The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-30

population. AS ]. J. Hill put 1t. the finest
possible land would be nothing but a.
worthless wilderness without people OIL or
adjacent to It, The sparseness of the pop
ulation Of western Canada and Its gener-
ally undeveloped condition is accountable
for the fact that land of unsurpassed fer
fifty is so much cheaper than as good or
poorer land in the United States. Canada
Is very large country with a very small
population. The area of Canada Is about
the same as that of the United States OF
course a large part, more than half, is
practically worthless for agricultural pur-
poses. But the population OF Canada is
considerably less than that of either New
York or Pennsylvania, and only about
400, 900 persons now live in Manitoba and
the territories, although the country has
been open to easy settlement since 1882.
The reason Of this is that the United
States attracted all the immigrants from
the, old world and that its own people
pushed west south of the boundary line.
The Canadians were not numerous
enough to populate their own west rap
Idly. But with the practical occupations
Of all the valuable agricultural lands in
the humid and semi humid regions Of the
American west, American attention at
last directed to Canada. A little investi-
cation brought conviction that the sever
ity of the Canadian climate had been
greatly exaggerated and that the posi-
btltties of agricultural production had
never been fully realized.
Wheat Of the Finest Quality.
Further investigation showed that the
best wheat in the world could be raised in
western Canada and that the fertile, al
luyial soil Of the Saskatchewan valley
would produce more wheat to the acre
than any other part Of the globe.
Whole districts average IS bushels an
after
is considered uncommon; % nothing ex-
traordinary, 80 or 35 not amazing, 40 or
50 not marvellous. It was careful, cal
culating realization Of such facts as these,
backed by investigations OF the soil and
study of what had been done by farmers
and at Dominion experiment farms that
led American capitalists to put their
money into western Canada with abso-
lutte faith III returns. 1t has thus come
| about that the skatcheWan Valley Land
company and other American companies
now own or have owned and sold to
Americans a very large part Of the best
lands in Assiniboia and Saskatchewan.
Minnesota, Iowa and Dakota farmers who
have gone up ''land looking and have
found that land that would produce as
much or more wheat than the land they
owned at home and was yet priced at
from SO to $40 an acre against their home
land at $25 to $100 an acre, became inter-
tied in western Canada last year and 3d.
900 this year.
RI" A Home Among Americans. -
Purchasers of lands from the Saskat-
chewan Valley Land company will be sure
to have American neighbors. This Is
often q great consideration among in
tending buyers. Owing to the character
of the selections it will be possible for
| relatives. neighbors or friends to settle
ND Oh tho iroa ha In
community familiar with American
manners and customs. So much land
does the Saskatchewan Valley Land COM
pany own, that the 200 miles over which
it stretches will one day be an essentially
American community in the heart OF
Canada.
German Norwegian and Swedish-Amer-
leans are going into the tracts Of the
Saskatchewan Valley Land company In
large numbers. It Is estimated that next
spring there will be 1900 American fan1i-
lies on farms bought from the company.
All Picked land. .Fs%5s
The company, by arrangement with the
railway company and the Canadian gov
eminent, was permitted to pick 100000
acres from a total area OF {, 100000. This
| control of the whole districts famed for
their fertility, as we'll as to choose the
best throughout an immense extent Of
country.
! Since the company received its first
grant it has come into possession Of the
| Big Quill Lake district, upon which land
men have long set covetous eyes. This
| district has been compared to the Portage
Plains-the richest locality, perhaps, IN
Manitoba. - .1r
Transportation Facilities. -ts'tA :
| AS already stated the Canadian Pacific
| railway runs through the heart Of Assint-
boia from east to west. ID 1t. passes through
Indian Head, Regina and the other prin-
! cipal towns of the central portion of the
district. The Qu'Appelle, Long Lake &
Saskatchewan railway is operated by the
Canadian Pacific railway and furnishes
ready and cheap communication with the
markets. The Canadian Northern is now
| building its main line from Erwood in
eastern Saskatchewan to Prince Albert
This Is the second Canadian transconti-
mental line and will give direct commune
cation with Winnipeg. The Canadian Pa
cific is building an extension from the
| main line at Moosornin, near the eastern
boundary Of Assinibola to Saskatoon on
the GU Appelle, Long Lake & Saskatche-
wan, where it crosses the south fork Of
the Saskatchewan river. This will bring