Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-12-05
WHAT A LEADING AGRIcuLTuR.
isT SAYS OF WESTERN CANADA.
Prof. Thomas Shaw of Minnesota Uni.
versity Gives an Unhiaseh OPP Mon.

iSt SAI . VT WsS EhN CANADA.
Prof. Thomas Shaw of Minnesota Uni.
versity Gives AN Unbiased OPINION.
In a letter TO THE Farmer" St Paul.
dated Sept. L, 1901. Prof. Thomas Shaw
OF Tie Minnesota State University has
the following To say, after having made
Il trip through Western Canada:
The capabilities of the immense area
known us Western Canada are but lit
tie understood ON this side of the line.
Our people are apt to look upon 1t as
region of frost and snow, country
in which but Il small portion of the
land relatively will ever be tillable be-
cause of the rig0rs of the climate True,
the climate is cold in winter, but West
ern Canada has, nevertheless, just that
sort of climate which makes 1t 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 grazcd Nearly all of
the prairie Province of Manitoba can
be brought under cultivation, although
probably not one-third of its surface
has been laid open by the plough. AS
siniboa to the west is n grain and
stock country. saskatchewan to tho
north of Assinibola has high adaptation
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 resources
of which have been but little drawn
upon comparatively. viewed from the
standpoint of the agriculturist. 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 premium at the Worlds
Fair In 1898, the capabilities of tins
country In wheat production loom up
more brightly than even the brilliant
Northern Lights of the land that lies
toward the pole.
Adapted tn 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 rtnChing. except where irrigation
| will vet be introduced. This. of course
| can he done successfully along the
| many streams that flow down from the
| Rockies and water the country to,
| wards the east and north The adapta-
| iion of the country for wheat produc-
| ton is of a Nigh character. The cool
| nights that usually characterize the
| ripcning season are cnlincntly favora-
BILE 10 the filing of the grain, and tn
the securing OF n plump berry, and con
sequcntly large yields The crop this
| year is Il magnificent one. In Mani
| toba and tile territories ii should GER
tainy give an average of more than
| twenty bushels per acre. But should
the yield be not more than twenty
| bushels, the crop will be most hand
4 some one. owing 10 the large area soWl
to wheat Many farmers only grow
grain. But those who do succeed rs
4 We'll in growing oats and barley as III
growing wheat. hence these foods fol
stock should always be abundant
Some grow cattle mainly and other
\ combine the two The last named, oil
course is doubtless the safest of Tho
three during long course of years
that is to say, whore such farming i:
practicable.
Quality OF tho Live Stock.
1t was a pleasurablc surprise 10 not,
the high quality OF the stock. Tn
average of qunlily in cattle is highc
than the average of cattle in our State
unless in the dairy classes. This opn
ion Is not reached rashly OF withou
ample opportunity for Investigation.
spent three long days in the show rim.
nj Winnipeg making the awards in th
beef classes. question If any of OH
States. single handed, could make sucl
a showing in cattle. II was my pryi
lege to make the awards At severa
shows, and mt all of them We're eyi
dcnccs that much attention is given 4
The Improvement oil the stock. ! note'
carefully the character of the herd
that grazed along the railroad and CIV
erywhere the high average of the qua
ity of the stock WAS in evidence.
Reasons for Quaii,v in stock.
The quality OF the grass is gooc
Many of the settlers came from Onta
rio and had been schooled as to tn
value of GOOD stock before going Yves
lie rai!reaaS ana inc government MY
taken deep interest in making 1t les
difficult and costly to the farmers t
secure good males.
Those who are anxious of changln
heir residence should bear in min
hat the lands in Western Canada AZ
many Of them free and others reason
ably cheap.
Information will gladly be given b
any agent of the Canadian government
whose advertisement appears els'
where.