The Forrest City times., 1911-01-20
THE GROWTH OF TOWNS
 IN WESTERN CANADA
A BAROMETER OF THE GROWTH OF THE AGRICULTURAL
 DISTRICTS.

The traveller passing through a country is impressed fayorably or oth- erwise by the appearance Of the towns along the line of railways. As they | appear prosperous and of healthy i growth he at once assures himself that there is either a local industrial
 factor to cause 1t, or a splendidly l developed agricultural area from 1 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 res l denees and business places and leth- argic citizens, there Is all absence of local industry and surrounding agri- cultural prosperity. There Is no line or 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 the facts are there and easily seen
 In most cases the growth and the sta blllty 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, 1t 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 eities-yes, cities of from ten to fifteen thousand people where five or six years ago there was but the bare prairie and the lone section post The changes In the Ca nadian West during the past eight or ten years have been marvellous, and 1t Is no idle tale to say that the development in number and growth of the cities, towns and villages there fin the past decade has eclipsed any thing in the history of the building of 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 yteldsng a 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 we'll as some of the Coast States. 10 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 eentain, and the highest prices realized. The Dominion Government, that has been carrying on a 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 Will be forwarded free