The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-01-20
THE GROWTH OF TOWNS
IN WESTERN CANADA
A BAROMETER OF THE GROWTH
OF THE AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICTS.


country In Impressed favorably or 9TH
erwise by the appearance Of the towns
along the line Of railways. Al they
appear prosperous and of healthy
growth he at once assures himself
that there II either Q local Industrial
factor to cause II or Q splendidly
developed agricultural area from
which IL drawn the resources tbs.
contribute or make for the growth
that 10 90 readily apparent On the
other hand. II evidence Of impover-
ished streets. badly appearing resi-.
dences and business places and leth-
argic citizens. there 10 an absence Of
local industry and surrounding agri.
cultural prosperity. There II no line
Of railway. whether main or branch,
throughout western Canada, that
through the towns or cities that are
built along the ribs Of steel do not
convey the most favorable impression.
The cause 10 not always apparent. but
the facts are there and easily seen.
In most cases the growth and the Sta
bility Of these towns are caused By
the excellent agricultural districts
that are tributary; In some cases.
manufacturing enterprises have
sprung up. caused BY the agricultural
demands and needs. The Winnipeg
Free Press and the Edmonton Bullo'
tin have recently sent corps Of ooe.
respondents through the provinces -
secure data concerning the growth q
the two or three hundred towns that
have come into existence during the
past two or three ysara The partic-
ulars make interesting reading. and a.
one reads of tho station house, the
blacksmith shop. the boarding house
and tho store of April. being dwarfed
In August by hundred or moro DWELL
ings. BY large hotels. BY splendid
stores. and Q half dozen implement
warehouses. not forgetting the two or
three churches and the excellent pub
10 school buildings. II causes one to
stop and think n they ever heard OF
such marvellous changes. Certainly
not often. These are facts. though. n
related Of western Canada. Then.
too. there are now cities-yes. cities
where ave or six years ago there
was but the bare prairie and tho lone
section post. The changes In tho Ca
madam West during the past eight
or ten years have been marvellous.
and II IL no idle tale to say that the
development In number and growth OF
the cities. towns and villages there
- -.
thing In the history Of the building Of
q new country. Agriculture has been
tho basis, and II Is agriculture of the
kind that In lasting. Tho ease with
which an excellent productive farm,
capable OF yielding . splendid living
and largo profit to the operator, II
such that II has encouraged thousands
to follow that pursuit. and also other
thousands on the limited and expen-
sive farms throughout the Central
Western States rs well a. some Of the
Coast States. to enlarge their neld Of
enterprise. The climate ID excellent,
and Just the climate that IL desirable
for tho healthy growth Of man and
tho products Of tho field. All varie-
ties OF the smaller and better paying
grains are raised. and generally with
every assurance Of good fields. With
government supervision Of railway
rates. splendid markets are contain.
and tho highest prices realized. The
Dominion Government. that has been
carrying on . propaganda Of securing
settlers for the vacant lands. issues
literature descriptive Of those avail
able In the provinces. and on request
Of your nearest Canadian government
agent, copies win BE- forwarded froA.