Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-20
"A LETTER FROM CANADA.
Questions by Intended Settlers Answered by
a Correspondent.

southern Alberta is essentially
ranching and dairying country. There
are high, open plains broken by the
valleys of numerous large streams
which head la the Rocky Mountains
and flows to the east. Grass grows in
abundance, bunch grass, which is far
famed as winter grass for stock,
being the principal kind.
SOIL AND PRODUCTS.
The soil of Alberta in the southern
part consists as whole of a good,
rich alluvial loan. very deep on foot
hills and in the valleys, where 1t has
been washed and deposited for ages.
In places 1t is gravelly and some sand
ridges are met with.
The experience of the settlers here
has demonstrated the fact that grains
or all kinds can be raised with profit
except corn. which does not always
ripen. Last years crop of wheat
averaged 50 bushels to the acre, raised
without Irrigation. Vegetables of all
kinds nre of the finest. Tomatoes
have not been attempted except In
some very favorable localities.
Fruit has not been attempted but by
f. Native fruits are abundant
Oh -, service berries. gooseberries
ar 'awberries being the principal
pro-. , wild Where irrigation has
been secured. English currants, goose
berries. Strawberries and raspberries
have been raised. The soil is hard to
break as it is OF grass fibers but will
pay for all trouble In the abundant
harvests reaped.
CLIMATE
Ito climate is one of its most at
tractive features, the winters being
mild with very little snow. Our sum
mers are delightful, cool nights and
frequent showers during June. with
occasional showers In July and August.
The Chinook winds are not agreeable,
but are the most welcome visitor to
man and beast In the winter imagin-
able, coming from the west warm
and fierce. The snow disappears like
magic. and stock can get an alum
dence OF good grass and come out fat
in the SPRING The thermometer will
rise to the warmth of spring In few
hours when our glorious Chinooks
"set in" Yes. the wind blows. thank
heaven, and once in while a blizzard
Frost comes In September, the
latest in October In the spring,
which is nearly eleven years. was In
the early part of June. The settlers
have always raised their bread and
plenty of vegetables.
WATER.
Irrigation has not been adopted gen.
orally. a few canals only have been
made and some seasons II would only
be an injury to apply water to the
grain.
Wells supply families with water,
except where located near Lees Creek
on the st. Mary's river. or n natural
spring has been on locations made.
AS rule the wells are good. irriga-
ton is not necessity for stock rails
ing or mixed farming, but for gardens
il desirable. The mighty rivers rush
ing down these plains Will soon be
utilized for the watering Of thousands
OF acres of as good land as ever was
titled in temperate CLINE.
TIMBER AND COAL.
As all our settlements are near the
foot OF the Rockies, timber Is obtain
able from the mountains at 4 distance
OF some twenty miles. pine being
most abundant. A sawmlll is situated
about twenty-three miles from here.
which turns out good rough lumber;
finishing timber Is obtained from
Macleod a settlement forty-five miles
! from Cardston. Prices ranging, Tor