The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-08-30

appellation, for Lesser Slave lake, to
Peace rive landing, light draught
boats with fiat bottom, propelled by
gasoline. are adopted at the rapids.
thence more portage labor and the
Hudson bay steamer to Edmonton.
A steamer large tonnage travers-
es the river from Shute Smith to the
shute of Little Red river, distance of
four hundred miles. Great rapids are
located at this place, one and a quar-
ter miles in width, and 1t is conjec-
tured that the Grand Trunk railway
will erect its crossing in proximity
to this point.
Mails are received once in every
month via Smoky river, the transit oc-
cupying ten days, representations
have been recently made at Ottawa
for improved postal facilities, two
services monthly will shortly be in
augurated.
Climatic Changes.
In speaking of climatic conditions
the bishop affirmed that it is only of
rare occurrence that the thermometer
will register fifty degrees below zero,
Its general standing in the depth Of
winter being from thirty to thirty
etgth. Chinook winds are very preva-
lent. thus temperizing the weather.
The summer days are of long duration,
mosquitoes and other winged pests are
favorable in comparison with more
settled regions of this Dominion. The
potato crop it prodigious, always in
readiness for table purposes by July
Is. Turnips oftentimes attain a
weight of twenty-five pounds, cabbage
twenty-eight pounds are by no means
a rarity. The forest wealth of the
country attains stupendous propor-
ton, and its minerals are fabulous.
During the past twenty years frost
has upon three occasions only proved
injurious to horticultural efforts, up
on one record only has it caused dam
age. Samples of early Riga wheat re-
ceived from Ottawa at the experi-'
mental farm at Vermillion have prov
ed t, he ter days earlier in attaining
maturity than other varieties, produc-
ing yield of thirty bushels to the
acre. A mill is in operation by the
Hudson's Bay company, who, in the
fall of 1908, paid the figure of $1.25
per bushel f. wheat, manufacturing
strong bakers flour of high quality
and another brand slightly inferior
known under the name of Voyageur,
several thousand bushels of wheat
were utilized. Many families have al
ready moved into this land of promise,
and the incoming Transcontinental
railway will rapidly cause its popu-
lation to increase a thousand fold.
The hum of twenty binders was au-
dible at the mission house last har-
vest, this season the number is large
ly augmented.
Treaty money is paid to the Indian
population in July, followed by the
usual joyous festivities. Yuletide is
the mirthful season, when from far
and near the red man and his scatter
ed white neighbor arrive at the mis-
sion to participate in the Christmas
services and cheerful surroundings.
The official residence of Bishop JOS
sard 1t at Vermillion. He is flnent
conversationalist in three dialects of
the Indian tongue. He returns ere
long to his lonely dwelling place to
continue the good work he and other
heroic men are undertaking, depriving
themselves of society and life's gale
ties, laying the foundation stones of
the untold wealth beneath Athabas-
can soil and her vast agricultural re-
sources in the future years, and
bringing the Indian into similitude
with his fellowmen.