Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1915-07-16
'BOUNTIHUL PROMISE
FROM WESTERN CANADA
Average Increase of Acreage in
Wheat Over q Per Cent.
Wheat Acreage


Saskatchewan ..........25 per cent
Alberta ................321a per cent
Manitoba ..............l 10 per cent
Average for prairies. .221a per cent
Saskatchewan.
The growth of the crop during the
past week was very satisfactory. Rain
fell in many places during the early
part of the weelS followed by warmer
weather, which has been most bene-
fetal to the grain. Breaking and sum-
mer-fallowing were well under way.
and conditions generally were most
promising.
The following reports have been re-
ceived by the department from the
various centers: Denholm-A little
rain needed in the northern part to
start late grain; remainder of district
plenty of moisture. Davidson-Ideal
growing weather; a few farmers har-
rowing grain to conserve moisture by
breaking crust formed since last rain.
North Battleford to Prince Albert
Good growing weather; crops looking
well. Slight damage near North Bat
tleford from cutworms; recent rains
beneficial. Kindersley-Crops looking
fine and prospects good; plenty of
moisture with prospects of more rain
Every slough in this country is full
Prince Albert-Crops in fair condition,
though cutworms and light frosts
have done damage in some sections
Have had moderate quantity of rain
Owing to prompt marketing of the
harvest of 1914, the farmers were en-
abled to devote more time than usual
to cultivation in the autumn, under
conditions which were decidedly IA
vorable, and that, combined with the
opportunities for soil preparation pre-
scented by an early spring this year,
has resulted in the seeding of wheat
area estimated at twenty-five per cent
greater than last year. Areas sown
to oats and flax may be less than last
year. because of the concentration
upon the cereal In greater demand for
export Wheat seeding was completed
eight days earlier than the average,
uUucT l1tdl
Alberta.
Prospects excellent. Abundant
moisture throughout the province, fol
lowing rain. Area thirty to thirty-five
per cent greater. Crop generally two
weeks earlier"
Attention Is drawn to the fact that
the land has not been in such fine con-
dition to work for years; neither has
there been as much moisture as there
was last autumn. This was protected
during the winter by little more than
the average snowfall, which remained
on the land, not being removed by the
warm chinook winds, as is usually the
case. There never has been a more
optimistic feeling than exists today.
judging by the information received
from various parts of the province. We
feel justified in saying that the crop
never went In under more favorable
circumstances; weather splendid and
land particularly well worked.
While 1t is true that the acreage will
be greatly increased it is pleasing to
learn that, despite the high price of
feed, the receipts of milk and cream at
the dairies continue to keep up, and
that the output of the creameries has
increased In quantity.
One of the most encouraging things
in last years work was the increase of
practically thirty per cent in the out
put of cream and butter south of Cal
gary.
Manitoba.
Owing to the exceptionally early har-
vest last year and favorable fall
weather, much larger acreage of
land was prepared than usual. and
partly for the same reason and the
prospects, Of high prices for all kinds
of grain, farmers took more pains in
the preparation of land. SO that the
spring opened up with 1.235.000 acres
of fully prepared land above the pre-
vious year. Seeding was general by
the 7th of April. some days in advance
of the average. Since that time the
weather has been exceptionally favor
able for the sowing of wheat, and the
farmers have taken fun advantage Of
it. Much of the crop is now above the
surface. There has been a very gen.
eral and liberal rainfall; this will
hasten the termination of the recently
sown wheat. and will prevent the soil
from drifting off the later sown crop.
The area sown in wheat is fully 10 per
cont oraafar than last wear
To sum up the agricultural situation
generally, the Department of Agricul
ture says: "The area is larger than
usual. the land has been well prepared,
and the wheat has been sown at the
right time; not so early as to run the
risk OF being killed off by frost, but
sufficiently early to insure its ripening
in the fall" -Adyertisement