The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-05-07
DOLLAR WHEAT HAS
COME TO STAY
IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS CEN.
TRIAL CANADA WILL BE CALLED
UPON TO SUPPLY THE
UNITED STATES.

stay, and that the time was not far
distant when the central provinces of
Characterization, Saskatchewan and
Aiberta-wouid be called upon to sup
ply a large part Of the wheat con-
sumption in the United States. there
were many who laughed at the predic-
tons and ridicuied the idea of wheat
reaching the dollar point and staying
there. Both of these predictions have
come to pass. Dollar wheat is here
and 1t is not only here, but is here to
stay: and at the same time, whatever
unpleasant sensati tons 1t may arouse
in the super-sensitive American, Cen.
trail Canada is already being called
upon to help keep up the bread sup
ply, and within the next five years
will. as James j. Hill says, literally
become the bread,basket Of our In.
creasing millions"
There are few men In the United
States better acquainted with the
wheat situation than Mr.. Hill, and
there are few men, II any, who are in
clined to be more conservative in
their expressed views. Yet 1t was this
who said a few days ago that "the
price of wheat will never be substan-
TALLY lower than II is today'-aud
when it is taken into consideration
that at that time wheat had scared TO
$l.20. well above the dollar mark, the
statement is peculiarly significant,
aud doubiy significant Is the fact that
in this country the population il in
creased at the ratio oil % per cent.
while the yield oil wheat aud other
products Is increasing at the rate OF
only % per cent. For several years
past the cost of living has been stead.
lily increasing in the United States.
and this wide difference in production
and consumption is the reason.
This difference must be supplied by
the vast and fertile grain regions OF
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
There is now absolutely no doubt OF
\ this. Even the press OF the country
comedies the fact. Results have shown
that no other country In the world can
ever hope to equal those provinces as
wGeat producers. and that no other
country can produce as hard or as
good wheat. Said n great grain man
recently. IF United States wheat main
tains the dollar mark. Canada wheat
will be well above a dollar n bushel.
for In every way II is superior to our
homegrown grain
With these facts steadily impinging
their truth upon our rapidly growing
population. II is interesting to note
Just what possibilities as a wheat
grower" our Northern neighbor pos
sesses. While the United States will
never surrender her prestige In any
manufacturing or commercial line, she
must very soon acknowledge, and with
as much grace as she can, that she Is
bound to be beaten as a grain pro-
Queer. 1t must be conceded that q
great deal OF the actual truth about
the richness Of Canada's grain produc-
Ing area has been kept out of sight"
as Mr.. Hill says, by the strenuous eff.
forts OF our newspapers and maya
sines to stem the exodus OF our best
American farmers into those regions.
1t Is a fact that up to the present
time. although Canada has already
achieved the front rank in the world q
grain producers. the fertile prairies
OF Manitoba, Saskatchewan and AL.
berta have as yet scarcely been
scratched. Millions Of acres, free for
the taking. still await our American
farmers; and when these millions are
gone there are other millions in re
gions not yet opened up to immigra
fnx . h.., h.
has been through those wheat prov
inces several times. laughed with 9th
ers OF our people at the broas
statement that Canada was bound t,
become John Bulls Bread Basket
Now, after a last trip land though h,
In q stanch American) he frankly be
lieyes that not only will Canada be
come John Bulls bread basket, but
will within the next decade at leas
BECOME THE BREAD-BASkET OF
THE UNITED STATES. Perhaps thi
may be hard truth for Aemrieans I
swallow. but it Is truth, neyerth,
less. And 1t is at least partial con
pensation to know that hundreds {
thousands Of our farmers are prof
ting by the fact by becoming producer
In this new country.
The papers Of this country have ma
orally made the most OF the brief p
Rod Of depression which swept owe
Canada. but now there is not sign .
q left from Winnipeg to the coas
Never have the three great wheat raj
Ing provinces been more prosperou
Capital In coming into the countr
from all quarters. taking the form I
cash for investment. industrial col
Germs seeking locations. and. best {
Ill. substantial and sturdy Immigrant
come to help populate the prairie
Towns are bo0mine. scores Of ne
elevators are springing up: railroad
are sending out their branch lines |
al directions: thousands of prospe
Gus farmers are leaving their prair
1holtnRn fnP man and vpodarn bona,