The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-03
PRAIRIE PROVINCES
SHOW PROSPERITY
Despite Smallness of Grain
Crops Monetary Returns
Will Be Great.
By Stor Correspondent Of TIE Sun

By Star Correspondent Of The Sun.
SASKATOON, Sask., Sept. 2.-These
prairie provinces are not rejoicing In a
bumper crop this year, but they are
reaping harvest that will yield any
where from 180,o00,O0O to 200. 200, 900
bushels of wheat, and 275 100000 BUSH
els of oats. There will be 1900, 900
bushels of barley and S,500,000 of rye.
The fax crop Is in doubt, both as to
yield and quality. The fact that fax is
worth $500 adds to the interest in the
subject.
Saskatchewan will maintain the lead,
and to the same extent that has marked
the last ten years of raising more
wheat and oats than the other two prov
inces combined, and about as much
AS all the rest Of Canada. This is an Off
year for grain crops in this country. In
1915 the wheat crop of Canada amounted
to 3eS,542,000 bushels. This years
total will not go beyond 100000, 900
bushels. but II should be remembered
that 1915 was an exceptional year.
Notwithstanding all the dismal pre-
dictions and reports about the crop,
Canada Is likely to have more wheat
and coarse grains than in 1918. Prices
remain high and most farmers will be
able to stagger through the season and
pay in cash for what they buy.
The Saskatchewan wheat yield is put
at about 100000 bushels; that Of
Alberta at 100000, and Manitoba at
$4,000, 900. Consequently It appears
there has been a lot of idle talk on the
subject A minister of the Federal
Government on his return East was
quoted In an interview as commenting
on the crop failure. That was a mis-
take, either Of the minister or the
writer.
Never n Crop Failure.
There never has been a crop failure
in Western Canada, for the reason that
the area is SO large that no season is so
bad, drought. frost, hail or pest. as to
cause a famine. Even this year when
drought has been serious in the south
western parts of Alberta and Saskatche-
wan, there are large areas wherein the
crop is quite good, so that the prov
inces will have an exportable surplus
Of more than 100000 bushels Com
pared with the 385, 0o0.o 900 wheat total
In 1915. 1t looks short, but II really
means lot OF wheat, and much money,
With oats running around 90 cents the
grain crop of 1919 will bring rich gold
to Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.
Certain districts of the prairie prov
inces have had good crops right
through this period of high prices. The
Alelfort district to the east of Prince
Albert is one that has had this experi-
ence. The country all around Edmonton
and to the east of Saskatoon has been
well favored So also the territory
further south and east of Saskatchewan.
Business conditions have been vastly
improved In the prairie provinces since
1914. Prior to that prices were very
low for all farm products. Many men
had como into the prairies from East
ern Canada and from the Central and
Western States with very limited cap
ital.
The trials incidental to pioneering, the
low prices for everything, put not few
out Of business. The collapse OF the
real estate boom in the cities and big
towns left some of the young business
men stranded. and with a smaller pop
ulation TO depend upon for trade The
years 1912-15 cleaned out a lot of
Dfarmers and settlers. Those were busy
days for the sheriffs and bailiffs.
But the last five years of high prices
for all farm products has worked great
changes for the better. To-day there
are many farmers on the prairies in
position of competence, with land paid
for, good houses and barns, implements
homes well furnished. The business
men in the towns are in much improved
financial position. Until about 1915
there was a large credit business. Now
the amount sold for cash will be about
80 per cent of the total all over the
provinces, and 80 per cent. In the cities.
This desirable change has been
brought about. not only by grain grow
Ing at high prices, but by dairying and
live stock quite as much as grain. The
mixed farming that was the theme of
many oak-desk farmers. came into prac-
tice all over the prairies quite apart
from airy efforts Of the theorists, Just
as many other changes came into effect
during the war.
Great Increase in Live stock.
1t is a notable fact that the number
of live stock In possession of the farm.
ers and ranchers in Canada has in
creased during the last three years not
withdrawing the high prices and tempta-
ton to sell. In cattle alone the in
crease is estimated at 1000, 900, in
swine at 100000, sheep, 700. 900 horses,
nearly 100000. and values higher all
round. This fact indicates foresight on
the part of the live stock and dairy
interests. The total number OF cattle,
all grades and breeds, is estimated at
10.050,S67 for all Canada horses, $780,
257 swine, 4,2Ss.6S2; sheep. S,O52,74S.
The total value of the field crops OF
Canada in 1918 was s1,367. 900, go, and
assuming that the crop of 1919 is equal
in volume, the value will be greater in
trade and purchasing power even than
the crop of 1918. 1t is such facts as
this that must be considered in relation
to the attempt to introduce ARTIFICIAL
means into the realm of actual eco
Monies. With crops below average in
volume and the purchasing and consum-
ing public possessed of money the de-
mand viii continue 10 be keen. Increased
production is imperative before prices