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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 diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmfo d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est fllm6 A partir de i'angie supirieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicess^ire. lies diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 « 6 '"^f " '~'i • . '■'t- T ■' -i ■« n il -(;ri. MANITOBA --■•>. ■ „-*■ •V. . AND ^■'.'* v'#;'^-v.^''-';/^;v.l''7;i^;v? .A '<-. v_- •■*..'' NOfiTH WEST TEEEITORIES. %^..>V,t>^. - ■;■!»«. •-.■;»,.-;«•..•. jr*''i-/ '• '..i.'- K'. ' ' ■ JAMES TROW. MP.;^"^'*S-Sf vi:^.^.,^ ■-^:::-^,^},^'- (Chairman of J m^nigrafion and Colonization Com'miUee.)\f^\' ''''v'^'',.-"'^ .^K.y, TOOETHER WITH INFOBI^TION EELATIVE TO AOQUIRISO DOMIlflON LANDS; COST OF OUTFIT, &c. - .,1', .i^V-.. ' ;• ■■■. ,\. »:' ■t\:k I ■■•.># 5£ ;?■ '^ r^i:^^""^^^^'. ^ OTTAWA: PUBUSIIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. ^^f^:^- ^i.:-^ 1878. •^-K'r i.v& :f-:::- h • Mr m \^n f , V ■ Ktirif 7^ San* 1 ■ \ v^» 1 . ''^ 1 i • 1 . %r. i ■ 1 H** ' f / ■ 1 ^ 1 1 ' t i ■ 1 . ■ ; ; f 1 > ^ Hi 1 \ \ \ \ 1 1 ...>rrrr; -" — 4— — ^ — PARTOFlHtUNITEDSTATES"' Compile*! fr«»m «•"' I '»'»'»*'^ AutUoiitiPS 1874. SCALE or Miies .• 11,1. i»i.tkjr»i LiiUM^iM^ dimpv Montreal >iii_ ll> '^^ 1 1 1^ Pl^-" ..*"" | I k LAN! !• ':. J> ••-•L, . J I J /• k,«uir- ,f ,»» ■•I I"" *i«w<( U (•-v^- ^ !<• .li^ :-l.L :-X.^ , i}.". :i^^,. fr ■^" ■^' ./^ :-' T !^«-^-^^ J > -'11-- ::\- i_AZ_*: -:^,^gjr^&,^*:-r;^/" / ~a "nrr* ♦ ^^^^ \ i^ n AJ". ••;>^B )\)'': -/^'-^ I "... •> 4i^ ,>* A X ^^^1 Mt PARTOfTHEUNITED STATES ) Cimipiie)! fiHiii llii* l^.trcHi Autlioiitips 1074. Kiiiluiif!: m ill ie*i( or Miic* hf^f^tfd lf0ilu-tilf\',* ^«.^^^*»^ Yi I I I M ■mil' '■?IIIIWW " **' llMiMl*" U mmittmtx of I. 'imuda-— . . — ofthfl'milHrvi: hh- [v«iMr»« tiiii ^ hibW fomi'" vnnin-ai MANITOBA AND NORTH WEST TERRITORIES. LETTERS JAMES TROW, MP., {Chatrman of Jmmigradon and Colonization Commitlfe.) TOGETHER WITH nrORMATION RELATIVE TO AOQUIBIliG DOMIHION LAHM; COST OF OUTFIT, &c. OTTAWA : 1 PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 1878. i ■ i ■^.Tzli^.^^i^- INTRODUCTION. The following letters from Mr. Trow, MR, the Chaimian of the Committee of Immigration and Colonization of the House of Commons, addressed, in the first place, to a lociil paper, for the special benefit of his own constituents, have been reprinted by the Department of Agriculture, for the information of intend- ing settlers. Mr. Trow made this journey for the express purpose of satis- iying himself as to the adaptability of Manitoba and the adjoining territory as a field for immigration. His aim was, in writing these letters, to convey, without any exaggeration or undue colouring, his honest impressions. And he is, it may be added, a perfectly competent and responsible observer of the facts he narrates. In order to add to the usefulness of this pamphlet, a summary of the provisions of the Dominion Lands Act is given 5 together with some information respecting land scrip ; the cost of outfit necessary for a settler to commence farming} and fares. Ottawa, April, 1878. Jhi Ac< int the Noi the tru( adai thai giv< L by 1 •Col. and tool atio iiarl docl Mai of t broi pi lei Geo fron LETTERS OP TRAVEL IN THE NORTH-WEST, BY xMR TROW, M.P. (From the Stratford Beacon.) LETTER I. Ijfi Route for the Far West — Sketches by the Way — Changes and Progress. DuLUTH, July 1 1, 1877. According to promise I intend to occupy a short space occasionally in the Beacon, for the purpose of keeping my numerous friends in the County of Perth informed respecting Manitoba and the great North-West. I shall take jottings daily by the way, descriptive of the country travelled through, and shall relate, without colouring, a time and reliable statement of the resources of the Far West — and its adaptability for successful colonization. With the various subjects that come under ray notice, I shall deal without fear or favour, and give an unvarnished account of the country I pass through. Leaving Stratford on the evening of the 8th inst., accompanied by my son, (we had, also, for a considerable portion of our journey, Col. Richardson, Stipendiary Magistrate for the North-West Territory, and his family, for fellow-travellers), we proceeded to Sarnia and took passage on the steamer Ontario, of the North-West Transport- ation Company. We left very late at night and arrived at Goderich harbour at 7.30 the following morning, distance 60 miles. The docks have been very much improved since my last visit. The river Maitland has been diverted through a new channel on the west side of the bay, and the harbour will now be free from ice and debris brought down by the spring freshets. I noticed across the bay large piles of lumber, probaoly some millions of feet, shipped from the (reorgian Bay, by the Messrs. Cook & Co. This lumber is forwarded from this point by eitk?r rail or water to all parts east. I also 6 noticed another branch of industry recently sprung up, the mam- moth flouring mills of Messrs. Ogilvie & Co. These occupy a splen- did site alongside the dock, having an elevator lifting the grain out of the boats into the mill. This mill contains 11 run of stones^ and can grind 2,000 bushels per day. The tirm depend entirely upon Western wheat, purchased in Chicago, Milwaukee, or St. Paul. I noticed a cargo then nnlcaciing, some 15,000 bushels, a poor shrunken sample of Minnesota wheat. The manager said they mixed it with better Canadian gra and had adopted the "Talent" pro- cess, which made the best flour. Attached to the flouring mills are extensive salt works, the steam from the flour mill being utilized for evaporating the brine. I was informed by the foreman that the expense was very trifling, not exceeding $1.25 per ton, and that no other well could compete with them, the result being that nearly all the other wells were shut down, and Ogilvie & Co. monopolize the salt trade in Goderich. Proceeding up the lake we soon enter the Kincardine harbour, and a short sail further brings us to Southampton, another small town. The docks are distant nearly a mile from the town. Very large sums have been expended by the Government on these dock8 or breakwaters. One extends out 2,300 feet and the other 2,100 feet. The officials of the steamer had but a poor opinion of the harbour^ notwithstanding all the money expended on it, deeming their ship safer in a storm out in the lake than in the harbour, Southampton appears to be quite a fishing station, thirty or forty fishing smacks being employed in the fishing trade. The proceeds for last yeai*- amounted to 060,000. Next morning we sight the Manitoulin, a much larger island than I had anticipated, being probably 80 miles in length. It formerly belonged to the Chippewas ; but Sir Francis Bond Head,, in 1836, collected the remnants of several tribes, some even from the United States, who settled on the Island, and in 1862 a treaty was made with them, by which a large portion of the Island was^ ceded to the Canadian Government and placed upon the market at 50 cents per acre. About the year 1867 the price was reduced to 20 cents, and in 1870 raised again to 50 cents. The population of the Island now is supposed to be about 5,000 composed of 3,500 whites and 1,500 Indians. About a dozen townships have been surveyed, roads constructed, municipal institutions formed, schools- and churches erected. Settlers are taking up land rapidly, and in a few years all the arable land will be taken up. Passing several islands we touch at the Island of St. Joseph, where we landed a few passengers at a very primitive dock. Many settlers are taking up land in this region. Free grants are here given to settlers. The land ii* reported good and well adapted for successful settlement. Running, e mam- a Bplen- rain out i* stones^ ily upon Paul. I a poor y mixed it" pro- Qills are lized for that tht> that no aarly all jlize the harbour, er small \. Very se docks ,100 feet, harbour,^ heir ship lampton smacks ast year r island gth. It id Head, en from a treaty and was^ larket at reduced )pulation of 3,500 ave been , school* and in a ; several led a few ^ up land e land i» Running J through several intricate channels we soon enter St. Mary's River;, and in a few hours arrive at the Sault. The town appears to have a gradual growth, and I am informed that roads are oeing constructed in the back tow tsbips, and that settlers are rapidly tilling in and taking possession of the lands adapted for agriculture. No doubt a good proportion of the land is unfit for settlement, but that portion will eventually develop great mining resources. The St. Mary's ship canal does not appear to bo any further advanced than it was on my visit in 1874. The new lock is 80 feet wide and 500 in length. The Indians in this locality have a sickly look, probably owing to their habits of life. They occupy their time in fishing under the Falls, carrying excursionist.** over the rapids in bark canoes, and lounging along the dock.*^. Having passed through the canal, we enter Lake Superior, the great inland sea, having an area of 32,000 square miles, more than double the nize of the Province of Manitoba. Steaming over this broad expanse of water scarcely a vessel is sighted ; and it appears that at present the shipping interests are much depressed. I am in formed that wheat can now be carried from Chicago to Buffalo for- Ifc. or 2 cts. per bushel, and from Duluth to Sarnia at 4 cts. per- bushel. Hundreds of people who were considered wealthy a few years ago, whose means were invested in shipping, now find them- selves in straitened circumstances. What then represented a dollar- is not worth one-third of that now. Sighting Isle Royale on, our- left, the manager of a mine on it informed me there was no good I land ; and that it was very doubtful if mineral interests would. pay for working. We next arrive at Silver Islet, the most profitaulo- silver mine in the world for a time. This island is a mere speck, tO or 80 feet square, distant from the shore 3,000 or 4,000 'yards i yet from this little island probably two millions of dollars in silver have already been extracted, at an outlay of one million dollars. Breakwaters have been made, shafts sunk, and precious metal taken out many hundred feet below the water. A. village of considerable size sprang up as if by magic, on the shore just, op- posite, but it is now deserted for a time at least. When litigation, ceases with the company and stock is concentrated and held. by. a.fow this mine may yet flourish. A large number of the miners removed: to Manitoba, wnere they will no doubt find that it is safer and more^ profitable to work on the surface than under ground. Passing Thun- der Cape, towering 1,350 feet, almost perpendicularly, out of the water, we cross the bay and arrive at Prince Arthur's Landing. Quite- a livalry exists between the people of this place and those at Fort William in reference to the terminus of the Pacific Railway.. Efforts are now on foot to construct a branch line from the Landing to- the terminus, some 7 or 8 miles. They fully expect the GovernmxiDt tfif» n 1.1 8 i '■ i 1 il furnish the rails, and it appears reasonable to suppose that a place of so much importance, and possessed of so much enterprise, should be encouraged to that extent. The mining interests of Thunder Bay are, like many other branches of business, languishing for want of capital to develop them. Scores were out of employment last winter and, but for the work on the Railway, many of them would have been in want of the necessaries of life. Leaving the Landing we proceed on our way to Duluth, 190 or 200 miles distant. The whole shore seems rugged and uninviting. Not a solitary settler is to ^ M\ ■wpringing up. The lands on the south side, West Lynn, are much higher, and the Pembina Mountains have attracted a largo portion of settlors this season. There is a very largo Mennonito settlement sorao 20 miles distant, and We^jt Lynn will attract a large propor- tion of tho trade of this section. The soil of the whole surrounding country is richly covered with nutritious grasses. Many copses of timber skirt the river, and at the Pembina mountains timber is plentiful and living springs abundant. Where the lands are high tho crops have a fine healthy appearance, but on low lands the nnusuii' liill of rain has done considerable damage. A short dis- tance lurther down the rivoi* we arrive at Dutt'orin, where buildings wore erected for the boundary commission and afterwards trans- lencd to tho Immigration Department. Many poor families find relief in being ])rovided for and allowed to remain within tho buildings until they secure a location and some place of shelter. We met here Mr. J. K Tetu, Dominion Immigration Agent, who appears •very active in assisting and locating those desirous of becoming per- manent settlers. Some 500 or more repatriated French Canadians from Massachusetts Imvo been located on a reserve in this locality, having been forwarded to this point by Mr. Lalimo, Dominion Im- migration Agent for the Eastern States. These French settlers were placed upon tho reserve by Dr. Tremblay and Mr. Tetu. Further down the river we run against the bank and take in a supply of wood sufficient for the return trip to this point. Speculators pur- chase this wood from the Indians in winter, while they are under- going partial starvation, for a mere trifle, and dispose of it for $2.50 j)er cord to supply the boats. Thousands of cords are taken down lo the city in barges and rafts. Government lands are totally stripped of their valuable timber by tho Indians and others ; and the lands reduced materially in value, for the settlor cannot bo induced to un- dertake to clear up stumps while the broad open prairie can be had for a song. Timber lands are valuable, and should be carefully watched and preserved. It is very true that the Mennonitos are -satisfied with but little timber; nine-tenths of their reserves are totally destitute of it; but all Canadians are anxious to set- tle upon lands on which some timber is to be obtained. Con- tinuing to sail down the river, wo noticed that a considerable nuniber of strea.ns enter it, having their rise far inland, affording drainage and water privilege to the intending settler. Tho river frontage on both sides is principally settled by French half- breeds, who as a rule make very indifferent agriculturists, preferring trading and hunting to tilling the soil. Scores of eligible locations with ordinary buildings and a few acres under cultivation could be purchased upon reasonable terms. More productive lands cannot i>e found in tho Dominion. The best analysis of the quality of the I wl fol ail fol vT re much portion sttloment 3 propor- roundiniijj opsos of mbor i8 are high nds the hort dis- )uilding.s Is trans- families thin the ter. We a])pear8 ing per- inadians locality, ion Im- jrs were Further pply of >r8 pur- under- >r 12.50 n down tripped e lands 1 to un- be had irefully tes are '^es are to set- Con- lerable brding river half- erring sations )uld be sannot of the i 13 soil is when we find that under such indifferent farming, crops of wheat averaging from 25 to 35 bushels per aero are raised yearlj, for 20 or 30 years in succession. Early on Sunday morning we arrived at the city of Winnipeg, the great centre to which all resort, for their annual supplies, coming from the numerous settlements even as far aa the Saskatchewan and the base of the Rocky Moun- tains, and in the opposite direction from the north-west angle of Eainy Kiver, to the settlements on the west side of Lake Winnipeg. The city occupies a commanding position at the confluence of the twogreat rivers, Red lliver and the Assiniboine. I^umerous brick blocks and public buildings have been erected since my visit in 1874 — the Hudson Bay Company's offices. Pacific hotel, the Custom house. Dominion land olfice, post office, the city hall, and many extensive stores and co ^ private dwellings. Its growth, notwithstanding the grasshopper plague for three years, has continued ; the ijopula- tion in 1871 being estimated at 700, and at present at upwards of 8,000. Proprietors of land have surveyed and subdivided their lots, which are sold and resold at almost fabulous prices. Lots that wore oftered to myself in 1874 for from $300 to $500 are now soiling read- ily for $600 and $1,000. The principal streets are Main st. and Portage st., each 132 feet in width ; the other streets radiating from these centres are 66 feet. The sewerage scheme, which cost nearly $50,000, adds very materially to the health of the inhabitants. Ex- tensive tanks are sunk at the corners of many streets as means for extinguishing fire. Several grist and saw mills are now in full blast in the city and country. Steamboats are constantly plying up the river to Portage la Prairie and down the river to Selkirk. The Kitt- son steamers run regularly to Fisher's Landing, and an inde- pendent line is soon expected to commence running from Moore- head. The Red River is navigable for over 650 miles excepting in dry seasons. At Goose Rapids, above Grand Forks, the American Government have recently mado'appropriations for improving these rapids. On my arrival I made particular enquiries respecting the- state of the roads and prospects of crops. Many " Job's comforters " alleged that the roads were utterly impassable and the entire crop destroyed. After a few dry days I drove out in various directions, and found the roads comparatively dry and passable, and the gene- ral crops luxuriant and presenting a most healthy appearance. It is very true crops on low lands were injured and also some root crops destroyed, but on che whole the prospects are exceedingly good^ Large droves of cattle have just been brought in from Minnesota and. Montana, and the city sheds are tilled every night. The drovers find it much better in order to effect a sale to enclose their cattle and horses every night, paying $1 per night for the pen. Hundreds of horses are brought for sale, and a good hardy breed they are, much 'n\ 'y\ i; 14 i^ \ bolter adapted for the country than horses taken from Ontario. ill one of the older Provinces may purchase a farm for his Mms, ^vho aie under age, or who may not at present be in cireumstanceH to erect suitable buildings and purchase implements of husbandry and stock. He first procures the land, calculating that his iomily may soon become peimanent settlers, but this obnoxious tax staies him in ihe face annually, and, having no returns from the land, he bOon becomes discouraged, and sells to speculators. I was informed that many residents in the city of Winnipeg hold from 120 to 150 half-breed claims or scrip, and thousands of acres of land patented, all of which are exempt from taxation. The true policy is to tax the property of all equitably, expend the proceeds in aproper system of drainage, in bridging and grading roads, building school-houses, and developing the resources of the country. Let the Dominion Government construct railways and improve river navigation, cut canals through portages, extend the magnificent water stretches, encourage a thrifty, industrious class of immigrants from the older Provinces, the Eastern States and from Europe, settle those fertile millions of acres not with paupers, but the farm labourers possessed of some means, and the tenant farmers of Great Britian, who pay an annual rent sufficient to purchase freeholds, erect buildings, and stock farms in Manitoba, They should also encourage manufactures. Hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly are now expended in purchasing implements, furniture and merchandise in the United States. The discriminating freight rates from St. Paul to Winnipeg, ■are over 100 per cent, against Canadian goods, and their elfect is that our own manufacturers and merchants cannot possibly com- pete. The construction of railways would effectually change this system in flavour of our own people. The construction of a lock on the Assiniboine, a short distance west of Winnipeg, would so im- prove navigation that the river could be utilized for conveying freight and passengers for hundreds of miles into the heart of the countr3\ The water being high this season, several good-sized steamers have so far made regular weekly trips from Winnipeg to Portage la Prairie. The Hudson Bay steamer, Colwell, makes regu- lar trips down the Red River, along Lake Winnipeg to Grand Rapids, and connects with the steamer Norihcote, one of lighter draught, which does the carrying trade for the Company up the Sas- katchewan to Edmonton, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. This gives the Hudson Bay Compan}?^ great advantage in conveying by water to their various posts over other traders, who cart all their supplies, taking iiearly the whole season to make one trip. The frieght charges from Winnipeg to Battleford are from 7 cents to 8 cents per lb,, and in some cases much higher, and, what is singular, We often find settlers bringing from Canada old traps not worth the freight. >^' ire, and cx- mily resid- 3r his s«inH, juiTPtaiieeM husbandry 1)18 lomily tax stares le land, he IS informed 120 to 150 1 patented, y is to tax per system ool-houhes, Dominion gation, cut stretches, 1 the older 5086 fertile i possessed vho pay an dings, and lufactures. pended in he United Winnipeg, ir eifect is sibiy com- lange this a lock on aid so im- conveying art ot the good-sized innipeg to akes regn- id Rapids, • draught, > the ISas- ins. This s'eying by 't all their rip. The cents to 8 1 singular, worth the 21 There is something very remarkable about the navigation of Red River. At ice level the fall from the city to the crossing at Selkirk is \H feet, and at the flood for weeks this season the water rose over 20 feet at Winnipeg, while at the crossing it rose only four feet. The fur trade overshadows all others. It is not now, as formerly, confined to the Hudson Bay Company, but scores of independent traders, with large trains, are seen almost daily going or coming into the city from the far west. The poor untutored Indian roceives but a paltry pittance for his whare. I understand that a few pounds of shot, flour or pork, will purchase a butfulo robe. Thousands are purchased for less than 81 each, principally in trade, the real in- trinsic value of which would not represent 50c. in Ontario. I heard a ti'ader who had just arrived from the plains say that he had brought in 4,000 robes, and had offered the entire lot at $2.50 each and could not find a purchaser. A few years ago traders from the States, and even our own traders, would take a gallon of high wines, dilute it with probably 20 gallons of water, tobacco juice, &c., and often impose upon the natives with a mixture of drugs, pepper and I )5iin-killer, defrauding them out of valuable furs for an article that las a tendency to make them still more savage and undermine their constitutions. The law abolishing the sale of intoxicating liquors in the North-West, aided by the Mounted Police, has effec tually put a check to this traffic. Owing to the state of the roads the merchants and lumbermen are complaining of dull times, but, judging from the hundreds of Red River carts loading and unloading along the streets and warehouses, etc., f would imagine that a very extensive business was done. The hotels are overflowing with strangers ; many have come for an excursion merely to see the country ; others intend to invest and remain in the Nortb-West. One gentleman shipped yesterday 600 bushels of wheat, intending to dispose of it for seed next spring. The change, no doubt, will prove advantageous. Hotel accommodation in this city is much improved of late years. LETTER IV. 'rt ■ •f'l Travelling Under Difficulties — A Rainy Season in the Prairie Province — Productiveness of the Country — Mennonite and Icelandic Settle- ments — Good Prospects for frugal, industrious Settlers — The Kain- '.■>■ fall at Winnipeg, &c.f &c, ,. ■.'■. ■iv* ■, : i .. .; • • rf 'If.. The readers of the Beacon will, t hope, excuse my apparent negli- gence in not furnishing them earlier with a sketch of the continuation of my travels in Manitoba and the North West. The only apology I can ofler is that I found it utterly impossible to write while under ^ 22 tho surgical operations of swarms of mosquitoes and " bull-dogs." (A species of fly which is extremely troMblesome in the North- West is called a " bull-dog" from its persistent and determined mode of attack, armed with a weapon somewhat resembling nippers, which cut like a lance. Horses and cattle have been known to die from its attacks.) I may also state that a man has no desire to write letters at night without chairs or table, after driving mules 30 or 40 miles during the day; fording steams and wading through mud and mire, and often over 100 miles from postal communication. These and many other reasons I may advance for deferring my cor- respondence until a more favourable opportunity offered. Our stay in Winnipeg was protracted much beyond our expectations, in conse- ?uence of the unusual rainy season and shocking state of the roads, regret exceedingly that so many, some of them my own personal friends and acquaintances, who went out purposely to become per- manent settlers, but who, owing to the impassable state of the roads and the extortionate sums asked for conveyances, were prevented from seeing the country, returned quite discouraged. Very few got outside the city limits ; it was difficult to do so. All the little ravines, water courses and low places were full to overflowing in and around the city. The judicious expenditure of a few thou- sand dollars in bridging and repairing the leading roads would in a great measure have removed the obstructions, and in all probabi- lity several hundreds of permanent settlers would have been added to the population. A few possessed of greater determination and more energy, did sally out and saw the promised land, with Its thou- sands of acres of beautiful grain waving in the wind. These men, who examined for themselves, gave glowing accounts of tho crops and future prospects of the country. But many returned without leaving the city, with doleful tales that tho country was flooded, crops all destroyed, and the inhabitants in a way to be reduced to a state of starvation. Such accounts of this Province were widely circulated, and interested parties in the United States, speculators and the paid officials of railway companies who are in possession of large tracts of land, took up the refrain, gave the fabrication addi- tional colouring, and advised those with whom they came in con- tact to remove to Manitoba because starvation was manifest, the whole cottucry being flooded, crops all destroyed, etc., etc. Further advice was that they should go out west to the high lands bordering on the Northern Pacific or proceed to Kansas or other western territories. Many were persuaded to go and locate along the line of the Northern Pacific and purchase land at from $4 to $8 per acre while better lands were obtainable in Manitoba free. It is very true that the lands in Minnesota, Dakota, Kansas, and Montana are many hundred feet higher than these of Manitoba, but the low- 38 ness of our lands is an advantage, for high lands are more subject to summer drought*, arid winds aud rapid evaporation. Northern latitudes are more subject to summer rains and refreshing showers than lands located further south. These showers account for the great productiveness of our soil. No one will for a moment dispute that Canada is more favourable for the successful gi '"^h of wheat, oat8, barley and peas than the United States. The last census returns show that Canada produced ^ as much wheat, J as much oats, J as much barley, and as many peas as the thirty-four States and seven territories of the [Tnited States. The yield of wheat per acre in Manitoba, according to reliable statistics, is nearly 100 percent, more than that of Minnesota, Dakota, or Kansas, and Minnesota returns the highest average in the Union. High tem- peratures without rains, such as we find in many of the western States where the thermometer ranges from 75° to 85° and upwards all summer, are not favourable to the successful growth of crops. The average summer heat in Central Ontar^ is 67°. 8 ; in Manitoba, 67°.70. Almost invariably in high tern tures (unless near the ocean or large bodies of water, which has a tendency to ameliorate the climate) there is an insufficiency of rain for vegetation. Pnm- mer droughts are prevalent, little or no rain falls during th igri- cultural months, tne lands become baked and parched before ve;,'o- tation commences, and even the prairie grasses fail to grow as luxuriantly as in a more moist climate. We also find that those arid Erairies are more subject to grasshoppers. The crops in Southern [innesota and other parts west were partially destroyed this season by the *• hoppers," but none appeared in Manitoba. The evidence of Mr. James J. Hill, of St. Paul, (a gentleman who has travelled probably more extensively for the last twenty years through the west- ern States and Territories than almost any other man), taken before the Immigration Commicteeat Ottawa, during last session, proves that a large number of Mennonitoa from Southern Russia settled in the southern part oi" Dakota at or about the time the same class of people settled in Manitoba; that the settlers in Dakota paid 29c. per bushel freightfrom their settlement (Odessa) toDuluth , that their brethren in Manitoba only paid 24c. ; and that the land is not as good in Dakota as in Manitoba. Mr. Hill has been over the country, and is fami- liar with it, knows both countries well, and he says Dakota is more subject to visitation from locusts and more easily affected by drought than Manitoba. Mr. Hill further states that the soil in those west- ern States is not equal to that in the Red River valley, and that such rich land cannot bo found in any other place on the American continent as in Manitoba, unless it be on the Wabash, a short distance from Miami, nearly opposite St. Louis, called the Illinois bottom. Mr. Hill considers the Red Biver valley the richest farm- ••%'•• II 24 inff Innd he has ever seen, ftnd predicts for the settlers in Manitoba a bright future. Such testimony coming from an American citizen, and one po thorougly acquainted with ihe country, must be con- sidered valuable and reliable. I admit that a casual observer, who confined his sphere of observation this season to the examination of the bottom flats from Emerson to Winnipeg, and who was dis- couraged or had no opportunity of proceeding inland through the various flourishing settlements, could come to no favourable conclu- sion, but, had such observer visited Victoria settlement, Springfield, Kildonan, High Blufl', Portage la Prairie, Palestine, Boyne, or even the Mennonite settlement at Pembina, ho certainly would have thought very differently respecting the future prospects of this great country. Some predicted that in the Mennonite colony the crops would prove a failure, owing to the unusally wet seaeon, but I am gratified to know that these thrifty people have reaped an abundant harvest, and the colony will have a surplus of from 30,000 to 40,000 bushels of wheat. Canadians, and others, who settled in the Province rejected the lands now occupied by the Mennonites, owing to the scarcity of timber. The Pembina settlement em- braces seventeen townships, fifteen of which are totally destitute of timber. In two townships tbera are poplar groves and some elm along the creeks. One township contains considerable timber adapted for building purposes— elm and oak. The whole settlement use this timber for 'their buildings. In forming a settlement they group together in villages, build their houses and outhouses oo each side of the road, a few rods apart, in rows ; they then plant rows of orna- mental trees, fence in a garden and yard, the other portion of the farm being left unenclosed. They divide up four or six sections in- to quarters, and twenty to thirty families will comprise a village. A herder is engaged for the village who takes care of the stock, drives all out to pasture after milking, takes care of the crops during the day, and encloses the cattle in yards every night. After the buildings are erected the Mennonites require little or no timber. They construct an oven of dried clay, generally between the partitions of their dwellings, in order to heat three rooms. The oven is two feet wide, a similar depth, and six or seven feet high with metal plate inserted for baking or cooking. These ovens are heated with hay or straw in a short time. When the bricks once become heated they will keep the apartments warm a whole day. For winter use and cook- ing, they prepare a mixture of manure and earth cut up like turf or peat, then dry and stack it. It burns well and they say emits no ofl'ensive smell. These people number about 7,000, have thirty-eight villages on the west side of Red Eiver and twenty-five on the other side. We occasionally find Canadians in Manitoba who are in posses- sion of fifty or more acres of good timber and yet grumble at the scar- .«,■>• 25 ti Manitoba can citizen, U8t be con- erver, who nination of ) was dis- brough the ble conciu- Jpringfiold, ne, or oven 7ou\d have Dt8 of this colony the leason, but reaped an •om 30,000 settled in iennonites, iment em- testitute of ) elm along idapted for t UHe this iiey group 1 each side vs of orna- tion of the ections in- village. A , drives all g the day, ridings are construct 8 of their feet wide, e inserted 7 or straw they will and cook- iko turf or emits no irty-eight the other in possea> t the scar- 's r city, while the Mennonites have settled upon lands without any tim- ber 'vhich others rejected, and are contented and happy. NiW settlements are forming all over the Province. Hundreds who removed to the Province a few years ago penniless are now in comfortable circumstances. They cannot help improving their po- Mtions, providing ihwy pay proper attention to the cultivation of the soil, which will yield very abundantly. The climate is exceedingly healthy and invigorating, not subject to sudden changes as it is in other latitudes. The days are warm and the nights cool and enjoyable. There isan Icelandi6 colony on the west shore of Winnipeg, stretch- ing to Big Island, a distance of about thirty miles north of the Pro- vince of Manitoba, in the territory ofKeewatin. A good winter road has been cut to connect the settlement with the road system of Mani- toba. The Icelandic colony contains about 1600 settlers. They suf- fered very severely during the winter from an outbreak of smuU-pox among them, and very severe quarantine regulations, which com- pletely isolated them from the rest of the world till the middle of tho summer. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, and the total inexpe- rience of tho Icelanders of their new mode of life, the colony now appears to be fairly successful. About 200 good frame houses wore put up during this season, numerous roads cut in the settlement, and the colonists have cleared from two to ten acres around their houses. Their cattle are in good order; there is excellent fishing in the Lake, and, although, owing to the quarantine restrictions, they were not able to get in their seed potatoes till June, they have, on the whole, a air crop, sufScient for the supply of the colony. The settlers are very hopeful and are, I am informed on every hand, writing letters to their friends in Iceland to join them. The settlement is called New Iceland. It is certainly very beautifully situated on Tjake Win- nipeg ; the soil is a rick black alluvium, and it is hoVu dd otters ranch more favourable conditions of life than are possible to be ob- tained in Iceland. Many of the Icelanders have taken service in Manitoba with the farmers, and are earning good wages, and leiivfx at once both the English language and the modes of farming of the country. A considerable number of the youtig women have also taken service in Winnipeg, where they have done well, and in many oases remitted considerable sums to their friends in the settlement, in the "same generous spirit as that manifested by Irish emigrants. I made application to Mr. Stewart, signal observer at Winnipeg, for a monthly statement of the fall of rain and melted snow tor the past six years, and he very kindly furnished mo with tho following figures: .,.,; ,,.,,.-, -^ , ._.',* .- > ' ■ ^ '.\ -. •■■::;:/ , , i 26 1 1 I •»i ■m Months. 1872 1873 1874 1876 1876 1877 January 0,440 0,280 0,460 0,597 0,969 0,290 February 0,480 1,190 0,316 0,564 1,210 0,100 March 1.880 0,200 0,802 0,231 0,S32 0,864 April 6,470 0,920 0,626 0,664 0.580 1,050 May 3,800 2,380 1,990 1,994 3,190 6,124 June 3,800 3,370 4,346 3,418 6,400 7,120 July 1,620 3,660 3,067 1,235 3,315 3.240 August 1,860 1,170 3,346 4,587 9,440 0.830 September 8,090 2,280 l,7.S2 0,860 0,410 2,015 October 1 ,660 0,535 0,330 1 ,390 0,590 November 1,040 0,815 1,032 0,732 1,776 December 0,350 0,.360 0,371 0,966 0,622 Total 30,17017,040 18,317 17,217 28,234 It win be observed that the year of 1876, more particularly for the month of August, was very wet, yet the quantity of wheat raised for that year was at least half a million bushels, averaging in weight 63 lbs. to the bushel, ^rorn the returns made in thirty settlements, the avorngo jMeld per acre was, for wheat 32i bushels, barley 43, oats 51, peas 33, potatoes 230, turnips 660. In tne present year a much larger area was sown, and the yield was greater, and the grain of a superior quality. It is estimated that there will be a surplus fojr exportation of at least 150,000 bushels of wheat this year. The only drawback is the want of facilities. When the Hed River navigation closes they are, comparatively speaking, shut out from the outside world. The Red River Transportation Company have a fleet of ex- cellent boats that carry enormous freights, but the rates are heavy — 24cts. per bushel to Duluth, Wheat was selling at Winnipeg foj* 70cts. per bunhel, and it was of a superior quality to that sold in Toronto for SI. 12 to 11.15. This state of things will soon change. The railway from Winnipeg south is all graded and ready for the rails. The only delay is, not with the Dominion Government, but with the St. Paul and Pacific bond and stock holders, in not com- pleting the gap between Crookston or Fisher's Landing, and Emer- son*. The completion of this line and also the Pacific from the head waters ofLako Superior (Thunder Bay) to Fort Garry, or Sel- kirk, will give an impetus to business in the Province unequalled ill any of the Western States. What the agriculturists in Manitoba require are a few scientific practical farmers among them, who would encourage the raising of improved breeds of cattle, make a proper selection of seeds, and see to the rotation of crops. An erroneous impression prevails that the soil is ineshaustible and requires no fertilizing or manuring. Wo occasionally find farmers boasting of the convenience of having their barns and outhouses erected over a • It is understood that this connection is to be completed during the summer of 1878. '¥ -4 1 ra de I ai re c di re is ni 27 5 1877 0,290 0,100 0,864 1,050 6,124 7,120 3,240 0.880 2,015 icularly for '^heat raised ig in weight settlements, •ley 43, oats ear a much B grain of a surplus fojr The only navigation the outside fleet of ex- i are heavy innipeg fojr 'hat sold ijti on change, ready for ►vernraent, n notcom- and Emer- i from the rry, or Sel- aquallodiji Manitoba ivho would ) a proper erroneous aquires no oasting of ted over a J suimnerof ravine, so that the spring freshets will carry off the manure I In, deed this custom was so common that the Legislature, in 1871 piissed an Act to prevent the waters of the rivers and streams from being polluted by lilth and impurities deposited along the banks. The Province is divided into five counties for judicial, municipal and registration purposes. The present organized counties, which return members to the Dominion Parliament, are Selkirk, Proven- cher, Lisgar, Marquette East, and Marquette West. The Province is divided into twenty-four separate electoral divisions, each entitled to return a member to the Local House. The local sessional allowance in $300 and mileage. The subsidy paid the Province by the Domi- nion is $90,000 per annum. I find that theeiMmates for the several years are as follows :— 1872, 881,425; 1873, $72,655 j 1874, $75,- 952.02 ; 1875, $93,450 ; 1876, $95,000 ; 1877, $93,750. Before taking our leave of the city for lh« North-West I took a drive to Selkirk. The crops about Kildonan w«re excellent. The roads wore bad until the Stone Fort was passed. Afterwards the soil was more sandy, which absorbed the rain. An embryo town has sprung up at Selkirk in anticipation of the crossing of the Pacific railway. Speculation was running wild. Lots were selling at fabulous prices. Several hotels, two or three stores and a few private dwellings had been built, Messrs. Sifton & Farewell, contractors, are the mainstay of the place at present. The bridge will be 900 feet; Eastern trestle works, 1700 feet ; Western, 900. The season has been unfavourable for prosecuting public works. From this point to Rat Portage, which includes section 15, Mr. Whitehead's contract, I understand about 1000 men are employed. I examined a field of oats belonging to the contractors, containing 200 acres, and it was very heavy, and likely to yield 60 or 70 bushels per acre. The following morning, the 4th of August, I made preparation for the western tour. We pitched our tents for the night on the west bank of the Assiniboine. The weather being fine, we slept very comfortably. The next day being Sunday we had no inclina- tion to proceed on our journey. While at Silver Heights we examined the thorough-bred horses and the domesticated buffaloes of the Hon. Mr. Mackay. We noticed seven buffaloes of various ages. The cows are supposed to possess superior dairy qualities to others. Passing the handsome residence o^tho Hon. D. A. Smith, we noticed a number of men employed erecting a ball-room and making other prepara- tions for the reception of the Governor-General, who was to be the guowt of Mr. Smith during his stay in Manitoba. We soon arrived at Sturgeon Creek. The bridge spanning this creek had broken in the centre, one half at an angle of 45 degrees down stream, the other half in a similai* manner facing the other way. With some diffi- culty we succeeded in crossing. Near this point we passed the re- •i>t ♦■..■■»'.»"> — tiv 96. -flrtiVj. i 28 sidonco of John Grant, ft wonlthy half-breed, who keeps a large number of horses and oxen employed in freighting to Edmonton and other points. Two months aftorwarvls we met Mr. Grant on the Salt Flains, talcing out Governor Laird's family to Battleford. Mr. Grant is the owner of a large grass farm on the IJoyne river. After his return in the fall all his horses and oxen are turned out on the Boyno farm and remain out all winter. He informs me that he always finds them in much better condition in spring than when turned out in the fall. Passing along through the parishes of St. James, St. Charles, Headingly. St. Franflois Xavier, some of the best farms in the Province are seen. The crops had a splendid appear- ance. Late in the evening we arrived at House's hotel, distant from the city of Winnipeg 26 miles, and put up for the night. LETTKR V. RovgJdvg it in the Prairie Province — Tenting on the Old Camp Ground — TraveUina Under Difficulties — An Emigration Field for Teeming Millions —Incidents, <&c., (fee. My last communication landed us at House's hotel, distant from Winnipeg 26 miles. Mine host. House, is a shrewd American, and a good caterer to his numerous customers. For an American ho is brimful of allegiance to the British Crown, and bomb-proof against revolutions. Next morning we made preparations for an early start, for we had ascertained the previous night that the late freshets in the Assiniboine had backed up the waters of Long Lake, and flooded the road in sisveral places, and that it would bo impossible to cross Baie St. Paul, which was completely submerged, consequently wo were under the necsessity of deviating from the old road to the north round Long Lake, and lengthening the distance to High Bluff at least 10 miles. We were desirous of reaching High Bluff that night, the distance round by the lake being at least 35 miles, and, from all the information we could glean, the road was almost impass- able For the first few miles we drove along at a mode-ate speed, the irail passing along a ridge or tableland, but we soon encounter- ed low marshy hay lands ; in crossing the small gutters and ravines, the wheels sank up to the axles. Many thousand acres were par- tially submerged this season by the damming back of the waters of Long Lake. All these lands produce a luxuriant growth of grass, thousands of tons being cut annually in the neigh lK)urhood of Baio St. Paul. Cattle and horses have a wide range in summer, and it is stated that many leave their horses to roam uncared for through the winter. These lands are capable of drainage; indeed on my return I found that the Local Government had let a contract to dig 4 29 ps a large nonton and ant on the jlord. Mr. Iver. After out on the ne that he than when ishea of St. of the best J id appear- Istant from mp Ground for Teeming istant from srican, and rican ho is >of against r an early te freshets Lake, and poai^ibleto isequently oad to the iigh Bluff Bluff that nilos, and, St im pass- ate speed, jnoountor- d ravines, were i)ar- watera of of grass, ►d of Bale er, and it r through sd on my act to dig •\\ ft cinisil from the lake to empty its waters into the Assiniboino. This work, no doubt, will prove effectual, unless an unusual flood occurs Mich as that of this season. The oldest settler has no recol- loclioM of tho waters being so high or the roads in such an impUHS- ablo state. After extrii ating ourselves from those almost bottomless l)its. wo crossed a long stretch of high undulating prairie. Far away in the distance to the right could be seen Woodland Settlement , to the left, distant several miles, the Assiniboino, winditig through stretches of limber, which skirt its banks. Between these points thousands ofacres of rich agric.ltural landsare lying waste, unbroken by spade or plough, which have been transferred from one speculator to another. Some probably would sell for a reasonable profit, while (•tlior asked exorbitant prices and retard sottiement. Many prefer seitliTigin the midst of a prairie, and hauling their fuel, building timber and fencing for miles, than to undertake the clearing of a wooded lot. All who procure a homestead or settle upon the Go- vernment domain are entitled to 20 acres of timbered lands, and those who have settled upon prairie land have their respective allot- ments, in most cases situate at a reasonable distance from the home- stead. On the prairie nature has prepared the soil for immediate use, all that is required being to fence the fields and commence )loughing. A strong team is requisite to break the tough sod, but y turning the grass down, exposing the roots to the sun, the soil soon becomes mellow and fit for cultivation. After tl|£ first break- ing, it is a pleasure for any lad to plough, quite a contrast to chopping and clearing, burning trees and eradicating slumps. Most people prefer a mixture of prairie and timbered lands, and thousands of such situations can be procured further west. Man}' are peculiar in their choice, and are influenced by friends and acquaintances to settle on lands not the most desirable on account of certain privileges, such as convenience to other settlers who speak the same language, and have educational and personal privileges within a reasonable distance. All these privileges follow in the wake of settlement in a few years. It is only deprivation for a limited time, and by depriving themselves for u short period settlers ma}'^ procure more desirable and more comfortable homesteads. Any one accustomed to stock-raising should by all means select rolling prairie and meadow lands. An abundance of hay can be raised and put up at little expense. Horses and cattle thrive and get fat on the natural grasses. Proceeding on our way we come in sight of the beautiful im- proved farm of Mr. Wagner. The trail next takes a turn to the left across a long muskeg. With some considerable diflSculty, plunging in and out of mud holes, we crossed and arrived at the residence of an old pensioner named Harvey, a Nova Scotian. Night was fast approaching; and we had to travel 10 or 12 miles to reach High I w i 80 Bluff. After wading (hrongh several httiaII creeks, and undergoing torture from mosauitoes for hours, we succooiled in reaching Mr. Aicock's, at High Bluff, about 11 o'clock at night, besmeared with mud and dirt, very much fatigued, and we duly appreciated a warm supper and comfortable bed. The Alcook family are in ponHos- sion oMargo limits of splendid land, with good improvements there- on, and good houses and outbuildings. They also keep a general store. The following morning we removed our quarters to the resi- dence of Mr. Wm. Moss, formerly a resident of Mornington. Mi;. Moss is the proprietor ot a well-improved farm, very conveniently situated. Mr. Moss and myself drove through the settlements, visiting acquaintances I f<>rmed in 1874, and examining the crops. What a remarkable change I On that occasion every green blade was destroyed ; the very atmosphere was polluted by the grasshoppers ; the settlers were depressed in spirits ; and some have left the Province discouraged. TheHe who fought it out and remained are now in com- fortable circumstances, surrounded in many instances by members of their own families, who have procured homes near to or at a reasonable distance from the old homestead. In 1874 the only soli- tary settler outside the river lots in this neighbourhood was Mr. Whimster, of Blanchai-d; he had located on the broad open prairie, not a tree or shrub to be seen within two miles of his dwelling. how he is surrounded with good settlers, owning improved farms. The whole prairie is dotted with comfortable dwellings and fine cultivated fields. Thousands of acres of wheat and other grains are waving in the wind, and the few cattle and horses then seen have multiplied by hundreds. This settlement extends from Poplar Point to Rat Creek, Kome 30 miles in length, and from the Assini- boine to Lake Manitoba, embracing within its limits about 200,000 acres of as rich, productive land as can be found upon the continent, It is settled principally by r^anadians, whose previous experience and training admirably fitted them for enduring temporary hard- ships and trials, to which all Iii-hc settlers are subject. The settlers are to a unite clamoring for railway facilities. They want some better means of transportation for their surplus produce, and are wailing patiently for either the Government or private capitalists to open to them some means of communication with markets. The time and expense of carrying their produce to market arc very ^reat. A unanimous fieoling prevails that some effort must shortly Dfe made to encourage the construction of public works. The right of way and even a large bonus would freely be given to any com- pany or Government to carry through this work. Freight and passenger rates might not pay for a time a large interest on the investment, but ultimately a railway would become remunerative. Lands adjoining the road and for miles round would be enhanced 81 3e, and are in vnluo many hundred per cent, by railways. A stimnlus would be given to the ngriculturmt; larger arean would be put under crop ; wnHto lands would become occupied and brought under cultivation ; townH and villagCf^ would npring up; manui'acturing intereHtn would bo encouraged ; the producer and connumer would be brought cluHer t<>get[»or, and the country would bloHsom aH the roHe. VVhnl a proHpect do these prairioHopen up to the teeming millions of Europe; the hardy HIghlnnd cotter, dragging out a minerable existence, allowed by wufTerance the privilege of cultivating a barren corner on hiH landlord's estate; the Englisn or Irinh tenant farmer, paying enough annually in poor rates and taxes to purchase him a farm in Manitoba; the farm labourer and female servant, slaving away their lives for a scanty pittance, scarcely enough to keep soifl and body l^gother; all may, if locatei by a miserable, dangerous, rickety old bridge. The abutments had been washed down stream and the railing carried away by the recent freshets; some temporary posts had been put under the structure ; the rem- nants were standing on stilts. Before risking life or limb, I thought it advisable to visit my old friend Kenneth McKenzie, M.P.P., who ■J} ■■( i': 1 ■1 ■3 ref W i ve of $ mi • rf in^ i i 1 38 he shape of id an enter- 3 is another the Hudson lal general d office and James, two shops, also rho town is ) doubt in a importance, ipletod one intry. Mr. 1. Crossing veral tracts 1^ new arri- lir improve- ■anee. The 3 shade, but il travel 11 nij an elevated reek, to the ng through er of very ;e size and of wooded e in width, itly adjoin- Away to ns, extend- er shrub to nd brought o. To the vhich wore g hay, and ns at least high, and lower, and ossing the miserable, en washed t freshets; the rem- I thought .P.P., who resides on the adjoining farm. Unfortunately he was from home in Winnipeg. We also examined the farm of Mr. Grant, who has very largo improvements, splendid select stock, etc., and is possessed of all the essential elements of comfort. Messrs. Mackenzie, Grant, Lynch and Stewart, of the Portage, and a few others, have done much good among the farming community of Manitoba in import- ing improved breeds of stock, and disseminating practical informa- tion among the people, producing a spirit of emulation and competi- tion. Mrs! Mackenzie informed us that by going a few miles south we could cross Rat Creek on the level ; that nearly all travellers and freighters took that route in preference to crossing the old dilapi- dated bridge. The evening, however, being far advanced, and wo anxious to proceed a few miles, we concluded to risk the bridge. The props in the centre appeared much longer than the rest, and the bridge was humped or rounded like a dromedary. However, we succeeding in crossing, and congratulated ourselves that we had performed a feat. From Rat Creek we travelled over a very level prairie, all good arable land, without a solitary settler for five miles, and camped near the dwelling of Mr. Youmans. The ground being wet from recent rain we procured some straw to spread under our robes, and retired for the night. A few hours afterwards we were disturbed by hogs rooting at our feet, within the tent. Mr. Moss instantly felt round for the gun, being certain that our camp was invaded by bears. However, he soon discovered his error, and we drove the swine away. The next day being Sunday we indulged ourselves in a longer rest than usual. While lying awake, I felt something wet on my pillow, touching my neck. My first thought was that it had rained during the night, and that the tent had leaked. Raising my head and looking round, I noticed on my pillow a lizard at least nine to ten inches in length, perfectly composed. It remained till I had awakened my son and Mr. Moss to examine tho reptile. A cold shiver ran through me. On account of this little circumstance we always afterwards securely pinned down our tent. During the day we accompanied Mr. Youmans over his beautiful farm, and examined his crops. The farm is somewhat elevated above the surrounding prairie, and the strip of timber fringing Eat Creek could be plainly seen. I noticed that he had broken and cultivated a strip of land about a rod in width and nearly a mile in length all along the west side of his farm and had planted slips of locust, but the most of them had not taken root. I suggested to him the propriety of making a aitch and raising the earth three or four feet, sodding the ditch side, and planting along the raised ditch either poplar or heavy locust. Providing such a fence will grow, and I have every reason to believe it will, it would be much cheaper than a rail fence. The one would require to r I i 34 be renewed every ten or twelve years ; the other wonid last a lifetime, and would shelter and embellish the farm. Taking an early start on Monday morning we soon enter the long woods, a portion of the road that is almost invariably bad. All freighters dread yjassing through the long woods, and we found more broken wheels and axles for the next 25 or 30 miles than during the whole trip. Then follows a continuation of marsh and bog, and the various trails would puzzle an Indian. After rounding and wading through bogs and marshes for two hours, we arrived at Image Creek. I failed to see my image in it, for the waters were muddy, owing to the heavy rains. However, the creek had a good hard bottom. We watered our animals, and took a long draught ourselves. The water was good, if rather thick. The land in this neighbourhood is not very desirable. I have no doubt it is all susceptible of drainage, and could be converted into good pasture land, but this would be at- tended with considerable outlay. We noticed that fire had made great havoc with the timber. Blackened trees and stumps were seen extending over large tracks. If protected for a few years this timber would grow rapidly and become valuable. Many patches are untouched by fire. The kind is poplar, adapted only for fuel and fencing. After many twistings and turnings we arrive at the first of three creeks, known by freighters as the three creek section. A lovely stream of pure sparkling water rQns over a gravelly bottom, and to the west of the stream runs a sandy ridge of land elevated some 20 feet above the level of the country to the east, over which we passed. Ascending the ridge for observation, we noticed that the land was on a level with the table land. The soil was much lighter than any we had passed. Retracing our steps to the foot of the hill, we ran along a level road as straight and as good as a race course for nearly two miles, till we reached Mr. McKinnon's, the first settler from Mr. Youmans, whose place we had left early in the morning. Mr. McKinnon had come trom the county of Middlesex with a family of young men. He has taken up a section (640 acres of land) and made considerable imiDrovements thereon, and appears perfectly contented. The nearest settler east is Mr. Youmans, 24 miles, and to the west by the trail full}' 80 miles to Tanner's on the Little Saskatchewan. The weather had been favourable during the day, rather sultry, but towards evening clouds gathered in the north and north-west ; and there were occasional flashes of lightning, which tbretold a coming storm We cro-ssed Second Creek, a fine clear stream, over a corduroy bridge. Passing through some considerable woodland we soon arrive at Spring Creek No. 3. Some kind tra- veller had cut a few poles and put brush across the creek, over which we passed with safety. The rain pattering on our gipsy-covered waggon stimulated our movements. The road was in a shocking 35 ist a lifetime, 1 early start ortion of the foad Tjassing wheels and 3 trip. Then arious trails hrough bogs I failed to to the heavy We watered e water was is not very •ainage, and 70uld be at- e had made tumps were w years this Einy patches mly for fuel irrive at the 'eek section, elly bottom, evatedsorae h we passed, land was on han any we ill, we ran e for nearly settler from rning. Mr. th a family f land) and s perfectly miles, and the Little [ig the day, e north and ling, which fine clear onsiderable e kind tra- over which )sy-covered a shocking 'M condition ; we travelled up and down gullies, through several of which the width of the waggon had only been cut; plunging over- stumps and into deep ruts. The rain fell in torrents, accompanied by flashes of lightning and heavy thunder, yet, amid all these incon- veniences, we drove some miles to the brow of a hill, overlooking a high and rolling prairie. On our left down in the valley we saw a beautiful lake. As darkness was fast approaching we unhitched our animals with some difficulty. Notwithstanding that they were much jaded they had become frantic and furious from the torture of swarms of flies. We tethered them for the night, pitche ini i(i llt'l gninod the opposite side. Wo followed, and, with some slashing, wo a'sD succeeded in crossing. To the west of Boggy Creek we found 1 ilf a dozen trails, and the difficulty was to ascertain which to take. J hortly afterwards we saw a man on horseback in the distance. He tirew near, and we made enquiries respecting the route. Following his directions for miles, and night approaching, we camped out. We had taken the precaution to carry wood with us for cooking supper and ' wkfast, but, as the flies were numerous and vicious, we exhausted our supplies of wood keeping up a smudge to clear them away. The poor animals had no water, and, being tethered to stakes, passed a restless night. After retiring for the night one of my mules broke his tether, and made for the smudge at the door of our tent and actually rolled over in the fire to free himself from his tormentors. One of his legs and also quite a patch in his side was severely burned. This incident kept us awako the greater part of the night. Next morning we made an early start, having no fuel to cook our breakfast, and no water for the animals to drink. For the first few miles we crossed low meadow lands. Afterwards v;e came to rich rt.lling prairie, with a small growth of poplars and willows. We camped for breakfast alongside a small lake, where we watered our horses and mules, and prepared a sumptuous repast, what the French call bouillon, composed of fat pork, prairie chickens, etc., all boiled together in a big pot. After washing this mixture down with strong black tea, %e again prepared for our journey. For man}-- miles we travelled over a rough gravelly country, covered with boulders. The p'-airie and road are thrown up by badgers and moles, and become almost dangerous for animals to travel over. We passed numerous little lakes many of which were literally covered with ducks and young broods of ducklings. They were quite tame and apparently unconscious of the danger of our approach. We passed over some rough land with occasional gravelly ridges, till we arrived at the cross roads. A shingle was put on a pole on which was written with a pencil " five miles to Tanner's Bridge " but we wore at a loss to ascertain which road to take. However we took the road leading to the right ; the other led to the shallow waters of the river, where freighters can ford without much inconvenience and no expense. Between the crossing and Tanner's bridge we found the Ralston colony, which up to this season was composed of two bond fide settlers with about two acres under cultivation. About a hundred per cent, has this season been added to their numbers. This settlement, as I predicted in 1874, proved a failure. I am persuaded that many more would have located themselves in this neigh boui'hood, had this reservation not been made. Wo ascended a grade, over a rough road, passing through willows and small pop- lar groves, and arrived at the brow of a hill in front of the beautiful '4 1 -It ■1 iMt 39 ashing, we k we found lich to take, stance. He Following i out. We :ing supper vicious, we clear them )d to stakes, one of my door of our if from his lis side was reater part having no s to drink. Afterwards of poplars small lake, sumptuous ork, prairie ashing this red for our lly country, I by badgers travel over, illy covered te tame and We passed 98, till we le on which re " but we 7er we took How waters onvenience bridge we I composed cultivation, ed to their d a failure, jmselves in ^c ascended small pop- le beautiful T 5* valley, which forms a pleasing contrast to the level lands we had passed over. In this neighbourhood we found but little timber of any size, all having been destro^^ed by freighters and annual fires. We proceeded down grade for nearly two miles, and arrived at Tanner's Bridge, which we crossed after paying a fee of 25 cts. each for the horses and a similar fee for the carriages. This river has a rapid current, and empties its waters into the Assiniboine (some 20 miles to the south). 'Ihe bridge is a rickety, corduroy, rough structure. The river is about 100 feet wide at the bridge and from 6 to 10 feet deep. The flats on the west side had been flooded, and were in a dangerous state. The river is approached in several places, more particularly down the ravine on the route to Beautiful rlains, by easy gradients, and the high banks on the opposite side are also easily ascended through deep ravines There is no apparent obstruction to constructing a railway aciuss this valley. The west bank is probably 200 feet high. The whole valley is an alluvial deposit, brought down by the river, and is much elevated above the bed of the stream. The river must have been much larger in past ages. On my return trip I visited the settlement, ex- amined crops, etc. After pitching our tent, Captain French, of the Mounted Police, rode up and inquired if we had any liquors in our possession. We had not. The grass being scarce on the river flats, we only hobbled our animals and attached to them long ropes for the purpose of catching them early the following morning. The flies being very trouble- some, the poor brutes would scarcely leave the smudge, and for safety we raked out the fire and spread the coals before retiring to rest. The mules returned and rolled over the hot embers, and we had to go to the river for water and put out the coals. Next morning one of the horses and both mules were missing. After a long search we found them in the thick brush near the river ; they had wound themselves fast in the brush in trying to rub off the flies. Captain French paid us a second visit next morning, and we proceeded to his head quarters at Shoal Lake. We gathered our cavalcade together, drove down the valley for a mile, and then ascended the hill, along a natural ravine and up an easy grade. We soon arrived at the summit, and took a survey of the surroundings. The land is excellent, but the scarcity of timber may retard ex- tensive settlement for some time. At present frequent prairie fires have destroyed large tracts of valuable timber, particu- larly west of the river. The Indians frequently communicate with each other by means of prairie fires, and the half-breeds and other traders camping, carelessly leave fires which spread for miles. Sometimes this is done intentionally, for the purpose of getting sweeter grass the following season. Large tracts of dry burned trees 40 I i are seen along onr route for miles. The fir«j have been evidently for 3^ear8 encroaching on the wood lands and enlarging the prairies. We noticed several improved farms, and examined the crops of Mr. Cameron, which were excellent. The wheat crop would, if pro- T>erly secured, yield at least fortj' bushels to the acre. Away to the west I noticed extensive tracts of timber lands, and I am informed that a saw mill and grist mill will be put up next season, which will be a great accommodation to the settlers. The soil for miles is a rich heavy clay loam ; its surface is very irregular, and diversified with small lakes, swamps and meadow lands. These could all be easily drained and converted into the best agricultural lands. For the next 20 miles we pass over a rolling prairie totally denuded of timber. The soil is excellent, but the scarcity of timber may prevent settlement. The view extended for miles on each side of the trail. In pausing over the tract we found no water until we arrived within ten miles of Shoal Lake. Near the road we noticed two salt lakes, in which we felt inclined to bathe, but the day being far advanced reluctantly refrained. The trail that forks off five miles to the east of Tanner's Bridge here again joins the old trail. From this to Shoal Lake we found in many places a considerable quantity of young timber, and in a few j'ears, if protected from fires, there would be suflSciont for the wants of an extensive settlement. The luxuriant grasses are evidence of the fertility and richness of the soil. Late in the evening we sighted the observatory or scaf- folding erected on the brow of the hill for the purpose of hoisting the British flag, this being one of the stations of the Mounted Police. It can be seen for miles. Crossing a natural meadow of some ex- tent we drove through small copses of willows and aspen bushes that skirt the lake. The trail crosses the corner of the lake, through which we drove our carriages. We were mt9t in this narrow pass by members of the Mounted Police, who allowed us to pass without examination. No doubt the captain had informed his men that we had previously been examined, and nothing contraband found in our possession. Passing along to the high lands between the two lakes at the cross roads leading to Fort EUice and Pelly, we found en- camped, our fellow-travellers. Col. Richardson and family. After partaking of a sumptuous supper, we compared notes. The Colonel took an early start the following morning. I concluded to remain over a day to recruit my horses and mules, which shewed signs of being somewhat jaded, having travelled upwards of 40 miles the previous day. During the day the flies were not so troublesome, and we allowed the animals to roam at large. We had good sporting shooting ducks, which were al mr it nura berless on this beautiful lake. Captain French employs those under his command occasionally in cultivating the soil. His crop of oats of about 10 acres was excsllent, "M i 41 m evidently the prairies, crops of Mr. )nla, if pro- Awaj to the im informed which will r miles is a d diversified could all be ands. Mrie totally ty of timber on each side ter until we I we noticed e day beinpj )rk8 oflF five -he old trail, considerable d from fires, settlement. richness of ory or scaf- of hoisting mted Police, of some ex- spen bushes ike, through narrow pass pass without non that we found in our le two lakes found en- aily. After The Colonel 1 to remain ved signs of [0 miles the roublesorae, 3od sporting [iutiful lake, iasionally in as excellent, and would yield at least 50 bushels per acre. Potatoes and other root crops were very good. He also expected to cut over 100 tons of hay. Shoal Lake is five miles in length, and in width in places three- fourths of a mile. It abounds with perch, pike, etc. The land in this locality is undulating to the south and east; to the wesi there are fine meadow lands. The water is good and plentiful, and there is sufficient timber for the ordinary requirements of a large settle- ment. Next morning we proceeded on our journey. For the first two or three miles we passed over rich prairies, with clumps of scattered timber. We then crossed low meadow lands, on which could be made large quantities of hay. Here we met the eldest son of Mr. Kenneth McKenzie, M.P.P., who was returning from Edmon- ton, having converted the previous year's crop of wheat into flour, ft-eighted it to the Rocky Mountains, and effected a sale, averag- ing from $14 to $15 per sack of 100 lbs. Young McKenzie is in pos- session of a fine farm at Beautiful Plains, and appeal's as shrewd in making money as his father. After travelling 10 miles we arrived at Oak Creek, a fine stream running south and emptying into the Assi- niboine. As usual we took the precaution to go up and down the stream for the purpose of ascertaining the most desirable place to cross, as we had no means of knowing the depths the water being tur- bid. From Oak Creek to Bird's Tail Creek, tome 10 or 12 miles, the general appearance of the land is sufficiently rolling for natural drainage, and is well adapted for agriculture. Notwith- standing that fires have swept over this section in years past, and destroyed valuable timber and enlarged the prairie limits, with care now trees would grow up rapidly and soon be sufficient for domestic use. About noon we overtook Colonel Richardson, de- liberating how best to cross Bird Tail Creek, a considerable and rapid stream flowing south and emptying its waters into the Assini- boine. This stream, not over 30 feet wide, has during the course of ages, scooped out the valley over half a mile in width. The banks on the east side are a gradual decline, but on the west, steep and precipitous. On the east bank I noticed one intending settler, Mr. Sinclair, who had erected a small tenement near the falls — a splendid location, with excellent soil, good spring water, and large limits of good timber lands a short distance up the river. We forded this stream, the depth of the water being about four feet, with a good gravelly or stoney bottom. From the liver to Snake Creek we crossed several deep cut ravines, and large tracts of land of a light sandy texture, with a gravelly subsoil, and a considerable number of boulders scattered over the surface. Snake Creek is probably so named from its windings. Along its eastern bank we found a thrifty growth of timber, but on the west it was perfectly fi 42 \m bare. Prooooding onwnrd over some roii^h, stoney land and many \arfro tracts of ^ood nniblo Hoil, wo arrived at the brow of the iiill in frnit of Fort Ellico, the deep valley lying between, with the Assi- niboino winding through rich alluvial depositn. From Fort Pelly, for a considerable dlHtanco south of Fort Ellice, it runs nearly south, then taUes a sharp divergence and runs south-east, and after entering the Province of Manitoba, northeast, empties its waters into the Rod River, at the city of Winnipeg. The valley opposite Fort Ellice from summit to nummit of the banks, is fully two miles. The banks mo steep, and fully 250 feet high. These slopes are covered with a considerable growth of timber, useful for fencing and fuel, but of no practical use for building purposes. On the pla- jau on the eastern side we passed through several Indian encamp- ments. Hundreds of the natives had here mot together for the pur- pose of receiving their annual allowance of money and other neces- saries accruing to them under the treaty. Away across the valley in a very prominent position stood the Hudson Bay fort, with its flag waving in the breeze. We made the descent by a circuitous track to the valley below, drove across the flats and crossed the river over a substantial now bridge, erected for the accommodation of travellers by Mr. McDonald, Hudson Bay agent. A reasonable fee is charged for this convenience, towards paying the expense of its construction and keeping it in proper repair. Down in the valley we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. House, the well-known landlord of House's Hotel, o" his way to Qu'Appelle to meet old customers. He advised us to camp down in the river flats, as the feed for our animals was much better than on the high lands adjoining the fort. This letter is descriptive of -bur days travel — 150 miles. A very large per- centage of this extensive tract is adapted for the successful culture of wheat, and, where wheat ripens abundantly, it follows of course that all the coarse grains and roots will grow to perfection. The rich natural meadows and pasture grounds are favourable to stock raiding. We found in many places a limited supply of timber. V/herever there is a growth there are almost sure to be refreshing showers during the season of vegetation. We noticed in our travels patches of land that had escaped fires for a few years. It is aston- ishing how rapidly poplar, aspen and willows spring up, and the more timber is cultivated the more healthy and salubrious are the seasons. Further south across the border, there is an insufficiency of rainfall, and a dry atmosphere. The lands are bare open prairies useless for agricultural purposes except perhaps sheep grazing. -IS and many tlio iiill in tho AsHi- ort Polly, ns nearly and after ts waters y opposite two miles, slopes are or fencing n the pla- n encamp- )r the pur- her neces- tlie valley ith its flag touH track fiver over travellers is charged istruction e had the ^f House's Ce advised imals was ?hi8 letter large per- ul culture of course ion. The ) to stock f timber, efreshing ur travels is as ton - , and the 8 are the ifficiency 1 prairies sing. I 48 LETTER VII. Fort Ellice and its Surroundhu/s — The Hudson Bay Officials not Averse to Settlement — Sottthern Houtefor the Pacific Railway — Inoculatimj the Aborigines — Polygamy among the Indians — The Plains as a Field for Stock-raising — Scarcity of Water, &c., &c. Fort Ellice is situate in 50° 24 north latitude, and in weHt long'- tudo 101° 30; distant from the city of Winnipeg about two huii dred and thirty miles west, with a deviation of twenty-six or thirty miles north. The fort, like all Iludson Bay forts, is surrounded by a stocUado. It is erected on the brow of the hill on the edge of the plateau overlooking the valley of the Assiniboine. The valley is from hill to hill, two miles in width, in which the river is seen sluggishly meandering through rich bottom lands. The water dur- ing many centuries has cut numerous beds and forsaken them in turns. Old channels have been filled up, ur partially so, by floods or annual freshets. Along the banks step; es or benches are seen, one above another, evident traces of a higher level at some remote period, and this wearing process is still going on. The water is at all times turbid, and deposits sediment when allowed to stand in a vessel for a few moments. The scenery from the Fort is diversi- fied and grand, the steep bank falling abruptly two hundred and fifty feet. The soil is a sandy loam, of sufficient depth for vegetation, with coarse gravel beneath. Beautiful clear crystal springs are seen gushing out of the hill side, trickling down and forming little rivulets, and contributing to the waters of the Assini- boine. Across the beautiful valley, the opposite hills are clothed with aspen, balsam, poplar and birch, presenting ditt'erent shades of colour. To the south the valley is visible for miles ; the west bank covered with medium sized timber. A short distance from tho fort, south, is seen a great valley, at right angles to the Assiniboine, fully half a mile wide and one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet deep, through which the largest river on the continent might flow. At tho bottom, among the bushes, runs Beaver creek, only a few feet across. To the left, distant about two miles, the Qu'Appelle river joins the Assiniboine. The dry, naked, arid hills, north of Qu'Appelle, present a great contrast to those of the Assiniboine. To the west there are rich tjible lands, with occasional beautiful copses of wood, thickening the nearer they approach the Qu'Appelle river, till they become quite a forest of valuable timber. The main ford- ing place is a short distance north, above the confluence of the Qu'Appelle with the Assiniboine. At low water it is not over five or six tieet in depth, over shifting sand. The half breed freighters when going to Carleton, Battleford or Edmonton, generally ford the I 1 i::i i^4 44 rivor nt UiIh pluco, and it hftppons wlien the rivor Ih swollen that aniinnln are HometimcH carried away with the current. The fort is reached from the place of our encampment on the tlatn up the hill- Bide by a woll-made roud, hut in placoM it is almost at an incline of 45° and difficult to climb. Hero wo received an iritroductior) to Mr. A. McDonald, chief factor for Swan River Jintrict. This dintrict embracoH Swan Rivor, Riding MountainH, Polly, K^'^ Lake, Touch- wood Hills, Qu'Appello, and extends wont to the Cypress Hills. The company hold lar^o limits in the noi>(hbourhood of their forts, in the a^^ro^'ate 50,000 acres, and a fuviher interest of one- twonlieth of the whole territory. The fur trade is on the decline, and the oi»!y true interest of the company is ordinary trade, and the sale of lands to bond fide settlors. Providin/jf Government lands were nettled upon b}'^ a class of >i;ood settlers, the lands of the com- pany would be enhanced in value. Mr. McDonald is a stronj; ad- vocate for developing the resources of the North West by the con- structifrti of railways. At the Fort we met Dr. Hagarty, late of London, Medical Inspector for the North West. He had just arrived from Fort Polly for the purpose of inoculating the Indians and their families, who had gathered in large numbers at Fort Ellice to receive their annual pay from the Government, under Treaty No. 4. SmalU po.x makes fearful havoc among the natives. If this disease gets among them, very few escape. Indiatjs are seldom seen marked with the small-pox, for the reason that they rarely recover. The spread of this disease is hardly to be wondered at, as the Indians make no effort to countaract it. Their habits are filthy, and whe- ther sick or well, they all lie huddled together in a small space. As soon as one dies, the clothes and blankets are taken ana worn by the others, without regard to consequences. 1 also met Mr. Wagner, P.L.S., who has been engaged since the treaty was made in 1874, in blocking out reserves for the Indians. The chiefs make their own choice of lands, generally bordering on some river or stream, usually eight by twelve miles square. Whenever they come under the terms of the treaty they are allowed a few cows and a bull, a yoke of oxen, waggons, ploughs and harrows, also seed grain. Some have taken to farming and made improvements, but as a rule they pre- fer a roving life. On Sunday morning, 19th August, we attended a religious ser- vice held in the Fort. Archdeacon Cowley, an old and much re- spected missionar}'^ of 35 years' experience among the Indians, preach- ed a practical sermon to half a dozen whites and a few Indians. We also attended service in the afternoon in one of the chiefs wig- wams. Mr. Pratt, a well educated Cree Indian, acted as interpreter. I understand that the Archdeacon is familiar with the Cree language, but prefers an interpreter when the opportunity offers. The chiefs and grni poo ing are the; ver A hall tool on 'M f ft 46 wollen thnt Tho fort is up tho hill- n incline of itioii to Mr. lis (liHti'ic't lUo, Touch- )rosH Hills, d of llioir est of one- he decline, tnule, find mont lands >f tho cona- stronj; ad- )y the con- ty, late of Jst arrived i and their > to receive 4. Small- isease gets »n marked )ver. The le Indians , and whe- 'paco. As d worn by '. Watijner, in 1874, in their own m, usually inder the 11, a yoke !ome have they pre- vious ser- much re- is, preach- ' Indians, iefs wig- :erproter. anguage, he chiefs I and a largo number of their bandu attended, and Hqiiattod on tho ground inside the tent. Tlio Indians conducted tlioinHolvus in an orderly manner, nnd would frequently applaud tho Hpoaker with a grunt — hob, boh. Tho m(iuiiwh wore not admitted into tho tent, poor croaturoH, thoy wore all busily engaged drowsing bides, repair- ing tuntH, making fancy bead work, or gathering fuel. Tho Indians are inveterate sniokerH, and tho odour omitted IVom that horrid wood they nmoke (the dried bark of the rod willow, called kinnikunie) is very unpleasant. They smoked during thv^ delivery of tho sermon. A hoadman would till a largo stone pipe Iwiving a stem two and a half or three feel long, and this pipe was handed to the chief, who took a few graceful jnirtM and banded it to the next in vuiiU, and so on round tho circle. After the pipe returned to tho chief, it was again replenished by the headman and setit on its mission of ]>eace. I'be tent in which Ncrvicu was hold was covered with buttalo robes, 24 in number on the lower tier. The polos coming together at top left scarcely any room for ventilation. Tho Indians sat round with a blanket or robe covei'ing their loins, their bodies to tho waist per- fectly bare ; many oithe leaders were tattooed all over the breast. After service, in company with Dr. Hagarty, we took a stroll around the tents. Near one we noticed a steam bath, in which were three strapping braves, who came out of the bath dripping with perspiration and isa' naked upon the prairie till thoroughly dry. These baths are constructed with willow or poplar poles made in a half circle and both end., stuck into the ground. Over this frame- work butfalo skins are put, making it almost air-tight. They thou heat stones which are put in the centre of the bath on theground, on which they pour water till sufficient steam is produced. We fre- quently noticed the frame-work of baths in the vicinity of creeks. The Indians are very superstitious, have great faith in charms, and consider that there is virtue and efficacy in old relics. The medicine man, who almost rules supremo amongst them, practices great deception upon them by protending that he can remove pain or disease from their bodies and transfer it to inanimate objects, such as sticks or stones. Their senses of smell and taste must be deficient, piobably owing to the iilthy food they eat. Thoy will kill, skin, and eat a skunk as ireeiy and with as much relish as they would a rabbit. Their sense of sight and sound are very acute the least rustling in the grass or upon the leaves in the bush is heard. They can see objects at groat distances, and trace footsteps of men or animals for miles over the open prairie, where a white man could not discover tho faintest indenation on the grass. On Monday morning I accompanied Capt. McDonald, paymaster, to the Indian oncampments. The natives gathered round his tent 46 M!H 'n like beos round a hive, anxiously waiting for their little pittance in money and provisions. The contractor having killed and distributed among them a dozen oxen that morning, the paymaster opened his cash box. The natives presented their little brass tokens, and re- ceived their respective amounts. The greatest harmony prevailed, although occasionally a little bickering would take place when claiming pay for so many wives and children. Polygan.^. seems to, prevail to an alarming extent. Many have two three, or more wives and for each they are entitled to 65. The sum total paid foots up to i^recisely the same amount in the aggregate, whether the Indian has one wife or ten, but the moral effect is bad. In the evening numbers of the natives assembled in one of the chiefs wigwams for the purpose of seeing Capt. McDonald present to the chiefs and headmen, new suits of clothing. One of the chiefs, named White ^ear, a very corpulent, elderly man, requested Captain "McDonald to allow him to present to his son, young White Bear, the suit designed for hin; that he was getting feeble, and it was his desire and the \vish of the whole tribe that his son should put on his mantle. Captain McDonald made an excellent and appropriate speech. The chiefs put off their robes, stood erer*, and each made suitable reply. After this ceremony we all assisted in dressing the chiefs and headmen in their gaudy new attire, but failed to convince them of the utility of a pair of pants. The party afterwards escorted the captain in military style to his head-quarters at the Fort. We remained at Fort EUice several days. Next morning we started on our way to Qu'Appelle. The main travelled road from EUice is on the south side of the Qu'Appelle river, but, as we were informed, by going that road we would pass through a good deal of timber land, and that the road was rough, we concluded to take the Battletbrd trail to ttie forts, leading to Touchwood hillf*. and branch otf south to Qu'Appelle. We gathered our forces together. Dr. Hagarty and guide and Mr. House and guide joining our party. Col. Kichardson remained at the Fort, his horses were jaded out, and he could not proceed. For the first two miles we passed through groves of timber, down a graded road, cut along the side of the mountain till we arrived at the Qu' Appelle river, about a mile above its confluence with the AsMiniboine. The river is skirted on the south bank with a healthy growth of timber. On the west wide the land is sterile and scarcely anything can grow. The naked sandy hills forming the back ground show a great contrast to the rich valley of the Assiniboine. Nothing seems to tlirive, even the trailing juniper vines can scarcely gather moisture sufficient to grow. Our animals were almost used up in dragging our loads over this bed of sand and up the side of the mountain. Near the summit we saw several good springs, but the water was ::i:>ll( 47 soon sucked \i\j in the sand below. After scaling the sand hills, the land improves. We found a light sandy loam, on which there is a good sward, but nothing compared with the rich luxuriant grasses further east. Occasionally we found small patches of wood, but the general aspect of the country for many miles to the north is open prairie, and not very well suited for settlement. The road was splendid, and we drove at good speed and camped for dinner near a beautiful salt lake on which were abundance of ducks and geese. Having tasted the waters we found them alkaline, but quite near we discovered a good supply of fresh water. The soil improved as we advanced to the west. Late in the evening we crossed Cut Arm Creek, a small clear stream of 25 feet wide — the valley large as usual, and the banks receding a considerable distance from the stream and very high. The eastern bank was denuded of timber and the west bank clothed to the water's edge. The land is very rich in this locality, and there is an ordinary supply of timber. We pitched our tents for the night alongside of a rich meadow, with grass several feet high. Early next morning we proceeded on our journey, passing through a large tract of burned timber. Thousands of acres had been destroyed the previous year. In the afternoon we reached the open prairie or plain, with not a tree or shrub to be seen. The day was warm ; my thermometer stood 82° in the shade, but we had generally in passing over the plains refreshing breezes. 'i'he nights were cool and pleasant and our sleep very refreshing. Taking an early start the trail was very indistinct, for we had the previous evening left the Battleford trail, taking a nearer route across the country to Qu'Appelle. We travelled over roll, iig prairies and rich bottom lands. There was a uniformity or sameness in every day's journey ; no prominent hills or landmarks; no extensive swamps, with creeks or rivers to ford ; no variety, but a continuation of level or rolling prairie for days ; neither man nor beast to be seen save only a badger, an occasional fox, the little gopher, sitting erect at the mouth of his hole, and a few prairie chickens and ducks. There is something very monotonous in such travelling. The eye and mind feel anxious for change— some diversity of scenery. These extensive treeless plains cannot be utilized unless disposed of in large limits for gracing purposes, Men of capital, such us the younger sons of the large landed proprietors in Britain, where the laws of primogeniture deprive them of participating in any portion of the entailed real estate, should be encouraged to utilise them. Such men might take a fancy to procure extensive limits for stock- raising on a large scale, and keep numerous shepherds and herdsmen to take charge of the stock. Any quantity of hay could bo easily cured and carried to some sheltered ravine, or along the banks of some stream, whore quantities of timber for building fences and for ^r'i.i 48 M ■iM fuel could be secured. The destructive annual fires could soon be checked; and, by planting, plenty of trees could be grown, or, if protected, I believe a natural growth would rapidly spring up. The growth of forests would cause greater rainfall. I atn persuaded that a plantation properly cared for in the North-west would grow more rapidly than in Britain. The trees might not in the North- west attain the size, but would grow sufficiently large for all practical purposes. At noon we camped on Pleasant Hill, where wo found both wood and water. The thermometer at noon 75° in the shade. We travelled over a lovely plain in the afternoon. Jjato in the evening we were at a loss to find water. The doctor galloped from side to side of the trail, through willow bushes and low lands in search, but we were doomed to disappointment for some hours. About dark we noticed the doctor floundering in the mud. In this filthy bog we found a little water of the conisistencv of gruel, which we filte.ed, and camped for the night. We were not regular in partaking of our meals, for this depended entirely on cir- cumstances, where we could get wood and water. Wherever we got a good supply of wood we usually cooked game procured by the way, otherwise we satisfied our hunger with a lunch composed of canned meats and fruit, bread and boiled ham. Next morning we made an early start before breakfast, purposely to obtain water for ourselves and animals, and had not proceeded over two miles when we saw a beautiful lake literally covered with ducks and geese and other watei' lowl. Among the sedges around the borders we saw numerous cranes and bitterns as tame as domestic fowls. A drive of 15 miles over a beautiful country, with fine natural groves and clumps of valuable timber, brought us to the brow of the hill over- looking the valley of Qu'Appelle. On the flats were planted promis- cuously over 500 wigwams. Descending into the valley by a winding trail nearly as steep as the roof of a house, we reached the level, and were at once beset by a score of hungry Indian curs. We instinct- ively felt for our revohers, and were about giving some of the miserable creatures a quietus, but on second thou^lit we concluded it was much better not to show fight, as the odds were against us. |i ': 49 LETTER VIII. The Aborigines and their Peculiarities— Their Love of Trinkets — Bedeck- ing a Chief— Loud Voice and his State Procession— The Calu- met of Peace— Demanding the Supplies— An Indian Oration— The Supplies Furnished— A Horse Stampede— Bavenous Curs— An Artist and his Long Voyage — Reflections, dec, &c. I closed my last communication when entering Qu'Appelle. Scores of hungry curs followed us to our tent, and during the night they kept prowling round and eating almost everything that was movable, even a portion of the harness, and would have demolished my dog had we not taken him into the tent. The Indians were also on the qui vive. Having taken mo for the pay-master, they concluded that iheir rations would be forthcoming the following morning, and no doubt had come to the conclusion to sit up all night, have a general feast, and make a clean sweep of the balance of their supplies. They danced and yelled the whole night to the monotonous hum-drum of the tom-tom. The result was we had little or no sleep, and felt indisposed next morning. The valley, a short distance east of the Fort, is fully two miles in width. To the oast and also west of the Qu'Appelle the mountains encroach upon the bottom lands. The valley becomes much contracted, and at both ends are lakes of fi'om^ live to eight miles in length and from one to two in width. It is supposed that the South Saskatchewan at some period of this world's history poured its large volume of waters down the Qu'Appelle valley into the Assiniboine. This great valley has evidently been the channel for a much larger river than the Qu'Appelle, as water levels or fc-teppes are observable on the hill sides. Some now advocate the project of turning the waters of the South Saskat- chewan into the channel by cutting a canal through the sand bar formed at this great bend at the head waters of one of the branches of the Qu'Appelle river, a little to the northwest of thunder breeding hills. Some think that these waters could bo diverted down this valley for $20,000, and if done the Assiniboine would be navigable from Winnipeg to Fort Ellice, and the Qu'Appelle river would also be navigable tor 240 miles further west than Fort Ellice. Should this work over be accomplished, I think the additional volume of water might flood an extensive tract of valuable hmd between High Blutf and Headingly. This year's freshets in the Assinboine backed up the waters around Baie St. Paul, making the main road impassable for the greater portion of the f Souris river. Some ten miles from the Hudson Bay Fort at the east end of a lovely lake, we noticed the Roman Catholic mission and a few half-breed settlers, who have brought several acres under cultivation. The crops were good, more particularly the roots, which were excellent. The Qu'Appelle river riows sluggishly out of the west into the eastern lake, passing close to the Hudson Bay Fort. The Fort is surrounded by a stock- ade, and within the enclosure are the officers' residences and several good storehouses. Across the river are the barracks of the Mounted Police. Only five members of that body were stationed at Qu'Appelle, under command of Capt. Grisbach. At the south end of the valley. Dr. Schultz, M.P., and Dr. Bain have erected one of their trading posts. The whole flats between these points are dotted with Indian camps — over 500 in number. We also saw numerous tents and stalls erected by transient traders. The natives are passionately fond of trinkets, such as brass rings, pipes, beads of various colours, ribbons and rich coloured blankets, and should they take a fancy to an article, no matter hew useless, they will purchase it at a great sacri- fice of furs. They would barter several buffalo robes for a horse bridle mounted with tin or for a curious beaded pipe worth a quar- ter. The older members of the bands are not so easily caught; they have lost confidence in the transient traders, and prefer deal- ,ing with the ^orth-West company or in Hudson Bay stores, and shouki the Indians be unsuccessful in their hunting excursions and .require supplies of credit, they have no other alternative but to apply to those companies for assistance, and many are relieved from want .and actual starvation every winter. There is one good feature in reference to payment. No order or account will be accepted by the paymaster. The Indian must receive his money supplies himself. This prevents fraud or any undue advantage being taken, and keeps them from purchasing on credit. I did not at this time feel very well and Dr. Hagarty {iiid Mr. McLean insisted upon my removing out of my tent to the Fort, where I received the hospitality of the latter gentleman and Mrs. McLean. 61 A little incident that occurred had the effect of arousing me. The report of firearms and great noises were heard, as if bedlam had been let loose. I naturally fancied that Sitting Bull had arrived with his braves, as was expected, for his encampment was only distant some sixty miles south-west of Qu'Appefle, at Old Woman's Lake. I jumped out of bed and made my way to the entrance gate. And sure enough fully 200 Indians had formed a procession, headed by their chief Kaw-keeshi-way, or as he is usually called, " Loud Voice." The old chief was sitting in a cart drawn by a single horse, and alongside of him was his head man. The day being warm, he had thrown off his :.lanket, and his body was perfectly nude. His face was painted red, and his head was orna- mented with large eagle's feathers. The procession halted a short distance ontside the Fort, keeping up their hum-drum song, hi-hi he-he, and tiring off guns and shouting. Mr .McLean informed me that Kaw-kee-shi-way was an old chief; and wielded great influence among the nativea. He was at all times a man of peace, and friendly to the Hudson Bay oflScials, r.nd it was castomary for them to flatter him by making him an annual prenent of a suit of clothes and the calumet or pipe of peace. He was now brought down to the Fort by his followers for the clothing, but as lie had noticed that the Hudson Bay flag was not hoisted on the Fort, he considered it beneath his dignity to approach nearer unless this little attention was paid to hirn. Accordingly Mr. McLean instructed his officers to comply with the wishes of the chief, and then th: procession entered, and a gaudy suit and jaunty hat trimmed with ribbons of many colours — the handiwork of Mrs. McLean — were produced. The ceremony of presenting the suit, &c., was then gone through with, and the calumet sent round on its mission of peace and good will. Afterwards the Indians received their supplies in their blankets. During the same day, another and much more dangerous proces- sion was formed. A council was held, renolutions passed, and a de- putation appointed to interview the Hudson Bay officer, and demand supplies. Capt. Macdonald, paymajster, had not arrived from Touchwood Hills. The appointed time for payment was not up for two days, but the natives expecting his arrival before, had used up all their supplies. The deputation made their demand on Mr. McLean, who stated that the company had no authority to furnish supplies, and no security for getting paid, should they feel disposed to do so. They then returned for further instructions, and in a few hours afterwards came again, and made a threat that if the supplies were not forthcoming within the space of ^wo hours, they would take forcible possession of a dozen oxen and other things belonging to the contractor. There was nothing to prevent their carrying out this threat if they felt disposed. The only available force within 14 !' ll'R-; • 52 hundreds of miles to oppose them were about a dozen whites, with five members of the Mounted Police. It was reported that 150 braves were mounted, prepared to carry out their evil design should their demands be not complied with. However, Mr, McLean con- cluded to graiit the supplies ratlier than see them taken by force. Hundreds of these Indians and their families had been waiting for weeks for the paltry pittance they were to receive. Many were reduced almost to starvation, notwithstanding the lakes near by were stocked with a plentiful supply offish, and the ponds and rivers literally covered with fowls. The following morning Capt. Macdonald arrived, pitched his tent, on which was promptly hoisteorhood for several months. He was fond of fishing, and was usuallj' very success- ful. His canoe was made of cedar, very light, and was covered with oil canvas. Into this diminutive craft he packed his bedding, cloth- ing, ammunition, etc., and started to sail down the river Qu'Appelle to its confluence with the Assiniboine, thence down the Acisiniboine to Winnipeg. He calculated the trip would take two months, the tance by water being probably over 1,000 miles. While roaming over the vast prairie noticing the numerous tents with which it is dotted, whose inmates were lounging about doing nothing but eating and smoking, dependent upon the paltry pittance dealt out to them, I wondered how long this state of things could lust. •F IH 65 LETTER IX. Another Chapter on the Aborigines — Their Fondness for Stimulants — Reckless Slaiujhterimj of the Buffalo— Its Early Exterminntion Probable— Luxuriant Crop of Hops- The Touchuh.^a hills— Dried up Lakes — Scarcity of Water — (fee, rf-c. My last communication was descriptive of Indian life, customs and habits. It is a great blessinj^- the traffic in intoxicating liquors is prohibited in the North-VVest Torritor3^ The Indians are pas- sionately fond of liquor, and would sacrifice the last article they pos- sessed for spirits. Even now in the absence of intoxicating drinks, they frequently indulge in doses of pain-killer, and at some of their carousals enormous quantities of black tea are boiled, in which they put a small plug of tobacco for the express purpose of inducing intoxication. Unprincipled traders are in a great measure respon- sible for the many murders, strife and domestic troubles, that so frequently arise among the Indians. American traders cross tie lines with a few gallons of alcohol, and b^ the introduction of water and poisonous drugs, manufacture hundreds ofgallons of liquor. The presence of the Mounted Police is a great check to this evil ; and many rascally speculators have been ferreted out and brought to punishment. Our stay in Qu'Appelle was protracted much loniror than we anticipated owing to my illne ', and the manner in which the payment to the Indians was proceeded with. I was anxious to learn from personal observation the character and habits of the aborigines, who fare sumptuously on pemmican, etc., occasionally, but who frequently undergo partial starvation. Their moans of subsistence for a great portion of the year is the buffalo. Their food and scanty supply of clothing come chiefly from that animal, which is yearly becoming more scarce. Tens of thousands are recklessly and wantonly slaughtered, frequently for sport without even utiliz- ing one single particle for food. Thousands more are slaughtered for their hides and tongues. The Inuians carry on the chase for the maintenance of themselves and families, and when successful will pitch their tents and live upon the fruits of the chase till their supplies are exhausted. They then sally forth for a fresh supply, but the half breeds and hunters carry on indiscriminate slaughter so long as there is a buffalo to be found. Kccently laws have been enacted for preventing this wholesale slaughter, but the territory is 80 extensive that it will be found difficult to enforce them. In our travels we often saw well-beaten tracks made by the buffaloes in crossing the prairies, generally leading to the margin of some river or lake. They frequently change their pastures from the dry in 4 m ^i» • 66 uplnndH lo low meadows. O the uplanJsin Hummer thoy enjoy the pure breezes, and escape the torture from flies, but in winter they resort to the high fxrann and woody copses, which afford protection from the bleak winds Large herds of buffaloes formerly roamed over the prairies as far eaKt as the Prov'tico of Manitoba, but now they are scarcely ever seen east of the Touchwood Hills, and very rarely even in that locality. Their haunts are the great plain of iho Soaris, and along the United States boundary, around Cypress Hills and the Blackfeot country, extending north to Edmonton and east to the great bend in the South Saskatchewan near Thunder- breeding Hills. Another quarter of a century and thin noble animal wil! bo exterminated and become totally extinct unless some more rigid means are adopted to prevent indiscriminato and wanton butchery. The untutored Indians also must be educated and taught to earn a livelihov)d by cultivating the soil, or thoy will pass away and be annihilated before the mrrch of white settlers. All thev require is the will and proper instruction. They are endowed with health and strength to undergo labor, and the certain revurn of the fruits of honest 'ndustry should be sufficien. stimulus to induce them to abandon theeiposure and uncertainty of the chase. Having taken a parting farewell of Mr. McLean and our friends at the Fort we crossed the Qu' Appelle River with considerable difficulty. Wending our wuy up through a natural ravine to the summit, we were astonished at the luxuriant growth of hops. Every tree and shrub was twined round with the vines, and the olossoms were much larger than any I ever saw in an artificial state. The deep rich soil and the sheltered position were favourable to their growth. After scaling the hill-top numerous trails lead in various directions. We were at a loss to determine which to take. However, we selected the trail to the left, running for a time almost parallel with the river, and passiitg through numerous copses orgroven of poplar and aspen, with natuial cleared patches between, averaging from 20 to 50 acres each, with occasional patches of meadow lands, yielding abundantly of ha^'. I wondered wh}' these lovely locations were not taken up and brought under cultivation, to become the happy homes of hun- dreds who are struggling to obtain a livelihood in our thronged cities and towns. After travelling six or eight miles the timber grows less and more scattered. Passing numerous lakes, on which were ducks and geese in abundance, we shot several, but failed to procure them. During the day we were almost bewildered with numerous trails, winding round bogs or muskegs. On one occasion we lost the iruil, and taking my pocket compass I discovered that we were tra- voiling north-east instead of north-west. Tacking round across the prairie, we soon struck the old trail. We saw several wolves during this day'b march, of a reddish-grey color. Theprairie wolf resembles lU .?^f>?B';.'?c' 57 the Esquimaux dog, and Ih a snoakin^r, wild, keon-scentod animal. My son frequently shot at thom, but the off'eets didn't noem to lesson their speed. The land in tlnw vicinity wuh unrluiatln^', and in places hilly. We travelled during' the day 35 mileH,and in the ovonin-,' we camped near Child's Mountain, a spur of the Little Touchwood Ilills. The waters of the little lake adjoining' was somow'iat dark, but drinkable. We took an early start next morninjL', and in a few hours arrived at an Indian or halfbrood encampment. All the males were out hunting butfalo on the plains for their winter nupplies. One of the half-breeds had the previous day killed a stray buffalo bull. Aged bulls are often found at great distatices from the herd- occasionally three or four together, and arc easily slaughtered. A short distance beyond we arrived at the En«;lish church mission, under the charge of Rev. Joseph Reader. The miwsion buildings stand on the brow of a hill, fronting a beautiful little lake. The missionary has under cultivation a few acres, and the vegetables and roots in the garden were excellent. Several half-breeds reside in the neighborhood and cultivate small patches. The Government furnished them with grain and potatoes. The soil is a rich loam. The vegetables were much earlier than I expected, and of extraor- dinary growth. I mounted a ladder or frame scaftblding attached to the stockade of the misbion, and from the observatory 1 obtained a magnificent view of the surrounding country. To the south and south-west I looked across an e;:ten8ive prairie, with occa- sional elevations or hills dotted promiscuously here and there, as if to embellish the scenery, and away beyond the view extends to the valley of Qu'Appelle. The last mountain is also seen to the south-west, but distant many leagues from the position it is repre- sented on the map. To the east among the trees can be seen the mission school house, kept by Mr. Settee. Away in the west, Heart's Hill is seen towering above all the rest, and, far beyond, the great salt plains. The whole country presents a lovely appearance ; abundance of good timber, sufficiently large for building purposes, is seen to the north of the mission. On my return trip I travelled over the north portion of the Great Touchwood Hills, and found the very best description of rich agri- cultural lands. A tract of country nearly the size of the Province of Manitoba could be brought under cultivation. Rev, Mr. Reader seems perfectly contented with his isolated position, shut out from society and civilization. He complains, however, that there are no regular postal privileges. It is only by chance that he can corres- pond with his friends and acquaintances. The previous day he had received a letter from a relative residing in England, bearing date July, 1876, it having been over 13 months in reaching its destination. No doubt this minihter of the gospel is doing good work among these 58 1 1; , ' I benighted people, and it is tc be hop^d tlmt ignornneo, wuporHtition and vice will ultimately give place to intolliHonce nn is a son of Mr. Richard Manley, of North Kasthope. Since l iotu'-TT his father has sold out his splendid farm and intends moving Ou . n the spring to Prince Albert. We noticed in this settlement a water mill and also an antediluvian wind mill both of which are doing but little business. The settleraeiit extends some eight or 10 miles down the river beyond Captain Moore's mills. The river near the mission is about 500 yards in ^ Avkiih and runs with a swift current,. but the waters are divided by islands. Further to the north the river in more composed, and runs with a much swifter current about Colo's Falls, where it unites ite large volume of water with its sister stream, the south branch. Nearly the whole of this tract of country between the two rivers is adapted for settlement, and if any encouragement is given to intend- ing settlers it will, in a few years, boast of a dense population. I am not sanguine enough to believe that all who remove there will become rich, but I do believe that by industry, thrift and economy, all who remove, not only to this section, but to numerous others just as productive in Manitoba and the North- West, need not be poor. No person need have a doubt about the future prospects of this great countiy. In regard to climate or the productiveness of its soil, all who cast their lot on such lands have only to cultivate the soil in a workmanlike manner, and leave the result to Him who created these luxuriant and beautiful prairies. After a careful examination of Prince Albert settlement we crossed the country over to the south branch, and encountered some difficulty in fording our way over spring creeks and meadow lands. He camped for the night in view of JDeer Hill, a splendid tract of good land. Next morning we wended our way over knolls with plenty of timber and some pine. About noon we entered the French half-breed settlement of St liaurent. The soil here is much lighter than at Prince Albert. We drove from house to house for information respecting the crossing, but to 69 our astonishment the settlement was deserted, and the doors and windows were locked or nailed up. After many unsucessful attempts along the numerous trails, at last we arrived at the mission and found Father Fortmond at home — " monarch of all he surveyed." This gentleman was alone, the only male inhabitant that could bo found for miles. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, absolutely all, excepting a few old women and small children, wore away to the plains with their horse?, cattle and dogs, hunting the buffalo and preparing their winter supplier. The younger members of the family take charge of the stook, the fathers and oldest sons chaso- and kill the buffalo, the mothers and daughters prepare the pem- mican and dried meat, and tan and cure the robes. Man}'^ of theso' hunters are satisfied with supplies sufficient for the year; others re-^ main longer and return with loads for sale to white settlers and traders. The French half breeds are very indifferent farmers ; they love a roaming, exciting life, are fond of the dance and together for fun nnd frolic. There are certainly n^ ny assembling; exceptions, half breeds., leat, which .innot long u V ory few yearn ;ttl< — a letter of" -to Father Fore- dinner. Let- oO as some practical farmers are to be found amon^^ ih' These settlors easily procure all their supplies of uftal const'^ates th ir principal diet. This state of ^,i %» continue, for the destruction of the buffalo wi' .. lead to its extermination. I produced my crodev introduction from His Grace Archbishop Ta he- mond, who very kindly invited m3'^8elf and ^ ting out our animals we took a stroll through the church property, while the reverend father prepared the dinner, for he was a man of all work. Father Foremond is a devoted Christian minister; his very appearance would convince the most skeptical that ho was sincere and devoted to his charge. The influence of Roman Catholic priests over the half-breeds and natives is great. Their '"^ octual attainments and devotion to the spiritual welfare of t flock command respect; while it is plain that they spend their lives for other than this world's goods. After dinner we were shovvn into the library, where we noticed a good collection of books in several languages, chiefly works on theology. The chapel is erected on the summit of the river bank, overlooking the residences of his, parishioners for miles on both sides. In front of the church on a raised platform or triangle is hung a large bell, which can be dis- tinctly heard for miles. Near the church we found an enclosed burying ground. Down in the dingle north of the house in a sheltered nook we saw a beautiful spring boiling up. Along th& northern boundary there is a deep cut ravine, the work of ages of the little crystal stream that flows through on its way to unite with the waters of the Saskatchewan. There is a succession of falls on this stream, the pure living waters jumping from one rock to an> V m> 70 other beneath, making an eligible location for a mill. A eimilar Ktream IIowb along the Bouth-weatern boundary of the church pro- perty. Many of the half-breed sett' .rs have large improvements. There are probably 100 families Ifcatod in St. Clements and St. J/aurent, and there is ample room for a thousand more. After leaving St Laurent we wended our way over a hilly, sandy, wind- ing trail along the banks of the river. Several times we followed well-beaten trails down the slopes to the river in the hope of finding the ferry, but had to retrace our steps. After hours of toil we suc- <^eedcd in reaching the ferry about dark, and in two trips we crossed with our horses and carriages. Next morning I held a conversation with the ferryman, Butosh, who is upwards of eighty years of age, and one of the earliest settlors. He said that his boys when they require buflF:ilo, have to lose a week or two in order to get two or three. In his j'ounger days he could pick one out of a herd passing iilong almost any day of the week, and on one occasion he shot 100 in one month for the tongues and robes alone. Mr. Batosh informed mo that the river is stocked with a plentiful supply of well-flavored fish of different species— gold eyes and white fish, many weighing from ten to fifteen lbs. Very few are caught, the natives and half- breeds are so habituated to the flesh of the buffalo that they care Ijut little for fish. m LETTER XIL Houghing it on the Plains — Bears and Wolves — A Prairie on Fire — Governor Laird's Party en route for Battleford — The Mennonitea — Dear Horse Feed at Touchwood Hills, &c., &c. Leaving Batosh on the South Saskatchewan, on the 20th Septem- ber, we drove for several miles over a miserable trail, cut up with deep ruts, and soon entered a strip of timber land, the soil being of the richest description, with abundance of luxuriant grasses. Emer- ging out of the woods, we noticed near the trail a permanent correc- tion stake, on which was marked 52° 43^ north latitude, 106° west longitude. We passed numerous lakes, which, as usual, abounded witli waterfowl of every description. Late in the evening we foil in with a party of half breed traders and Indians, their carts being heavily laden with skins and pemmican. They were returning to Red Kiver for their winter supplies and to dispose of the proceeds of the chase. Alter many fruitless attempts, examining every clump of willows and reeds for water, we discovered a small muddy hole, near which we camped for the night. This stagnant pond emitted a strong odor from decayed vegetable matter and swarmed with 71 fnyriads of animalculro. Aftor wading up to our kncen in slush and mud, we manap^od to dip up a low pailflful for the animalw, and strained a little for our own une. The days were very ploasjint, but the nights cold ; however, we slept very comfortably. Just about the gloaming we saw within range of the tent a boar prowling about, and heard wolves howling in the distance, but we slept undisturbed. Next morning we passed through alternate strips of timber and prairie, many valuable tracts being burned, and the bare dead trunks presenting a desolate appearance. Numerous fresh water lakes were seen along our lino of route, presenting tangible evidence that the rainfall is sufficient for vegetation. Provided extensive settlements were made, those destructive annual fires would be checked, timber would grow rapidly, the climate be greatly amelio- rated, and summer droughts and the scarcity of good water would be unknown. This extensive section of country, extending from the ^Saskatchewan River to a long range of hills near to the line of the Pacitic Railway, probably sixty miles in width, is, with the exception of the Alkaline plains, all adapted for settlement, and I am persuaded before many years hundreds of the French half-breeds now residing along the Rod River will remove out to the South Saskatchewan or St. Laurant, and extend their settlements from the river east to the line •of railway. Scaling the mountain we put out our animals to graze on a dry meadow on the eastern slope, evidently the former bed of a lake. Scores of those depressions are seen, some with traceable outlets and even with deep cut trails, where numerous herds of buffalo had fre- quently gone to quench their thirst. On the summit of the highest cone of this range of hills was erected a cross. We climbed up the steep acclivity, and from the elevated position we had an extensive view of the surrounding country. 'long the north side of the mountain, at its base, there is a succession of lakes, gradually grow- ing less by the washing of sediment from the hill tops, and the growth and decay of vegetable matter. This mixture of soil makes the richest meadow or pasture lands. On these low meadows thou- sands of tons of hay could be cut yearly, and numberless cattle and liorses fed at little expense. We crodsed the telegraph line on the Pacific surveyed line at an imagin-iry station named " Gotland," better known upon the maps than a the place it is supposed to be located. These stations are distant from each other eight or ten miles. All along the route fiufficient land is reserved at each station for a town plot. We travelled along for miles over a treeless prairie, and camped for the night a few miles east of the cross-roads, where we found plenty of wood but no water. We kept up a good fire during the night, and rising with the lark we passed over a few thousand acres of good iand with an ordinary supply of timber, then entered upon open 72 plains. During the day wo found plenty of water, and expected to reach the frosh water lake at the west end of the salt plains at night, but wo failed to get to the desired haven. During the night the wind aroHC, shaking the tent, and I awoke. The tent and surround- ings wore lighted up as clear as day. Juniping up and rousing my comrades wo found the prairio on tire. Tho wind had fanned the embers, which we thought wore extinguished, into a flame, which spread with groat rapidity in tho direction of our animals. We cnockod tho flames with vigorous ottoi ts, but had there been five minutes' delay, nothing could have provonlod their spreading over tho prairio, and wo should have lost our animals. Wo took an early start for the fresh-water lake, and about an hour after sunrise wo observed in the distance several animals grazing. The animals were the advance guard of Mr. Grant, a wealthy half-breed, who was on his way with Governor Laird's family to Battleford. Grant had. contracted to carry tho family, eleven in number, for $70 for each person, from Winnipeg to Battleford, tho party furnishing their own provisions. Ho informed me that ho would lose heavily by the con- tract unless ho succeeded in getting freight for the return trip. Making an early start next morning, wo soon arrived at the western out^kirits of tho timber limits. In two days more we reached the Hudson Bay fort at Touchwood Hills, and examined a lovely portion of that section not seen or described on our way west. There are numerous frosh water lakes and sufficient wood for ordinary purposes, rich productive rolling lands, with room for tens of thou- sands of the surplus population of Europe. Could noi the Dominion Government assist several thousands more of the Mennonito settlers, now in Southern Russia, to emigrate to these beautiful lands ? They are certainly a most desirable class of settlers, and are anxious to remove to Manitoba or the North-West, if means of transportation were advanced to them, which they no doubt would repay in a few years. They dread the recent enactment that compels them to da- military service in Russia after 1882. Those in possession of means in Russia are willing to pay the passage of their poorer brethren, providing the Canadian Government guarantee the repayment of*" the passage money. Under the present disturbed state of Russia, and the financial troubles, real estate is very much depreciated in value. Their farms are considered Crown lands, notwithstanding they have been in possession of their forefathers for nearly two centuries. They cannot sell without permission from the Emperor, and even then only on condition that they sell to Mennonites, and. pay into the public treasury ten per cent, of the sum realized. The- depreciation of their currency is also a great drawback ; a Russian rouble, which should be worth 63 cents, only bringing 45 cents.- The soil i» the neighborhood of Touchwood Hills is a rich allu-- k 78 vium, mixed with Band, which retains raoistare. Sandy Hoil like- that of many of the Western States— only adapted for the culture of corn— suolcB up the moisture like a sponge, but a union of soiln, such as wo found at Touchwood IlillH and many otiior partM west, combines both qualities. One withKtands a drought and the other gives an immunity against wot weather. Leaving Touchwood Station wo travelloirable lands is open for entry in the several portions of the Province described as follows : 1. The lands on each side of the Canadian Pacific Railway line through the Province not reserved for half-breeds are open for settlement upon the conditions set forth in the Order in Council enclosed. 2. There aro a number of townships available to the east and north-east of Emerson. 3. Between the Mennonite Reserve west of the Red River, and the half-breed Reserve to the north, and in the townships within and to the west and south-west of what is known ds the Pembina Mountain Settlement. 4. In the vicinity of Palestine and the Beautiful Plain. 6. A very extensive district containing valuable lands for settle- 83 and aneiit i8 found in tho Littlo SaHkatchowan and RidiDg Mountain <'Ountvy, being in tho Torritorios from ton to forty miles woat of the westerly limits of tlie Province. H. Tho land fronting on the north side of tho Rainy River in Keewatin, is of oxcellont quality, and presents an oxtonsivo liold for settlement. it is a wooded country, however, and therefore requires a greater expsndituro of labor to bring a given area under cultivation. Jn reply to your enquiry as to tho position of people who may settle upon unsurveyed lands, I bog to say that in all such cases persons so settling must take their chances of being found on land which may prove to belong lo the Hudson's Bay Company, part of •the one-twentieth reserved to tho said Company by tho Dood of Surrender. In tho regular township surveys, section eight and twonty-six represent this one-twentieth, but in the river belts, the Company's proportion will probably bo determined by lot. Tho Dominion Lands Act provides that when tho township sur- veys may embrace settlements previously formed (on land open at tho time for general scttlor.iont), nuch settlers will be confirmed in their several holdings as homesteads, up to tho extent of one hun- dred and sixty acres, in legal subdivisions, including their improve- ments. Settlers on land within the limits of tho Railway Reserve having taken up the same after the date of tho 9th November, 1877, will require to pay for the lands in accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of that date. Those persons who may bo found settled upon the borders of navigable rivers, such as the north and south branches of the Sas- Jcatchewan, outside of tho Railway Reserve, will be confirmed in poesosaion of the lands on which they may have settled, provided they conform to such conditions as tho Government may have matlo in respect of the manner in which title for such lands may bo acquire allowed to acquire more than one-half section or 320 acres, and such land to be paid for by the occupant at whatever rate and upon such terms as may be fixed therefor by the Government when the remainder of the lands in the Province, of this class, are disposed of. Ho further recommends that persons desiring to acquire such lands shall, previous to settlement thereon, be required to be entered therefor at the nearest Dominion Lands Office, and in order to prove their good faith, the applicants shall be obliged, in each case, to make a payment, in advance, at the time of entry, of one dollar per acre in cash on account of the purchase, and further be required t» settle on and commence to cultivate the land within one year from the date of entry, or in default thereof the payment so made to be forfeited. No scrip of any kind, or military bountjT^, or police warrants to be receivable in payment of the lands above described. Tile Minister observes that the withdrawal of the lands in ques- tion was effected under section 105 of the Dominion Landc Act, circumstances not permitting the application thereto of the Act, 37 Vic. cap. 14, which provides for the construction of the railway, and as no statute exists puthorizing the special mode above suggested of disposing of the lands withdrawn, it will be advisable to confirm the action proposed to be taken as above in that respect by legislation during the ensuing session of Parliament. The Committee concur in the foregoing Report, and recommend, that the same be approved and acted on Certified. (Signed,) W. A. HIMSWOllTH, C. P. C. 86 ANALYSIS OP MANITOBA SOIL. Ar bearing on tho particuhir advantagen of Manitoba, for tbo cuU tivation of wheat, tho followint? analysiw of a Hpecimon of the alluvial 8oil from the nrairie of tho Provitico of Manitoba \h given. It is by Professor V. kmmorling, Director of the Cliomical J^aboratory of tho Agricultural /ssoeiation of the University of Kiel, llolstein, Oermany : — (Tramlatiim of Letter to Smafor J^Jniil Klotz.) "Kiel, 20th April, 1872. •«' Hon. Senator : " Tho analysis of tho Manitoba soil in now completed, and the re- sult is in 100,000 parts: — Potash 228 7 Sodium 38 8 Phosphoric Acid 69 4 Lime 682 6 Magnesia 16 1 Nitrogen 486 1 " Yours truly, (Signed,) " V. Emmerlincj." <^ Exifr act from Letter of Senator Emil Klotz to Jacob E. Klotz, agent) for the Dominion Government.) " Kiel, 4th May, 1872. " After considerable delaj', I succeeded in obtaining tho analysis of the Manitoba soil from Professor Emmerling, Director of the Ohemical Laboratory of the Agricultural Association of this place, and hope it may be of service to you. Annexed I give you our analysis of the most productive soil in Holstein, whereby you will see how exceedingly rich the productive qualities of the Manitoba soil are, and which fully explains the fact that the land in Manitoba is 80 very fertile, even without manure. "The chief nutrients are, first, nitrogen, then potash and phos- phoric acid, which predominates there; but what is of particular im- portance is the lime contained in the soil, whereby the nitrogen is eet free, and ^eady to be absorbed in vegetable organisms. The latter property is defective in many soils, and when it is found defective recourse must be had to artificial means by putting lime or marl (a clay which contains much lime) upon the same. " According to the analysis of the Manitoba soil, there is no doubt ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 150 ^^™ ■■■ 118 14.0 li& l'-2^ V± ^ ^ 6" ► <^ p >* 71 '/ /A Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WBT MAIN STtiiT WIBSTM.N.Y. 14SM (716)S72-4503 I % that to the farmer who desires to select for his future home a conntrjr which has the most productive soil, and promises the richest harvei^t^ no country in the world offers greater attractions than the Proviase- ef Manitoba, in the Ik>minion of Canada. '• Andlysit of the Hohtein Soil and Manitoba Soil compared: Holstein Excess of Properties- Soil of Manitoba Soil. Potash 80 198 7 Sodium 60 . 13 8 Phosphoric Acid 40 29 4 Lime 130 562 6 Magnesia 10 6 1 Nitrogen 40 446 1 The facts above stated sufficiently account for the popular expe- rience of the remarkable production of wheat in the Province er Manitoba. MR SHANTZ ON MANITOBA. BEST T.ME TO GO AND WHAT CAPITAL TO COMIIENOS WITH. Mr. Jacob Y. Shantz, of Berlin, Ontario, who vn-ote in 1873, at the request of the Minister of Agriculture, a narrative of his visit with a Mennonite deputation, gives the following opinion as to the best time for the settler to go to Manitoba, and the amount of capital on which he may begin : THE BEST TIMS FOB THE SETTLEB TO 00. The settler should, if possible, be on his land by the Ist of June,, "^hen he would be in time to plant a patch of potatoes which will grow in an ordinary season when ploughed under a prairie sod. The ploughing for the next spring's crop should be done in June or July, when the sap is in the roots of the grass ; being turned over at this season of the year, it will dry up and the sod will rot, so- that the ground will be in proper order for receiving and growing crops in the following spring. WHAT CAPITAL IS NECESSABY WITH WHICH TO COMMENCE. This is a question frequently asked — the answer depends entirely upon surrounding circumstances. A young man without family^ 87 •willing to work and save, would secure himself a horn© in a few years, provided he had only ten dollars to pay the foes for a free grant homestead claim.* Work is to be had at high wages, and ho could work for other parties part of the time, and then hire help again in turn to assist in putting up a small homestead house. After that he could plou/i^h and fence in a fow acres for a crop in the following spring. The next year he could earn enough to ouy a 3^oke of oxen and other cattle, and thus, in a short time, he might become comparatively an independent farmer. A settler with a family ought to have provisions for one year (or the wherewithal to procure them). Such a one, desiring to start comfortably, should have the follow- ing articles, or the means to purchase them, viz : One yoke of oxen $120 00 >^' One waggon 80 00 It ' Plough and harrow 25 00 i-»r.fil Chains, axes, shovels, etc 30 00 :> Stoves, bods, etc 60 00 House and stable, say 150 00 > Total $465 00 A person having $P00 or $1,000 can, if he wishes to carry on farming on a large scale, purchase another quarter section in addi- tion to his free grant, when he will have a farm of three hundred , and twenty acres of land for cultivation, and in addition can cut all the hay he wants in th^ marshes, if he thinks it desirable. In conclusion, I would remark that a poor man can adopt the mode of farming on a small scale for the commencement, as prac- tised by the half-breeds. They have carts made of two wheels and a straight axle, with two poles fastened on the axle to form shafts, and a rack or box thereon. To a cart so made is hitched one ox. The cart costs about ten dollars, and the ox and harness $50 to $60^. With such a vehicle a man can do all the teaming that is required on a small farm — and after the first ploughing one ox can plough all that is required. * In respect to work it should be borne in mind that while wages are high^ the country is new, and the laltour market therefore limited. Mechanics espe- cially should take special information before they start. The Pacific Railway works will, of course, call for a good many men ; and the progress of agricul- tural settlement will pave the way for many kindu of artisans. 88 DOMINION LANDS ACT. Tho following is a summary of the Dominion Lands Act r An Act was passed in 1874 (35 Vic. cap. 23, 37 Vic. cap. 19) amending and consolidating the laws and Orders in Council respect- ing the public lands of the Dominion, and was further amended last •Session, 39 Vic. cap. 19. Tho administration and management is effected through a Branch of tho Department of the Minister of the Interior, known as " the Dominion Lmids Office.'' The surveys divide the lands into quadrilateral townships, con- taining 36 sections of one mile square in each, together with road allowances of one chain and fifty links in width, between all town- . sihips and sections. Each section of 640 acres is divided into half sections of 320 acres. A.11 townships and lots are rectangular. To facilitate the descrip- lions for Letters Patent of less than a half quarter section, the quar- ter sections composing every section in accordance with the bounda- ries of tho same, as planted or placed in the original survey, shall bo supposed to be divided into quarter sections, or 40 acres. The area of any legal subdivision in Letters Patent shall be held to be more or less, and shall, in each case, be represented by the exact quantity as given to such suodivision in the original survey ; pro- vided that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent the lands upon the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, surrendered by the Indians to the late Earl of Selkirk, from being laid out in such man- ner as may be necessary in order to carry out the clause of the Act to prevent fractional sections or lands bordering on any rivers, lake, or other water course or public road from being divided ; or such lands from being laid out in lots of any certain frontage and depth, in such manner as may appear desirable ; or to prevent the subdi- vision of sections, or other legal subdivisions into wood lots ; or from •describing the said lands upon the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, or such subdivisions of wood lots, for patent, by numbers accoi*dingto a plan of record, or by metes and bounds, or by both, as may seem -i-wpedient. PRICE OF DOMINION LANDS. Unappropriated Dominion lands may at present be purchased at the rate of 31 per acre ; but no purchase of more than a section, or '640 acres, shall be made by the same person. Payments of pur- •chases to be made in cash. The i^Jinister of the Interior may, how- over, from time to time, reserve tracts of land, as he may deem the 89 expedient, for Town or Village plots, such lots to be sold either by- private sale, and for such price as he may see fit, or at public auc- tion. The Governor in Council may set apart lands for other public purposes, such as sites of market places, Jails, court houses, places of public worship, bnrying grounds, scboo'is, benevolent institutions, squares, and for other like public purpohcs. FREE ORANTS AND HOMESTEAD RIGHTS. Free grants of quarter sections, 160 acres, are made to any male or female who is the head of a family, or to any male not the head of a family who has attained the age of 18 years, on condition of three years' settlement, from the time of entering upon possession. A person entering for a homestead may also enter the adjoining quarter section, if vacant, as a pre-emption right, and enter into im- mediate possession thereof, and on fulfilling the conditions of his homestead, may obtain a patent for his pre-emption right on payment for the same at the rate of one dolltir per acre. When two or more persons have settled on, and seek to obtain a title to, the same land, the homestead right shall be in him who made the first settlement. If both have made improvements, a division of the land may be or- dered in such manner as may preserve to the said parties their several improvements. Questions as to the homestead right arising between different settlers shall be investigated by the Local Agent of the division in which the land is situate, whose report shall be referred to the Minister of the Interior for decision. Every person claiming a homestead right from actual settlement must file his application for such claim with the Local Agent, pre- viously to such settlement, if in surveyed lands; if in unsurveyed lands, within three months after such land shall have been surveyed. No patent will be granted for land till the expiration of three years from the time of entering into possession of it. When both parents die without having devised the land, and leave a child or children under age, it shall be lawful for the executors (if any) of the last surviving parent, or the guardian of such child or children, with the approval of a 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 a case shall acquire the homestead right by such purchase, and on carrying out the unperformed conditions of such right, shall receive a patent for the land, u^wn payment of the office fees, $10. 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 iu execution before the issue of the patent. 90 • If a settlor voluntarily relinquishes Iuh claim, or has been absent from the land entered by him for more than six months in any one- year, then the right to such land shall be forfeited. A patent may be obtained by any person before three years, on payment of price at the date of entry, and making proof of settle- ment and cultivation for not less than 12 months from date of entry. All assignments and transfers of homestead rights before the issue of the patent shall be null and void, but shall be deemed evidence of abandonment of the right. These provisions apply only to homesteads and not to lands set apart as timber lands, or to those on which coal or minerals, at the time of entry, are known to exist. GRAZING LANDS. Unoccupied Dominion lands may be leased to neighbouring settlers for grazing purposes; but such leatse shall contain a condition making^ such land liable for settlement or for sale at any time during the term of such lease, without compensation, save by a proportionate deduction of rent, and a further condition by which, on a notice of two years, the Minister of the Interior may cancel the lease at any time during the term. Unoccupied Dominion lands will be leased to neighbouring set- tlers for the purpose of cutting hay thereon, but not to the hindrance- of the sale and settement thereof. UINING LANDS. As respects mining lands, no reservations of gold, silver, irofi,, copper or other mines or minerals will be inserted in any patent from the Crown, granting any portion of the Dominion lands. Any person may explore for mines or minerals on any of the Tominion public lands, surveyed or unsurveyed, and, subject to certain provi- sions, may purchase the same. As respects coal lands, they cannot be taken for homesteads. TIMBER LANDS. Provisions are made in the Act for disposing of the timber lands so as to benefit the greatest possible number of settlers, and to pre- vent any petty monopoly. In the subdivison of townships, consist- ing partly of prairie and partly of timber land, such of the sections as contain islands, belts or other tracts of timber, may be subdivided into such number of wood lots of not less than ten and not more than twenty acres in each lot, as will afford one such wood lot to- each qua: er section prairie farm in such township. 91 The Local Agent, as settlers apply for homestead rights in » townp'»ip, shall, if required, apportion to each quarter section one of the adjacent wood lots, which shall be paid for by the apr Meant at the rate of $1.00 per acre. When the claimant has fulfilled all requirements of the Act, a patent will issue to him for such wood lot. Any homestead claimant who, previous to the issue of the patent^ shall sell any of the timber on his claim, or on the wood-lot apper- taining to his claim, to saw-mill proprietors, or to any other than settlers for their own private use, shall be gui'ty of a trespass and may be prosecuted therefor, and shall forfeit his claim absolutely. The word timber Includes all lumber, and all products of timber, including firewood or bark. The right of cutting timber shall be put up at a bonus per square mile, varying according to the situation and value of the limit, and sold to the highest bidder by competition, either by lender or by public auction. The purchaser shall receive a lease for 21 years, granting the right of catting timber on the land, with the following conditions: To erect a saw mill or mills in connection with such limit or lease, of a capacity to cut at the rate of 1,000 feet broad measure in 24 hours, for every two and a half square miles of limits in the lease, or to establish such other manufactory of wooden goods, the equiva- lent of such mill or mills, and the lessee to work the limit within two years from the date thereof, and during each succeeding year of the term ; To take from every tree he cuts down all the timber fit for use, and manufacture the same into swan lumber or some other saleable product J To prevent all unnecessary destruction of growing timber on the part of his men, and to prevent the origin and spread of fires ; To make monthly returns to Government of the quantity sold or disposed of— of all sawn lumber, timber, cordwood, bai-k, etc., and the price and value thereof; To pay, in addition to the bonus, an annual ground-rent of $2.00 per square mile, and, further, a royalty of 5 per cent, on his monthly account j To keep correct books, and submit the same for the inspection of the collector of dues whenever required. The lease shall be subject to forfeiture for infraction of any of the conditions to which it is subject, or for any fraudulent turn. The lessee who faithfully carries out these conditions shall have the refusal of the same limits, if not required for settlement, for a. farther term not exceeding 21 years, on payment of the same amount of bonus per square mile as was paid originally, and on such^ 92 losseo agreeing to such conditions, and to pay euch other raten aa T >y bo determined on for such second term. The standard measure used in the surveys of the Dominion is the Knglish measure of length. i)ues to the Crown are to bear interest, and to be a lien on timbrir, cut on limits. Such timber may be seized and sold in payment. Any person cutting timber without authority on any Dominion lands, shall, in addition to the loss of his labour and disbursements, forfeit a sum exceeding $3 for each tree he i'^ proved to have cut •ilown. Timber seized, as forfeited, shall be deemed to be condemned in default of owner claiming it within one month. FORM OP APPLICATION FOR A HOMESTEAD RIGHT. I, of do hereby apply to be entered, under the provi- Hionn of the Act respecting the Public Lands of the Dominion for (juartor sections numbers and forming part of section number of the Township of containing acr'^s, for the pur- j»o8e of securing a homestead right in respect thereof. AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM FOR HOMESTEAD RIGHT. 1, A. B., do solemnly swear (or aifirm, as the case may be), that I am over 18 years of age ; that I have 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 thereon; iind that my application is made for my exclusive use and benefit, und with the intention to reside ujwn and cultivate the said land — So help me God. On making this affidavit and filing it with the Local Agent, and on payment to him of an office fee of ten dollars, he shall be per- ynitted to enter the land specified in the application. COLONIZATION. If any person or persons undertake to settle any of the public lands of the Dominion free of expense to the Government, in the ]>roportion of one family to each alternate quarter section, or not loss than sixty-four families in any township, under the Home- stead provisions of the Act hereby amended, the Governor in Council fnay withdraw any such township from public sale and general set- tlement and may, if he thinks proper, having reference to the set- tioraent so effected and to the expense incurred by such person or 98 persons in procuring tho Hamc, order the sale ofanj? other andaddi* tionul lands in such township to such person or persons at a reduced price, and may make all necessary conditions and agreements for carrying the same into oft'ect. The expenses, or any part thereof, incurred by any person or persons, for tho passage money or subsistence in bringing out an im- migrant, or for aid in erecting buildings on the homestead, or in providing farm implements or seed for such immigrant, laay, if so agreed upon by the parties, be made a charge on the homestead of such immigrant, and, in case of such immigrant attempting to evade such liability by obtaining a homestead entry outside of the land withdrawn under tho provision of the next preceding section, then, and in such case, tho expense incurred on behalf of such immigrant, as above, shall become a charge on the homestead so entered, which, with interest thereon, must be satisfied before a patent shall issue for the land ; provided as follows : (a.) 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 tho same as proved to the satisfaction of the Minister of the Interior ; (6.) That an acknowledgment by such immigrant of the debt so incurred shall have been filed in the Dominion jfjands Office ; (c.) That, in no case, shall the charge foi* principal moneys ad- vanced against such homestead exceed in amount the sum of two- hundred dollars ; ( Winnipeg, one car, $245. m be 5 >«n ^on the any Trul Wes a mi begii DOM During Grab an assist 01 give th< official not kno The aj advice. "•Pi 97 SpociHi arran^ementA have boon i' do by the Grand Trunk Com- pany for cmii^rantH >?oin^ to Wlnnfc,)e^ in partioH. To obtain tlio uonofltof Hueh arrangcmontH Hpeciul application should bo made in the case of oach party. This may bo dorib v .Lher diroctly or througli any of the Dominion Immigration AgentH. Spociul rat«8 will bo grantod ovor tho Iniorcolonial aner Limits — Land Speculators — The KindofEmigrants needed — Luxuriant Crops — Flourishing Settlements — Rev. Father Foremond — Tlie.Church on the Hill, &c., /Ice 64 c LETTER XII.— Roughing it on the Plains— Bt-.-iv.^ and Wolves— A Prairie on Fire — Governor Laird's Party en route tor Battleford — The Menno- nites — Dear Horse Feed at Touchwood iiill.-, &c., &c 70 LETTER XIII.— Camping on the Snow— Winter in the North- West— Cold but Healthy Atmosphere — Land Speculaiui's — How to Encourage Innnigration — Territory Equal in Size to Twenty-six States awaiting Settlement — Enormous Freight Chiii'<;o8 — Hstc^ry of the Grasshopper Plague — Imports at Pembina, &c.,