Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-05-02
OUR ALpERrA LErTER.
From a Salem Man Who Has Located
on the Canadian Pacific.

From a Salem Man Who Has Located
on the Canadian Pacific.
| OLDs. ALBERTA, Can, April p, '96.
EDITOR JoURNAL:-I cheerfully
give you and your readers the benefit
of my experience in this part of the
continent.
The contrast between this place
and the Willamette valley is very
great. While you have much rain
and very little snow or frost from
/ November to May, this section has
! plenty of frost, some snow and but
very little rain. While you have hills
covered with heavy timber and lower
! land set to trees which beara variety
of fruit, this country is great prai-
rie with only here and there a few
small trees. The farmer has no need
of a stump puller, only good strong
plOw and two to four horses are used
to break the virgin sod to prepare the
land for cultivation. All crops to be
saved must be harvested before NOy-
ember !, at which date as rule the
ground Is frozen, although some sea-
sons blowing has been done as late as
the tenth OF November.
Winter does not really set in until
after Christmas, after which there Is
plenty of snow for sleighing aud sled
ing, pleasure driving and wood haul
ing. 1t Is unusual to have more than
| twelve inches of snow, and a snow
storm is followed by Chinook wind,
bright sunshine and pleasant weather
which melts the greater part of snow.
am told that there are days during
the winter when the thermometer
registers as low as 30 to 40 degrees be-
low zero, but such degree of cold does
not continue for many days at time.
but is followed by quiet warm air and
bright sunshine, that the absence OF
rain or moisture leaves the air,
although cold, invlgoratlng and com
Portable; that there are only few
days !. e. days'when very cold. with
snow falling, that a man cannot safely
work out doors.
The diTerent seasons here are quite
as variable as with you or In other
ATTITUDES. In 1893 the spring was as
late as IL has been this season,
there being some snow aud frost after
the 18TH of April, followed by fine
summer and beautiful weather for
growing and harvesting large crops
of grain in good condition.
In 1894 the spring was earlier but
the summer was too dry resulting in
light crops. The spring Of 1895 opened
up fine, grain was sown early in April,
but the summer was wetter than
usual and there was much cloudy
weather In July and August which
delayed the rlpening of grain, the
consequence being that when the
first heavy frost dropped down on the
country on the night OF September Sd
the unripe grain was frozen causing
great loss TO farmers The experience
OF settlers during the few years since
they came in here Is, that grain crops
are somewhat uncertain, that roots
and most vegetables do we'll, but that
cattle raising is the best and most
reliable industry. Large numbers Of
young cattle are brought up here from
the eastern provinces to grow and
fatten, one dealer having lately
brought to Calgary 400 head for sale
and Others have brought up smaller
bands TO place on ranches. Creameries
are located at central places, the
cream is gathered by the owners.
Poultry does well If properly housed
during the cold weather.
With these advantages, and with
thousands of square miles of rich land
from which TO select their home
steads; with timber permit TO cut
tirewo0d, and sufficient logs to erect
buildings; with plenty of coal TO be
had for the hauling, or to be bought
at reasonable price; with a little
capital industry and intelligence,
very many who are ambitious TO own
land can here obtain home of their
own.
The present spring is what the
farmers call backward. Wheat sowing
began on the 23d inst. All hope
that the summer and autumn will
grow aud mature fine crops; that
prices Will be good; that there may be
no lack OF production, either in qnan-
uty or quality. OF the 27 days in