Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1914-12-04
WESTERN CANADA'S
STRONG POSITION
THE WHEAT cRANARY OF THE
WORLD" A WELL APP
Piled TERM.

Western Canada occupies q stronger
position today than 1t ever has occu-
pied. Taking one year with another.
the efficiency of its lands to produce
has been well proved. It has not been
said OF 1t that year in and year out
there were bumper and bounteous
crops. If such condition existed it
would be phenomenal in the history
of any country. With an extensive
territory producing grain, hogs, cattle
and sheep, of some 500 miles wide and
1000 miles long, 1t is easy to con-
ceive Of wide variation In tempera-
ture and climate; there Is variation in
rainfall and snowfall; every section is
not the best in the dlstrict-some are
better than others and some worse,
but as a general thing, the great per-
centage is better" This past year
has shown that some portions are not
altogether immune from periods of
drought. The same may be said of adj
joining states to the south. But this
year has also shown that in the
greater portion of Western Canada
drought does not appear, but even In
the drought-stricken area of this year,
past years have shown that the soil
produces wonderfully we'll and even
this year, with modern methods,
known as "dry-farming," good crops
were harvested. The large number
of Americana who during the past six
teen years have been attracted to
Canada have not gone simply because
of the advertising of that country, but
because their friends and their old
time neighbors have done well there,
and with careful and judicious farm
ing almost everyone has done well.
AS a result of the great influx of
the open or prairie home
stealing area Is being rapidly taken
up. The fact that this is SO Is evil
dence that Western Canada lands are
productive, and on these open plains
today are to be seen the homes of
successful farmers from almost every
state in the Union. They have earned
their patents, and now own outright
their 100 acres of land, together prob
ably with an adjoining 100 acres,
which they have purchased or pre-
empted, all OF which is worth from
$25 to $50 per acre. They originally
started by growing grains altogether.
but they found that they could secure
a better price for much of their grain
by feeding 1t to hogs and cattle. and
the most successful ones are those
who have followed this course.
But to meet the wants of the new
conner new homestead area has been
opened up. known as the park coun-
try" In this park country are to be
found beautiful groves OF poplar and
willow. small lakes and streams. with
sufficient open area to enable one to
go into immediate cultivation of crop.
and In due time when they wish more
land to be put under cultivation, they
may at small cost cut down some of
the groves, which in the meantime
have been valuable in providing fuel
and In giving shelter to cattle.
Notwithstanding the high character
OF the open prairie lands and the fact
that farmers there have realized IN a
splendid way, there Is the Option
backed up by lot OF experiene6fthat
this parklike country contains soil
even better than that of the open area
referred to.
The opportunities. therefore. for
money making are as great today as
they ever were. The'opportunities for.
carrying on farming successfully are
fully as great as they ever were. or
this park area we have an immense
quantity Of land yet to be settled. 1t
Is true that the railroads have not yet
penetrated these districts to the extent
That they have the open area. but this
wiffecome and as settlements advance.
so will railroads build. For the pres
ent there is a temporary lull In rail-
road building. but 1t is always the
case that where there is a demand
there will come q supply, and 1t will
not be long before the park country
will be penetrated by railroads that
win give sufficient accommodation for
all needs, but to those who prefer 1t
there are lots Of opportunities for pur-
chasing land nearer towns and vii
lagos and at low prices and on easy
terms.
whether one cares to purchase or
homestead 1t can better be done by
paying visit to the country and it
win repay you to spend some little
time visiting the different Districts
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