Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-12-05
WHAT A LEADING AGRICULTuR,s,
SAYS OF WESTERN CANADA.


erof. Thomas Shaw Of Minnesota Uni.
versity Gives an Unbiased Opinion,
In a letter to 1.-The Farmer" st. Paul
dated Sept. LIST, 1901, Prof. Thomas
Shaw of the Minnesota State Uniyer.
sity has the following to say afte,
having made a trip through Western
Canada:
"The capabilities of the immens.
area known as Western Canada are but
little understood on this side of the
line. Our people are apt to look upon
it as q region of frost and snow, a
country in which but small portion I
of the land relatively will ever be till
able, because of the rigors of the eli
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 tho |
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 pillow.
Assiniboia to the west is 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 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 it 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 pre-
MUM 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 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
will 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
the country for wheat production is of
a high character. The cool nights
that usually characterize the ripening
season are eminently favorable to the
filing of the grain, and to the secur-
ing of plump berry, and consequently
large yields. The crop this year is
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
most handsome one, owing to the large
area sown to wheat. Many farmers
only grow grain. But those who do
succeed as we'll 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 long course
OF years, that is to say, where much
farming is practicable.
Quality of the Live Stock.
1t was pleasurable surprise to
note the high quality of the stock.