Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-22
THE HOPE OF THE CONTINENT.


THE HOPE OF THE CONTiN EMIT.
Western Canada the Bread Basket of
the Empire"
The attention directed to the wheat
fields OF western Canada during the
past year has caused thousands of set
tiers from different parts of the Unit
ed States to make their homes there
during the past few months. They re-
port that their experience corroborates
what had been told them OF that won
derful country, and they are sending
back to their friends most favorable
reports. During the past summer
number OF Wisconsin, Michigan and
Minnesota editors visited western Can
ada, and the following extracts are
from a very flattering letter written
for the Germania OF Milwaukee by Its
able contributor, Prof. Sheridan:
"The numerous elevators along the
line, towering so far above the sur
rounding country that they may be
seen for many miles distant, sufficient
ly indicate that the chief industry Is
the growing OF wheat. At the village
OF Indian Head more than a million
bushels OF wheat were marketed last
year. This was but fraction OF the
amount Of the same product marketed
at the larger cities Of Brandon and Re-
gina. At Indian Head the representa-
tive Of the Germania was told by
farmer that he was about to harvest
his third crop Of wheat from the farm
upon one ploughing given ii the fall
OF 1898, the crops OF the current year
and OF last year having been sown
upon the stubble OF the preceding crop.
This farmer expected a yield OF not
less than forty bushels to the acre. The
farms are very large. The absence Of
hills and rocks contributes to making
farming on q large scale an easy mat
ter. There was an abundance of evil
dence that the country surrounding the
cities named above is an extensive re-
gion of fertile lands, furnishing as
great an opportunity for cattle-raising
and dairying as for the growing Of
wheat"
I'VE were surprised to find here a
rich growth Of nearly every species OF
cultirable plant known in Wisconsin.
Various species Of trees were growing,
showing that its soil and it's climate
are favorable to the growth of forests.
The writer had never seen a more
promising growth of wheat, oats, and
garden vegetables than was observed
here. The experimental farm of Wis
consin, located at Madison, produces
nothing better"
THE people along the line of the
railroad, however, assured us that we
were still far distant from the north
ern limit OF the wheat-growing belt,
and that five hundred miles farther
north wheat and other agricultural
products were cultivated with success.
The inhabitants do not depend solely
upon the growing of wheat, but utilize
vast acres in raising cattle. The grow
ing grain and vegetables showed that
a plentiful supply of rain had fallen
during the current year"
From this city Calgary our party
was taken north 200 miles to Edmon-
ton, town of 5000 people situated
on the north Saskatchewan river. The
country at this point Is beautiful, pre-
senting very much the appearance of
many sections in central and southern
Wisconsin. The people are engaged in
mining for gold, and In raising wheat,
potatoes and cattle; dairying is also
followed. This valley seems to be ia
yored with sufficient rainfall to pro-
duce a luxuriant growth OF grain and
vegetables. The soil Is very fertile
and timber is abundant. Fields OF
wheat were observed that promise q
yield Of forty bushels per acre. The
many good farmhouses seen from the
railway are evidence OF the prosperity
of the settlers. Edmonton is the ter
minus of the road and the place where
tho overland expeditions start from
for the Yukon, ii being about 800 miles
from Dawson City"
1.-THE members Of the association
made the acquaintance of the Cana
dams OF the Northwest and learned
something OF the vast extent of their
territory and Of It's great resources,
which are destined to make Il our most
formidable commercial competitor In
the worlds markets for the sale OF ag-
ricultural products. We learned that
the Northwest Territory Of Canada, In
stead OF being a barren waste, as
taught by our Biographies OF quarter
OF a century ago. Is capable Of sustain
ing an empire Of fifty millions OF peo-
ple."
For further information apply to
Canadian Government Agent, Depart
ment Interior, Ottawa, Canada, or
residents Of Michigan address M. v.
Mc1nnes, No. /, Merrill Block, Detroit,
James Grieve, Mt. Pleasant, Mich, or
ID. l.. Caven. Bad Axe. Mich.