced a greater fall of rain than
any of the four previous seasons. During harvest time, it sel-
dom happens that farmers are annoyed or put back by wet
weather, while during the time the crops are growing their
eyes are gladdened by the fresh invigorating showers so peculiar
to the country, and this feature of itself is perhaps one of the
greatest boons known to the agriculturist.

In the winter the frost penetrates on exposed places to the
depth of from three to four feet, that is where the earth is
lightly covered with snow. Where it is covered with snow, it
is seldom frozen deeper than eighteen inches. Vegetation be-
gins and progresses before the frost is all out of the ground ;
owing is generally commenced when it is thawed to the depth
of six inches, at which time the surface is perfectly dry. It is
a fact that this frost helps the growth of crops, owing to the
heat of the sun by day causing a continual evaporation from
the underlying strata of frost.

The seasons are as follows ; — Spring — April and May. Snow
<lisappears rapidly, and ground dries up quickly, sowing com-
mences from the middle towards the end of April, and finishes
in the beginidng of May. Summer — June, July, August, and
part of September. Weather bright and clear with frequent
showers — very warm at times during the day — night cool and
refreshing — harvesting commences about the end of August,
and ends about the middle of September.

Autumn. — Part of September and October.

Perhaps the most enjoyable season of the year — The air is
balmy and exceedingly pleasant. At this period of the year
the prairie fires rage, and the atmosphere has rather a smoky
appearance, not disagreeable, however.

Whiter. — November, December, ^January, February, March.

In the early part of November, the Indian Summer generally
commences, and then follows the loveliest portion of the sea-
son, which usually lasts from nine days to a fortnight. The
weather warm, the atmosphere hazy and calm, and every ob-
ject a})pearing to wear a tranquil and drowsy aspect. Then
comes winter, generally ushered in by a soft fieecy fall of snow,
succeeded by days of extreme clearness with a steel blue sky
and invigorating atmosphere, not too cold. In December the

A PRAC CAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

winter regularly sets in and, until the end of March, the wea-
ther continues steady, with perhaps one thaw in January, and
occasionally snow-storms. The days are clear and bright, and
the cold much softened by the brilliancy of the sun.

The winter nights in Manitoba are really splendid, generally
with a clear and starlight sky, and when the moon throws her
full orbed face towards the earth, the scene is one of peerless
grandeur. The cold, as a general thing, is not as much felt by
individuals as in Quebec and even parts of Ontario, on account
of the stillness of the air and brilliancy of the sun.

We have the testimony of the Honourable Mr. Sutherland,
Senator, who has lived in the Province for over 53 years, tha
he has never known an epidemic in Manitoba. The country
places are entirely free from fevers, agues and other ills, and
since the City of Winnipeg has been thoroughly drained, there
have been few cases of sickness within its limits. Mr. Suther-
land also states, that small pox has never been known within
the limits of the Province. During the last few months, while
that loathsome disease was prevalent amongst the Icelandic
settlers on Lake Winnipeg, we of Manitoba have been spared
the scourge. For this extreme healthfulness of our coiUi'vij,
we have much to thank the Almighty — we consider this health-
ful state of the climate of Manitoba as of paramount importance
to the farmer, for what to him are fair fields and meadows,
beautiful crops and the acquisition of wealth, if to attain them he
is obliged to sacrifice his own health and that of his family.
The dryness of the air, the character of the soil, which retains
no stagnant pools to send for^h poisonous exhalations, and the
almost total absence of fog or mist ; the brilliancy of the sun-
light ; the pleasing succession of its seasons, all combine to make
Manitoba a climate of unrivalled salubrity, and the home of a
healthy, prosperous, and joyous people.

The following is the weat! -^r record for 1876, carefully pre-
pared by James Stewart, Esq., signal observer at ^.^"innipeg.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

a
a

o
bb

'^ ^

-^ ^

■-' 2

1^ O

so o

'ft

go
'"I

J?
-^
1-5

^
«

•4

" to"

§^'

CO i-H

« l-H

•*

S d

C-.

t:^

' ^

(M*

o
l^

§?

■*

' ^

-H

«o

■*

•*

■*»<

; <

■*

^rj

<-5

iCl

■*

i ^

■*

f-*

«o

1— (
©

'*.

i-H

f-H

^ I

r-l

r-l OO

CO
OS

'*.

(M_

f-i

•*

I s

J2
ID

>-5

«?
o

t^ r-j

«5

OS
CM

to M
CO

tti

o
u
IS

a J

u
3
O

>
3

3
3-
c3

it
to

-3

o
■a

is 3

3
O

3
3
O

g 'o — I
oJ

3
o

^^ -^ *j

3
o

12;

3
A

4-3

S
3

A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK AND GUIDE

MISCELLANEOUS PEIIIODICAL PHENOMENA.

The warmest day during the year was 31st July, the mean
temperature being 81.50.

The coldest day during the year was the 1st February, the
mean temperature being — 30.95.

The highest reading of the tliermometer was 95.0 oii the 5th
August. The lowest reading of the thermometer was — 43.0
on the 4th February.

The total depth of rain that fell during the year was 22.955
inches ; the total depth of snow was 74.21 ; total depth of rain
and melted snow, 29.184 inches.

The number of rainy days, 01 ; total number of snowy days,
40.

The highest wind in the year was from 6 ]).m. to G.15 p.m.
on the 13th December ; average, iO miles per hour.

The most windy day in the year was the 1st June : average,
22.92 miles per hour.

The least windy day in the year was the I2th March ; aver-
age, 0.33 miles per hour.

April 9th, wild geese seen.

April 10th, robins seen.

April 19th, frogs seen.

April 21st, ice began to move on the Red River.

April 24th, Red River open.

April 25th, arrival of the first steamboat.

April 26th, musquitoes seen and felt.

June 27th, heavy hailstorm at 4 p.m.

August 31st, lunar rainbow in the north-west at 8.30 p.m.

November 13th, Red River frozen over.

December 13th, heavy storm from north-west, broke out at
4 p.m. ; the air was filled with drifting snow ; man}' persons
travelling lost their way ; several deaths happened from freez-
ing, and many were badly injured.

TO ftlANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST

JO
. in

M
-*

i-H 00

!N rH

■>* o>

t- (M

o 1^;

««

tf W

C tjH

w ^

H Q

V
>

^ ^

izi

c»

H
J/2

»
M

■•» ^ _; t: it; -^ '^' '"' .

~ S ^ 2 "^ ->' '- »

?i I . rH ■* rH

1 a

•<

o
;?;
w

c? :2

5. 1- 'M

5S i-H «

C3
5-J

1-1

t^ 'M

rH 00

■n

o m

a
S

3
O
a>

C
C3

t*H

o
1^

■rj r-l t--

» « -H

rH l-< ©

(M ® M

Si.

s: -s

c
1Z5

TO
71

3 S

C*H

*♦-■

'r*

—5

■o

A PHACTICAL HANDBOOK AND GUIDE

The grasshoppers first appeared in this country in the year
1H18, six years after the commencement of tlie lied liiver
settlement.

They did not do much liarm in that y^r, but in 1819 they
destroyed the crops, and for three successive years the hopes of
the husbandman. They did not, howevei, appear again for
thirty-six years until 1864, but did no great harm till 18G8,
when they swept the entire crop of the settlement. We cannot
deny that this; country has been severely scourged by these
jiests, of late years ; but it is the opinion of m my of the oldest
settlers that we will not be again visited l)y them to a^y great
extent for a period of years, and by that time, the advance of
settlements will have a tendency to restrict tlusir ravages.

It is not our desire to hide defects, and while we admit the
grasshoppers to be a great scourge, at the same time their
visits are only occasional, and there is every reason to believe,
that since they have visited this country so much of late years,
we will be freed from their ravages for some time. One fact is
worthy of mention, that a total destruction of crops has only
taken place six times within fifty-nine years, which, it must be
admitted, is a small average, and not sufficient to deter any one
from settling in the country on that account. Honourable Mr.
Sutherland, in his testimony before a Select Committee of the
House of Commons at Ottawa, gives the following s'.atement
on the 3rd of April, 1876 :—

" 1 think (he says) that extensive settlement will prevent the
ravages of the grassliopijers, and we have good reason to believe
that we will be exempt from them during the cuming season, as
there were no dep(jsits of eggs in the Province last year (a prediction
veritied by fact afterwards, as there were no grasshoppers last sum-
mer), and in all probability we will be relieved from that plague f(jr
many years to come. To my own knowledge, the Province was
not attected hy grasshoppers for twenty years previ(»iis to 1807,
since which date we have had them off and on about every two
years, or eacli alternate year."

The f{'ll of snow on the prairie is on an average from twenty
to tv/enty-four inches, and as there are no thaws in the winter,
it does not pack, but is dry and light and disappears very
quickly, allowing the husbandman to commence his labours at
an early date.

The fences used in the country consist of posts and poles of
s})ruce and poplar, the latter of which, with the bark removed,
will last twc/ity years. Fences made of pine or basswood are
sometime', used, but they are more expensive, and no better
than those of spruce and poplar.

Poplar and oak wood are chiefly used as fuel, and there is
not likely to be ever a scarcity of the former, as it is reproduced
very rapidly.

TO MANITOBA AND THK NORTH-WEST.

KefeiTing to the description of wood in Manitoba, S. J. Daw-
son, Esq., in his report to the (Tovcrninenl, remarks as follows :

" The prevailing growth everywliore is jxtplar, and lit)vv Uiis
species of wood slionld be so prevalent on soil so different from what
it grows on in Canada, is dne to thu tires which so frecpiently
sweep over the country. A prairie or forest even over which the
fire has passed, is just ready to receive the downy seeds of the l>op-
lar, which in the month of Juno are constantly floating in the air.
The Indians say, and 1 think there can be no dinibt of thu fact, that
but for the fires the prairies would soon be overgrown witli wo(jd.
Be this as it nuiy, the rapidity of the growth of the pojilar, once it
has taken root in the rich soil of these plains, is truly astonishing."

As a means of })recaiition, and as an encouragement to set-
tlers to cultivate the growth of wood, the (Jovernment have in-
serted the following clause in the Dominion Lands' Act in re-
ference to forest tree culture : —

FOHEST TREE CULTURE.

Any person, male or female, being a subject of Her Majesty
by birth or naturalization, and having attained the age of
eighteen years, shall be entered for one quarter section or less
quantity of unappropriated Dominion lands, as a claim for forest
tree planting.

Application for such entry shall be made (Form F.) for the
purpose of cultivating forest trees thereon, and the applicant
shall make an affidavit (Form G.) that he or she is over eighteen
years of age ; that he or she has not previously obtained an
entry of land for forest tree culture, the extent of which,
added to that now applied for, will exceed in all one hundred
and sixty acres ; that the land is open prairie and without
timber, and is unoccupied and unclaimed, and belongs to the
class open for entry for tree culture ; and that the application
is made for his or her exclusive use and benefit.

The applicant shall pay at the time of applying, an office fee
of ten dollars, for which he or she shall receive a receipt and
also a certificate of entry, and shall thereon be entitled to enter
into possession of the land.

No patent shall issue for the land so entered until the expi-
ration of six years f. jm the date of entering into possession
thereof, and any assignment of such land shall be null and void
unless permission to make the same shall have been previously
obtained from the Minister of the Interior.

At the expiration of six years the person who obtained the
entry, or if not living, his or her legal representative or assigns
shall receive a patent for the land so entered, on proof to the
satisfacition of the Local Agent as follows : —

1. That eight acres of the land entered had been broken and
prepared for tree planting within one year after entry, an equal

A PRACTICAL HAND-HOOK AND GUIDE

quantity duriiij^ tlic sc^cond year, and sixteen additional acres
within the third year after such date.

2. Tiiat ei^litacres of the land entered had been planted svit!)
forest trees during the secojid year, an equal (juantity dniing
the thinl y<'ai', and sixttien additional acres within four yeais
of the diitt' of (Uitry, the trees so planted being not less tliaii
twelve; feet apart each way.

3. That the above area — thrvt is to say, one fifth of the huid
— has for the last two years of the term been plantei] with
timber, and that the latter has been legidarly and W(dl culti-
vated and protected from the time of planting : i)i'ovided that
in cases when; the land entered is less in extent than one (juar-
ter sectioji or one hundred and sixty acres, tluin the nispective
areas required to be broken and [)lante(l under this and tht; two
next preceding sub-S(ctions shall be proportionately less in ex-
tent.

If at any time within the period of six years as above, the
claimant fails to do the breaking up or planting, or either, as
required by this Act oi- any part thereof, or fails to cultivate,
protect and keep in good condition such timber, then and upon
such event the land enteied shall 'he liable to foj'feitiire in the
discretion of the Minister of the Interior, and mav be dealt
with in t\\o same manner as Homesteads which may have been
cancelled for non-compliance with the law.

Provided that lu) person who may have obtaine<l pre-emption
entry of a quarter section of land in addition to his Homestead
entry under the provisions of su])section one of section thirty-
three of the said " Dominion Lands Acts," as amended by the
Act of 1874 and by this Act, shall have the right to enter a
third quarter section as a tree planting claim ; but such person,
if resident upon his Honu^stead, may iiave the option of chang-
ing the pre-emption entry of the quarter-section or a less quan-
tity of such quarter section for one under the foregoing pro-
visions, and on fulfilling the preliminary conditions as to affi-
davit and ftn;, may receive a certificate tor such (juarter section
or for such portion thereof as may have been embraced in the
a))plication, aiul thereupon the land included in such change of
entry shall become subject in all respects to the provisions of
this Act relating to tree planting.

Any person who may have been entered for a tree planting
claim uiuler the foregoing provisions, and whose right may not
have been ft)rfeite(l for non-compliance with the )rovisions
thereof, shall have the same rights of possession, aid to eject
tres])assers f/om the land entered by him, as are given to per-
sons on homesteads ; and the title to land entered for a tree
planting claim shall remain in the Government until the issue
of a patent therefor, and such land shall not be liable to be
taken in execution before the issue of the patent.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

T)!

The causes of prairie fires are mimerous — liidians ))robably
most freqiH'titly set fire to tlietii in order t,he more easily to find
out their game. Ifaymjikers do the same for the sake of cU'ar-
ing tlie <:r(>ui)d of old grass, and camji fires and numerous
smokers do the rest. These fires ha])pen only in the spring
and fall in old gi-ass, and It must be remembered they oidy
occur on the op«'n prairie. Crops are seldom, if ever, injured
by them, and where fields arc cultivated and fenced, the fires
do not reach. Settlers wIkmi making hay, however, if they
build their stacks out in the praiiie, should plough several fur-
rows round them, so as to stop the flames fnmi reaching them.
It is always better, however, to remove the hay when made
as soon as possible to your farm yard, so as to make sure of
your croj) and pnn'ent any possibility of its destruction by fire.
As the country opens u[) these fires will become less frecpient.

The prices in Manitoba of Agricultural implements can be
seen by the following list : —

Breaking Plows, P2^),
Common do $\^.
Reapers, $100 to $150.
Mowers, $75 to $12;").

Reapers and Mowers combined, .?1.50 to $200.
Horse Hay Rakes, $35.

Waggons, American manufacture, as good as made in
Canada, $80.

Fanning Mills, $40.
Spades, $1 each.
Shovels, $1.25 each.
Hay Forks, 75 cents.
Manure Forks, $1 each.
Harrows, $15.

The prices of the following staple articles will give some
idea of the cost of living in Manitoba : —

Tea per lb., 50 to 55 cents.
Sugar per lb., 10 to 12 cents.
Coffee per lb., 22 to 33 cents.
Tobacco, black, 50 cents.

do smoking, 50 to 55 cents.
Coal Oil, per gallon, 50 cents.
Syrup, do 75 to 80 cents.

Pails, each, 3 hoop, 30 cent? ; 2 hoop, 25 cents.
Tubs, 16 inch, 90 cents each.

A good stout Suit of Clothing for a man, from $8 to $15.
Blankets, grey, per pair, $1.50 to $3.
Canadian Blankets, wdiite, per 11)., 55 to 75 cents.
Cotton, per yard, white, 8 to 12i cents ; grey 8 to 12 cents.

52 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK AND GUIDE

I'lints, 8 to 12 cents ; Winceys, 8 to 25 cents.
Woollcin Stocking's, per jKiir, 25 to 30 cents.
Fiiinnel Shirts, each, 75 c -nts to $i 25.
Men's Boots, |2 to $3.
Women's Hoots, |1.25 to $1.75.
Felt Hats, 75 cents to $1.

In household fittings the following prices are quoted for good
plain articles : —

lable, $3.50 to $4.

Chair, 75 cents to $1.

Bedstead, $4 to $4.50.

Bureau, $8 to $12.

Kitchen Stove, No. 8, good.

Complete! Furniture, $27.

Cup and Saucer, 8 to 15 cents.

Plate, 8 to 20 cents.

Coal Oil Lam)), 60 cents to $1, complete.

Axes, $1.25 to $1.50.

In Building Material .• —

Good plain Lumber, $20 per M.
Good dressed Lumber, $25 to $30 per M.
Shingles, $4 to $6 per M.
Lath, $5.

Nails, 5 cents per lb., or $4 per keg.
Lime, 25 cents i)er bushel at the kiln.
Doors, $1.50 to $2.60 each.
Sash. 8x10, $1 per pair.
A good Single Harness, $20 to $25.
do Double do $35 to $40.

In the above we have only given quotations for a few of the
l)rincipal articles required by a settler, so as to give you an idea
of the general cost of goods in Manitoba, and we are of opinion
that parties can purchase to better advantage in this Province,
than to bring their old worn-out effects ,vith them, and pay
freight on them. The reason why merchants in Manitoba are
able to sell so cheap is, becaupo they purchase direct in Euro-
pean markets instead of through second hands.

MANITOBA MARKETS.

For many year^; to come an increasin^^- home consumption
will create a local demand sufficient to prevent any exportation
in the way of breadstuff's of consequence. The prosecution of

TO MANITOBA ANI> THE NURTII-WEST.

public works in the uorth-wost by the Governnumt of tiie Do-
minion, will cause a heavy «l('rnand for breadstutfs and other
supplies, which the tarnicis of iManitoha will be in the best
position to supply. So far there has betui a heavy iinportatiou
of Hour, oata, and other farm produce from the llnited States
into the Province, simply because we have been unable to
supply the demand. It is gratifyin^% therefore, to the intending
.settler, to learn that he is sun; of a ready nmrkt^t for his pro-
duce when he raises it, and it will be years, even allowing that
we have a heavy immigration in the future, ere we will be
obliged to ^ud a market in the east for our breadstutfs. Mill-
ing facilities are on the increase throughout the Province, and
farmers are therefore able to turn their wheat into flour to
supply the heavy demand for that article. We can furrush a
better article than can be imported from the United States,
and it is reasonable to suppose that wo can sell at lower
prices when the cost of transportation is taken into considera-
tion. The continual increase to our population which is going
on, re((uires the settled farmer to supply the new arrivals with
food until they can raise their own, and this is another cau.se
of our large home demand.

The following prices for produce have ruled in VVinnipt
market for some time past, meeting ready sales at the quota
tions named below : —

j()'

Flour (best), per 100 lbs $2 50 to $3 25

Wheat, per bushel 1 00

Oats, " 50

Barley, " 45

Butter (fresh), per lb 40

" (packed), " 30 to 35

Eggs, per dozen 40

Pork by the hog, per lb 10 to 13

Beef, quarter or animal, per lb Tito 10

Potatoes, per bushel 25 cu 50

Usual quotation being from 25c to 30c., but reaching at
certain seasons 50c. and as high as $1 per bushel.

The roads leading to Winnipeg fr m all parts of the Province
are good, and farmers find no diificulty in bringing in their
produce even from a distance. In fact, the travelled roads are
generally of nature's make, level and hard, and even after a
heavy rain, one day's sun will dry them sufficiently to enab'e
heavily laden teams to pass over them. Every year they are
improving so far as bridges and culverts are concerned, as the
Local Government each summer, spends a certain sum of money
building new bridges on couUes or streams where they are
necessary, and in keeping tl e old ones in repair. Thus every

r)i

A I'ttAcriCAl- HAN'D-IJdOK AND (HIDK

facility', iiHtiintl and tixtchutiical, in allonhMl tlto farmer in this
lutw country to brin<< his pr.xhice to market.

Just hotort^ tht) close of last Hcason's navigation, an rxperi-
nii'iit wan niachi thion^h an tintcrpiising hous«' in Winnipeg, of
t'Xpottin^' a certain (|iiantity of Manitoba wheat for seed pur-
|»o«e«, the oilier coininj^ from Messrs. Stc^ele Hros. cV Co., of
Toronto. The venture was a successful one, and will prohal)ly
l)e f(»llowed in the future l»y larger shipments fioin this
i'rovince.

We (|uot(f the following, as showing the opinion of Ontario
people as to the superiority of our grain for sited, and tlu're is
not a doubt but that Manitoba wheat will b(^ eagerly sought
for by Kastern farnu'rs, whenever they can get it, thus open-
ing up the way for a heavy exjiortation froai this Province.

IJefore giving i\w (piotation however, we must say that the
wlusitin (puistion was grown from seed brought from Minnesota,
which turne<l out to be a very |)oor sample of grain, and there-
fore, that which was sent to Ontario fronj this country, was
not a fair specimen of what can be produced in Manitoba.

MANITOBA WHEAT IN ONTAlilO.

The (H/obc .says: — "Manitoba seed wheat will likely be
largely sown in the .spring by the farmers of Ontario, a con-
siderable (piantity having been importt^d foom the Hed lliver
Valley through the enter{)rise of Steele Bros. & Co., of this
city. Fre(puuit changing of seed is well known to be highly
beneficial, and the excellent (pudity of the North- Western grain
is highly favourabh; to its use for this purpose.

And the Belleville bdclliijiim'r says : — " Hon. Robert Lead
has shown us a specimen of Red River spring wheat, which
closely resembles the Fife wheat grown here, and may be con-
sidered a fair sample. As wheat-growing has, to use a phrase
more expressive! than polite, become " played out" in this sec-
tion of the Dominion, it is a matter worthy of consideration
whi'Lluir a change of seed would not be efllective in making
wheat growing once more profitable to our farmers. In such
case, th(! fine; graiti oi' the Red ]iiver country might prove of
imistimable value, as the latitude and longitude of tlie place
of its production are very different from those of the county of
Hastings. We understand that a large quantity of this grain
has been im|)orted into Ontario for seed jTiirposes."

We want, therefore, farmers to settle in the country and till
the soil, so as to enable our supply to keep piice with our
demaiul.

We also njquire immtidiate railway communication with the
K;ist, and in this oonnection we are happy to say the Dominion
Clovernment ai)pear alive; to this important matter. The

lO MAMlOUA AND THE NollTII-W KS 1,

(.'aniidii PaciHc Section, coniu'ctin^ Miuiitoha witli Lake Supe-
rior, is Itcirif,' pusIhmI forwani as rapidly as c'ii('Uin>ttaiic»'.s will
peijnit, and whfu it is tiiiislird we will liavr dirt'ct cotuinuiii-
catioii with tlic scalioard, tlin»imli the cliaiu of liakt's and tlir
Kivrr St. liawn'iicc. This, in tlio futnrt', will ho onr ('iicap'st
route of «»xportiii<; our Hurphis i^rain and hrin^'in^' in our sup-
plit'H. In tiu' nicantinu', howevfr, we are f,dad to ohservt! that
an early completion of the hiandi road to I'ernltina is con-
templated, so as to connect us with the Ameriean railways.
'Ihe iron for this road has aluadv l)e«in hroU'.iiit into the i*ro-
vince hy the Government, and is now lying piled on tlu^ hanks
of the Red liiver, r«'a<ly to i>e placed nti the ties as soon as
they are cut, and the lied of the lim; lias heen graded from
Wininpeg to IV-mhina. The heavy cost of freighting, iu((. the
Ked Kiver, is a drawback to this c(»untry, and almost an ol)-
8tacle to exportation ; and the cojiipletion <»f the Peml)ina
Road will he a groat boon to the Province. There is no doubt
that as soon as the railway is in runninii order to the boun-
dary liiu', the Americans will hav«! finished the building of
their road to St. Vincent, and this will give us immediate rail
way communication with the outside world. In the future,
the two routes — viz., the one through our own territory to
Lake Su|terior, and the other ritr Pembina and the State.s —
will be great competing liu' for the tradt; (»f the North-West;
and as their centre of competition will be Winnipeg, the im-
portance of that city will l)e increased in i)roportion. All
trunk lines reriuire feeders, and several local roads are already
contemplated for the near future, all of them l)eing so projected
as to have them terminate in Winnipeg, in order to give thera-
selves the advantage of the competing lines eastward. Thus,
like Chicago, the City of Winnipeg is bound, by the force of
circumstances, to become the centre of a network of railways,
all of which will assist in developing this great country and en-
riching the hardy people.

To the westward the Canada PaciHc will o[<en up a splen-
did country, vast in extent, and equal in (juality to that of
Manitoba; and the pioducts of that great territory rolling into
the Province for exportation to the Easttsm markets, will not
only add to the im[)ortauct! of the Province as a ))oint of tran-
shipment, but will assist to build uj) cities and towns, and
raise her merchants to eminence and wealth.

The competing route to the Canada Pacific, westward, will
be via the River Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipeg and Mani-
tolDa, and already there is a fine steamer on the former, and a
staunch propeller on Lake Winnipeg, running in connection
with eacli other, and forming a line of water communication
between the Red River and Fort Edmonton. Already many
tons of Ireight have been transhi{){)ed at Winnipeg, from the

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

lied River steamers to the propeller " Colville," taken by her
to Grand llapids, on Lake Winnipeg', and there transferred, by
means of a short tramway of three miles, across the Port-
age to the steamer " Northcote," for transportation to the
several places on the Saskatclievvan. Thus it will be seen that
WiiHiipeg is not only a centre of land communication but also
of water.

Of the great future -f the Canada Pacific, as a liighway
across this Continent, we can only refer our readers to the fol-
lowing comparison of distances by that route over the Union
Pacific, of the United States : —

To Victoria. To San Francisco.

From A moor 3,895 4,110

" Shanghai 5,215 5,-139

" Canton 5,975 6,140

" Melbourne 6,930 7,205

The great fur trade of the Norih-West, in which not only the
Hudson's Bay Company, but also numerous fur traders, are en-
engaged, the prosecution of surveys, and the building of the
Canada Pacific Railway and other public works, all unite in
creating for Manitoba a gigantic commerce.

The opening up of the country within the Province, and also
outside its limits, is another source of trade, and when it is
considered that business is only in its infancy in the North-
West, the following figures will probably surprise many who
have not given the matter sufficient consideration.

From the official returns of the Dominion Government for
1875, we find as follows for the Port of Winnipeg : —

Exports S588,958 00

Imports 1,243,309 00

Entered for consumption 1,227,905 00

Duty collected....: 171,430 SQ

The increase of the carrying trade to Manitoba may be seen
l)y the following statement of tonnage from season of 1873 by
Red River steamboats : —

1873 23,613,036

1874 37,626,200

1875 76,078,680

The above figures will serve to show that the trade of Llani-
toba, considering that it is the youngest Province of the Do-
minion, is r.ot small. The commerce of the North- West is,
however, steadily on the increase, and with railway facilities it
will more than double in the course of a year or two.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

The branch office of the Merchants' Bank, in Winnipeg, is
one of the best paying agencies of that institution, thus show-
ing that the trade of Manitoba is worthy of cultivation ; and
the Ontario Bank, lately established, is doing a good busi-
ness, which is steadily on the increase.

HOMESTEAD LAW.

A liberal homestead law is in force in Manitoba, which ex-
empts from seizure the debtor's ordinary furniture, tools and
farm implements in use, also *' one cow, two oxen, one horse,
four sheep, two pigs and the food for the same for thirty days,
and the land cultivated by the debtor, provided the extent
of the same be not more than one hundred and sixty acres, in
which case the surplus may be sold with privileges to first
mortgagees." The house, stables, barns, fences, on the debtor's
farm are by this Act declared free from seizure by virtue of all
writs of execution issued by any court of this Province No
limit is placed on the value of the farm or home thus secured
to the family, whatever its value may become. This law may
unworthily shield some, but on the other hand it will protect
many worthy and honest men, women and children, and on
that account is a great boon to the settler.

Thousands of acres of splendid land in the Province are at
present locked up by the system of reserve, but an agitation is
now going on to induce the Dominion Government to open
them for settlement. There is no doubt the voice of the people
will be heard, and the Government of Canada will see the wis-
dom of throwing open the land for cultivation. When this is
done and the vexed question of Reserves settled, a large area
of fine country will be placed in the market, and intending set-
tlers will have the opportunity of securing many choice localities
therefrom.

THE GOVERNMENT.

' i

The form of government is similaroto that of the other Pro-
vinceb of the Dominion, but the Legislative Council was
abolished by Act of the Lbgislature in February, 1876. The
Legislature now consists only of a Legislative Assembly of
twenty-four members representing twenty-four constituencies.

The Executive consists of the Lieutenant-Governor, Provin-
cial Treasurer, Provincial Secretary and Attorney-General,
.Minister of Public Works and Minister of Agriculture, who is
also President of the Council.

There are now the following Agricultural Societies in the
Province :

A I'UAdTKJAL HANI) HOOK AND GUIDE

The Mjin|U<ai(',
" Selkirk,
*' l*i(tv(!iiclier,

and till! Piovinciiil.

All 1)1' wliicli liavf (licii- ic^Milai' annual exhibitions to promote
tlu^ interesUs of the liiushaniinian, and bring this tine country
into Holier,

A (H)MPA!nS()N.

A loniparison of (he yield o[' wheat for past years in Mani-
lob.i with the luvst, districts of the I'nited States, will show its
.suj<'ru>rity over them. vi/. :

^Manitoba wlieat proiliices 10 bushels per acre.

Minnesota. '• 20 " '•

Wisconsin, •• 11 **

Pennsylvania. " 15 '* "

Massachusetts, - 16 " »*

niK PKKSKN r si:ttleks.

The settlers at present in .Manitoba consis- of the following

classt's :

Publish half breeds,

rrench half breeds.

Scotch sealers,

I'anadians from Ontario and Quebec,

Mennonites. French troiu Quebec and I'nited States.
Pcsules these there are other nationalities, but not in suthcient
numbers to distiui^uish them in the lii^ht oi' classes.

The Kni;lish half breed is i:enerallv a thnftv, careful and in-
vlusirioas m;vn, retiring in disposition to such a degree that
strangers are apt to consider him morose ai\d unsocial. On the
cvMHi.iry. howcNer. lie is kind and hospitable, and many a set-
tler cv>miug uuo the country has had reason to thank the Eng-
lish half breed for the h.uuWf attention and fellowship exteudea

towarv

Is I

am.

Tb.ere aiv, however

JVC

alb

amouiist

tht

poour people of this class, a few who from former habits of rov-
ing over the prairies and ou the lakes have bet-n unable to settle
down to taruung, and in consequence have ukI succeeded well

as sc

ttlers, but thev are t

e except U'li'

I'Uc Krench lialt breed is a liirht-heartc . uidividual. fonder,

as a rule, v^t p'.i\ ;haii woi

ospitao^ m the extrem

when you visit his homo the U'st he has i placevi b^tore you.

Shortly at'ter the troubles which ushervd Mauitob;i into Con-

tcdcr^tion there existed a su\uu' tVx.ni: in the minds of

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTHWEST.

.31)

Canadians against the French halt-breeds, but this ot late
years has died out, and we never see it shown, at U^ast out-
wardly. There seems in fact to be a strong feeling of union
at present amongst all classes whether native or oth<(rwisi',
and all appear anxious to further the interests of tlici country
generally. The Fronch half-breeds in former years were the
principal hunters and traders of the plain, and in constujiinicc,
their habits became more of a roving than a settled chaiactcr,
and now the work of farming is distasteful to tluiin. TIh'v
only cultivate a sufficient area of land to provide tlieiuselves
with the necessaries of life, and tliercfore iiav(! little if any pio
duce to dispose of. There are, however, exceptions to t his
rule, as some of the largest farmers and stock-raisers in the
Province are French half-breeds, and the whole class, as a ride
are improving as agriculturists.

The Scotch settler is a canny industrious man, careful of his
means, and hoarding his pennies as others would pounds. J
must not be considered, however, by this, that he is mcjan and
parsimonious, on the contrary he is very kind in his own home
when you visit him. He respects his guests, ])ut if you are
inclined to bargain with him you must be prepared to cut the
matter very fine, as he will have every " Ijawbee " out of you
that he can before he concludes witli you. Thciy are good
husbandmen, and have ever exhibited a very great d«;gr<Mi of
forethought, so much so that it is proverbial in the Province
that you can never find a Scotch settler in want. They do not
farm extensively, but what they do they do well. The [)arish
of Kildonan is principally settled by this class.

The Canadians are from all parts of the Dominion, and re
{)resent the usual class of farmers and mechanics in the other
Provinces.

The French from the United States are those who settle I in
that country, but becoming discontented with it are flocking
l«ack to Canada, and are now immigrating to this Province.
They declare themselves well pleased with the country and the
prospects before them.

The Mennonites are a very industrious and hardy class of
settlers, but so economif.'al and saving in tlnjir habits that they
spend very little money and by the:-- hoarding [^ro})ensities
rather retard than advance circulation.

Educational matters in tlie Province are in the hands of men
who give the subject an earnest attention, and although many
r-forms are necessary in the present system, the e.vils com
plained of will doubtless ere long be remedied. It is not our
bur-iness to enter u])on the nn-rits or demerits of any Kyst,<;m of
education, it is sufficient to say that school matters in Mani-
toba, notwithstanding many drawbacks, are prognjssing w<dl,
and at a recent meeting of the Protestant School lioard it was

GO A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AN- GUIDE

stated by the Sui)erintendent that there were forty-three Pro-
testant School Districts in the Province — thirty schools in o]»i i -
jition, and 1.600 children on the various school rolls.

The total nuuiijtjr of churches under their several denonnna

Episcopalians 16 churches

Eoman Catholics .- 12 "

Presbyterians S "

Wesleyan Methodist 7 "

Episcopal " 2 ''

Baptist ... 2

The Collegiate Institutions^are as follows: — St. Johns ('oi-
lege ; St. Boniface College; Manitoba College; Wesleyan In-
stitute ; and there are measures being now taken to establisli :t
University and Normal Schools for teachers.

ihe societies, religious, national, literary, &c. are :

Young Men's Christian Association.

St. Jean Baptiste Society.

St. Andrew's ''

St. Patrick's "

St. George's "

Kildonan Literary "

Winnipeg Dramatic and Literary Society.

Manitoba Colonization Society.

Manitoba Club.

Matiluuuu Lacrosse Club.

Selkirk Cricket Club.

St. John's College Cricket Ciab.

Sons of Temperance.

Independent Order of Good Templars, 2 lodges.

United Temperance Order, 3 lodges.

Odd Fellows, 3 lodges.

Masons, 7 lodges.

Tilt' following are the Post Offices in the Piovince : —

Winnipeg, Middle Church,

Bale St. Paul, Oak Land,

Boyne, Oak Point,

Burnside, Ossowo,

Cook's Creek, Palestine,

Dynevor, Parks Creek.

Greenwood, Peguis,

Headingly, Pigeon Lake,

High Bluff, Poplar Point,

Kildonan, Portage la Prairie,

Lower Fort Garry, Prairie Grove,

Loretto, Rockwood,

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

St. Agathe,

St. Andrew's,

St. Anne,

St. Boniface,

St. Charles,

St. Frangois Xavier,

St. James,

St. Laurent,

St. Norbert,

Scratching River,

Selkirk,

Springfield,

Totogon,

Vital.

West Lynne,

Westbourne,

Woodlands,

Woodsidc.

There is a daily mail to and from the United States and
Canada, and local mails leave the Winnipeg Post Office twice
;i week. There is also a mail from Winnipeg for the Saskat-
chewan every three weeks. Express and telegraph offices arc
established in Winnipeg, and connect with the eastern lines.

The City of Winnipeg is connected also with the Saskatche-
wan country by telegraph, and regular despatches are daily
received to and from there.

ADVICE TO THE IMMIGRANT.

Having now exhausted a^i the practical information in regard
t(» the Province of Manitoba which we deem necessary to the
immigrant, we will proceed to give such advice as we think
may be of service to those who may come to the NoHli-West
to settle or invest their means.

In the first place, the farmer who intends making his home
here, ought to arrive during the spring or early summer, so as
to enable him to secure his land, build a house and stables, and
break some ground before the winter sets in? He may, by com-
mencing work in the spring, succeed in obtaining a partial
crop from his farm. Potatoes, for instance, may be planted as
late as the beginning of June, and a fair yield realized from
newly broken land, fjarley and turnips also do well on the
freshly turned prairie. May and June are the two best months
for breaking prairie, although it can be done in July, but
ought not to be attempted later in the season.

The first thing the farmer should do on his arrival is to go
to the land office, and ascertain the most desirable localities
open for settlement. It will not take him long then to makt;
a personal inspection and select a place. There are several
ways of obtaining land in the Province, as follows : —

hoj^esteai) rights.

All persons interested in obtaining Homestead Cxrants or
purchasing Dominion Lands will give attention to the followhig
provisions respecting the Public Lands of the Dominion : —

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

Unappropriated Dominion Lands, the surveys of which have
been duly made and confirmed, shall, except as otherwise here-
inafter provided, be open lor purchase at the rate of one dollar
per acre ; but no such purchase of more than a section, or six
hundred and forty acres, shall be made by the same person :
provided that whenever so ordered by the Minister of the
Interior, such unoccui)ied lands as may be deemed by him ex-
pedient from time to time, may l)e withdrawn from ordinar\'
sale or settlement, and offered at public sale (of which sale due
and sufficient notice will be given), at the upset price of out'
dollar per acre, and sold to the highest bidder.

Payment for lands purchased in the ordinary mannei- shall
be made in cash, except in the case of payment by scrip, or in
military bounty warrants, as provided by law.

Any person, male or female, who is the sole head of a family,
or any male who has attained the age of eighteen years, shall
be entitled to be entered for one quarter section, or a less quan-
tity, of unappropriated Dominion Lands, for the purpose of
securing a Homestead Kight in respect thereof.

The entry of !a person for a Homestead Eight shall entitle him
to receive at the same time therewith an entry for any adjoin
ing quarter section then unclaime(?, and such entry shall entiHe
such person to take and hold possession and cultivate such
quarte^ section in addition to his homestead, but not to cut
wood thereon for sale or barter ; and at the expiration of the
period of three years, or upon the sooner obtaining a patent
for the homestead, under the fifteenth sub-section of section
thirty-three of *'The Dominion Lands Act," shall entitle him to
a pre-emption of '\e said adjoining quarter section at the Gov-
ernment price oi' one dollar per acre ; but the right to claim
such pre-emption shall cease and be lorfeited, together with all
improvements on the land, upon any forfeiture of the home-
stead right under the Dominion Lands Act.

Provided always, that the right to a pre-emption entry as
above given, shall not belong to any settler brought in under
the provisions of sections fourteen and fifteen of the said Act.

When two or more persons have settled on, and seek to
obtain a title to, the same land, the Homestead Right shall he
in him who made the first settlement.

Every person claiming a Homestead Eight on surveyed land
must, previously to settlement on such land, be duly entered
therefor with the local agent within whose district such land
may bo situate ; but in the case of a claim from actual settle-
ment in then unsurveyed lands, the claimant must file such
application within three months after due notice has been
received at the local office of such land having been surveyed,
and the survey thereof confirmed ; and proof of settlement and

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

improvement shall be made to the local agent at the time of
filing such application.

A person applying for leave to be entered for lands with a
view of securing a Homestead Right thereon, must make alti-
davit before the local agent (form B.), that he is over eighteen
years of age, that he has not previously obtained a homestead
under the provisions of the Dominion Lands Act ; that the
land in question belongs to the class open for homestead entry ;
that there is no person residing or having improvements thore-
on ; and that his application is made for his exclusive use and
benefit, and with the intention to reside upon and cultivate
the said lands.

Upon making this affidavit and filing it with the local agent
(and on payment to him of an office fee of ten dollars — for
which he shall receive a receipt from the agent), he shall be
permitted to enter the land specified in the application.

No patent shall be granted for the land until the expiration
of three years from the time of entering into possession of it,
except as hereinafter provided.

At the expiration of three years,' the settler or his widow,
her heirs or devisees — or if the settler leaves no widow, his
heirs or devisees — upon proof to the satisfaction of the local
agent that he or his widow, or his or her representatives as
aforesaid, ur some of them, have (except in the case of entry
upon contiguous lands as hereinbefore provided), resided upon
and cultivated the land for the three years next after the fil-
ing of the affidavit for entry, or in the case of a settler on un-
surveyed land, who may upon the same being surveyed, have
filed his application as provided in sub-section five, upon proof,
as aforesaid, that he or his widow, or his or their representa-
tives, as aforesaid, or some of them, have resided upon and cul-
tivated the land for the three years next preceding the applica-
tion for patent, shall be entitled to patent for the land, provided
such claimant is then a subject of Her Majesty by birth or
naturalization.

Provided always, that the right of the claimant to obtain a
patent under the said sub-section as amended, shall be subject
to the provisions ot section fifteen herein lastly quoted.

Provided further, that in case of settlements being formed
of immigrants in communities (such, for instance, as those of
Mennonites or Icelanders), the Minister of the Interior may
vary or waive, in his discretion, the foregoing requirements as
to residence and cultivation on each separate quarter-section
entered as a homestead.

When both parents die wilihout having devised the lanrl,
leaving a child or children under age, it shall be lawful for the
executors (if any), of the last surviving parent, or the guardian
or guardians of such child or children, with the approval of a

I 1

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

Judge of a Superior Court of the Province or Territory in
which the lands lie, to sell the lands for the benefit of the
infant or infants, but for no other purpose ; and the purchaser
in such case shall receive a patent for the lands so purchased.

The title to lands shall remain in the Crown until the issue
of the patent therefor ; and such lands shall not be liable to
be taken in execution before the issue of the patent.

In case it is proved to the satisfaction of the Minister of the
Interior that the settler has voluntarily relinquished his claim,
or has been absent from the land entered by him for more
than si.r months in any one year without leave of absence from
the Minister of the Interior, then the right to such land shall
be liable to forfeiture, and may be cancelled by the said Min-
ister ; and the settler so relinquishing or abandoning his claim
shall not be permitted to make more than a second eniry.

Any person who has availed himself of the foregoing provi-
sions may, before the expiration of three years, obtain a patent
for the land entered upon by him, including the wood lot, if
an^' appertaining to the same, as hereinafter provided, on pay-
ing the Government price thereof at the date of entry, and
making proof of settlement and cultivation for rot less than
twelve months from the date of entry.

Proof of actual settlement and culti^' .lon shall be made by
affidavit of the claimant before the local agent, corroborated
on oath by two credible witnesses.

The Minister of the Interior may at any time order an
inspection of any homestead or homesteads in reference to
which there may be reason to believe the foregoing provisions,
as regards settlement and cultivation, have not been, or are
not being carried out, and may, on a report of the facts, cancel
the entry of such homestead or homesteads ; and in the case of
a cancelled homestead, with or without improvements thereon,
the same shall not be considered as of right open for fresh
entry, but may be held for sale of the land and of the improve-
ments, or of the improvetiients thereon, in connection with a
fresh homestead entry thereof, at the discretion of the Minister
of the Interior.

All assignments and transfers of Homestead Rights before the
issue of the patent shall be null and void, but shall ))e
deemed evidence (f abandonment of the right ; and the per-
son so assigning or transferring shall not be permitted to make
a second entry.

Any person whc may have obtained a Homestead entry
shall be considered, unless and until such entry be canceller!,
as having an exclusive right to the land so entered as against
any other person or persons whomsoever, and may bring and
maintain action for trespass committed on the said land, or
any part thereof.

TO I^IANITOBA AND THE NORTII-WEhT.

(id

The provisions relating to Homesteads shall only ajjply to
auricultiiral lands ; that is to say, they shall not l)e held to
apply to lands set apart as timber limit'- or as hay lands, or to
lands valuable for stone or marble ([uarries, or those having
water-power thereon which may be useful for driving ma-
chinery.

Any Homestead claimant who, ])revious to the issue of the
patent, shall sell any of the timber on his claim, or on the
wood lot appertaining to his claim, to saw-mill proprietors, or
to any other than settlers for their own })rivate use, shall be
guilty of trespass, and may Ije prosecuted therefor before a Jus-
tice of the Peace ; and upon conviction diereof shall be subject
to a fine or imprisonment, or both ; and furtlier, such person
shall forfeit his claim absolutely.

If any person or persons undertake to settle anv of the pub-
lic lands of the Dominion free of expense to the b< m rnment,
in the proportion of one family to each alternate quart( r sec-
tion, or not less than sixty-four families in any one townsiiip,
under the Homestead provisions of the Act hereby amended,
the Governor in Council may withdraw any such township
from public sale and general settlement, and may, if he thinks
proper, having reference to the settlement so affected, and to
the expense incurred by .such person or persons in procuring
the same, order the sale of any other and additional lands in
such township to such person or persons, at a reduced price,
and may make all necessary conditions and agreements for car-
rying the same into effect.

The expenses, or any part thereof, incurred by any person or
persons, for the passage money or subsistence in bringing out

an immigrant.

or for aid in erecting buildings on the Home-

stead, or in providing farm implements or seed for such immi-
grants, may, if so agreed upon by the parties, be made a charge
on the Homestead of such immigrant; and in case of such im-
migrant attempting to evade such liability by obtaining a Home-
stead entry outside of the land withdrawn under the provisions
of the next preceding section, then and in such case the ex-
pense incurred on behalf of such immigrant as above, shall
become a charge on the Homestead so entered, which, with
interest thereon, v: ist be satisfied before a patent shall issue
for the land; provided as follows : —

(rt) That the sum or sums charged for the passage money
and subsistence of such immigrant shall not be in excess of
the actual cost of the same, as proved to the satisfaction of the
Minister of the Interior ;

{h) That an acknowledgment by such immigrant of the
debt so incurred shall have been filed in th^ Dominion Lands
office ;

A PRACTICAL HAND BO'^K AND aCIDE

vanned against such Homostnafl exceed in aP'onnt the sum of
two lmrulre.l dollars ; ':;*t2K:^

('/) That no greater rate of interest than six per cent. ]»•'!
annum shall l)e charged on the lehi no incurred by such immi-
grant.

Then an immigrant with means can often purchase lands
within the existing settlejnents, improved and unimproved, on
advantageous terms, from tiie earlier settlers, who, in many in-
stances contemplate m(!ving further westward to take advantage
of the hunting and trading on the prairie, and a farmer havi ig
some capital would oft(m ])refer to settle near churches, schools,
Dost office, (Sic, (fee. The land list ])uhlished in January, 1870.
by A. W. Burrows, (leneral Land Agent, Winni})(>g, is a proof
of what we say, as in it farms in the neighbourhood of Winui-
[»eg, Portage la Prairie, Emerson, Stone^ Mountain, and oth(?r
good localities, are offered at from !!?2 to $7 per acre.

Ilalf-Breed Scrip, payable to boa -er in IfiO acres of Dominion
lands, can be bought at about ;")() cents per acre, or less, and are
extensively used by incomin • settlers for location of Govern-
ment lands.

The Half-Breed Reserves, 1,400,000 acres, immediately sui"-
rourding the, capital of the Province, and the old settlements on
the Assiniboine River, which are now in process of distribution
to the children of Half-Breeds, in parcels of 240 acres, will
change haiids largely at reasonable p ";ces, and rapidly be-
coming settled, will hereafter teem with prosperous cultivation.

Without going into particulars, we may mention the follow-
ing localities of surveyed lands which arc now open for settle-
ment : —

DOMINION LANDS NOTICE.

Notice is hereby given that, on and after the 1st day of June,
1874, the Dominion Lands in Manitoba and the North- West
Territories will, until further notice, be divided into the follow-
ing Land Districts, viz :

District No. l,i'i charge of Head Office at Winnipeg, will
comprise all lands open for sale and settlement, North of the
Township line between Townships 7 and 8, and East of Lake
Manitoba, and the Range line between Ranges 5 and 6, to-
gether with the settlement belt, and all lands claimed under
the provisions of the 31st and 32nd clauses of the ** Manitoba
Act."

District No. 2, with i+s office at Emerson, will comprise all
lands open for sale and settlement South of the Township line
between Townshiys 7 and 8, and the International Boundary.

District No. 3, with its office at Westbourne, will comprise
all lands open for sale and settlement North of the Township

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

lin«^ between Townships 7 and H, and West of 'Lake Munitoha
and the Range line between Jianges f) and H.

All applications to purchase or Homestead Dominion Lands
must be made to the otfic(n' in charge of the District within
which the lands api)lied for an^ situated.

Donated Codd,
A(/erif of /Jominion Lands.
Dominion Lands OtHce,

Winnipeg, May Lst, 1874.

District No. L — There is very little land open for settlement
in this district, as the; best locations have been already claimed.
Vou can obtain good land, however, by purchase of half-breed
rights and settlers' claims.

District No. 2. — Then; an; the gnsater portion of ninety-five
townships oj)en for settlemi^nt, and some of the finest land in
the Province is included in them, especially that in the direc-
tion of the Pembina Mountains.

District No, 3. — Tl:ere are the greater portion of 154 town-
ships still open for settlement, and the land in the neighbour-
hood and westward of Palestine is splendid rolling prairie, with
wood, water and hay in plenty.

Who will say, therefore, that there is no land within the
limits of Manitoba or in its immediate nt ighbourhood open for
settlement, and what inducement can there be for the immi-
grant to pass thousands of acres of fine country, with all the
refjuisites for farming, and adjoining established settlements,
to go away beyond them, where, perhaps, he and his family-
will have to undergo foj years all the hardships and incon-
veniences of a pioneer life 1 We advise immigrants to locate,
if not within Manitoba, at least as near its limits as possible,
and, in addition, would reiterate what we have already said,
that there is plenty of fine land to be obtained in the Pro-
vince, and no necessity for going beyond it.

Should a settler, however, wish to take up a claim on unsur-
veyed land outside the Province, his plan is to locate, and com-
mence making improvements wherever he may find a desirable
spot.

If he should be unable to select a spot suited to his ideas
within the limits of the Province, we would advise him to go
westward beyond Palestine, and take up a claim as near the
settlement as he can find one to please him. To do this he
will require to act as follows. He may settle wherf ver he finds
a place to suit him, and the Government has provided for his
case as follows : —

" Any land over and above the amount allowed to a settler under
the Homestead Law, he will have to pay for at the Government
price of ^1 per acre up to G40 acres. "

A PRAOTIOAI. HAND HOOK AND OUIDE

Kvery person claiming a Ilomostoad Right on surveyed land
niUht, previous to settlement on such land, he duly onteretl
therefor with the Local Atjent within wiios*; district such land
may he situate, hut in case of a claim from at;tual setthnnent
in tlien unsurveyed lands, the claimant must Hie such api)lica-
tion within three months after due notice shall have heen re-
ceived at the local office of such land having hecsn surveyed,
and the survey thereof confirmed, and proof of settlement and
improvement shall he made to the local agent at the time of
filing such application.

Any person can purchase by scrip any (piantity of unoccu-
pied land, surveyed or unsurveyed.

The Government has, in the Dominion Lands Act, provided
as follows for the purchase of land, and, for grazing, hay and
wood : —

ORDINARY PURCHASE AND SALE OF LANDS.

Unappropriated Dominion lands, the surveys of which may
have been duly made and confirmed, shall, exce[)t as otherwise
hcrrdnafter provided, be open for purciiase at the rate of one
<l()llar per acre ; but no Fuch purchase of more than a section,
or six hundred and forty .icres, shall be made by the same per-
son ; provided, that whenever so ordered by the Minister of
the Interior, such unoccupied lands «as may be deemed by him
exi)edient from time to time may be withdrawn from ordinary
sale or settlement and offered at public sale (of which sale due
and sufiicient notice shall be given), at the upset price of ont^
dollar per acre, and sold to the highest bidder.

PAYMENT FOR LANDS.

Payments for lands, purchased in the ordinary manner, shall
be made in cash, e}:cept in the case of payment by scrip or in
military bounty warrants as hereinbefore provided.

GRAZING LANDS.

The Governor in Council may, from tim«,' to time, grant
leases of unoccupied Dominion Lands for grazing i)urposes to
any person or persons whomsoever for such term of years and
at such rent in each case as may be deemed expedient ; but
every such lease shall, among other things, contain a condition
by which, if it should thereafter be thought expedient by the
Minister of Interior to offer the land covered thereby for set-
tlement, the said Minister may, on giving the lessee two years
notice, cancel the lease at any time during the term.

TO MANITOUA AND THE N0RT1I-WE8T.

GJ)

HAY LANDS.

Loa3(!8 of unoccu|)i«Ml Dominion lands, not «'XC(MHlin<,' in hun
caso a legal Hii})-(livi.sion of forty acres, may he granted for the
pnrpose of cutting hay thcron, to any person or persons wlumi-
hoever, heing Ixnui fide settlers in the vicinity of such hay lands,
for such t(^rni and at such rent fixed hy puhlic aiu;tion or other-
wise^ as the Minister- of the Interior may decMu <^xpediont ; hut
such lease, (!xc(!pt as may he otlun-vise s{)ecially agreed upon,
shall not operate to prtiveut,at any time duiingthe term thereof,
the sale or settlement of the lands d»!scrihed therein under
the provisions of this Act, the lessee heing paid in such case hy
the purchaser or settler, for fencing or other improvements
made on such land, such sum as shall he Hxed hy the liocal
Agent, and allowed to remove any hay he may have made.

The Miidster of the Interior may direct that, in the sub
division of townships which may consist partly of prairie and
[)artly of timber land, such of the sections or subdivisions of
sections containing islands, b(dts, or other tracts of timber,
shall be subdivided into such number of wood lots of not less
than ten, and not more than tw(inty acres in each lot, as will
afford, so far jis the extent of wood land in the township may
permit, one such wood lot to each (luarter-section prairie farm
in such township :

Provided, that neither the sections and parts of sections in
each township vested in the Hudson's Bay Company by this
Act, nor those sections set apart herein for schools, shall be
subject in any way to the operation of the next preceding
sub-clause :

3. The division of such wood lots shall be by squared posts,
numbered from one upwards, marked with a marking iron, and
planted in the section line bounding the timber tract so laid
out ; and each wood lot shall front on a section road allowance.

Provided, that in case an island or belt of timber be found
in the survey of any township to lie in a quarter-section or
several quarter-sections, but in such manner that no single
quarter-section shall have more of such timber than twenty-
five acres, such timber shall be taken to be appurtenant to such
quarter-section or (quarter-sections, and shall not be further
divided into wood lots :

5. The Local Agent, as settlers shall apply for Homestead
Rights in the township, arid in the same order as such applica-
tions shall be made, shall, if so requested, apportion to each
quarter-section so applied for, one of the adjacent wood lots,
and such wood lot shall be paid for by the applicant at the rate
of one dollar per acre, and shall be entered on the Local Agent's
books and be returned by him as in connection with the home-

A PRACTICAL HAND BOOK AND GUIDE

2.
3.
4.

stead so entered ; and on such homestead claimant fulfilling all
the requirements of this Act in that behalf, but not otherwise,
a patent shall issue to him for such wood lot :

G. Provided, that any homesL.:ad claimant, who, previous to
the issue of the patent shall sell any of the timber on his claim,
or on the wood lot appertaining to his claim, to saw mill pro-
prietors or to any other than settlers for their own private use,
shall be guilty of a trespass, and may be prosecuted therefor
before a Justice of the Peace, and upon conviction thereof, shall
be subject to a fine or imprisonment, or both ; and further
such person shall forfeit his claim absolutely.

It is our opinion that an immigrant would be unwise to go
far beyond the line of settlement, or to undertake to go to the
Saskatchewan in advance of civilization, for the following rea-
sons :

The heavy cost of getting to his claim.

His isolation until settlements reach him.

The high cost for procuring the necessaries of life.

The distance from a market ; even with the chance of sell-
ing his produce to traders and others, his profits would be eateii
up by the cost of procuring necessaries which he is unable to
laise on his farm.

5. His isolation from churches and schools.

6. The nearer he keeps to the line of settlement the quicker
will he obtain all the benefits of civilization, especially as the
march of development is rapid in this country.

It is ibr this reason that we condemn the idea of inducing
immigrants to go to the North-West in advance of settlements,
and before proper means of communication are opened up to
that vast country.

It must not bs understood, however, tliat we have any de-
sire to belitf'i3 tne Saskatchewan country, on the contrary we
are of opinion that in the near future that great territory will
atford homes foi thousands of liardy and industrious farmers ;
and we are also aware that as far as climate, soil, and other ad-
vantages are concerned, the Saskatchewan is equal to Manitoba.
But cur desire is not to mislead people for the mere purpose
of advancing immigration, and the development of the country
will be sufficiently promoted by allowing the progress of settle-
ments to be uradual rather than scattered in its character.

The Province of Manitoba although young, possesses most of
the elements of civilization, and it is the centre for these to
extend from and spread throughout the entire north-\\est. By
adopting this plan of immigrants locating as near the centre of
civilization as possible, our settlements will be more compact,
and the new settlers will feel more contented and hap})y when
not too far removed from comforts to which they were accus-
tomed in the countries from which they came.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTHWEST.

We have already given the prices of articles in Manitoba,
and it is for the intending settler to decide whether to bring
iiis household effects and farming implements with him, or pur-
chase a new outfit on his arrival here. He will be able to judge
bi'tter when he ascertains from the transportation companies,
tiie cost of bringing old articles to this country, whether it will
be butter to sell them and purchase new ones in Manitoba.

The settler having made good use of the summer months,
will find himself in the fall, possessed of a house, stables, and
a supply of hay for his cattle, l)esides which ho may have
realized a small crop from his farm. When winter comes, he
will find employment in cutting and turning fence rails to en-
clop^ his fields in the spring. He will have firewood to cut,
and may collect the timber for a better house, and more stabling
accommodation to be erected the succeedintf summer. If the
settler arrives in early spring or summer, it will be better for
him to bring his family with him. The females can be of great
service to him in many ways, and the young men or boys can
assist him in the field and in the erection of his buildings.
If they come overland from Moorhead, it will be better to con-
tinue to camp instead of going to a hotel, nut only as a miitter
of expense, but also of health, as a frequent change from camp
to house, and from house to camp, is not beneficial to health.

If the settler should find it impossible to arrive here before
the fall, his best plan is to come alone without his family, and
to simply decide upon a location, and if practicable, erect a h(uise
thereon. This done, he is in a position to receive his family
early the next spring, but if he is obliged to bring his folks
with him in the fall, let him attend without delay to the
building of a house, and procuring hay for his cattle, which can
be done even thus late in the season if care is taken. The
winter can then be employed as usual, in getting out fence rails
kc, and the breaking of land will have to remain till the
spring.

The rapid development of the country and the establishment
of tov/ns and villages will for years to come cause a demand for
intchanical labour and skill. This can be easily seen, and there-
fore mechanics of all k''ids are sure to meet with employment
at remunerative wages. The manufacturing interests of the
country are only in their infancy and must rapidly become de-
veloped, it is not too much therefore to say that the demand for
mechanical labour must increase, and a good opening presents
Itself to artizans of every description. Wages at present are
nood and must remain so while the demand for labour exists.

We will now conclude with a few remarks in regard to the
future prospects of the North- West, and the country immedi-
ately outside the limits of the Province. It cannot be denied
that the lands within the confines of Manitoba are being rapidly

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

taker

and althouirh for

many years to come there will be
oi)portunities to procure suitable locations within the Province,
the extension of the boundaries of Manitoba is only a question
of a short time, and those who settle near the present limits
will soon find themselves within the Province.

The country to the westward of Palestine and Beautiful
Plains is one continuous prairie, with bluffs and creeks lined
with wood. The land is excellent, and the settler is not obliged
to go as far as the Saskatchewan to find a new home for his
family. There is abundance of land of the very best descrip-
tion, with plenty of wa> •, wood, and hay, to be found nearer
home. So, settler, keep as near a market for your produce as
you possibly can. When the Canada Pacific Kailway is built
through to the Saskatchewan country, affording communication
with that vast territory, it will be time enough for immigrants
to pour in, but until then let each man coming to the country
with his family keep as near the line of existing settlements as
he possibly can.

It appears to us unnecessary to speak of the future of this
great country — -the tale is told in a few words.

A vast territory which cannot be surpassed in the world for
agricultural purposes ; abundance of wood, water and hay, for
the farmer, and a liberal policy to enable settlers to take up
land ; railways in progress, and others projected to intersect
the entire country, and carry the products to eastern markets.

Where there is a fine agricultural country, the merchant must
succeed, and when it is considered that the vast territory of
unoccupied land in the United States has been proved to be
little better than barren waste, it is not difficult to see that the
tide of emigration from the older portions of the world must
flow towards the north-west, and as the country thus rapidly
fills with population, its commerce must extend and expand in
proportion.

In reference to what we have stated in regard to the United
States, we will conclude by quoting the words of Professor
Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington.

He says : " we have stated that the entire region, west of the
98th degree of west longitude, with the exception of a small
portion of western Texas, and t-he main border along the Pacific,
is a country of comparatively little value to the agriculturist ;
and perhaps it will astonish the reader if we direct his atten-
tion to the fact that this line, that passes southward from Lake
Winnipeg to the Gulf of Mexico, will divide the whole surface
of the United States into two neai'ly equal parts. This statement,
when fully appreciated, will serve to dissipate some of the
dreams, which have been considered realities as to the destiny of
the western part of the North American continent. Truth,
however, transcends even the laudable feelings of pride and

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

country, and in order properly to direct the policy of this great
confederacy" (the United States), "it is necessary to be well
acquainted with the theatre in which its future history is to be
re-enacted."

Now, looking upon that picture and on this, let us draw the
comparison. Upon the northern edge of that great Sahara,
we have the valleys of the Red River and Saskatchewan, car-
rying their rich and grassy undulations to the gorges of tlie
Rocky mountains ; forming an isolated belt of verdure across
the Avestern half of the British American continent, an isthmus
of fertile and habitable lands between the Arctic wastes, which
extend to the frozen ocean on the north, and the vast deserts
•between the Mississippi River and the Pacific coast.

EXTRACTS FROM LOCAL PAPERS

AND CORRESPONDENCE,

To prove the correctness of the Pamphlet.

THE SOIL.

Bludgett (an American authority) states that " the basin of
the Winnipeg is the seat of the greatest average wheat product
on this continent, and probably in the looiid. The limestone
substrata of this region, and its rich, deep, and calcareous loam
on retentive clay subsoil, is always associated vith a rich wheat
development, while its hot and humid summers fulfil all tlie
climatological conditions of a first-rate wheat country. Some
fields on the Red River have been known to produce twenty
successive crops of wheat without fallow or manure, and the
yield has frequently reached as high as forty bushels per acre.
An important feature in the soil of Manitoba and the North-
West is, that its earthy materials are minutely pulverized, and
the soil is everywhere light, mellow and spongy. With these
uniform characteristics, the soils are of different grades oi fertil-
ity, according to local situations. A general ingredient of the soil
is sand, o^M-Iiich silica is the base, as of all good soils. It plays
an important part in the economy of growth, and is an essen-
tial constituent in the organism of all cereals. We are told
that about sixty-seven per cent, of the ash of the stems of wheat,
corn, rye, barley, oats, etc., is pure silica, or flint. It is this
which gives the glazed coating to the plants, and gives strength
to the stalk." Now, this silica is an acid and is insoluble, but
readily combines with lime, soda, magnesia, potash, and the
other ingredients of our soil, and in this condition is readily

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

available to the use of the plant, and forms an essential element'
to the grovvtli of the cereals ; from this and other causes is at-
tributable the superiority of our wheat over all other grown
east or south.

The packages of Manitoba earth are on exhibition at Ottawa,
and experts there say that the soil catinot be rivalled by any
other spot on earth. The specimens were taken from the Lit-
tle Saskatchewan, and between the Portage and Winnipeg.

THE CLIMATE.

The first cricket match played in British North Ameiica this
year came otl' Monday afternoon in this city. Sides were
chosen by the Mayor and Mr. Richards. Although there has
been very little time for practice, some excellent play was
shown, some of the cricketers showing up in good form. The
other side won the match. — \lth Ajjril, 187G.

The difference : — New England States, the heaviest snow
stoim of the season ; Manito])a — most enjoyable weather.
Comparisons are always odious.— Sih April, 1876.

Ontario papers are filled with items about the heated term.
How we can sit down and enjoy the cool breezes that waft over
the Prairie Province, and pity our sweltering brothers down
cant.— July dth, 1876.

Look at this picture :

" If several inches of snow, temperature below zero, and a
blinding snow-drift constitute winter, then the genuine article
has come. Saturday night and all Sunday it snowed, and the
Ice King ruled ii; all his terror. The weather since has gra-
dually relaxed, and nature smiles in sunshine, while the roads
yawn in coagulated mud." — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Gazette,
October 20th.

And on this :

The weather in Manitoba at the same date was cloudy, but
had been fair the previous week, and glorious Indian summer
prevailed.

The extreme cold weather said to prevail in Manitoba does
not prevent the work of grading on the Canada Pacific Railway
being carried on. And the question arises — could similar
work be done in any other Province of the Domimon in the
winter season ?

AVhen our little snow storm of the 4th ult. came upon us,
nearly every person expected winter at once, and as scarcely
any of our settlers had their potatoes and other vegetables
up, all were in a state of anxiety so long as the snow remained.
The fine weather which set in immediately after its disappear-
ance, and continues up to the present, has given ample time
for getting the root crop safely stored, as well as for getting the

TO 'jp^NITOBA AND THE NORTH WE'T.

/•)

Diitbuildings in shape for winter. Coiisi(lei'al)le ploiiQ-hinii; is

1-1 loo

i)eing done.

Mr. D. Porteous has been threshing, and his grain is turning
out well. From foiu' acres of barley he threshed 280 bushels,
or 70 bushels per acre. Threshing has not, gimerally speaking,
commenced. — OUotxir liOth, 187G.

A gentleman who left Ontario in the midst of a snow storm
was astonished to find on his arrival here that Manitoba was
enjoying perfect Florida weather He thinks that " 1 yper-
l)orean" is more applicable to other places than the Prairie
Vvoy'mcii.—OcitAn- 2\st, 1876.

First Howers found on the Prairie, April IGth.

First ploughing, April 17th.

First wild fowl seen, April 6th.

MANITOBA WHEAT.

5
J

:1.
r-

le
le

So^rE Wheat. — Messrs. John R. McMillan, and John Wil-
liams, of liockwood, have raised a quantity of wheat which
weighs sixty -six pounds to the bushel. Forty -six bushe'-i
were taken to Pritchard's Mill, St. Paul's, and each sixty
pounds of Avheat gave the following returns: — 42. V lbs. flour,
4^ lbs. middlings, 21- lbs. coarse shorts, Sh lbs. bran, 2 lbs.
allowed for dust and dirt, and passing through the smut ma-
chine, stones, and bolts. The flour, we were told, compares
with any other manufactured either inside or outside the Pro-
vince. The wheat was raised on new land, and was the first
crop the land produced. This exhibit was an excellent one,
and any one who fancies he can beat it is recpiested to send on
his figures.

•' We have been shown some fine samples of wheat grown
by Mr. Basler, at Little Saskatchewan. The wheat, which
averages forty bushels to the acre, weighs sixty-eight pounds
to the bushel. Mr. B. came to this country with Mr. Ralston
in 1874, possessed of scarcely any of this world's goods, but
now, notwithstanding the terrible ordeal through which the
country has gone, is in comparatively easy circumstances, hav-
ing this year five acres each in wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes.
from which he secured splendid crops, lie also now owns a
good house, ten head of cattle, and pigs, poultry, etc."

" Fine Wheat. — An extraordinary fine sample of wheat
grown by Adam McKenzie, of Beautiful Plains, has been shown
us by Kobt. Rolston. The wheat, of which two thousand
bushels were raised, is hard, plump, and bright ; and is said to
have averaged from 60 to 68 lbs, per bushel. Some taken to
C. P. Brown's mill, Palestine, produced 46 lbs. of flor*- to the
bushel."

" Another Sample of Fine Whkat. — A sample of the

A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK AND |»UIDE

finest looking spring wheat we think we ever saw, has been
handed us, raise! liv Mr, Joseph W. Johnston, of the Boyne.
Prom a bushel and a hali 's sowing, forty bushels were harvested.
The kernels are large, and the skin is very light in colour and
thin. It weighs sixty-four pounds to the bushel. We do not
knn"' the name of the variety."

" An extraordinary yield is slmwn l)y the following : Seventy
bushels of Avheat were threshed from a field where two bushels
of seed were sown. Tiie happy agriculturist is our old friend
Tom Taylor, of Mapleton."

MANITOBA OATS.

"Oats. — Mr. Thos. West has on exhibition the product of
one oat grain, a stool of 92 stems. On one of the stems he
counted 121 grains of oats. He lias a number of other very
jirolific stools, gi'own in his garden in the north ward."

"Oats.— Mr. A. H. Murray, M.P.P., has just completed the
threshing out of the first seven acres of oats threshed in the
parish of St. Charles this season, the gratifying result being
ninety bushels to the acre ! Next !"

" Oats. — Andrew Ness, of St. Charles, sowed two bushels
of Surprise oats, and harvested one hundred from them. The
ground sown was only about three-fourths of an acre."

" Twenty acres of Mr. Sifton's two hundred acre field of
oats have been threshed out, and yielded seventy-five bushels
to the acre. The remainder will keep up the average."

MANITOBA BARLEY.

" Crops. — Mr. Roderick McKenzie, an old settler of Head-
ingly, last week threshed out the product of four bushels of
barley, which yielded 120 bushels, and of ten bushels of oat.^.
which yielded over 350 bushels "

MANITOBA ROOTS AND VEGETABLES.

" Gakden Truck. — Mr. Egan, of Kildonan, is doing won-
ders in this line, having had ripe tomatoes since the middle '' 1
August in abundance. Some roots of mangold wurtzel challenge
the Province for size. A specimen shown measured three feel
and a half in length and had grown two feet above ground.
Send along your items and samples."

Another Whoppep. — We were told recently of a radish
grown in a garden in this city which measures 2 ft. 5| in.
from the base of the first leaf to the tip. Next !

ROOTS AND VEGETABLES.

{Extract from Report of Manitoba Provincial Show of 187G.)
The display in this class is decidedly the " big thing " of

Tc MANITOBA AND THE NORTII-VVKST,

i i

the show. The '* products of Manitoba " exhibited excelled
• veil tiic expoctatioiis of the most sanguine believers in the
Prairie Province — and most certainly their huge dimensions-
and unpaialleled excellence could not be surpasseil. Indeed,
t ho exhibit is so large that it is almost impossil)le to notice it
in detail. In ({uality and variety the exiiibit Is far beyond
that of any former year, and many visitors from Ontario pro-
nounce it to be superior to any tiling they ever saw — the Cen-
'ennial not excepted. In potatoes the early rose was the most
numerous, bu'- there were also some magnificent specimens of
Peerless, California, Snowfiake, English, and Early Regent, and
I number of good looking varieties unnamed. There are also
several lots of seedlings of this year, but of course too small to
show any marked characteristics. It is, however, a pleasing
sign that attention is being directed to the creation of varieties
suited to the country.

Cabbages of all kinds and of immense size are exhibited.
-Vlr. Egan, of Kildonan, took the first prize for winter cabbage,
with a specimen that measured four feet in circumference, and
very solid. Rev. Mr. Pritchard, St. Paul's, has one that
nieasures fifty inches in circumference. The first prize for a
collection was awarded to John Arkland, of St. James, and
the second to William Laurie, of tiiis city.

Turnips weighing 3G lbs. are among the monstrosities in this
line. The best specimens of white turnips were shown by Mr,
Macdonald, of Springfield, but he failed to get a prize because
he entered them under a wrong name. The varieties shown
were chiefly Swedish, yellow Aberdeen, and white.

Carrots, parsnips, mangold wurtzel, turnip and long beet,
some fine sugar beets, were in great profusion and puzzled the
judges not a little.

There were enough ripe tomatoes and melons on exhibition
to show that with care they can be raised in this country.

A number of the entries in this class were weighed, with the
results given below. The articles, it must be remembered,
were not specially selected but picked out at haphazard. The
t-arly rose potatoes which gained the first prize averaged two
pounds each, and others of the same variety, which did not
carry otf prizes, averaged but half a pound less. There were,
however, potatoes of greater weight exhibited. The 1st prize
winter drumhead cabbages weighed 25 lbs. and 23| lbs., and
another one balanced the scales at 23 lbs., there also being a
large number nearly reaching the same weight. The first prize
cauliflower, stripped of leaves, weighed G^ lbs. only ; but one
to which no prize was given Ijrouglit down the balance at 12^
l!)s. The latter, however, was dirty and spoiled, and was thus
<lebarred from gaining a prize. A 19 1 lb. mangold wurtzel
didn't even take a third prize — nor did a 30^ lb. turnip. A

A PRACTICAL HANK TJOOK AND GUIDE

Swede weighed 21 h lbs., but also failed to carry off any honours,
excepting admiration, ami a wliite turniy) 19i lbs. The first
prize beet weighed 8 lbs., and a sugar beet of the same weight
carried off the third prize only. Six carrots averaged over two
pounds each, and in i)arsnips 2| and 21 lbs. specimens were
})lentiful. Three white onions weighed a pound apiece, and
three red ones totted up 2| pounds — and yet these were not
honoured with prize tickets. These few figures will give our
readers at a distance some faint idea <'f the magnificence of the
display in this line, in which Manitoba takes second place to
none.

Melons ripen to perfectio'% and ^ur garden vegetables are
beyord anything I have se - iv liri* 'a or the Northern
States. Turni})-radishes for ns-.tnii ,;• . caching the enormous
weight of four pounds (measu: : ?' inches in circumference
and 9 in depth), and retaining aii the g ^ qualities ai)pertain-
ing to the smaller varieties.

Cauliflowers measuring twenty-two inches across, being by
no means the exception. In proof of the earliness of our gar-
den we, to-day, enjoyed the first salad of the season grown in
the open air. — June litk, 1876.

Mr. Sondormann, of the city, has any quantity of large
tomatoes, and a Kohl-rabi as big as his head. Mr. Corbett, of
Springfield, possesses a squash as big as an average-sized flour
barrel.

Green corn is offered at twenty-five cents, and cabl)ages at
thirty-five cents a dozen ; new potatoes at fifty to sixty ce ^'"s a
bushel. — August 5th, 1870.

At Piatt's boarding house, Selkirk, there is a beet si.v feet
seven inches in length, of course including the tops.

Some fine ears of corn were brought into the city, Satnrdaj .
by Mr. Longbottom — the first of the season. — AuyuM bill,
1876.

THE PROVINCIAL FAIR.

Thirty pound cabljagi^s and turnips, 31b. potatoes and Brob-
dignonian vegetables generally arc so common that the mar
\ellous show of them was only surprising to strangers.

A quantity of very fine tomatoes, which were being raised
by Mr. Richard Egan, of Kildonan, for exhibition at the Pro
vincial Agricultural Society's Show in October, were stolen th(^
other evening from his garden.

The Manitoba Products. — Mr. McLaughlin writes from
Hamilton respecting his show of Manitoba products at the fair
there, that the turnips, onions, rod cal)bage and potatoes would
have taken the prize over anything exhibited. Though the
grains were not a good sample, they attracted great attention.
He could have sold bushels of them for seed at very high prices.

TO MANITOBA AND T»E NORTHWEST.

and was offered twenty-five cents each for the potatoes — no two
of the early rose potatoes which took the prize there would
weigh as much as any one of his Vould. No feature of the
show attracted half as much attention as the Manitoba tent,
and he was kept busy all the time explaining features of the
map. Mr. McL. prophecies an unusual immigration next year.

MANITOBA POTATOES.

Potatoes. — James Sinclair, of Greenwood, gathered 202 lbs.
of Snowflake potatoes from one pound planted.

Mr. Omand, of St. James, comes to the front with a five
pound potato, which has been secured by Mr. Rolston, who
will send it to Ontario for the people there to gaze at.

Mr. F. C. Shipp, of Point Douglas, lifted in his garden,
Saturday, a potato weighing just four pounds. This w-^s grown
upon land which has been cropped for the past fort} :ev ~

Manitoba is not only to be noted for its huge p taoo' but
also for the enormous yield of the tubers. A quarte • v. ro patch,
oelonging to Mr. J. W. Sifton, of the C. P. T ^^ ar. led out
two hundred and seventy-five iDushels — an avenge r "leven
hundred bushels to the acre.

liecentW, seventy-six potatoes were taken fro. i ue hill by
Mr. Kenderson, of this city, of which fifty-five were larger
than hen's eggs. This is illustrative of the wonderful produc-
tiveness of this country, and shows that it is no " small potatoes,
and few in a hill."

Mr. Barclay, of Stony Mountain, this season, tried potatoes
on first ploughing of land, partly and thinly coAcred by low
bush j he had doubts, as to the result, as it is desirable generally
to first plough the land and rot the sod prior to seeding ; the
result, however, was a most surprising crop under the circum-
stances, the return having measured 4G0 l)ushels of large healthy
potatoes to the acre.

Tremendous Yield. — Mr. Mullard, of Victoria, got one
pound of potatoes from Hamilton of the Early Snowflake
variety, from which he has raised one hundred and sixty-one
pounds. Mr. M. expects his whole potato crop to average
over five hundred bushels to the acre.

Mr. F. J, Hosken has some magnificent specimens of pota-
toes grown in his garden at St. Boniface west, of the English
Regent variety, imported from P]ngland. From one hill six
huge ones, and a patent pail of smaller ones, were taken. Mr.
H. intends sending samples to London, England, and show
those at home what Manitoba can produce.

An Ontario paper which always thought our stories of the
great size of Manitoba products were considerably larger than
the vegetables, admits that its impressions were wrong, the

A PRACTi'AIi ifANU-BOOK AND (iUIUE

editor luiving hcxm convinced by ii gcnilenion whose veracity
caniiol l)(! (jU(!Htion(!d, who statecl tliat he himself had seen four
pound niurphicH chig up from a patch here. This is only
another instance of the correctness of the saying ; " Truth is
mighty, and will ))n;vail."

We wvnt shown some; n^markahle potatoes from the garden
of Mr. John lliggins, of tlic city. They are of the Ivirly Rose
varieties, and will average jit least one pound each throughout
th(! field, while numbers can ))e picked tluit weigh two and
three jtound.M. It is also rc^markalile, that these potatoes are
all .solid, and as mealy as any murphy tiver grown. Some of
th(^ hills turn up one or two tubers with respectable sized
potatoes stucK all over them, each cluster being as much us the
usual produce of a hill elsewhere. Mr. Higgins says that this
( ountry is the i)aradise for Irishmen, as it undoubtedly grows
better " praties " than any other place in the world.

MANITOBA TURNIPS.

Mr. J. n. Clarke, on the Drever Farm, St. James, has seven
acres in turnips — three acres of yellow Aberdeen, .and four of
Swedish, the product of which is beyond the average — the
fornu'r about 1,200 bushels per acre, and the latter 1,000.
In the ab.sencc of a lively market for this sale, Mr. C. intends
feeding them to sheep and cattle.

John Taylor, Ileadingly, says, that he has a field of turnips of
enormous size ; one turnip which he weighed turns the scales
at eighteen and a half })ounds.

MANITOBA GENERAL CROPS.

Mr. Wiuram of Sunnyside, was in town lately, and reports
the crops in that township as averaging more under the thresher
than was expected — wheat turning out 25 to 30 bushels, oats
Tf), barley 50. The former is much better in quality than an-
ticipated, and the oats and barley are extra fine grains.

Cuci'S.— Mr. Gillis, of St. Andrew's, reports 195 bushels of
oats, from three and a half acres of breaking ; Mr. John Eraser,
uf Ivildonan, 70 bushels of oats per acre ; Mr. Good, of Grass-
mere, 37 bushels of wheat to the acre, and 54| bushels of oats
per acre from freshly broken .sod. Send on your reports and
samples.

The settleis aU)ng the Dawson Road have had gootl crops.
Messrs Mc(^)uade, Wright, Nesbit, Robertson and Dunlop, report
wheat, oats, and barley, fully up to the average of our report.
Settlers here have good stacks of hay saved, and are realizing
cash therefor at good prices. A considerable breaking of land
is being doiie, so that next year the area sown will probably be

TO MANITOBA AND THK NORTII-WEHT.

double that of this season. Prairio chickens are tol(!rai»lv
plentiful, but rather wild.

The Mes.srs. Mclvor, of (ireenwood, wore in town, Tuesday,
:ind report that their threshing' machine has put through this
season Ii5,0()0 huslu-ls of i^'rain. it is now working at I'ortaj^r
la Prairie, where most all the threshers of tiic l*rovince are
gathered. Th(*y also report, in their opinion, that of all the
grain they have threshed, wheat will average 35 luislnds to the
acre; barley, 50 bushels; and oats 75. Of wheat tlw^ have
threshed as high as 50 bushels to the acre. The best wheat
will be kept for seed.

To the Editor of the Free I'retin.

The threshing machines are busy here now, and I .send you
the following, which I vouch for : —

My neighbour, Mr. Wm. McLeod, sowed twelve; bushels of
oats upon six acres of land, and threshed six hundred bushels
of good oats, full measure. The oats stood uncut fully ten days
after they were ripe. As his wheat and oats both came in to
gether, the oats must have shaken at least eight bu.duds to each
acre. His wheat averaged thirty-four bushels to the acre. Mr.
Donald McKav threshed 1,100 bushels of oats from ten and a
half acres of land. I could name many who thnjshed from
ninety to one hundred bushels to tlu; acre. 1 would like to
know if there is any other place " < this Provinc*;, 1 may add in
the Dominion, that can beat High Bluff! If so, have the
figures sent on. The abovo is perfectly reliable.

Jamks Wiiimstku.

Dec. 27th, 1876.

About the good crops in Manitoba, the Toronto Mail has the
following cheering words: — " This is a year of abundant crops
in Manitoba. Mr. J. 0. Smith, of Sessions, Cooper & Smith,
Toronto, returned the other day from a visit to the Prairie
Province, and reports that the yield there this year is splendid.
He saw fields of oats and timotliy hay averaging five feet in
height, and we have been shown samples of oats, wheat, and
barley, given him by Mr. William Mars, of High Pluff, which
indicate a most luxuriant growth. The average this year is
placed at seventy bushels per acre for oats, and fifty bushels
per acre for wheat and barley. He found, on the 3rd of August,
turnips growing from seed sown two months before, that had
then reached the circumference of eighteen, twenty, and twenty-
two inches. The samples of Manitoba grain r(;ferred to, picked,
while growing, may be seen in the otlice of the firm, on Front
street. The large crop of this year cannot fail to give Manitoba
a start, and the date when the new Province will have r.toduce
for exportation is evidently now rapidly drawing near."

A PaACTICAL IIAND-DOOK AND GUIDE

Kvory wlicio throu^Lfliout tho country tlui buoy liuni of tln'
threshing macliiiu! is lu'iinl, nud lh«' fjirnHsrs arc jubilant over
tbe results. Notwithstanding the uiuisually trying harvest the
crops in many cas(!s are turning out very fine. In a recent
drive tlirough the townships of east Red llivor we noticed a
specially good sample of wheat passing through the macliim;
on the place of Mr. Forbes, his crop of (U){) bushels averaging
thirty bushels to the acre. Messrs. Tuson, Macdonald, James
Archibald, Corbett, Ogilvie, and otiiers, of Springfield, report
very fine grains, witli yield fully up to the average reported.
Oats and barley are generally of uiuisually fine (juality and pro-
ductiveness. Mr. (}eorg(^ Miller, of Cook's Creek, on a sowing
of two acres of fn^sh broken sod, reaped eighty })ushels of first-
class oats. Mr. Fullerton reports a fine yield of hulless oats.
Mr, W. .1. Allan has some fin(i grains of Montana rye and
wheat of good promise from a few seeds sent to him from
Montana last s])i'ing. Messrs. Ross and Ed(!, and in fact all
the farnuu's of Sunnyside, are wcdl satisfied with their splendid
prospects for the future. The country everywhere presents a
novel and gratifying appearance, in being dotted with stacks of
grain in every direction the eye may turn. Farmers, though
selling a load or two of wheat at the present piices for immedi-
ate necessity, are inclined to hold the bulk of their croi)s for a
dollar per bushel.

MANITOBA HAY.

The weather remains fair aiul warm, and the season of In-
dian summer seems likely to continue late into tho fall. Even
now a few of the dawdlers in husbandry have but just carted
the last of their hay, and had the season contitnied stormy and
wet some of the cattle would have fared lightly during the
winter months off even the dry and stalky stuff which has last
been taken from the ground. It is a fact but little appreciated
by the practical farmers, though well known amongst their
more scientific brethren, that the earliest grass crop, cut when
in riower or when the seed is just forming, yields a far moie
nutritious, though less bulky, food, than the more mature i)ro-
duce : and that the same stock will thrive better and keep in
better condition — and with less waste — on the average yield of
the younger and sweeter hay, than they will on the older ami
coarser feed, tak(ju after the sap lias subsided and the saccha-
rine matter has hardened into seed.

The hay crop is of the most luxuriant character, and is now
ready to cut. The legal date for entering on public land to
cut hay is the 15th of July.

TO MANITOBA AND TlIK NOHTII WKST.

MANITOnA FRUIt.

Suawlxiirios und ^roon jioas and m«'\v potatoes arc amongst
tlu' luxuri<K that can be tunnel in sumo private liousohoiJ.s. —
Jail/ 1, 1870.

Large (juantitieH of blueberries are brouglit into tlio city and
readily disposed of nt from fifteen to eighteen cents a (piart. —

Juiij 21), iH7(;. ^

A hundred ])ounder water melon is to be found in lion.
James McKay's gard(!n. This is good news for the boys.

There is an abundance of strawberries in the country this
year, far exceeding the jjroduce of former seasons. — July 29,
187G.

Strawberries are in the market, and sell at twenty-five cents
a (|uart.

WOOL-GROWING IN MANITOBA.

Our attention has of late been drawn to the fine texture and
length of wool produced in this Province; and from inquiry
we learn that sheej), as far as they have been tried, are here
almost, if not entirely, free; from disease — the mutton is ot
good (piality, and tiic fleeces heavy. This is a matter of major
im})orLance, and though wi- cannot overlook the value of the
stock as a food i)roducer, the value of the fleece, both for horn*'
manufacture and for export, is a consideration which will com
mend its production to the farmer and stock raiser ; and the
e.q .M'sion of the small bands of sheep which now giaze on
the prairies into large flocks will be but the matter of a
little lime. This freedom from disease is doubtless due in a
great measure to the usual dryness of the climate ; and with a
sufficiency of hay, and the natural shelter of the bluffs in the
woody districts, they thrive wcdl during the winter, and recjuire
hut little care. Sheep under favourable circumstances return a
large i)rofit to their owner, and in a climate adapted to tlieii
production Miey usually claim a large share of attention.

MANITOBA GAME.

Sport. — 0. V. Alloway, writing from Manitoba to friends m
Montreal, says : " 1 have just finished my fall duck hunt. The
Hon. James McKay and myself in two days killed 480 large
stock ducks and 103 fall ditto. We also got three large n^oose
and any number of chickens, rabbits, etc. During my summer
rambles I managed to kill three grizzly bears."

Game. — Messrs. \Vm. Chambers and Tom Chapman have
returned from a trip to Lake Manitoba. They succeeded in a

4 A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

(liy and a half's shooting in bagging two hundred and thirty-
five ducks and four large geese.

A party consisting of Messrs. H. G. McMicken, Robt. Woods,
and S. L. B*^dson brought down seven hundred and eighty-three
ducks, in two day's shooting on the east side of Lake Winnipeg,

Some gentlemen who were out along the stage road to Pem-
bina, report prairie chicken plentiful enough about twelve or
fifteen miles from this city.

A gentlemaii who returned from Emerson, Monday, reports
immense flocks of wud pigeons met with on the course of tlie
stage road.

MANITOBA FISHERIEJi

The extensive fisheries of Lakes Manitoba and Winnipegosis
are now, and justly, attracting attention, and promise to be
more largely worked than heretofore. Whitefish, wiiich, from
its superior quality and demand, forms the chief fishing, may
be said to come into season on or about the 15th Aug., then
they are fat and firm and in prime order ; later in the; fall they
are of inferior quality, although they again improve towards
the spring, and are by some considered to be better in quality
in the early fall. The chief takes are at present made along
the western shore of Lake Manitoba, at Big Point, Sandy Bay,
and Manitoba Post, also at Big Sandy Point, where some ten
nets are worked the year round. Gold-eyes are taken in abun-
dance in the FairforJ river, and at Salt Point in Lake Winni-
pegoG^s, the annual take of whitefish is very large. The occu-
pation is also pursued to advantage around several of the
islands, and many of the best fishing grounds in the upper
lakes are at present not at all or but partially worked, and this
is owing in a great measure to the uncertain and ineificient
means of lake commuTiication. The average weight of the
whitefish may be taken at about three pounds, and as such they
are valued in the neigh 'iourhood of the fisheries at from two
to three cents each, whiie in the southern settlements the large
and constant demand for them is ill and sparsely supplied at
from twelve to twenty cents each. The development of the
trade only awaits the establishment of a suitable depot or
depots at some easily accessible point on the southern shore of
the lake, to which the early fall fish may be taken in bulk, and
where they may be dried, smoked and salted, or otherwise
cured as may be deemed suitable for the market, and thence
supplied to the consumer.

WILD HOPS AND RICE.

Wild hops abound in the woods and bush, and are being
gathered for sale and domestic use ; the wild rice along the
river and lake shore will also shortly be ripe.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

85-

STOCK-KAISING IN MANITOBA.

A letter from Manitoba to the Sarnia Observer, dated June
6th, says : — " Tlie feed on the prairie is splendid just now.
Cattle can fill themselves in an hour's time ; the grass, in fact,
being waving everywhere in the breeze. The land here is very
easily worked, when once you take a crop off it. There is, in
fact, no trick at all in cultivating it ; but if water was always
as plentiful as it is just now, there would be very little farming-
done, as people would content themselves with keeping cattle.
I could keep a hundred head easily, as I could, with a mower
and sulky rake, cut and save all the hay they would consume
in the winter, within two miles of my door, as there is a vast
hay marsh stretching away to White ^lud Kiver ; and as for feed
for them in the summer, it is in the greatest abundance."

A letter from Mr. John W. Parker, of Headingly, to Mr.
John Hood, of Dalhousie, is published, from which we select
the following items that may be found in^eresting here : —

" The Province's resources for agriculture and stock-raisiny;
are unbounded, and beyond what most of you Dalhousie people,
could imagine. I am cutting barley now which I sowed on
the 1st of June, which will yield nearly sixty bushels to the
acre. I planted potatoes about May 10th, and sold the new
potatoes (nearly full groAvn) on the 12th or 14th of July, in
Winnipeg at $2, to $2.50 per bushel.

"There is no better stock-raising country on the American
continent but for the long winter and the hay making ; but
there is plenty of wild hay of an excellent quality to be had
for all present wants, and nearly every one cuts hay and grain
by machinery here, so that we cut it cheaper and easier than
you do in Dalhousie. My two men (Wm. liobinson, from
Lavant Lake, and Samuel Mclntyre, from Almonte) cut 100
tons this year, and had it done in time f(jr harvest. We used
four oxen for cutting and raking, and let the horses run idle.
We find oxen just as good, i\early as quick, and far cheaper
than horses. We have oxen here which will walk as fast as
any common span of horses, and they work double or single iii
trains, or cart harness all the same.

MANITOBA A GOOD MARKE:T FOR THOROUGH-
BRED STOCK.

This season's crop is now apparently so certain to be a large
return, and the area sown is so great, that farmers will this
fall be enabled to go into the purchase of stock m(-»re largely.
The special advantages which the rich natural grasses of this
country offer for cattle raising, is leading many to turn their

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

attention to it. Tho.se who have already invested in cattle
liave fonn I it especially ad\..iitageous, yet at no time have the
markets of the city been fully supplied, and in conse(|uence
poor, lank, and Avorn-out working ox meat is readily sold at
the price of Christmas beef in Ontario. Indeed, so limited is
the supply of the cattle in tiie colt try, that droves from Miii-
nesota and Iowa have a practical monopoly of our mnrkei.
and with milch cows at ^30 to $40, and working oxen f} , $130
to .^150 a yoke, it is no doubt a profitable trade. Liode has
been done towards the introduction of thoroughb':ed stock,
from want of surplus capital in the hands 6f our farmers,
though they are fuilj'' alive to the importance of the subject,
and undoubtedly would, singly or in neighborlioods, be ready
to invest in such if ])iouuht in for sale. It h<i.i been sugii;ested
by some of our leading farmers tha^ if some enterprising
lu'eeder, either in Ontario or Minnesota, would try our market
once, tl;cy would find the speculation a very profitable one, and
a favourable op})ortunity will occur during the fall exhibition
of the Provincial Agicultural Society, in this city, in October
next, of meeting all the farmers of the North- West, at a time
when their bank accounts will be in the best possible condi-
tion. A word to the wise, etc., etc.

Christmas Markets. — N. P. Clarke's f^all was handsomely
decorated for the iiolidays, and the niaiuiger, Israel Johnston,
made a ?iiost tempting display of Christmas stall-fed beef,
raised by Mr. Alexander Adams, of Clear Springs. The animal
dressed tipped the beam at 1,0G'2 lbs. Some fine Manitoba
mut*-on, purchased from John Bourke, St. James, were shown,
three sheep averaging 85 lbs., dressed ; and there were turkeys,
^;,eese, chickens and oysters till you can't rest.

Easter Beef. — Mr. Rocan made a fine display of I]aster
beef. One animal, a fine cow weighing nearly eleven hundred,
was stall-fed by Mr. John Iliggins, and was purchased from
him at a good round figure.

IMPORTATION OF LIVE STOCK FROM UNITED
STATES AND CANADA.

{Wilvia/r lie'imhlican Gazette.)

The chief feature of our monthly fair on Saturday was the
unprecedented array of beef cattle, oxen, steers and cows,
though but few of the latter. Fifty b(\nd came in from Ben-
ville county, but the major portion of the stock was fatted in
this county. Upwards of two hundred head were sold during
the day to Brackett, Elliot & Co., of Minneapolis, who intend

TO MANITOBA ANT) THK NORTH-WEST.

to take them to Fort Garry. The drove, numbering thive
hiindre:l and ten head, left on Monday for the aforesaid point.

Bill Smith arrived on Saturday night with two hundred
and fifty-three fat cattle in fine condition, and which will go ii
good way towards supplying the tables of hungry Winnipegger>
during the coming winter.

T. J. Demers, of Montana, left this city by boat last Friday,
highly satisfied with his sale of horses and cattle. He intend.^
returning to Winnipeg early next spring, with two thousand
head of cattle and four huiidred head of horses.

Tiarge droves of cattle keep coming in from Minnesota, and
meet with ready sale at prices that seem to satisfy the drovers,
latest rates are : three year old steers, !?30 to 840 ; four year
old, .S35 to .*50; oxen, sl50 to $iSO per yoke ; mUch cows,
•■^So to !750. Good animals meet with ready sale.

Stock from THK West.— Mr. T. J. Demers, recently ar-
rived in this city from Frenchtown, Montana. He with a [)arty
of eight, left that place on the 13th April, with ninety horses
and six hundred and seventy head of cattle. About twenty of
the latter and a few horses were lost.

Several large droves of cattle and flocks of sheep passed
through Moorhead last week, headed for the British posses-
sions.

Another instalment of fat and working cattle — three hun-
dred head — have arrived from Uncle Sam's dominions for N.
P. Clarke, who is represented here by Isaac Johnston.

Stock Co^^TNG. — Mr. L. Worthington started from Sauk
Centre recently, with a drove of one hundred and twenty-five
cattle and six hundred sheep for the Manitoba markets.

Droves of cattle are expected in shortly from Minnesota.

The first importation of IJerkshire [)igs was made Sunday,
by Mr. J. Dent. The pigs were brought iu from St. Thomas,
Ontario.

Large droves of cattle are passing Pembina almost daily,
and nearly a thousand sheep have passed during the last fort-
night.

A drove of two hundred and sixty-five head of cattle passed
through Fargo recently from Stearns County, Minn., bound
for Winnipeg.

Two droves of cattle, one^ eighty-two head, and the other,
two hundred head, passed through Fargo this week for Win-
nipeg, from Southern Minnesota.

The above will give some idea of the business to be done in
Manitoba, in the way of stock-raising.

WELL BRED STOCK REQUIRED IN MANITOBA.

Extract from the report of the Directors of the Provincial
Agricultural Society ; —

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

" It would be highly desirable if a greater degree of attention
were given to the raising of cattle, hogs, sheep, etc., as the
wants of new settlers, government working parties, police, etc.,
will for some years furnish a profitable local market, and its
supply wii' retain in the country large sums which are now
sent abroad. The supply of choice breeds would be a legiti-
mate object for the enterprise of your society ; but inasmuch
as your resources will not at present admit of it, the matter
must be left to private enterprise, to be suggested and en-
couraged by the memliers of your society who may correspond
with stock-breeders, informing them that such shipments would
meet with remunerative sale here, especially at the time of onr
annual exhibition.

FAKMING IN MANITOBA.

A Mr. Lewis arrived here Saturday before last ; was out
to see a farm on Monday ; on Tuesday he had concluded its
purchase, and on Wednesday had jdanted potatoes on some
])roken ground, and now is ei'ecting a house. That is the
kind of men Manitoba wants and the kind of men who wan*:
Manitoba, and Avho will in a few years be counted lucky.
Pluck and common sense it is, only.

A contract for cutting and threshing one field of oats, not
many miles distant from this city, was recently let for $1^200.
This will give an idea of what farming is in the Prairit
Province.

Early. — Mr. Jas. Jefferson, of Gi^' Hvood, commenced
])loughing on the 10th April.

Ploughing has been commerced in Spnngtieid, i'.'ckwood.
and other parts of the Province. — 22)ul A/ml, I'^To.

MANITOBA DAIRY PRODUCE.

The large competition in the butter class — there being ovei-
eighty entries — and the invariable good quality of the exhibits,
would have been remarkable in older countries, and mark the
fact that this Province is one of the best dairy countries in the
world.

CONTiMviPL.'TED CHEESE FACTORY-
OPL>,ING IN MANITOBA.

-A GOOD

Chle>!: Fa«to^;-.-.— i* Mr. Col^i^ell, from Ontario, contem-
plates sta* uu{^ a cheese factory next spring near Grosse Isle.
This gen <!(mn,n ;s m the business in that Province, and will
move his entx' j pla.'jr tjtlier. — Dec. 30th, 1876.

TO MANITOBxV AND THE NORTH-WEST.

IMPOKTATION OF BUTTER FROM UNITED STATES.

A heavy shipment of butter — two tons — has juwt been im-
I'orted from Minnesota by Snyder & Anderson. It is also to
be hoped before long Manitoba will be able to produce a suffi-
cient su})ply of this commodity.

MANITOBA FUR TRADE.

Furs — Messrs. Kew, Stobart il- Co., made the first shipment
of their furs, amountinj^ to aboat $15,000, Monday. Tiiey also
sent out 2U5 bales of i)utfalo robes.

The " Manitoba " took out three hundred and sixty three
bales of furs Friday eveninii'.

An immense quantity of furs is stored in the old Pacific
Hotel building.

MANITOBA TRADE.

Taking the crop report of Manitoba published, in this paper
for its text, the London Advertiser says : " Those already settled
in the country (Manitol)a) stand a good chance to get rich b}'
selling food to the new immigrants, and immigration will keep
pace with increased grain-growing, so that by the time there is
a surplus for exportation there will be a railway outlet b}'^
Thunder Bay and another by the American Railway system.
Coarse grains can all be used with profit for fattening meat for
the home market, which has been supplied almost entirely by
importation, not for the want of stock so much as the want )•"
grain to bring the same to fair slaughtering condition."

Country Produce. — It is very gratifying for : ons in-
terested in the growth of this city to note the cliai: i aspect
of affairs on the street as compared with last fall. Xow, on
fine days, Main Street is crowded with teams hi with all
kinds of agricultural and dairy produce, wool, hay, Aic, for
which the owners receive good prices — mostly ^i-h — and in
conseqnence, city quadrupeds and bipeds are m •■ liighly fed
than ever in this new C(Kintry. Wednesday we noticed on the
streets, fiirniers from the'Rosseau, Woodlands, the Boyne, Grass-
mere, Greenwood, Cook's Creek, Scratching River, S^)nngfield ;
and in fact nearly every settlement in the Province was repre-
sented. Oar merchants are buying liberally the products of
the farmers, and the latter are thereby enabled to ip.\y off their
debts, which places them in a good position for ne.vt season's
operations. — Dec. dth, 187G.

In reTerring to this Province it says: "Manitoba is the
youngest Province in the Djniinion, but by no means the least
G

A l'llA("nCAL HANJJ-liOOK :.SU (WIDE

)»n)iiii.siii}^'. Itstnidc^ i.s steadily iinj,Miic'iitin^. The total value
tli<Tc<,r in I^s7(i was S'J.riOn.Glf), of wliicli $1,735,427 were ira-
jiorlH, and $770, IH^ cxitoits. Tiie latter, uj) to this time, have
licfii chiclly I'lns. Its iiiij)ortsan' lar^'ely o])taiiu;d from Ontario
and (,)u('l»cc, and are familiar to onr niercaiitih; I'rieiids. Mani-
Iciha, and the North-West ;L?(!neially })roinise to prove, before
many yeais, ;i valiiahh^ field for (Canadian manufactures."

The fur niark< t opened didl and inactive, l)ut within a few
days piist lieavy sales have Ix'cn nuuh^ at good prices. In this
ai tide a, new system has h(!en inauguiated, and i.s found to work
well. Instead of buying by tiie bale, unexamined, at an average
juice per robe, the bales are opened, and every hide valued and
paid for according to (piality.

The immensity of tlu; Manit()l)a tradt^ is evidenced by the
fact, that the Ontario steann^rs are heavily laden every trip
with goods foi' this i'rovince, ami one steamer lately had to
lea^e three hundred tolls for another boat to bring.

The anioiiiit oi business transacted in Winnipeg is really as-
tonishing. One can form no conception .f its extent unless he
has ocular di'moiistrat ion of the fact. C5ome idea may have
been foneed by the allusion in my former communication to
the customs' recei[)ts and steamboat tratHc, but, to be convinced
of its magnitiuh , one must really see it.

Of course the reader will very naturally say. How can this
be? wlcncc all this business '? then' are only some 'hirty thou-
sand souls in llie wliole Piuvince, aiul why this amount of busi-
ness to supply this nu ve handful with the common necessaries
o'l iite. But, ilear r<'ailer, the home business proper is a mere
Itcginning oi' the gross trade of Winnipeg. Why, sir, the open
]>rairie surrouiuling tlu> city, ^^hile 1 was there, was literally
covered with the tents and carts of the inland travellers : the
streets literally cn>wded with the ever creaking Ked Kiver carts,
aiul the stores aiul taverns were tilled with the variegated
crowd that owned them, throwing their money about in a way
w'lch iiulicateil thai thoy were bouiul to make things generally
aijfreeable as loui;- as it lasted.

The following is /lipi^ed from the (^r/o^wV* English correspond-
ence : •• The advancing tra'.ie of Winnipeg, a few years ago a
little vilhi^e. cannot Ih> better shown than in the fact that a
merchant is lunv in Loudon making large purchases for ship-
ment to Winnipeg direct. It is impossible in the face of facts,
to shut cue's cye^ to the growing importance of the Prairie
Province."

Ihsi'KIi (uH't>s. The proposed change in the Dominion
tariff" IS causing ipiite a flutter among the merchants. One paid
a bill i>f 6-.r>tM> the other dav on his stock of bonded i^oods ;
others are still awaiting definite advices from iHtawa. The
aggregate amount of duties which will be paid in here at once.

TO MANITOBA AND THE N0RTII-WK8T.

if the tariff takes effect, will not be less than i^30,000 — a jm-tty
good show for a " })anper" city. — Fchrunnj 10, ISTfl.

For THE Old Countiiy.— Gerrie (^' "Willie" were anions;
the passengers this moriung for the East. Oerrie, we under-
stand, is homeward hound — with the object of puichasing large-
ly for the Indian and jobbing trade, of .vhich this city is the
centre. We lieg to notify the shrewd inhabitants of the (Jran-
ite Cit)', that notwithstanding an absence of 40 years from his
native Aberdeen, they will make i\. mistake if they legard him
as another IMp Van Winkle. All we can say is, we wish him
success and hoit coywje.

Manitoha Fkkkjht. — The Moorhead Star says :— " P^noj--
mous (|uantities of freight consigne(l down the river and bound
west to Montana and Ilismarck, continue to arrive here. It is
estimated that 2,000 tons of Manitoba freight are now in the
yards here, with large daily arrivals. One day aloni; 000 tons
of Hour for river transhipment were received. The steamers
take all that the stage of water will allow, and yet the aceommo-
dations are great."

Staticians vi ilie eastern provinces would be surprised to
see invoices of 1,(^00 pairs of blankets, 300 ];)ieces of wincey,
300 dozen liose, and like quantities throughi^ir,t a large stock
for a business house in the four year old ■'/ of Winnipeg.
Most of our houses now import directly from the matnifactu
rers in P]ngland and Scotland, and next year it is likely all
will do so.

The amount of duties in Manitoba for the year ending 30th
June, 1876, was $253,045. 8N, as against i^ 17 1,4. 30. 80 in 1875,
and .^07,471.07 in 1874.

For England. — Mr. John 0. LeOappellaine startcul foi-
England this morning, where he goes to purchase goods for
Mr. J. H. Ashdown's sprmg trade.

Hard Times. — One of our city clothing stores took in fifteen
hundred dollars over the counter one day last week.

A train of sixty carts, laden with fin-s purchased by Mr.
Bannatyne and Mr. Patterson, passed up Main Street, Wedufjs-

day.

TRADE WITH THE JNTEHIOK.

Up to this date over 1,500 carts laden with sujtpbes, goods,
etc., have been sent west from this city on (Jov. rnment ac-
count to the various mounted pohee posts, it is estimated
that about 2,000 more have gone out on private account for
traders, telegrajdi contractors, anrl the Hudsoti Hay Company ;
and three months of the season is yet left.

TravelUrs from i\w. west rei)ort that trad(;rs parties ar(5
strung all along the road, coming to the capital for tl>eir yearly

1)2

A I'RACTKJAL HAND-BUOK ANJJ UUIDE

market It is cxi)ected tliat on account of the large catch this
season, their })urcliiise of goods will be large;.

A heavy order has been received by Mr. J. H. Ashdown
from the Hudson's liny Company for tin-ware for outlyin-i'
posts. Among the jirticles are 3,00') tin j)ails, 1,300 round
pans, 1,501) oval pans, 1,800 pint cups, l,r)0(> half-pint cups,
and 400 teapots. The amount of the order will be about
!?;{,000.

Mr. Owen K. Hughes, of the firm of Kew, Stobart S: Co.,
who left herr last sinniner for a trading trip towards the setting
sun, has .succeeded in establishing a trading post at Cross
Lake, one hundred miles north of Norway House, and about
five hundre(l miles from Winnipeg, where he is doing an ex-
tensive busiuvos. He has sent in an order for a large amount
of goods, with i)art of which a train started on Thursday, and
the reuiiunder will be shipi)e(l shortly.

A large number of carts, laden with freight, will leave in a
fevv days for Fort Ellice, Shoal Lake, etc., on Government
account.

The amount of goods going west from this city must be
enormous in the aggregate, as nearly every day trains of carts
itivien with merchandize are sent out.

AGKICULTURAL MACHINERY.

We understand that Mr. James Barclay, of Stony Mountain,
tlie contractor for the new penitentiary, intends erecting a
foundry and agricultund implement manufactory on the river
front, near McLane's Mill, on laud purchased fiom the H. B.
Co. VV^e congratulate Mr. Barclay upon his determination to
remain and invest his ca})ital here in this much needed and
undoubtedly remunerative enterprise.

The wire and castings for ono hundred fanning mills, being
manufactured here by Dick & Banning, were brought in by the
Manitoba, and the mills will be finished this week.

About two hundred reapers and mowers have already been
scdd this season by the implement dealers of this city. One
firm, Dick (k Batming, have disposed of eighty-three machines.

MANITOBA WHEAT FOR SEED.

On this point we have the opinion of a very high authority
on the subject, viz: J. W. Taylor, Esq., U.S. Consul at Win-
nipeg ; than whom no man has studied the subject with closer
attention. He says, " that on a recent visit to the east he was
surprised to find that Minnesota spring wheat, when forwarded
and sold separately in the eastern market, commanded ten per
cent, more than wheat of Canada and Ne\. York State. Further,

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WEST.

that spring whoat raised on the lino of the Northern Pacific,
and St. Paul and Pacific railroads, brought five cents per bushel
more than tiie same whoat raised ir)0 miles further south."
His inference is that Manitoba whoat, when there shall be a
surplus over local consumption, will bring 1 5c per bushel pre-
mium : almost enough to cover transport to Montreal or New
York. This appreciation in price is owing to the increase in
weight and gluten of the flour, attributable to the northern
climate, and other favourable circumstances. Manitoba wheat
is already in demand as a desirable change of seed in the ad-
joining States, and the I)ei)artment of Agriculture at Washing-
ton proposes to distribute 200 bushels in small quantities over
the United States.

MILLS TN MANITOBA.

Crops and Mills.— Mr. W. Smith, miller, of Portage la
Prairie, is in the city. He reports bailey nearly all cut, and
oats far advanced in cuttiini;. He saw three fields of oats cut
on Wednesday near the stage road. Crops everywhere north,
west and east of Portage la Prairie are magnificent, and will
give an unprecedently large yiel I ; the loss ))y drowning is very
insignificant, the worst manau'ed farm showinif a l)etter y;rowtli
than a model farm in Ontario. Mr. Smith is adding another
run of stones and a new boiler to his mill at l*ortage la Prairie,
making now three run with a capacity for grinding 1,000
Imshels in twenty-four hours. His Mill at Point de Chene is
being pushed to completion, and will be ready fbr grinding early
in the fall.

From Mr. Smith we have obtained his estimate of the grind-
ing capacity of the mills of the Province for this season's har-
vest : —

Palestine, C. P. Brown,
Totogan, Chisholm & Bubar, .
Portage la Prairie, Wm. Smith, .
St. Norbert, J. Lemay,
Point de Chene, Wm. Smith,
Winnipeg, J. W. Mc Lane,

Bassett & McMillen, .
St. Paul's Parish, H. Pritchard,
St. Andrew's, E. H. G. G. Hay, .
Ma[»leton, Hudson's Bay Company, .

This makes a total of twenty runs of stone with a grinding
capacity of 4,000 bushels per day.

The people of the extreme western settlements are much
pleasetl with the convenience which Mr. C. P. Brown's new

run

((

'J 4

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND (JUIl)E

II-

mill at CJliul.stone is iilVonliiig tliurn. It is turning out a first-
class article of flour ainl giving universal satisfaction. The
mill is one of the Wat'rous Engitu' Works ('o.'s, of Hrantforti,
twcnty-hor.ie power portal)le saw and grist mill combined, which
Mr. I>rovvn purchased last summer. We learn that he had no
trouble in erecting the mill, it having been all set u\) at the
works, and marked before taking apart, which, with the plan
sent with it, avoided all trouble.

AnoTIIEU Mux. — Mr. dames Speiice, of this city, has pur-
chased the remains of the Tait mill at Silver Heights, and im-
l)orted new machinery including two runs of stones, and is now
engaged in the erection of a first-class grist mill on the Mircy
Creek, just east of the Manitoba Drcwery, which he expects to
have in running order by the first of October next.

A new grist mill has recently l)een erected in the heart of
ihe iMennonite settlement, about fifteen miles from Uat liiver.
It is a two and a half storey building, 2()X.'M, and has one run
of stone, the motive {)ower being supplied by a twelve horse-
pov/er engine. The builders are Messrs. Maud iV: Co., of T>ei'lin,
Ont., andjjthe machinery was procured from Gouldie & IMcCol-
lough, of (Jalt. The mill will cost about St, OUO, and is expected
to be in running order shortly. Mr. Weins, a Mennonite, is
the proprietor.

At McMillan & Bassett's mills 2,400 bushels (jf wheat are at
present ground every woek ; but with the new boiler which i.s
being put in, the (juantity will be increased to 3,000 bushels.

An excellent sample of Hour from the Marquette Milling Co.,
Portage la Prairie, stated by com[)etent judges to be eciual to
any XXXX in the market, has l)een brought into the city.
This mill is running full time, and a large (puuitity of its fl.our
is finding its way hero.

A third run of stone is being put into Billy Smith's mill at
the Portage. The mill is now running night and day.

McLane's Mill is now busy filling a large order for flour for
the Mennonites. Pive hundred sacks were sent out Tuesday.

Pour hundred bushels of^wheat were delivered in two hours
recently at McMillan tt Bassett's mill, for custom work alone.

Twelve lots were recently purchased at the Town of Selkiik,
by Mr. Martin Hoover, of Port Elgin, Ontario, who intends
erecting on the property a large grist mill of four run of stones.
Mr. Hoover left for Ontario yesterday to complete the necessary
arrangements.

Selkirk is to have a new grist and steam saw mill and sash
and door factory. ^lessrs. McCioskrie & Thonuis have the
matte)' in hand, and intend pushing the business to its fullest
extent.

The saw mill of Mr. Alex. McArthur, on the Vvlnnipeg river,
has been purchased by Messrs. Thompson ^Si Walkley.

TO MANITOUA AND THE NORTII-WEST.

Still Anothkr. -McKay & Smith'.s mill ..•:, the Points do
Clu'iio will 1)0 ill working (tnlrr this week.

Another niii of htono is l)«'in<^ put in i)la(3t) at Mcrian(^'s mill.

CITY OF WINNIPKd.

WrNNr.PF/i, AS Sf'-RN i;y a STRAX(if:R.— Mr. Warring Ken-
nedy, a i)romiiH'nt Toronto rncnliant, who paid a visit to
Winnipeg recently, thus gives iiis in)i)ression of this city in tho
columns of a Toronto paper :

" The City (>f Witini[)(^g is the door through which immigra-
tion into the Province of Manitoba must pass, and is the great
distributing point, not only for the Province, but for th(( whole
North-West territory. It is situated at tho continence of tho
Red aiid Assiniboino rivers, on tho west bank of tho formc^r, at
an elevation of thirty fei^t above water level. Oidy a few years
ago it was merely a village, containing some dozen of houscis.
In 1872. tho population was iiOO, now it is r),000. This rate
of increase in four years has been equal to that of Chicago's
early days in ten years. In 1830, tho population of the latter
WHS only 70; in 1840, it was 4,470, although it now has 300,-
000. This growth of the City of Winnipeg, as may be expected,
has favoured the devt'lopment of ))roperty, and some have
become rich by merely investing their savings in cheap city lots.
Many lots bought three years ago for fifty dollars, are now
worth five hundred. At present, suburban lots are considered
the best investment. This growth, although rapid, has not
been unhealthy."

PROGRESS IX THE XORTII-WEST.

The following 'atter from the Bishop of Saskatchewan is ad-
dressed to the London Free Press : —

Dear Sih, — I reached this place on Tuesday, the 18th inst.
— not quite a week from London, Ont. I could not help con-
trasting the speed of this journey with the comparatively long
period of upwards of three weeks that was required to complete
the same distance when 1 with my family came to Red River
from London, just ten years ago. I have now before me the
printed copy of a letter I sent on my arrival to my old friend
Mr. Siddons, then the editor of tho Prototi/pe. It was there
stated that we came via Milwaukee, Prairie du Chien and the
Mississippi to St. Paul, where we stayed a few days and then
went on to St. Cloud, the farthest point we could travel by
rail or steamer. From that to Fort Abercrombie, a <listance of
180 miles, we travelled by stage, at 60 miles a day, passing
through the section of country that was the scene of the Indian
massacre of 180-2. At Fort Abercrombie we commenced our

•^'^.-v^

%^., .-vi

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET {MT-3)

1.0

<^ |2.8

|50 ""^~

^ m

iteuu

I.I

1.25

1.4

2.5

2.2
2.0

1.8

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

•s?

^9)

<\,"^
. ^.>.

■<^^

^^■^

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. U580

(716) B72-4503

5r . ^^

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND QUIDS

i If

prairie journey with the covered waggons and carts. It occu-
pied us in all seven and a half days.

What a change has taken place in these ten years ! I Ifft
London this month on Tuesday, the 11th, at 7 p.m., and
reached Fisher's Landing, at Red Lake River, on Saturday, at
10 p.m., where I went aboard a steamer that brought me to
Fort Garry on Tuesday at 5 a.m., on the 18th inst. In that
same letter to Mr. Siddons I speak of " a small village near
Fort Garry with a number of stores." The small village often
years ago is now the city of Winnipeg, with, I suppose, about
six thousand inhabitants. In the energy and business enter-
prise of her merchants, I believe Winnipeg to be quite on a par
M'ith the most prospcnus and thriving cities of the United
States. Commercially speaking, I feel sure that Winnipeg has
the opportunity of a splendid career before her, and she has
already shown that she numbers among her population a body
of men who know how to turn good opportunities to account.
One illustration of the business energy of Winnipeg I find in
the contrast between the state of prices there to-day and what
I found ten years ago, as the following extract from the above
quoted letter will show : — " All imported goods are venj dear,
owing to their having to be carried over the prairies in carts.
Some things required for household use are two, three, and four
times as dear as in Canada."

At the present moment my impression is tha^. groceries an d
dry goods of the best quality can be procured in Winnipeg at
about as low a figure as in Ontario.

There is every prospect of a magnificent crop in Manitoba.
As yet there is no appearance of grasshoppers, as far as I can
learn. •

Very faithfully yours,

J. Saskatchewan.

St. Andrew's, Manitoba, July 26, 1876.

This is what the correspondent of an Ottawa paper thinks of
the Prairie City : — " A stranger's first impression on arriving
at Winnipeg is, that it is a dull, dreary place, but a walk through
the principal streets completely disabuses his mind of that fal-
lacy, and convinces him that there is not a livelier place of its
size in the whole Dominion of Canada. The amount of busi-
ness done is indeed surprising. Stores are numerous, and they
all seem to get plenty of custom. One thing certain is that, as
in other Canadian cities, there are no failures or rumours of
failures, but on the contrary, every merchant appears to be roll-
ing up wealth. Without any exaggeration, I can say that there
appears to be more business done than in Ottawa ; there is
more bustle on the principal street and more evidences generally
of business activity.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

REAL ESTATE.

How many now in Ontario will regret forever the opportu-
nity now passing of acquiring the best wheat lands in the world
through investment in scrip ; in five years, when those lands
now settled upon are worth $20 per acre, they will be purchas-
ing ten acres for what would now purchase ten hundred.

A cash offer of i?3,000 was recently made for the small lot
on Main Street, next Dr. Bird's drug store — and refused.

An Ontario gentleman, now in the city, purchased a year
ago the Queen's Hotel on Main Street, for $2,000, and now
receives a rental therefrom of .* 1,1 00— a pretty neat return
from a small investment in Winnipeg city property. — July
2m, 1876.

OPENING OF NAVIGATION ON RED RIVER.

The River. — Of course it is impossible to tell with any
certainty the exact time when the Red River will unfasten its
*' icy fetters," but the probabilities are — judgiiig from the
present condition of the weather — that navigation can be re-
sumed as soon as last year. The first steamboat to arrive at
Moorhead last season was the " Selkirk," Capt. Alex. Griggs,
which touched our levee at 3 p.m., Thursday, April 22nd.
The firot boat in 1874, arrived on April 24th, and the first in
1873, on April 2Gth. The state of the weather at this writ-
ing is such as to prophesy an early opening of navigation,
although all conclusions must necessarily be over half guess
work. The large quantity of snow now on the ground may
augur a liberal quantity of flood water, which with our usual
spring rains, will give a good stage of water the first part i)f
season, at least. — Moorhearl Star, April Sth, 1870.

"The First Boat."— "The first boat" of the season,
arrived on Tuesday, 20th inst, being the " Minnesota," having
a cargo of 5,105 sacks of seed wheat for the Central Relief
Committee.

This is the earliest arrival of a steamboat from the United
States, ever known. The nearest approach to it was the arrival
of the •' Selkirk " on the 28th of April, 1871 ; and the next
nearest, the arrival of the " Selkirk " on the 30th April,
in \S7b.— April '?.m, 1870.

The following are the dates of the ice leaving Red River at
the Stone Fort, from the journal of Wm. Flett, Esq., H. B.
Co. :— 1869, 19th April ; 1870, 9th April; 1871, 24th April ;
1872, ith May; 1873, 27th April ; 1874, 1st May; 1875, 28th.
April.

A PRACTICAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

NAVIGATION OF THE SASKATCHEWAN.

I I

A gentleman in St. Paul has written to his old home in
Massachusetts, to remove the erroneous impression that pre-
vails there that that city is the extreme North-West corner of
habitable creation. He says : — " No better grain-growing
country exists than extends for 500 miles north, and 600 miles
west, while 1,500 miles north-west from this city, streams are
open and pasturage is grown a full month earlier than here
(air-line distances are meant). Nor is this vast North-West
unapproachable. You can, to day. take rail from here to the
Northern Pacific crossing of the Red River, and there take
your choice of seven steamboats, of from 300 to GOO tons each,
to Fort Garry, Manitoba, GOO miles by river, (about 280 miles
by land.) At Fort Garry take a lake propeller (like those on
Lake Erie and other eastern lakes) through Lake Winnipeg,
275 to 300 miles to its north-western end ; then take a river
steamer and go up the Saskatchewan, and its northern branch
to Fort Edmonton and beyond, 1,400, or within 450 to 500
miles of the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and when you get
there you can go ashore and telegraph the same day to your
home in the Connecticut valley or Berkshire hills. These are
facts. The wires are up, and the boats are there and running."

The Rev. L. Warner, who has been for the past two years
engaged in missionary work in the Saskatchewan country, has
recently returned to Ontario. Mr. Warner left Victoria Mis-
sion — about twenty miles east of Edmonton — on the 26th of
May, and came down by the H. B. Go's steamboat, the North-
cote, to Grand Rapids, near Lake Winnipeg, where the goods
are transhipped from the steamer navigating the Saskatchewan
River to the boat plying between that point and the City of
Winnipeg. The goods from either steamer are taken over
the portage, which is four miles long, by means of a tramway
which the Hudson's Bay Company has laid down.

Mr. Healy is of opinion that were the navigation of the
Lake Manitoba, Winnipegosis, and South Saskatchewan route
improved by the canalling necessary, some nine miles only, at
High Bluff and Mossy Portage, which would allow our river
steamers to ascend to the mountains, the entire trade of that
magnificent country would naturally tend this way. The
Manitoba Southern Railway was intended to be the first link
in a chain designed to connect this country with our city, and
we hope it may be prtceeded with. Mr. Healy states that
Fort Hamilton and Fort McLeod are about tlie same latitude
as Fort Garry, and yet the seasons are very diff'erent, ploughing
being quite possible in December, in fact their finest month is
November. Though the thermometer is sometimes very low,

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST,

yet the cold does not continue long, and altoj^cther the seasons
are very favourable for agriculture. Cattle feed out all winter
and fatten on the rich grasses, and the only ol'jection to sheep-
farming on an extensive scale is the presence of wolves. Our
space limits our remarks on this interesting subject, but we
may revert to it again.

The "ColvilI,"}'i.B. Go's steamer, Captain Hackland, arrived
at the Lower Fort on Saturday, the 2 1st ult., from Grand
Rapids, having made her last trip to that place for this season.
She brought in about twenty-five passengers, including Capt.
Aymond and his family, and the crew of the Saskatchewan
steamer *' Northcote." Amongst other freight were two teams
belonging to the H. B. Co. The " Colville " has been laid up for
the winter about five miles below the Lower Fort.

STAGE FROM MOORHEAD TO WINNII'EG.

The stages commenced running on fast time, Thursday,
through to Moorhead in thirty-six hours. The mails will arrive
between four and six o'clock in the mornings, instead of in the
evenings, as formerly.

STAGE FROM WINNIPEG TO PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE.

Mr. Blake, of Blake <fe Lyons, Portage la Prairie, has pur-
chased the stage line between Winnipeg and that place, and is
now in the city to purchase horses, etc. He intends re-s'.ocking
the line, and making it really a first-class one.

EMERSON.

It may be well to preface the following statement of build-
ing improvements made in Emerson during the past summer, by
the remark that Emerson is but two years old, the first build-
ing being put up in June, 1874. Considering the drawbacks
CO emigr;ition in the North- West during the past year or two,
the growth of this place may be considered remarkable, and an
indication that it has very superior advantages as a business
point. Such a start as Emerson has oljtained previous to the
completion of the railroads which will terminate there, insures
a rapid progress vvhen the rails are dovrn. It may be observed
that the buildings put up, though not very costly, are of a per-
manent character, none of tliem log buildings, but built of sawn
lumber, with shingle roofs, and most of them well plastered.
Nor are they huddled together as observable in some new west-
ern towns, but placed as if inviting the erection of other and
more imposing buildings in their midst. It is noticeable also
that private means alone have been used to put up these build-

100

A PRACTICAL nAND-BOOK AND GPIPE

i ^

ings, the fTOvernmont not yet having had oncasion to buiM.
The cost of these buildings foots up upwanls ol thirty thousand
dollars.

FRENCH EMIGRATION FROM UNITED STATES TO

MANITOBA.

From the Toronto Globe: — A letter from certain French
Canadian settlers in the township of Letellier, Manitoba, which
appeared in Le Nmiveau Monde of the tth inst., gives some
very interesting facts connected with their experiences in the
Prairie Province. The writers came from the Eastern States
in May last, and are the pioneers of what they believe will be
a very great emigration from these quarters to Manitoba. It
was only on the 5th of June that they took up their titles to
land, and for .^10 each received IGO acres of what they say is
land of the very first quality. As the season was rather too far
advanced to hope for a good crop from land newly broken up.
they received from the Government the right to put in a crop
in land on the Government farm at Dnffcrin, which had been
ploughed some time before, and was ready for seeding. Fif-
teen heads of families joined and planted barley, potatoes, Sec.
For two weeks after there was not a drop of rain, and so they
feared they had lost their time and seed. In spite, however,
of these fears, they were at the time of writing, certain of reap-
ing from twenty to thirty fold.

Nineteen more French Canadian famUies will leave North
Adams and Fall River, Massachusetts, for Manitoba in August,
187G.

A number of French Canadians in the United States have
written to friends here to purcliase land for them, they interni-
ng to emigrate here in the spring. Le M6tis states that the
emigration from the Western States to Manitoba will be con-
siderable next year.

A number of French Canadians who came here from the
United States last spring, are settling at Rat River.

GENERAL INFORMATION.

Three Card Monte Men. — People travelling through Min
nesota cannot be too wary of scoundrels in the shape of three
card raonte men, with whom the railroads and steamboats are
infested, and who are daily and hourly robbing the travelling
community. Fisher's Landing, and the Northern Pacific,
abound with these characters, and every day we are hearing of
people who have been robbed by them. Our advice to travel-
lers is to avoid every stranger who speaks of cards, no matter
in what way the subject is introduced.

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WKST.

.101

MAMTOr.A.

We have always ivfraiiiiMl fiv)in a(lvisiii<: intcndijig iimiii-
i:iaiits in their st lection of loealilie.s in tiie Noitii-We.st. Tlie
most detailed int'oiniation on tliis jioint can be a((|iiii-ed at the
Land Oilice in ^^ inni]>eg, and imniigiants, iC they desire to
settle in the sonthern portion of the J'rovinee — in which is
some of the finest land in the colony — can obtain information
and select their holdings immediately ujion crossing the inter-
national boundary line, and without going to Winnipeg. Hut
location depends so much upon M'hat a man intends to do, that
advice given without a knowledge of the circumstances of the
person who asks it, is not of much value. There are p:irt.s of
the Province which some immigrants i>ass by as undesirable,
that others who propose to raise stock aie eager to obtain. So
for some men it is better to buy a holding in the settlement
belt, while for others tlie CJovernment homestead, which costs
only ten dollars and its settlement duties, is equally advantage-
ous. The information and advice of a friend settled in Maui
toba is the most valuable that can be obtained, and an imjui-
grant, after his arrival, need not be at any exjiense, while
prosecuting liis inquiries, for house-rent or forage. A tent
supplies the one and the ]»rairie the other. But it should be
rememl)ered that when the winter comes emi)loynient in Mani-
toba ceases, and the immigrant who may have worked hard in
fencing and breaking land, raising a house for himself and build
ings for his animals, has a long winter to pull through, and for
the first year cannot, of course, derive much from his farm.
But there must always be some difficulty in making a fresh
start in a new country ; and if, as is generally believed, Maui
toba has not to fear the return of the grasshopper for some
years, a farmer who, having his own choice of locality, fails to
make a comfortable living, will have less ability than hundreds
of the old settlers who never learned the iiriiiciple of farming.
— From the Globe.

LETTER FROM MANITOBA.

The following well-written and interesting letter on Mani-
toba afi'airs was received from Mr, Robert Ferguson, formerly
of Grey, by Mr, Mark Cardiff, of Brusstds, who has kindly
handed it to us for publication. Its contents will be |)eiused with
intere.st by our readers. The letter is dated the 19th of Janu-
ary, and is addressed to Mr, Cardiff. It reads as follows : —

Dear Sir, — Thinking that a smattering of Manitoba affairs
would be interesting to you, 1 proceed to give you a few facts
concerning this *' land of grasshoppers," that I have gathered

102

A PRACTICAL IIAND-llOOK AND GUIDE

i ft

(luring my sliort stay here. Upon entering Winnipeg, after
our i)rotracte(l journey over the Dawson ]{oute, 1 was some-
what astonislied to find a town of about 0,1 »0() inhabitants,
which for stir and business fairly eclipses any of your Ontario
towns of the same pojiulation. A number of excellent brick
buildings have been ])Ut up during last summer. The new post
office is a stately edifice, and is (piite an ornament to the town.
The brick, which is made in the vicinity of the town, is hand-
some and of a sui)erior quality. Any person taking a tour
through this Province, could not fail to be delighted with the
many promising featurt^s which it presents. Its rich prairie
soil, free from every obstacle that would impede ilw. progress
of agriculture, and many IduHs of timber which makes the best
of wood, and can l)e procured by most of the farmers withor.t
going many steps from }\is door, make it all that can be desired
for farming. Last Monday, Mr. IJroadfoot and I went west
about four miles to the timber limits. We travelled all the
afternoon in a dense forest, as level as a floor. Most of the
timber is first-class building material, and all of it the best of
rail timber. All the farmers in Palestine can get all the stove
M'ood they recpiire almost at their door, and only have to go
four or five miles for building and rail timber, while some have
these conveniences right at hand — From the Seaforth Expositor,

MANITOBA.

Emerson, Manitoba, Dec. 31st, 1875.

As many friends in Lennox and Addington have expressed
a desire to know more about Manitoba and ** The Great North-
West," I now write to them through the columns of your valu-
able paper. I have been here about two months, and can
form an idea of the country, its people, prospects, &c. I can
truly say that the land is vast beyond conception. God alone
knows all about it ; just think of plains in British America with
an area of 295,000 square miles, stretching from the Lake of
the Woods to the Rocky Mountains and from the United States
boundary to the Arctic Ocean, Manitoba is but a small part
(-f this immense region. There are three vast steppes or prai-
ries, the one rising above the other until they reach their
western limits at the base of the liocky Mountains. The Red
River Valley, one of the three, has an area of 55,660 square
miles. Of this, the I^akes Winnipeg, Winnipegosis, Manitoba,
Cedar, and St. Martins occupy about 13,900 square r iles. It
is the most fertile of all the plains of the west, and easiest of
access to a people coming in from the east. Supposing that the
half of this or 3,400 square miles of this (2,170,000 acres) were
sown with wheat, even at the average of Minnesota, seventeen

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WEST.

103

bushels to tlie acre, the crops of the Ucd Uiv^r Valley would
be almost 41,000,000 of bushels. A Held on the IVmbina
River, near this, which this year escaped the grasshopi)ers,
yielded 1,800 Ijushels or 4r> to the acre.

As to climate, i have found the winter clear, dry, and plea-
sant. It is colder than some parts of Ontario, but on account
of the dry atmosphere it is not so much felt. It is very healthy;
women having poor health in Ontaiicj often become strong
and vigorous out here. Stouter, healthier children, I never
saw any\vh»;re. 1 have not seen a funeral .since ccmiing here.
Spring ipens about as soon as on the Hay of (,»>uinte. Winter
sets in al)out the beginning of November. The fall of .snow is
much lighter here than on the St. Lawrence. We have ju.st
enough to make good sleighing. For four years the country
has been swept by grasshopjjers, but (iod who sent them can
just as easily take tlumi away. The impression here is that
they will not return for a series of years. If so, there will be
a great emigration westwards. Let })eople come ; there is a
stretch of one thou.sand miles from this to Peace; Uiver yet to be
pcssessed. Wheat and barley ripened there this season on the
1 2th of August. In the Peace River Valley tiiere are millions
of acres ready for the })lougli. At Bow River, 800 miles west
of here, there arc plains where cattle can graze all winter.
This place is on the great highway. Seven steamboats with
barges pass weekly, and in one season 400 ilatboats with cargoes
valued at ^5,000 each passed down from Minnesota to Wuini-
peg. Lest I weary your readers 1 will stoj) here. Any parties
wishing further information I will be happy to aid. My address
is Emerson, ManHoba.

John Scott,

Pres. Missioruiry.
— Napanee Beaver.

Mr. Lillies, of Vv^'est Pilkington, has received a letter from
Manitoba, where four of his sons have been for some time.
They say : — Don't fear of us starving in Manitoba ; we are
doing better than we could do in Ontario despite the ravages
made by the grasshoppers. Two of us have cleared one hundred
and sixty dollars per month all summer, burning lime and sel-
ling it at 45c per bushel, another has averaged iBo per day with
his team, sometimes teaming to the new Penitentiary, and
sometimes working on the railroad. The fourth works at his
trade — waggon-making — in Winnipeg, for $00 per month;
steady employment. Our potato crop is sjilendid, our peas are
excellent, and we had one tield of wheat that suffered no intru-
sion from the pest. The weather is mild, prairie chickens are
very numerous, and our anticipations as regards a good time next
year are big. — Gait Rej)orter.

104

A lilAPTlCAL HANI) UOdFv AND OLIDE

THE GilKAT NOKTII-WEST.

Professor Macoun, the Oovernmont Botanist, was cxaiiiined at
^roat leni^th by the Coinniittee on I ministration at Ottawa, recent-
ly. Ho has crossed the continent twice, and made extensive in
(juirics into the floral and <^C()loi;ical formation of the North-West.
He has especially visited the Peace River district, of which he
speaks vvi.h the utm tst enthusiasm. His descrijition of the vast
area in the interior to the north-west of Fortdarry was (v>/<A(/r di
rose in every respect, yet he <jravc such proofs of his knowled^'C,
that none doubted the truth of his assertions. It is ^'merally
sui)posed in Ontario that the country lyin^' east of the Rocky
.Mountains is uninhabited by white people. I'his is not correct,
for, under the patronajro of the Hudson Ray Coinpany, numerous
settlements are springing up eveiywhcre, and a large population
(juictly taking up the country. I'rofe.ssor Macoun, who is inti-
mately ac(juainted with the geography of that region, suys that
settlement there is infinitely far more easy than it was in Ontario
thirty or so years ago. There is but one break in the navigation
from Fort Garry to Edmonton, a distance by road of 850 miles,
or by water upwards of twelve humlred miles. This break is a
short rapid, but both above and bolow it the Hudson Bay Com
pany have steamers which ))ly the season throughout, there being
plenty of water up to October. The Professor found that the
entire district along the Peace River for a distanc : of seven hun
dred and sixty miles in a belt one hundred and tifty miles wide
on each side, was as suitable for the cultivation of grain as that of
Ontario. He had brought samples of wheat weighing sixty-eight
pounds, and of barley weighing fifty-six pounds to the bushel.
The climate was even more suitable than in Ontario, for there
were no wet autumns or frost to kill the young grain. There
were but two se isons — summer and winter. He said, in illustra-
tion, that on a Thursday last October, the heat was so great that
he had to shelter hi.nself by lying under a cart, while on the next
Sunday winter set in i:i full vigour, and continued steadily. The
plants he found in that region were the same as those on Lake
P>ie, and further discoveries satisfied him that the two areas were
similar in every respect. The ice in the rivers broke up in April.
Stock raising was not ditficult, because the grass rem:iincd fresli
and green up to the very opening of winter. He had seen thou-
sands of acres of it three and four feet long on levels two hundred
feet above the Peace River. He estimated that there was 252,-
000,000 acres of land in that region adapted to the growth of
cereals. He had tested the lemperature, and .showed by figures
that the average summer heat at Fort William, Fort Simpson,
Edmonton, and throughout that region, was similar to that of
Toronto, Montreal, and higher than that of Halifax. He was

10 MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WE-T.

105

positive that the climiite was uiiooraraoiily suitable for au'iioulmro,
and stated that tlu» Oirthor one went north the wanner the sunnnor!)
became. Thoro was no doubt they wore abundantly loii^ ennui^h
to ripen wheat thoroughly. liesides the peculiar exoellenoo of
that country for cereals, he had f(»uiid thouv-auds of acres of
crystall'zed salt so pure that it was used in its natural state by
the ITu'ison Fiay Co. Coal ab <unded in the riehc.->t veins, and
wius so interstratified with heniatele or iron ore, yi«!ldin^ ~)0 per
cent., that nolooility couM b<! better for ininutaeturini^. Thou-
«<ands of acres of coal oil fields were f luud. The tar lyinj^ on the
surface of the ground was ankle deep ; miles and miles oi the
purest gypsum beds croppi'd out of the river banks ; coal bods
abounded along on t!ie cas'ern n-lopcs of tht! Hooky Mountains,
and extet»ded in large seams thioughout t!\c country at its baso
for a distance of one hiin Ircd mi'es. [n short, IVof. M looun be-
lieved the North- West to bo tlie richest part of CJariad;i, and pro-
phesied that it would yet be the h.)me of millions of people
prosperous and happy.

An early opening of navigation on the grett lakes is expected.
The '-first boat" at Thunder Uiy is looked for about the 5th or
♦Jth of May, more than two weeks earlier than it arrived last
year.

WlNNlPKU, Sept. Gth, 1876.

Dkar Sir, — in answer to your iii([uiri('s, under date .Vug.
30th, I have to say: —

Government land of the first ipi ility, prairie or wooded, cm
ho had within 30 to 50 miles of Winnipeg and near other ncvv
settlements, with stores, church and school facilities, by every
male over 18 years of age or female head of fiimily, on tho
following terms, viz. : — A home-stead of l')0 acres, free ; i pre-
emption of 160 acres at $1 per acre, on a credit (jf 3 years ;
both to be partially cultivated and made a hnwtjith farm, and
the homestead resided upon.

The land in the Red River valley is a rich black loam, and
will average two feet in depth ; it is very productive and la>3t-
ing. Further west tlu soil is lighter and luore uiixel witli
sand. \Vhere settle<l upon, as far west as 200 miles, Ontario
emigrants prefer it, as being earlier auil more workable, and
also very productive.

New land should be broken in time to be thoroughly ratted
for cultivation next year, though a great part of tho crop^ of
this year were sown on the newly broken sod, cross plougho'l,
but realizing only half a crop. »

The degree of cold is uiidoubteilly greater here than in
Ontario, but is drier and healthier. This season we have had
a greater rainfall than for the past two years; usually our pro-
H

lOG

A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK AND GUIDE

■i

portion is less than in Ontario, tbough the dews an- much
heavier.

Thinking fanners have come to the conchision that one <lolhi)
j)er bushel for wheat in Manitoba, when the cost for fenced
land, prepared for the seed, is not ten jlollars per acre, and the
crop is thirt}' to forty bushels per acre, is. quite equal to onf
dollar and fifty cents per bushel in Ontario.

The valley of the Assiniboine, especially on its heavily
wooded side, the south, is ronarkable for its numerous and
fine wild fruit,— plums, cherries, gooseberries, dewberries,
cuirants, grapes, sascatoons, raspberries, strawberries, and
cranberries being found at vsrious places in great profusion.
Wild lu»ps are also exceidingly plentiful opposite the village
of High Bluff, there being acfes of it apparently e(|ual to anv
we cultivate. Mr. Alcock, oi tlut place, has promised a full
exhibition of it at the fall show.

The attention being paid to cattle we notice, as in Sunnysidr,
is on the increase, and it is hoped tliat ere long our importa-
tion of beef will also cease. It must be remembered tliai
incoming settlers will always require large numbers of cattlr
for first supply, so that a Large increase must be made before a
surplus is reached. Messrs. Taite, Taylor, Cunningham, Hall,
Farmer, Bremner, Trestan, Clouston, Stephenson, and othei.s
have good herds to which they are rapidly making additions.

QUERIES ANSWERED.

In reply to an intending settler in Manitoba or the North- West,
who writes us from Ontario, we would say : — Batth.'ford is the
future capital of the North-West Territory. The Indian title
has been extinguished to the territory for hundreds of miles
around that place. Battleford is about 650 miles west of
Winnipeg. The land upon both the North and South Sas
katchewan is good fur settlement. That entire section of
country is known as the Saskatchewan valley. Coal abounds
there. The only practicable emigrant routes to Manitoba are
open during the season of navigation by rail via Detroit or
Port Huron and St. Paul to Moorhead, and thence by Red
River steamer to W innipeg, or by the lake steamboat to Duluth,
thence by rail to Moorhead, and thence by Red River steam
boat as already stated. Through tickets and full information
can be obtained at most railroad and ticket offices in Ontario
during the season. A first-class stage runs between Moorhead
and Winnipeg all the year, which conveys the mails. First-
class general purpose horses are worth from $300 to $600 per
team. Agricultural implements, furniture, etc., can mostly be
bought in Winnipeg to better advantage than they can be
bought in Ontario and brought through by immigrants. Cana-

TO MANITOBA AND THE NORTH WK8T.

107

(iittii waggons }ir« too heovy for tliia country, and tlio ploughs
are not at all .uiiiptiMl.

liut it in ' ' tiibliHli«'il as an imlispntalilo fact, that wheat
can he grown nu ceHnfully from «'as,t to we.st of tlie Fertile Belt,
and nortiiward far down the Mackenzie itiver and its trihu-
taries. In the lower parishes of Uod River the yield throws
all Canadian experience into the shade. The same land has
been sown with wheat for fifty years, and, without being ma-
nured, has returned when unmolested by grasshoppers and
Hoo<ls, as much as sixty bushels to the acre. Westward, the
I etur!i is from thirty to forty bushels per acre, the soil being
lighter but cleaner and more easily worked than the stiff clays
of Red River, and much less atfected b)* drought. These state-
ments may seem exaggerations to the •'eader, but they are
literal truths a.id beyond contradiction. When we consider
then the ea.se with whi<;h farming operations may be carried
on ill Lhe Nortii-West ; its atlaptednessto'machinery, the absence
of stumps or stones rendering the whole breadth of service
available ; and the prodigal yield ; wo can clearly appreciate the
fjecessity of immediate enterprise in developing the country
Ooth by rail and water. The immediate construction of the
Pacific Railway is warranted by every consideration of sound
policy and public interest. Thirty years hence it will employ
three lines of railway to carry the wheat of the North- West to
tide-water, and all the canalling privileges which can be devised
as well. For the last feyir years a market has been found for
the surplus production of the country sufficiently remunerative
amongst the Indians, from immigrants themselves, and from
internal consumption. But now that immigration is likely to
pour in in vastly increased volume, it will soon be necessary to
provide a cheap as well as a speedy transit for grain, and to
this end a water route is as necessary as a railway. The dif-
ference in cost of transport by water and by rail is in the ratio
of one to three, and this difference is so immense, when taken
in connection with the remote centres of production, so as to
make the opening of a water route imperatively necessary. It
is fortunate that we have two routes to the sea, mainly by
water, and that it is not impossible to connect the Saskatche-
wan with Lake Superior. The «ievelopment of this route
would establish the greatest system of internal water communi-
cation on the continent, and the time is coming when barges
will load at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and discharge
cargo at Montreal ; or, at all events, when there shall be but
one or two transhipments between these points. — Frum the
Canadian MontJdy.

108

A PRACTICAL HAND BOOK AND GUIDE

TOTOGAN.
From a Correspondent.

The past week has seen much done in the progress of fall
ploughing, and the continued open weather seems to promise
the farmers ample time for the completion of their preparations
for the winter. The progress of the threshing has enabled us
to obtain more accurate statistics relative to the yield of
wheat ; and these confirm with remarkable accuracy the
estimated yield published in the Free Press, a short
time since. The average would have been higher had it
not been for the great luxuriance of the straw in some districts,
which caused it to be laid early in the season ; and for the par
tial damage done by the birds — the latter being chiefly con-
fined, however to the river farms, and those districts where
the brush and timber predominate, being little felt on the
more open prairie, where the best samples of grain have in
nearly every instance been produced. A farmer in the imme-
diate neighbourhood affirms that the yield of his wheat would
have reached fully fifty bushels to the acre had the birds been
less destiuctive ; the crop under existing circumstances threshed
out a net forty oushels to the acre. He lias perhaps been the
greatest sufferer in the vicinity from this cause,

RAINY LAKE DISTRICT.

The country immediately to the north of the Kainy River hav-
ing been blocked out into townships last winter by Mr. Reed,
P.L.S., is now being subdivided. A great portion fronting upon
the river has been completed, and by the opening of navigation
all the river frontages will have been surveyed and be opened for
settlement. The surveyors report a great quantity of muskeg in
the back townships, which they say can easily be drained, and
vill make fine farming land, little or no clearing haviu' to be
done. There is a belt of higher land upon the bank of the river,
varying in depth from half to three or four miles. The whole
country in rear is interspersed by low ridges, with similar land to
that upon the bank of the river. These ridges, as a rule, follow
the course of smaller streams, of which there are several running
into the Rainy River. The soil for agricultural purposes, though
not so strong as upon the prairie, is considered very good. The
rapid and luxurious vegetation of wild vetches and other under-
growth never failing to astonish people who come from Ontario.
I have often heard remarks passed by emigrants upon their way
to Manitoba to the eiTect that if they had had such land as that
below they would have stayed where they were. Upon the river
belt an .1 ridges, the principal growth of timber is poplar and

TO MAMT »BA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

109

white birch, the former attainiujr a size which makes it the build-
ing material of the country. It has been proved in Manitoba
that poplar in a log house will last longer than oak, and I have
seen several instances of old houses, thirty or forty years old, be-
ing pulled down, and the poplar logs remainiag as sound as
they were the day they were put there. 1 believe in Ontario that
the growth of poplar is generally considered a bud indication for
the soil. If so, that must not be taken as a criterion for this
country, and it must be remembered that the prairie, whose won-
derful wheat growing properties are well known, grows scarcely
any other timber. Between the ridges and the muskeg proper,
are generally belts of tamarac, cedar, and spruce. The length of
Rainy River has hithirto been quoted at seventy-five miles, but
the survey proves it to be somewhat in excess of that distance.
Its average breadth is about 150 to 200 yards, taking its rise
from the. foot of Rainy Lake, two miles from which is situated
the village and Fort Frances, and emptying into the Lake of the
Woods. Its w.'tcrs abound in white fish, pike, pickerel, and
sturgeon ; whilst in the country are to be fouud moose, cariboo,
bear, otter, mink, marten, (fee. Partridges, pin-tail grouse and
prairie chicken also abound in great quantity. There are two large
rivers running iato it from the south, which are at present known
as the upper and lower American rivers ; their junctions are
about twelve or sixteen miles below Fort Frances respectively.
About fourteen miles from ite mouth, a small river, known as the
Rapid River, tails into the Rainy River, on the American side,
in a pretty cascade. This is also a fine mill site, and it is said
that the country in rear abounds with pine. Grasshoppers are
almost unknowm here ; sometimes, when they are very thick in
Manitoba, a strong westerly wind brings a few, but as they have
to cross a large tract of wood land and water, they never arrive
in quantities snfl&cieut to do any damage. Nt.ther as yet have
they bred here to any extent."

BEET ROOT SUGAR.

The Mohdary Timca is of opinion thai the production of
beet root sugar, if prosecuted upon a sufficiently large scale,
could be made very profitable in Canada. A calculation is
given setting forth the estimated results of the manufacture of
a thousand tons of sugar beets in the States of New York and
Pennsylvania, as made by an Am jrican gentleman who has.
given long considoi-ation to the subject. It is as follows : —

110

A PRAOTIOAL HAND-BOOK AND GUIDE

Expenses. i ••(. •

I' I

1,000 tons of beets at $4 per ton , $4,000

Estimated cost of manufacturing at $5 per ton... 5,000

Total $9,000

Results.

200 tons of pulp at $2 per ton ^ 400'

30 jns of syrup $20 per ton 60O

60 tons of sugar at $250 per ton 15,000

Total results $16,000

From which deduct expenses 9,000

Leaves a profit of $7,000

Beet root sugar manufacturing will likely, at no distant day,
be a question of much interest in Manitoba and the North- West,
for, without doubt, our soil is immensely superior to anything
upon the continent for the production of the sugar beet.
Already the matter has engaged the attention of some men,
and we are persuaded that if the manufacture of beet root sugar
can be carried on profitably in any part of America, Manitoba,
and the North West but await the construction of railways to
offer superior advantages for such an important industry.

In conclusion we would refer the intending settler to the
" Descriptive Reports of Townships in Manitoba and the North:
West Territories, October 31st, 1875," in which he will be able
to gather a great deal of information in regard to the soil, hay,
wood, and water of the Province of Manitoba. The book can
be had on application to Col. Dennis, Surveyor-General, at
Ottawa.

w ▼ ▼

-SI.

m THE SHORTEST AND BEST

Si^_

Freight and Passenger Route

-TO

:M:^^3sr I T o B^^

AND THE NORTH-WEST

-♦-••••-♦-

The all rail line from Fisher's Landing to St. Boniface being completed,

the G'eat Western Railway Company is now prepared to offer an

all rail route, via the Michigan Central Railway, by way of

DETROIT, CHICAGO AND ST. PAUL,

(and in the Spring a short rail and water route, via the Detroit, Grand
Haven an<l Milwaukee Railway, by way of

DETROIT, GRAND HAVEN, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL,)

From all points on its Main Line and Branches, affbiTling to intending
Settlers in Manitoba, Dakota and the North -west

Quick Transportation at Lowest Rates

For Themselves, their Household Goods, Agricultural
Implements, Live Stock, &c.

Special Train arrangements will, be made for large parties, who may

desire to take their effects with them.

^jp" This is also the shortest and most desirable route in connection
with the North-West Transportation Cos Steamers, running from Sarnia,
Kincardine and Southampton to Duluth during the summer season, con-
necting with the Northern Pacific Railway for all points in Manitol>a and
the North West Temtory.

For further information, Maj)s, Time Tables, «S:c., apply to the Com-
pany's Station Masters, or to G. B. Spriggs, General Freight Agent, and
Wm. Edgar, General Passenger Agent, Hamilton.

F. BROUGHTOnr^

General Manager.
Hamilton, March, 1879.

By all odds THE BEST ROUTE is via the

THROUGH BONDED FREIGHT LINE

OF THE

Chicago and ITorth-'Western

Railway.

Tiiih I'oitl starts from Cliica<,'(» and rtiiis in a din-ct lino to St. Panl. Minn., uliiTc :
connects'iu a Union Depot witli tlio 8t. I'anl and Pacific Railroad for St. N'incun
where it connects witli the Pembina Branch of

The Canada Pacific Railiivay

and forms the very hest route and tlie only one over wiiich ym .slunild sliip yoi
freight or send your passenger.^ for Emerson, W innipeg (Fort (jlarry) or any point n
Manitoba or

The Red River Country.

MMie Great Western, Grand Trunk and Canada Southern Railways connect at Detroit
with tlie Rlichigan Central llailroad wliich is the eastern connection of the Cliicau'.
and North- Western Railway, and any of these roads will contract to deliver yoiii
fi'eight to the Chicago i^ IS orth- Western Railway at Chicago. Consign your freigl"
to the care of the Chicago Sc Xorth-Western Railwiiy iind it will be given jd'ompi
despatch to its destination. For fidl information you can address

Cauadian Freight Ageat,
87 York St., Rossin House Rlock. Tot-onto, Ontario.

Ur,
I. I>. K\i:i^LA\D, II. €. \VI< liF.Se,

Transfer Agent, M. C. R. K., Chicago, 111- Gen- Freight Agent 0- & N-W- R., Chicago, 1)1

81i'.\iM iisk for ami liL' MUX' tlifir Tirkt'ts road via tlu; (iniiul 'rniiik, (Ji-c at \\ Cstcni, cii- ("aiiada SMUtlicrn H. I;.
tn Dutriiit; .Micliiuai; Cditial H. 11., l)(.'|niit to Cliicairn : I'liiia'.;^. St.. r.uil \ .MiiiiKa]i()lix l.iin' (Cliivauo vV
Ni'ilii-Westiji-ii Kail\va\ J, Chicauo to St. Taiil; St. Paul \ Pat'lfu' and Canada I'arillr K. K.s, St. I'aui to W imd
\<vj: Till! " ("hiijau^o, St. Paul iV .MiniU'aiioli.s Line" is conipc-iid of the Cliica-o iV .\ortli \\\-tvin and Wot \N is
I'onsin Haihva\s, and passcnuoi-.s to sucure the a(hantai;('N ol' this lini", -,hoidd lit sure tlit'ir tickets ixid as aho\ t
and .NOT HY' ANY OTllKR LLNK ll.WLNt; .V SLMIL.VI! .NA.MI.:.

This is the only rhrouy:li Line from ('hiea;;-o that makes a ciiiiiK-etioii ut St. Paul with the

St. Paul & Pacific, Northern Pacific, and St. Paul & Duluth Railways,

I or \\ iiitiiiieu, Kmefson, Peinhiiia. Fisher's Ijandiiiir, nismaiek, .Moorhead, P.raiiieid. (il\ ndoii. Diihilh. Ihcik
iiridi;e, St. (Jloud, .Sauk Contie, IN THK UNION DKPOT. This is now tlie esfalilished

All Rail Route to Manitoba.

Ati; AH Coupon Ticket Agents can sell you tickets via this route.

LINE

iim., wlu'if
' St. N'iiicL'ii

lid ship yoiii
iiiiy [loiut ii!

3ct at Detr(»ii
f the Chicau"
deliver y<)\ii
1 your fi'eiyl"
given prouij •

>iit(*, Ontario

K., Chicago, JJI

;i Siiutlicni H. I;,

t. I'ltul to Wiiiiii
•II ami \Vc'>t Wis

-'ts I'Liul US uhii\c

I, Ifiiiutli, l!rei-k

route.