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Crops and Live Stock in Manitoba. The information contained in this bulletin IB based on the reports of correspondents of the Department, made under date of August 1. The information given in the tables is shown by ■districts which are made up of Electoral Divisions, as follows : The Norili Western District comprises the Electoral Divisions of Minnedosa, Shoal Lake, Eirtle and Russell; the Central — Dennis, Lans- downe, North Brandon and Brandon 'City ; the South WesternSonris^ Turtle Mountain, South Brandon and Killarney ; the South Central — Cypress, Mountain. Manitou, Lome, Dufterin and Morden ; the North Central — Portage la Prairie, Lakesidv, Norfolk, Westbourne and Beautiful 4' Plains; the Eastern — Woodlands, Rock wood, St. Andrew's, Kildonan, Springfield, St, Boniface; Oartier, Morris, Carillon, La Verandrye, Emerson and Rosenfeldt. In giving the average yields of different grains itisto.be understood that they are but approxi- mate, as it would be almost impossible for corre- spondents, on the first of August, to state with any certain degree of exactness what the yields would be when the grains came to be threshed out. The experience in the past has been, however, that under ordinary circumstances the yields as returned by correspondents have not diflcred very widely from those of the threshers. In several places very^ large yields are looked for and the expectations of some enthusiastic correspondents nlay cause the average, over the Province, to be beyond what will be realized when the crops are harvested. While the average yields over the Province cannot be expected to reach that of 1887, there are many correspondents who have reported the prospects a& equal to and in some cases exceeding those of that year. •, ■ • ■ '■ ■ The subjoined statement, lor the convenience of reference, gives comparisons, with 1889, of a num- ber of items dealt with in this report. 1 d, St. liface," lersori grains proxi- corre- :h any would The ', that turned tvidely 18 very ions of se the at will While Qot be many ects as- of that Bnce of a nuih- The first item of rainfall has a most important bearing on the differences shown in yield in the hay and grain crops and which go as far as need be to show the vast differences that exist between wet and dry years. While the yields this season in the hay crops are much beyond that of last year, still there is no doubt but the crop of prairie hay has been largely handicapped by the excessive drought of last season. A noticeable feature in the South Central district, where the rainfall was the least, is that the yields are all correspondingly light. 1889. Rainfall recorded in June 66 inches «« '• " July 1.70 " Average yield per acre of Prairie Hay 1. 10 tons «' << " Grasses, etc. .95 " Approximate yield of Wheat 14.8 bush. «« . '' Oats 21.5 " «« " Barley 18.5 Acres of new Prairie broken 135,649 Average cash price of improved land. |9.50 «« «« •' unimproved land |5.32 Percentage of land occupied 52.2 " " " fit for cultivation. 70.7 Number of Farmers in the Province. 13,320 Average acreage put under crop by each S9.2 ( ( (< 1890. 2.94 inches 3.31 *' 1.42 tons 1.86 ** 24.6 bush. 44.3 34.3 108,772 19.43 $5.43 57.2 71.4 13,877 73.0 6 WeaThep. — Throughout the months of June and July the weather may be said to be all that could be desired for the growing crops. The extreme drought of last season made large quantities of rain a necessity and it can fairly be said, that a very large quantity of rain did fall during the two- months. While the rainfall was sufficient in many parts, still there are places where a greater supply was required, but taken generally, there is but little cause for complaint. In the southern part of the Province the rainfall of June was very limited, and before the heavier rains of July came several of the crops had suffered considerably and had received a set back that it was difficult to recover from. From scattered points over the Province the remark was made that the rain did not come early enough in the season to give the necessary impetus to the crops. Very heavy rains on the sixth and seventh of July, extending over the entire length and breadth of the Province, inspired fresh vigor in the growing crops and since that time the growth has been repor<-«=>d marvellously- rapid and vigorous. The average rainfall in June, as reported to the Department from forty points, was 2.94 inches. This, was over four times as much as fell in June in last year. In July the average fall was 3.31 inches. This was fully double of the quantity of the corresponding month of 1889. The following is a record of the total rainfall, in inches, at some of the stations in the Province for the months of June and July : Foxton 5.99, Selkirk 7.32, Winnipeg 8.07, Oak Bank 8.14, Gretna 5.67, Mordon 4.34, Manitou 6.12, Pilot Mound 4.68, Cartwright 5.37, Craigilea 5.45, Roseberry 2.80, Clearwater 4.81, Norquay 9.66, Treherne 6.67, Aweme 7.27, Hartney7.18, Elm Valley 5.59, Kola 6.68. Bii tie 8.20, Russell 4.57, Shoal Lake 4.63, Oak River 5.92, Arden 6.93, Eden 6.67, Beaver Creek 4.47, and Hill view 8.83. The average for the two months over the Province was 3.10 inches. Wheat,— Throughout the Province the wheat crop is a very promising one and many correspondents have made somewhat ex- travagant statements regarding the anticipated yield. These are perhaps warranted in many points, particularly in the North- western and North Central groups, but there are other points, notably in the South Central groups, where the prospects for a very abundant yield are not so promising. Over the Province a yield of 24. 6 bushels to the acre is expected. This yield is just a bushel less than was anticipated at the corresponding date in 1887, when the crop was the largest on record. In many places indications point to a yield equalling that of 1887, and some enthusiasts expect even a larger yield. The lack of rainfall in the South Central groups is shown very distinctly in the yield when compared with the other districts. This same locality suffered more perhaps irom drought in 1889 than any other, and was again this season denied the average fall. The crop generally will not be cured as early as last year by several days, cutting not being expected to be general until about August 15. The smallest yields looked for in individual divisions are those of Mountain and Manitou, where a trifle over 18 bushels per acre are expected. In Shoal Lake, South Brandon and Beautiful Plains the yield is set down at from 20 to 28 and 80 bushels per acre. ♦ Oats.— Reports concerning this crop show that a very large yield is looked for. On all sides it is reported a heavy crop and no damage, apart from a want of rain, has happened thus far to it. The growth has been strong and very rapid, the weather having been most favorable. Reports from all parts of the Province are very similar and very small differences are noticed in the approximate yields reported. Weeds appear to be very prevalent but no particular damage has apparently resulted to the crop. On account of so much grain having WW 8 been supplied last saring for seed a large quantity of mustard thistles, etc., has been imported and a good deal of indignation is expressed in consequence. The yield reported as likely to be had over the Province is 44.3 bushels per acre. In 1887 the yield as reported by corre- spondents was 43.1 and in 1889 21.5 bushels. In the North Central group a yield of 47.1 bushels to the acre is expected. Bari^ey.— Like wheat and oats, barley is reported a good healthy crop and is likely to yield handsomely. The growing time has been very favorable and although the spring season was late, still quite a large quantity was harvested during the last few days of July, and the great bulk of the crop would be ready for harvesting during the first week of August. Weeds the result of impure seed, in many places troubled the crop. Districts. Approximate Average " ViEivD Per Acre. Wheat. Oats. Barley. Prairie Hay. Grasses, etc. Northwestern Bus. 26.9 Bus. • 45.1 Bus. 34.5 Tons. 1.77 Tons. 2.56 Central 24.5 44.5 35.8 1.28 2.01 Southwestern .... 23.9 44.6 34.7 1.48 2.04 South Central 21.4 42.2 32.9 1.09 1.66 North Central 26.2 47.1 34.5 1.53 1.47 Eastern 24.6 42.3 33.2 1.38 1.41 9 An approximate average yield is given of 34.3 bushels over the Province. This corresponds very closely with the yield of 1887— 33.9— but is nearly double that reported in 1889. Some very large yields are looked for in individual townships, but the averages in the different groups very, very triflingly. Peas, — Reports of this crop are few even when compared with the scattered localities in which they are grown. From points where reports do come, however, the prospects are that a very satisfactory crop will be gathered. The yields given run from 10 bushels per acre as high as 30, and an average of the returns received give about 23 bushels per acre, as what is likely to be threshed. Flax. — This crop has litt^' or nothing said of it as a general thing. An approximate average yield is reported from a few points where grown, which show that a crop averaging about fourteen bushels per acre will be had. From the principal flax growing centre — Rosenfeldt — no return has been received. A report to be made later in the season will deal more fully with this crop. Potatoes and Roots. — Correspondents speak in the highest terms of this crop and very large yields are anticipated. The growth has been very rank and rapid and all the indications are of a very satisfactory character. On all hands very encouraging remarks are made of the condition and prospects of the crop. In many cases the new crop was being used early in July and the quality was pronounced good. Nothing to damage the crop has been reported. Correspondents were not asked to give any idea of the approximate yield, but they were generally reported as looking remarkably well and promising large yields. Roots are also reported a very satisfactory crop, there having been a sufficiency of rain and no set back from the ordinary ravages by flies. it* Nl 10 ('UI.TIVATED Grasses.— Pretty generally over the Province considerable attention is being paid to the cultivation of grasses to supplement the supply of native hay as well as to improve the quality of the feeding material. The principal varieties arc millet and Hungarian grass although other varieties are sown, but not nearly so general nor in such quantities. From every quarter the reports as to the yield are very good and some very large crops will be cut. The grasses are spoken of as being unusually heavy and long in the stem. A great many persons are experimenting with several varieties to ascertain the ones best adapted for feed as well as to the nature of the soil. It is gratifying to find that so many are talcing to sowing- corn to be used as feed for stock. LiVK Stock.— The large quantities of rain that have fallen have kept the pastures in prime condition and the result is that on all sides stock, with the exception perhaps of working horses, are in prime condition. They were reported thin when turned out in the early spring, but a highly pleasing change is noticed in the reports now to hand. Working horses, as a rule, are not in as good condition as could be wished the cause being attributed to tlie scarcity of hay and oats. Young cattle and others being prepared for market were in many cases reported as being now ready, a date considerably in advance of ordinary years. Throughout the Province stock were remarkably free from disease. Dairying. — Apart from the localities where clieese factories and creameries are in operation very little is being done by farmers in the way of making butter and cheese beyond what is required for family consumption. As a general thing farmers are going into stock raising more and more from year to year, but the prices paid for butter, and the conveniences at hand for the manufacture of it by the average farmer are not such as to encourage manufacture beyond consumpti' n. The general remark made by correL;pondents is that the prices paid for but- 11 ter are so low that people only make for their own use. So much so is this the case that calves, instead of being weaned, are in many cases, allowed to follow their mothers throughout the season. Where cheese factories and creameries are in operation they are appreciated, and are spoken of as doing very well, but unfortunately the number in operation is not equal to that which the Province demands. New Breaking.— The area of land broken for the first time this season shows a falling off from that of last season of 26,877 acres. The season has been a favorable one for breaking and there is no doubt but that there has been as much done in this respect as last year although the figures do not show it. Cor- respondents have not given this information very fully, as a general thing, and in one or two places no basis has been given on which to make an estimate of the actual work done. The points froni which information is wanting are Rosenfeldt and Portage la Prairie. The Southwestern district shows much the largest area, it being 32,148 acres, the Central being next with 25,605 acres. The area in the Eastern group is the smallest, being 8,346 acres. • GenekaIv Farming. -In the table given below the number of farmers in the Province, together with the average quantity of land put under cultivation, is shown. As compared with last jjeason both the number of farmers and the quatuitits of Irnd put under crop by each are largely in<:reascd. The num- ber of farmers is increased by 557 and the average area cultivated by al out 14 acres. The total number of farmers is shown to he 13,877, but as some of the districts have not been fully reported this may fall considerably short of the actual number. Taking the number of farmers and the aver.ige qrea put under crop by each the total shown corresponds very closely with the total area shown to be under cultivation on the first of June last. 12 Districts. No. of I Average Farmers, under crop Northwestern . Central Southwestern. South Central.. North Central Eastern New land broken. ia59 1821 2639 2500 1882 8176 13877 Acres. • 45.4 89.1 83.3 83.2 90.8 46.2 Acres. 8 ooir 73.0 16,870 32,148 2,5,605 17,418 8,346 108,772 Farming LANDS.-Attached hereto is a table showing the the average cash price per acre of improved and unimproved lands, together with the respective percentages taken up and fit for cultivation. The average cash price of improved land is set down at $9A3 per acre and unimproved at |5. 43 These correspond very closely with the prices given last season. The average prices of improved land vary from |6.20 per acre in the Northwestern group to jfll.91 in the North Central, and in unimproved from |3.80 to |6.53. ^ The percentage of the land occupied, or taken up by settlers IS 5..2 per cent of the whole, or 5 per cent, more than last vear' The proportion of the land fit for culti vatign is 71.4 per cent wliich IS almost identical with that reported a year ago. ^"'^ ""^'"^ ' 13 Districts. Farming IvAnds. Northwestern Central Southwestern South Central North Central Eastern X O zi G :i en O 0) > r3 > o 3^ I 6 20 9 00 9 67 10 63 11 91 9 16 $S 80 5 10 6 21 6 43 6 53 4 53 s s