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CO NTENTS. iNTUOnUCTION •' Dominion ov C'anada— Area, I'ojmliitioii, Tmiinrts and Ex- ports, Kiiilway Mileage, etc. ... •"> PkoVINCK ok .M.\NITf)|iA — History, Area, Population, Pliy.sical Features, Lakes .ind Rivers, Pro- Can.ida specially to report on its capabilities, places beyond donbt the; fact that Manitoba is progressing rapidly, and is amongst British Colonies specially suitable for settlers from Great Britain and Ireland, and most European countries. Tht! Canadian census of 1891 shows that Manitv">ba has made more rapid strides than any other part of the Dominion ; for, whereas during the past decade the population of Canada has increased by 11. G6 per cent., that of Manitoba has increased by 148.06 per cent. To tliose who have capital to invest, and to the toiling millions avIio, fighting bravely the fierce battle of life, are sincerely anxious to imjuove their lot, it is hoped the information these pages contain may be of some service. The latest official iuforniatiou regarding Maiiitobay Maps, Pamphlets, &-€., may be obtained from the MANITOBA GOVERNMENT OFFICES, >^}^, Jamks Street, Liverpool. f) DOMINION OF CANADA. Tlie Dominion of Canuda is ilio largest and most important of all the British colonies. It stretdies right across the North-American continent — a distance of more than 3,500 mil(!s from the Atlantic to the Pacific ( )cean. It has an area of 3,.') 19,000 square miles, including the water surface. Withni its horders 29 countries as large as Great Britain and Ireland might lie side l)y side, and there would still be some room left. It is larger llian the United States of America, and is said to Contain more good agricidtural land than does that country. Its niiiuial and timber wealth is undoubtedly far superior to that of the United St.itfS. The population according to the Census of 1891 is 4,829,411. All nationalities are represented, but speaking of Canada as a whole, the population is composed chiefly of men and women of British or Irish birth or origin ; with the exce])tion of the Province of Quebec, where the inhal)itants are largely Canadian of French extraction. That Canada is a progressive country is proved by the statistical informatinii jmblished from time to time. Taking only one or two instaiio(;s, just to prove the statement, we find that in 1879 Canadian imports amounted to about £1G, 000,000. 1889 Canadian imports amounted to about .£23,000,000. Again, if we turn to the exports, we find that in 1879 Canadian exports amounted to about £14,300,000. 1889 Canadian exports amounted to about £17,800,000. After imports and exjtorts are (•(•nsidered, one of the most important indications of tlie progress being made in a new country is afforded by the construction of railways. We find that in Canada In 1870 there were 2,497 miles of railway; In 1880 there were 6,891 miles of railway; In 1890 there were 13,256 miles of railway. In these railways over £150,000,000 is invested. The greater part of the railroad extension of late years has been in Manitoba and other parts of Western Canada. It is not the intention to burden the reader unduly with statistics, but the preceding convey a general idea of the great progress being made by Canada. In no part of this great country lias such atlvanct'men,t taken })lace in recent years as in the Province of Manitoba, and it is the purpose of tliis book to ))lace before the public a brief ofhcial statement as to its condition, and the advantages it oft'ors to capitalists and others who may wish to invest or settle there. < MANITOBA. M;iiiito1>a is one of llie sov(Mj rr(>viii('(>s of tlic I)(»mininn of Caiiiida. 'I"lu' |)i)iuiiuon, as such, wus ori^Miiiscd in 18G7, aiiractically owrted what is now Manitoba aiul the North-West Territory — Winnipeg at that time had no existence. The straggling collection of dwellings at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, where that City now stands being known as Fort Garry, the chief trading post of the Hudson Bay Company. 1'he average reader in Europe will perhaps be interested to learn that Manitoba is in the very heart of the North American Continent. It is as nearly as possible the exact (-entrc. By the Canadian Pacific Railway,Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is 1424 miles from Montreal, the Atlantic seaport, and 1482 miles from Vancouver, on the Pacitic. The area of Manitoba is 116,021 square miles, equal to over 74,000,000 acres. It extends about 300 miles from East to "West, and the Southern boundary is determined by the 49° parallel of latitude. It will be observed that this is further South than England, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, and the greater part of Germany and Russia. The general feature of the country is that of a broad lolling prairie, relieved at intervals by gently rising hills, and numerous blull's and lakelets. This is in striking contrast with the flat monotonous prairie so characteristic of soutliem countries. Making a farm and establishing a home is not a difficult task in Manitoba. In bygone days, and in a wooded country such as Eastern Canada, where every acre of land had to be cleared of heavy timber, it was indeed a kmely, difficult task. Yet, in spite of all that, the sturdy pioneers who stuck manfully to it sticcee(led, aa the happy homes of wealthy settlers abundantly testify. Ihit tiio old settlers of to-day in Eastern Canada, who 50 years since left (Ireat Britain and Ireland to make their way in life, laughingly remark that those who go to Manitoba have no pioneering to do, and, proud aa 1'. "■(■'" : '■' "^ ■ ' .1.* •^ • V r t: 'j t ^H Irl --'"^:.-'^ "l*.»li"'' ' s « Bffi - ,*f V,::.. ■iH'^ 1 I 1' ' 'F--^ s '■■■.'■*■.' *ii* wl';i'"t "''■ ''^Wl' 'Hi'''"'' ■-* ■ 1 -< '■ '^mi 1''-. 'ir , ■ ■ --.. ■ . f ■■'■ '^J'^y: fV' '■.■■.'■ii'.'. ■'•:.» -^f^' /■:^ > % ■ T 1 ' 4 ..,»" . ' 'J , ''' '-' ■ ... ^. ... ^ _. ■■ >"'■ I^SSSI^EI Ul tliey arc of ilicir own siiccfHs, williii^'ly !i» »» 1881. 1880. 1891. 62,2(50 108,640 154,142 120 422 627 600 275 998 1.422 No HtatlHtl^i kepi. 629,000 1,335,000 »> 380,231 916,664 >} 159,450 305,644 >> 69,305 89,828 - STATISTICS. — Ah showiu:? tho ^reat pro^'ro.s.s madu hy tlui country, and (liMiioiHtiMtiiiji also thu s-iccoss of tho scttlcM-.s, sonu! stalistical in- fonmlioii will hu iHcfiil. It iiiiy he Htatcil tliiit in 18S1 and lor several siiltsoiint-nl years, .s) litllo land was under cultivation no .statisties were collected. Tho i)o|iidiition of tho wholo Doniiiuon shows an i!U!i-<>ase during the decade of only 1 1,66 pnr cent. ; whilst that of .Manitoha show.s an increase of 148.015 percent. No other part of Canada has made such rapiti .«lride.'». Th(i following; fi i;uro3 toll far bottor than many closely-printed paj,'e8 can do, of tho prosperity and pro<,'niss nude hy iManitol)a settlers. In the four past yoars tho land under cultivation in tho Province of Manitoba has more than doubled. Population of Province Number of Public- Schools... about Post Ollicca Miles of liailway about Acres of land under Crop Wheat Oats Barley Pjoforc proceed inc,' to speak of tho agricultural capabilities of Manitoba, w« will briefly consider the SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. So far as tho system of (jovernment is concerned, tho newly arrived settler from Great ]>ritain will feel perfectly at homo. Tho ])rincij)al dilfe once lies in thi.<5, that it is more representative, and power and adudnistration are in the hands of the people themselves, and not of a favoured few amongst the upj)er classes. In tho first place, there is a Federal Parliament for the whole of Canada. This Parliament meets in Ottawa, the Capital of the Dominion, and consists of the Governor-General (representing the Queen), a Senate of 80 members, to which ^lanitoba contributes three, and a House of Commons of 215 members, to which Manitoba contributes five. As a result 6f the increased population of tho Province revealed by the recent census, Manitoba will probably in future have six or seven members. Tho franchise is so low that for all British subjects there is practically manhood suffrage. In addition to this Federal Parliament, there is in each Province a Local Le^^islature, whose functions pertain to tho ad- ministration of justice, local works and undertakings, education and municipal affairs, and generally all matters of a local nature within the Province. Tho Manitoba Legislature consists of 38 members. The Lioutenant-Governor (Vice-Regal Representative) is t ^ pointed by the Governor-General of the Dominion, and the Cabinet of five members is chosen from amongst the members of the Legislature. 10 The Manitoba Government is at present constituted as follows :^ Hon. John C. Schultz — Lieutenant-Governor. Hon. Thos. Greenway — Premier, President of Council, Minister of Agriculture, &c., and Raihvay Commissioner. Hon. James A. Smart — Minister of Public Works and M micipal Commissioner. Hon. D. H. McMillan — Provincial Treasurer. Hon. DaJiiel McLean — Provincial Secretary. Hon. Clifford Sifton — Attorney General and Land Commissioner. The Manitoba Government Offices in the United Kingdom, are at 33, James Street, Liverpool, Mr. A. J. McMilliUi, agent. The maximum duration of the Dominion Parliament is five years, of the Manitoba Local Legislature four years. The cities and towns are governed by a Mayor and Corporation much the same as in the old country, but witlx this principal difference, that the Mayor is elected by popular vote, and not as in the old country by the members of the Corporation. The purely rural distiicts are divided into municipalities, 87 in number. Tlie residents in these divisions elect Avhat is knOwn as a Municipal Council, whose duties are to administer tlie aftairs of the respective municipalities, such as erecting necessary public buildings, maintaining roads and bridges, and levying and collecting the necessary taxes therefor. In Manitoba taxation and representation go together, and the result is seen in very economical yet effective government, both legislative and municipal, coupled with very light taxes. There are practically no personal taxes, and the average rate of taxation per acre for all purposei in the rural districts is m rely nominal. Tlie rate, of course, varies. This view of the case very much struck the Farmers' IJelegates from Great Britain and Ireland in the course of their travels through Western Canada. MAJOR STEVENSON, of Londonderry, wrote :— " The great features of Manitoba are excellent lands free for hcmesteading, or at a reasonable price, and very moderate taxes — I may say almost none." Mr. ROBERT PITT, of Ilminster, Engrland, says:— "In Manitoba, or any other country, ownership of land means taxes and other obligations, but here they are not great at present, the only direct taxation on a 160-acre claim being about $10 (£2) per year. Then there is the obligation of each settler to give five days' labour per year, or the equivalent, to making and maintenance of roads, and that is all." 11 EDUCATION. The Educational system of Manitoba is inferior to none. It is national in cliaracter, and recognises no class or distinction of any kind. There is a Provincial University liberally endowed, with which some five Colleges are affiliated. Tliese Colleges, except the Medical, are under tlio control of different religious denominations. High Schools form tlie connecting link between the Public Schools and the Colleges. The Public Schools, of which there are over 600, are to be met with in almost every part of the Province where there are settlers. They are free, and the education imparted is of a high standard, embracing as it does the most improved features to be found in other old and new world systems. These Schools are established in any particular district upon the request of the people residing there, as sodh as the necessities of the latter demand them. The cost of maintenance is portly provided by the revenues derived from the lands set apart for A MANITOBA SCHOOL. educational purposes. No less than one-eighteenth of the lands of the Province have been thus set apart. The Provincial Govornmont also makes an annual appropriation of about one-fourth of the entire revenue for the same purpose. The balance of the cost is divided between tlie School District and the Municipality. In this way the cost is so distributed as not to create a burden on any. The standard for teachers is high, and is insisted upon. It will thus be seen that the educational needs of the people are well looked after. The British and Irish Farmers' delegates visited some of these Schools and were very favourably impressed. 12 Mr. HY. SIMMONS, of Bearwood Farm, Wokingrham, Berks., says: "The Schools arc entirely free, and open to and used alike by all classes of society. The teachers, hoth male and female, appeared very efficient. A good system of drill, to call in or dismiss tlie various classes, or should an outbreak of fire occur, is ])ractised by the children. The School buildings are good, and the sanitary and ventilation arrano;ements excellent. The children wc saw hud a particularly intelligent and strung, healthy appearance, very dean in person, and well dressed. These remarks apply generally througliout the whole Dominion, the School system wherever you go being all good alike, and Churches and Chapels in every district. Ko one contemplating emigration need have any misgivings on either of these matters, as they Avill find the arrangements good and in their own hands." Mr. JROBERT PITT, of Ilminster, expresses his views thus: "In a country where there is little or no want one was glad to see School pupils very clean, tidy and well dressed, which appeared general throughout all the Provinces. The following points .^-tood out con- spicuously, iis compared Avith English Board Scliools :— The sexes are more mixed, and this enforces better behaviour on the pupils tlirough respect for themselves, thus lightening vastly the duties -of Teachers; and further, neither masters nor pupils are allowed to address each other in a tone above that of ordinary conversation, even in as large a class as 35 pupils, which appears to work admirable results in two ways — good behaviour and strict attention on the part of the pupils, as otherwise what is going on in class would be entirely missed." Mr. JOHN SPIER, of Newton, GlaSgrOW, says :—" Wherever 8 or 10 children of school age can be found, a school is erected, and from visits made to several of these prairie schools, and also various ones in the cities, I can testify to the sufficiency of the accommodation and excellence of the education which was being imparted in even very remote districts." PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. All the buildings necessary for the due administration of Justice are provided. Magistrates are appointed throughout the Province. At various centres there are County Courts and Assize Courts; in "Winnipeg, the Court of Queen's Bench — the highest in Manitoba — holds its sittings. In addition to these, there has been erected and fully equipped, a Deaf and Dumb Institute at "Winnipeg, which has now been in successful operation for some three years, and is doing very efficient work. The number <:.[ Deaf and Dumb in the Province is not large, but there was a general demand that their misfortunes should be mitigated as far as possible. Those unable to defray the cost of their education are main- tained at public expense. The Home for Incurables at P(.rtage La Piairie provides comfortable quarters for those who are afflicted with non- contagious diseases, and are inclined to seek its friendlv shelter. The 13 Government defrays expenses, but those able to pay their way are expected to do so. In addition to these tlicro is an Insane Asylum at Selkirk (23 miles from Winnipeg), which was established many years ago. Willi increasing population and extending settlement in the West, it was resulvt'd to arrange for a similar Institutiun at Brandon (132 miles west of Winnipeg). As the requirements of the country in this connection did not call for an extensive establishment, it was decided to utilize the buililing originally erected as a Keformatory for boys. The fact that the Reformatory, though erected, was so little used as to permit of its conversion in the manner indicated, says much for the character of the rising generation in Manitoba. The numerous Agricultural Societies throughout the Province have been aided considerably with grants from the Provincial Government, and have been doing an admirable work by encouraging competition among the farmers, and enabling them to get together and exchange ideas on matters affecting their common interests. Not long since the Legislature provided the machinery for the establishment of Farmers' Institutes, which are proving of incalculable advantage to all engaged in agriculture. These Institutes are being rapidly formed throughout the Province. In connection with them meetings are held during the winter months, at which papers on agricultural topics are read and then discussed by the members. Not infrequently agricultural specialists attend and give the benefit of their advice, so that in these various ways the most valuable experience of the bbst men becomes the common property of all. FARMING IN MANITOBA. u The Experimental Farm at Brandon, consisting of 640 acres, was established by the Dominion Government some three years since, and is calculated, in an eminent degree, to meet the requirements of farmers prosecuting their calling under new conditions. The farm as its name indicates, is designed to conduct accurate experiments in agriculture, and to do so upon the most approved scientiilc principles. The informa- tion thus obtained and the conclusions arrived at are given to the public from time to time in the form of bulletins and reports. It can readily be understood that there is much to learn in a new country where many men are engaging in agricultural pursuits for the first time, and where all are doing so under conditions differing in many respects from those obtaining in the country whence they have come. Much has to be learned as to the most suitable seeds to sow, the best kind of roots and fruits to cultivate, the most suitable trees to plant, the best time to carry on seeding and harvesting operations, the most desirable methods of cultivating the soil, and so on. To carry out these tests with the accuracy and precision their importance demands, calls for the expenditure of considerable sums of money and the application of the highest scientific skill. The experiments already made and the practical knowledge gained, testify to the usefulness of the farm as a great public educator. The land chosen for the farm is of a most varied character, so that the experiments may be equally varied. It is of ordinary quality, such as may be met with in abundance all over the province. Hundreds of visitors each season find the farm a source of great delight and profit, whilst the newspapers of the Province are constantly publishing reports of the farm oiiorations. It is qiiite impossible to recite the numerous experiments that are constantly being made, but the yield of certain grains on the experimental farm for the vear 1890 was as follows : — Red Fife wheat 22 to 34 bushels, averaging over the whole farm 27 bushels per acre Black oats from 78 to 88 bushels per acre. WTiite oats .. 51 ., 83 Barley Turnips Potatoes Peas >} t/ 1 uu >f 40 68 f> 600 1300 » 200 700 fl 11 24 It must be borne in mind that these results are in no way exceptional in character. The land is no better than may be found on almost any other farm in the Province. No fertilizers have been used, and anyone willing !o adopt the same modes of cultivating his land may do so without the sl'ghtest difficulty, and with the possibility of getting even better results. 16 SURVEY SYSTEM AND LAND LAWS. In an agricultural country, such as Manitoba, amongst matters of first importance to the prospective settler and investor, are the laws affecting the administration, sale and survey of land. The whole country is divided into Townships, i.e., a tract of country six miles square. The following diagram shows the manner in which the country is Burveyed. It represents a Townslup, that is, a tract of land six miles square, containing 36 sections of one square mile each. These sections are sub-divided into quarter sections of 1 60 acres each. w. row> SHIP Diagra:^ 640 Acres. N. ...31... ...32... ...33... ...34...L.35... : 1 i ...86... ...3)... ...•ii)... . 28... ...h... ...26... ...25... ; ; ; , ; ...19... ...20... ...21... ...16... ...22... ...23 .. ...l'4... ...24... ...13... ...18... ...17... ...15... ...7... ...R... ...b... ...4... ..10... ...11... '•■X^(«* ...'6... ..*6... • ..3... ••• ^ ... ...i... : ; : : : E. Ejections 11 and 29 are set apart for school ])urposes, and are known as School Lands, sections 8 and 26 belong to the Hudson Bay Company. The even numbered sections arc set apart by the Government as free grant lands to settlers, and the odd numbered sections, other than those mentioned, are set apart for sale. In many cases the latter have been granted to railroad companies as an inducement to them to extend their lines into hitherto unsettled districts, and in such cases the lands are usually sold at very reasonable rates, and in many cases 10 years are given to pay for them. FREE HOMESTEADS. — In some parts of Manitoba free home- steads of 160 acres of surveyed agricultural land are still obtainable, but these are usually some considerable distance from the railway and from markets. The chief Government Land Office for Manitoba is in Winnipeg, and there are branch offices in Brandon, Deloraine, Minne- dosa and Birtle. These homesteads may be obtained by any person who is the sole head of a family, or by any male who has attained the age of 18 years, on application to the local agent of Dominion lands, and on payment of IG i* an ofTicc fee of $10.00. At the time of making the entry llie home- steailev must declaic under wliich of the three following provisions ho elects to hold his land, antl on making apijlication for patent must prove that ho has fuUilled the conditions named therein : — 1. — By making entry and witliin six months tiiureafter erecting a habitable house and commencing actual resitliiiice ujxju the land, and continuing to reside upon it for at least six months in each year for the three ne.xt succeeding years, and (h)ing reasonable cultivation duties during tliat period. 2. — Uy making entry for the land, cultivating it for three successive years, so that at the end of that period not less than 40 acres be under cultivation ; residing for at le.ast six months in each year within a radius of two miles of tlie homesteiid ; erecting a house uixm the homesteiul and residing in it for three months next preceding the api)lication for i)«tent. 3. — By making entry, and within six months from tlie date thereof coninicncing the cultivation of the homestead ; breaking and i)repaiing for crop within tlie first year not less than five acres ; cropping the said five acres, and breaking and preparing for crop not less than ten acres in addition, and erecting a habitable ho\ise theredii before the expiration of the second year, and thereafter residing therein and cultivating the land for at least six months of each of the tliree years next prior to the date of the application for patent. Persons making entry for homesteads on or after September Ist in any year are allowed tmtil June 1st following to perfect their entries by going into actual residence. The only charge for a homestead of 160 acres is the entry fee of ,$10. In certain cases forfeited pre-emj)tions and cancelled homesteads are available for liomesteads, but slightly additional fees are demanded from the settlers in each case, and when abandoned pre-emptions are taken tip they are rocpiired to perform specified conditions of settlement. Full information can be obtained from the KkuvI agents, In the event of a homesteader desiring to secure his patent within a shorter ])eriod than the three or five years, as the case may be, he will be permitted to purdiase his homestead at the Government price at the time, on furnishing proof that he has resided on the land for at least 12 months stibsetjuent to date of entry, and has cultivated 30 acres thereof. '; Lands may be procured from Companies or i)rivate individuals iu the settled districts, at reasonable prices, and upon easy terms of payment. The price of course varies as do the conditions of sale, but speaking generally, good land may be bought convenient to railways and markets, at from 8/- per acre upwards according to location. Throu^liout iho Province a very large selection can be made from lirst-class farming lands, advantageously situated as regards markets, &c , at an average price of about £1 per acre. Some of the companies give 10 years to pay for land, i.e., one-tenth is paid in cash at the time of purchase, and the balance in nine annual instalments with interest at 6 per cent, on the unpaid balance. Those who prefer can, of course, pay cash, and obtain a material advantage by so doing. Under the Torrens system of land transfer and registration, the transfer of land is facilitated and rendered at once inexpensive and secure. The following regulation came into force in January, 1892, and applies to those who purchase, as well as to those who take up free grant land : — " In addition to the free grant of 160 acres of fertile land offered by the Canadian Government to any male adult of the age of eighteen years and over in Manitoba and the North-West Territories, and to the land that may be obtained at a moderate price in British Columbia, the Minister of Agriculture is now authorised to offer, until further notice, the following bonuses to settlers taking up land within eighteen 17 months of their arrival in tlie country : — 10 dols. (£2 Is. Id.) to the head of a family, 5 dols. (t'l Oa. 6d.) for the wife and each at^lult member of the family over twelve years of age, and a furtlier sum of 5 dols. to any adult member of the family over eighteen years taking up land within the specified period. Forms of application for the bonuses, without which no payments will be made, may be obtained, when passage tickets arc issued, from any authorized steamship agent iu Great Britain and Ireland." SOIL. One of the first questions a practical man will ask is this — " What kind of soil is there in Manitoba 1 " The answer to this question can only be in general terms, as whilst land may be good in one district, in another it may be indifferent. Speaking generally, the surface of the country is a rolling prairie, largely divested of trees, and in the majority of cases covered with a luxuriant groAvth of grass, which, renewed year by year, has for centuries fed the vast herds of buffalo — millions in number — that roamed over its surface. This land is ready for the plough. The soil is in many cases a rich black loam resting upon a clay subsoil. It has within recent years been analysed by some of the world's greatest chemists, and examined by many of the leading men of the '* old country." Within the last four or five years Manitoba has been visited by a large number of influential men, who at various times and in their own ways have stated their opinions as to the soil of this part of the world. PROFESSOR TANNER, of the Department of Agriculture, South Kensingfton, one of the best known Scientific Agriculturists in Great Britain, writing on this subject, says: — "The soil of Manitoba differs very greatly in different parts, for we must not forgot that we are speaking of a tract of country larger than Great Britain and Ireland. No one need be surprised at the fact that wo find in Manitoba soils which are good, bad, and indifferent, and yet experience justilies the Indian title it bears as "The Land of the Great Spirit or God's Country," for this is the literal translation of the word "Manitoba." One man may truthfully describe the soil of his neigh- bourhoo ., as being most fertile in its character, whilst another man may, with er^ual truth, describe some land he lias discovered as being of little agricultural value. The practical question we have to deal with is this: — "Can we find plenty of very good land throughout the Province]" I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that land of very high fertility may be most easily obtained tliere by any man who knows his business, and who can tell the difference between good and inferior soils. I am bound even to go beyond this, and state that although we have hitherto considered the Black Earth of Central Russia (Tchornoi Zem) the richest soil in the world, that land has now to yield its distinguished position to the rich, deep, black soils of Manitoba and the North West Territory. Here it is that " The Champion Soils of the World " are to be found, and we may rejoice that they are located within the British Empire." 18 !! 'IJ PROFESSOR FREAM. of the College of Agriculture, Downton, Salisbury, speakinj^f ol' tliu country lying between Lake Superior and tlie Rocky Mountains, says : — " Ketl liiver Valley is occupied by a great lacustrine deposit 40 miles wide, which extends right through the Province of ^lanitoba, from north to south. It presents a flat surlace of the most typical prairie land, and is made up of the finest possible silt with a covering of black vegetable soil which works up with great facility into choice agricultural land." In tlie year 1884, the British Association met in Canada, and during the trip many of the members visited and examined Manitoba md the Western l^rairies. In a speech delivered at "\Vinnii)eg on the return journey, by Sir liichard Temple, M.P., that gentleman said : — "Almost everywhere we saw rich soil. Most of us expected we would iind tracts of arid waste, or that if we saw ricli soil it would be largely interspersed witli specimens of gravel, rock, and soil not suitable for cultivation, but this idea i)roved entirely false," The Right Honourable the EARL OF ABERDEEN paid a prolonged visit to Cannda in 1890, and on February lOtli, 1891, giving evidence before the Im])erial Colonization Committee in London, said : — '* I do not claim to be an expert as to soil, but I was very pleased with what I saw of Manitoba." The British ajul Irish Farmers' Delegates who went out to Canada in 1890, were much i)leased wiili the soil as the following representative reports show. Mr. JOHN SPEIR, of Newton, Glasgow, writes tlius :— "The fertility of the soil of the Piairie I'rovinoe, as it is callfd, can scarcely ])e surpassed by that of any other country. The greater part of this vast area is underlain by deep beds of a greyish wldte clay on the top of which are from nine to 24 inches of black vegetable mcmld. In the southern and middle districts of this Province, are to be found millions of acres of the iinest farming land to be met with anywhere, and those same plains produce a quality of wheat which sells in Britain higher than that of any other country." Mr. EDWARDS, of Ruthin, says of Manitoba :—" The greater part of this Province contains millions of acres of wheat-growing land, varying in depth from 1 5 inches to 5 feet of black vegetable mould, and will yield eight or ten crops of wheat in succession, without rest or manure." MAJOR STEVENSON, of Londonderry, reports:— "The soil of Manitoba is a rich vegetable loam, black in colour and full of organic matter ; in some places it is of great depth, and its wealth of plant food cannot easily be exhausted." Mr. ARTHUR DANIEL, of Dereham Road, Norwich, expresses this opinion : — " The soil and products in Manitoba and the North-W ,st diller much from those of the older Provinces. The soil consists of a dark vegetable loam of great depth, and capable of producing grain for many years to come without the application of manure. Here we found the cliief crops to be wheat, oats and potatoes. The latter, though only groM-n in small quantities, are very fine and of good quality." Further remark regarding the soil is unnecessary. 19 PRODUCTIONS OF THE COUNTRY. Beinj^ eutisfied regarding the soil, the next item of infonnatiou required by the prospective settler or investor would naturally havo reference to the productions of the country. Up to the present, Manitoba has been cliiufiy, though not altogether, a grain-producing Province. To-day it is becoming more essentially a region where mixed farming is practised. Wheat, oats, barley, peas, roots and vegetables, and indeed, nearly all cereals and roots produced in England are also successfully grown in Manitoba. The same may be said of live stock ; liorse.s, cattle, sheep and pigs being kept in large and increasing numbers, and thriving wonderfully. It is not unusual in Great Britain and Ireland to hear doubts expressed as to the agricultural capacity of Manitoba. These doubts arise mainly from ignorance of the true condition of affair.s, and not in- frecjuently from the wretched K^ports sent home by those who, failing to succeed in luiytliing in the land they hailed from, have, without previous experience in agriculture, tried their hand at farming in INIanitoba, and failed in that also. MANITOBA WHEAT.— It is safe to say thai there is not any part of Nortl) America where the yield of wheat over a number of years has been .so uniformly high as it has in Manitoba. Nearly every season there are many cas(;s where good Farmers, or those having hrst-class land, produce crops yielding from 30 to 45 bushels per acre. ^Manitoba wheat, on account of its superior flour-producing qualities, is much sought after by millers all over E.istein Canada and in Great Britain, It meets a ready sale at about Gil. to l.s. per bushel higher prices than is paid for most American and English wheats. Red Fyfe wheat is the variety most grown, as it vseems to be greatly in favour with the millers, but other varieties, which are .said to mature more quickly, are being introduced with success. There are some very large wheat farms in the Province, many men having from 300 to ')00 acres under crop, and some from 1.000 to 2.000 acres. ?-=M*^Hft-^ agg; gg3 i a ^»M ^^ii F4ia^='.'i^." ._ -^^i ^^^ 'Mm » STACKING WHEAT IN MANITOBA. 20 The Tenant Fanners' Delegates, to whom reference has already been made, studieil this question of wheat growing very closely, and one or two of them entered into minute calculations as to the relative cost of production in Manitoba and in the Old Country, Here are the opinions and calculations of some of them : — Mr. GEORGE HUTCHINSON, of Brougham Castle, Penrith, Cumberl&nd, says: — "At Portage la Prairie I got some interesting figures as to the actual cost of growing wheat on a quarter-section, or 160 acres of land, all the work being let by contract: — £ s. 8 6 3 8 4 3 d. 8 4 8 4 £1 14 3 1 16 14 8 £2 2 8 Ploughing 8eed, 2 bushels at Ss. 4d.,. Sowing and Harrowing ... Keaj)ing with r>inder, and stocking Stacking and ^Larketing ... . . Threshing at 2il. per bushel Expenses per acre... These 160 acres produced 23 bu.«iliols por acre, which were sold at 3s. 4d. per bushel, or per acre Deduct expenses per acre The carriage of wheat from Manitoba to Liverpool varies consider- ably ; but including insurance, landing and other charges, about 2s. per busliel, or 16s. per quarter would be over an average, so that this wheat could be delivered in Liverpool at a cost of 28s. per quarter, ^fauitoba wheat, at the present time, is worth 40s. per quarter in Liverpool. This price allows a considerable margin of proht for the wheat growers of Manitoba. Professor TANNER, of the Department of Ag^riculture, South Kensington, writing as to the quality of Manitoba wheat, publishes the following as the grouped opinion of 14 of the largest millers in Great iJritain and Ireland : — *' MANITOBA WHEAT. This is a most valuable wheat for milling. It recommends itself from a miller's or baker's point of view in all points, a type of the perfect. More desirable wheat than samples of Hard Fyfe Canadian for the British miller could not be found. It it simply magniticent. There can be no better quality of wheat used for mixing purposes, both for strength and qualiiy of flour produced — superior even to No. 1 Minnesota wheat. It would prove invaluable to millers in this country, where home-grown wheats frequently come to hand iri damp condition in consequence of the humidity of the climate. It possesses splendid quality and value for mixing with English wheats; but can we get a regular supply of it ] I am afraid the American millers are too cute to allow this quality to come here in any quantity if they can possibly prevent it. If such wheat can be put on our markets at a. L*4i! II reasoiiablo prion, it must meet a ready Jemniul at 3 or 4 sliilliiif^a per quarter over the best Indian Ked wheats. No doubt it would do for mixing in some districts, but I would most (-oitainly ^nind it ulonu, and it would make flour of the finest quality. Could we get such quality rogulmly, we should liave no fear of any American competition in the point of (juality of flour. It is just what we want and what wo cannot buy. The value and quality of Manitoba wlumt lies in the fact that it is grown on almost virgin soil. Makers of best flour are, or should be, anxioihs as far as they can to get their supplies of wheat that they depend on for strength, from those parts of the North- West of America where wheat Threshing grain in Manitoba. is a new crop to the land. No. 1 Duluth is not in any way fit to compare with the best Manitoba wheat, especially not in its working qualities. It is certainly as beautiful wheat as ever I saw, and j»articularly well adapted for millers in this country. Surely some agency can be devised for getting more easy acces.s tt these hard wheats, which are never seen in coiiimeice in ])unty. If the English miller could only geo a good supply of such wheat at a moderate price, line Hungarian flour would btand little chance in this country." OATS AND BARLEY.— What is true of the qualify of wheat is to a great e.\tent true also of oats and barley, of which large quantities arc raised. Oats do remarkably well, and in a good season it is nothing uncommon to pass by large fields where the straw is standing from five to six feet high, and which yield 65 or 75 bushels per acre. At present considerable attention is being directed to the growth of two-rowed barley, suitable for English malting pur])oses. Samples have been sul)mitted to a number of well-known firms, such, for instance, as Messrs. Allsop, of Burton-on-Trent, and Messrs. ^IcMulhui and Co., of Dublin. Most of the firms speak in high praise of the quality of the barley. 22 Tlio W(ilsli Fiumcrs' Dclegnt*^ Htatflfl : — " niirl(\y and oats h;i7fl until now boon niOHtly consumed at home, but my opinitui is, that at no distant liato barley will bo larf^oly cultivated for export. Th« sami)Iert which I iuaiMM'tc*! at the agricultural shows, expoiiiiicnial farms and other places whtirc it has been grown with caro, will compare favourably with barley grown in the best places of (Irent llritain, and is (Certainly bettor than the average of our nmlting barley in Wales. The samples of oats are al.so (juite equal to ours, perfectly hanl and full of flour. Tlio pricn made of last year's oats in JSeptomber this year, for honuj consumption, was e^\\u\\ to ours." ROOTS, &C. —In the production of roots and vegetables Manitoba has few equals and prol)ably no superior. Kaatcrn Canadians, who themselves come from a good root and vegetable country, are simply astonished at the productions of Manitoba in these lim^s. l4l!I LIVE STOCK, &c. Horses and cattle thrive remarkably well on the prairie farms of Afanitoba, and in proportion to tht^ iiumbeis kept, there is pKjbably more high-cla.«s stock than in any otlier part of Canada. According to the July, 1891, bulletin of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture, there are in the Province 22G2 st.allions. Tliis shows a remarkal)le increase upon former years, and indicates that Manitoba farmers are themselves going largely into horse breeding. Some of the most valuable stallion.s in Canada are to be found in Manitoba, having been imported direct from Europe. Catth^ in intTcasing numbers are to be met with all over the jtrairie. There are some notable breeds of thoroughbred Shorthorns, Ilerofords and fJalloways. During the past two years, but especially in 1891, largo numbers of cattle have been shipped from Manitoba to Great liritain. some as stores for finishing otf on the farms and in the stables of OM Country farmers, and others as fat cattle. This trade is an increasing one. The question is sometimes asked, especially in P'ngland, — "How do you feeil the cattle in Manitoba, and how do they stand the climate?" Usually the cattle are fed on the wild prairie hay, which in most parts grows in great .abundance. In such parts it is common for the .settlers in a given district to put their cattle together in a herd, hiring a boy to look after them, and see that they not only get grass and water, but that they are kept out of the standing cn^p.s, and at night brought safely home. The richest of gra.ss covering millions of acres of land is annually allowed to decay, simply because no one is living near with cattle to consume it. The qmdity of beef produced is of the best, and under the circumstances the cost of production is reduced to a minimum. Not infrequently an animal whose total cost did not exceed more than a few dollars, realizes from £S to £16. Tt is generally acknowledged that both cattle and hoises prefet and thrive better on wild prairie grass than on cultivated varieties. 23 M li GRASS- — Tn thft past it has hocu ho oiisy to obtain aa ample supply of buy for tlio mons tronhlo of curinj? tho wild ^mss, that Matiitf>' .i fanners liavo not donti much in tho way of cultivating, h-it at tlio Mxpfrimontal Kartn at Brandon very useful work is being dono in tliis* <;i)nneeti()n. Managoi S. A. Jiedford stutes that OO grasses and clovors ure being tested. The yifdd of somo grassos (Iry) for tho yoar 1891 is as fidlowa: — Timothy and Clover 4,100 lbs. Alsiko and Timothy 4,600 Hanfoino Clover 3,600 Native (Jrasses mixed under cultivation 5,100 Lucovue Clover 3,000 Mixed Tamo (Masses 2,700 ^foadow Fescue 2,640 per aiutj. Tho yield nf some fodder plants (dry) for ISDI are a.s follows :— Oivts and Tanss 10,2').'') lbs. per aura. Oats and Peas S,S'M „ „ „ iJarley and Peas 6,862 ,, ,, ,, Rye 4.ir)0 ., „ „ The average yield of fodder corn for 1890, from 32 varieties tested, was 50,000 lbs. (green) per acre. These experiments are very satisfactory, and establish the fact that Manitoba will always have a bountiful supply of grass. CATTLE AND HORSES. —In certain parts of tho country where there is a considerable (luautity of wood, cattle, and sometimes horses, are kept out of doors all the winter; but on the majority of ^fanitoba farms they are stabled from about the middle or end of November to the middle or end of March. Most day.-, tho cattle are turned out and allowed to run round the l)uildings and in tlu; yard, and " rustle " round the straw stacks. It should be explained heie that straw is so plentiful in Manitoba it is not j)reserved as care f idly as in older settled countries. It is usually allowed to lie in ii big heap on the ground where it is threshed. The rich prairie hay is the principal, and in most cases the sole diet, and no better testimony can be given to the health- fulness of the climate, and the nutritious nature of the food, than is afforded by the .sleek and well-conditioned Cattle to be seen all over ^lanitoba in the Spring. ) SHEEP. — It has been found that this Province is specially adapted to the rearing of sheep. In some parts of the country men have gone into sheep ranching on a large scale, and have found it very remunerative. PIGS. — The raising of pigs in ^lanitoba has not received that attention which its importance and i)rofits demand. Last summer one of the leading agrictdtural papers offered a prize for the best essay on ♦' The Profits of Hog Raising in Manitoba and the North- West." The prize was awarded to Mr. Henry Newmarch, of Strathewan, Manitoba, who says : " An ordinary Berkshire grade of pig, six weeks old, can be bought almost anywhere in Manitoba for $2 ; commoner pigs iu S4 o 0) 25 < a o z < < o o I)roiiortioii. At six months old, if these pigs have been "svell fed, cleanly kept, and are fairly well bred, they should dress 140 lbs. each. Now estimate the cost of this 1-iO U)S. Pigs at six weeks old, weight 20 lbs., costing $2 ; 4^ months to make 120 lbs. increase, will eat an average of 3^ lbs, of food for each pound gained, or 420 lbs. in all, costing usually about 75c. per 100 lbs., or $3.15; cost of killing and hauling to market, say 50c., or in all $5.65. The average price of pork at that season of the year, viz., October, is eight cents, Avhich for 140 lbs. would bring $11.20, leaving the profit of $5.55 (23/-) for each pig for the summer, which ought to satisfy even the most exacting for their labour and skim-milk." There is very little doubt each year will see a larger number of pigs kept in the Province. As farmers become more firmly established, and get better buildings around them, they will pay more attention, not only to keeping pigs, but to poultry, which do remarkably well, and to many of the other etceteras (or what in a new country have too often been treated as such) of a prosperous mixed farm. Both animal and vegetable life in Manitoba enjoy a singular exemption from diseases, and from those enemies of the breeder and farmer that rob the latter of so large a proportion of their reward. Wise legislation, rigidly enforced, has kept foreign markets open to Canadian producers when those of other countries have been shut out. DAIRY FARMING is constantly engaging an increasing amount of intelligent interest. In most parts the pasturage is of a superior quality, and the supply of good water is ample, fulfilling most of the conditions for profitable cheese and butter making. Already a limited number of creameries and cheese factories have demonstrated the profit that may be derived from these enterprises. The Government, the Agricultural Societies, and the Farmers' Institutes are in various ways promoting these industries. Each year will doubtless witness more extensive operations in these departments, as those who have considered their value and hiivt; made practical tests are fully satisfied of their remuner- ative character. The market for these commodities is practically unlimited, and good prices are assured. The Government Crop Bulletin of August 1st, 1891, says that "there seems to be a feeling prevailing that butter and cheese making will be carried on very extensively and generally in the near future. The special correspondent of the *' London Times " who travelled through Canada several years since, writing to that paper about Manitoba, says : — *' The products of the Province are of the widest range. In food, the people no longer need outside supplies but groAV all their own meats, vegetables and fruits, with large raantities to spare for shipment to less favoured neighbours. Thn tall elevators, that stand up at frequent intervals along the railway routes, tell of the wheat tliis rich valley produces to send to all parts of the world. Train-loads of cattle and hogs raised on these prairies are sent eastward to Canada. The dairy D 'IK If 26 interest is becoming so large that severa' towns are extensive exporters of butter and cheese. Manufacturing estabhshments are springing} up, and, taken altogether, this prolific Province seems, after the railway journey round the rock-bound coast of Lake Superior and the sterility on the height of land between its afiluents and the Hed Kiver, to be literally the promised land for the Canadians." FISH. — Amongst the sundry items of coiniuercial importance to Manitoba is fish. FURS. — In the settled portions of the country, fur beaiing animals are annually becoming fewer in number, but in the immense territory to the north and west, all kinds of furs arc still obtained in large numbers. Several firms in Winnipeg are engaged extensively in tliis business. The Hudson Bay Company in its published account, shows that the net proceeds of the sales of furs for the year ending May 31st, 1890, amounted to £261,000. GAME. — Manitoba is a addition to the various kinds been made, the 8port>mau can far removed from Winnipeg, can be met with in the more anil lynx. Then in the settled veritable sjiortsman's paradise, for in of fish to which reference has just now find elk, moose, and deer at points not The liuflalo has disa])peared, but bears secluded parts, as also can timber wolves l)!irts of the country and around nearly SPORT IN MANITOBA. L^ih 27 jrters lilway Irility to be [ce to liinials (ritory large |t tills shows 31. St. or HI t now .s nut bears volves nearly every town and village he may hud an almost unlimited quantity of l)rairie chicken, wild ducks and geese, "wild turkeys, foxes and prairie wolves, some badgers, and martens, skunks, &c., &c. Perhaps when tlie sportsman finishes up by skunk hunting, he will conclude the variety is sufiicient. The following brief synopsis of the Game I aws may be interesting. Closk Season i'ob (tame, Manitoba. All kinds of deer, including cabri or antelope, elk or wapiti, moose, reindeer, or cariboo, or the fawns of such animals — January 1st to October 1st. All varieties of grouse, including prairie chickens, pheasants and partridge — December Ist to September 15th. The aforesaid birds shall not be exposed or offered for sale, or sold. Woodcock, plover (exc. golden plover), snipe and sandpipers — January 1st to August Ist (provided that as to upland plover said period shall be between January 1st and July 15th.) Wild duck, sea duck, widgeon, and teal — May Ist to September 1st. Otter, fisher or pekan, beaver, muskrat and sable — May 15th to October Ist. Marten— April 15th to November Ist. No description of game may at any season be shot, hunted, or taken, on a Sunday, and trapping of any species of wild fowl, giouse, &c., is pruliibited, as also the use of swivel guns, batteries, night liglits, poisoned bait, &c. None of the animals or birds above mentioned can be exported from Manitoba at any time. A license fee of $25 is required by all persons not domiciled in Manitoba to hunt and shoot in the Province, to be had of the Depart- In^ lit of Agriculture, Winnipeg. A guest of a resident may obtain a permit free of chiirge ft)r a period of three liays. Olfenci's against the Act shall be punished upon Buinmary conviction on information or complaint before a J.P. or Police Magistrate. ftAlLROADS AND MARKETS. Railways, nowadays, are a prime essential to a good grain market. Tlie several systems of railways operating within the Province of IManitoba at the present time, supply a service that is really excellent. When the branches now piojected are in full working order, scarcely any portion of the Province really needing a railway, will be without 7 id. „ Parlour Stove 20/- „ 100/ Gingham 3J,d. H 7hd. ., Table 8'- and upward-!. Flannel lOd. »» 1/10 .. Chairs 2 -to 3/6 ear li. Cottonades ]/- * J 1/6 „ Bedstead 8/6 „ 20- .. Tweed 2/- >♦ 5/- „ Sidelxjard 50/- and upwards. Men's Boots, strong... 8/- »» 20/- pair Rough Boards for Boys' Boots, .strong . . . 6/- >> 10/- „ Building 65/- „ 75/- 1000ft Women's Shoes. „ 4/- »1 10/- „ Dressed Boards for Men's Woollen Socks about 1/- „ Building 81/- „ 00/- „ Men's good serviceable Siding and Flooring 90/- „ 100/- „ Suits 30/- »1 60/- Bricks at Kiln ... 35/- „ 40/- ,, Men's Overcoats 3r./- ti 60/- Nails, cut 2d. „ 2.id. p. lb. Sugar 2U\. »» ,3d. p lb. Hinges 6d. p. pair Tea 2/- )> ■il- „ Building Paper 2d. p. lb. Coffee 1/8 „ Team of Horses ... .f60 ,. £70 Tobacco 3/- „ Set of Harness for Flour 10/- n 14'-I001b. Horses 80/- „ 100/- Rice 4d. p. lb. YokeofOxon £18 „ £22 Currants • • . 3 Ad. „ Hiiniess for O.xcn ... 40/- „ 50/- Kaisins • • • ,^.d. „ Cows 1(0/- ., 140/- each. Bacon fid. »t 7Ad. „ Voung Pigs 5/- „ 10/- „ Ham 7.',d. »» 0.1. „ Wagon £1.'} „ £15 „ Beef 4d. »» fid. „ Plougli 70/- „ 90/- „ Mutton fid. )♦ 7id. „ Harrows alxnit 60/- p. ,sefc, Butter 7U\. M lOd. ., Self Binder £35 to £4.") each. Eggs Gd. ** 7.',d.d(./.. Mower and Horse Cheene 7'd. J» Std. p. 11). Hake £18 „ £20 p. pair. Potatoes 1/- • * 2/- 6011 >s. 31 this, itside ^le by frade. who |es the litoba poviiif{ fland, ;e tlio resent able ?at, in The extent of the boundaries of Manitoba is ample to sustain a population of millions. There is room for hundreds of thousands more to repeat the experience of those who have satisfied themselves that farming in Manitoba is a remunerative occupation. It will be observed that the reasons why this is so are, among others, the following : — First. — The land is easily cultivated. There is no clearing of forests, no removing of stumps and roots, no need of irrigation. Almost no stones to interfere with working the land. After the land is once broken and backset, little or no difficulty is experienced in its cultivation, which means a minimum of cost. Second. — The land is specially suited for the use of machinery ; sulky ploughs, seeders, binders, and all labour-saving machinery can be used with the fe^vest possible hindrances. Third. — Fertilizing the land is not necessary ; doubtless in time this may be resorted to profitably. Fourth. — A large yield is almost certain. Observation establishes the fact that the further North grain is grown the larger is the yield. While further South it is usual to find two grains in each cluster forming the row, in Manitoba three, and often more, well-formed grains are usually found in each cluster. Fifth. — A very superior sample, and correspondingly valuable one, is generally secured. It often weighs 65 lbs. to the bushel. Manitoba wheat uniformly commands the highest price in the markets on account of its vasily superior flour-producing properties. Sixth. — The beautiful dry weather that usually prevails during harvest time and throughout the fall, enables the farmer to harvest, cure, and thresh his grain with the least amount of handling and consequent expense. No one thinks of putting his unthreshed grain in a barn. Specially careful farmers stack their grain, while many thresh it out of the stook and store it in granaries or elevators. The reader must remember that these statements are not made as theories or prophecies, but are based on the actual experience of thousands who, in the course of a series of years, have tested their perfect accuracy. MANUFACTURES. While agriculture is, and will likely continue to be, the leading and most important industry of the country, manufacturing interests are by no means neglected. Certainly, with an increasing population and corresponding needs, these will continually become greater in number and importance. Already there are in the country flour mills, saw mUlSy planing mills, sash door and blind factories, woollen mills (for the manufacture of yarns, cloths, blankets, &c.), oil mills, brick yards, paper mills, machine shops, wagon and carriage shops, cooper shops, &c. It will be readily inferred that where so many diff'erent lines are now operated successfully, there is a very large field for these and other manufactures as the country developes. Mineral deposits of different kinds await development. The coal and iron deposits, are, without doubt, extensive and valuable. Coal oil, also, has been discovered, while there are extensive and most valuable deposits of clay suitable for the manufacture of bricks, terra cotta, &c. 32 FUEL AND WATER. far toward establisliing the success or failure of Fuel and water : any people. In regard to both these necessaries Manitoba is well provided. In many parts of the Province wood forms the stajjle supply for fuel, though in some districts the timber is but limited in quantity. The question of fuel supply for the whole of Manitoba has, however, been satisfactorily solved, for it has been discovered that within the Province, and contiguous to it, there are practically inexhaustible deposits of coal of a good quality. Between the Red River and the Rocky Mountains there are some 65,000 square miles of coal-bearing strata. A few months since the Government of Manitoba effected an arrangement with the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Dominion Coal Co., by which the Souris coal-fields will speedily be opened up, and coal ])laced on the market at nearly all points in the country, at a very low figure, — probably about 16s. 6d. per ton. Mr. MELLENGER, a mining expert from Pennsylvania in the United States, recently visited the Souris Coal-fields, and, in an inter- view with a Winnipeg paper, is reported as follows : " Mr. Mellenger says that the area of coal there is so extensive that the great-great grandchildren of the present generation will not see it worked out. He says the coal is of good quality, and will furnish just the kind of fuel needed in this country." Water can be found in most parts of the Province with compara- tively little trouble. In addition to the numerous rivers and creeks there are many lakes and ponds, nearly all of which contribute to the supply of water suitable for both domestic and animal use. Very often bubbling springs of the purest and most wholesome water afford an ample supply. There are, of course, some few points where difficulty has been experienced in obtaining good water without sinking a great depth for it, but that is the case in all countries. As a rule it is easily obtained in Manitoba at a very shallow depth, very often not more than twelve or fifteen feet. The observations and inquiries of the British Farmers' Delegates on this point were very careful. One of them, Mr. Robert Pitt, of Ilminster, England, says : " Water is found of good quality almost over the entire Province at such a shallow depth that the anxiety of disposing of the question before settling on any section of land need hardly oe thought of," MAJOR STEVENSON, of Londonderry, says : " Water is readily obtainable by sinking wells." CLIMATE. Perhaps upon no one point is Manitoba so misunderstood as in regard to its climate. The idea seems to prevail in the Old Country that it is a frozen wilderness, the fit abode only of Indians and wild animals. No opinion could be more incorrect than this. The climate is cold in winter and warm in summer. But as the atmosphere is wonderfully dry and bracinct, the cold and the heat are not felt as they otherwise would be. For instance, ton degrees or twenty degrees below zero in the I J 33 humid atmosphere of Great Britain and Ireland would he simply unendurable ; in Manitoba it is [ileasant. On such days as these, with their wealth of bright sunshine, whe streets of Winnipeg and other towns and villages are fairly alive with the youth and beauty of the land. Sleigh-bells are jingling everywhere, and all seem on pleasure bent. Even babies in perambulators are taken out for an afternoon run. In the country districts the winter is the great time for social enjoy- ment. The work of the day over, about five or six o':i( ck, the farmers get out their sleighs and drive over to a neighbour's house to spend the evening with a nurabe" of friends, or, perhaps, ''.ere is a debating society, or a church social, or a dance in the settlement. The winter is thoroughly enjoyed by the residents. WINTER WORK.— It must not, however, be supposed that pleasure monopolizes this season of the year. On the farm a good deal of work has to be done. The stock must be attended to, the grain hauled to market, and a supply of fuel laid in. A good deal of building is done during the winter months, and it is generally found that when the end is drawing near the settler finds he could do with another week or two of it to enable him to get ready for the Spring. At any rate, he not infrequently says so. The winter upon the whole is an enjoyable season, but there are, of course, occasional days when, on account of wind or of extreme cold, or both together, it is advisable to stay at home. Such days are probably not more frequent than they are in England or Scotland. What is known as a radd winter is one of the things a Manitoba settler asks to be delivered from, for it is calculated to add neither to the health nor the wealth of the community. The seasons vary a little, but as a rule the winter may be expected to set in about the middle or end of November, and continue to the middle or end of March. During that time there are but few changes. Fog, rain, sleet and thaw are practically unknown. Usually the sky is clear and there is bright sunshine. The snow-fall is but slight, averaging only about from 12 to 18 inches on the prairie. SPRING. — Spring commences about the end of March ; the snow then melts, the frost goes out of the ground, and during the month of April seeding is general. No time should now be lost by the farmer, for as a rule the man who gets the spring work started and finished in good time will be likely to obtain the best results in autumn. Seeding is, or should be, pretty well finished by the first week in May, and then summer quickly arrives. SUMMER AND ITS WORK —When the farmar has finished seeding, he can find employment for himself and horses for six weeks till, say the end of June, " breaking " the virgin prairie soil. In the case of new arrivals who have no crop to put in, breaking can of course be commenced when the other farmers begin seeding, or very soon after. *' Breaking " means ploughing up the prairie sod for the first tiire. 84 This is usually done about two iiichet, deep. After it has lain about two months the sod becomes decomposed, and is then ready for " backsetting '^ or ploughing over again. Tliis time the ploughing is usually four or five incjies deep, so that in addit! n to the old sod two or three inches of loose soil is turned up, and the land is then ready for seed the next Spring.' This " backsetting " is generally done either just before harvest time or just after. Haymaking commences about the middle of July and is continued until harvest time, about the middle of August. AUTUMN.— The Autumn season i» now approaching, and some three months of delightful weather may be anticipated. Much has been written of the glories of the Cp.iiadian Autumn, but the description has never really equalled its reality. The days are neither excessively hot, nor un- pleasantly cold. Towards tlie latter part of the time, and just before winter sets in, the glorious Indian Summer with its hazy attiiospheic, warm sunshiny days, and cold nights, spreads its mantle of peace over the land. In Manitoba these three months, August September and October, are the Dusiestandmost mportantof the kvbole year. The grain has ';o be cut ami stacked, aiidtlie land ploughed up again for seeding next Spring. In August the click of the self- binding har- vester is to be heard every- where. In September tens of thousands of grain stacks are dotted all over the Prairie, and a grand sight it is to drive for hundreds of miles and see these- CAMPINQ OUT IN MANITOBA. i •I' 35 'i f countless pymmids of gmin, testifying at once to tlio beneficence of Providence, the industry of miin, the richness of the soil, and salubrity of the clinmte. In October and November grain is largely threshed out, and during the winter months it is sold and delivered in the nearest market. Such is • brief epitome of the climate, and the principal branches of agricultural work calling for attention at the various seasons of the year. The climate of Manitoba is without doubt one of the healthiest in the world, and it is remarkable that, notwithstanding the exaggerated ideaa current in Kiirope regarding it, the residents are almost unanimous ia preferting it to that of the country from which they have; conio. SIR RICHARD TEMPLE, a member of the British Honse of Commons, adtlressing a meeting in Winnipeg, said : " One objection in England against this country is that of the winter. The summers are known to be hot, but this tbo people are not so much afraid of as they are of the supposed length, dreariness, and wreteliedncss of the winters. I believe from inquiries that this description of your winter conios from the portions of the country lying under the Rocky Mountains, where the chinook winds make the winter somewhat like those of England, which are proverbially dull. In the rest of the country the winters are rather bright and cheery. The snow falls and hardens on the ground, and there is bright weather with blue sky over bend, so that tbo people walk about with the utmost facility, and on the whoh^ have a cheerful time in the winter. In many parts of tlie country the residents tell me that the winter is the nicest seasoii they have. (Applause.) From the very kind ap[)lause I judge that the description is correct, and if so, it is very important that this description shiiil be known at home, for the prevailing impression there is doing some harm to emigration." Tlie Irish Farmers' Delegate reports : " The winter is long and cold, but owing to the exceeding dryness of the air it is not wretchedly cold, but rather pleasant and bracing. The winter is enjoyed by all the young people. I had an ex[)erienco at 35 degrees below zero — it is only rarely that such a temperature is recorded — but it caused me no inconvenience." Mp. GEORGE BROWN, of Watten Mains, Caithness, one of the Scotch Farmers' Delegates, writes : " In Manitoba and the Eastern part of the North-West, during the spring months the weather is dry, which enables spring work to be done quickly, and the seed put into a dry seed bed. The rains of June give the needed moisture, to be followed by the warm summer sunshine of the succeeding months, hastening the growth of crops until maturity is reached, towards the middle of August. Winter generally lasts about five months, and during this time there can be no doubt, is very severe. There are redeeming points, however, which are apt to be overlooked, as the degree of cold cannot be judged by the rise and fall of the thermometer, as much 86 depcndfl on tho atate of the atmosphere, which in this locality is very dry and bracing. When snow descends tho weather generally remainH without change until tho thaw sets in, so that the settler can clothe himself once for all to meet the cold season, as there is no necessity to change his clothing, as ho would require to do in a more variable climate. This is tho chief reason why many prefer the winters of Manitoba and the North- West (as seen by the interviews) to those of this country. Blizzards occasionally occur, but so seldom as to be outside serious consideration. THE CROFTERS. In many parts of the Old Country, Scotland particularly, much interest is evinced in the condition of the Scotch Crofters who settled in Manitoba, and the North-West within recent years. Tho experiment has undoubtedly been a success, notwithstanding that in the case of one of the settlements there was some disappointment during tlie first fow months. Numerous statements and reports have been issued regarding the condition of the Crofters, but perhaps the most reliable were those given last winter before the Colonization Committee of the British House of Commons. The following Members o.' ^ \rliament composed the Committee : — Sir George Baden-Powell, Sir John Colomb, Sir. James Ferguson, Colonel Malcolm, Messrs. G. Balfour, Campbell- Bannerman, Dr. Clark, ^Fonro-Ferguson, Hobhouse, Loder, James McLean, William McArthur, Mahony, iRankin, Rathbcne, Osborne Morgan, William Redmond, Ritchie, Schwann, Seton-Karr, Wodehouse. After a very exhaustive inquiry tho Committee recommended "that the experiment of colonizing the Crofter population in Canada should bo further tried." EARL OF ABERDEEN.— The following is extracted from the evidence given before the Committee by The Right Honourable the Earl of Aberdeen, on February 10th, 1891 : — "Tho impression I formed generally was this : that the experiment of settling the Highland Crofters in Manitoba might certainly be regarded as a success I should say they were living in a condition of comfort quite up to the average of what one expects to find if one visits a cottage in the High- lands, indeed, perhaps as regards food, far above it The extent of their holdings varied in different cases, but in many cases 50 acres had been brought under cultivation, and in some cases as many as 70 acres ; but I noticed that all spoke hopefully of their expectations of being able to bring an increased quantity under cultivation within no great distance of time." Question 367, and the answer are given thus : " I think you said that some of the emigrants expressed to you a wish that some of their friends in the Old Country would join them 1 " " They said that they were sure they would if they knew how they — the Crofters who had emigrated — were getting on." 37 Sir GEORGE BADEN-POWELL. K.C.M.G., M.P., in tho courso of hin evidence before the Comiuittue, iiftur quoting u nuntbcr df statistics, suiil : *' Perbups it might be interesting to tlie (/onimitteo if we considered these tigurea on the uverugo, ut Killarnoy, of the families. It would give each family IGO acres of good soil, 37 acres »»f crop, eight head of live Htock, 30 head of poultry, 17 tons of hay, and 750 bushels of wheat, which, ut the h^w price of 70 cents., would represent u money value for the crop of £110. From all the evidence 1 could gather, everyono of these families was housed — thcie was a certain amount of stabling, and there was kirk and school accommodation within easy reach. I also found that in the great miijority of cases the Crofters could, if they wished, earn wages by labour in the neighbour- hood. These figures, to my min ^^!i^^^'(§ ^^ ^^_^_^i^=;;^:Jfe^^ ir •^^^^^ ^i^ ■ <:^ 1 ?^?^ Is^^^^^^fe^ X ^2s.?^^^yrS^'^^ k>*« ■ .' ^ PLOUGHING THE PRAIRIE. Mr. Cliristian Senkbeil, of Kenuiay, near Drandon, says: "I take ^reat pleasure in giving a correct stiitcnient of all tlie crop I had on my farm, which is situated on the main line of the Canadian Pacific liailway, seven miles west of the city of Brandon. I had 145 acres of wheat, from which the total yield the i)aBt season Avas 6,840 bushels. One ])iece of 45 acres of summer fallow gave 2,240 buslids, being an average of 52 bushels per acre, and 100 acres averaged 45 bushels per acre. I had also 45 acres of oats, which yielded 3,150 bushels, an average of 70 bushels per acre. Oft" 6 acres of barley I had 387 bushels. I planted about \ of an acre of potatoes, and had 225 bushels of good, dry, mealy potatoes. The yield of roots and garden vegetables was large and of pood quality. In conclusion T woul(' say that previous to coming to Ontario, Canada, I had fanned in one of the best agricultural districts of Germany, and after coming to Canada I farmed twelve years in the f I 42 CouTity of Wiitcvlno, Out. r removed to Manitol)a in March, 1884; that summer I broke 100 acres, otf which T reaped in 188;") a fine, crop of wheat, fully as good as this year. My two sons have farms joininaf mine, and their crops yield equally as large as mine. I must say that farming has paid me bettor in tliis Province than in Ontario or the Fatherland." Mr. Laclilun Cotlio, of Krinview, Manitoba, says : " In the spring of 1882 I tir.st settled here, being a Scotchman from Monar Ueauly, llos.s pliil'e, where I worlcod on a farm. I came here to better myself, and ive done so a i^ood deal. Having only £40 to begin with, E honi eadiu, and it is n«>\v worth, the land alone, jEiJOO. lam perfectly satis d with this country. I wouldn't wish for a better for farming or stock raising, and wish hundreds of farmers in th(i Old Country only knew it." Mr, Thomas ^[cCartney, of Portage la I'rairie, says: " I am from Muirkirk, Ayrshiie, Scotland, and .settled in ^^anitoba in 1878. 1 was a ploughman and had no caj»ital, but now own G-iO acres, wortli 88,000, or £1,G00 sterling, have three horses and 40 horned cattle, and have 160 acres under crop. En 1^82 I had 3,000 bushels of wheat, which sold at Jijil per bushel, besitles 900 bushels of oats and 500 of barley, t do not use manure. Use barb wire fencing, costing eighty-two cents per rod with posts. I have Ijettered my condition by coming here, and am .satisfied with the country and the prospects. Settlers arriving here in March can easily rent a piece of cultivated land and put in (U-op, and if he takes a homestead or buys land at'terwaril he can break it ready lor the next year."' Mr. William Ulight of the Brandon Hills, who came from Devonshire, says : — •'I settled in Manitoba in 1880, and homestoaded 160 acres and bought a quarter .section at $7 per acre. "' When I reached here I had $350, and to-day I am worth $5,000. I have twelve head of cattle and five horses, and implements. This year I had 120 acres urider crop. I cannot give you full returns at present, as threshing is not yet completed, but from forty-eight acres of wheat I liave 1100 l)ushels, and seventeen acres of oats yielded 6G0 bu.-hels. Potatoes were a fine crop. I am thoroughly satisfied with the (!0untry and the prospects." ^ir, J, P, Grant came from Inverness, Scotland, ami Mr. Arthur H. Lawder from Leitrii.i, Ireland, and they farm together in Manitoba. Tliev speak as follows : — (rRiswoLD, Manitoba, Oct. 3ntii, 1890. " We came here four years ago, and secured 800 acres of land, and began mixed farming. Neither of us possessed any practical knowledge of agriculture, but we had a small capital to begin with. We have succeeded, and are more than satisfied. GIO of our 800 acres we reserve for grazing. (Jf the rest, this sea.son we Iial 110 acres in wheat, and the crop averaged 40 bushels per acre. 45 acres of oats averaged 50 bushels, and fiv'e acres of barley averaged 30 bushels per acre. " We have at present 25 head of cattle, 20 pigs, nine horses, and 100 fowls. We valu^ our farm now at $10,000. 43 lie " Young man from England, or elsewhere, if energetic and practical, can certainly do well in Manitoba. We would not advise anyone, however, to start with less than $1,000 in hand. AVith that sum to begin with, any voting man anxious to succeed should do well. Young Englislunen niiglit start with £100 ami get well into shape within two or three years, and then, having gained experience, if they could gi^fc another £100 from their people, they should he able to make money rapidly, for the additional capital would come in just when they had learneil to ovoid iiiLstakes, and how to best utilize money. The country is all right and the climate healthy. J. P. Grant." " Before coming to Manitoba I lived for some years in Australia, and I consider that Manitoba oilers vastly greater advantages to tho young farmer tlian Australia can claim. Arthur H. Lawder." Extracts from a letter written by H. C. Sinip?on of Virdon, Manitoba, to \]\f Honourable the Minister of Agriculture and Immi- gration, and dated May 1st, 1891. *' I will give you the results of a venture I made in growing wheat, which I tliink you will agree was very successful. I l)nug]it a quarter section of light sandy soil seven miles from Virden during the spring of 1889, and broke and backset 120 acres of it. It is very smooth and level, so it was as easy to break as ploughing ordinary stubble. I sowed it all with Eureka wheat, and I started cutting it on August 7th last year. I threslied 2,37') l)u.shels off it (the seed which von got from me was grown on this land), and I have sold it all now at 95 cents, which comes to $2,2r)G. Xow I paid $:V')0 per acre for the land, or say $560. My expenses including seed, threshing, etc. came to if548o, so that 1 have tlie land for nothing, and a nett profit of §1,200 (£240). These figuios are correct, because I have taken great care to keep an accurate account of my expenses." i\Ir. William Thompson, of Holland, says : " I have 24 horses and cattle, 320 acres of land worth $5,000, and have 130 acres in crop. 1 am from Kilmanagh, Kilkenny county, Ireland, and came here in 1882. I started with 1^1,000. I know all Ireland, have been in England and ii the Southern T'nited States, and am satisfied Manitoba is ahead of thom all for farming." The following statements speak for themselves: "My native place was Wolviston, Stockton-on-Tees, England, where I was a farmer, and I came to Manit(^ba to get land of my own. I have been here since 1882 — had no capital to start with, but have now 160 acres of land, 16 horses and cattle, and have had no losses or hardships. My prospects arc good — I am satisfied — and think this a very good country for young men witli capital, or farmers willing to work. "VVm. Darling." Stnarthuni. "Although having very little capital when commencing in IMani- toba in 1880, I have now 160 acres, worth $2,000, twelve r ^ad of stock, over 60 acres in cultivvtion, and have had no reverses. I was a I I ! ; \ carpenter in Bvaiitford, Ontario, and thought I'd conic here to try farm- ing. The country is all right, a little cold in winter, prospects are bright, and I tliink there can be no doubt Manitoba can beat the world growing g/ain, an spit on his hands. That his labour must have been enormous let those decide who know what it is t(j farm lUO acres. Hut indomiiable pluck and iier.';everauce such as Watson's, luus hitherto bci-n thought impossible Our advice to those who envy K. Watson his good fortune, is ''go thou and do likewise. The same opjiortunilies are oi)en to you, but if you iinet witli poor crops one or two .seasons, don't funk and give up. Hold on tenaciously, and dej>end upon it, success is vours." The " liuANDON TiMKs," of Ocfohcr 2'J/A, 1891, says:— "It will astoni.sh some of our eastern readers in Ontario to learn that Mr. Anderson, who came to this Province just two years ago from Wingham, Out., and bought five sections of land iu the vicinity of Melita, bad 10,000 bushels of grain this year. Mr. Anderson considers that the land he purchased has increased t) the tune of $15,000 (£3,000)." The following is from a ^ .»utheru Manitoba jjaper : — "We hear that Mr. Geo. Cram has finis\ed his threshing, and the comfortable yield of 12,000 bushels is the result. Mr. Geo. George was the thresher, and he completed this big job to Mr. (Jram's entire satisfaction. Mr. Cram is one of the pioneer settlers of this district, who came here with next to nothing in the shape of worldly wealth, but by untiring inre]taie(l for eroj), but on tho average of 485 acres. Of oats Mr. Wriglit suwed 100 anres, but cut a piece of volunteer crop and got 7,000 Imsjiels of fine oats. Mr. Wrij.'ht's post-oHice is iJeloruine. View in southern Manitoba. ]\Ir. J. 13. Stcedsnuin, on 22-2-2.3, llirolied bi.< wheat and got an avemge on 65 acres of 30 bushels Ko. 1 hard Avheat. His father, Mr. AV. Steedsnian, on 10-2-22 got an average on 47 acres of 40 bnshels to iha acre." A Manitoba pajier reports the following extraordinary crop in 1891 "A Deloraine I'arnier. who ban just conipli'tcd his tlneshing reports the results. lie had l'J5 a(.-i'es in wlieat, which has turned out 6,454 bushels, thresher's measure, an average of 33-1-10 bushels per acre, Avliich in all ])robability will be increased to 36 bushels when it comes to be weighed. The wheat is 'No. 1 hard, and will liring 80 cents (3/4) on the market. Mr. Alex. Macdonald is the foiluuatc man. His farm is about 2 miles from Deloraine, and he did all the work with the help of one man through the summer, and an e.xtra man through the hf.rvest. Of the 195 acres, uidy 60 acres were back-set; on the remair\de.'" the Btubble was just l)urnt off." 48 IN Jiil}> lsi>l, (liv Minister of Agriculture und Iinuiigratiun placed in the hands of the members of the Lej^islature a number of circuhirs, for dis- tribution to responaihlc farmers in their respective constituencies, aHking certain questions respecting the success attending their farming operations in Manitoba, and also asiiing them to givo their unbiassed opinions of Manitoba as an agri- cultural country, its climate and general prospects, and also any information which they might consider would be of wrvice to prospective settlers. The remarks following are taken from the replies received in answer to the circular above mentioned. >ViIIiani Lovel; Boissevaiu. — This country is equal to any I know of for agricultui'iil purposes outside of England. The climate is good and particularly healthy, and the prospects arc all I could wish for. This year's crop I consider will equal those of Great Britain. D. W. Shaw, Brandon. — As an agricultural country this equals the best in the world. The climate is excellent and the ^em ral prospects are of the brightest. To the settler that works, and works intelligently and conscientiously, I believe there is no such word as failure. Jolin L, Hettle, Sheppardville.— My opinion of Manitoba is that as an agricultural country it cannot be beaten. The climate is an agreeable one, and the general prospects are very promising. William Smithy Besford.— As an agricultural country Manitoba is the bust thiit I iiiive been in. I have farmed in England, Canada and the United States, and I find th"vt I can get more value here for my labour than in any of the places named. Joseph Brown, Birtle.— Manitoba is an excellent agricultural country, with a climate not too severe, and pioducing sound health as a rule. Considering the improvement in tlie condition of all farmers known to me, who live here, I must come to the conciusiiji that the prospects are good, at least I consider mine so. I would advise prospective settlers to select land suitable for mixed farming, and to choose that part of the country where they can get good pasture for their cattle, and at the same time can grow a moderate quantity of grain. Mixed farming should be far the most profitable, and all parts of the Province are not suitable for that. Richard Gathers, Neepawa. — I consider the country well adapted for agricultural purposes as well as stock-raising. The climate, in my opinion, is preferable to that of Eastern Canada, and the prospects are most promising. The only want is more people to till up the country. I am well f-alistied, and have only to say to those who are not satisfied with their condiiion elsewhere, to come and see for themselves. Thomas C. Bahl, £lkhorn. — I have no hesitation in recommending both the country and the climate to those willing to work, and believe the prospects of success for good farming first-class. R. R. Chew, Elkhorn.— I consider Manitoba a goou country for mixed farming. The climate is severe in winter, tine and bracing in summer, and thrj prospects are good for the industrious settler. I would ask the prosptctiv; settler to look out and insuect the land carefully before homesteading or purchasing, aiid Bee that it is suitable for the purpose intended, whether that be grain growing or mixed farming. Janios Morrow, Silver Spring:.— Taking everything into consideration I think there are few countries where agricultural pursuits can be prosecuted with a better degree of success than in Manitoba. To my mind Manitoba holds out better inducements to men of limited capital, and those willing to work, than any Other country in the world. John Reynolds, Beulah.— I think well of Manitoba. Its climate is healthy, and very little sickness prevails. Good prospects are ahead to those who will turn ia and work. The land yields large averages iu cereals ; vegetables also yield well, and are of an excellent quality. Would advise settlers coming in not to expect to make 'i fortune in a year or two without work or trouble. With work and careful managt ^lent here, a few years will make a man independent. ^ .■>■ 49 EXPERIENCES OF FARMERS IN MANITOBA. KAME. •\ ADDRESS. Dancnn W.Hhaw .. Roliert Jdhnaon.... J.K. Pelton Frederick Smith .. John M. Campbell.. DouhM s. vioKalvie. DiiTid Caffrey John J. HiiiK Finlay MoKwen Williiim McKittrick. Jamvl Morrow .... D. A. Stewart Joseph Wilkinson.. Joliii Royuolda ... . Joseph IfruwD .. . . James Klder Oeorge A . Freeman ThoB C. Dohl .... Richard It. Chew . John Harrv P. A. K Miillken .. Thoman HuUock .. William CHniplJoU . . Jame4 McCntialand. William Lovel W. J. Long John L. Ilettle .. .. Petfr Hettle Willism Smith .. ,. Richitrd Ciithera . . Williiim H. West . . Robert Ciray William HuiidevBon. Alexander fciilt . JoUn WilliaujH . . . . Ihos. D. Sturgeon. James M. Sutton .. James (lortkin . . . . Thomas Ucdkin John Uodkin Angus (.'ameron.. . . Alezanilcr Card. . .. John Kndgar Louis Lambert . . . . John Hunter James Kelley Robert Ounn Robert Smith HnghB. McMillan.. H. A. Cnnniugbam . Frank O. Fowler . . N. O. King Alexander Adami.. Brandon do do do do do do Crystal City do do Silver Spring Pilot Muuud. Wattsview.. . lioulah Kirtlc Virden Klkhorn .... do .... do .... do Restan do Boissevain.. do do Alcester .. Shcppardville Do Dcsford . . . NcepawH.. . Blake lielleview . Wakopd . . . llenslip ... Melita do Pomeroy . . . Nelson Morden ... Craigilea. . do 01enb»ro... Qrnnd Joly Oreen Ridge Arnaud ... DominionCity Chater ^t Agathe . Hayfluld ... WawanesB . Methven . . . Clearspring, •" 2 <9 1880 188.3 18-9 1883 1882 1881 1888 187a 1»79 1880 1879 1879 1882 1881 1879 1884 1879 1882 1882 1882 188 J 1883 1880 18M' 1880 11-80 M-m 1883 1880 1879 1^79 »883 1881 1881 1882 18>*3 1882 1877 1676 1889 1882 1882 1882 1876 1875 1878 1875 1879 1877 18fl 1881 1881 1874 K O B. PS M M 500 3000 1600 2000 COO 800 25 Sil. 200 Nil. 2U0 180 100 700 800 8000 800 A'll. 1000 Ntl. 1186 4000 5i)0 ISO 1000 2000 100 1200 6000 500 600 200 1000 500 60 8200 Ml. 600 200 753 Nil. 8U00 10 4 800 Nil. 3000 1000 100 896 1000 6000 600 Fabm. 820 ICO 820 160 820 820 040 840 860 640 840 320 160 160 820 820 320 481) 5('0 820 480 960 888 8:'0 700 480 480 640 800 820 160 I 800 i 480 820 820 960 160 420 640 160 240 960 820 192 1000 820 640 1120 852 480 640 820 892 s « « — it? s9 10,000 5000 6000 5U00 4500 4000 COOO 6000 4000 COOO 8000 24(0 1500 i>600 2500 7000 U(MK) 0000 8000 2500 4800 HOOO 6840 .3500 7000 7('00 2800 8800 lO.OliO 4500 2000 8000 5000 4000 800U 91100 1800 82U0 71 '00 2000 3000 10,640 4000 2000 12 000 8000 4500 12,000 8000 6000 12,000 8840 6000 Stock. 12 8 6 2 7 8 9 7 10 12 5 8 8 2 6 8 5 3 9 6 7 16 12 6 6 4 6 7 10 6 4 9 12 6 2 83 4 6 7 1 1 2 1 15 10 14 18 9 86 80 19 II 42 20 8 10 18 13 30 11 25 60 4 16 6 5 12 18 15 20 17 18 14 8 16 28 40 5 24 82 10 83 25 56 40 20 50 10 3 10 6 62 60 20 37 1 6 4 1 6 21 4 9 6 15 6 14 26 4 15 8 7 « s > S 2000 400 1000 600 1400 1400 20OO 1200 1600 yroii 1000 1850 1100 1100 900 IfOO 900 600 1400 1650 1000 2235 2440 750 1160 iOl 700 1050 1590 7500 1000 1775 1720 1500 460 3380 500 1800 2000 215 too 3200 905 1370 8000 8000 8650 8575 1000 1600 1800 1200 o H s 960 160 276 180 160 250 800 260 225 280 160 60 75 85 60 300 170 276 lis 186 2R0 366 200 200 2C0 200 100 125 800 160 100 600 120 200 80 400 80 810 800 65 85 400 145 60 365 200 880 467 70 355 660 170 90 60 OPINIONS OF VISITORS TO MANITOBA. Within recent years, and enpeciallj aiiico tlic complt^tion of the Canadian Pucifiu Railway from ocoau to oocan, Manitoba hiia l)cen visited by a largo number of well-known men and women from Great Britain and Ireland, and other parts of the world. Many of these visitors from the United Kingdom are men atid women whose names are household words at home, and no doubt the opinions of these people will be interesting and specially helpful to those in the " Old Country " who would like to try their fortunes in Canada. It may be stated that many of the opinions given hero ore extracts from letters addressed to the Manitoba Government Agent, Tiiverpool. It is to be regretted that lack of space prevents some of these most interesting letters being given in fidl. In other cases the opinions quoted are from newspaper repoits, and interviews with, or speeches delivered by the parties concerned, or from reports or books written hy them. The Farmers' Delegates' opinions quoted here are taken from the reports submitted hy these gentlemen on their return from Canada. The MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN and AVA, says:— "From its geographical position and its peculiar characteristics, Manitoba may bo regarded as the keystone of that mightj'^ arch of sister Provinces which span the Continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific." The MARQUIS OF LORNE, at one time Governor-General of Canada, after a prolonged visit to Manitoba, said : — " Nowhere can you find a situation whoso natural advantages promise so great a future as that which seems ensured to Manitoba and to Winnipeg, the heart city of our Dominion. The measureless meadows which commence here, stretch without interruption of their good soil westward to your boundary. The Province is a green sea over which the summer winds pass in waves of rich grasses and flowers, and on this vast extent it is only as yet here and there that a yellow patch shows some gigantic wheat field There was not one person who had manfully faced the first difficulties — always far less than those to be encountered in the older Provinces — but said that he was getting on well, and he was glad he had come, and he generally added that he believed his bit of the country must be the best, and that he only wished his friends could have the same good fortune, for his expectations were more than realized. It is well to remember that the men who Avill succeed here, as in every young community, are usually the able bodied." 4 The EARL OF ABERDEEN, who has several times visited Manitoba^ expresses himself thus : — " During the past few days I have had some opportunity of observing the rich abundance of the grain crop, many farms wearing a thriving aspect very cheering to contemplate, and very instructive to a visitor wishing to understand the fertility of this region. Allow me, as a visitor from the Old Country, to remark that there is undoubtedly among the people of Great Britain, a steadily increasing fil interest in the a(Tiiir« of Ciinadn, nnd a more intelligent appreciation of her greatness and reHourceH. Their educational process, thoiij,'h one must admit that it has been sonit'what too gradunl, will, it may he hoped, bo productive of beneJicial results. As for those who have the oppoittinity of travollinf,' for themselves through this country, tlu-y ought to be able to speak with tio micertain sound of its splendid capabilities ; and a good illustration of this may bo found in the valuable and impartial reports of tlu! farmer delegates last year." The EARL OF FINGALL writes on I)ecom])cr 29th, 1891 :— " Manitoba appeared to mo a fine country, where a good man should he able to get on well, either on the land, or in a proffssionnl career ; and with a very few ex(!eptions, those whom I met assured mo that they were glad they had come out, find would not wish to return." LORD ELPHINSTONE, of Carberry Tower, Musselburght Scotland, vritingon December .'Jlst, IS'JI, gives the following opinion : " I have known the Province, of Manitoba for many years. My first visit having been paid in 1879, I was so favourably impressed with the country I bought a consideral)le amount of laml. Since that time I have paid repeated visits to the country, and have watched its rapid development with the greatest interest. " As a field for emigration no country can bo better suited, tlie land, owing to the absence of timber, l)eing ready for cultivation ; but in common with other countries, farming in Manitoba is no royal road to fortune. If to succeed a man must be prepared to work, and to work hard ; if not, he had Ijetter stop at home." SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELL, K.CMG., M.P., writes from the Carlton Club, London, December 20th, 1891. "You ask my opinion of Manitoba as a field for the surplus population of the United Kingdom. My opinion may have some value, because, not only am I an unprejudiced ob.servpv who has recently had exce]itional opportunities of seeing and hearing much of ^lanitoba, but also I am personally familiar witli wliut has been done in similar wilds in SontVi Africa, Australia and the United States. If we look to Manitoba itself, we shall find that in fertility of soil and healthiness of climate it is far superior to the great areas immediately to the soutli, in all of which, nevertheless, great prosperity and progress have lieen secured by thousands upon thousands of settlers. Everyone knows that the soil and climate of Manitoba produce grain crops in gnvitor abundance than any other e(iual area of the world's surface. Without doubt it is a country which can easily rival and surpass the very best portions of Northern Kurope, where, with colder summers but not less rigorous winters, the human race has jirospered so well, both physically and comnicrci'dly. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The Crofters' settlements in both Northern and Southern Manitoba have achieved startling success, and prove conclusively how pre-eminently suitable is Manitoba to ])rovide new homes and well-being, even for the least hoi)eful class of .settlers from the Old (.'ountry. This last autumn I was in Manitoba and fairly astounded at the enormous wheat crop of 62 ii the year; iDnngiug graat profit to the settlers alroaily there, and provide ing clieap bread for the haixlworked millioiis in our great cities. The people of the United Kingdom, enjoying on tlie average a liigher pros- perity than those of any other country, inhabit a limited area, and the material increase of population must and does seek new employment in all the countries of the globe. I venture to say, in no country will they find better opportunities for profitable work, investment and settlement, than in Manitoba. This Province of Canada has already taken its place as one of the cliief granaries of the world, and this means that for every other kind of civilised employment there is a rapidly-growing demand. Manitoba is also situated in the centre of the great Canadian Dominion, equally available to supply the great commercial and ship* ping centres on the St. Lawrer^e, ami the rapidly-developing mining and panelling centres away to the West in the prairies, and in 1 lie mountains. The happy, if terse, advice of the American Senator to tad young men of the Eastern States — " Go West " — may well be repeated in the Old Country to all our surplus people who wish to emigrate, for they will find work and energy meet with their due reward under the old flag in the West of Canada in general, and in Manitoba in particular." SIR R.W. CAMERON, of New York, wrote thus, a few years since, to the Canadian Minister of Agriculture : " For agricultural purposes the whole plain from Winnipeg to Afoo.sejaw, a distance of nearly 500 miles, is, with small exceptions, as line in soil and climate as any that has come under my observation. 1 have tiaversed Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado, and in none of them have I seen the depth of rich soil that I saw on the line of the Canadian Pacific Ifailway. The soil around Winnipeg, Portage La Prairie Ihandon and Regina, is the richest I have ever seen ; and as to the climate, 1 visited it for the benefit of my health, which, for some time i)revious, was nuich shattered, and received more benefit from my month's stay in the North West than I believed })ossible. 1 found mynolf capable of more physical exertion than I could possibly have stood in this climate at any time within the past ten years. A walk of ten miles, which 1 made witliout extra exertion in two-and-a-quarter hours, fatigued me less than a walk of a third of the distance would have done here. The climate is bracing and exhilarating beyond any hitherto -xperienced by me." COLONEL C E. HOV/ARD VINCENT, C.B., MP., London, who visited Canada last year, writes : — " I can say without the slightest hesitation, that the field open to Britons in Manitoba is without parallel on the globe. It only wants men and capital, to become the granary of the Empire. If the winter is severe, I have been assured by all on the spot that it is not felt nearly so much as the atmospheric variations of the mother country. If I wore 20 years younger, and had to earn my own living, nothing would keep me on this side of the Atlantic, for it is certain that with decent ability, energy and sobriety, a prosperous future would be attainable under the same flag, under Lne same laws, and under the same institution^, in the great Dominion of Canada, and the golden Province of Manitoba " 53 l1 ptovi ti- es. Tlie her pios- iind tlio ynuiut ill rt'ill they Itleinent, aktiii its } that for -growing Junadiau ikI ship* niiig and ouutains. ung men the Old they will 1 Hag in ars since* )oses the }0 miles, that has Lbraska, deptli of ly. The la, is the t for the as much lie North of more te at any II I made less than liiuatc is e." ^ondon, slightest iralleloii ry of the the spot IS of the my own for it is LIS future id under e golden JAS. RANKIN, Esq., M.P. for Leominster, says :— "1 believe Manitoba to be one of the tinest openings in the woild for the indus^ trious farm labourer or small farmer, but I do not regard it as a country particularly well adapted to large farming where labour has to be hired." W. H. LONG. Esq., M.P., Secretary to the Local Government Board, referring to his visit to Manitoba, says : — " I saw and admired the splendid agricultural character of the country, and I have no doubt that it has a great future before it." MP. WILLIAM JOHNSTON, M.P., of Ballykilbe^, Ireland, visited Manitol)a in 1891, and is llius reported : — " When 1 go liome l will do all I can to tell the farmers of Ireland of the great and glorious land beyond the sea. Nowhere in the world have I seen such fields of golden grain as in the British >«'orth-West Territories." Mp. MICHAEL DAVITT spent some time in Manitoba in 1891, he says : — " I have travelled twice between Winnipeg and Victoria, and liave visited a good many parts of Manitoba, the Territories, and British Columbia, and I liave seen evidence everywliere of growing communities of industrial activity, which convinces me that what lias been written or saiil about the progress of the country falls far short of the reality. I have met men among your settlers representing every nationality of Euiopo, and from one and all I have heard expressions of contentment and hoj»o. Everyone seenifs to be imbueil with contidence in the future of his adopted country." A. STAVELEY HILL, Esq., M.P., writes as follows :— January 10th, 1892. " Of the soil of Manitoba there is no need to speak. I do not believe that in all the qualities of fertility, taking it as a whole, it is to be surpassed In Manitoba all that has to be done is to plough the prairie Fewer yeais than it took to clear a quarter section in the timbered country would bring under the plough of a Manitoba settler as large a part of his half section of 320 acres — or better still a whole section of 640 acres — as he would desire to cultivate, not putting all his eggs into one ba.sket, but doing dairying as well as wheat-farming, and his dairying will give the farmer and his family work in the Winter months. Thus occupied I look upon a great part of Manitoba as a really valuable field for the surplus population of the United Kingdom." The REV. SAMUEL PEARSON, M.A., of Manchester, writes as follows in the " Chhistian Would," of October 1'2nd, 1891 :— " Land- hungor can hardly exist here. Land lills the eye, the mind, the Press, the talk, the ambition of young men, the projects of railways, the policies of statesmen. At Winnipeg, I was told many times, ' We have the finest belt of wheat-growing country in the world,' and though I have seen the golden cornfields of Roumania and Bulgaria, yet as I saw the finest 5i [harvest that this now world has ever known, I could well believe it. The evidence was before me in innumerable sheaves and stacks of wheat stretching as far as the eye could reach. Some of this land yields easily from 30 to 35 bushels to the acre ; and it will this year put the finest bread on what, otherwise, might have been the famished tables of England and Europe." PROFESSOR SHELDON, of Sheen, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, a leading authority on agricultural matters, writiijg in Jan., 1892, says: — • "1 have had omc experience of Manitoba, for I was there in 1880, 1884, and again in 1887. 1 have also seen something of the United States, from Dakota to Texas, from Massachusetts to Illinois. Two years ago I made a special inspection of a vast property in Mexico, a property that was highly recommended for colonization purposes, liut nowhere, in all the vast tracts of country over which I have passed, have I seen a soil equal to that of the great Red liiver Valley in Manitoba, for wheat-raising purposes, ** The line of the Canadian Pacific Railway traverses for a luuulred miles west of Winnipeg, ji magnificent tract of country, and tiie Manitoba and North Western line running north-west fiom Portage la Prairie by way of Gladstone, Binscarth, and Xeepawa, intersects also some of the best wheat land in America. "There are millions of acres of this land awaiting emigrants, land that will make them rich in a few years, if tliey will attend to it. I have every reason to believe that Manitoba, and the North-west generally, is on the eve of a period of prosperity wliich will surprise and delight the farmers. The days of the United States as a wheat exporting country are drawing towards an end ; one of the leading statisticaus of that country says, that after four nidre years grain will be imported rather than exported. I have reason to believe this statement is quite within the bounds of probability, and conseciuently I consider tiiat Manitoba's opportunity is close at hand. " I firmly believe that emigrants to Manitoba will have only them- selves to blame, if they do not before the close of this century, find themselves in a position of prosperity greater and better by far than the Province has yet experienced." PROFESSOR FREAM, of Downton Agricultural College, Salisbury, says : " Men who go out there, determined to work, will, as the years roll on, find themselves in a much better position than they can hope to secure in the Old Countiy ; and when the time comes for them to enjoy a well-earned rest in their declining years they will find that they have got the means to enable them to do so. And the children who are born and bred in the happy prairie homes, who will see around tliem on every side the triumphs of man's industry, who are reared in the bracing atmosphere of a northern sky, they cannot fail to be healthy and vigorous. "Iror. jointed, supple-sinew'd they nhall dive, and they shall run," and, true " prairie flowers," they will grow into men and women ])ossesscd of a physique which could never have been acquired under 05 •* the sunnier, more southern, and more enervating climes whither so many efforts are made to attract Britisli settlers, — scions of the nation which has conquered and colonised a larger portion of the earth's surfacf than all other nations taken together," PROFESSOR PRIMROSE McCONNELL, B.Sc, a well-known writer on agricultural matters in the "Old Country," visited Manitoba a year ago. In an article in the " Agricultural Gazette," of Nov. 23rd, 1891, he says : — " The immense harvest yielded this year throughout the North-West Territories of Canada is drawing the eyes of the whole civilised world to the farming capabilities of the ' boundless prairie.* This state of matters coming immediately after the issue of the reports of tlie Farmer Delegates who visited Canada last year, and who were all favourably impressed regarding farming prospects and the desirability of farmers and farm labourers emigrating out there, will emphasise the possibility of many doing infinitely better by going out than they can do at home. Let it jusc I'o recollected for a moment how easy it is to go there, and how one may still be within reach of the amenities of civilization, and yet be farming virgin soil of endless fertility. Modern steamships, railways, tclegraplis, etc., have literally annihilated time and space, and emigiatiiig to Canadii, nowadays, is of no greater account than was the immi,i,'ratiny of us Scotsmen to England ten years ago. It is customary to go from Liverpool out into the middle of the prairies in 13 or 14 days, and at stccragt! and colonist car rates it can be done for as low as £10. Even by saloon and sleeping car it is })ossible to go at a cost of i!25, and if wt; allow another £'2b to bring one back, and from j£10 to £20 more for hotel cxjji'nscs >. bile there, it gives an idea of at what a low iigure an expedition out there could possiltly be done for. If, during next summer, any farmer who reads these lines can spare two months' time, and say .£G0 to £70 cash, he will find both well spent in a trip out to see for himself the farming of the " Great Lone Land," and the magnificent soil on which it is conducted. I liave already mentioned that the (piickness and sureness of communication have brought this soil almost next door to us, and that going out there and coming back home is now an ordinary htdiday trip, which becomes easier and cheaper every year, while many of the settled colonists annually visit their friends at home. I will be, of course, met with the objection that the cost of carriage reduces the value of everything in the North-west, and that this gives a greater rent value to land at home ; but, as a set-off to this, let us see what the artilicial fertility we re([uire to jjrovide at homo amounts to. On this farm of ours where I write the manure and cake bill for the last finan- cial year amounted exactly to £800, and this sum does not include cost of carting, cake-breaking, sowing manure, and other work carried out at home, but is the actual money paid away to merchants. On 630 acres this would average nearly 25s. Gd. per acre, but as not more than half the land is treated either directly or indirectly with manure or cake- feeding in any one year, it follows that the expenditure is equal to about SOs. per acre per annum. Now the fertility of the land in the "West is 50 a matter of common knowleilgc, ami it ciiimot recjuire any help in this direction for many, many years to come. On the other hand, there is the cost of carriage. 'J'he standard crop — wheat — will give us a means of arriving at this. Wheal has been brought from these regions to Liverpool in (juanlity for as small a sum as 35 cents per bushel. This year for sniuU parcels, and including insurance and commission, it will be, say 50 cents, that is about 2s. per bushel. The usual average crop is 22 bushels per acre, but this year it may l)e anywhere between 30 and 50 busliels, and, ai> it is acknowledged that moderately decent cultivation raises the yield considerably, we are justified in placing it at 24 or 25 bushels, so that the (tost of carriage just about ecpials the cost of manuring at home, and, therefore, the one case balances the other from this point of view. The average yield at homo is 28 bushels per acre, and even if we calcidate expenses on this (juantity as the standard, it does not amount to much more per acie than tlie home manuring. Thus the net value of a cro|) at home is jusi about the same as one out there, and we have one more argument Avhy the rent at liome should bo as low as out there. But before summing up, let it be noted that every man who goes out there is working for himself ami his family alone. If he is not tlie absolute owner of his farm to begin with, at least he is gaining that end by yearly instalments, and thus tlie " earth hunger " which is common to us all, can be appeased, lie is practically rent free, taxes are ^ight, and no man shares the value of •• ly imj)rovement he makes on his lands, and, if he luulerstands farming, he is sure to •' make his pile." N* The following are from the Reports of the Farmers' Delegates: — Mr. Artliur Daniel, of 172, Dereham Road, Xorwicli :— " One is strongly struck with the conviction that there is in Canada a wide field open to all who are willing to avail themselves of the opportunity offered — whether it is the farm labourer possessing nothing more than his pair of hands, after liis passage out has ])een paid for him, or tiie capitalist with several thousands of pounds to invest. ]>oth can readily find employment — the one for his labour, the other for liis cash — in this vast territory, extending some 3,000 miles from east to west, and 1,500 from north to south. Of course the emigrant who has capital will have the better chance, though we were frecpiently told — and we found many instances of it — that a man accustomed to work the land often does succeed without having the advantage of possessing any money of his own with which to commence operations. Instances are mimerous in which men brought up on the land have gone to Canada with only a few pounds in their pockets (just enough to support them till they can settle down), have taken a free liomestead with borrowed money at 8 per cent., and have paid off their liability in three or four years, so that •i 57 tlaey " owed not any man." Renieuiber that such a settler, or farmer, lias no rent to pay, and no titlic-ient charge to hand over to the parson ; while the taxes are nominal — only a few dollars per annum. A farmer's sou who has a few hundreu pounds, and does not mind work and a .somewhat rough life, can without doubt turn them to good advantage and profit ])y farming in the North-west." Mr. William Edwards, of Riitliin, Wales:— * For the hardworking farmers of Wales, wilh small capital and two or three growing lads, there is a grand opening, with a certiiinty of success and iridenendency — health and unforeseen accidonts permitting." Colonel Francis Fane, of Fiilbeck Hall, Grantham :—" A small farmer ov labouring man, with one or two boys ranging from 12 to IG, and girls of the same stamp, could find occupation, and be sure of a competency lien^after, wherever be went; but he Avould perhaps have a better opening in Manitoba and the North-west. The work would be severe, particularly for the parents, but there is no reason why the children of such persons should not rit^e to the highest positions in tlie Province. In fact, tliis has been the origin of nuiny of the most ))rominent men in the State. The Clovernment offers especial facilities to such people, and tliere are millions of acres of good prairie land waiting for good men to occupy them. *' The above remarks eipially a|iply to young unmarried men of the same class. . . . •. I can only eoiichule by saying that the emigrant IVo'u the old country will fnid, if he goes to Canada, a most kind- hearted and hospitable j)eople, ever re;uly to help a new hand. For myself, I can oidy say tliat from high to low, from one end of the coinitry to the otlier, I was received with most unbounded kindness and hospitality, and my visit was indeed made a real pleasure to me during the wliole time I was in tlio country." Mr. a. Iliitcliinsoii, of ilnnifihani Castle, Penrith :— " The farmer who has made u]! his mind to leave his native land to seek a home on (.'anadian soil, will iind in either Manitoba or the old Provinces plenty of scope for his energies, lie will have the advantage of being nearer England than in any of Iier oilier Colonies, and will go to a land of immense mineral as well as agricultural resources, yet to be developed, a land that has a great future ijefore it. " The (piestion might be asked, '• AVho ought to go to Manitoba and the North-west ] " I rejily, any man who has made up his mind to emigrate, and is not afraid of hard work, aud a few discomforts for a few years, especially one whose family is old enough to he of some use upon the farm. No doubt there are many drawl)acks to be encountered, many hardships to be endured, but not one that a little pluck and perseveriUice will not overcome, and none that will not be amply com- ]tensated for by the comfort and inde])endence to be gained after a few years " 58 lii Mr. Robert Titt, of Ilniiiister:— " I have endeavoured to d<'scribe the state of things in Manitoba and the North-west, which is undoubtedly the country for an English labourer to go to. If he has but eight or nine pounds lie can pay his passage, and, by arriving out tliere ut seed or harvest time, lie can be assured of work from that moment at a figure which will vary according to his competence ; anil if he will only keep himself to himself, and keep his eyes about him, he is safe to be a landlord in three years, and an ostablislied man for life." Mr. Wm. Scotsoii, Mossley Hill, near Liverpool: — "After careful investigations in all directions, ample opportunities for which were afforded me, and after thoroughly testing all statements made to me by the light of my own hard practical experience of nearly half a century, during which period I have become familiar with nearly every agricul- tural district in Great Britain, and the methods of farming adopted therein, I can safely say that, in my opinion, there are homes and independence in these vast regions for thousands in at lonat three conditions of persons, viz. : — The young of both sexes, who can get employment at good wages, provided thoy are willing to make themselves useful as labourers and servants, Avith an excellent chance of winning homes and bomesi^eads for themselves; and, secon) liavo sume money and would prefer Miiuitoba or any of the country west, they may either purehaso improved farms, buy unbroken lanils, or go furtlier back and take up a free homestead, according to their inclinations and means. The men likely to be nn^st successful are those who have been in occupation of the smaller class of farms at home, and who, between themselves and their families, can do a good pro^ or- tion of their own work, f' laVjour is so costly that if much of it has to be hired a considerable part of the profit is run away with. "Farmers with a few hundred pounds can make a very easy start as owners in any part of the North-west, on a farm four or live times the size of what tli y would bo able to iind capital for as tenants in the old country, and at the end of a few years they may have it in good working order and free cf debt. Farm servants with a few pounds by them — more than will take themselves and their families out and ke^ep them for from six months to a year — can also do very well, and all sueli, by frugality and perseverance, may very soon immensely improve their position. All who are able to pay for good lands near a railway, I would advise to do so, rather than go farther back ai.d get it free." Major Stevenson, Knockbnick, Ciosliadeii, Loiulonderry, Ireland : — "The great features of Manitoba are excellent lands, free for ht me steading, or at a reasonable price, very moderate taxes — I may say almost none. This Province is pecidiarly well adajited for young men with but small or no capital, strong hearts, and willing hands, even though they have been reared amidst the comforts of an English home. They must, however, be steady and industrious. Men of the small farmer class, with large families, some of whom have reached years of maturity will, if they have i little capital, and they are ready to take ailvice from older settlers, do very well here ; they can either homestead, or, if they desire, purch ise a quarter section with a house and stable on it, get to work there, and homestead or purchase for their sons as they reach a proper age. Young men of the agricultural labouring class can easily procure liomesteads, and by working out part of their time, and on their homesteads when jx's.sible, can readily make them.selves independent. About all the towns there is abundance of employment for female laliour, and domestic servants receive excellent wages and are well- treated." WHO SHOULD GO TO MANITOBA. Briefly and impartially the facts relating to Manitoba have been chronicled. Had space been permitted much more might have been adduced. The information thus given is obtained from reliable sources, and, it is )iopi;d. will by many ))e turned to practical account. Frequent r ference is made to the opinions of the Farmers' Delegates from Great J'.ritian and Ireland, wln^ in 1890 visited Canada, to inspect and report upon its agricultural resources; it being felt that the unbiassed opinions of these men will carry graat weight in the old country, where the gentlemen are all well-known. t eo Manitoba is a large country and has ininionse capaLilities before it. No other part of Canada is making sncli rapid progress as this. Men and women are wanted to devolnp its hiteiit resources. All who wish to improve theii jiosition in life, and have iiealth and strength with faculties unimjjuired arc invited, and will be heartily welcome. The CAPITALIST having money L invest will Find Manitoba a promising held fur his operations. Increasing population demands increased accommod.'djon, and in the towns and vill.iges there »ire numy oj)enings for the establishment of manufactories and Itusinesses of various kinds. In some jdacts the construction of good dwelling houses and business blocks wouUl prove remunerative. The FARMER, who in (Ireat IJritain and Ireland, owing to high rents, heavy taxes and unseasonable climate iinds liiuiself engaged in q losing business, could with great profit transfer his family and capital to ^lanitoba, where not only will farming yield him much l)etter jtresent results, but the annually increasing value of his land will, in a few years, prove a fortune in itself. A farmer and his family liaving £'J0<) or £3U0 in cash can make a lirst-rate start on a 3l!0 acre farm, and will be practically independent from the outset. l!y reference to the experience of settlers appearing elsewhere, it will be seen wliat has been accomplished with little or no capital. FARMERS' SONS, who in staying at home, especially where there are lurge families, can only expect financially to be a shade bolter oil tlian their labourers, should by all means go to the West without delay. With £100 a young fellow who knows his Imsiness and is ■willing to work can soon begin farming en his own account. He woidd have to start in a small way at first, but in three or four years he would in all probability be a substantial and i)rosperous farmer. 'Jhongh having only small ca}>ital, a steady persevering man can readily obtain credit sufficient to enable him to obtain a necessary outfit. Such men as these will find at the end of five years they are Ijetter off than they could expect to be in 15 or 20 years by remaining at home. LABOURERS are needed, and are welcome, esj)ecially those who have been accustomed to farm work. The lot of the agricultural labourer at home is not an enviable one. So long as ho can Avoik he may perhaps get from 10s. to 15s. per week and board himself; then when he is past work he has to depend upon charity for subsistence. In Mani* ba he can earn from 18s. to 25s. per week, and board and lodging m addition. At certain seasons of the year, such as haymaking and harvest time, nearly doulde these rates are paid. To show the demand that exists for farm labourers it was found necessary to import, during the past season alone, about 3000 men from the Eastern Provinces of Canada, and 5till the supply was insuflicient. If the labourer has a family, his diildren, be they girls or boys, can readily ) ) y 61 liiul employment at high wages. Of course, in a few yeuis, the labourur of to-iliiy becomes a worker on his own account, ami then an employer, wliilst his chilth'en are likely to he both socially and tinancially as well circumstanceil as any in the country. The following cut from one of the Jjondon daily papers shows how great is the demand for labour : — LAHOURKRS WANTED IN MANITOIJA. "Tliu Hon. Thomas (Jrecnwivy. I'reiiiiur of Manitoba, has iii8truct»!(l Mr. ^IfMiHan, tho Ayeiit in Knghviul of thu Manitoba (joveniinent, t« make tveiy ji(>ssil)le L'tfort to induce agricultural latK)urerH to go to Manitoba nexi ear. During the year just closing the grain crop in Manitoi)a ha^i heen unprucedentedly large, and lis tlio at Toage iniiii:r crop iuis also increased <;onsi(ierably. it appears that farmers woro unable t) ;;uthti' the inirvest as (piiekly as desired. Wiiilst farm lal)ourers get fr ■" £1 to £.'> pur month — and board and lodgings-working the year round, at Hpctial seasons, sucli as haymaking and harvest time, they are paid as nuich as jt'7 to A'S per niontli. During the last three years the demand for men has steadily increased, owing to the much larger ucreag(! under crop, and the Manitoba (lovern- nn III has decided to do everything possiblt; to meet this demand in future." Women are very much needed. Several thousands of good women Would \iii a great blessing to the ctniiitry. Domestic servants are in deiniiuii, iuid can readily obtain from 1'25 to £35 per aniuini. Cook.s and speiaally-qiialilied servants command as much as j£50 per annum. Theu waitresses in hotels, private l)oarding houses, etc., are much sought after. The demand is always greater than the supply. The explanation is, i)erhaps, to be found in this fact, that women are seM(un in tho Province long before they are married to some of the pro.^perous young fellows already settled there. There is no great opening for women as private governesses or companions, or in what are sometimes descriljed as the lighter callings; but those who, in the Old Country, have been in such situations may go to Manitoba and engage in some of the occupations referred to in the preceding paragraph, resting assured that if tliey do capital prospects await them l)oth in the present and in the future. WORDS OF ADVICE. To those who decide to go to Manitoba it is important to know when to go. One can scarctdy make a mistake in arriving there any time between March ami September. Later than this, and during the winter months, settlers from Europe are not recommended to arrive unless they are going to friemls Leaving England between the middle and end of March, those who intend to engage in farming, either on their own account or by working for others, will arrive there just as tho season's work commences. 62 The cojit of a lliruii<,'li ticket from Liverpool to Wiimiixij,', tlie capital of Manitoba, via Quebec is: — Steerage, j£6 96. 4d. ; Secuiid Caljin, £8 158. 4d. To Ihaiulon 133 milos furtli<5r west, the rate is 8s. 3d. more, and $o on in i)roportion, to more distant points. Above rates are liable to change, but local steamship agents can at any time quote through rates. Upou landing at Que]»oc, the passenger can step into sleeping t. wliicli tho nuttier hu-s liad in actual u.so for at lea.st hIx niontliH before leniovit' to Canada, muMical in-trwinent8 donieHtie sewing niaeliine\ live Mtoek, carts, and otlnr vehicles and ngiieultural iinj>Kuients in u.se by the settler for at least one year before his removal to Canada, not to include machinery or artit-les imported for use in any uianufaetur- ing eitablishnunt, or for sale- provided that any dutiable articK^ tntenid as heltlurs' effects may not bo so entered unless brnuglit with the settler on his first arrival, and shall not l)e sold or otherwi.se dispuscd of without the payment of duty until after two years' actual use in Canada ; jirovided also that, under rei;\dalions made by the Minister of Customs, live stoeU, when iui}iorted into Manitoba or the North-west territory by intending .xettli'-.s, shall be frei- until otiierwise ordered by the (Jovernor ill Council. If the itussenger when pas.sing through Liverpool, or prior to starting on the jouiney, will call ur write to the ofHce of the Manitoba Goveriiinent at 33, .Iaines-stre(.'t, a great deal of valnable iissi.stance and u.Kelul uifoiJiiation can be given on all lhe.se jjoints, and letters of in- troduetion given to reliable men in Canada. -.i>» View of Winnipeg. Upon arrival in Winnipeg the passenger, even. if going direct to a jMiint further ^V(^st, will usually have a few hours to spare before the «lepirture of the Western train. During that time he should not fail to siH' the City. At any rate he should be sure to vi^it the Intelligence ( Xlice of the Manitoba Government at 686, Main-street, about two minutes' walk from the Canadian Paeific Railway Station. In that office ho will iind one of the most complete collections of Western products to be seen in Canada. Farm produce of all kinds direct from farmers in all i)arts of the country, manufactures, minerals, etc., ete. The office is open to the public, and conveys to the visitor in a few minutes a very good idea of the capabilities of the country. In the office are also kept records of available free homestead lands; lands for sale by companies and private individuals, and farms to rent. 64 Lists aro also kopt of sitii.itiDiiH vacant in all j)art.s of tho country, ami tlu' agtiiit in cliaij,'»! will do his best to assist lufwly arrived Huttlcra ill locating' cDUifortaiiiy. There is no churyt; ut' any kind. TliDsi) whu wisli ti) ^y llic week htw^r rates aro given. For those who prefer not to .stay in hotels, comfortable qiuutera may be obtained in private boarding houses, at sonu'what lower rates. For tho convenience of new arrivals wdio cannot allord to stay at hotels, and who wish to locdc round for a day or two in order to get setthul, free accomodation is providi'd in the extensive immigiant reception rooms at Winnii)eg and Ihiindon. Conipettmt agents are in charge to look after the re(piireinents of those who use the buildings, and to give them necessary ailvice. CONCLUSION. Since much of the foregoing matter was prepared tho extraordinary crop of 1891 has again demonstrated to the world tho agricultural capabilities of Manitoba. That 40,000,000 to 4r>, 000,000 bushels of grain should be produceil by the comparatively few settler-i alra.idy there, i.s something of which we may justly feel i)roud, and i.s without a parallel in the history of any new country. The Americans, for some yc^ars, in order to boom their own territory attempted to disparage Manitoba, but now, with their usual astuteness when a good thing is in sight, they are anxious to take advantage of it, and last year .several tlnju.sands quietly cros.sed tho liorder and settled in Western Canada. For the last ihree or lour years thousands of young farmers from Eastern Canaila have been annually moving westward and settling in Manitoba, where they 11 ml that with less expcMiditure of time r- 1 money, they can accomplish more than they can do at home. What Canadians and Americans are doing in this respect, Ihitons may with advantage do also. Those who intend .^oing to Manitoba should do so without ilel.jy, as the country is rapidly tilling up. In making this change there is but little doubt the great niiijority will immensely improve their jjosition. Manitoba, with one of tiie healthiest climates in the world is but 10 to 12 days distant from England, .so that the transition simply means one from Great to Grenter Britain, living still under the same Hag, under the same laws, and practically amongst the same people as those in the mother land. 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