River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-12-30
GIVEN HIGH PLACE
International Honors Awarded
Western Canada Products.
Proof Of What Can BE Done, With
intelligence and Industry, on
Good, Low.Priced Land.


The 1920 International Live Stock
show at Chicago was probably the best
that has ever been held, and as is
pointed out by Canadian newspaper
writer, the number and quality of the
exhibits indicated a new milestone
on the road of progress" This year
1t was truly international" The part
that Canada took showed spirit of
friendliness on both sides of the line
that was highly pleasing.
Six provinces of Canada were rep
resented in varying degrees, and when
the handsome share of the prizes that
were carried off by our northern
neighbors, achieving phenomenal sue
cess In view of tremendous competi-
tion, is considered, there is reason to
hope that In the minds of these peop'e
there will grow an esteem for the
International that will be helpful to
both countries.
Canada won a number of champion
ships, not the least Of which was the
sweepstakes carried off by Mr.. J. G.
Mitchell, of Dahinda, Saskatchewan.
In this award may be seen an object
lesson, going to show that 1t is not
always the man born with silver
spoon In his mouth to whom the
greatest degree of success will attach.
1t will be interesting to relate that
Mr. Mitchell, the recipient Of these
great honors, came from the manufac-
turing city of Manchester, England,
unacquainted with farming, but with
the lure of the land upon him. Be
cause he had been told of the success
that followed the tiller of the soil OF
Western Canada, fifteen years ago he
decided to make his home In Canada,
and selected as homestead the land
upon which he grew the wheat that
has brought him a worlds champion
ship. 1t is true he had his ups and
downs, but he continued and is now
enjoying the fruits of his labor and
the experience gained in manner
of life that was enjoyable. But he
is still simple farmer and will con-
tinue growing grains that, with the
knowledge he possesses, industry that
is essential, and above ALL soil and
climate that are favorable, will Sc
cure many more worlds champion
ships.
Well, then, too, there was born at
Stratford, Ontario, a boy named Lu
cas-, now of mans estate. Although
town boy he always had desire for
farming. He moved to Alberta to the
neighborhood of Cayley, and those
who have had no idea where Cayley
Is will know now, for Mr.. Lucas has
placed 1t ION the map" He had some
Of his 49.2-lbs.-to-the-bushel oats at
the International, and with 240 COM
petitors against him he took the
championship and sweepstakes. This
was a notable achievement. AS has
been said, when he was boy he took
a liking to farming, but the greatest
obstacle in the way Of realization of
his dreams was the practical impos-
Sibility of a man without a large
amount of capital purchasing the
high-priced farm lands of the settled
parts In the neighborhood he lived in.
However, afte- leaving school he
heard of the law-priced lands of West
ern Canada. This was his opportu-
nifty, and he embraced it. Beginning
at Is years of age with $50 acres of
virgin prairie. and with no practical
farming experience, he has now, by
and industry, increased
his holdings to nearly 1000 acres.
Such is the brief history of the man
who carried off the championship for
the best grown oats, and 1t is also an
example that might well be followed
by many who are struggling today
against the prices received for the
produce grown on high-priced land. or
TO those who, as was the case with
Mr.. Lucas, had little means but an
abundance of energy and flood of
Nowhere are there offered
inducements such as are offered in
Western Canada.
There were % prizes offered in the
class for hard spring wheats and 20
of them went to Western Canada