The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1901-03-28
AN INHERITANCE IN WESTERN CANADA.

AN INHERITANCE IN WESTERN CANADA.
Indian Reservations and Other New Dis
sricts to BE Opened up This Year.
IN the Great Saskatchewan Valley and the
Fertile Plains OF AssIniboia.
To the Editor, Dear Sir: The past
three or four years have demonstrated
70 large number OF Americans the
value OF the grain-growing and ranch
Ing lands OF Western Canada. Tens Of
thousands have taken advantage OF
the offer made by the Canadian. goy-
eminent as well as OF the exceedingly
low prices asked for lands BY the rail-
way, colonization and other compan-
les The experience OF those who have
been settled there for some little time
~ OF highly gratifying character. So
much SO that the Canadian govern
me. ment, who has control of the immigra-
ton Into Western Canada, has decid-
60 to open up some new districts this
year In the well known Saskatchewan
valley and also In the fertile plains OF
Assiniboia. These Districts are prob
ably the most productive In the entire
West and in close touch to largely set
tied communities as well as being
situated on some Of the most import
ant lines OF railway. They are within
easy reach OF markets, schools, church
es and otter social advantages. in
some OF these districts lands may be
homesteaded as well as purchased OUT
right at very low prices. Now as to
what can be done on these lands. The
evidence OF the settlers in the neigh
borhood Of the lands now about to be
opened for settlement (some Of them
being located in one of the best Indian
Reservations) goes to show that the
very best results have followed even
most Indifferent methods. Cases are
given where farmers having gone
there with most limited means, barely
enough to erect a small house and
break up little land, have in three
Or four years time become prosperous,
all debts paid and money in the bank
The soil in the Districts mentioned,
Assiniboia and Saskatchewan, is rich
black loam, fifteen inches to three feet
deep. As settler says, 1T appears
like the accumulation of decayed vege-
tation and ashes for centuries tine
sub-soil is a stiff, putty clayl." On
this soil 1t Is possible to raise from 40
to SO bushels Of wheat to the acre, oats
rs to 100 bushels, all Of which bring
good prices at the local market. For
mixed farming these new districts are
probably among the best in Western
Canada. Stock fatten easily on the
wild grasses. Hay is plentiful. and
prices splendid. Another settler writ
irs,, to friend In Iowa says: The
climate is all that could be desired,
plenty of rainfall in summer, with no
hot, dry winds. On the 2Sth Of Sep
tember I saw prairie flowers in full
bloom, sweet corn, potato and tomato
vines that had not been touched par
ticle with frost, and the winters are
milder than those ia the State from
which l came. After the holidays the
winter sets in clear and cold, with
plenty Of snow for good sleighing; no
high winds or billiards. are known.
Horses live out all winter and pick
their own living. while cattle live all
winter in open sheds and around the
hay ricks. Wheat, oats and barley are
the principal grain crops. Potatoes
and all other roots and vegetables do
well, the yield being enormous as
compared to those in the States. Wild
fruits, such as strawberries, raspber-
.ries, cranberries, gooseberries and all
varieties Of currants yield in abund-
ance. AS reader of your valuable pa
per for a number Of years, I feel that
/ should inform you of the progress
and advancement being made in Cam
ada within the past few years, and the
inducements and advantages that Will
follow settlement in Western Canada.
Those who desire information can do
as did, and apply to any Agent OF
the Canadian Government, whose
name see appears in advertisements
appearing elsewhere in the columns Of
your paper, and when writing ask par
ticularIy about the Saskatchewan VAL
ley or Assiniboia Districts.
Yours truly,
Old Reader.