The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-12-19
WHAT A LEADING AGRICULT-
URIST SAYS OF WEST
ERN CANADA.
Prof. Thomas Shaw of sMinnesota
University Gives an Unbiased
Opinion.

t0lLetNf VI lHt 4hlUltSOld DldlC
sity, has the following to say, after
having made trip through Western
Canada:
THE capabilities of the immense
area known as Western Canada are
but little understood on this side of thei
line. Our people are apt to look upon
it as region of frost and snow, a coun-
try in which but small portion of the;
land relatively will ever be tillablei
because of the rigors of the climate.l
True, the climate is cold in winter,
but Western Canada has, nevertheless,
just that sort of climate which makesl
it the most reliable wheat producing
country in all the continent.
AN IMMENSE AREA.
Western Canada is not only an inn
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 cam
be brought under cultivation, although
probably not one-third of its sur
face has been laid open by the plough.
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--
list. When it is called to mind that
even in the Peace River Country, sew
eral hundreds of miles north of the
Canadian boundary, wheat was grown
which won premium at the Worlds
Fair in 1898, 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
towards the mountain, are only adapt
ed to ranching, except where irriga-
ton 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 high character.
The cool nights that usually charac-
terize the ripening season are en-
inently favorable to the filling of the
grain, and to the securing 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 most hand
some one, owing to the large area
sown to wheat. Many farmers only
grow grain. But those who do sue
coed as well in growing oats and barley
as in growing wheat, hence these foods
for live stock should always be
abundant Some grow cattle MAIN
ly and others combine the two.
The last named, of course, is
doubtless the safest of the three
during long course of years, that
is to say, where such farming is prac-
tieable.
QUALITY OF LIVE STOCK.
1t was a 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 privilege to make the awards at
several shows, and at all of them
were evidences 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 everywhere the high average of
the quality of the stock was in evil
dence.
REASONS FOR QUALITY IN STOCK.
The quality of the grass is
good. Many of the settlers came
from Ontario, and had been schooled
as to the value of good stock before
going west. The railroads and the
Government have taken deep in
terest in making it 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 Govern
ment, whose advertisement appears
elsewhere.
To Leave Bicycle for Horse.
According to the New York World,
Jimmy Michael, king of pace follow
ers on the bicycle, has once more
made I'm his mind m hacOroa n nro ol-