The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-11-05
For the MinnesotIan:
DESCRIPTION OF RED RIVER COLONY.
ny J. W. BOND.

-. W. BOND.
/ 1t is situated under the so of n.
Latitude 97o of West Longitude, al
an elevation of 800 or 900 feet above
the sea. and stretching for about 70
miles along the borders of the Red and
Assiniboine Rivers which flow through
a level and fertile country Of vast ex-
tent; and although it possesses a sa-
lubriOus climate, yet summer frosts
are apt at times to blast the hopes of
the husbandman and the extremes of
of great abundance then scarcity are
sometimes felt. The climate is very
changeable and is influenced in meas
ure by the large volume of waters which
forms Lake Winnepeg, Lake of the
Woods, &c., by which with numerous
smaller Lakes, and undrained marshes
the late spring frosts are generated.
The long winter and usually cold back
ward spring occupies about half the
year-the first frosts occur about the
middle Of Sept, and continue till the
following May and June-the rivers
usually freeze in November, say from
the 10th to the Goth, and open in the
latter part of April, when there is a
fine sturgeon fishery; but Lake Win
nepeg the grand receptacle of the river
waters, does not break up till the close
Of May.
The mercury always freezes in win
ter, or at least if it should not, the
winter will be styled mild one. The
extremes Of cold as marked by spir-
it thermometer are from 40 to 81 deg.
below zero, ice however only forms in
Red River to the thickness of 3 feet, and
not solid to the bottom 80 feet as is
sometime stated the people however,
enjoy this temperature and when there
is no accompanying freeze they think
it very pleasant, and sport about in
their sleighs and dog trains visiting to
and fro, giving and attending balls
and parties, making flying trips up to
Pembina, 70 miles distant from their
nearest point, going this distance in
less than half day, indeed I was told
BY many that they had left upon their
trains with several pairs Of dogs har-
messed thereto, at day light and reach
ed their destination before dinner and
this upon the short winter days of this
latitude about 8 hours in length.
When a high wind prevails as it some
times does throughout the winter and
spring, the cold is very intense; on the
whole the climate is inferior to that Of
St. Paul, the changes being greater
and more sudden, and the air more
damp and less salubrious, rheumatisms
being very common.
AS there is no wood upon the banks
Of the rivers near the settlements all
the fire wood, as well as that used in
building is RATED down from above the
limits OF the colony, during summer,
or transported on sledges when the
snow falls, some of it being taken
down distance Of SO miles but as
this essential article is now, through
waste and neglect, growing less plenti-
full, many Of the Inhabitants have pro-
vided themselves with cast iron stoves
which occasions q much less consump-
ton Of fuel; the lands are sold in
lots Of 6 chains frontage and extend
ing back tow miles, price Is. Cd. per
acre; wheat is the staple, average yield
25 bushels to the acre, weight 66 to
70 lbs, sown from May LIST. to 25th.
Harvested generally about Goth of Au-
gust; this year month later. Bar
ley yields 40 bushels to the acre Hor-
ses, horned cattle, hogs and poultry
are exceedingly numerous oats, pota-
toes, and turnips and most Of the ordi-
nary culinary vegetables thrive we'll !;
pumpkins, melons and cucumbers come
to maturity in the open air in favora-
bic seasons peas, land beans are large
ly cultivated, and corn to a small ex-
tent; though it is not depended upon
as sure crop, owing to the late frosts,
when it escapes these however, the late
fall being a constant Indian summer
till November, natures it we'll, small
variety only is raised called "squaw
corn." Hops grow luxuriantly, and
barley being one of the staples, the
people brew most excellent beer. Flax
and hemp are poor and stunted, ORCH
ards are yet unknown, and all fruits
save wild plumbs and the different spe-
cies Of berries, the straw, rasp, whor-
tie &c, which grow wild. The prairies
are carpeted with wild flowers, while
many of the most choice tame varie-
ties are cultivated; and which I found
blooming in the gardens on the 22d
Sept. last, the first frost occurring the
following day. The most common
sorts of wood are oak, elm, poplar,
ocb opJ ,,oo,1o v,,poc oro olco fo,,nJ