The sun., 1919-09-16
SEES GREAT EMPIRE
In WESTERN CANADA
Col. John s. Dennis Says Com
ing Of Settlers Will Trans
form Land.
HE CITES THE FIGURES
Rich Prizes Await Effort ef
Men Who Take Up Work
on Vast Lands.
HE CITES THE FIGURES

CALGARY, Alta. Sept. 16.--western Can
adas wonderful possibilities OF develop
ment and It's empire of uncuitivated land
awaiting the coming of the settler to
transform 1t into one OF the richest agri-
cultural regions in the world, were
pointed out to-day by Col. John s.
Dennis OF the Canadian Pacific Railway
In an interview here.
The provinces Of Manitoba, sas-
katchewan, Alberta and British Column
oia, said Col. Dennis, comprise an area
Of 711.000,000 acres OF this vast area
1t Is estimated that 225.000,00o acres
are available for immediate settlement
and cultivation. AT present not more
than 100000 acres are occupied and
cultivated, leaving the enormous area
~ 1s5.0o0,o00 acres of good land avail
able for further extension of agricultural
activities
THE total population of the four
western provinces does not exceed 2,20o.-
600 and when It is realized that this
small population averages only 1.S6 peo-
pie per square mile one can get some
conception of what the enormous value
of the agricultural output of the country
Is certain to be when the remaining 1885,
100000 acres are brought under culti-
| walton.
"For comparison, It may be noted that
were the western provinces occupied on
the same basis of distribution per square
| mile as the small province of Prince Ed
ward Island, they would have a popu-
lation to-day OF 100000 people.
"Our greatest problem in western Can
| ada, In connection with the development
of our natural resources, Is that of Sc
curing settlers of the right kind to take
up and cultivate the vast unoccupied
acreage which awaits only the intelli-
gent effort OF the agriculturlst to pro-
iuce vast quantities Of food.
The suitability of the four western
Provinces for agriculture, horticulture
and animal industry has been definitely
proved by prizes won in competition
| with all other countries of the world and
! ~ the grain production in the occupied
areas.
ut Is within my recollection that these
western Provinces were looked upon and
characterized as part of the Great
American Desert unsuited for occupa-
| ton or the growth of grain and destined
| to be the home OF wandering bands II
rattle as successors to the buffalo. This
idea was quickly dispelled by the pio-
| ueers who undertook to cultivate the soil
| and by the wonderful results obtained in
| the production of grain. vegetables. fruit
and live stock The value of the agricul-
L
| ucts of this land that was once regarded
IS a desert was in 1917 (the last year
TOR which complete statistics are avail
| able) s1.222.SS1, 900.
THE introduction of irrigation in the
| southern portion Of Alberta and the
| western portion of Saskatchewan and
the proper utilization of the water sup
ply provided by our rivers has proved
E! that vast areas which at times are lack
ing sufficient rainfall for successful agri-
culture can be made the most productive
| and intensively cultivated areas in the
] West. In this great irrigation work the
| Canadian Pacific Railway has already
expended s15.000,O00. but the extension
OF this most ancient of all systems OF
permanent agriculture to the vast areas
| that can be reclaimed is work OF ma
tional Importance and one which In the
near future must engage the attention
of both our Dominion and provincial
| governments"