Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-04-03
AN INHERITANCE IN WEST
ERN CANADA.
Indian Reservations and Other New
Districts to Be Opened Up
This Year.
In the Great Saskatchewan Valley,
and the Fertile Plains
of Assinib0ia.
To the Editor.

Dear Sir: The past three or four
years have demonstrated to large
number of Americans the value of the
grain-growing and ranching lands of
western Canada. Tens of thousands
have taken advantage Of the offer
made by the Canadian government as
we'll as of the exceedingly low prices
asked for lands by the railway, COL
onization and other companies. The
experience of those who have been
settled there for some little time is
of a highly gratifying character. So
much so that the Canadian govern
ment, who has control of the immi-
grafton into western Canada, has de-
cided to open up some new districts
this year in the well-known Saskatche-
wan valley, and also in the fertile
plains of Assiniboia. These districts
| are probably the most productive in
| the entire west and in close touch to
largely settled communities, as well
as being situated on some of the most
| important lines of railway. They are
within easy reach of markets, schools,
churches and other social advantages.
In some of these districts lands may
be homesteaded as well as purchased
outright at very low prices. Now as
to what can be done on these lands
| The evidence of the settlers in the
neighborhood 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
| 1o ~
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
-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 loan, Is inches to three feet
deep. AS a settler says: 1T appears
like the accumulation of decayed vege-
tation and ashes for centuries (the
subsoil is a stiff putty clay)." On this
soil it 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 west
ern Canada. Stock fatten easily on
the wild grasses. Hay is plentiful, and
prices splendid. Another settler writ
ing to friend in Iowa says: 1.-THE
climate is all that could be desired,
plenty of rainfall in summer, with no
hot, dry winds. On the 2Sth of Sep
TENDER saw prairie flowers in full
bloom, sweet corn, potato and tomato
vines that had not been touched a
particle with frost, and the winters
are milder than those in the state
from which I came. After the holi-
days the winter sets in clear and cold,
with plenty of snow for good sleigh
ing; 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 vege-
tables do we'll, the yield being enor-
nous as compared to those in the
states. Wild fruits, such as strawber-
ries, raspberries, cranberries, goose
berries and all varieties of currants
yield in abundance. AS a reader of
your valuable paper for number of
years, I feel that should inform
you of the progress and advance
ment being made in Canada within
the past few years and the induce
ments and advantages that will fol-
low settlement in western Canada.
Those who desire information can do
as 1 did, and apply to any agent of
the Canadian government, whose
name, see. appears in ADVERTISE
ments appearing elsewhere in the COL
umns of your paper, and when writ
ing ask particularly about the Sas-
katchewan Valley or Assiniboia Dis
tricts. Yours truly.
"OLD READER"