The Benson signal., 1917-08-04
GRAIN CROPS
ARE PROMISING
Western Canada 1917 Crops in
Good Shape.

will produce, there is every indication
at the present writing that the 1917
crop will give an excellent return. Re-
ports received from all portions Of
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
speak of good growing weather,
fairly advanced stage Of all grains,
with prospects as good as in the past
two years. Should conditions con-
tinue as at present. it is safe to con-
clude that Western Canadian farm
ers, already free of debt, as a re-
suit of the splendid crops and prevail
ing high prices, expect from this sea-
sons returns to be in a position that
will place them away beyond any fear
Of the future.
The acreage of Western Canada will
be about the same as last year. Seed
ing was somewhat later than last
year, but termination was quicker. The
only possible drawback now would
seem to be a scarcity of harvest hands,
but it is felt by the authorities that the
situation will be pretty well cared for
by that time.
Land values are increasing, but there
is room for a much greater increase
than in the past, owing to the returns
that farmed land will give when COM
pared with it's cost. In some districts
land that could have been bought five
years ago for SIS an acre is changing
hands at $50 an acre, the seller satis-
fed that he is giving the purchaser
good value for his money. And why
not, when it Is known that In a great
many cases during the past two years
crops have been grown on this land
that have produced profit Of forty
and fifty dollars per acre, over and
above cost Of production. These cases,
while not general, were not excep-
tional.
In addition to the lands that are
offered for sale by railway companies,
land companies and private individ-
uals, the hOmesteading areas offer
great inducements for those who are
willing to do little pioneering for a
year or two. BY that time settlements
would come into existence, and this
| means a condition similar to that en-
| joyed by many Of the older settlements
Of today-schoOls, churches, railways.
The land Is of high-class quality,
strong and vigorous, easily worked,
and capable of producing the very best
| of crops.
The demand for all grains for some
years will be great, and it will require
all the resources of man, beast and
soil to meet it. That the prices will
be good goes without saying, but at the
| present time there is something more
appealing than the lucrative prices
that prevail That is, the desire to
assist in winning the world war. The
man at the plow is doing his "bit," and
the spirit of patriotism that prevails
will lead him into broader sphere of
action. No matter where he may be he
will look about him that he may find
land to further develop the country's
resources. 1t is possible that his own
state may furnish the land, in which
case he will be quick to take advan-
tage Of the offer. If land In his
own state Is not available, Canada
(nOw our ally) will be glad to furnish
1t in unlimited quantity as she is vital
ly interested in largely increasing the
supply of foodstuff which is now as
urgently needed and is as valuable as
ammunition to the allied countries,
The appeal made by Mr.. Hoover,
United States controller of foods, and
also by Hon. w. J. Hanna, Canadian
controller emphasizes the need of the
allies, urges economy and the preven-
tion of the waste in food, and be-
speaks whole-hearted public co-opera-
ton. Speaking of Great Britain,
France, Italy, Belgium and their Eu-
ropean allies, they say:
"For nearly three years their man
power has been engaged in the direct
work Of war; and in some cases large
areas of their most productive lands
have been overrun by the enemy. Their
food shortage and the food to supply
the armies of Canada and the United
States must be wholly provided from
this side of the Atlantic. The supply
must also be sufficient to cover losses
at sea. Australia, New Zealand the
Argentine Republic and other coun-
tries are not now available to relieve
the situation because of their remote
ness and the shortage of tonnage
''The crop of storeable foods grown
in Canada and the United States suit
able for shipment overseas threatens
to be entirely inadequate to meet the
demand unless the whole people de-
termine by every means in their power
to make up the shortage. Every indi-
vidual is under a direct obligation to
assist in ratiOning the allied forces.
There must be national self-denial and
national cooperation to provide the
necessary supplies. s."-Advertisement.
See!
II see they are looking for draft