The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-02-29
VOLUMES MIGHT BE WRITTEN
Of the Success That Awaits the Farm
err in Western Canada.


The story of wheat farming in Wes-
tern Canada (that portion of Canada
lying north of Dakota and Montana)
has been frequently told, but it will
stand a lot of telling, and still retain
it's touch of interest. During the year
just closed 277,376 persons made their
homes in Canada as compared with
215,912 for the year 1906, an increase
of 61,464. Those from the United
States numbered 56.551. A writer In
Industry" recently said: To-day the
Dominion OF Canada is witnessing a
'mightier movement of population
"than ever stimulated Biblical writ
Ger to pen a chapter of Scripture
The same writer says: From the Rhine
"and the Rhone river valleys; from
''the port cities of Germany and the
farms of the Fatherland, from the
peasant soil of Russia; and out from
''the grimy Lancashire and over-popu-
'lated Yorkshire, the discontinued
land ambitious of every cline are
seeking to take advantage of the
"soi and exhilarating climate of tie
Empire of the North"
Continuing the same writer says:
while million human beings throng
"the shores of the United States every
"year, the smaller number arriving in
Canada come with more well-de-
"fined purpose" The question has
been asked why do these people come
| to Canada? The available land be-
| tween the Mississippi and the Pacific
| has been exhausted, and the farmers
| within that territory find that their
sons have to seek newer climes. Cana
| da offers one hundred and sixty acres
of land free to each This land yields
| from 20 to 40 bushels of wheat to the
acre. In Southern Alberta, the winter
| wheat belt of Canada, as high as go
| bushels per acre have been harvested.
Less yields than the one mentioned
have netted the farmer as much az
| $35 per acre. There are no words that
| tell the tale so effectively as those Of
| the farmer himself, the man who has
| ploughed the fields, sowed the grain,
| and with folded hands rests while
| nature, bounteous in that country, in
less than three months, placed at his
| disposal hundreds of acres of ripened
| grain, now waiting the arrival of the
reaper, and therefore we reproduce
the following letter. A
Any agent of the Canadian govern
ment will be pleased to give informa-
ton regarding the district mentioned
or any of any other that may be de-
| sired.
E. T. Holmes, Esq,
Canadian Government Agent
St. Paul, Mimi.
Dear SIR
In 1905 located on claim about
30 miles from the town Of Wadena,
on the Canadian Northern Railroad,
have lived on my claim most of the
time since. / consider this to be one
of the best districts in the country
for grain growing. In 1906 wheat
| averaged from 80 to 81 bushels per
acre on some of my neighbors' farms,
within 4 miles of my claim. Oats go
from rs to 100 bushels. 1t is also
good country for stock. Where ! am
there is plenty of fuel. Homesteads
nearly all taken the settlement being
largely Germans, and Americans, all
well-to-do. l left Wadena in Febru-
airy, 1907, returning April rs, so that
/ missed part of the winter, which the
old settlers tell me was one of the
worst they ever saw, but there was
no suffering, as the people are pretty
well fixed, and there are no billiards
in that country, at least there never
has been known to be one. Wild land
sells at from $40 to SIS; closer to
town it is higher.
In the summer we have all sorts
of wild fruits very plentiful, and 1
never saw better vegetables, and game
is so plentiful man need not starve
for want of something to eat. Plenty
of good water too. You need not
hesitate to recommend this district,
but the homesteads are nearly all
taken, most of the homesteaders are
living right on their claims.
(Sished), FRANK MORREy,
Remington, Sask.
OF COURSE NOT.