Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1919-02-07

The war having been brought to a
favorable conclusion more attention
can now be given TO the agricultural
and industrial development of Western
Canada, which were checked by the
troublous times of the past four years.
Now that these are over, the proper
development Of the country will be
continued.
True, much agricultural progress has
been made during this time. Crop pro-
duction has been greatly increased, the
number of live stock has steadily
grown, and with each succeeding year
the dairying and wool industries have
become more important But despite
this forward march, many phases Of
development have been held in check.
The activities of farmers, too, have
been greatly hampered by shortage of
labor, and. under the circumstances.
what they have achieved can only be
described as marvellous.
Excepting those industries closely al
lied to agriculture, such as butter and
cheese manufacture, Industrial activity
in the Prairie Provinces has been al
most at a standstill. And even in
these branches extensions have been
strictly limited to those Of urgent ne
cessity. Building has been consider
ably curtailed. especially In the towns
and cities. though many commodious
and up-to-date dwellings. barns and
nj hrttI NnA larr
farmers in the country. Indeed, the
amount Of building farmers have done
Is one Of the outward signs of their
prosperity; but considerably more of
II would have been done had not the
more important work of food produc-
ton received priority In the labor
available. Railway construction work
has been almost entirely suspended.
With more help available, and the
use of the labor-saving devices that
have been adopted during the last few
years great advances in the agricul-
tural development of Western Canada
might be looked for even II no new
settlers were expected but the COM
ing of thousands of prospective set
tiers who have hitherto been deferred
only by the unsettled conditions from
making their homes in this last great
West will give considerable impetus
to every phase Of agriculture in these
Prairie Provinces.
Hand in hand with the development
Of agriculture, there will be renewal
Of Industrial activity. For the estab-
lishment of such Industries as sugar
refineries, canneries, and many other
Industries for the utilization of the
products of the land, as well as for
the extension OF the already impor-
tant Industries of butter and cheese
manufacture. are splendid opportuni-
ties. Mining, numbering, quarrying,
the manufacture of clay products are
also a few industries capable Of con-
siderable growth, and to which great
err attention can now be devoted.
To provide accommodation for pres
ent business requirements alone would
keep the building trade busy for
long time, but with further develop
ment In the cities it is impossible to
foresee any slaclness in any branch of
this trade. And the number of farm
ers whose needs have outgrown their
present accommodation and who have
been awaiting an opportunity to re-
place their buildings by larger and
more modern ones is considerable and
constantly increasing. Municipal work
will be gradually resumed. and the
railways have much work in contem-
plation.
All this points to a period of great
prosperity in Western Canada-agri-
cultural and industrial prosperity. The
former is the more important, for on
it the latter depends. Being prima-
rily an agricultural country, Western
Canada will probably pass through the
readjustment period with little diff
Guilty.
There is no reason to believe that
farming will be less remunerative than
it has been in the past; there are, on
the other hand, many good and sound
reasons for believing that the returns
will be as large as ever. One thing is
certain: Intelligent farming on the
fertile prairies of Western Canada, re-
quiring as it does the smallest possl-
bic capital outlay compared with that
required to get a start in older set
tied countries, will continue to be one
of the quickest and surest ways to in
dependence that can be followed by
the average advertisement.