The Harrison times., 1911-01-21
THE GROWTH OF TOWNS
IN WESTERN CANADA
A BAROMETER OF THE GROWTH
OF THE AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICTS.

The traveller passing through
country is impressed favorably or 9th
erwise by the appearance Of the towns
along the line of railways. AS they
appear prosperous and of healthy
growth he at once assures himself
that there is either local industrial
factor to cause It, or a splendidly
developed agricultural area from
which is drawn the resources that
contribute or make for the growth
that is so readily apparent On the
other hand, If evidence of impover-
ished streets, badly appearing resi-
dences and business places and leth-
argic citizens, there is an absence of
local industry and surrounding agri-
cultural prosperity. There Is 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 is not always apparent, but
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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 Bulle-
tin have recently sent corps of cor
respondents through the provinces to
secure data concerning the growth Of
the two or three hundred towns that
have come into existence during the
past two or three years. The partic-
ulars make interesting reading, and as
one reads of the station house, the
blacksmith shop, the boarding house
and the store Of April being dwarfed
In August by hundred or more dwell
ings, by large hotels, by splendid
stores, and half dozen implement
warehouses, not forgetting the two or
three churches and the excellent pub
lie school buildings it causes one to
stop and think If they ever heard Of
such marvellous changes. Certainly
not often. These are facts, though as
related Of western Canada. Then,
too, there are now cities-yes, cities
Of from ten to fifteen thousand people
where five or six years ago there
was but the bare prairie and the lone
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madam West during the past eight
or ten years have been marvellous,
and it is no idle tale to say that the
development in number and growth Of
the cities, towns and villages there
in the pasc decade has eclipsed any
thing in the history Of the building Of
a new country. Agriculture has been
the basis, and it is agriculture of the
kind that is lasting. The ease with
which an excellent productive farm,
capable Of yielding splendid living
and large profit to the operator, Is
such that it has encouraged thousands
to follow that pursuit, and also other
thousands on the limited and eXpen-
sive farms throughout the Central
Western States as well as some Of the
Coast States, to enlarge their field of
enterprise. The climate is excellent,
and just the climate that is desirable
for the healthy growth of man and
the products of the 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 centain,
and the 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
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