The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-09-19
WHAT FATHER AND HARRY Ac-
CoMPLIsHED.

Nothing succeeds like success" is an
bid and true saying, having many ap-
plications In Western Canada. The
following letter Is an illustration. The
writer, Mr.. Gerts, left Chicago a short
time ago and the success he has achiev-
ed may well be gained by anyone hav-
Ing pluck and energy Ly locating on
the free homestead lands In Western
Canada. A change has recently been
made IN the Canadian Land Regula-
tons concerning homesteads, which
makes 1t possible for any member of a
family to make entry for any other
member of the family entitled to a
homestead. For instance, q man may
now make entry before the local agent
for his father or for his brother or
brothers, or for his son or sons, or for
a sister or daughter who may be the
head Of the family having minor chill
dren depending upon her for support.
A sister, daughter or mother are also
entitled to make entry for any members
Of the family who are permitted entry
upon a homestead. The only fee re-
quired Is $40 for each entry. A great
saving In railway expenses is thus
made. Read what Mr.. Gerts has to
say:
Battleford, Sask., Aug. 4, 1907.
Dear Sir: Thinking a letter from us
Northwest settlers might interest you,
I write a few lines to let you know we
are progressing finely and well pleased
with new home.
When l think Of the many hard-work-
Ing, industrious men East with families
who are struggling for a living and do
ing the strenuous, laying up practically
nothing for old age, and the thousands
Of acres Of land here yet to be plowed
and cultivated, capable OF raising sixty
to eighty bushels Of oats, thirty to for
ty bushels of wheat, 1t certainly seems
a pity the two cannot be brought to-
gether. But l will repeat, this coun-
try is only for the industrious and
thrifty; also l might add it requires
some capital to start.
A man should have at least q team of
three good horses: better to have
mares, so as to have some colts coming
along each year. 1t is lest to bring
them with him, as good work horses
are high. He should be able to pur-
chase pillow, disc and drag, harrow,
drill, binder, mower and hay rake. OF
course several taking up claims or buy
ing land nea together can divide up
the purchasing Of the above machinery
and exchange work. This plan will
work well for a few years or until
crops will warrant each Individual to
purchase a full outfit.
We have 4S0 acres Of as good farm
land al lies in the famous Cut Knife
district. Every foot can be plowed.
Last year our oats u sixty bushels
per acre. l sold them for so cents per
bushel on the place.
The indications are for a good crop
this year, though we were very late in
seeding, owing to the late spring. Last
winter was the coolest known in this
country by the oldest settlers (some
VIM navy bSCh hSIC III ~ 1--WE SCdISDS
but with a comfortable house and plen-
ty of fire-wood, which we hauled four
miles, we passed the winter quite pleas
antly. The air is clear and dry. Some
Of the days i came from work 1 was
surprised to find the thermometer reg
istering 40 degrees below zero. Though
we never keep fire at night. we had
nothing freeze in our cellar.
Our stock and chickens wintered
fine. I have a yearling heifer, who
would hold her W in any "fat stock
show" She has had a drop OF
milk since she was four months old
and has never had a mouthful Of grain.
A gentleman who saw her made the re-
mark "he bet that heifer had eaten her
head off with grain" but would hardly
believe she had never had any grain.
This Is a great country for growing
all kinds Of vegetables, and we are GER
tainly enjoying our garden. The flavor
Of the green peas is especially fine. Last
season Mrs. G. canned a lot Of them,
and we have enjoyed them up to the
fresh crop.
l am sorry I did not have time this
past season to attend to transplanting
trees, but will keep the land l had pre-
pared worked up for next seasons
planting. l received a number Of small
trees cash and maple) from the Gov
eminent Experimental Farm at Indian
Head. l put them around the edge Of
the garden and they are doing fine. 1
also received quite a lot Of other seeds,
oats, wheat, potatoes and rhubarb roots,
which were acceptable.
1t is useless for US to bother with
garden flowers, as wild ones grow in
%profusion. We are located near a
fine creek, the water of which Is soft
and fine for bathing and washing. We
have a well Of water near the house,
80 feet deep and 81 feet Of water all
the time, though it is harder than the
oraay uuofar