Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-12-07
WHAT A LEADING AGRICULTURE
IST SAYSO OF WESTERN CANADA.
Prof. Thomas Shaw of. Minnesota Uni.
versity GiYcs On Unhinseh Onlnion.

oaA VI I'LL
versity Gives an Unbiased Opinion.
In a letter to "The Farmer" st. Paul,
dated Sept. l, 1901, Prof. Thomas Shaw
or the Minnesota State University 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 lit
tie understood on this side Of the line.
Our people are apt 10 look upon 1t as
n region Of frost and snow, a country
Ill which but a small portion Of the
land relatively Will ever be tillable be-
cause OF the rigors 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
VIII apply to those portions OF the
country that are capable of being sue
cessfully TILED or grazed. 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
siniboia to the west Is n grain and
stock country. Saskatchewan to the
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 n grain growing and
stock producing empire, the
Of which have been but little drawn
upon comparatively, viewed from the
standpoint Of the agrlculturist. 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 premium at the Worlds
Fair in 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 1t
Is adapted to growing both grain n
stock, but certain areas, especially to-
wards the mountains, are only adapted
to ranching, except where irrigation
will yet he introduced. This, OF course,
can be done successfully along the
many streams that flow down from the
Rockies and water the country to-
wards the east and north. The adapta-
ton Of the country for wheat produc-
ton Is Of n high character. The cool
nights that usually characterize the
ripening season are eminently favora-
bic to the filling of the grain, and to
the securing Of a plump berry, and con-
sequently large yields. The crop this
year is n magnificent one. In Mani
toba and the territories 1t should GER
tainly give an average Of more than
twenty bushels per acre. But should
the yield be not more than twenty
bushels, the crop will be a most hand
some 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 safest Of the
three during a long course Of years:
that Is to say, where such farming is
practicable.
Quality of the Live Stock.
1t vas n pleasurable 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 opin-
ion is not reached rashly or without
ample opportunity for investigation. l
spent three long days in the show ring
at Winnipeg making the awards in the
beef classes. l question If any of our
States, single handed, could make such
a showing In cattle. 1t was my privi-
lege to make the awards at everal
shows, and at all Of them were evil
dences that much attention Is given to
the improvement Of the stock. l noted
carefully the character Of the herds
that graZed along the railroad and ev-
erywhere the high average Of the quail
ity Of the stock was in evidence.
Reasons for Quaiity in Stock.
The quality OF the grass Is good.
Many Of the settlers came from Onta-
rio 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 1t less
difficult and costly to the farmers 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.