The Yale expositor., 1901-12-06
WHAT A LEADING AeRIouLTuRIsT
SAYS or WESTERN CANADA.
Prof Thomas shaw of MinnssotA Unit
vsrsity Give. AN Unbiased Opinion.

frof. Thomas shaw OF Minnesota tni-
vsrslty Olives AN Unbiased Opinion.
In letter 10 THE Farmer" St Paul.
dated Sept. LIST. 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
line. Our people are apt 20 look upon
IL as a region OF frost and snow.
country in which but small portion
OF the land relatively will ever be TIL
able because OF the rigors OF the cll-
mate. True, the climate is cold I'm win
ter, but Western Canada has. neyerthe-
less. Just that sort OF climate which
makes IL the most reliable wheat pro-
ducing 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
eessfully titled or grazed. Nearly all
OF the prairie Province OF Manitoba
can be brought under cultivation. al
though probably not one-thlrd OF its
surface has been laid open by the pillow.
Assiniboia 10 the west Is a grain and
stock country. Saskatchewan 90 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 agrlcultur-
alist When IL is called 10 mind that
even In the Peace River country in
Athabasca. and several hundreds OF
miles north OF the Canadian boundary,
wheat was grown which won a pre-
MUM 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 Co stock aud Grain Production.
/
however. mainly adapted to growing
grain and grazing stock. Much OF Il Is
adapted 10 growing both grain and
stock. but certain areas. especially to-
wards the mountains. are only adapted
90 ranching. except where Irrigation
will yet be introduced. This. OF course.
can be done successfully along tho
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
high character The cool nights
I that usually characterize the ripening
season are eminently favorable TO the
filling OF the grain. and 20 the secur-
ing OF plump berry. and consequently
large yields. The crop this year Is n
magnificent one. In Manitoba and the
territories IL should certainly give an
average OF more than 20 bushels per
acre. But should the yield be not more
than 20 bushels. the crop will be a
most handr 1me one. owing TO the large
area sown 10 wheat. Many farmers
only grow grain. But those who do
succeed as well in growing oats and
barley as In growing wheat. hence
these foods for stock should always be
abundant. Some grow cattle mainly,
and others combine the two. The last
named. of course. is doubtless the SAT-
est OF the three during a long course
OF years. that is 10 say. where much
farming is practicable.
Quality of tho Live stock.
II was a pleasurable surprise 20
note the high quality OF the stock
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