Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-02-11
EVERYTHING WAS FAVORABLE
Sorry He Didn't Move to Western
Canada Sooner.

Sorry He Didn't Move to Western
Canada Sooner.
Mr.. Austin was a man who had
never had any previous experience in
farming, but Western Canada had al
lurements, and he profted He got a
low rate certificate from a Canadian
Government agent, and then moved.
What he says is interesting.
Ranfurly, Alberta, May 10, 1908.
]. n Grieve, Esq, Spokane, Wash:
Dear Sir-After dozen or more
years Of unsuccessful effort in the
mercantile business In western Wash
ington, in August, 1903, decided to
come to Alberta with a gentleman
who was shipping two cars of live
stock to Edmonton l assisted this
man with the stock over 100 miles out
in the Birch Lake country, east of Ed
monitor Indeed, how surprised, how
favorably everything compared with
my dream Of what l wanted to see in
q new country.
Had never had any experience in
farming, but l was Immediately con-
verted into farmer. And from that
moment I have prospered Selecting
a homestead near Birch Lake, l re
turned for wife and three small chill
dren and freighted out from Edmonton.
In March, following year, we shoveled
spot clear of snow and pitched our
tent and commenced operations. At
that time we had no neignbors. Four
years have passed. The locality is
well settled; two miles from railway
station, with churches and schools, tel
ephone and good road accommodations.
We are enjoying the privileges
granted to any rural district in Wash
ington- The Birch Lake country is no
exception. This great transformation
is rapidly going on in every district in
western Canada.
l estimate that every quarter section
in every direction is capable of pro-
ducing a comfortable living for a fam
lily of ten forever. After paying for
two horses and COW had just $40 to
go on. Did my first ploughing in my
life; was very awkward in my work,
but nature was glad | came and album
dainty paid me for my efforts. Our
cattle have increased to about fifty
head, which was very profitable on
account of the abundance of forage
To farm was compelled to buy about
$500 worth of farm machinery on time,
and the payments fell due last fall, and
you may wonder how l expected to
pay for them when we had such bad
year. Twas little bad for western
Canada or for a Missourian. But is
not 80 or 40 bushels oats pretty good
yield per acre in many States? Then
SO when | had sold my crop l found
| was able to make my payments nice
ly; besides, we had lots of feed No
one has any business raising cattle
without growing grain, or vice versa.
AS to the winters, did not feed my cat
tie, excepting the calves, fork of
hay until in March. Have found the
winters much more pleasant than we
did in western Washington. This is
strange and hard to explain, but it's
true nevertheless; at 40 degrees below
zero we have more comfort than you
would at 20 degrees above, so still and
dry, with bright, sunny days. My wife
says that the only regret she has is
that we did not come here ten years
ago, as we would now certainly have
been in a position to retire from hard
work. Most women soon become salts
fed as neighbors begin to come round
them. Have % acres in crop this year,
besides acres potatoes, which have
always brought me a fair price. We
find a ready market for everything we
produce. To the poor man-here is a
chance to establish yourself. To the
rich man-here is a chance to buy land
for SO to $15 per acre which will pro-
duce more crops than a half dozen
acres Of your $50 to $40 per acre land.
And if not very much mistaken. this
year will prove an eye opener to those
who are a little skeptical. The trouble
with me is that | have so much to say
SO favorable to Alberta It's hard to be
brief. Respectfully,
(Signed) p. s. AUSTIN.