Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-12-07
WHAT A LEADING AGRICULT-
URIST SAYS OF WEST
ERIN CANADA.
Prof. Thomas Shaw of Minnesota
University Gives an Unbiased
Opinion.

In letter to The Farmer, st. Paul,
dated Sept. 1st, 1901, Prof. Thomas
Shaw, of the Minnesota State Univer-
sity, has the following to say, after
having made trip through Western
Canada:
THE capabilities of the immense
area known as Western Canada are
but little understood on this side of the
Ine. Our people are apt to look upon
1t as region of frost and snow, a coun-
Try IN which but small portion of the
land relatively will ever be tillable
because of the rigors of the climate.
True, the climate is cold in winter,
but Western Canada has, nevertheless,
just that sort of climate which makes
it the most reliable wheat producing
country in all the continent.
AN IMMENSE AREA.
Western Canada is not only an i'm
mense area, but the same description
will apply to those portions of the
country that are capable of being sue
cessfully titled or grazed. Nearly all
of the prairie Province of Manitoba can
be brought under cultivation, although
probably not one-third of its sur
face has been laid open by the plough.
Assiniboia to the west is a grain and
stock country. Saskatchewan to the
north of Assiniboia has high adapta-
ton for the same. This also may be
said of Alberta to the west. Here lies
what may be termed a grain growing
and stock producing empire, the re-
sources of which have been but little
drawn upon comparatively, viewed
from the standpoint of the agricultur-
ist. When it is called to mind that
even in the Peace River Country, sew
eral hundreds of miles north of the
Canadian boundary, wheat was grown
which won a premium at the Worlds
Fair in 1898, the capabilities of this
country in wheat production loom up
more brightly than even the brilliant
Northern lights of the land that lies
toward the pole.
ADAPTED TO STOCK AND GRAIN
PRODUCTION.
The region under consideration is,
however, mainly adapted to growing
grain and grazing stock. Much of it
is adapted,to growing both grain and
stock, but certain areas, especially
towards the mountain, are only adapt
ed to ranching, except where irriga-
ton will yet be introduced. This, of
course, can be done successfully along
the many streams that flow down from
the Rockies, and water the country
towards the east and north. The
adaptation of the country for wheat
production is of a high character.
The cool nights that usually charac-
terize the ripening season are en-
inently favorable to the filling of the
grain, and to the securing of plump
berry, and consequently large yields.
The crop this year is a magnificent
one. In Manitoba and the Territories
more than 20 bushels per acre. But
should the yield be not more than 20
bushels, the crop Will be most hand
some one, owing to the large area
sown to wheat. Many farmers only
grow grain. But those who do sue
coed as well in growing oats and barley
as in growing wheat, hence these foods
for live stock should always be
abundant. Some grow cattle main
ly and others combine the two.
The last named, of course, is
doubtless the safest of the three
during a long course of years, that
is to say, where such farming is prac-
ticable.