The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-30

A Canadian Paradise
New York Times)


The Peace River country, described as 1.-The last
great agricultural frontier of the western Canadian
plains" is attracting the home makers from the
older settled parts of the Dominion and from our
own middle west and Pacific Slope. movement
Of American farmers to take up fertile lands IN
western Canada has been going on for several
years. In the prairie states, Iowa. Illinois. Kansas
Minnesota, the DakOtas, farm values are now so
high, and in some cases the holdings are large,
that ownership is denied to those who have more
Of the pioneer spirit than money. Canada well
comes them to the Peace River country. 1t is al
ready famous for the richness of its soil. Its eli
mate is surprisingly temperate for latitude IS to
81 degrees north. The tract suitable for cultiva-
tCn has an of 1880 square miles. 1t is arg-
er than Ireland, Scotland and Wales combined.
Add Delaware and West Virginia to Pennsylvania,
and the Peace River country is found to be more
extensive The six New England states have small.
er area. What is known as the Peace River Block
takes up the northwestery part of the Province Of
Alberta, and goes over the line into British Column
bia. Its development" says F. H. Kitto of the
Royal Geographical society in pamphlet upon the
resources and opportunities of the Peace River
country. lis merely getting under way and the i'm
mediate future promises to witness rapid strides"
In the whole district there were only 1000 inhab-
itants in 1911. Ten years later $4,000 more peo-
pie had found their way into it. And yet Peace
River dates back to 1892. when Alexander MacKen-
zie Of the Northwest Company, after whom one Of
the greatest river systems in the world was later
named, assembled Peace River to the spot where the
present town of that name stands, flourishing
trepot. But for more than hundred years the
wealth of the country consisted of furs. Formerly
it was known as New Caledonia. Some of the old
trading posts still do business. Far north as the
Peace River table lands lie, they more valuable
or ~ ftn
says
1.-THE air is pure and bracing-in winter clear and
crisp and in summer dry and balmy. Extremes Of
temperature, sudden changes and severe storms,
very rare. The winters are by means mild, blu,
are very dry, with clear skies, little snowfall and
moderate winds. Billiards are unknown, and the
mild Chinook winds occasionally work through the
mountain passes from the warm Pacific, giving
pleasing respites of balmy days to break the monot
ony Of q steady cold"
Ice goes out the latter part of April or early in
May Most of the rain falls in June, July and Au-
gust the annual precipitation being twelve to six
teen inches Early in August grain is ready for
harvesting. There is often mild weather up to
Christmas. Vegetation is luxuriant. Grasses, ce-
reals, vegetables and some of the fruits make boun
tiful crops. The trees mainly white spruce,
black spruce. tamarack, balsam poplar (balm of
Gead), fir and willow. Among the wild fruits are
red raspberries, high-bush cranberries and sasla-
toons. Most Of the country is still wooded but the
timber being light, II is easily brought into cultva
ton. prediction is made that the Peace River
country will ultimately be Of the worlds great
srain-producing areas" Edmonton, thriving city,
is the gateway. In 1916 railroad was opened in
to the heart Of the district. Foothills Of the
Rockies come down to the western prairies Mount
6elwyn has an elevation Of $500 feet The town
Of Peace River IL 1850 feet above - level The
river itself has many tributaries and = stately
watercourse. Il winds through scenery Of great
beauty. The Crown lands Of this paradise Of the
northwest ere administered BY tn department Of
H. interior It Ottawa The great majority Of the
settlers speak Enelsh. Wheat and oats grown II
~ Ploee Rtver arsss VA ~ MogldS champdon-
-. .s ~