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Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la derniAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon Ie cas: Ie symbols -^ signifie "A SUIVRE ", Ie symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included In one expoaure an filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les certes. pisnches. tableeux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimAs A des tsux de rMuction diff fronts. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clichA, il est filmi A portir de I'angle supArieur geuche. de gauche A droite, et de heut en bee. en prenent Ie nombre d'Imeges nAcessoire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent Ie mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■MM %«-« .?*i.' ':'"*;•< DOMINION OF CANADA. DISTRICT ^tf ALBERTA. 'I INFORMATION FOR INTENDING SETTLERS, ,s '3 ^ COMPILSD BY THE 3 CALGARY DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. ^m II 1. G. FITZGERALD, Secretary. v.*?^ -WITH J^ :m[as». r- OTTAWA. 1884. ^ ^^ ■rf A .si**" CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ALL persons desirous of obtaining information, whether of Rates of Passage, or otherwise, pertaining to Canada, can make application to the following Agents :— IN THS UNITED KINGDOM. * LONDC ... Sir Charlrb Tuppir, E.C.M O., ice, High Gomtoisfiioaer for the Dominion, * 10 Victoria Chambers, London, S. W. Mr. J. CoLHBR, Uecretary, High Commissioner's Oflice (address as above). LIVERPOOL. Mr. John Dykk, 16 Water Street. GLASGOW. ..Mr Thomas Grahams, 40 St. Enoch Square. BELFAST. . .Mr. Charlks Foy, 29 Victoria Place. DUBLIN Mr. Thomas Comnolly, Northumberland House. BRISTOL .... Mr. J. W. Down, Bath Bridge. ♦ ^ » CANADA. QUEBEC TORONTO... "OTTAWA.... MONTREAL. KINGSTON.. HAMILTON. LONDON.... HALIFAX... ST. JOHN..., /jV the old provinces. I Mr. L. Stavpord, Point Levis, Quebec. Mr. J. A. DoMALDSoK, Stracban Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. Mr. W. J. Wills, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario. . Mr. J. J. Dalry, Bonsventufe Street, Montreal, Province of Quebec. Mr. R. Maopbirboh, William Street, "ingston, Ontario. Mr. Jobn Smith, Great Western Railway Station, Hamilton, Ontario. .Mr. a. G. Smyth, London, Ontario. . Mr. E. Clay, Halifax, Nova Scotia. . Mr. S. Garomr, St. John, New Brunswick. IN MANITOBA AND THE NORTHWEST. WINNIPEG ... Mr. W. 0. B. Grahami, Winnipeg, Manitoba. EMERSON. ... Mr. J. E. Titc, Railway Stotion, Emerson, Manitoba. BRANDON .... Mr. Taos. Brrnkt, Office at the Railway Station. PRINCE ARTHUR.. J. M. MoGoviRV. IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. vTICTORIA Mr. JoHir Jusor. H\. w-> R^^OTOX ler linton, >ve). 1 ^ tec. ino. ^SW<«!(;ifc|9«; MiMan 95 ■^■ .E X T 7^ CumbcrlaiM HO >* A/IK Vq -* "-— ' MAP or PART OF THE DOMINION 01^ CANADA. I.B.CO., ^-^ Jfaf*«'«' 1 ^^^ r*.-«ii»'i;''"»^ .Joseph ^ It'/ .1 ?S'«iSmtiTiatntimKtn-7 ■ «•«-«•„ *'«a«!«IW«i^fflB(MS-SiSii«5i . SH. ^>, •>>***'• ■'•• ■•'"'■'•■•*^aeiiss«i»- '• '■ ~m«^i^m^s^ ;■ .■ ^^*i7C5«ft v.j,gsr23asa^;i8S3Si ^ •^ ^' DOMINION OF CANADA. DISTRICT OF ALBERTA, N. W. T. INTRODUCTION. Bfany tiioasandB of people in the Eastern Provinces, the United States of America, and the older counti-ies of Europe, are every year seriously con- templating emigration. And the first great problem to be solved by capitalists, by parents with rising families, by young men of boue, sinew and courage, anxious to better their fbrtunos, is — WHERE SHALL WE OOl Let all such persons carafully study this pamphlet, which is written not by speculators, but by actnul settlers engaged in the general callings of life; who having found a most desirable country, are convinced that, so soon as its sdenery, great fertility, genial climate, abundant minerals and vast capabilities Me known, its speedy settlement will be ensured. Does the Eastern Farmer want fertile lands with luscious grasses, plenty of water, timber, cuhI, wild- fruits, fish and game, charming scenery, railway liftoilitieB, and a mild climate favourable to the cheap wintering of his stock 1 Let hifu try the free lands of Alberta, and his experience will not vary much from the testimonies expressed in this pamphlet by farmers, some of whom having tried their fortunes in various parts of the world, have chosen the lands of this district in preference to all others. Does the Eastern Capitalist desire- investments which are safe and will ensure a speedy return of interest) Let him invest his money in this rising. country, whose mineral resources and advantages for stock raisins;, wool growing and the industiies connected therewith, are, without controversy, acknowledged by all persons who have seen them, to rank among the finest in the world. The best time for settlers to go upon their land is early in the spring, say about the first of April From this period until the end of ^ptember is the proper time for ploughing up the sod which will be sufficiently rotted for back setting to be done later on. Good crops of oats, wheat, peas, potatoes, turnips and beets have been 'grown on sod during the present years, but farmers getaerally consider that immediate cropping, except in the case of vegetables hinders the speedy rotting of the turf. The Calgary District Agricultural Society in placing the Contents of this pamphlet beforo the public, do so to refute the many false statements that have been so wilfully ourculated in respect to this, one of the wealthiest and most attractive dSstrictS in the British Empire, and one unequalled as a field for immigration.. The Offioers of the Sosieiy will always be found ready to give intending jwtUem such information or advioe as they may require, and will be pleaiHi to answer any questions relating to the country that may i:^e desired. Ch i ':W - — 2 — ^ . ' ' SCENERY. To give the reader anything like a proper desoription of the natural 'scenery that abounds in this district of country is beyond the power of the pen to describu. The traveller, after being carried over that monotonously level stretch of prairie that extends from east of Winnipeg to the western boundary of Assiniboia, finds himself suddenly ushered into a district where the scenery is of remarkable beauty. The eye is gladdened by hill and dale, by verdant 8loi>cs and grassy meadows, by tree and foliage, by the crystal waters of mountain rivers in their tortuous windings, and by the cloud- pierced, snow-capiied Rocky Mountains as they girdle the western horizon. The mountain streams that traverse the whole Province of Alberta would, in the east, be considered rivers of prominence and importance. The rapidity and strength of their currents make them invaluable for affording power for the manufactures requii'ed for developing the varied and numerous resources witlt which the country abounds. Those riveis and their vicinities abound in fish and game. Throughout the Province thera are dotted picturesque lakes, luxuriant foliage and vrell wooded forests. Skirting the western boundary of the Province tower the Rocky Mountains in bold and impressive majesty. Crag upon crag and peak upon peak they rise, many of them piercing the clouds and averaging fully 12,000 feet above the level of the sea. The jiteaks of many of them are covered with perpetual snow. As these castellated battlements and hoary fortresses of nature riso before the eye of the traveller he beholds a sight unequalled for rugged grandeur and sublimity. Throughout the different mountain ranges are lakes fringed with foliage and verdure, picturesque as in their quiet beauty they repoee amid the mountains of rock that surround them. 'As a summer resort, where health, climate, scenery, sport and recreation are sought, the mountain region is unequalled in the Dominion. To the whole District of Alberta nature has heen lavish in the creation of landscape and scenery. Throughout th^ whole Dominion no Province possesses in the works of nature the beauty, grandeur «nid sublimity that are apparent throughout the District of Alberta and its 4iurrounding8. * THE COUNTRY. The District of Alberta contains 107,700 square milea Out of this area V r'> are about 24,000 square miles covered with mountains. The balance is compored of agricultural and grazing lands and rivers. It is estimated that there are at least 45,000,000 acres of good agricultural lands in the district. The most of the land south of High River is under lease and occupied by stock raisers. The land north of High River (extending from there to Edmonton 200 miles north of Calgary) is perhaps the best for agricultural purposes. The soil is generally a '^aep dark loam with clay bottom. There are sections where the subsoil is gravel. Thfs land, though not so good for grain growing, makes excellent pasturage. The land is generally rolling, and tree from stones; although these are found in some localities, and appear to mark the water line of dry inland seas or lakes. There is no alkali in the land or water in Albrrta. The climate of A]l>erta is undoubtedly better and more enjoyable than that of any district or province in Canada. This is due greatly to the prox- imity of the mountains. The summers are usually warm and dry, with cool evenings and heavy dews. These dews serve the same purpose that summer showeis do in the east. The present summer, however, we have been visited with, an unusual quantity of rain. We occasionally have heavy winds, but in &w.. 3 — natural |r of the •nousljr V«Btem |t where >J dale, crystal dead- lorizon. '«ld, in ipidity er for Durces abound lueeque Western [ressive them of the Aa »re the [if and with amid where Iregibn ra has whole ndeiir id its area loe is that riot. I by n to uiiil lere for md •to (he an >x- ol er Ki n consequence of the osual absence of moisture front them, the winds are not unpleasant. The autumn weather here is very agreeable, and it continuea warm often till late in the fall. The wintera are almost always very enjoy- able. We have very few heavy storms, and but little extreme cold. The thermometer is generally above zero, and often last winter it was 60 and 70** above, though for a few days it will go down to 20 or 30° below, zero. The air, however, is so dry that the cold is not felt so severely as it is in districts in which the air contains more m6istui-e. The ** chinook " winds temper our winters very greatly, and assist very much in rendering them pleasant. The ** ohinooks" come from the Pacific Ocean, laden with warmth and moisture. In passing through the mountains they are robbed of their moisture, and cotne to us dry and warm. The thermometer lises rapidly as soon as a '' chinook " appears, and the snow as rapidly disappears if there happens to be any. CALGARY. Calgary is, to-day, perhaps the most prominent and imjioi-tani town in the North- West Territories. It is centrally located in the District of Alberta on the C.P.R., 120 miles from the summit of the Rocky Mountains and destined to be the capital of the District when the latter is erected into a Province. The site has been very finely chosen at the confluence of'the Bow and Elbow Rivei-s, on a broad fiat basin between the two rivers. It has been said that it is much the grandest town-site either in Manitoba or the N.W.T. It is surrounded by romantic spots, precipitous bluffs and in the distance to the west and south-west very grand views of the Rockies are to be seen: A little over a year ago there were to be seen only the M. P. Post, H. B. trading post and a couple of stores. Now we have a population of from 800 to 1000, which is continually increasirg, four churches, a school, and a full supply of stores of all kinds and enough mechanics and professional meu to supply the wants of the residents and surrounding settlers. Calgary is a natural distributing centre /or the great trade that is going on in the moun- tains with those connected with the railroad, minera and others, also for the whole Macleod district south, and for the immense trade with the Red Deer River and Edmonton country to the north. The mails are sent out from here to all these points and the H. B.Co. have made this their chief trading post for this immense territory. Calgary is the centre of a rich agricultural country as is proved by the crops that have been raised this season as well as in former seasons. Through this town run all the principal trails leading to Edmonton, Peace and Athabasca Rivers, on the north, Macleod to the south and Morley and the mountains oa the west. We have here on both the Bow and Elbow Rivers excellent water i)owers, suitable for mills or factories of any kind. There is a sood opening for a grist mill here now and also for a firatpdass hotel. The C.P.R. ofler great inducements in the way of site to any one who will build a first-class hotel. It is a charmini^ and healthy place to reside in and there is no doubt but as the country settles up it will C3ntinually inorease in importance and wealth. HINTS TO EMIGRANTS. Intending settlers in this district will find it to their advantage not to lay out their money in purchasing a stock of provisions or supplies for their farm and household before I'eaching Calgary. All kinds of provisions, dry gooda, hardware, harness and implements can be purchased in Calgary more cheaply than they can be bought in the east and freighted here, and the — 4 — BetUer has not^he trouble and risk of transpoi'tation. A settTer will alvrays do well, howuver, in bringing with him any kind of choice stock in the way of cattle, horses, shsep, pigs or poultry, especially if he can secure adranta- ,'geouR freights. Oalgary is well supplied with live merchants, and competition in the different lines is very keen. Tbere are some very large stocks held herej and a large trade is done in jobbing and wholesaleing. In consequence of the necessity for freighting goods so far a comparison of prices of staple goods with those in the east may not appear to the advan- tage of the Oalgary merchants, but we give a few quotations of present prices of goods here, viz. : — Fl( ur, Ogilvie's. .f 3.50 to $4.25 per Back. Bacoo, Bide 14c. to 16c. per lb. Tea 30c. to 75c. « Sugars 8 to 12 lbs for $1. Beef 15c. to 20c. per lb. Butter, packed. ...... 28c. to 36c. " Eggs 25c. per doi. Potatoes 1^. to 3c. per lb. Oatmeal 6c. per lb. Rice 1c. « Beans 7c. « Coffee 35c. « Lnrd 18c. to20o. «^ Cheese , 18c. to20o. <' Dried Apples ; 13c. to 17c. <* Syrup $4.50 per keg. MINERALS. The District of Alberta is undoubtedly destined to rank as one of the richest mineral districts iu the Dominion. It is already known to contain enormous beds of coal of the best quality, immense deposits of petroleum and copper ore in abundance. There are many indications of the precious metals and of other economic minerals than those mentioned, and what is still to be discovered may be sur- mised from the fact that a couple of years ago nothing whatever was known of our minerals, and the only known coal was in a series of outcrops on the Belly, St Mary's and Bow rivers; while now it is a well ascertained fact that uninterrupted beds of first-olass bituminous coal- extend from the southern boundary on the St. Mary's River to the Red Deer River, a hundred miles north of Calgary. From these points westward into the very heart of the Rockies, outcrops are frequent, Dr. Dawson finding upon exploration large tracts of coal-bearing rocks in the mountains themselves, of which at present the most prominent development is the anthracite region near the Gascade Oreek. Next in importance to our coal come the large deposits of « magnifipeiit copper ore, lately discovered near the Bow River, about a hundred miles West of Oalgary. This is one of the best paying copper ores, is dose to the railway^ and a seventy-five pound specimen that Oapt. Retallack took to the British Museum was estimated to produce about sixty pounds of pure copper. Some specimens in the same vicinity taken from the solid rock assayed sixty-six per bent, of the mass copper and $29 per ton in gold. Galena also seems to exist in considerable quantities, some veins of eight feet to eighteen feet having already been struck, /ut capital is yet lacking to thoroughly test the percentage of silver contained therein; and though no silver ore of importance has yet been announced, yet many of the specimens brought in by prospectors show great promise, and it is safe to say that in the near future silver will be one of the important exports of the country. Iron also appears in many forms of ore in small quMitities, and that no large deposits have yet been found dete with' the older portions of the Dominion in horse flesh of every description. CATTLE. The stock interests of Alberta are much greater than may be imagined. Considerable capital is already invested in this industry. At the close of last season i'ue number of cattle in the district aggregated about 37,500 head valued at $1 ,875,000. Since then about 1 2,000 head have been driven in from Montana by the different stockmen. Range cattle are neither sheltered nor in any way cared for during the winter. Many of the stockmen placed their lowes during the winter of 1884 under 1 per cent. The warm spring weather proved very favourable for the calves and very few were lost, an increase of 76 per cent, being the estimate. The success of the different stockmen proves beyond question the adapt- ability and suitability of Alberta ns a cattle country, and attention is now being directed to it by some of the largest stock-raisers in Montana, one of whom, the owner of 30,000 head, remarked to the writer, that what were considered the poorest pastures in Alberta for stock-raising excelled the greater part of Montanai It is safn to say that in a few years Alberta will furnish the beef and mutton, not only for the large centres in the eastern provinces, but will also send large consignments to the old country. - SHEEP. During the present summer over 12,000 sheep have been driven into Alberta from Montana, one company alone bringing in a flock of 8,000 head — fr— «nd Bevejral companies and prirate individmals intend going into the indnstry next season, when it is expected the drive will far exceed that oi this year. Sheep were first broaght into this district by Mr. James Yotier some five years since and though he had every suocvas he was tempted to accept high figures and his flock were soon killed off for mutton. That our climate and grasses are well adapted for sheep raising and wool growing is beyond a doubt and it is reasonable to suppose that ere many years Calgary will have one of the largest and best wool markets on the continent. Few countrieacan boast (be same advantages for this profitable industry as Alberta ban. 'fne boundless rolling prairies carpeted with grasses of the most nutritious description, the plentiful supply of pure water, the mild winter and warm summer weather make Alberta all that the sheep farmer could desire. The writer hk" had several years' experience in Australia and New Zealand and does not hesitate to steto that if the sSieep farmer pays the same attention to breeding and management as the southern breeders do the industry will be far more profitable in Alberta. Here we have all the essentials to ensure a first-class growth of wool and no country can possibly excel this in producing carcase. Added to which are the advantages of climate and a freedom from the numerous diseases prevalent in tropical countries and a total absence of dust storms so injurious to the wool grower. We would advise those meditating shee^ farming to enquire more fully into the i^vantages of Alberta before investing elsewhere. HOG RAISING. This profitable branch of farming has been neglected in the far west up to this, partly from the difficulty in procuring good stock, except at a great distance, and partly owing to the high prices of pork. Several settlers im- ported animals from Ontario this year^ but on their arrival here, they accepted the high prices offered, and the hogs intended for breeding purposes were fattened for the market, and converted into ))ork which finds ready sale. Our local roarkete have to be supplied with bacon from the east, and the quacUties shipped west are enormous. Hog raising in Alberta will be one of the most profitable investmente the farmer can undertake. The country has proved itself well adapted for pea, barley and root growing, and besidea the eastern and local niwrkets die completion of the C.P.R. will open new markets to the Alberta farmer, at the large shipping porta of the Pacific^ which are comparatively near at hand. We would advise settlers bringing in live stock with them, to include some good breeding jHgs. BUTTER AND CHEESE. Though boasting some fifty thousand head of cattle, the amount of butter manufactured in Alberta does not nearly supply local demand, and this summer farmers found a ready sale for all they could make at from 35 cento to 50 mnUt per pound. That a great number did not iindertake dairy farming may, in a measure, be accounted for by the fact that dairy cattle were held at high figures, good cows bringing from $60 to |90 per head. A large number wer» imported this year, and in a short time the looal markets will be supplied by home produce. The butter manufactured by the farmers around Calgary i» equal, if not superior, to any made in tbe Dominion. Those engaged in the business express themselves highly in favour of the country and ita adapt- ability foB dairy farming. ThM« is room for thousands of dairy farmers in Alberta, and capital so invested will insure good interest. IJLII,).J,I { |. »t high _7— • • . That the manufacture of ch^^ese has not commenced before now is chie£jr owing to the rapid development of the country. Practical men who have settl^ in the district this ytor profess themselves so pleased with the induce- ments that they intend starting in the business next season. Alberta possesses every essential necessary for the production of first-class cheese, grasses of the richest and sweetest description and innumerable streams of the purest and coldest water. The country offers the brightest inducements . to practical men and capitalists to embark in this industry, and we venture to say that no other country can produce a better article or one at less cost. It requires no stretch of imagination to predict that in a short time Alberta -. will create a name as a cheese-producing country excelled by none. SETTLERS. Everywhere throughout the dbtrict settlers are found prosperous and; contented, happy in having chosen Alberta as their new home. It would be diflBicult to find one who has aught to say against the country or its climate, and if puch an one is to be found it is more than probable that the fault lies- entirely in. his inadaptability to suit himself to pioneer life. The universal verdict of those that come to Alberta is that the country is rich in all the requisites necessary to build up a great and rich Province and the climate is delightful. Mr. S. Livingstone, who has a splendid farm near Calg^try, and who has resided here for over sixteen years, states that this has been the most back- ward season that he has known, that he has succeeded in growing splendid root and grain crops each and every year, and that he knows of no country offering greater inducements to settlers possessing sufficient capital to start farm- ing' Last yearMr. Livingstone purchased a threshing machine and self-binder. His crops during the past two seasons have been the wonder of eastern visitors, each one wishing to have samples to take. east. Settlers throughout the entire district have had splendid crops on sod breaking with cultivation of the crudest kind. Those who have taken pains to prepare proper seed beds have l>een rewarded with more than ordinary results. Mr. U. J. Carroll came to Alberta fVoin Woodstock, Ontario, during the summer of 1883, and settled on Sheep Greek, some twelve miles south of Oalgary. This year he hab fifty acres of oats that will yield from 70 to 75 bushels per acre, with straw nearly six feet high, besides a good crop of roots and vegetables. He says he had farmed for a number of years in one of the best counties in Ontario, but never could produce such crops as this season. He is delighted with the country and his beautiful location. The statements of reliable men who have> lived in the district for a number of years will be found to contain no exaggerations ; the Settler on his arrival here invariably says the attractions and advantages surpass his anticipations, and each settler acts as an agent to induce his friends to come and make a. home in Alberta. LABOUR. The labour market here is ovcrstockeu at present. We would advise those intending to come here, to be prepared to take up land and go into farming. * t r " . — 8 — THE WEATHER. Tho following table shows the highest and inometer for each week since Sept 1, 18S3: — lowest i-eading of the ther- L0WB8T. HIGHEST. LOWMT. BIGBieST. Week ending Sept. 7 33 80 Week ending March 7 —18 61 (I II 14 32 77 II II 14 —13 40 « II 21 21 90 II II 21 18 53 M 11 28 17 79 u II 28 23 58 II Oct. 7 18 70 II April 7 27 61 11 II 14 14 36 II u 14 20 68 II II .21 15 49 II II 28 21 74 U II 28 n 5S II May 7 22 72 K Not. 7 8 51 II II 14 26 76 II II 14 —13 50 II .1 21 24 79 II II 21 — 6 60 II II 28 34 86 II u 28 —30 21 II Jane 7 41 87 11 Dec. 7 16 48 il fj 14 33 80 II II 14 8 51 ll II 21 33 84 II II 21 — 9 52 II II 28 36 84 II II 28 —17 20 II July 7 36 78 II Jan. 7 —22 46 II II 14 36 72 II II 14 3 40 II II 21 39 76 h 11 21 5 50 II II 28 43 80 II II 28 — 8 40 bage, cauli- flowers, wheat, oats, bai'ley, peas, and other kinds of grain. My crops this year are very heavy, and I can truly say the longer I stay in the country, and the more I see of it, the better I like it. I would be glad to see it filled up with good farmers, as I know they could not fail to succeed. James Votibr, Farmer, September 4, 1884. Fish Creek, Alberta. I have beeh in this district since July, 1883, and having heard this country so much run down, on account of summer frosts, I commenced taking a careful record of the thermometrical readings since August 1, 1883, to present date. This i-ecord completely contradicts such assertions. I enclose you the record, which, without further comment from me, will at once show that not only has the farmer nothing to fear from summer fmxat, but that he enjoys exceptionally fine winters; for although two or three weeks of severe cold are experienced, these are followed by a like period of warm, spring-lik«» weather, thus reducing the actual period of cold weather to about two months. The soil is all that a farmer can desire, for both grain-growing, sheep or stock-raising. My experience is confined to sod, on which I have about five acres of oats, and a similar piece of barley. The oats are well headed and about four and a half feet high, and probably thresh out about 45 bushels to the acre-^these were sown in May, on land ploughed the end of April. The barley was sown June 16, on land ploughed June 10, and is now ripe. As regards vegetables, I have some very good potatoes, turnips, carrots, etc., and also beans which are doing well. Other advantages which the country possesses, are to be found in its inexhaustible supply of timber, ooalj building stone, lime and splendid water, and in my opinion the Province of Alberta is one of the best in the whole Dominion. Fish Creek, Alberta, Sept. 4th, 1884. S. W. Shaw^ *>'*' We came to Alberta dii'eot from England, in May last, and^ffTfar have iovand the country all that it has been represented to us. Have^had no .^^^' ^"-^ — 10 — anmmJBr frost up to da^. We have reaped fottr acres of oats and two aore» of barley, both of which are very good orops. As far as we are able to judge from the limited time we hare been here, we- consider thi« country well suited for farming,, sheep and cattle-raising, and are thoroughly pleased with our location. (Signed) A. F. Lambbrt, A. WiNTBRBOrrOM, ■ C. RUBSBLL, Fish Creek, Sept. 4, 1884. O. Bolt, Farmers. I settled in this place in July,. 1875, and have been farming ever since. As regards summer frost, never experienced them, or found, out that thej existed, until a Mr. McEachren, the horse doctor, came along and told us w» had them. The doctor got frost on the brain some two years ago, and haa never been known to tell the truth since, at least as regards his published statements respecting the climate of this country. I have never failed in raising a good crop <}£ wheat, oats, barley and vegetables of all descriptions during each of the successive years, and have also raised tomatoes and cucumbers every year in the open air. Of wheat I have averaged 37 bushels; oats 57 bushels; barley 71 bushels to the acre; and have some this year not behind that standard. Average yield ol potatoes, on eight acres last year, was 225 bushels to the acre. Industriously inclined people can get along comfortably with about $1,000 capital to start with, but still more would be better. I like the climate better than any I have found betwf m the Atlantic and Paibific ; the Rio Qrando and Peace River, over all which territory 1 have travelled. There is everything in the country which a settler can desire. There are people, who desire to run the country down, who say we have no market for produce here ; those who have to buy say we have a good one and at good prices ; those who have anything to sell always manage to get the money for it at a good roun^ figure. There are the mountains close by with large timber and mineral r . not contain at least a dozen different species of vegetation; not generally tall,, but dose, olean and strong, rich in colour and luxuriant in foliage. Our stock have literally wallowed in pasture since the early spring. Nor do the frosts of autumn and winter destroy the nutritive ]>ioperties of the natural grasses. The native horses, and occasionally a Canadian horse, that has strayed away from his master, or whose master has strayed away from him, live out alL winter, and are brought in rolling fat in the spring. «Farmers in beautiful and favoured Ontario, who have to devote mowing- lands or raise soiling crops to tide a few cattle over the months of July aodi August, would rejoice to see herds of a hundred head revelling in such pastures as abounds in this district. . Cattle are sometimes not housed at ftll. Some- times they are turned out as early as the 14th of February to find their own. living. In any case they may be trusted to forage for themselves from six weeks to two months earlier than in the eastern provinces, in addition to . grazing much later in the fkll. PEBSONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE SUBJECT. I landed in Calgary on the 8th of Apiil last with a stock consisting of four horses and sixteen head of cattle. The horses. I stabled for prudential' reasons other than their subsistence. The cattle were unloaded on the prairie- and left to shift for themselves. As a " pilgrim," or newcomer, I, of course,. felt a great deal of solicitude for their welfare; but, as if to the manner bom, they betook themselves to rustling as every newcomer should, grazed by day upon what seemed to me like hard fare, iand at night returned to the shelter of the box car, as bearing the nearest resemblance to a barn. As they lookedi; Aill, appeajwd contented and manifestly " held their, own," my anxietj*^- ■abillded. -14- After a few days' rest, my young mm atorted them on the trail for the Hed Deer, a dinance of nearly 1(K) milea. They frequently drove from dfteen to twenty miles a day, the oxen drawing a load and the oows nourish* ing their oalves. The others had only what they' picked up by the way. They reached their destination in perfectly good condition; i^d though sevend of the settlers here, with true western generosity, offered me hay for the draw- ing, I did not find it nrcessary (except for the working teams) to accept their generous offer. The cattle foraged for themselves and did well, and are now *' as fat as stalled theology." Such a country, I need hardly say, is pre-emi- nently adapted to stock-raibing and dairying. These industries are practically illimitable, and the jMMsibilities in this direction alone are prophetic of the country's future prosperity. Beef can bo produced at less than one-third the cost of what it takes to produce it in Ontario, while pn^ected railways wUl soon afford access to the markets of the world. SOIL. The soil on the " bench lands," or higher prairie, throughout th^ district is generally a black loam, from twelve to thirty-six in^^aes de^p, resting on a «lay sub-soil. In some sections the clay crops up nearer the surface. On the river bottoms the loam is neither so black nor deep, and the subHM>il is a com- pact mixture of clay and sand. While not counted so rich or strong a soil as that on the bench lands, it has the compensating advantage of being a little warmer and earlier. Taking the district as a whole, I cannot conceive any soil better adapted for the production of all the staple crops of the eastern provinces. CROPS. It is necessary to correct a prejudice excited against this country by in- terested parties of various grades, from the selfish Senator and American land . agent to the disappointed speculator or thriftless tenderfoot. Also, occasion- ally, by th ) treacherous employ^ of the G.P.R., who lines his pockets with good Cauf >^ian money, curses the country to intending settlers going west (as in my own case) and then crosses the border to spend his earnings, perhaps with congenial Spirits who cherish an hereditary hatred for the Queen and her domains. These are never weary of telling people that '*' it is a country of eternal winter," that " all it is fit for is an Indian hunting ground," that " at best it is only fit for a stock-ranch, but will not grow crops." Now, fortunately, there is no slander more easily refuted. Messrs. Beatty have 50 acres of grain in splendid condition, ten being spring wheat as fine as I ever saw in any part of the Dominion. Yesterday I visited the farm of Mv. Boderick Mackenzie, formerly of Headingly, Manitoba. Both wheat and oats looked well, and a few bright days wrill make it ready for the self-binder. The straw is straight and clean, and the betry lai^ and plump. A few days ago I examined his vegetable garden. It might justly be an object of pride to every gardener. The roots were large and well-formed, and beans and tomato vines healthy and well laden. The variety of products is, of course, not so large as might be, but this resulted rather from the difficulty of obtaining seeds than growing them. M y own experience j ustifies the candid opinion that as good crops can be grown hero as in any part of the Dominion when we obtain experience, where experiment alone^ can show how to select seed and soil, when to sow, and how to toeat« various kinds of crops. Moreover no reasonable man will expect the best results duiing the first few years. The surface is a tough, intractable sod, xionsisting largely of woody fibre, the accumulation of a series of rank vegetable growtiis that have come and gone for years. When this fibrous auifaoe 1% turned up to the atmosphere in the warm weeks of early spring it becomes «x ih P« to fil th St if tl f I t i I i < i — 16 f A exceedingly dry, absorbing the moisture and robbing the young rootlets of the power to strike down into the damp sub-soil. On this account the progress of growth must be slow in the beginning, and the crops find it hard to regain the lost time in the season allotted to maturing. When this woody fibre becomes decomposed and united with the true soil immediately below it, these disadvantages will paps Hway, as the experiment proves. But, notwith- standing this disadvantage, the facts cited — and many mpre might be added if necessary— -will convince any unprejudiced person of the agricultural possibilities of the country. I have this year grown better and more imtatoes on fresh-broken sod, without a particle of manuru, than I did in Ontario on well-tilled soil with twenty loads of the ticst barn-yard manure to the acre. Nor was I a whit behind the " chiefest " farmer in the neighbour- hood in that respect. Of course, here I prepared the ground and planted the seed with extra care, but this factor of success is within the reach of all. ' CLIMATE. Judging from my own solicitude about this subject, there are probably few matters of greater interest to intending settlers than that of climate. Between the rhapsodies of summer tourists and the doleful tidings of summer frosts and hailstorms,, people at a distance are at a loss to know which to believe; and in the abseuce of a meteorological record, it is difficult to verify the statements of an enthusiaat or deny the dolings of a constitutional grumbler. The testimony, however, of the settlers who have been here several years is that they are exceedingly pleasant. Occasionally the thermometer falls low, but the atmosphere is clear and quiet, so tbafr the cold does not seem severe. The greater part of the time the weather is mild and clear, blizzards are almost unknown, the snow-fall is slight and seldom drifts, and rain rarely falltf during the entire winter. Four of my immediate neighbours formerly lived in Headingly, Manitoba. They have spent two winters hsre, and unite, in testifying that the winters are much milder and more pleasant than in that Province. MORE EXPERIBNOE. To illustrate the comparative progress of spring, east and west. 1 left Ontario on the first of April last. One of the severest winters was beginning to yield to signs of approaching spring, but for all purposes of agriculture it was winter still. On the way we confronted snow squalls at Chicago, found an abundance of ice and snow in Northern Minnesota and Southern Manitoba, encountered a genuine bliazard at Winnipeg on the' night of the 6th, found fields of snow in Brandon, and for many miles west frozen lakes and sloughs as ttx west as Moose Jaw, though at that point mow only rested in shady spots where the son had no power. As we journeyed west the last vestige of snow and ice disappeared. Lakes and ponds were all open, and some of the experimental farms had already been sown. Oh reaching Calgary, on the 8th, there was a little ice still in th<) bed of the Bow, but the dwellers in the vale told us they had had a month of fine spring weather, and a farmer on Fish Greek with whom I spoke had a quantity of spring ploughing done. We reached our destination on the Red Deer on the 23rd of April. Several of the settlers were nearly through seeding. The weather was warm and pleasant throughout the balance of the month with the exception of two slight snow flurries which only remained on the ground a few hours. These, were of untold benefit to the pisture lands, flreshening them up so that the- cattle were already becoming quite independent of the old grass. May was a really deligbtfal month. Twenty-five days .of the month we enjoyed unclouded sunshine. So fine a month tor reeding I had never before seen. Indeed the weather was so dry and warm that we began to be apprehensive that the drought would retard the germinaition of the Seed. June brought copious warm showers which were repeated at very short interva's throughout the month, giving all forms of vegetation a firm hold which they steadily maintained. Ju^y and Aii{,ust were, upon the whole, pleasant, but exceptionally rainy, encouraging the growth of crops rather than ripening the harvest; so that grain will be cut from ten days to a^ fortnight later than was anticipated. During these months the days were warm though not oppressive. The — 16 — nights were oool, bat, with one exception, withont frost. On tbe night of the 16th of August a Blight frost touched Very low spots along the river banks where the soil is k< own to be springy. The higher levels ot the river bottom and the bench lands entirely escaped. We have also been exempt from hail. Mr. Bobert McLellan, the oldest settler in this district, tells me he has never known a hailstorm in this locality; and the Indian?, who have been quite a while in the country, testify that within a given belt along the course of this river, from ttie Little Btd Deer eastwaid, they have never known a hailstorm that would have injured the most tender crop. HIBORLLANEOUS RXMARKS. I have had many inquiries in reference to the above subjects, both before and since comiuR west. I have always been slow to advise any person. While I had sufficient frith in the future of this country to risk the comfort and welfare of a large dependent ftmily and upend all I had in getting hero and starting in a new and unsought sphere, I did not ask another to run tL3 risk until be had satisfied himself on every point. I have once and again refused to write my convictions for publication until I had seen at least one season of seed time and harvest, that I might the more confidently speak what I knew and testify what I had seen. Having had some epportuuity of personal observation and experience, I do not hesitate to say I could devoutly wish that every struggling relative or friend of mine, or any other who is fijshting fate on poor soil, with' high rental or heavy mortgage, with only the prospect of continuing the stroggle and bequeathing the legacy of hardship and heavy interest to his children, would come and accept a heritage which a beneficent Providence places within his reach. One hundred and sixty acres of as good land as the sun shines on, free, and one hundred and sixty more if he chooses, at $2 per acre, at the end of three years' continued residence. • WHO SHOULD OOHB. ' Not the iDd«jllent and iucompetent. This is the poorest country in the world for that class. Such persons must either beg or steal elsewhere, and this country is too new, ltd population too sparse and its resources too limited to afford full scope for their diBtlD<>tive ^jnius. They can do better in the older provinces. 'iifii the irresolute and visionary who whine at the first difficulty that confronts theti and deem dasappointed at not finding a house built and a piping hot dinner wsiting foi them. But tiie man who wishes to invest money profitably in stock, dairy or faim. The man who has a thousand dollars or even less, which would go but a little way in starting a farm in the older provinces, but would be sufficient to l>ring him her«*, put up such buildiuits as would be necessary to tide him over the first year and start him on the ro^ to competence and comfort and a splendid farm free from debt. Or the young man who has hardly anything beyond indomitable pluck and perse- verance, who is willing to rough it and IJound to succeed, has a magnificent chance to make a home for himself in whHt is beginning to \)o recognized aiid will ere long prov« the garden of the North-West Territaries. ' PRIVILIGXS. Settlers coming into this District start with the advantage of a sawmill, where they osn obtain lumber at from $20 to |30 per thousand. A store where i^very neces- sary of life ca-i be bad at reasonable prices. A post office and hotel accommodation in the centre of the district, and we hope soon a school and church, and these in a community as quiet and safe as the most envied hamlet in all the Dominion. . Bed Deer Crossing, Sept. 3rd, 1C84. Lso Qaitz. I came to this country in April, 1882, and I have read the letters from the other settlers, inserted In this pamphlet, all of wliicb I can vouch for. Last year I wintered eighteen cows, and milked ibem twice a day up till Febrtiary 20th, after which time I milked th»-m once per day till the 20th of Blarch, witboui feeding them one pound of fodder or sheltering them at all, the only feed which they received being whut they procured from the prairie. At the end of March I sold one of these mtws Ibr beef to Mr. A. C. Sparrow, biitch^ (formerly of Ottawa), (or f 7S. After having bad experience in the eastern provinces, I have no hf^itatlon in staiiug that Alberta presents advantages to farmers that do not exist in any of them. I hiive seen better crops grown in Albttrta oc the »o)i and with the priiuitLve modes of a«rlottlture than I ever saw either in Ontario or Quebec, unlets on the most highly cultivated farms in the Ottawa Valley. Scarcely any farmer has ever put a roller on bis land, and. a seeder, till the preseat ■eason, wa'j aim. it unknown. .. Calgary; AUberta, Sept 6tb, 1884. A. OAamv. . ■m . -'«'•■ m Calgary, District Agricultural Society. A. CARNEY. J; U BOWEN. 2nb l^ut-lpKMbtnt : JOHN GLENN. I, ( i §mtlors : ' , J. D. GEDDES, l^- GAETZ, GEO. MURDOCH, G. C.' KING, JAS.VOTIER, S. LIVINGSTONE, JAS.REILLV, JOS.BUTLIN, E. ROBB/ ^ubitori: CHAS. W. PETERSON, G. P. PLAYER. CrtKAunr: . X B. BRADEN. J. G. FI'l ZGERALO. •»■ .,,- ^^^ '■. .^' . 1 ''•;^-#-'""''« v ■« .?'