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For some time the Dominion Government, the Manitoba Government and the rail- way and land companies interested in the settlement of Western Canada had been re- ceiving letters from settlers in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and other States, asking fo:- particulars and information about this country, stating that owing to repeated failures of crops they were compelled to move, and go wliere they could better their circumstances. These were promptly replied to, and the necessary information, so far as it could be supplied by letters and pamphlets, given So numeious did these letters become, how- ever, and so anxious were the writers that the Canadian Government should do some- thing to assist them, that it was at length decided to send over a few good reliable men to talk with the American farmers, ascertain what was their real position, and see what could he done for them. Acting upon this decision several men were sent over, and as a result of their visit not less than 3,000 souls have left American t«rritory and settled in the Canadian North-west. On one occasion a whole train load of settlers from South Dakota arrived in Win- nipeg, bringing their stock, implements and effects along with them, all ready to start farming ; and since the arrival of this party others have been continually roniing, until, as has been already stated, we have received over 3,000 souls. And they are still coming, not only from Dakota, but from Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan and other States, and rapidly filling up the richest and best lands in diflferent sections of the country. \ 6 WESTERN CANADA. In the early stages of this movement the Dakota papers, with the object of putting a stop to it, published a great many reckless and foundationless reports about this coun- try, saying that it was " a land of snow and ice," that " the prairies are a sterile sandy waste, where vegetable growth is impossible," and that the parties sent over from Canada " could not be relied upon." To counteract these statements, the farmers of Dakota were invited to appoint a number of , DELEGATES \. ',» to visit Manitoba and the Canadian North-west, and report what they saw and what the country was like. They came, representative men from different sections of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, &c. They went where they pleased. They were furnished with free land guides, and every possible facility to see the country well. They travelled some twenty- five hundred miles by rail from Winnipeg to Calgary and back, Calgary to Red Deer and back, Begina to Prince Albert and back, and from Winnipeg to Yorkton and back, besides stopping off at the different points along the way to drive around the country, and talk with the farmers. They spent from three to five weeks in the country, and then made reports of their visit and their opinions of the country. These reports are printed in this pamphlet. The language could not be plainer. The delegates have been one and all delighted with the country, and strongly advise all their friends to go there, as already many of them have done — a large number of the delegates themselves having selected lands and made homestead entries bef ^ re returning home. In addition to these first delegations, a number of others have visited the country and their reports all corroborate tliose of the first delegates. These reports, together with the reports of individual delegates, are all here pub- lished, in full or in part, for the information of those who desire to find a new home where they can better their circumstances, and get more land for their sons as well as themselves. Letters from a number of those who left their homes in the States and settled in Western Canada, testifying to the truth of the information they received regarding the country before going there, and their entire satisfaction with their new homes, will be found in these pag<3s also, along with the testimony of high authorities like the late Mr. J. W. Taylor, who, for nearly a quarter of a century, resided in Western Canada as an American Consul. ■wjuMniyjwimBi umimn i .iuw mniwWKiw lii^ THI AV^ESTERN CA.]Sr^Di^ AND ITS aKEA.T RTCSOURCES THE TESTIMONY OF SETTLERS, FARMERS' DELEGATES AND HIGH AUTHORITIES. Rkpokt of a pahty OB' Fahmkhs' Delecjates fkom South Dakota, who visited the Canadian \outh-west in company with Mk. W. A. Wehster, during May and June, 1(S91 : — We, the undersigned farmers of South Dakota, owing to the repeated (and almost total) failure of crops, had made up our minds that we must emigrate somewhere, and after hearing the description of the agricultural resources of Manitoba and the Canadian North-west by W. A. Webster, Dominion Emigration Ageni, and A. F. Holmes, Colon- ization Agent, decided to visit and personally inspect these resources, not only in our own interests, but also in the interests of very tnany of our neighbours. Accompanied by Agent Webster we left Aberdeen, South Dakota, May 14, reached Winnipeg May 15, spent a day examining that fine substantial city of 28,000 inhabitants. We visited Brandon, which is the centre of a grand wheat growing region. Visited the Govein- raent Experimental Farm, saw here samples of grain, grasses, trees, shrubs, and saw their system of farming, which seems to be most complete. We visited the w»'ll-known farm of William Sandison, who raised last year 60,000 bushels of grain ; his wheat averaged 30, and oats 90 bushels per acre. His teams and outfit were the best we ever saw. After driving over this district and meeting some old friends who have made wealth farming here, we went west to Moosomin ; drove over this district, which iv a splendid section for mixed farming. Visitetl the farms of J. H. NeffandThoH. IJoubier, who have been fanning here for the past nine years, growing _';") to ."JO bushels ai wheat per acre, oats GO bushels and potatoes 300 bushels. From here we went w(\st to Moose Jaw; drove over this district ; splendid soil, good grass, stock living out all the year. Visited several tine farms and prospen»us farmers in this district. From here we went to Calgary, a tine town of 4,000 inhabitants ; many costly buildings of fr>M'stone, quarried on the spot. From here we had a grand view of t;i') liocky Mountains, 75 miles distant ! Going north from here to tlie famous \U'{\ I )iTr distiict, we examined it thoroughly ; it is a grand stock country, probably no better known, plenty of timlter, water, hay ;uul good soil, easily tilled ; we found very many North Dakota farmers settling in this district. There is plenty of Free Homesteiid land here. Upturning east we stopped off at Regina, the capital of the Territories. We examined this district thoroughly ; no richer soil than here. North and south of liere are tine stock sections, stock living out almost the entire year ; \\v hear nothing of hard times here. From here we went north 250 miles, over a tirst-class railroad to Princr Ailirrt, in (he Sas- katchewan valley ; we examined this district very carefully ; we Hnd hem plenty of tnnl)er for all purposes ; water in abuntlance rivers, lakes, and wi-ll water of first (luality at depths of 10 to 15 feet. Rich, mellow soil, producing a luxuriant growth of grasses of the most nutritious kinds— in short, a tirst-clas, country for mixed farming, liaving now good railway facilities, and where good prices are had for stock iind all kinds of farm products. There is plenty of Free Homestead land here. I ?>t-'«miWMiW*»-s» *"t»- »p»'' o WESTERN CANADA Keturning east to Portage la Prairie, we drove over that renowned district, and saw evidences of agricultural wealth that completely astonished us, it having all been accumulated within the past few years. From here we took the railway to Yorkton, passing all the way through a first- class farming country, with evidences of prosperous farmers all along this road t » Yorkton, which is its present terminus. From here we drove 45 miles along the pro- posed line of road to the South Dakota Colony (which now consists of 200 souls), the members of which settled here during the last few months. We visited all of them, most of them beinjj old acquaintances ; we found them all busy building houses and breaking land. We examined the country in which this colony is located as carefully as possible for the time at our disposal, and '^ find a first-class soil, plenty of small, beautiful lakes, pure water, plenty of timber lur building, fencing, and fuel for all time to come ; hay in abundance. We saw here three-year-old steers fit for the English market that never saw the inside, of a stable. In the interests of our friends and neighbours in South Dakota we desire that this, our report, be printed and circulated in the Dakotas ; and we say most emphatically that the statements made by Agents Holmes an I Webster, to us, in regard to the agricultural resources of Manitoba and the Canadian North-west, are true in every particular, as we found everything belter than they represented them to us, and we wisli here to tell the farmers of South Dakota that they can place confidence in their statements. Signed at Winnipeg, 10th June, 1891. O. W. Pasholke, Glasston, Pembina County, North Dakota. Francis B. IMeoarrv, Leola, South Dakota. James Camekon, Aberdeen South Dakota. F. J. Randall, Conway, North Dakota. William Hill, Leola, South Dakota. Neil McLean, Roscoe, South Dakota. Report of a party of North Dakota Farmers' Dklecjates who spent a month visiting Manitoba and the North-west with a view to reportinq to their FRIENDS IN Dakota the facts reoarding this country: — Winnipeg, 18th June, 1891. We, tlio undersigned delegates from North Dakota, wish to make the following report for the benefit of intending .settlers. We have visited the country north and west of Yorkton for over GO miles, and found a country which cannot be surpassetl for mixed farming. There are numberless gcxxl meadows, and it would be hard to find a sootion without a nice pnplar grove in it. There are also many streams of fresh water, and the soil is excellent in every jiarticular. We spent several days at Prince Albert, Duck La ke, and in tlio Shell River country. The general appearance of the country anuind J'rince Albert i.s particularly desirable on account of its groves of tamarack, .spruce and poi)lar timlx-rs. The valley of the Shell IJiver is a very beautiful country, exteiidini,' for a long distance east of the ThickwcKKl Hills ; the prairie is composed of a (l.iik loam with heavy clay subsoil, with numerous lakes and springs. There are millions of acres of tliis land unoccupied in the valley of the Saskatchewan. The count ry in innny places resembles parts of (ireat Britain. Wo also visited the country north of Calgarv for more than 100 miles ; the Poplar drove and Red Deer country is a verv lU'sirahle point for any one who desires to emigrate from Dakota. There is abuiulaiice of wood and water, and lumber can bo got for $18.f)0 per M. One of our party has already located about eight miles from Red Deer. We hav(- seen several herds of cattle that never were fed any hay. or hail shelter duriiii.' the winter; in fact, it is tiie country for a great many people who are getting jioorer every year in hakota. We also desire to s' le that on our visit to Brandon wo had the pleasure of visiting the Ciovernnient Kxpernnental Farm established at that point, and we were glad to find [strict, and ng all been igh a first- lis road t > ig the pro- souls), the 1 of them, houses and IS carefully y of small, or all time he English lesire that iphatically krd to the ' in every s, and we e in their Icota. A MONTH TO Til KIR , 1891. following or(h and assed for to find a ih water, ! Albert, country imarack, country, )spd of a lero are !i. The country untry is riK'ti! is 3 of our sholtpr getting visiting to find t I o a e O Q n < •A u H u H what Nortl| ingel the i\ is besl otherJ also a| triet, at x>,^ AND ''its great RESOURCES. s e S what a great work the Government was doing here for the benefit of the farmers of the North-west. Mr. Bedford, the manager, is a fine man, and takes great pains in explain- ing everything to those who visit the farm. Experiments of all kinds are carried on at the farm, and farmers can always get the best and most reliable information as to what is best to grow and how t'^ prepare it. In conclusion, we have no hesitation in advising all our friends in Dakota, and any others who wish to better their condition, to come to the Canadian North-west. Mr. D. D. Smith, of Park River, and Mr. A. Johnson and H. Chaley, of Edinburgh, also accompanied us on our whole trip of inspection, with the exception of Yorkton dis- trict, and will corroborate this statement. Inkkrman Davis, Park River, Nortli Dakota. James Bell, Latona, North Dakota. Abraham SMrrn, Inkster, North Dako^^^a. Benjamin Code, Park River, Nortli Dakota. Wm. Code, Park River, North Dakota. E. Code, Park River, North Dakota. o Q 03 H u a. U H U H r.EPORT OF A PARTY OF FaRMERS' DELEGATES FROM NORTH DAKOTA, WHO MADE A tour of inspection of manitoba and the north-west in company with Captain Bliss : — Winnipeg, 8th June, 1891. We, the undersigned farmers from the counties of Griggs, Foster and Steele, in the State of North Dakota, United States, beg to ask the privilege of thus laying before our brother farmers in our district in North Dakota, this report of our tour of inspection of land in the Canadian North-west. We arrived in Winnipeg on the 1 5th May, and started west next morning. We took the Canadian Pacific Railway at Winnipeg, and piussing through very fertile l.mds at Portage la Prairie, Brandon and other points on that line, wo came to Calgary, our first stt)p. We found Calgary a wonderful town for its age, being lighted by electricity, and having good water works, tire and police brigades, and first-class hotels. A large barracks of the Mounted Police is also at this point. From Calgary we proceeded north on the Calgary and Edmonton Railway to Red Deer. About .30 miles north of Calgary we got into first-class land, well wooded and watered. At Red Deer we found good land, but rather too much wood. Througli the kindness of I^nd Agent Jessup we got full information as to land open for settlement, i*id proceeded to Poplar Grove, 20 miles south of Red Deer. Here we spent three days and thoroughly inspected the land. We found the soil very goo I, a rich loam, and easily worked, plenty of wood and water, and from conversation with some settlers we believe this to be as gocnl a locality as a farmer could wish. After a careful inspection of Poplar Grove, we took the train again and proceeded to Calgary on the way to Prince Albert. Passing through Regina, the capital of the North-west Territories, a town of western enterprise and the headquarters of the Mounted Police force of the North-we.st, wo came by Regina and the l^oiig Lake Hall- way to Prince Albert. V\'e arrivetl in Prince Albert and found a town of 900 or 1,100 inhabitants, beautifully situated on the Saskatchewan River, in a fertile valley. We went out south east some 10 miles, and on the route parsed througli the finest country we had yet seen. The Hirch Hill distiict was closely inspected, and resulted in show- ing us a land of woofl, watiu* and soil yet to bo surpassed. Well water can be Iwul in this section at from 5 to 12 feet, gocnl and clear. Hay is extremely plentiful, iM'ing seen in many places over .3 feet high. Timothy set>(l will grow here, and brings I'ortli a gotxl crop. We find wo cannot exjjre.ss our.selves too highly regarding this district, and consider it first class in all respects for " niixeil " farming. There is plenty of luml here r«'ady for homesteading. :v^?v«api»'i:^ ■* 10 WESTERN CANADA fi We then proceeded to Yorkton, on the Manitoba and North-west Railway. We arrived ill Yorkton, andproccedid by teaiDS to view the land north and west. We saw and conversed with several old settlers from South Dakota. They are all well satisfied, and would not change their location. We w.nt as far as Quill Lake, and found the land and country generally good for mixed farming. The crops look well, grass good and plenty. Wm. Howden, Cooperstown, Griggs Co., North Dakota. Ellef Olson, Ottawa do do Peter B. Helland, Sharron do do GuDMUND GuDMUNDSER, Romnes, Griggs Co. do Jas. Phalen, Forrest River, Grand Forks Co. do R. RUTLEDGE, -, Palk Co. do J. A. Bole, , Foster Co. do Testimony op three gentlemen from Nelson County, North Dakota. We the undersigned, after having been three weeks examining the unoccupied farming lands in the vicinity of Yorkton, Prince Albert, Regina and other parts of the Canadian North-west, do hereby certify that the representations made to our people by Mr. Martin McDonald, immigration agent, as to quality of land and supplies of wood, water, ifec, &c., liave been more than verified to us by our personal examination. And we ha\e no hesitancy in saying that the intending settler cannot find a more inviting country on the American continent to day to establish a home than on the line of the Manitoba and North-western Railway in the vicinity of Yorkton, or Prince Albert. John Hennessy, Delegate from Nelson Co., North Dakota. D. McDougall do do do Richard Carr do do do THE TESTIMONY OF MANY OTHERS. A LicTTEu kuom Fort Saskatchewan. Dear Sir, — I arrived here on the 18th of April and found the spring well advanced and grain that was in early up and looking fine. Rented land from Robert McKernan ; put in 25 acres of oats and I'J acres of barhsy and 1 acre of potatoes. The spring was dry and no ruin till 10th June : then got plenty of rain, and threshed 716 sacks of oats ; weighed some of the sacks and they weighed from 106 to 110 lbs. I had 600 bushels of barley and 500 bushels of potatoes. I consider that I had a good crop all round. I have been threshing all fall, and have seen some better and some not so good. James Port, on south 28, township 53, range 22, had 12 acres of wheat that went 55:V bushels per acre ; that is the best I know of. I feel sure that we can raise as good wlieat as any place in America. As for oats and barley, we are away ahead. Potatoes, cabbage, turnips, onions, beans, pease and rhubarb are beyond description ; no man would believe it till he sees it. I ha\e seen some fine fields of timothy. Have seen the fattest cattle here I ever saw. Sheep do well, and there is lots of money in h(i;;s, as we can grow barley and not half try, antl tliere is a gowl market north for more pork than will ever be raised here. The growtli of grass is something wt)ndeiful ; on the high land it WHS '^ feet high, mixed with pea vine — l)etter pasture a man could not ask for. 1 remain, yours truly, JOHN McLELLAN. Fort Saskatchewan. lailway. We d west. We ly are all well ill Lake, and ops look well, Dakota, do Jo do Jo Jo Jo I AKOTA. B unoccupied • parts of the ur people by (lies of wood, ation. And nore inviting le line of the > Albert. Dakota. D ell advanced McKernan ; s spring was cks of oats ; )0 bushels of 11 round. I J. t that went iiise as good . Potatoes, an ; no man ive seen the hoys, as we B pork than le high land : for. I -LAN. C ,3 a o H a o is •/: a; ■y.' '•K^ a o s a: ■n and its great resources. Prince Albert v». South Dakota. 11 Dear Sir, — In return for your kindness in assisting us to get here, I drop you tliis letter to let you know how we are getting on since we left Brown county. South Dakota. On our way up we stopped two days at Regina, and the crops there were something enormous. The Brown Bros.' wheat went 58 bushels, Collins 52, and a German neigh- bour's went 56 bushels per acre ! oats 25 bushels. Roots and vegetables were astonishing ! Here at Prince Albert crops are splendid : wheat 30, oats 60 bushels per acre, and not a particle of frost. I have cut and stacked a grand lot of hay since I came. We are haying a great deal of rain lately ; ground is now ploughing in fine shape. My nearest neighbour has just dug one acre of potatoes — yield, 400 bushels. J. Dalin, his family and car of stock have arrived all safe. They like this country very much. I have rented a fine farm five miles from town for one year ; will then go on my own claim. Since coming here I have been around a good deal, and every farmer I meet is in love with this country. Cattle hf-e are rolling fat, and bring good prices. The railroad from here to Yorkton will ^ . dnisbed next summer. I expect then to see a great rush of South Dakota farmers to this country, for I tell you it possesses wonderful advantages over South Dakota. Beautiful rivers and lake , first-class timber, lots of hay and grass and good rich soil. It is surprising the number of Soubii Dakota farmers that have settled here this fall from Brown, Edmunds and Faulk counties, and they are all writing back for their friends to come here and share the advantages of this country with them. I forgot to tell you that the weather is delightful ; threshing going on in every direction — dO bushels to the acre — No. 1 hard. I am, yours truly, • JAMES CAMERON. Prince Albert. What Mr. John Klein, of Warner, said. Sir, — Having been appointed by a large number of my neighbours to visit the Canadian North-west and to examine its agricultural resources, and report on my re- turn, I will say on the outset that we have been farming here in South Dakota for nine years, and between the repeated and almost total failure of crops, coupled with excessive taxes and high rates of interest, and low prices of farm produce, we find it impossible to support our families here. Accordingly I left Aberdeen, 10th October, arrived next day in Winnipeg, a fine city of 28,000 inhabitants, full of life and business. From Winnipeg west I passed through Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Griswukl, Virden, Moosomin, and such crops of wheat as I passed my eyes never saw before. P'armers were busy threshing out 30 bushels of wheat per acre, grading No. 1 hard, aid selling at 80 cents per bushel. All other grain crops were in proportion. As for roots and vegetables, they were simply wonderful ! In due time I reached Prince Albert, a fine town on the Saskatchewan River, with a population of 1,100. Here everything seemed prosperous. I found that a number of South Dakota people settled here this summer. After examining this district thoroughly I pronounce it a first class country for mixed farming, the soi. being rich, and plenty of timber, water, grass and hay, and where good prices are obtained for all kinds of farm produce. Cattle are easily grown and luing splendid prices as compared with South Dakota. And I tell my friends I am coming to Prince Albert to make my home. And I tell them further that they will make no mistake if they do likewise. I heard of no chattel mortgages, or '2 per cent a month here. On the contrary, farmers all seemed prosperous and contented, ;ill being in love with this country. Taxes are very low, and interest likewise ; good schools, churches, etc. The people I met were all civil and obliging, and gave me all the assistance possible to enable me to possess the information I was seeking. Small fruits grow in abundance ; fish in the rivers ; game in the bush. In conclusion, I toll my friends and neighbours that after a careful examination of the country, and for the above reasons, besides many others, that I and my family are going there to make our future home ; and I tell all those in whose interest I examined that country that I i ,- 12 WESTERN CANADA found it better than the agents at Aberdeen described it to me, and that any man in South Dakota who is not satisfied with his success, cannot do better than settle in the Prince Albert district of the Canadian North-west. I am, yours truly, JOHN KLEIN, of Warner, South Dakota. Abekdeen, South Dakota, 22nd Oct., 1891. timbei is suit doing I ance very cl One nl Report of a Michigan Man. Winnipeg, Man., 10th August, 1891. Sir, — Having visited Manitoba and the North-west Territories in the interests of farmers now living in Saginaw county, Mich., I beg leave to submit the following report : — I arrived in Winnipeg June 29 and on the following day proceeded to southern Manitoba. The country is very suitable for mixed farming. The soil is a black, sandy loam, with clay subsoil, and gives evidence of great fertility in the wonderful crops it produces. Many of the farmers I visited expected the wheat to yield 35 bushels to the acre. Oats, barley and all kinds of garden vegetables were showing an excellent growth. I visited the Turtle Mountains, along the south of Manitoba. They are covered with timber (poplar, scrub oak and ash), which yield a good supply of firewood. A great many creeks run out of the mountains, and numerous marshes in the vicinity give an abundance of hay. There is a very beautiful lake of pure, clear water at Killarney, and a larger one at Whitewater. Generally speaking, the well-water is excellent. Near Deloraine quite a productive coal mine has been opened up, and cheap coal is expected in the near future. I visited the Portage plains and the Brandon district, and was as far west as Regina. I venture to say that along the main line of the Canadian Pacific, from High BluflF to Virden, there is one of the most productive cereal growing districts of the world. Some idea of the crops can be obtained from the fact that it was found necessary, this year, to import 1,700 farm labourers to assist the farmers to harvest their grain, and a great many more are still required. A noticeable feature of the grain fi<'lds is the evenness of sui-face, showing the soil to be of uniform strength. There are fields of hundreds of acres in whicli the grain all stands about the same height. I was informed that there is no midge, weevil, rust or blight of any kind to injure the grain. I examined the Indian Head and Regina districts very thoroughly. The surface is level. The soil is heavier than that of the Brandon and Portage la Prairie districts. I should characterize it as a clay loam; It does not bake, but is soft and mellow and works easily. That it is rich can be seen from the crops and enormous garden vegetables it produces. To the south of Regina there is excellent grazing country. The water supply of Western Assiniboia is somewhat interesting. Farmers have dug 100 feet deep without reaching w.ater, whereas at 25 feet from the first well an abundant supply has been obtained at a depth of not more than 40 feet. In one locality where there seems to have been difficulty in getting water, an excellent flowing well has been struck. I was very much pleased with the appearance of the Prince Albert district. The country in the immediate vicinity is admirably adapted to stock-raising. It is hilly, and contains numerous small lakes, and marshes where the hay grows fvom two to three feet long. The hills, too, are covered with a very luxuriant growth of grass, pea-vine, \etches, &c. There is an abundance of timber (spruce, oak and popiar) for fencing and firewood. About 50 miles from Prince Albert, along the Stony Creek and the Carrot River, there is a locality unsurpassed in the territories for mixed fanning. Homesteads can be had in this locality, or land can be purchased for $2.50 an acre. Returning east, 1 took a trip on the Manitoba and North-western Railway, from Portage la Prairie to Saltcoats. The country through which this road runs presents a gently undulating surface. It is nearly all arable, and excellent for mixed farming. The sf)il is a rich black loam, in some places 2 feet deep, with a clay subsoil. An abundance of pure, clear water can be obtained by digging from 8 to 20 feet deep. The line, t] sufficie throuj of the I in son III Railwq all of as the I AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. 13 it any man in settle in the th Dakota. St, 1891. 16 interests of the following id to southern . black, sandy lerful crops it )U8hels to the iUent growth, covered with 3d. A great linity give an Lillarney, and silent. Near d is expected ist as Regina. ligh BluflF to vorld. Some I this year, to and a great the evenness hundreds of that tliere is The surface trie districts. mellow and n vegetables The water ug 100 feet idant supply where there jcen struck, strict. The is hilly, and ;wo to three ss, pea-vine, fein ing and tlie Carrot Homesteads ilway, from presents a 3d farming, ibsoil. An deep. The timber supply, which is an important consideration, is very plentiful. A large quantity is suitable for being manufactured into lumber. Near Binscarth there is a saw-mill doing a flourishing business. There are numerous small marshes which yield an abund- ance of very nutritious hay. Fish abound in the small lakes, and ducks and geese are very common. The crops, as elsewhere in the Canadian North-west, are marvellous. One needs only to see them to appreciate the fertility of the soil. People enjoy living in a country where there is some good scenery. Along this line, though the surface of the country is gently undulating, yet in some places it is sufficiently broken to become delightfully picturesque. For a short distance we ran through a beautiful valley, and frequently we got glimpses of delectable plains. Many of the villages that are springing up along the line are very pleasantly situated, either in some secluded dell or on a sheltered hillside. In conclusion, I wish to express my gratitude to the officials of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Manitoba and North-western Railway, and to the Government agents, all of whom facilitated my making as thorough examination of their magnificent country as the time at my disposal would permit. Yours very truly, A. KNECHTEL. Mr. James B. Truscott, an old resident of Faulk County, on returning from the Canadian North-west, wrote a long and enthusiastic letter about the country, from which the following extracts are made, the whole letter being of similar import : — As you aie aware, I left home on the 27th July for Winnipeg, where I arrived in good time, and where, let me tell you, I met with a revelation ; for, instead of finding a poor, miserable, scattering, poverty-stricken, God forsaken place, as most of our papers would lead us to believe, I found a most beautiful, charming, healthful and enterprising city, possessing apparently everything that can be found in any large city. A( 2.30 p.m., Saturday, 1st August, the train pulled out of the depot and away we sped for the west. After passing over about one hundred miles of the best country I ever saw, we arrived at Carberry, with the sun about one hour high, and then finding Mr. Wm. McMillan and presenting my letter of introduction, that gentleman rushed to the livery stable, got a horse and buggy, and away we went out through the country; and oh, oh, what fields of grain ! I got out of the buggy and stood against the posts of the railway fence, but on attempting to take an observation for a line from the top of the fence post to the top of a post on the other side of the field, found I was unable to do so, the wheat being too high, higher than the fence posts, and the field as flat and level as a floor. For fear that there might be a swell in the field, and thereby deceive me, I went to v^e corner of the field and took a view diagonally across a small portion of it with the same results. The wheat was taller than the fence posts ; yes, taller than myself, and so thick that a jack rabbit or a dog could not run through it; and th s I say not only of one field but of many. There are hundreds of the same ; it is the his- tory of the country. Out on the Hope farm I saw other wonders; but what is the use of describing? It would only be repeating what has already been said. Suffice it to say that Mr. Hope came to his present home in 1878, bringing very little property with him, and now has 320 acres. One field of 170 acres of wheat will turn off fort} bushels to the acre; thirty acres of oats will yield about seventy-five bushels to the acre ; and a large field of timothy — the best I ever saw, and I have seen good in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut — he claimed 3 tons per acre. He took me to a forty-acre Held which yielded crops that in the last three years sold for $900, $1,000 and $1,200 respectively. He has also a fine lot of horses, cattle, etc., a splendid house, two years' wood cut and piled near the door, some three or four hundred bushels in the granary left over from last year. Back to Mr. Bedford's we drove again, and found him patiently waiting for us. After a little chat he gave me the following averages which he expects. I think on some he is low ; but his business being an experimental one, some of the grains run low, thus bringing down the general average. 14 WESTERN CAXADA i Wheat, 27 bushels per acre Oats, 75 Barley, 55 Pease, -0 Timothy, Red clover. li tons 3^ " Green corn fodder, 46 tons per acre. Last year one kernel of corn produced fourteen stalks, the united length of which was eighty-five feet. Mr. T. O. Davis, a resident of Prince Albert, took me into his garden, where I could see no special pains had been taken to force anything, but still the growth was wonderful. An apricot tree five feet high ; maple trees, one year old, two feet high ; tobacco with leaves 14 x 28 inches ; potatoes of late planting, fifteen stalks and twenty potatoes to the hill, besides a lot of little ones ; cauliflower, headed, cooked and eaten ; raspberries of this year's planting, one stalk had twenty-one berries ; flowers without number, such as poppies, four-o'clocks, pansies, mignonette, etc. But my samples, here they are : One sample of Fife wheat, 4 ft. 8 in. high, will yield about 40 bushels per acre. One sample of Ladoga wheat, 5 ft. high, will yield about 40 bushels per acre. One sample of Ladoga wheat, 4 ft. 3 in. high, will yield about 35 bushels per acre. One sample of oats, 4 ft. high, will yield about 75 bushels per acre. The above are all from the farm of Mr. Wm. Plaxton, six miles out of town. We next called on Mr. T. F. Miller, near here. He also gave me a fine lot of samples, as follows : — Oats, ready to cut, 3 ft. 6 in. high, will yield about 60 bushels per acre. Oats, sowed 19th June, 4 ft. high, will yield about 30 bushels per acre. Ladoga wheat, 5 ft. high, will yield about 30 bushels per acre. Ladoga wheat, 4J ft. high, will yield about 40 bushels per acre, Fife wheat, 3 jt ft. high, will yield about 27 bushels per acre. Barley, ready .,o cut, 4 ft. high, will yield about 50 bushels per acre. Mr. Miller came here poor 17 years ago, but he is now well oflF. He says he never missed a crop ; never was nipped by the frost till last year. Their frosted crop yielded 25 bushels an acre and sold for 75 cents a bushel. He sold last year cattle to the amount of $213, and this year, so far, to the amount of $145. Mr. J. McArthur, of this place, came here in 1884 with 200 sheep. He has now 1,500; sold this year 103 fat wethers at $5.50 each, and 5,000 lbs. of wool at 12 cents a pound ; besides 500 lambs, which can be sold at any time for $3 each. Mr. McArthtir is now a banker in town. Mr. James Mair told me that in one year he had from 90 acres 2,300 bushels of wheat; from 8 acres 600 bushels of barley ; from 12 acres 1,150 bushels of oats. He has always had good crops, except two years, which then gave him about 15 bushels per acre each time. He came here in 1880. And now, Dakota farmers, friends and neighbours, you who have had the courage, hope and life nearly ground out of you through the lon^ succession of failure of crops ; you who must make a move very soon or go to the wall, perhaps never to recover, why not come this way ? This place is near you ; the people are the most cordial, the most hospitable, I ever met. They not only want you to come, but with outstretched arms they beg you to come and be one of their happy and prosperous group. The climate is mild and healthful, the land is free, the harvest is sure, and the profit is rich. With one accord, the people here all say. Come. They will meet you at the border and show you the way. All you have to do is to come. To the gentlemen at Carberry, Brandon and Prince Albert, who treated me so generously, I now return my sincerest thanks for the favours shown me, hoping also that their very bountiful harvest will be safely garnered, and that before lung I will be one of their company . JAMES B. TRUSCOTT.* MiLLAHD, Faulk Co., South Dakota. EXTRA^ thousan *Mr. TrHscott is now settled in Prince Albert, and on another page will be found his report of the cnuiitrv. th of which len, where I growth was 5 feet liigh ; and twenty I and eaten ; era without per acre. ir acre. els per acre. town. fine lot of ys he never rop yielded attle to the e has now at 12 cents McArthtir iushels of oats. He bushels per le courage, of crops ; cover, why , the most ched arms climate is ch. With and show ted me so galso that will be )TT.* jport of the ANI> IT6 GREAT RESOURCES. 10 Extracts from Report op Delegates prom Spink County, South Dakota, prom Aberdeen Station, November 18th, 1891. We left Aberdeen on 14th September, arriving in Winnipeg next day. We saw wheat at Portage la Prairie averaging 35 to 50 bushels per acre, ami thousands of acres of it. We went to Prince Albert. We found this to be a magnificent grazing country along the line of road. At Saskatoon we saw four car loads of three-year-old steers for which the buyer paid $40 each. We arrived at Prince Albert on the night of the 19th September and found they had as yet no frost. Tomatoes and all vegetables green. Their first frost occurred on the 24th September, over a month later than in Spink county. On the following Monday we got teams for the purpose of looking over the Prince Albert country. We went onto Carrot River and camped for dinner. Here some of our party took up land, as we found it excellent for mixed farming. After dinner we started on for Stony Creek, arriving at 5 p.m. We camped here over night, and next day made a selection of a township of land to which we intend to go in the spring, and can only add that it contains living water, plenty of timber, first-class soil and good hay, with room enough for all who wish to join us, and we conclude by saying that we have seen Mr. Child's letter in the Star, together with the letters of other parties from time to time, and we heartily endorse all that they contain, and add that the story has not been half told of the hidden wealth of the Canadian North-west. (Signed) W. J. Turner. W. H. HOLCOMB. C. C. Elliott. T. Jones. Melette, Spink County, South Dakota. [The above mentioned gentlemen spent over a month in the Canadian North-west, are the most influential men of their neighbourhood, and have selected their future homes in the Prince Albert district.] A Letter from Three Settlers. Prince Albert, N.W.T., 9th November, 1891. My Dear Sirs, — You no doubt would be glad to hear from us in our new home, hut as we are among the late and new arrivals, this being only our fourth week here, you cannot expect much of a report of the country from us at this date. The climate here, so far, is delightful : we have no winds, as we used to understand them in Dakota ; we have had some decided frosts, with a fluriy or two of snow, but the ground is perfectly bare now, and is likely to be for a month yet to come, our neigh- bour's cattle taking care of themselves. Crops of last season exceed the most sanguine expectations, the yield of wheat averaging around on all sides of 40 bushels an acre, oats 75 to 100 bushels, and barley 50 bushels an acre ; whilst cabbage, potatoes and other garden products are simply immense, potatoes yielding at the rate of 7 hills to the bushel, and oh ! what beauties ; they would put Ireland to the blush. Wood here, for fuel, is very plentiful and cheap ; we are now getting all we need for the taking. Though the crops grown here are surpassingly excellent, yet, judging from the number and quality of the horses, cattle and sheep we see around us, we are forced to the conclusion that this is the stockman's paradise, here being found the very best of l)asturage and meadows, the best of water, and natural shelter without limit ; whilst other shelter, such as barns, sheds, n stuff that excelled anything we ever saw. Stock of all kinds bring big prices as compared with South Dakota. In conclusion, I tell my friends that I found the country much better than the agents at Aberdeen described it to me. That farmers desiring homes cannot do better than settlip in the Canadian North-west for the above and other reasons too numerous to mention. At Winnipeg wo visited friends who have farmed there 33 years, and have made a grand success. B. C. TAT.BOT, Bath. South Dakota. Wii.\T a Stockman hays : Cammry, Alheuta, 'JTtli August, 1891. Sin, — I came to Alberta with a band of horses in 1882 and aj,'ain in 1883, and wan so favourably impressed with it that I concluded to make my homo here, and returneil with that intention in 188(). Sin t- then T have resided at Calgaiy, aiul, in connection wilii my liusincss as stock dealer, am continually in the saddle and have constant oppoi- tvmities of seeing the country during all seasons. And 1 must say that the more 1 see (if it the inon* I am impressed with the great futunt it must have ivs a cattle, agricul- turul and mineral country. As to my experience, 1 may say that I have not conlined mys«'lf to stock alone, as 1 have under cro[) some '2'2h acres, principally oats, but have also wheat, barley, jxitiitoes and roots, and 1 am pleased to \)v able to state tli.it my crops ur life-labour id, would say n other parts all sincerity, in this most OTT, PTERY, )akota. agricultural [arke coimty. Immigration ig on. Here he display of The horned > Qu'Appelle, 1 Qu'Appelle beat. After owing town. :ing over the we went to where every iccess — good I abundance, >f free homt'- ee only $10. thy hay and ig big price.s ter than the lOt do better 30 numerous lave made a Dakota. , 1891. 83, and wan lid returni'd 1 connection 4tant oppoi- ' more 1 see tie, agri', 1891. Dear Sir, — Having returned from a flying trip to the Edmonton district, whither I went in quest of suitable land for settlement, I desire to inform you that I found the district all that it was represented to me to be — a first-class country for immigration. Going through there I found this to be a very fine country, good rich soil, good water in abundance, plenty of timber for all purposes, besides the immeasurable quantity of coal on the Saskatchewan. The yield of grain in the Edmonton district this season has been great, both as to quantity and quality. One farmer near the town threshed 12,000 bushels of grain from 275 acres, his wheat giving over 40 bushels to the acre. This trip so satisfied me that I intend at an early day to move my family and effects to Edmonton. Jadis Post Office, Kittson Co., Minn. Yours very truly, ROBERT REID. A Michigan Dei-kgati; said : — Having been delegated by a number of my neighbouring faniilics in Michigan to inspect the western territories of Canada, I left Michigan late in August, arriving in Edmonton on the 11th September. From that time T remained in the Edmonton district to acquaint myvself as thoroughly as might bo with the dift'erent localities. During two months I travelled a good deal in every direction from Edmonton, and speaking generally of that district, T may say, tint for tlii> i)ur|ioso of mixed farming it. has no superior and few e(|Uals under the sun. I visited f.iimers throughout the district, both when about winding up their harvest and when finished threshing. The sample of grain is excellent and the yield far exci-eding the farmers' own exi)eutations ; wheat went 40 to 50 bushels to the acre, averagitig aljout 45 ; Ixirley 45 to 50 ; and oats SO to 100 bushels per acre ; while vegetables and roots showed a still more remarkabhf growth. I saw a farmer digging up 100 bushels of potatoes with his manure fork, and so did ea(^h of his assistants, and I saw many a eal)buge \vi'ii,'liing 15 to 20 lbs. The soil is rich to an extraordinary degree, as above mentioned jinuhiot.s amply verify. Wate.r is j)Ientiful and of first-class (piality, smalt lakes being found in many places as well as running streams. Timber is plentiful for fmni use ami building pur- poses, and besides a never-failing supply of good coal, whieh a fat'niei' can take from the banks of the Ha.skatehewan and load his wag(ui free of eharge. All these properties combined make the district all that eiui be desired for mixed farming. Tn conclusion, 1 may luld that as soon as circumstanees allow, 1 shall go to the Edmonton district to settle. WM. H. PATCJE. Spencer Creek, Antrim Co., Mich., r.s 18 WESTERN CANADA The Report of Seven other Delegates. We visited the country north and south, east and west, of Edmonton, for miles, and found a country that could not be surpassed for grain-raising or mixed farming. There are numberless good meadows, and it would be hard to find a farm without a good grove of poplar, spruce or tamarack — in fact, all the wood necessary for building pur- poses. There is an abundance of clear, fresh water in all parts, and good building lum- ber can be bouy;ht from $15 to $18 per 1,000 feet. Finer cattle and sheep we have never seen. The climate is all that can be desired, as it is not nearly as cold there in December as it was in Dakota and Minnesota in November, when we left the Red River valley. Good coal can be had all along the banks of the Saskatchewan and Sturgeon rivers for the taking out, or can be bought at the pit for about $1.75 per ton. We have no hesitation in advising all who wish to better their condition to come to the Canadian North-west. John J. Scott, Lake City, Minnesota. Martin Nilson, Belhnont, North Dakota. Tiios. Oliver do do Aleck Asiier do do Robert Ritchie, Carman, Minnesota. James Miller, Crookston do E. C. Smith do do A B —I qua: of in are The Report of three gentlemen from Cooperstown, N.D., who spent several weeks inspecting the Canadian North-west : On arriving at Winnipeg we found a beautiful city of 27,000 inhabitants, with largo solid buildings, which not only goes to show the enterprise of the people, but also that they have every faith in the country that backs it. We then proceeded to Portage la Prairie, where we found a large stretch of land in the vicinity, \\ Inch cannot be surpassed for grain-growing on this continent. We also found a good farming country extending as far west as Broadview, which was as far west as daylight would permit our seeing the country. We then proceeded to Regina, the capital of the Great North-west Territories, and here we found a good agricultural country for miles around. We also noticed the fine substantial brick buildings in this twwn, which shows that enterprising business men have faith in the town as well as the surrounding country. l^roni hcrt> we took the " Regina and Long Lake Railway " to Prince Albert, and after icaihing Saskat' on, and from there north to Prince Albert, we found a country that cannot be (\\cellod for mixed farminif. You can scarcely find a section without lots of iiay, tiiii1icr, frosh water and arable land ; wo were told that that same strotcli of country exti'iuls as far west as the Rocky Mountains along the valleys of the Saskutclifwan. We next proceoilod to Calvary ; there we found a lM>autiful town, 3,500 of a pii])ulatioii, with buildings that would bo a credit to a town tlireo times its population, with a fine county siinoundiiig it. Proceeding northward on the "Calgary and IvlinoiitHHi " road, we also found a country that is hard to beat. Prairie (lotted with gloves of spruce, poplar and pine, also iiunicrona small lakes und creeks of fresh water; a park like comitry in its appearance. The soil is from one to four' and a half fi'i^t in d< pth of black loam with a heavy subsoil — in fact, w(> think this and flie Prince Albert district the ganitMi of the North-west. Wo wish to express our appreciation of the kindness and attention sliown ua dur- ing our flv(> days visit to Prince Albert, wiiero we wore well receivetl and given every facility to ins} cct the outlying districts. F. B. Kino, J. H. McDonald, A. T. BOWDKN, Cooperstown, Griggs Co., North Dakota. , for miles, id farming, hout a good lilding pur- lilding lum- sp we have sld there in tt the Red hewan and 75 per ton. I to come to sota. Dakota, do do sota. I do n SEVERAL tants, with le, but also 1 of land in We also was as far to Regina, ricultaral igs in tliit! well as the Libert, and a country n without ne strotcli jys of the !,n00 of a ndatioii, ^'.iry and >ttcd witli sh water ; lit' feet in te Albert n us dur- vcn every iotu. AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. FROM BRULE COUNTY. 19 A BRULE COUNTY FARMER ADDS SOMETHING TO THE PRAISE OF THE NORTH-WEST — HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE CANADIAN NORTH-WEST IS A GOOD PLACE FOR A HOME — ONE YOUNG man's SUCCESS IN FARMING IN THAT COUNTRY. Gentlemen, — Being on my way f r,,m the South Dakota colony, Assiniboia, Canada, I just dropped off here to tell you — as you know I went from Brule county last spring — I found the country much better than you represented it to me. I have taken up a quarter-section near Sheho Lake, where I have plenty of timber for all purposes ; plenty of water, splendid grass and hay to no end. I have built a good log bouse and have everything ready to move in next spring. I am now on my way to Bru'e county to get my stock and what things I have there ready to go up in early spring. A car trom Aberdeen to Yorkton will cost me $78 ; I 'j stock is so much higher in Manitoba than South Dakota that the difference will more than pay the cost of transportation. Cows in Assiniboia are worth |30 to $40 ; all other stock in proportion. On my claim there are forty acres of nice bush ; the soil is as good as is to be found anywliert", and this is proved by the enormous growth of oats, barley and roots grown on breaking in the colony this year. Next summer, I believe, a railroid will run through the colony lo Prince Albert. The settlers will then have a railway at ir doors. I tell all my friends in Brule county that I have settled there, believii j^ it to be just the place to make a good home. Mixed farming pays spLndidly, and as a stock country I never saw the equal; hundreds of steers sold this fall light otf the grass for four cents o" ..« hoof. Next summer there will be lots of work on the building of the railway. E . ry- body I met there seemed contented. Money was plenty, and there are no two per cent a month fiends there. Taxi s are very low, and money only eiglrt per cent per annum — no bonus. Yours truly, FRED. MOHR. Chamberlain, Brule County, S.D. What two well-known South Dakota Farmkrs saw in the Canadian North-west. To our Friends and Neighbours of Brown County : We left Aberdeen, S.D.. 9th September for the purpose of examining the agricul- tural resources of the Ciuiadian North-west. After crossing the boundary we saw magnificent crops of all kinds, all the way to Winnipeg. We found Winnipeg tue most substantial city of its size we over saw. Between Winnipeg and Yorkton, a distance of 279 miles, we saw the finest crops that we ever saw in our lives — oats, wheat and barley. Vegetables and small fruits of all descriptions. From Yorkton we drove into the South Dakota colony, a distance of 45 mil(!s. We oxamined this country carefully, and found it a very tine grain and stock country, and plenty of wood, water, liay and grass. Wo met the gri'at(>r mnnlx-r of the South Da' ota colonists, and failed to find a single ono dissatisfietl. Wo returned froui there to Portai;e, and from th<'ro we wont west to Regina, passing immense fields of wheat along the route, with evidences of prosperous farmers on all sides. We spent two days in the Uegina district, and pionouncc it a first-class soil for agricultural purposes. Saw some of the finest cattle and sheep that we ever saw. Three-year-old heifers that would weigh 1,300 t« 1,400 pounds, selling for $32.00 each. IVora here wo went to Prince Albert, a distance of 247 miles, a piosi>erous town of 1,100 inhabitants, contain- ing saw-mills, grist-mills, schools, churches and steam-boat landing. From tins place we drove sixty mih^s south east in Cai-rot Hiver settlement ; found everybody prosperous and hard at work securing their immense crop of grnin. Mr. Beattio stated that he helped Mr. Cameron, ono ot Iris m ighbours, tliresh 517 bushels of oats from six acres, and from thirty-throe loads of sheaves he threshed 900 bushels of wheat. Hi 99 WESTERN CANADA We found the farmers all prosperous ; thoroughly satisfied with their prospects. The people we met all looked the picture of health, and all well clad. We enquired particularly about chattel mortgages, and we found it diflacult to make the farmers understand what they were, but when we told them how universal they were in South Dakota, and that the usual rate of interest is twenty-four to thirty-six per cent, they looked astonished, and asked us why we stayed in such a country, and under such a condition of things. Our answer was that we would get out just as soon as we could complete arrangements. In conclusion — we spent three weeks looking over this beautiful country, and found it satisfactory in every respect, and found it much belter than we expected from the description given by the agents. We desire to say to our friends and neighbours in South Dakota who are not satisfied with their success here, that they can make a success there, with a little means and their own labour. GEO. WENTWORTH, P. G. WENTWORTH. 28th September, 1891. of enj riv( its mil A Plain Statement. I came from Port Hope (Ontario) and settled on Sheep Creek, in Alberta, 20th July, 1883. When I landed aU I had wa^ $70. I paid $32 to have four acres broken. This I sowed in 1884, and threshed 225 bushels, part of my crop being spoilt d. In 1885, I sowed 14, and threshed 500 bushels. 1886 do 22 do 1,500 do 1887 do 28 do 1,800 do 1888 do 40 do 2,000 do 1889 do 45 do 2,800 do 1890 da 100 do 2,000 (drought). 1891 do -JOO do 7,065 bushels. I own 960 acres of land, all of which is fenced. I own 76 head of cattle and 14 horses, 1 binder, 2 mowers, and implements needed for cultivation of my land, and work 5 teams. I estimate the value of my estate as fol'ows : — 960 acres fenced at $10 $9,600 00 76 cattle 2,000 00 14 horses 2,000 00 Implements 1,000 00 $14,600 00 27th January, 1892. JOSEPH BRICE. THEY LIKE THE COUNTRY. A Tkip turougu Westehn Canada uy a numuer op Portage County men. Stevens Point, Wis., 5th December, 1892. J. W. Montague, Esq., Colonization Agent. Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned, have much pleasure in handing you the following brief report of our lato trip through Western Canada and the valley of the great Sas- katchewan River. Wo left Stevens Point on 10th November, 1892, by Wisconsin Central Railroad, and arrived in Prince Albert by Canadian Pacific train on Saturday night, 12th November. Mr. R. H. Mair, local immigration agent, met us at the depot and escorted us to our hotel, where we enjoyed a quiet rest after our long and weary journey prospects. lit to make ersal they thirty-six intry, and ist as soon intry, and acted from leighbours m make a RTH, RTH. )erta, 20th es broken. i. tie and 14 land, and ) ICE. MEN. 1892. following ;reat Sas- u Contral ay night, lepot and y journey AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. 21 of over 1,900 miles. Sunday, 13th November, we attended church and passed a very enjoyable jiy. Monday, 14th November, we were unable to cross the Saskatchewan river on account of some drifting ice that had broken loose from the shores and was on its way down stream, but on Tuesday we crossed the river in a small row-boat, the pro- pelling power of which was two stalwart half-breeds, who thoroughly understand hand- ling a boat. After crossing, Mr. Hair furnished us with transport teams and we started for the Shell River district, which is 25 miles west of Pricie Albert. Along the first 10 miles of the road the country is rough and broken, but fairly well wooded with poplar, spruce and jack pine of fair size. For the second ten mile" the land is of first-class qual- ity, but thickly covered with small poplar and large gray or diamond willow, some of which would make excellent firewood, among which there are a number of small lakes and fine hay meadows, which are covered with a luxuriant growth of wild hay from two to five feet in height. What is known as the Shell River district is a fine belt of splendid land which lies between the so-called Shell and Saskatchewan rivers. The land in this district is of first-class quality ; the surface is a rich, moist, black alluvian s^il, fully 18 inches in depth, which is underlain with a fine marly clay subsoil. There is no stone, and the land is very easily broken. The entire district has a beautiful rolling surface. The water is of first-class quality, of which there is an abundant supply. There is also an abundant supply of firewood, while good building timber can be found handy by. While here our small party of five located sixteen homesteads for ourselves and friends, of 160 acres each, making a sum total of 2,560 acres, and we did not locate a single farm that does not contain wood, water and first-class land, while most of them have from 1 to 40 acres of splendid hay meadow on them. There are also a number of fine small lakes in the district. There are a number of settlers already in the district, that came in last spring, and while here we saw some splendid samples of grain and vegetables which they had raised on this year's breaking. When leaving this district, on 20th November, all the farmers' cattle were still running on the prairie, picking their own living, nnd all we saw was in extra condition, and the farmers here tell us that they never ti.ink of feeding stock after the 1st of April. All markets are good for a new country, and we are satisfied that Western Canada is one of the finest mixed farming countries in the world, and we will move on to our new farms as soon as we can arrange our business so as to enable us to do so, and we would advise all farmers who are dis- satisfied with their present surroundings, or looking for free farms for their children, to go and see Western Canada before they choose land elsewhere, and wi are satisfied that they will never be sorry for their trip. Aiiy man who is willing tv W( can soon make himself and family a good home on one of those free farms. 1 lere is also any amount of splendid railroad land for sale at reasonable prices and very easy terms — in close proximity to railroads. The people in Prince Albert district are all law-abiding citizens. The population of the city is probably 2,000. They have a fine brick jail, but not a single prisoner during our visit to the city. We cannot close this report without thanking you for your kindness to us during our trip ; also Mr. R. H. Mair and the Canadian Pacific Railroad people ; and we all join in saying that everything yon had previously told us we found to be correct, and we have no hesitation in saying that we think Western Canada is fully a better mixed farming country than you have represented it to be. We are, dear sir, yours truly, Anton Green, Anton Prain, ,• Daniel Wolosik, Of Keene, Wis. g. a. goebell, Stephen Hayner, Of Stevens Point, Wis. 22 WESTEBN CANADA il Maine and New Hampshire men in Alberta. Calgary, Alberta, May 5th, 1898. Mr. E. G. WiswELL. Dear Sir, — In answer to your enquiry in regard to our impressions of this country, we would say that it cannot be beaten for stock-raising and mixed farming ; it is so vast that no man can grasp its possibilities. To know and appreciate this part of the continent a man must nome and see it. Although this spring has been later than usual, yet we saw some seeding being done on April 24th, and also saw some wheat growing in the fields on May 1st. The cattle and horses that had ranged all winter without feed or shelter, except what they could pick up, looked remarkably well. Wa would advise young men or married men with some means to secure a free grant or 160 acres and begin life again in a country where nature has been so lavish of good t-hings. We beg to testify to your uniform kindness and attention during our trip from Maine and New Hampshire to the Canadian North-west, and to wish you every success. Respectfully yours, A. J. McMULLEN, Oliver Lambert, Frank Hodge, Albert J. Grapes, Wm. J. Bailey. A Letter from Mr. Lavallee, of Glencoe, Minn. Glencoe, McLeod Co., Minn., May 4th, 1893. T. G. Pearce, Duluth. Dear Sir, — As I promised, I write to tell you what we thought of Northern Alberta after our trip. We had no idea it was such a fine country, and we think that it has almost every- thing in itself that is needed to make a good farming country ; the soil is deep and rich, hay plentiful, timber for fuel, building and fencing growing here and there in every direction, plenty of coal for those who prefer to burn it, and a pleasant healthy climat e. The sample of wheat which I have from Mr. Walker's farm, on the Beaver Hills, is admitted by good judges here to be superior to any raised in Minnesota last year. While in Alberta I saw cattle which had been wintered in open sheds, and they looked in better condition than our Minnesota grain-fed cattle which had been stabled all winter. Many of my neighbours are talking about going to see the prairies of Alberta. Thanking you for having made our trip so agreeable to us. Yours truly, O. N. LAVALLEE. P.S. — I forgot to mention that I bought a half-section of land, and my cousin entered for a homestead for himself and two of his friends. 1893. s country, is so vast see it. ing being fc. 3r, except lire a free lavish of trip from y success. ?93. Northern t every- md rich, in every climati. Hills, is ir. nd they stabled rta. IE. r cousin ► ! "TTTT ^: ,,'^'^1 ' M ■<*. t •*■'■' !| H u o AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. NEBRASKANS PLEASED. 23 i5 a a a < X o O U3 H H c ^ [Winnipeg Free Press, Gct. 2nd, 1892.] An Address from the Delegates to Agent II. II. Smith. H. H. Smith, agent for the DomiQion immigratiou matters in Nebraska, for some time past, was presented yesterday with the following address by the visiting Nebraska delegates before their departure for the south : — H. H. Smith, Esq., Immigration Agent for Nebraska. Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned delegates from Nebraska, having come up under your charge, desire to say a few words, now that we are returning, in regard to our trip to Edmonton. By close examination, we find that it is all that a farmer could wish for. Plenty of wood, coal, first-class land and plenty of good water. As for a stock countrv it can't be beat. In fact, for a mixed farming country Northern Alberta has no equal. The specimens of wheat, barley and oats and all kinds of cereals we have seen are beyond our expectations. To persons living so far south as we do, it is hard to believe that the chief nourishments of life seem to grow to perfection so far north as we have been. We desire to express our thanks to the Government of Canada for the kind treatment we have received through its officials, especially from yourself, who by your untiring exertions, both by night and day, and your tact and zeal have, and are inducing by your thorough knowledge of Western Canada, so many old Canadians and others to come back to Canada. As a delegation we did not all expect to take land this trip, but we are all so well satisfied with the country that we intend to sell out as soon as possible in Nebraska and make Canada our future home. Although Mr. John Samis and C. McLauglen, being on our delegation, are not here to sign their names, the fact of them having taken up land speaks for itself. Geo. H. Hanks, Creighton, Nebraska. John F. Howse, Creighton, Nebraska. E. Brandenburg, Creighton, Nebraska. Henry Olson, Creighton, Nebraska. O. Spearstedd, Winnetoon, Nebraska. A. F. Blanchard, Neligh, Nebraska. Wm. Robinson, Millerboro, Nebraska. J. M. Hart, Millerboro, Nebraska. R. P. Johnson, Neligh, Nebraska. C. H. Hooper, Schuyler, Nebraska. Robert Smith, Schuyler, Nebraska. A. J. Wright, Schuyler, Nebraska. Patrick Dotle, Schuyler, Nebraska. Robert Brown, Schuyler, Nebraska. Wm. Peterson, Pilgar, Nebraska. O. F. Bradeen, Page, Nebraska. J. R, Williams, Schuyler, Nebraska. What New England men say about it. On the next day we started out in company with Mr. R. H. Mair, the Govern- ment agent at Prince Albert, to inspect tho Carrot River and Stonoy Creek districts, and we honestly believe that we are not exaggerating when we say tl.at this is without doubt one of the finest, if n.t the finest country on the continent of America, as all the 24 WESTERN CANADA requisites for sue essful farming are found here in preat abundance and of a veiy fine class ; the water is first-class and there is just enough timber for building purposes and fuel, witliout it being in the way for farming operations. In conclusion, wo wish to state, that the best evidence we can give of our entire satisfaction with the country is this, that as soon as we possibly can, we are going to sell out our property in the State of Maine and move to the great Canadian North-west, where we intend to take up land and make our future home, and our advice to every min is : " Go and do likewise.' A. H. Price, North Fryeburg, Maine. F. A. Russell, Andover, Maine. We have had the pleasure of seeing that country and would advise those seeking homes to go and see for themselves. Any information we can give, will be cheerfully given. J. V. Spooner, Bakersfield, Vt, John Lumbro, Belvedare, Vt. C. H. Burt, Enosburgh Falls, Vt. B. C. Gallup, Sheldon, Vt. A. W. GoFF, Richford, Vt. Wm. a. Pollard, Westford, Vt. "We, the undersigned, after having visited the leading points in the Canadian Nor th-west, where we made a car<'ful study of the soil and climate and the condition of the people now settled there, ai e glad to say that the reports which we have read from time to time in the literature sent out by the Canadian Government did not in the least exaggerate the resources of the country. We are satisfied that the inducements held out, whereby the man with small means can secure for himself and family a good home, are not ofi'jred anywhere else on the continent, and can conscientiously advise any of our friends who are not satisfied with their present condition, to locate in the North- west Territories of Canada. George Tomlinson, Manville, R.I. S. R. Reid, Auburn, Maine. 1: D. Lewis, Worcester, Mass. '- 3. Seekins, Pittsfield, Maine. F. Peltier, jr., Lewiston, Maine. Jas. Craig, Dover, N.H. An Englishman's Opinion. Churchbridge, Assa., May 26th, 1892. I came to this country five years ago this spring. I have 43 acres in crop, viz.: — 19 acres of wheat, 16 acres of oats, and 8 acres of barley, besides half an acre of potatoes. The soil is good and the country around here is well adapted for mixed farming. Dry firewood is becoming rather scarce but still plenty of green wood is left. I struck good water at a depth of 20 feet in 1887 and have had a plentiful supply ever since. The winter hei-e is very cold at times, but on the whole I think the climate preferable to the English, for though we have some more severe weather we have a great deal much better. As to future prospects, I have no fear but that I can make a good living by farming out here, and have no desire to return to the Old Country to farm there as I consider I can do better here. In proof that this is my candid opinion I have written to two of my brothers advising them to give up their farms in England and come out here and take up land near me. HENRY ROBERTS. AND ITS GREAT RESOUnCES. 25 veiy fine poses and our entire ■e going to orth-west, I to every line. Mr. F. W. Wright of Astwood Farm, Saltcoats, Assa., says in a letter :- "The land is excellent, being a deep black soil with gravel subsoil. I am sur- rounded by plenty of wood and have found excellent water at 16 feet; I am highly pleased with the climate, myself and family never having been in better health, the air being so dry and pure. I feel quite sure if a man coming to this country with a little capital and going in specially for cattle-raising, for there is no better grazing land any- where, he would get on well ; but, Sir, clerks and many others afraid of work should not think of coming here." se seeking cheerfully Vt. ,Vt. IVt. Canidian mdition of read from n the least ients held ood home, ise any of the North- R.I. The City Clerk of Palouse has been there. Palouse, Wash., January 18th, 1893. T. G. Pearce, Esq., Dominion Immigration Agent. Dear Sir, — As an agent of the Dominion Government, it may interest you to know that I have visited the North-west portion of Canada for the purpose of investigating its resources and future prospects for agricultural and mineral developments, and I think I am fully warranted in saying that I was confronted by the most beautiful and appar- ently the best country for agricultural pursuits of any part of North America. The soil I think is of the richest character, durable and productive. Its prospects for min- eral developments are extremely good. In regard to the general government of the Dominion of Canada, I could fiijd no reason to complain ; in fact, in my opinion, I fully believe that tha Dominion regulations for the settler are far better than those of the United States. Your land laws are much more protective to the bonajlde settler thiiii are our own. In conclusion, I will say that, considering all things necessary for a home, I know of no country where there are such inducements offered to the settler as those set forth in Alberta, Canada. Respectfully yours, B. F. SHIELDS, City Clerk. s. ine. .ine. 1892. , viz.:— 19 potatoes, ing. Dry ruck good nee. The ble to the leal much '. living by there as I Y brothers :e up land The testimony of Mr. John Cribbixs. Burt, Mich., January 7th, 1893. To James Anderson, Chesaning, Mich. Dear Sir, — I am home on a visit, and I have no doubt but that you would like to know my idea of the Canadian North-west, After leaving you at Oak Lake, C. P. R., I went to work and threshed grain to the end of November, at $2 per day. We threshed 54,500 bushels of grain during that time ; the crop averaged about 20 bushels per n.cre in that district. Since I have personally seen the grain on the field, and the threshing of the same, I am more than satisfied that I have a homestead in that country. In my opinion it is the home for the poor man, and nothing else can be expected from a country that has good soil, water and plenty of wood. I would advise all young men wishing to procure a free farm of 160 acres, to go to that country and examine it for themselves. The country cannot be too highly recommended. I have been interviewed by several young men in this district, and have told them to doubt but that many will leave for there. Yours with you next spring, and I have no truly, JOHN CRIBBINS, Burt P 0., Saginaw Co., Mich. 26 WESTERN CANADA A Swede who has tried both countries. I, Andrew Ekman, hereby state that I am a Swede by birth. I came out to Min- nesota in 1881. I lived in that State for six years. I moved from there with my family in 1888. I passed through Dakota looking up a place to locate. I did not find a convenient prop«rous place where I could make a start with ray family. When I reached the Canadian North-west I had no money to start in farming. I took up a homestead about four miles from Fleming station, and have remained tliereon with my family since October, 1889, permanenitly. I am now entitled to and am getting my patent for 160 acres of land. One of my sons has also a homestead entry for 160 acres of land. I have a good comfortable house for my family worth over $350, stabling for my stock, consisting of nine head of cattle and three horses. I have also a granary and a well with an abundant supply of water. I have 90 acres ready to seed for next spring of 1893. I had a fair crop of wheat last year (1892) although it was a di-y season. The potato crop was good. I consider my prospects are good and I am pleased I came to the Canadian North- west. It is a far better country than Minnesota, especially for a poor man. A man who is industrious will succeed well here. As for Dakota, what I have seen of it, I prefer Manitoba. With my stock and land in cultivation I am now in a fair way of succeeding. Farmers with small capital have still a better chance of succeeding if they are industrious and will economize during the first few years. I have property worth over $2,000, clear of all debts. There are five other Swedes near me doing as well and as well contented as myself. ANDREW EKMAN. Fleming, Assiniboia, January 21st, 1893. l!' (From the Creighlon, Neb., Netvs.) The following letter from Mr. Monroe, an old resident of Antelope county, speaks for ityeif : — Ar.uicoLA, Alberta, Canada, 14th February, 1893. Dear Sir,— ^I have been intending to write to you ever since I came hero, but kept putting it ofl'from time to time ; now I will try and tell you all I know about tliis coun- try. As you have been here during the summer, you know what it looks like. I pre- sume you saw it when it was looking its best. I arrived here about the middle of September last and helped a while in harvest and threshing, so that I have seen what the yield of grain is like. I have lielped liarvesi some of the finest wheat, oats and barley that I over saw, and also some that was pcior, also some that was nipped by the frost ; but grain that was sown e.irly escaped the frost al! right. Some wheat went as high as 40 l)usliels per acre, but the general average was nearer 25 bushi 1 , I think. I looked the country ovei pretty well before I located. I took a trip around by Beaver Lak(> and from thence south to the Hay Lake country and back to Edmonton. I am very favourably impressed with the country, and from whiit I have seen I am convinced that all that is necessary to lu.il'e this a good, prosperous countiy is t;ood water and plenty of fuel. While I think this a gocxl country, it is no Garden of Eden ; people coming hero must not expect too much, but those who will come with some means to make a st irt and who are willing to work hard and put u{) with the inconvoiiieneeH always mi't. with in a now country, can niaki* iv good home for themselves and be well rewarded for their 'rouble. I saw Mr. Owens only tiiue since he came. T have settled in the Uea\er Hills, about 21 miles north-east from out to Min- •e with my iid not find ^ When I e remained tied to and homestead worth over 8s. I have es ready to ian North- a. A man eding. if they are as myself. IN. )e county, 1893. ), but kept this coun- e. I p re- in iddio of seen what , oats and ed by the t went as think. I »y Beaver n. I am iotiviiiced ettled by I climate, p for the is a ^o(k1 luoh, bur •ork hard Cf (I good '•'lis only last from b^ >« § H X o H O s a u 0. AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. 27 a. a, a Edmonton. The numb-*- of my land is sect. 34, tp. 53, r. 2i ; if you have a map you can see how far I am from your sectio . I have built a log Louse on my place, but no stable yet, as I have no stock. I am not staying at home much. If Robert comes, he will be welcome to live in the house. I think, however, they would be foolish to come b;fore spring or ] 5th March, as they could not do much, and they wouH have to pay high for liay, $5 a ton, and some at least would have to rent houses to live in ; nd I notice that rent in Edmonton is very high, in fact newcomers will have to pay hi>;h for everything, potatoes are going to be high and scarce in the spring. Settlers should bring some with them when possible, also their hens as it is almost impossible to buy hens here. The greater part of the winter has been very fine, but we had three or four weeks of very cold weather, but not stormy. I have not seen a severe snow storm this winter though we have two feet of snow, it fell a few inches at a time. There is very little wind but ib freezes intensely hard, but upon the whole I would rather winter here than in Neb- raska. I will close this ; if there is any information I can give you or anything I can do for you, let me know. Will be ^^lad to hear from you soon. My respects to Mrs. Swan. I remain your friend, ALLEN MONROE. H X H y, a .J u H '•A O a. (From the Richford, Vt., Gazette, of 2nd December, 1892.) A Productive Two Acres. Mr. B. C Gallup of North Sheldon was one of the party who accompanied the party last sumaier from this section to the Canadian North-west. During his stay in Wianipeg Mr. Gallup visited a nephew — H. A. Chadwick — who keeps a hotel at Silver Heights, about five miles from Winnipeg, and on his return home told such marvellous stories of the productiveness of the soil there that Mr. D. J. Waggoner, who was in charge of the party, wrote Mr. Chadwick for full particulars, which are given in the following letter, under the date of Nov. 24. Mr. Waqgoneb : — " Dear Sir, — Your letter to hand. I would say in reply that I had a field of about tAvo acres in it that the corn grew on, so will tell you what I raised on this field. I sold my corn to market gardeners at 8c. per dozen, and they sold it in (ho city for green corn. I sold $133 worth, and we used all we wanted in my own hotel, and I now have about 25 baskets on hand. I sold 65 bushels of onions at $1.25 per bushel ; 20 bushels of parsnips at $1 per bushel ; two hundred bushels of potatoes, which are worth 35 cents per bushel here now; 10 bushels of turnips; and I sold $27 worth of pumpkins and Hubbard squashes besidcF, a lot that I fed to pigs. So think this crop paid nie very well. Wo can beat the world on raising onions or any root crop. 1 had as fine a crop of tomatoes this year as I ever saw anywhere. Had 50 pails of rod currants in my garden this year, -ind they sold readily at $1 per pail. I also raised pl-mtyof jilums and gooseberries. It is only a matter of a few years when there will be plenty of aj)plt',s grown." Yours truly, U. A. CHADWICK. -I I ■' I 28 WESTERN CANADA (From, tJia Alpena, Mich., Pioneer.) THE CANADIAN NORTH-WEST. A LETTER PROM A PKESQUE ISLE COUNTY FARMER WHO HAS BEEN THERE. Onawat, Jan. 19, 1893. Dear Sir, — I have been to the Alberta district, N.W.T., and have looked over the country from Olds to Edmonton, and am just in love with that country. I examined every feature of the country pertaining to mixed farming, and believe it to be unsur- passed. I have located near Wetaskiwin, three quarter-sections, one for myself and each of my boys, and have locations for some of my neighbours on homestead and CP. R.R. lands. I will buy one quarter section of C.P.R.R. lands when I get there if possible. When I arrived home I found all well, and have had plenty of callers. I did not think there were so many of my neighbors that were waiting for me to come back to hear about that country. There were five men here this afternoon that live about ten miles away, and ?n I told them about the country they all said they were going out in the spring, an antud me to get full particulars concerning rates for passengers, and what a car woulc »st from Cheboygan, One man has five boys old enough to take land, and several her neighbours say they are going out in the spring. I expect to make entry for land for some of my neighbors if the land is not taken before our appli- cation is in. It is just wonderful, the families that are coming to that country We have maue up our minds to go, whether we sell or not, and will take all the stock we are allowed to take in one car. I believe I now know more about the advantages and features of that country than many who have lived there for a year or more. I will write to vou later. N. NEWSTED, Onaway, Presque Isle Co., Mich. A French-Canadian who has tried the States and finds Western Canada a BETTER country. Oak Lake, Man., Dec. 30th, 1892. I, Eugene Benoit, of section 10-8 -24, west Ist meridian, county of Dennis, Province of Manitoba, state, that I came hero from the Province of Quebec in 1889, (County of Drumniond). I had lived in tlie State of Vermont, U.S. I had about $800 of a capital. I hud a family. I took up a homestead and bought another 160 acres of land near by. I have a good claim for stock-raising, and a good quarter-section for whcat-rai-ins?. I have 100 acres in cultivation no.v, and a comfortable house. I have 7 head of cattle and T) hcses ; all the farm machinery, plough, harrows, binder, seeder, wagons, (kc, also a steam thresher. I am satisfied with the loeality and the change from the State of Vermont, prospects here are better. EUOilNE BENOIT. The N.B. — It is learned on good authority that this settler ia worth over $2,500 now. SERE. 19, 1893. Joked over the . I examined to be unsur- >r myse]^ and tead and C.P. I get there if rs. I did not come back to ive about ten ere going out issengers, and aough to take I expect to ore our appli- 7e have maue 3 are allowed country than >., Mich. ■T Canada a 1, 1892. IC lis, Province in 1889, about $800 16U acres of section for Be. I have ider, seeder, nont. The NOIT. !2,500 now. and its great resources. 29 (From the "QuUl" Schuyler, Neh., 29th March, 189S.) HO ! FOR ALBERTA ' COLFAX county's DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THEIR NORTHERN HOME WITH GOOD WISHES, ALTHOUGH SORROWFUL FRIENDS SHED TEARS AT PARTING. On Tuesday evening, at 10.30 oclock, the freight cars containing the Alberta delegation's eflfects was pulled out, and that was the starting. There were eight car loads from Schuyler, five from Leigh, and six from Rogers joined in one train to haul the goods to the Canadian destination, being at Olds, Alberta territory. Of the ei:;ht carloads from this point the following is the \ht of owners, goods, and persons in cliarge : — Ed. Bame's car was in charge of William Rathbun. He had 7 horses, G pigs, 13 dozen chickens, 16 ducks, 4 turkeys, 2 dogs, and his grain, hay, household goods and machinery. Ji seph Edmison's car was in charge of A. C. Judd and Nels Petersen. Edmison had 4 horses, Judd 2, and Petersen 2. There was grain, hay, household goods, machinery, etc., in. Robert Smith's car was in charge of his son Dan. He had 8 horses, '1 dozen chickens, some ducks and turkeys, farming implements, household goods, grain, and feed. Roderick MoRae's car whs in charge of his son Dan, and 5 horses, 1 hog, a few chickens, hay, grain, household goods, and farming implements filled the space. Mr. McRae and family will go in about a month, as his wife's health is poor at present and travelling is out of the question. Thomas Preston's car was in charge of Al. Lawrence. It was tillel with grain, hay, household goods, farming implements, a hay press, 5 horses, 2 hog^, and some smiiller articles. Hay pressing will Le a new industry, we suppose. John Mcintosh's car was in charge of Nels Olsen, who had his team and wagon in. Mcintosh had 14 horses in all (having some in another car), two pigs, some ducks, grain, hay, household goods and implements. Al. Will and Ellsworth Lawrence had two cars, and while Al. went with Preston's car. Will and Ellsworth took charge of their two. They had in all 16 horses, some chickens, household goods, machinery, grain, hay, etc. It will be noticed that no cattle were taken. This was on account of the Canadian quarantine. Cattle will be held at the line for ninety days on account of the precaution used againsc disease. Some will have their cattle driven up later on, while others will buy in Manitoba and ship from there. The cars will arrive at Manitoba about as soon as the pass(»ngers, who left on Tuesday at 1.30 o'clock in the afternoon. At Leigh, H. P. Moore had two carloads, R. D. McKee two, and W. P. Cornwell one. At Rogers, C. McLaughlin, George Groat, John Samis, James Samis, James Coyentry and Mr. Hilbert were the emigrants. On Tuesday the excitement of the departure was greater, and while many watched the freight people off, the crowd was out on Tuesday. A car was set off on the side track above the depot for the use of the men, women and children, and around "that during the last iiour friends and relatives gathered to bid good-bye. Many tears were shed as families wore separated, some to remain here while others wont. Old neighliours shoiik hands and said good-bye, and men who had been early settlers of Colfax county parted after being n' ighbours for a score of years. Good wishes went with a'.l. It was a sad scene for frien parted, probably never moie to meet. It was a long farewell with many. Joking, talking and laughing was the order with many, yet within a heavy weight seemed to collect .".nd the farewell was more sad than it ap[)<'ared. At Schuyler there were Joseph Edmison, wife ;ind five children, J«hn Mcintosh, wife and two children, Alex. Mollae, Robert, Smith, wife and six cliildren, Eil. JJaine, wife and five children, Mrs. Rathbun, Thomas Preston, wife and live children, and A. L Ramsey, wife and three children, wliih* Mrs. 11. P. Moore, Mia. Cornwell and children, and Mrs. McKee and childr«'n were from Wilson precinct to go. At Rogers more passengers were added to the number. i It! 1' I' ) l.:< 30 WESTERN CANADA James Coventry and fainily will go soon, amd goods were already shipped. John Lawrence left on Wednesday to join his family, who are in Iowa visiting, and meet the regular delegation at Winnipeg. This was the first load only, as many more will follow. The Cti^ill editor is, indeed, sorry to see them leave. It is just that many friends goin:, i mong these are men who have stood by and encouraged this paper from start till now and it follows them. Every family is to receive the Quiil and we hope that it will be a I'isitor which brings good news and good cheer. They are among Colfax county's > try best families, honest and industrious. No dead-Neats are among them. They leave with no debts behind and looking everybody in the face. With such people Alberta must prosper. We regret to see so many friends leave, but can only wish them well. ( Extract from Chicago " Times," 3rd January, 1892.) We reproduce the following from the Chicago " Times" of 3rd January, 1892, as) emanating from so reliable an authority, it cannot fail to be of interest to the intending emigrants : — " Notwithstanding his proverbial shrewdness, the average American is at fault when dealing with the resources and territorial extent of central Canada. The great majority of writers and speakers in the United States are prone to consider the arable portion of the territory a mere strip running along the international boundary line. \\'hy this is it ie hard to say, but partially probably because of the recent entrance, so to speak, of these districts into the society of civilized communities. As is well known, the Canadian Pacific road was not completed till 1885 ; hence the greater part of this wide region was not thoroughly accessible to explorers and settlers until that time. In vi(3w, then, of this prevailing ignorance, it may be interesting to cite a few facts regard- ing the area and natur.^1 resources of Jthis north-western portion of the continent. " A line running 1,000 miles from north to south, and another of equal length from east to west, does not reach the borders of this rolling, park-lilce plain, whose uniform adaptability to agriculture and stock-raising is now verified by experience. But we will not in this article go behind the points reached by the great western pioneer — the rail- way train, and accordingly fully accessible to settlers. The district thus equipped embraces an area of nearly 500,000 square miles. What this area means is made plain by the statement that out of it might be carved no less than eight States, each the size of Illinois, and then a good slice to spare. "This continent cannot produce a soil superior in fertility to the rich black loam soil of Manitoba (area, 123,200 square miles), and, with local exceptions, such as morass or a belt of hills, the same applies to the whole t«rritory alxjve designated. The yield of wheat per acre has run from twenty to forty and forty-five bushels, of the world- famous " Manitoba hard " wheat, while the harvest of the present year may be described lis the crowning elTort of a record-breaking soil, fifty to sixty bushels to the acre being recorded in many cases. This wondrous fertility, coupled with the vast extent of ttjrritorj' eti on wheat culture in prophesying that inside of fifty years ceiitral Canada will be Lho world's bread-maker. " It will readily be understood that a soil so fertile naturally produces gr:isses in great variiity and unsurpassed in quantity and quality, insuring an ever-plentiful supply of fodder for domestic cattle. This never-failing supply of nutritious grass, the plentiful supply of pure, running water, ihe sheltering blulTs of timber, as well a,nnmiunity from cyclones in .summer and snowstorms in winf^ir, combine the properties which make Albertfione of the finest ranching districts on the ccmtinent. Stock-raising is carried on with ecjual success in the other provinces, and Manitoba beef and dairy products have already an enviable reputation on the Eui-opoan market." ipped. John and meet the re will follow, many friends •er from start ) hope that it mong Colfax among them. 1 such people ly wish them y, 1892, as, le intending is at fault The great the arable ndary line, entrance, so veil known, )art of this :; time. In lets regard- ent. length from se uniform Jut we will — the rail- I equipped made plain ch the size )lack loam as morass The yield ;he worjd- li described Lcre being extent of culture in -maker. ?r:is8es in ful supply B plentiful nity from ich make carried on Jcts have p O H a 5^ a H O Ed >■ :^ o n Ej mi he AND ITS GRKAT RESOURCES. 31 Extracts from Letters by Hon. C. H. Harrison, ex-Mayor tw Chicago, to the Chicago " Mail." ^ ,3 o o y. o y. o "Manitoba is a grand province. From the boundary, stretching north about 150 miles by 120 miles east and west, it is a splendid small-grain country. The land is not held by great individual owners or by syndicates, but in small holdings, rarely larger than a section, and generally not larger than a half. The farms are much better culti- vated tha«i in Minnesota. The fields are much freer from weeds and the crops better than anything I saw in the States, except a small section near Crookston. I was told the expectation was an average crop of 25 bushels to the acre. Some fields, I thought in passing, would nearly touch 40 bushels. At Winnipeg we boarded the Canadian Pacific. For a considerable distance the country is perfectly fiat, but the soil of great depth ; ditches will make it all finely arable. From Portage la Prairie west, the surface of the prairie is undulating, often high-rolling, and on to Virden, 109 miles, is as beau- tiful jn-airie as one could wish to see. North and south in this belt the same character- istics, I was told by a well-informed gentleman, extended from the United States line to the northern limits of the province. " What cunning chaps the Hudson Bay company people were ! For long years they told the world that this was a region only fit for fur-bearing animals. And now that the iron horse has snatched the reins from this great cormorant, we find in this great North-west a country capable of supporting millions of happy agricultural people. Rivers abound, running in deep-cut banks, into which the lowest and flattest land can be drained. Wood is not so far off that it cannot be had in sufficient quantities for domestic purposes, and coal fields lie so close to the water-courses that it can be trans- ported by water if the rail fails to do the work. In the summer season the sun pours down a flood of heac, \ y alpaca coat was quite suflBcient when standing on the plat- form, and from 10 to 5. I was constantly tempted to unbutton my vest. The nights are cool now, and, we ai"e told, are always so. The people are thriving, and the Cana- dian Pacific Company has built a road with which none of our transcontinental railroads can compare. It is thoroughly laid, smooth, and finely ballasted. The depots or sta- tions are built with taste, and the bridges are erected with great strength. In the far west, experimental farms are worked so as to give the emigrant actual knowledge of what the soil is capable of producing. " Cattle ranches are scattered over the country. After leaving the wheat land, near Virden, I saw far off on the prairie a lady galloping M'ith long skirt on a horse with banged tail. Habitations became scarce and ranches few. Many lakes were passed, covered with geese and duck. Sometimes we could see young broods of the latter, about the size of partridges, on small streams not over 20 feet from our train. The plain is now the Coteau de Missouri, but is not arid, as the same plain is on the Northern Pacific road. The whole country is pleasantly green, with patches of town diversifying the landscape. " At Medicine Hat, o60 miles west of Winnipeg, we crossed the soutli fork of the Saskatchewan River. Here, and for a long distance, it is a navigable, fine stream, some 400 yards wide. Above this place some 50 to 100 miles are fine coal fields. The coal looked very pure, and one look assured me it was the bist cooking coal in America. Before night we should have seen the Rockies, but did not, because of tlic smoky atmos- phere. Sixty miles from their foot lies Calgary, a town of 2,000 people, the centre of the great ranche district, where ranches of many thousand horses abound. The grazing country is said to be very fine, and extends far south down into Montana. The plains here are very fine and the bunch grass is pretty green grass." Tt crows "ood wheat but better Extract from a Letter by the late United States Consul at Win.'Jipeg. To many of the farmers living in tlie western and middle States, the severe climate of the North-west, the " cold winters," is a serious question. They cannot understand how a country so far north as they seem to think it is can be Buitable for mixed farming. 32 WESTERN CANADA wheat-growing or stock-raising. The reports given in this pamphlet of those who have visited the country will doubtless satisfy most persons on this point, but should ^ere still be any doubt in the mind of any we would refer to an able and exhaustive letter from the gifted pen of no less an authoiity than the late United States consul at Win- nipeg, the Hon. James W. Taylor, which was published in the New York Sun. In this letter the esteemed consul proved that in the great northern and western country of which the pamphlet treats not only is there millions of acres of rich arable land, but that because of its northern latitude it is more especially adapted to wheat-raising than the more southerly situated lands. Space will not permit a full publication of the Hon. Consul Taylor's letter, but we give below a few extracts from it, which perhaps will be of value to the reader. The consul opened Ins letter with the following significant paragraph : — " The area of the wheat district of Central Canada, between Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior for its eastern and the Rocky Mountains for its western boundary, and latitude? 10° to 60°, has been ascertained to be of uniform productiveness ; and by no means a narrow selvage beyond the international boundary, as intimated by Mr. C. Wood Davis in a recent contribution to the Arena. The summary of this grand paral- lelogram of cereal gi owth and maturity is a series of facts and inferences which is the result of considerable experience and observation as a United States consul at Winnipeg. Let us fiist consider the broader area of north-west America extended beyond the prairie division to the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, and trace on the map of North America the area enclosed between longitudes 100° and 170° west of Greenwich and latitudes 50° to 70° — a fourth of the continent — embracing the Canadian provinces, piesent and prospective, of Manitoba, Assiiiiboia, Saskatchewan, Keewatin, Mackenzie, Athabasca', Alberta and British Columbia, and the American territory and future State of Alaska. How little conception have we from present developments of what the twentieth century will witness over this vast realm of nature It will assist our prophetic vision to compare an equal area on the map of Europe identical in climate and other natural mau-'estations. Trace 70° of longitude — 60° east and 10° west of Green- wich — and from latitude 50° to 70°, and mark the relations of man to earth. The Europe.in jKirallelogram includes England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, and most of Germany and Russia in Eurcpe, represented by the cities of London, Liverpool, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nijni- Novgorod and Archangel." And then, after citing a large number of important facts, and giving the experience of the highest authoi ities in the country as to the fertility of the soil, the nutritiousness of its gras es, its pre-eminent adaptability to wheat-ruising, the consul gives the opinion of the late Dr. Samuel Forry, a writer of eminence in the American " Journal of Geology," as follows : — "He states as a universal fact that the cultivated plants yield the greatest product near the northernmost limit at which they will grow. His illustrations embrace nearly every plant known to commerce and used either for food or clothing. Cotton, a tropic:* 1 plant, yields the best staple in the temperate latitudes. Flax and hemp are cultivated througl .", great extent of latitude, but the lint in southern latitudes, forced into pre mature maturity, acquires neither consistency nor tenacity, and we must go to the north of Europe to find these plants in perfection. Rice is tropical, yet Carolina and Florida grow the finest in the world: Indian corn is a sub tropical plant, but it produces the heaviest crops near the norther i most limits of its range. In the West Indies it rises 30 feet, but produces only a few grains on the bottom of a spongy cob, and is regarded only as a cough provender foi cattle. In the rich lands of the middle States it will often produce 50 to 60 bushels to the acre, but in New York and in New England agricultural societies have actually awarded prf iniums for 125 bushels to the acre. Wheat is a more certain crop in New York, in northern parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the Baltic districts of Europe, than in tho :outh, either of Europe or America. In the spring it is not forced too rapidly into h ad before it has time to mature fully or concoct its farina. Oats grow in almost every country, but it i-i in northern regions only, or very moist or elevated tracts, that they fil' with farina suitable for human sustenance. Rye, barley, buckwheat, millet, and other cuhnifcrous plants might be adduced to illustrate the lose who have should here austive letter snsul at Win- Sun. In this [■n country of ble land, but t-raising than letter, but we ider. on's Bay and oundary, and ;s ; and by no ed by Mr. C. grand paral- which is the at Winnipeg, beyond the ap of North •eenwich and ,n provinces, I, Mackenzie, future State nts of what dll assist our 1 climate and jst of Green- earth. The vay, Sweden, by the cities Q, Berlin, St. 6 experience itritiousness the opinion 'Journal of test product jrace nearly n, a tropic;! 1 e cultivated !td into pre go to the /arolina and bit produces adies it rises is regarded it will often agricultural ?at is a more i the Baltic spring it is t its farina, ry moist or lye, barley, ustrate the a a I-] •< >'? o H o ^, Q a < y, u Q a: y, < a o < -f'p AND ITS GREAT RESOURCES. 33 above principle, for all their habits require a more northern latitude than is necessary to their mere growth. The grasses are in perfection only in noithern or cool regions, although they will grow anywhere. It is in the north alone thit we raise animals from meadows, and are enabled to keep them fat and in good condition from hay and grass without grain. It is there the grasses acquire succulence and consistency enough, not only to mature animals, but to make the richest butter and ch -ese. The tuberose, bul- bous and other roots cultivated for human and animal subsistence are similarly affected by climate, and manifest habits in corroboration of the above principle. The Irish potato, although from or near the tropics, will not come to perfection but in northern or cool countries, or in moist insular situations, as in Ireland. It is in such climates only that its roots acquire a farinaceous consistence and have size, flavour and nutriment enough to support animal life in the eminent way in which they are susceptible. In the south a forcing sun brings the potato to fructification before the roots have had time to attain their proper qualifications for nourishment. " So for the suggestive illustrations of Dr. Forry, but I will venture to add a further instance from the central wheat district of North Americ •. At its southern mat gin in Minnesota and Iowa seldom more than two well-formed grains are found in each cluster or fascicle forming the row ; in northern Minnesota, Dakota and Manitoba three grains become habitual ; and from he '.ds of wheat brou^' t to me from Prince Albert, on the Saskatchewan, and Fort Vermilion, on the Peace River, I have separated five well formed grains from each cluster or group forming the head, which is decisive evidence that the perfection of the wheat plant is attained near the most northern limit of its succ-ssful growth." The testimony of President J. J. Hill. Memo, of evidence given by Mr. Jamea J. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway of St. Paul, Minnesota, before a committee of the House of Commons of Canada in March, 1877. After discussing at great length the question of transportation and rates for the exportation of wheat to the sea-board and for the carrying ot settlers from the sea- board into the North-west country, Mr. Hill proceeds to compare the Dakotas and Minnesota with the Canadian North-west. In answer to a question put by Mr. Bain, Mr. Hill said : — " Take at the present time the place where the Mennonites settled at New Odessa, in Dakota, just north of Yankton. They went up there at the same time that your Mennonites went to Manitoba. A number remained in the United States and settled in southern Dakota, and the place where they settled they called New Odessa. It was named by themselves. They paid 29 cents to carry their wheat to Duluth. That is the rate to Duluth from Yankton. That section of the country is being rapidly settled up, and it is a rich agricultural section ; but they have not as good land, and they have not the same amount of good land that they have in the Province of Manitoba ; it is not as good. I have been over the country, and I am familiar with it ; I know both Manitoba and that country. They are also more liable in Dakota, being closer to tli*- sage brush country, to visitations from locusts. This country is also more easily affected by drought than Manitoba, and by dry seasons ; it is a prairie country, and the Province of Manitoba is pretty well watered. " JBi/ Mr. Hagar : " Q. And the soil is not equal to the soil on Red River ? — A. No ; you will not find it in any other place on the American continent as good as it is in Manitoba, unless it be in a little place on the Wabash, a short distance from Miami, nearly oppo- site St. Louis, called the Illinois bottom; but anywhere else I have never seen any soil so rich as it is along the Red River. 3 u* 34 WESTERN CANADA. ' " By the Chairman : "Q. You have travelled very extensively? — A. I have been in every State in the Union, I think, except in the Pacific States. " Q. And for a settler to make a comfortable home for himself, you would prefer Manitoba to any other place ? — A. The soil in the Red River valley is, to my mind, the richest farming country that I have ever seen. It is not only rich, but it has also bright prospects." After speaking at some length upon the superior quality of the flour made at the Minneapolis mills from the wheat grown in Minnesota and Dakota, Mr. Hill said : "The same statement applies to Manitoba, but only in a greater degree, because a superior quality of wheat is grown in Manitoba, it being further north. You have seen the samples, and you know if you have tried it in the hand, or between the teeth, that it is hard wheat ; and ]Vj initoba is a country which is peculiarly adapted to the growth of that quality. The quantity raised will not make any difference ; the whole country might go to the growing of this wheat, and it would not even affect the price, because there is always a demand for good flour, and this is a locality that must raise it. " Q. Do roots grow very successfully there, such as potatoes, turnips, beets, &c. 1 — A. I do not kn. sv that there is any -^ountry that will surpass Manitoba for the growth of roots of all kinds — potatoes, turnips and beets especially. I think that potatoes do better there than in any other place that I have ever seen." THE K^ND OF MEN WE ARE GETTING. ( ]Vinmpeg Free Press.) "SOLID NKPRASKA SETTLERS. "tub latest arrivals have capital and stock to work north-wkst farms. "James Gadsden, of Schu)ler, Neb., U.S., arrived in Winnipeg Saturday last, having in cliarg? ninety pei'sons, all from his vicinity in Nebraska. They are principally early settlers of that state, who have recently sold their farms at prices ranging from $30 to $41 per acre, and have with them $30,000 in hard r nh, besides seventeen car- loads of effects, consisting of sixty-eight fine larure hoi-sos, and household goods and farming tools, worth $1,000 a car. In addition to this, heir cattle and some horses will be driven northward as soon as giass starts, this last-mentioned stock being worth $10,000 to $ir),000 morr. Eiglity of this party go to Old Station, fifty-eight miles north of Calgary, on fine lands they have purchased of the Ci Igary and liklmonton Rail- way Company, through their agents, Messrs. Osier, llammord it NanUm, of Winnijx'g. A largo number of the best class of American farmers and (vanago may homestead and obtain a patent after three years' residence and performing the homestead duties, and by paying $10 entry fee. For full information see "Houu stead Laws " and " Land Regulations " as published. C*h. Arrang(unents are made with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company for re- duced rates to Winnipeg and other p(;ints to which settlers wish to go in the North- west. These rates will U^ available from Montreiil, Sault Ste. Marie, Emerson, (iretiia, and other points along the international boundary line, where it is most convenient for settlers to cross. 7lh. We are often asked the question, " What part of the country would you advise me to .settle in /" That is a ditlicult question to answer, and one that can only bo satisfact/)rily answered by the settler himself. So much depends upon the re(|uire- ments of the .settler, as to what kind of country h risk in that case of damage from early frost or at best of a small yield. Still, if a man is engaged in mixed faiii\ing his wheat even in that ease will pay iiim well, for he will be able to feed it to his pigs and convert, it into a most useful and mark»>tal»le article in the shape of gixxl pork. " iMHt season and the year bt>fore T sold my No. 1 linnl wheat at 'l.'l ane addressed to The Secretary of ihe Department of (he Interior, flttawa, or llie Commissioner of Dominion Lands, Winnipeg, Manitoba. f i i ' r h c C c o c/: ^ ?; =3 T1 «1 e: 5 3: .^ H O o c OK) CD 3 a AATESTERN CANADA FREE HOMES FOR ALL ■# IN THE J > GREAT PROVINCES OF MANITOBA, ASSINIBOIA, SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA _^ .^ *^\;^^' * r ! 9568/3 108 c LL iRTi