Free press., 1901-12-07
WHAT A LEADING AeRIcULTURIsT
SAYS OF WESTERN CANADA

WHAT A LEADING AGRiCULi UhlSt
SAYS OF WESTERN CANADA.
Prof Thomas shaw OF AItnnesOts Uai-
versity Gives an Unbiased Opinion.
In a 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 a 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 to look upon
it as a region OF frost and snow, a
country in which but a small portion
OF the land relatively will ever be till
able, because of the rigors of the cli-
mate. True, the climate is cold in win
ter, but Western Canada has, neverthe-
less, just that sort OF climate which
makes it 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
cessfully titled or grazed. Nearly all
Of the prairie Province Of Manitoba
can be brought under cultivation. al
though probably not one-third OF its
surface has been laid open by the plow.
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-
alist. When 1t is called to 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 il 1893, 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 to-
wards the mountains, are only adapted
to ranching, except where irrigation
viii 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
he Fr,--
a high character The cool nights
that usually characterize the Tipening
season are eminently favorable to the
filling of the grain, and to the secur-
ing Of plump berry, and consequently
large yields. The crop this year is a
magnificent one. In Manitoba and the
territories it 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 handsome one. owing to the large
area sown to 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 to say, where much
! farming is practicable
Quality of the Live Stock.
It vas a p'easurable surprise to
note the high quality OF the stock.
The average OF quality in cattle is
higher than the average Of cattle in our
state, unless in the dairy classes. This
opinion is not reached rashly or with
out ample opportunity for investiga-
ton. l spent three long days in the
show ring at Winnipeg making the
awards in the beef classes. question
If any OF our states, single handed,
could make such a showing in cattle.
It was my privilege to make the
awards at several shows and at all OF
their fairs were evidences that much
attention is given to the improvement
i of the stock. 1 noted carefully the
| character OF the herds that grazed
along the railroad and everywhere the
high average of the quality OF the stock
was in evidence.
| Reasons for Quality in Stock.
The quality of the grass is good.
Many OF the settlers came from On
tario and had been schooled as to the
value of good stock before going west.
The railroads and the government
have taken a deep interest in making
it less difficult and costly to the farm
ers to secure good males.
Those who are anxious Of changing
their residence should bear in mind
. that the lands in Western Canada are
many Of them free and others reason
ably cheap.
Information will gladly be given by
any agent Of the Canadian government,
whose advertisement appears else
where.
A convalescent patient is one who
has outwitted his physician.
Unless man is open to conviction
, he has no business in an argument.