F 1060 .9 .C269 Copy 1 estern Canada ^^^C/^, ■"'^ro.y'-'^ rianitoba Alberta Assiniboia Saskatchewan and IpOJ Northern Ontario Western Canada MANITOBA ASSINIBOIA ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN and NORTHERN ONTARIO How to Get There How to Select Lands How to Make a Home 1901 / WESTERN CANADA TABLE OF CONTENTS Pagk. The Country to Settle ix 5 Topography and Climate 7 Manitoba 1^ Social A dvantages 13 Mixed Fanning, Crops in 1900 and Dairying 15 Cost of an Acre of \nieat and Lands for Settlement 18 Homesteads, Rented Farms and Cheap Fuel 19 Liberal Exemption Laws, Cities and Towns in Manitoba 21 Settlers' Testimony 23 ASSINIBOIA 29 Ranching ^ Dairying and Towns 34 Settlers' Testimony 35 Delegates' Report 36 Saskatchewan 37 Alberta. Ranching and Dairying 38 Fisheries and Settlers' Testimony 39 42 Chief Towns ^^ Cattle Raising ^^ Minerals ^^ Settlers' Testimony ^^ Delegates' Report ^"^ System of Land Survey . ^'^ Free Homestead Regulations 58 Mineral Lands Regulations ^9 Government Land Offices t)0 Railway Land Regul.vtions 6- C. P. R. Freight Regulations 64 Canadian Customs' Regulations 66 General Information— Western Canada 67 How to Reach Western Canada |[5 Northern Ontario ' ' TEN YEARS AGO A N I ) N ' ■ W - A. P. Stevenson's Home at Nelson, Manitoba. WESTERN CANADA CONSISTING OF Manitoba, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northern Ontario THE COUNTRY TO SETTLE IN The Dominion of Canada occupying the northern half of the con- tinent of North America, is divided into the Provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebwc, Ontario, Mani- toba and British Columbia, and the several Territorial districts, the principal of which— Assiniboia Saskatchewan and Alberta— with Manitoba, constitute what is generally known as Western Canada. Canada is to-day the most prosperous land in the world, and the record of the growth of Western Canada especially, is a marvellous tale of progress and advancement, of silent lands being peopled by in- dustrious settlers, of thriving towns and villages springing up where a few years ago only the Indian camped, of exports changing in one brief generation from bales of fur to train loads of golden grain. Canada, as a whole, is rapidly becoming one of the great nations of the earth. Western Canada is, of all its territories, the one with the most glowing future. Western Canada comprises the great arable prairie lands stretching westward from the Red River hundreds of miles to the Rocky Mountains and northward over limit- less leagues beyond the great Saskatchewan, peopled now by thousands of farmers, yet welcoming still the homeless of the world; and fringing this great prairie to the north and the east are great forests, filled with the wealth of the woods and big with promise of great mineral riches. In showing the extraordinary rapidity with which Canada's wealth is growing the official figures of Canada's trade are eloquent. The total trade of Canada with foreign nations during the year ending June 30th, 1900, amounted in value to $381,625,353, being equivalent to about $300 for each adult male in the population. This was an in- crease of about $75,000,000 over the figures for the preceding year. 6 WESTERN CANADA — THE COUNTRY TO SETTLE IN. which were on their part, $19,000,000 greater than for the preceding period. The exports of the country, made up largely of the products of Western Canada, in particular, have grown enormously; some five years' ago they aggregated in value $121,000,000, last year they were greater by seventy millions. The exports of animals and their pro- duce alone increased by over thirty millions in the last five years. Great as these figures are for the past year, they will be eclipsed for the present twelve months, for the current of Canada's prosperity is flowing steadily onwards. These figures tell their own story. They tell of a country fruitful and productive, with transportation facilities so perfect that the im- mense surplusage of products flows naturally to Europe and is there converted into cash. They tell of a country where poverty is unknown to the industrious; and where every man can gratify what to the European toiler must ever be an unattainable desire— the possession of his own farm and home. Western Canada's arms are still open, there are yet great stretches of virgin soil awaiting the ploughshare of the pioneer; but every year sees a contracting of the free land open for settlement, and those who desire a pick of locations should tarry no longer. The Dominion Government records show that last season nearly ten thousand men took up government land. When to this is added the great number who purchased their farms from rail- way and land companies, and computation is made on the basis that in most cases a homestead is the head of a family, it will be seen that the population of Western Canada is rising with unexampled rapidity. The free land is, in many districts, now almost exhausted, but farms in the very best localities, in immediate proximity to rail- ways, grain elevators, schools and churches, are obtainable by pur- chase on very reasonable terms. No active industrious immigrant need fear inability to secure a location; on the boundless prairies " land hunger " is as yet unknown. Western Canada, as described in this book, embraces Northern Ontario, a region about which great expectations of mineral wealth are entertained; Manitoba, the oldest settled portion ot the great western prairie; Assiniboia, where the physical conditions resemble those of Manitoba; Saskatchewan, occupying the fertile valley of the great Saskatchewan River; and Alberta, lying along the foothills of the Rockies, with varied agricultural, mineral and ranching possi- bilities. This book is designed to give authentic information about this great territory to the prospective immigrant seeking a spot where there is a sure reward for intelligent industry. From it the reader will learn what the general features of the several divisions of Western Canada are, and what kind of farming suits each locality. Some districts are suitable for ranching, some for wheat growing, some for dairying, some for mixed farming. The information about each locality is supplied in part by residents who, having themselves TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF WESTERN CANADA. 7 been successful, are willing to encourage new settlers by giving them the benefit of their experience. The story of success told in these pages by happy and prosperous farmers could be duplicated from no other part of the world. This book also contains information con- cerning the best way of getting to the west, full particulars of govern- ment and railway land regulations, the principal towns and markets, etc. It is a text-book of the natvu'al advantages of Western Canada; and a guide book as well. Topography and Climate of Western Canada The Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, Dr. G. M. Daw- son, G.M.G., speaking of the Great Northwest of Canada, or The Interior Continental Plain, says: " Thus on the 49th parallel, consti- tuting here the southern boundary of Canada, the plain has a width of 800 miles," and narrows gradually to the northward, extending to the Arctic Ocean. " The southern part of this gi'eat plain is not only the most important from an economic point of view, but is also that about which most is known. It includes the wide prairie country of the Canadian West, with a spread of 193,000 square miles of open grass land, an area more than twice that of Great Britain." The whole country spreading from the forest region of the east to the Rocky Mountains on the west, is very concisely described in " Climates of Canada," by P. H. Bryce, M.A., M.D., secretary of the Provincial Board of Health of Ontario, who says: " The lowest area of the plains is that of Manitoba, the Red River from the south, the Saskatchewan from the west, and their tributaries all trending towards Lake Winnipeg and thence to Hudson's Bay. All this great area extending for some distance to the height of land in Dakota, U.S., shows evidences of once havins: been an immense inland sea, with its several beaches marking more or less distinctly the successive levels of the waters of what geologists have chosen to call the great post-glacial Lake Agassiz. A black alluvium of the richest nature covers practi- cally the whole of this country, and makes , the great wheat-fields of the Canadian Northwest, yielding their ' Manitoba No. 1 hard.' The lowest area of this region is limited westward by the Pembina Mountains, Riding Mountains, and the Porcupine Hills, having a general level of 800 feet. Westward the next area reaches a height of some 1,500 feet, and runs westward some 250 miles, when the next elevation of 2,000 feet is reached. This country, the Grand Coteau, rises till a height of 4,000 feet is reached in the foothills of the Rockies in the region about Calgary. This upland shows 8 TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF WESTERN CANADA. more evidences of deep erosion of the valleys of its sCreams, and has here and there bluffs with high hills and plateaus, notably the Cypress Hills north of the American desert, with climatic peculiarities quite its own. This whole higher region, marked notably by a greater dryness, is essentially a grazing or ranch- ing country. While cold, owing to the altitude and the exposure of the plains to the winds from the mountains, its dry plains are, nevertheless, covered with the peculiar bunch grass of the country, which has served to make the foothills of the Rockies the greatest stock-raising areas of the continent. The climate of the whole great prairie :,ountry of the Canadian Northwest is marked by seasonal rather than daily extremes, except in the nigher foothills of the mountains to the west, where the daily range is notable." Referring in still more definite language to the climate of this splendid agri- cultural region, the remarks of Mr. R. F. Stupart, Director of the Meteorological Service of Canada, will be read with much interest by those familiar with the climate of England and Eastern Canada: " The salient features of the climate of the Canadian Northwest Territories are a clear, bracing atmosphere, during the greater part of the year, cold winters and warm summers and a small rainfall and snowfall. Tha mean temperature for July at Winnipeg is 66°, and at Prince Albert 62°. The former temperature is higher than in any part of England, and the latter is very similar to that found in many parts of the Southern counties. The diurnal range, however, is different from any found in England, the average daily maximum temperature at Winnipeg being 78°, with a minimum of 53° and at Prince Albert a maximum of 76°, with a minimum of 48°; and owing to these high day temperatures with much sunshine the crops come to maturity quickly. " In April the monthly mean temperature of 40° is found in Al- berta and Assiniboia, and passes eastward to Manitoba, indicating a spring slightly in advance of southwestern Ontario, on the 42nd parallel of latitude. Spring in April makes rapid strides in Mani- toba, with an average day temperature of 48°. " In considering the climate of the Canadian prairies, the fact should not be lost sight of that although the total rainfall averages only 13.35 inches for the Territories and 17.34 inches in Manitoba, the amounts falling between April 1st and October 1st are respec- tively 9.39 inches, and 12.87 inches, or 70.3 and 74.2 per cent, of the whole. The average 12.87 inches in Manitoba is not far short of the average for Ontario during the same six months." Again quoting from "Climates of Canada": " The bright, clear cold of the ordinary winter day of Manitoba is most enjoyable. With little or no thawing and no sea of un- congealed great freshwater lake to supply dampness, the air is crisp and dry, and where in England or on the seacoast. with a 10 • TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATK OF WESTERN CANADA. few degrees of frost the air is chill and raw, many more degi-ees of cold in the Canadian Northwest is only enjoyable and stimulat- ing. " The winter goes, as it comes, almost in a day. The crescent sun pours his powerful rays through the transparent atmosphere, and, when the thaw has begun, the great atmospheric disturbances, caused by the heated cenfres, cause the northwest wind to blow and lick up the water, v.'hich covers the plains, seemingly all in a day. One has not infrequently seen the water on the low ground a foot deep in the morning and gone in the evening; while in another day or two the black alluvium, which like the blackened plate of glass a"bsorbs heat in seemingly enormous quantities, is dry and powdery on the fields ploughed in the autumn. Seeding proceeds when the frost is not more than four inches out of the ground. Then in a few days' the prairie is dotted with the spring flowers. Seldom is the spring long, damp and cold. Spring comes, growth is phenomenal, and the harvest of spring wheat is ripened in the middle of August. With such a soil, marvellous in the amount of its plant foods, and with the long, bright, even occasionally hot summer day, the metabolism of the plant cells is so rapid as only to be likened to the growth of plants under glass. To the plod- ding, laboring, waiting husbandman of England or Scotland it seems so unreal as to be incredible that four, or at the most five, short months should yield for an area of 1,500,000 acres some 30,- 000,000 bushels of wheat, and as much more of other grains, to feed the toili/ig millions of continental cities." Men travel with teams everywhere, taking gi-ain to market, hauling fuel, building and fencing material, etc. Stock will live out of doors, so far as the cold is concerned, but at times require to be fed with hay. They should, however, be housed at night. Everyone unites in testifying to the healthfulness of the country as it affects stock. Ploughing is general in the early part of April, though much of the land is usually ploughed in the preceding au- tumn. The snow disappears rapidly and the ground dries quickly. Winter closes promptly and decisively. Sowing is done during al- most the whole of April, and is finished early in May. Dr. James Patterson, late chief health officer of Manitoba, re- ports: — " That the climate is a good one for the development of man is shown by the fact, that those who have come here during the last 20 years have not deteriorated, but stand to-day the equal of any other people in mental or physical vigor, independent thought and action. That the climate is a good one for the propagation of our race is shown by our school population, which is larger in propor- tion to our whole population than most others. That our climate is not the severe one that it is believed by many to be, is shown by the average attendance at school of all children of school age, TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF WESTERN CANADA. 11 being about equal In winter and summer, except in sparsely set- tled rural districts. We enjoy special immunity from cyclones and blizzards, and whoever &aw a dust or sand storm in Manitoba? The number of absolutely clear, sunshiny days in this country Is not exceeded in any other good agricultural country habitable by white men. We have an average of 200 clear days out of 865. In Great Britain, on an average, 6-lOths of the sky is obscured by clouds every day in the year. With regard to disease, we have none whatever peculiar to this country or climate. We are ab- solutely protected by our climatic conditions from several of the most dangerous and fatal, whilst several of those which are com- mon to all peoples on the face of the earth are comparatively rare, owing to our climate. For example, we have never had and never will have cholera, yellow fever, malaria or dysentery, so common and fatal to the inhabitants of warm climates. Inflammatory rheumatism is extremely rare as compared with its prevalence in cool, damp climates. Asthma rarely develops here, whilst many who suffer from it in the east are free from it in Manitoba. Con- sumption, which is the scourge of the British Islands and the United States, is as yet comparatively rare with us. Our pure, dry air, our sunshiny days, and opportunities for outdoor life are antagonistic to its existence." FRUIT AT THE BRANDON FAIR V^ MANITOBA — RICHEST SOIL IN THE WORLD. MANITOBA The Province of Manitoba situated in the very centre of the North American continent, lies midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its southern frontier, bordering on the United States, is about the same latitude as Paris and the south of Germany, and the province itself is further south than the British Isles, Holland and Belgium. Manitoba has an area about the same as is contained in England, Scotland and Ireland put together. Its width is about 300 miles, and extends northerly from the 49th parallel, comprising within its limits the famed grain-growing valleys of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. Although called the Prairie Province of Canada, Mani- toba has large areas of forests, numerous rivers, and vast water expansions. Its forests in the east, along the rivers and fringing its great lakes, and on its mountain elevations furnish the settlers with fuel. Its principal rivers— the Red, Assiniboine and Pembina —give a great natural drainage system to all parts of the pro- vince, and smaller streams form a perfect network throughout the country. Its larger lakes— Winnipeg, Manitoba and Winnlpegosis —abound with fish, which are caught in immense quantities by organized companies for export to the principal cities of the United States and to supply the local demand. Aside from the utility of these natural advantages put to a practical use, all combined, forests, rivers and lakes, have a mighty influence on the climate of Manitoba in increasing the rainfall and supplying an abundance of moisture. The population of Manitoba has steadily and rapidly increased during the past ten years and now numbers over 250,000 people, the greater proportion of whom are engaged in agricultural pursuits. The majority of the settlers are from Great Britain and Eastern Canada. Of the remainder there are, besides many from the United States, large colonies of Mennonites, Icelanders, Scandinavians, Germans and other nationalities, many of whom had but small means on arrival in the province, and at present they have comfortable homes, and are amongst the most properous settlements in Manitoba. An evidence of the growth and prosperity of the province is given in the value of her farm buildings erected during 1900, which amounted to $1,361,090. The soil is a rich, deep, argillaceous mould, or loam, resting on a deep and very tenacious clay sub-soil. It Is specially adapted to wheat growing, giving a bountiful yield of the finest quality, known the world over as Manitoba No. 1 hard wheat. During MANITOBA — SOCIAL ADVANTAGES, 13 the past ten years, about 225,000,000 bushels of wheat have been exported from the Province. J. F. Hogan, the well-known Irish-Australian member of the Im- perial Parliament for Mid-Tipperary, says: " Manitoba is a most progressive province. It receives emigrants from all quarters of the world, and is therefore a most cosmopolitan community. It has an immense and very fertile territory, which is now being filled up by good emigrants. I was very pleased with the various set- tlements I visited in Manitoba, and I venture to prophesy that it will shortly be one of the most prosperous and populous sections of the British Empire." The leading grain exporter of Boston, Mass., U.S., Mr. Fred Brown, who recently visited the Province, says: " I have year after year travelled through the grain-producing sections of Kansas and Minnesota, but the province of ManitoTDa has the finest wheat fields I have ever seen." Social Advantages Manitoba fully enjoys all the advantages of advanced civilization. It has over 2,000 miles of railway within its boundaries, which have been built since 1878. The main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway runs through th. province east and west, and it has branch lines running in all directions, ana other railways also operate in Manitoba. Telegraph lines branch out from Winnipeg to all parts of the province. Wherever settlers are, may be found vil- lages, schools, churches and postal facilities. There is a uniform system of non-sectarian schools which are supported partly by liberal grants from the Provincial Government and partly by a tax imposed on land for this purpose. Every child of school age is en- titled to free tuition, under teachers who must pass a thorough ex- amination and have special training for the work. A thorough practical education is assured in the public schools which on January 1, 1900, numbered 1,313, there being 1,095 organized schools districts. There are also 39 intermediate schools at central points, three Col- legiate schools, five colleges (four in Winnipeg and one in Brandon), and a University. The school population has increased from 7,000 in 1881 to 59,811 in 1900, and 1,472 teachers are employed. All the religious bodies found in Canada are represented in Manitoba. There is no state church in Canada, every religion being alike In the eyes of the law. Churches of the leading denominations are established in the towns and villages, and even in the newer and scattered settlements arrangements are usually made for holding union services of the different denominations. There are lodges of the different fraternal orders— Masons, Oddfellows, Foresters, Tem- perance, etc., etc. — throughout the country, and numerous Y.M.C.A.'s, BARLEY. BALDWIN S FAUM, MANITOBA MOTHERALL FARM, MANITOU, MANITOBA MANITOBA — DAIRYING. 15 Women's Aid societies and sewing circles. The farmers have organized a number of societies which are of inculculable value to the agricultural interests of the province. There are over 50 agricutural societies, which hold annual fairs, 25 Farmers' Institutes for the dis- cussion of practical questions, a Dairy Association, Cattle and Swine Breeders' Association and a Poultry Association. Municipalities have been organized in the settled portions — there being 75, besides the incorporated cities, towns, etc. Mixed Farming For years the nutritious grasses of the prairies and thousands of tons of hay in the low lands were allowed to go to waste for want of cattle to graze, and feed upon them. Settlers are now availing themselves of this natural wealth, and are giving more attention to stock-raising and dairying instead of confining their efforts to wheat growing as formerly. In 1900 the number of horses in the province was 118,629; cattle, 237,560; sheep, 25,816; pigs, 77,912. Crops of 1900 The crop area and total yield of grain, roots, etc., of Manitoba for 1900, were as follows, according to the official returns: — Under Crop. Total Yield. s. 18.025,252 bushels. .S,814,320 2,515,196 164,313 34,390 2,058.210 1,452,780 Wheat 1,806,215 acr. Oats 57:^.950 Barley 178,525 FJax 20,455 Other gi'ains '. . . . 11,625 Potatoes l(i,,s.")0 Roots 7,482 Total crop, including Rye, Peas, Corn, etc 2,614 134 " 24,553,471 Owing to the exceptionally dry weather of the early part of the year, and the rains of August and September, conditions which prevailed to a greater degree in the country lying to the south of Manitoba, there was a conisiderable shortage in the crop of 1900 as compared with 1899, but the returns on the whole were very much better than was anticipated earlier in the season, and with the pre- vailing good prices, the farmers are generally prosperous. Consid- ering the unusual climatic conditions, the yield was a very good one, that no other country could produce under the circumstances. Daipyinsf Thirteen years ago no dairying was done in the province except by a few farmers who made a limited quantity of dairy butter for their own use, and not enough to supply even that demand. About the year 1888 the first creamery was established in Manitoba. Up to six years ago there were but five creameries in the province, and about 19 small cheese factories. In the early part of 1895 the Manitoba Government undertook to advance the dairy industry MANITOBA DAIRYING. 17 of the province, and with very successful results. The govern- ment granted aid to the farmers to establish creameries and cheese factories throughout the province, where joint stock companies were 30 cheese factories in operation in 1900, some of them havin,? 1895 14 new jreanreries wee estal)lished. making 19 in all in the province. In 1896 five additional creameries were established, and later five more were added to the list, making a total of 29. There were 30 cheese factories in operation in U)00, s mie of them having been changed into creameries. In T896 the Governement established a dairy school in the city of Winnipeg which has proved a great success and a great benefit to the province generally. There has been a large attendance of students at every session. The majority of butter and cheese makers that are managing factories in Manitoba at the present time are those who have taken a course in the school. The Manitoba Govern- ment Dairy School is a free gift to all residents of the Provi^c^ of Manitoba. The school is fully equipped with all modern machin- ery for giving instructions in both home, dairy and creamery butter making and factory cheese making. The estimated value of the dairy produce manufactured in 1894 both in the factories and on the farms, was $34,000 worth. In 1895 the actual export, taken from factory statements, was $198,000 worth; while in 1896 another giand advaace was experienced, the value of the export bein£ $247,000 worth. In 1898 the output was: creamery butter, 96f:,025 lbs., valued at $179,494; dairy butter, 1.151,- 620 lbs., valued at $160,593; cheese, 800,000 lbs., valued at $69,367. The output for 1899 was:— Creamery butter, 1,002,809 lbs., valued at $188,026.68; dairy butter, 1,354,240 lbs., valued at $195,552.25; cheese, 848,557 lbs., valued at $86,980.16. In 1900, it was : —Creamery butter, 1,254,511 lbs., valued at $240,515; dairy butter, 2,083,920 lbs., valued at P01,145; cheese, 1,021,258 lbs., valued at $102,330 Manitoba is pre-eminently a dairy country, being exceedingly healthy for cattle and stock of all kinds. The facilities for dairy- ing in Manitoba are unexcelled by any province in the Dominion of Canada. In nearly every district the water supply both for stock and use in the manufacture of cheese and butter, is bounti- ful. In many districts there is a pure running stream of water, which is a very important factor in carrying on mixed farming. The pasturage is very rich and nutritious, nature providing an abundant supply of variously flavored grasses, so that the dairy- men need never fear a shortage. One great faculty is that the soil of Manitoba does not have to be tilled in order to get pas- turage or hay for winter fodder. Fodder com for ensilage can be and has been grown to good advantage. Early maturing corn 18 MANITOBA — LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. will grow abundantly and mature sufBciently any season for winter feeding purposes. Excellent corn crops were growing last year which would produce twenty tons of good feeding material per acre. It requires very little labor to produce proper corn, and one great advantage is, the soil is being tilled when the corn crop is being cultivated thus preparing the soil for wheat- and other grain crops for the ensuing year. The climate is perfectly healthy. Manitoba being the natural home of the buffalo, it naturally fol- lows that the dairy cattle cannot fail to thrive well, and be main- tained in a perfect healthy condition. The cool nights that in- variably follow the hot summer days in this province, are a great advantage to the dairy industry. The milk can be kept sweet over night with little trouble; the cheese holds its flavor on the shelves for a good length of time. In short the climate is all that could be desired; it is favorable for dairying and where proper care is taken with the dairy cattle, there is sure to be a good paying profit to the dairy farmers of the province. Cost of an Acre of Wheat A careful estimate made by the superintendent of the Govern- ment Experimental Farm, at Brandon, of the cost of growing an acre of wheat is $7.76 (£1 12s.). This was the result of an ac- tual experiment on a yield of twenty-nine bushels. The it-ems of cost are: Ploughing, once, $1.25 (about 5s.); harrowing twice, 20 cents (lOd.); cultivating twice, 40 cents (Is. 8d.); seed (lYa bushels), 75 cents (about 38.); drilling, 22 cents, (lid.); binding, 33 cents (about Is. 4d.); cord, 10 cents (5d.); stocking, 16 cents, 8d.); stacking, 60 cents (about 2s. 6d.); threshing, $1.46 (6s); team- ing to market, 4 miles, 29 cents (about Is. 2%d.); two years' rent or interest on land valued at $15 per acre at 6 per cent., $1.80 (about 7s. 5d.); wear and tear of implements, 20 cents (lOd.)— a total of $7.76 or say (£1 12s.) Lands for Settlement The impression that Manitoba Is already " filled up " is incorrect. In the Red River Valley of Manitoba are in round numbers 2,800,000 acres, of which up to the present time only 650,000 have ever been cultivated. Again, south of the main line of the C. P. R. to the boundary of North Dakota, west of the Red River Valley, are 4,600,000 acres, of which only 1,200,000 acres have been cultivated. To the north of the main line of the C. P. R., within reach of railroads are another 4,600,000 acres, with only 850,000 acres cultivated. Here are millions of acres of the best land in the Northwest for sale on easy terms at prices ranging from $8.00 to $5.00 per acre. MANITOBA. HOMESTEADS. 19 Homesteads Homesteads can still be obtained on the outskirts of present set- tlements to the east of the Red River, and between Lakes Winni- peg and Manitoba, on the west of Lake Manitoba,, and in the newly opened Lake Dauphin and Swan River Valley Districts, through which railway communication with the great transcontinental system is now completely established, as well as in the extreme western portion of the province tributary to the Pipestone Branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway. These districts are specially adapted for mixed farming, having abundance of hay and water, and with timber near at hand for building purposes. The province still affords a vast field for experienced farmers who can bring money with them to make the first Improvements on land, to provide themselves with stock and implements and fo carry their families through the first year. Manitoba has room for thousands, With a sure road for them to comfort and prosperity. The early settlera of Manitoba were all of this class, bringing in carloads of stock and plenty of money to keep them a year. The cost of transportation to-day is not one-half of what it was in the early 80's. when everything had to come by way of tEe United States. Lumber for building can be placed on home- steads for not more than half the cost in the early days, while machinery, feed, grain, groceries, Sry goods, etc., can to-day be purchased at reasonable figures. In short, a settler with $1,000 can place himself as well as did the settler with $2,000 ten or twelve years ago, and in all parts of Manitoba products can be disposed of within a few miles of any settler, at the nearest railway station. Rented Farms Opportunities frequently occur In the older settled parts of the province to rent a farm for one year or longer. This enables the newcomer to make a start, and gives him time to select land of his own. The rental depends largely upon the kind and value of the improvements. Rented farms are generally secured during the win- ter or early spring. Some of the most successful farmers of Mani- toba commenced life in the west by leasing a farm until they were able to secure one for themselves either by homesteading or pur- chase. Cheap Fuel Besides the large tracts of forest, both in and adjacent to Mani- toba, there are vast coal areas within and contiguous to the pro- vince of such extent as to be practically inexhaustible. It has been :r. iS^:WMM.i.^ -f-y-i^w .ift»*Ar--„^., '■'^**5«W5SeS!ff-9BW«i«8f^ DEVINE S I'AKM, NEAR BRANDON GRAIN ELEVATORS AT CARBERRY, MANITOBA MANITOBA — ITS CITIES AND TOWNS. 21 discovered that between Red River and the Rocky Mountains there are some 65,000 square miles of coal-bearing strata. The Manitoba Legislature has effected an arrangement by which this coal is to be supplied at a rate not to exceed $2.50 to $5 per ton, according to locality. With the extraordinary transportation facilities possessed here, controlled and regulated as far as possible by the Legislature, and with enormous deposits of excellent coal, easily and inexpensively available, Manitoba enjoys most exceptional advantages, assuring an ample and cheap supply to all her inhabi- tants. Liberal Exemption Laws Manitoba has a liberal exemption law; that is, the law protects from seizure for debt, where no mortgage exists, a certain num- ber of horses, cattle, swine and poultry, some household effects and a year's provisions, so that if a settler who has not mortgaged his property is overtaken by misfortune, through illness or other cause, he cannot be turned out of his house and home, but obtains time to pay his indebtedness and retains the means of living while he recovers himself. If he desires to borrow money, as he may qome- times do with advantage to himself, he can secure loans on his farm property from loan societies on easy terms of repayment. Cities and Towns in Manitoba Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, and the largest city in Can- ada west of Lake Superior, is about midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is sixty miles north of the international boundary line between Canada and the United States, and forty miles south of Lake Winnipeg, a large body of fresh water teem- ing with fish, and with shores that are in many places heavily tim- bered. The city stands at the confluence of the Red and the As- siniboine Rivers, and almost on the eastern verge of the great prairies and plains that stretch to the Rocky Mountains. To the eaat is the rich gold-bearing region of New Ontario which em- braces the country from Lake of the Woods to Lake Superior, and is largely tributary to Manitoba. Winnipeg is a great railway centre. Ten main or branch lines radiate in all directions, and two other lines find entrance over the rails of the Canadian Pacific Ry. Co. The gn'owth of Winnipeg has been phenomenal. In 1870 its population was 215; in 1874 it was 1,869, and the total assessable properly, $2,676,018; in 1880, the figures were: Population 6,245, as- sessable property, $9,156,085; in 1890, the population had risen to 23,000, and the assessable property to $18,612,410, and in 1900 to 42,534 population, and $25,077,460 assessable property. Winnipeg is 22 MANirOBA ITS CITIES AND TOWNS. naturally a centre for the wholesale and jobbing trade of the North- west, and the merchants carry immense stocks required to supply the varied wants of the farming, ranching, mining, fishing, and lumber- ing, as well as the other industries which flourish throughout the country. Every branch of business is represented; all the principal chartered banks of Canada have branches here, and there are a large number of manufacturing establishments, including furniture factor- ies, flour and oatmeal mills, breweries, meat curing and packing factories, foundries, boiler and machine shops, cigar factories, coffee and spice mills, grain bag factory, soap works, tanneries, planing and sawmills, harness and saddlery factories, biscuit and confec- tionary factories, tile and brickyards, carriage works, marble works, oil mills, book-binderies, tent and mattrass factories, etc., etc. The pork packing establishment -has a daily capacity of 500' hogs. There are extensive stockjards, and an immense abattoir, arranged for slaughtering and chilling the meat for direct shipment to Europe, has recently been erected. There is ample cold storage in the city for dairy produce, etc. Winnipeg is the political as well as the commercial centre ot Western Canada. The Legislative and the Departmental buildings of the Manitoba Government, and the chief immigration lands and timber offices of the Dominion Government for the west are located here. The Canadian Pacific Railway Co. has its chief offices in the west in Winnipeg, and also the head offices of its land department, where full information regarding the company's land can be obtained. The school system in this city is unsurpassed anywhere, besides the elementary schools, there being a Collegiate Institute, Normal School, four Colleges, and Provincial University, with several Business Col- leges, Deaf and Dumb Institute, etc. Winnipeg has hospitals for the care of the sick and wounded, and no other city of its size has a greater number of churches. All the national and fraternal lodges are strongly organized here. Winnipeg is a well built city, with a number of very fine public buildings and handsome residences, and possesses several public parks. On the east side of Red River is St. Boniface, where is located the Roman Catholic Cathedral and college, the Archbishop's palace, hosnital, etc. The most important towns in the province outside of Winnipeg, on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Ry., are Portage la Prairie, 56 miles west, with a population of 4,500, and Brandon, 133 miles west, with a population of 5,800. These are progressive centres for a considerable area of fine farming country, each being a railroad junction point, and being well supplied with stores, manufactories, elevators, etc. La Salle, Morris. Rosenfeldt, Plum Coulee, Winkler, Morden, Manitou, La Riviere. Snowfiake, Pilot Mound, Crystal City, Clearwater, Mather, Cartwright, Holmfield, Thornhill, Darlingford, MANITOBA settlers' TESTIMONY. 28 Killarney, Ninga, Boissevain, Whitewater, Deloraine, Medora, Napinka, Carman, Rothwell, Treherne, Holland, Cypress River, Glen- boro, Metliven, Nesbitt, Carroll, Souris, Hartney, Lauder, Melita, Elva, Pierson, Wawanesa, Belmont, Baldur, Marieopolis, Somerset, Miami, Rosebank, Holland, Myrtle, Dominion City, Emerson, Gretna, and others are market towns for the business of Southern and South- western Manitoba; and McGregor, Austin, Sidney, Carberry, Doug- las, Alexander, Griswold, Oak Lake, Virden and Elkhorn are large wheat markets in the centre and west on the main line of the C.P.R., and Whitemouth is a village also on the main line east of Winnipeg, from which a railway has been constructed to the extensive brick- yards at Lac du Bennett. In the northwestern part of the province are the towns of Westbourne, Gladstone, Arden, Neepawa, Minne- dosa. Rapid City, Hamiota, Newdale, Strathclair, Shoal Lake, Birtle, Russell, Binscarth, Ochre River, Plumas, Dauphin, Winnipegosis, Swan River and Grand View, in the newly opened Lake Dauphin district, now connected by railway with Winnipeg, and north of Winnipeg are Selkirk, Stonewall, Teulon, and the Icelandic village of Gimli on Lake Winnipeg. Settlers' Testimony The following are a few of the many letters which have been received from successful settlers, some of whom commenced in Manitoba with little or no capital: — Trbhbrnb, April, 1900. In looking back over the twelve snort years since I first settled in Manitoba with my wife and family, I gladly give my experience for the benefit of the intending settler. I came to Manitoba in March, 1888, from Diirham County, On- tario, and settled at Treherne on a scrub farm of 320 acres. I leased it for a term of five years, the only charge thereon being the payment of taxes, as the land had to be improved. I brought up a car load of effects, consisting of three horses, two cows, seeder, mower, rake, harrows, wagon, etc., being indebted to my friends in the East for the use of same until I had made money enough in this country to repay loan, which I soon did, with interest. In a few years I leased another 320 acres adjoining, on the same terms and with the usual success; and again, later, I leased an addi- tional 320 acres, and success still crowned my efforts. Lastly (the land in the vicinity of my farm being all taken up and cultivated), I looked around to increase my operations, and could only get an- other 80 acres. All the above being uncultivated land, I had to break it and bring it under cultivation, and now have under lease here altogether 1,040 acres, of which 800 acres are under crop. In the summer of 1898 I drove to Swan River Valley, and pur- chased 2,400 acres of choice land, with the intention of extending my farming operations on a larger scale in the future. Any intend- ing settler coming to this country can get land in free homesteads, or 24 MANITOBA SETTLERS TESTIMONY. any railway land. They can also get land to lease, or Improved land on shares; and if the first year or two they meet with reverses — not having experience— let them not be discouraged, but continue, with their sleeves rolled up, and soon their efforts will be rewarded. In a few years they will be independent, and bless the day they settle... in Manitoba. For grain growing this country cannot be excelled, the soil being first class, and possessing all the necessary qualities required to pro- duce wheat of the finest grade, sometimes weighing 64 lbs. per bushel, the highest quality produced in the world, and producing all the way from 20 to 60 bushels per acre. Oats and barley also grow immense crops, and to perfection. Stock also does well, and grows fat through the summer. Vegetables — such as cabbage, onions, beet, cauliflower, radish, melons, citrons, squashes, beans, and cucumbers, give an abundant crop, and tomatoes do well also, but do not ripen on the bushes every year. Rhubarb grows to immense proportions; and tur- FAliiM UF A. J. COTTON, TK1.HERNE, MAN. nips, carrots, and mangels do well. Small fruits— such as straw- berries, gooseberries, saskatoons, cranberries, and cherries, grow wild in abundance; and tame fruits, such as red, white, and black currants, all kinds of raspberries, strawberries, and gooseberries, grow to perfection in gardens. Potatoes grow a heavy crop and floury. The climate is healthy and vigorous, and pleasant in summer, with cool nights. Labourers and farmers who are industrious will do well here, and can start with a very small capital, which can be invested to good advantage in farming, and they will soon be on the road to prosperity. There is vacant land in plenty, including railroad land sold on the ten-year instalment principle, which is very easy terms. There are homesteads and villages in plenty in districts just being opened up, which have the advantage of schools, churches, stores, and, In fact, every requisite which the settler requires, including first-class land growing the finest crops, free land, and cheap land. No other MANITOBA — settlers' TESTIMONY. 25 country can offer such inducements to the intending settler, and any- one wishing to get on should not hesitate to make full enquiries as to which locality they would like to settle in, or come and look over the land and see for themselves. Any intending settler thinking of buying land can get full inform- ation from C.P.R. Land Commissioner, or from the Commissioner of Immigration, Winnireg, Manitoba. The annexed table, showing acreage of wheat, average yield of all grain, date of sowing, harvesting and length of season, will give the actual experience of one who came out to Manitoba with a moderate capital, and started farming on a small scale. Any man willing and able to work can do the same. As will be S'^en, the lowest average I had of wheat was in 1896, being 14% bushels per acre; it was a very late spring, and an ex- cessive rainfall was the cause. I grew wheat which averaged as high as 55 bushels to the acre for 25 acres, but the following table shows the average for each year. The first yield of barley was put in on spring breaking, and was a very good crop considering. The first spring I did not have my land ready for wheat, but have given the date my neighbour began to sow his wheat. This is a true record I have kept, and shows how a settler with limited capital can begin farming on a small scale and increase his acreage. At the present time I have 23 head of horses— 20 of them working, 27 head of cattle, 13 ploughs, 7 wagons, 5 binders, 7 sets of harrows, and other implements to the value of $6,000 (all paid for), as well as 2,400 acres of land in the Swan River Valley, money out at interest on farm property, town property, etc., and a trifle in the bank, leaving us quite comfortable, happy, and contented with the country. A. J. Cotton. MOOSEJAW STATION AND GRAIN ELEVATORS 26 MANITOBA — settlers' TESTIMONY. 2 ♦a c u o w a; u u < •S 03 £: C n] biO o CQ 3! O bo a ■| o X! o u 0) w o .4-> o u 04 •^ i-H in CO 2 ^ - - - ' - - " - ^ •- •• 2; 'g'f- t^ "* in CO ^ S 03 I-H CO IM CO. CO IM ^1 ^ 5 =s - - ^ u >, C >. pqoO • ; < - - - ft <1 ce " . - CO in t~ in CO C-l CO 00 t^ o> CO •^ Oi III «2^ J. ti K -. C " IM <; 1^ ^ oS Q, ^ ^ 03 {X 4 o5 ft «« s* s* W < § < " " S -< - § <1 B a 1 IN C^ CO CO 1— 1 in T-H t~ (M CO . U d « W p !< J3 a » ^ lS ft - •* •s ^> ^ « < g < g < 1 cc I^ CO CO l^ CO 00 10 10 in -* CO in -* ■*! « t» H^ c 01 in I-H CD CO (M Oi 22 CO in CO -* CO t^ CO, -* in Ol +^ a r-itO •-W * '0 o_ ro -* [~ t- M« ^ ^ Cf ■^' im' 3^f t-^ co"" OH y-l CO t~ 00 in CO CO (M c- (M co t^ ■* CO 10 23 •^ J= =s M 'T, 03 -* CO -* t^ m CO CO 3^ cf co' -<<" -# 00 IM ■* IM CD CO M^ 1-H i-( ^ o IM OJ CO J3 Q ^ in m g S C « \^ (M '^l in C'l t^ in CO O--.^ i-H IM IM CO CO tH in CO t^ < ^ fe-^ ^2 ;3 05 03 05 Oi 01 « CO 1-1 oo CO 00 00 CO I-H S CO s Sh 00 CO 01 I-H 1 MANITOBA settlers' TESTIMONY. 27 Glendale, September, 1900. I know a number of farmers in this locality who a short time ago were working for $20.00 a month, and whose farms could not now be bought out for less than $3,000 or $4,000. These people started without any capital and with only their industry and energy to depend upon. There is no reason why any man who is a clever mechanic cannot turn his abilities advantageously to farming in this country, gnd if he did he would find that instead of barely making ends meet as many a mechanic does in cities and towns he would have a nice surplus at the end of the year. Geo. Metcalfe. Crystal City, Sept., 1900. The writer came to Manitoba from Ontario in the autumn of 1878, and has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. From the day, nearly twenty-two years ago, when he selected his home- stead, he has had unbounded faith in the country as a place where farming can be successfully carried on, if pursued upon proper lines. There is a large number in this Province who should rather be called " wheat-growers " than farmers. On account of the facilities, natural advantages, and therefore cheapness with which wheat can be grown, no doubt many have done exceedingly well by raising wheat only; still. It is far from ideal farming. Not only will such a course, if per- sisted in, have the effect of causing the land to run out, as has been the experience of those who pursued the same plan in the wheat-pro- ducing prairie State? to the south of us, but It is far from being the most profitable course to adopt. The writer knows of no country that offers advantages so great to the agriculturist as does Manitoba. The various branches of farm- ing can be carried on successfully, as twenty-two years of practical operations and observations of vhat others are doing have proven. To those desiring to make new homes for themselves, the low price of some of the best lands in the world (although rapidly advancing in price this year) offer still great opportunities. To all such the in- vitation is cordially given to " Come and see." At no time can this be done better than in July, when visitors to the Province can attend the exhibition in Winnipeg, which is one of the best educators afford- ed to give an idea of the possibilities, progress and success of the farming community in Manitoba. The permanency and success of this exhibition arc directly dependent upon the prosperity of the farmers of Manitoba. Here, In the course of a few days, visitors may see for themselves evidences of our prosperity In the thousands of Intelligent, well-dressed men and women present with their exhibits of grain, live stock of all kinds, and dairy products— people who come to this region, perhaps, with little more than health, strength and energy, yet who have found In the soil and grasses of the Province a measure of wealth that could scarcely be attained in any other part of America. There need be no poor people here. There is land for all who choose to come, land upon which happy homes can be estab- lished, and from which ample resources can Fe gathered against old age. All that a man needs to achieve competence in this domain Is common-sense and Industry. With tEese qualifications he Is bound to succeed. Thos. Grbbnwat. 28 MANITOBA — SETTLERS' TESTIMONY. BlRTLE, 20th Oct., 1900. I came to Manitoba from Co. Westmoreland, England, thirteen years ago with wife and eight children, came to this part and started with thirty dollars (£6), took a homestead and have been farming steadily now for some years. I now own (between myself and two boys) 640 acres, with 220 acres under cultivation, a good house and other buildings, and a full supply of machinery; I would not take less than $5,000 for my farm. I have nearly $1,000 worth of machinery ^I am only owing a few hundreds of dollars on my place. We have this year eighteen good stacks of grain awaiting threshing. We have eleven horses and seventy-five head of cattle, besides pigs', fowls, etc. I have never regretted coming here. We enjoy good health and have to-day a good comfortable home, far different and better than I ever had before. We have a school convenient. We send our cream to the creamery and have realized over $300 therefrom in the last five months. We have worked hard for this, but I believe can show better returns than the same work would give to a farmer in any other country than this. The small farmer and tenant farmer in England can better himself by coming here if he is willing to work. Robert Newsham. Jf*\ > ^>Y . OAT FIELD OF AUGUST FERDBERG, WETASKIWIN, ALBERTA ASSINIBOIA — RANCHING AND WHEAT GROWING. 29 ASSINIBOIA The district of Assiniboia lies between the Province of Manitoba and the District of Alberta, and south of the District of Saskatchewan, and extends north from the International boundary to the 52nd parallel of latitude, containing an area of thirty-four million acres. Travelling westward on the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the district is entered at a point 212 miles west of Winnipeg. It is divid- ed into two great areas— Eastern and Western Assiniboia— each of which has its own peculiar characteristics, the former being essen- tially a wheat growing and mixed farming country, and the western part of the latter especially adapted for ranching. In both divisions, minerals are found, and on the bars of the south branch of the Saskatchewan River in Western Assiniboia gold has been found in fairly large quantities. Eastern Assiniboia Eastern Asainiboia is known as the Park country of the Canadian Northwest. The general aspect of the country, largely resembling Manitoba, is rolling prairie, dotted over with clumps of trees usually found bordering lakes, streams and meadows; in the hollows grow the heavy luxuriant grasses where the farmer obtains his supply of v.in- ter hay. The principal grains grown are wheat and oats. The ordinary yield of wheat is from 20 to 30 bushels to the acre. All kinds of roots, too, are a sure crop. The soil is so rich that no fertilizers are necessai-y, so that in this direction a large amount of time and money is saved. Nowhere can farming be done more easily, and nowhere can the frugal, earnest and industrious man start on a smaller capital. Coal in abundance is found in the South, in the district drained by the S'ouris River, and there is direct rail con- nection northwest with the main line of the C P. R. and eastwardly to points in Manitoba. This district, including the Province of Manitoba, is gradually becoming one of the greatest wheat producing sections of the American continent, for the following reasons: 1. It has a soil particularly rich in the food of the wheat plant. 2. A climate under which the plant comes to maturity with great rapidity. 3. On account of its northern latitude it receives more sunshine during the period of growth than the country to the south. 4. Absence of rust due to dryness of climate. 5. Absence of insect foes. 6. Absence of noxious weeds. These conditions are especially favorable to the growth of the hard flinty wheal of the Scotch Fyfe variety, that is so highly 30 ASSINIBOIA — RANCHING AND WHEAT GROWING. prized by millers all the world over, giving it a value of from 10c. to 25c. a bushel over the softer varieties grrown in Europe and the older parts of Canada. For agricultural purposes the districts of Moosomin, Qu'Appelle and Moose Mountain are wonderfully favored, lying as they do in the great stretch of the fertile belt. The Moosomin District is included in the country between the Manitoba boundary on the east, on the north by the lovely valley of the Qu'Appelle River, on the south bj'^ the Pipestone Creek, a perfect paradise for cattle, and the 2nd meri- dian on the west. The Qu'Appelle District is that section which lies immediately west of the Moosomin to the height of land at McLean Station on the C. P. R., round to the Beaver Hills and south almost to the international boundary line. Included in this area are the Pheasant Plains, no less fertile than the famous Portage Plains of Manitoba, where crops are phenomenally large. The subsoil is gener- ally sandy clay, covered with about 12 to 18 inches of black vegetable mould, which after the second ploughing makes a fine seed bod, easy to work, and of the most productive nature. Generally speaking these remarks apply to all the eastern part of the district. The Beaver Hills and the Touchwood Hills in the northern part are especially well adapted for stock raising. The stretch of country in the southeastern portion of the district, between the international boundary and Moose Mountain, extending west beyond the Soo-Paciflc branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway is attracting a large number of settlers. Here there are about forty townships that are practically unsettled, and are available for homestead entry. Some of this area is rolling prairie, suitable for mixed farming, and other is unexcelled wheat land. Water is plentiful at a depth of from 10 feet to 20 feet, and timber is abundant in the Moose Mountains, coal also being easily and cheaply obtainable at the Souris coal fields. Those who have settled there have erected substantial buildings; have plenty of stock, and many of them have good bank accounts. There has never been a sheriff's or bailiff's sale in this part of Eastern Assiniboia. Between 500 and 600 farmers located in this section in 1899, and there is room for 5,000 more homesteaders, while railway lands are cheap and plentiful. The extension of the Pipestone branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway to Moose Mountain renders readily accessible this large and desirable territory. Eastern Assiniboia offers an opening to the poor man if he will work and exercise economy, for after a year or two of hard work he finds himself in possession of a home, all his own, free from the harrassing conditions of a rented or mortgaged farm. ASSINIBOIA — RANCHING AND WHEAT GROWING. 31 Western Assiniboia The eastern part of this section is similar to that of Eastern Assiniboia,. and is favorable for mixed farming. With Regina and Moose Jaw as their centres, are two large areas, 50 by 90 miles, admirably suited for grain, stock and dairying. From Swift Cur- rent Creek, the region is fully equal to the Bow River District in Alberta as a stock country. It is everywhere thickly covered with a good growth of nutritious grasses— the grass is usually the short crisp variety, known as " Buffalo Grass," which becomes to, all appear- ances dry about mid-summer, but is still green and growing at the roots and forms excellent pasture both in winter and summer. It is amazing the rapidity with which poor emaciated animals brought from the east get sleek and fat on the Buffalo gi'ass of the plains. The supply of timber on the hills is considerable. There is also an abundance of fuel of a different kind in the coal seams that are ex- posed in many of the valleys. Settlers in this section of the Railway Company's lands have thus an abundant supply of timber suitable for house logs and fencing, and both coal and wood for fuel. About Maple Creek irrigation works are being actively prosecuted with most beneficial results. The Cypress Hills which may be dimly seen in the south from the railway are especially adapted for stock raising, and as the country is too rough and broken to make general farming on an extensive scale a certainty, the grass land that nature has so bountifully pro- vided will not likely be disturbed by the plow, thus giving to the farmer on the plains adjoining never-failing hay meadows and un- limited pasture ground for his stock. The snowfall is light, the climate Is tempered by the Chinook winds, and water and shelter are everywhere abundant. Western Assiniboia is the great sheep raising district of the Northwest Territories. Out of a total sheep stock of 236,000 in 1899, 184,000 were ranged in this portion of the Territories. It would be difficult to conceive of a more favourable district for this branch of stock raising. The winters are mild enough to admit of sheep ranging out all the year round, and the herbage is the peculiar short, crisp growth so much relished by those animals. Flocks are usually divid- ed iip in lots of 2,000 to 2,500, each in charge of a single shepherd assisted by his two dogs. Experienced men are much sought after on the sheep ranches. Great herds of range cattle roam at will all over these seemingly boundless pastures. The profits of the stockmen are large, as can be readily imagined when it is shown that $35 to $45 per head is paid for three and four-year-old steers on these ranges, animals that cost their owners only the interest on the original investment incurred in stocking the ranch, and their share in the cost of the annual round- ASSINIBOIA — RANCHING AND WHEAT GROWING. 83 ups. Parties In search of land for stock-raising are advised to examine the country soulTiwest of Swift Current Station, along the Swift Current Creek, south and west of Gull Lake, south of Maple Creek, the Valley of Mackay Creek that flows north from the hills and south of Irvine and Dunmore. Ranching An experienced ranchman furnishes the following, as an instance of how a man with a small stock of capital, and enterprise, energy and discretion can make a first-rate start and in time a comfortable home and competency for himself, granted that he has flOO (or $500) in his pocket when he aiTives: " Let him first find a rancher who will give him annual employment at a wage of about $10 or $15 per month with board and lodging. After a year's experience this wage will be increased by $5 per month. Having found this let him take his $500 and invest it in yearling steers at $16 per head, brand them and turn them out on the range with his employer's cattle; this he will have but little difficulty in obtaining permission to do. In two years time these will have become three-year-olds and will realize from $31 to $37 per head, therby doubling the money invested in them. Daring the two years he has been working he has earned $360, of which we will allow that for incidental expenses he has spent $110. He has there- fore, supposing him to have sold his steers at $35 per head, which is considerably below the average price, $1,410. With half this let him buy two-year-old steers at $22 per head, and with the remainder yearlings, giving 22 of the former, and 41 of the latter. Then let him work for one more year, and with the money earned build houses, sheds, stables, etc., so that by the end of the third year he will be in a position to start for him^^-lf, by which time he will have 22 three- year-olds which will realiz-e $770, plus 41 two-year-olds, which will be ready for the market the year following, and will realize $1,455. So by judicious management he can have an ever-increasing bunch of cattle ready for the market. Remember that no man can do this without paying strict attention to business, or without looking well after the cattle. Many men fail solely because they neglect to take proper precautions and make proper preparations for a hard winter. In time a man can commence breeding, but my advice to beginners is ' buy nothing but steers.' Firstly, because they are marketable; secondly, because they are less likely to suifer from hardships of winter than cows. " In the course of my travels I have seen several men start upon the principle I have outlined and meet wiih success beyond their most sanguine hopes. I may add that the ranches in this couutry are built almost entirely of logs, which are cut and hauled direct from the bush, and first-rate buildings they make. Among the 34 • ASSINIBOIA — TOWNS. half-breeds are many flrst-class woodsmen who will cut, haul and build the logs at a very moderate figure. There are 'ocations to be had where hay and water are plentiful, and the winters usually fairly mild. Land is given to a settler as in Manitoba, viz., 160 acres per man. In the foregoing article I have quoted selling prices below the average and buying prices above it; the difference would equalize any ordinary losses." Dairying The latest approved system of Government supervision and man- agement, on the co-operative plan, is in vogue in connection with all the dairies in the Territories. The Government appoints the local managers and takes entire charge of marketing the product for the patrons. An advance of ten cents per pound on the estimated cream equivalent, supplied by each patron, is made monthly, and the balance is paid them at the end of the season. The output of government creameries in the Territories was 474,008 lbs. of butter for 1897, 485,000 for 1898, and 502,000 for the year 1900. Both Eastern and Western Assiniboia are especially well adapted for dairying, and the industry has been making great strides during the past few years. Creameries have been established in different parts of the district, and are now in successful operation at Regina, Moose Jaw, Maple Creek, Indian Head, Wolseley, Moosomln, Qu'Appelle, Grenfell, Whitewood. Churcli bridge, Saltcoats and York- ton. They are yearly doing a largely increasing business, and are a profitable source of cash revenue lo the settlers in their vicinity, British Columbia being an excellent market for the output. The na- tural inducements for the establishment of creameries are very great. There are nutritious grasses, and large ranges for stock, with a plentiful and pure water supply, and the climate is most favorable. Towns in Assiniboia The principal town of Assiniboia is Regina, the capital of the Northwest Territories. This is a railway centre an'd an active busi- ness place. The Legislature meets at Regina, and it is the head- quarters of tl;e Mounted Police, and other public offices. It has a population of over 2,200. A branch line runs north through the Qu'Appelle District, and on to Prince Albert, on the north branch of the Saskatchewan. Moosomin, Broadview, Grenfell, Wolseley, Sinta- luta, Whitewood, Indian Head and Qu'Appelle are other towns in the eastern district, and Fort Qu'Appelle is beautifully situated in the valley of Qu'Appelle, 18 miles north of the railway— Yorkton and Salt- coats being the centre of siettlements in the northeastern part of East Assiniboia, and Gainsboro, Carievale, Carnduff, Oxbow, Alameda and ASSINIBOIA — settlers' TESTIMONY. 36 Estevan (at the Souris coal fields) in the southeastern part, and Manor, Carlyle and Clare on the Pipestone Branch, near Moose Mountain. Moose Jaw, with a population of 2,200, is another town 4^ miles west of Regina, at the junction of the C. P. R. and the Soo line, running to St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Sault Ste. Marie, where connection is again made with the Canadian Pacific Railway system. On the Soo Line are the promising towns of Weyburn and Yellow Grass. Lumsden, on the Prince Albert branch of the C. P. R., has four grain elevators. Maple Creek is a thriving place, and Medicine Hat, on the south branch of the Saskatchewan, is the chief town of Western Assiniboia, where there are openings for enterprising men to utilize the natural gas for manufacturing, and to develop the pipe and fire clay deposits and native sandstone quarries. Dunmore is the junction of the Crow's Nest Pass Railway, which runs westerly past the extensive coal mines at Lethbridge to a point in the West Kootenay mining country through t'le Crow's Nest Pass and East Kootenay, opening up a vast country rich in minerals, which furnishes a good cash market for the products of the farms and ranches of Western Canada. The road to Lethbridge has been in operation for several years, and the whole line is completed to Kootenay Lake, where steamer connection is for the present made with the Canadian Pacific Railway system in Southern British Columbia. By the use of car ferries, freight for these mining regions reaches its destination without breaking bulk. Settlers' Testimony Regina. Sept. 6, 1900. My brother and myself arrived here in 1882 from Ontario with only enough capital to purchase teams and make a start on our home- steads. Shortly after another brother joined us, and since then we have been farming continuously in the Regina District. At the t)re- sent time we have about 4,000 acres of land, 1,100 of which are under cultivation. We also have about 60 head of heavy horses and about 200 head of cattle. We generally keep from 20 to 100 hogs. This pro- perty we have clear of any encumbrance whatever and have accumu- lated the same solely as a result of our farming operations. While I would not advise people of mature years to break up an old home and sever life long associations, except in the case of persons wishing to place their children in better position to make their lives a success, still I do think for the young man who is not afraid of hard work and who is willing, for the sake of ultimate success, to meet the difficulties of pioneer life, that the Northwest, from an agricultural standpoint, is a most inviting field. G. W. Brown. Canninigton Manor, Nov., 1899. I came from Belfast, Ireland, and settled here In 1883, having to start with $300.00 in cash, a yoke of oxen, wagon and plow. Bought a cow in 1883 and another the following year. I have now (Nov. 1899) 70 head of cattle, 60 sheep and 10 horses, 320 acres of land, of which 125 acres are under cultivation. My wheat yield has been from 15 to 20 bushels per acre. I have a good log house and stabling for every beast. This country is far ahead of Ontario and the Old Country. I would not live in the Old Country if I was paid for it. This is just the country for a poor man to start in. Robert Montooms»t. 86 ASSINIBOIA — DBI the Saskatchewan would be most suitable, owing to the luxuriance of the grass and prevalence of springs. North of the Saskatchewan there is abundance of grass in many places, particularly in the vicinity of Jackfish Lake and Turtle Mountain. In the former district an extensive f.reamf.ry has been established which makes large ship- ments to British Columbia, and other creameries are erected at Prince Albert and Saskatoon, with skimming stations at from 15 to 20 points. An old resident of Saskatchewan, after many years' experi- ence, says: " Pure water is in abundance everywhere. Nights are cool. The home demand has always been very large, so that dairy products command good prices. The luxuriant feed which the virgin soil produces, together with the bracing climate, gives vigorous health to domestic animals and renders them free from all diseases of a serious nature. We have a vast area of the best arable and pasture land awaiting to be utilized by the farmers, dairymen and stockmen. The wild grasses of this country make a first class quality of beef and butter, which is apparent to anyone who may come to the country and test them. We also have an abundance of pure water in our streams, and natural springs. We have also an ample supply of the best building material which can be supplied cheap, and also a com- paratively cool climate in summer, so that we have exceptional ad- vantages for making the best butter. The dairy industry, properly managed, will bring a great deal of money into the country. With so many natural advantages all that we require is an earnest effort and skilful men to teach us and there is no reason why the products of Saskatchewan District could not compete with any country in the markets of the world." Fisheries The fishing industry is largely carried on in, Montreal and Candle Lakes, north of Prince Albert, and there are any number of smaller lakes and streams in which fish abound, principally white-fish and pike, and sturgeon is plentiful in the Saskatchewan. Settlers' Testimony Melfort, Sask., N. W. T., Oct. 29th, 1900. I have been settled in this District for the last 17 years, and in looking over my journals I find that the crop record stands 13 good crops, 2 frosted, 1 failure, the latter owing to a violent storm in 1899, the first of its kind I have seen in ^he Northwest Territories. This District, part of the Carrot River Valley, has remained com- paratively undeveloped, the nearest railway point being Prince Albert, 40 SASKATCHEWAN — SETTLERS' TBSTIMOKT. some 75 miles N. W.; now, however, there are two railroads building towards it. The country generally is park like; open prairie with bluffs; ruuniug creeks are common, water can be had anywhere by digging from 12 to 40 feet I have resided in the Northwest since 1872, and travelled over a great deal of it; this I consider one of its finest parts, land of the very choicest quality, plenty of wood and timber, a good deal of wild hay can be had in the siettled Districts, and good ranches can be found further out. Railway lands can be purchased for $3.00 an acre on easy terms. Resident farmers have purchased largely this season, which is a good index of value. With the arrival of the railway next season, towns will rapidly spring up, and the early settlers will reap the advantage. Reginald B^evattt. Macdowall, Station, Willoughbt, 8th October, 1900 The land in this locality is fine for grain having from 6 to 8 feet of clay on a sand bottom, with a foot or so of top soil, which is, I may call it, a clayey loam. The class of settlers are well-to-do farmers, Enerlish, Scotch, Irish, and Canadians, and nearly all go in for mixed farming, as feed (the best of swamp hay, and good prairie grass, with the wild pea vine) is plentiful. Some have quite large bands of cattle, which are always in fine order. There are still a number of first-rate farms to be secured, varying from one mile to 10 miles from this station, be- longing to the C. P. R., H. B. Co., Government, and some to private non-residents. The crop this year is splendid, and fields of 30 to 35 bushels per acre of the best wheat are not uncommon. Nearly all the farmers are men who came to the country with little or no means, and are now independent, and all it wants is for a man to work and mind his own farm to succeed. H. I. MOBERLY. RosTHERN, Sask., Nov. 15th, 1900. I came here in 1892 in the spring; I had 75c. when I landed In Rosthern, but I was owing $110.00 to ray friends who helped m? along to come here. I took up a homestead, being the S.E. % of Sac. 14, Town 42, Range 3, "W. of 3rd Mer. I bought a pair of oxen on credit, and also an old wagon and plough, built a log house an^ started farming as good as I could. To-day I have 9 horses, 16 head of cattle, 11 pigs, 125 poultry. The machinery— I have a binder, one grass mower, one press-drill, 2 new waggons, 2 harrows, and all other necessary implements I need on the farm. I have also bought another quarter-section of land, and I am willing to compete with some of our best farmers in South Russia, where I came from. I am a German from South Russia, and the nationality around here are mostly all Germans. T would also recommend our people to come here, as I know when I left we had lots of people just as poor as I was there, and they SASKATCHEWAN — SETTLERS* TESTIMOHT. 41 all could make just as good a progress as I did if they would work, However, there are any amount of our people in Russia who would come here, if they just knew exactly how things are going here, and I would like to see Western Canada highly recommended to them, as I am sure there are any amount of people who would make the hest Canadian farmers if they would come here. Abram Rbgier. Saskatoon, N.W.T., Oct. 15th, 1900. I have lived in Saskatoon and surrounding district for a period of 13 years, and believe it to be as good for grain raising, mixed farming, stock raising, etc., as any part of the Northwest Territories. It is bound to settle up in the near future. The sample of wheat raised here compares favorably with that from any part of Mani- toba or the Northwest Territories. There is a good opening here for a grist mill. Settlers are going to come even without immigration work, and those who come first will be the best pleased as thsy can get land cheap now and have a choice of location. In a few years land will be worth money here. James Leslie. Saskatoon, N.W.T., Oct. 1st, 1900. I have lived here for 11 years and like the climate. Our harvest is on earlier than most parts of the Northwest. The soil is rich and very productive. We have plenty of rainfall, and I am well supplied with good water from well 23 feet deep. My largest crop of oats was 80 bushels to the acre, lowest 20 bushels, wheat 15 to 40 bushels. I had 5,000 bushels of grain last year, and I know by ex- perience that the soil and climate in this di.strict are very desirable, and only require to be properly known to be appreciated. We have good natural drainage. The river passing through this tract of land is quite an acquisition to it. We have wood at from 15 to 30 miles off, and have wood laid down at Saskatoon by rail at $2.50 to $3.00 per cord, and plenty of coal at reasonable prices. We have a good market and fair shipping facilities and train service for a new country; also churches and schools and good stores. All that is re- quired here to make a grand country is more settlers to work the soil. David Lusk. 42 ILBBRTA — nra NOBTHEBN GRANARY. ALBERTA Alberta is the most westerly of the several divisions of the North west Territories. It extends from the western limits of Assiniboia to the eastern limits of British Columbia, within the range of the Rocky Mountains, and is divided into Northern Alberta and Southern Alberta. They are unlike in essential particulars and are, therefore, occupied by different classes of settlers. The Calgary & Edmonton Railway, operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, passes through the two divisions from Macleod in the south, where it con- nects with the Crow's Nest Pass Railroad running Into the Kootenay gold mining country, to Edmonton in the north, affording market and shipping facilities at a number of convenient points along the whole distance. Northern Alberta Within the borders of Northern Alberta is a practically illimitable area of the most fertile land, well timbered and well watered. The surface of the country is gently undulating, and through the centre of the district the Saskatchewan River flows In a bed 200 feet below the level. Wood and prairie alternate irregularly. In some parts there are large plains free from timber and in others great areas of woods composed of large trees. The soil consiists of a layer of from one to three feet of hlack vegetable mould, with little or no mixture of sand or gravel, bearing a growth of wild vegetation of a luxuriance seen in no other part of the Territories, and indeed seldom seen anywhere out- side of the tropics. It is peculiar to this section of the country that the black mould is deeper on its knolls and ridges than in the hollows. With a soil of such depth and fertility, it is not wonderful that in ordinary good seasons a yield of oats of 100 to 114 weighed bushels to the acre has not been uncommon, and that less than 60 bushels is considered below the average, 80 to 85 bushels averaging 50 pounds to the bushel, being an ordinary yield; that barley will yield 60 bushels and wheat over 40, and potatoes of from two to three pounds weight are not a rarity. Of course, these yields have not been attained every year, nor in any year by every farmer, but they have been attained without extraordinary exertions, and prove that the capacity is in the soil if the tillage is given to bring it out. Fall wheat has been grown in several parts of Alberta during the past ten years with uniformly good results, the yield in some cases being as high as 60 bushels to the acre. Live stock of all kinds is raised extensively, including horses of all grades, from heavy draught to ALBERTA — THE NORTHERN GRANARY. 48 Indian ponies, horned cattle, sheep, pigs and i>oultry. Native horses do well without stabling all the year round, but good stock of what- ever kind requires good treatment to bring it to its best, when it is most profitable. There is a varied and nutritive pasture during a long season in summer; there is an abundant supply of hay procur- able for winter feeding, and an abundant and universally distributed water supply. The climate is clear, equable and healthful, which make it a pleasant country to live in. There are very few summer or winter storms, and no severe ones. Blizzards and wind storms are unknown. The winter climate is less severe than that of the districts along the Saskatchewan further east on account of the Chinook winds. As a consequence, a better class of cattle can be raised more cheaply and with less danger of loss in this district than in some other parts. The advantages which tell so heavily in favor of the district for cattle raising tell as heavily in favor of dairying. Native fruits — wild strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, saskatoon and cranberries, cherries and black currants— grow in profusion al- most everywhere, and tobacco is successfully cultivated. All through the country small game, principally mallard and teal, prairie chicken and partridge, is very plentiful, and deer may not infrequently be found. Coal of excellent quality is found throughout the whole dis- trict from east of Medicine Hat to the Rocky Mountains, and from the international boundary to north of the Saskatchewan River, being exposed on the cut banks of the Saskatchewan, Sturgeon, White Mud and other streams in abundance, and is procurable at from 60 cents to 75 cents a load by the settler hauling it from the mine himself, and is delivered in the towns at from |1.50 to $2.50 per ton. Settlers can supply themselves by paying a fee ranging from 10c. to 20c. a ton in some localities. There is plenty of wood for building material and fuel in almost every part of the district. Gold is found in the bars and benches of the Saskatchewan, Macleod, Athabasca, Smoky and other rivers in small but paying quantities. These are known as the " poor man's diggings," and some settlers after seeding when the water is low turn miners and make from $1.50 to $4.00 per day. Dredging operations have been carried on with varying success during the past few years, and w th new specially designed ma- chines now under construction, it is confidently anticipated that even a greater reward will attend the work. So good is the reputation that this section of the country en- joys, that settlement was made at a number of points before the railway was complete and in 1892, when the road was in full oper- ation, a more regular stream of settlement began. There is, how- ever, such ample room for choice of locations that thousands can find room for selection in the free sections. This, however, will not continue to be the case for many years. They can be obtained not far distant from the railway line as far north as Leduc, but 44 ALBKRTA — THE NORTHERN GRANARY. around Edmonton none are obtainable within an area of 20 or 25 miles. Partly improved farms can be purchased near Edmonton at from $5 per acre upwards, and railway lands within ten miles for $3 per acre. Bush lands are obtainable within five milesi of the town. Southern Alberta Southern Alberta, which forms the extreme southwestern corner of the prairie region of Western Canada, stands unrivalled among the stock countries of the world, and now that it has direct rail- way communication with the markets of Eastern Canada and of British Columbia, is the most desirable one for stockmen. The country is level, open prairie in the eastern portion, but it is much broken along the western side by the foothills of the Rockies. The true Chinook winds prevail during the fall, winter .and spring months. Under their magic influence the snowfall is licked up within a few hours, while the temperature will even more quickly rise to between 40 and 50 degrees above zero. Under these conditions the brief spells of wintry weather are alternated with more or less pro- tracted periods of warm, bright, spring-like weather, during which the ground is bare of snow, and the water is running in the streams and pools. During the past winter, the water in the Old Man's River was never completely frozen over. Blizzards are unknown. It is this climate which has made Southern Alberta famous as a range stock country, and which enables cattle and horses to live in the open air the year around without shelter, and dependent entirely upon the natural grass of the country for food. The same advantages tell quite as heavily in favor of dairying and mixed farming. Hay is readily available, so that weak and young stock can be taken up and fed if necessary. The true Chinook belt extends from the inter- national boundary line to Sheep Creek, about 150 miles, while its influence is felt eastward as far as Moosejaw, over 300 miles. North from Sheep Creek, with gradually lessening effect, it extends to the Red Deer River, about 130 miles further, when the clear cold climate of Northern Alberta takes the place of the more variable climatic conditions further south. The live stock industry is the chief one, although the conditions are fast changing from large herds to smaller ones which can be more easily handled and cared for. Now that this portion of the country has direct rail communication with the easc- ern and Britisli Columbia markets, an immense impetus has been given to the live stock business. Grass fed steers last season brought from $38 to $40 for three year olds, to $42 to $48 for fours, at the shfp- ping point. As these steers pick up their own living on the ranges, and are never housed or fed, the profits are very large. Large nura bers of young beef cattle are annually imported from the east to be fattened on the Southern Alberta ranges, and are again profitably ALBERTA — ITS CHIEF TOWNS. 45 shipped as matured beef to European and eastern markets. Mixed farming is now extensively carried on in Southern Alberta, aud ib very profitable. With a rapidly extending system of irrigation, this and oLher farming operations will develop very quickly. The Canadian Northwest Irrigation Company has recently completed 85 miles of main waterway from the St. Mary's River, near the international boundary, to the neighborhood of Lethbridge at a cost of over $400,000, and is offering irrigated lands at from $8.00 to $10.00 per acre. Though a large portion of Southern Alberta is bare of timber for fuel, this lack is amply compensated for by an inexhaustible supply of coal of ex- cellent quality, which crops out at many points along the steep banks of the streams that plentifully water the country. There are also largely operated coal mines at Lethbridge and at Fernie, in British Columbia, which supply Southern Alberta with cheap fuel, and new mines are being opened in the mountains of South- western Alberta, immediately west of Macleod, on the Crow's Nest Pass Railway, where large towns will soon spring up. In the farthest southwestern corner boring for coal oil is shortly to be commenced, with extremely probable prospects of success. One man last year in about three months obtained some 800 gallons of lubricating oil by skimming it from the surface of pools of water, and sold it at 75 cents per gallon. Chief Towns Calgary Is a bright and busy city of about 4,500 population, which is rapidly increasing. It is situated at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, about 70 miles east of the Rocky Mountains. It is the centre of the northern ranching districts of Southern Alberta, and supplies many of the smaller mining towns to the west. It is built principally of grey sandstone, and is the junction of the Calgary and Edmonton branches with the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, being a divisional point, with machine shops, etc. It is an important station of the Mounted Police, and in a variety of ways does a large and increasing business. It has waterworks, electric light, first-class hotels, brewery, several churches and public and private schools, creamery, large abattoir and cold storage and ex- cellent stores. Edmonton, on the north bank of the Saskatchewan, is the market town for the farmers, traders, miners, etc., on the north side of tho Saskatchewan, and for the trade of the great Mackenzie Basin, ami like Calgary, is an outfitting place for those taking the inland route to the Peace River, and other gold-bearing streams rising in the Rocky Mountains. It is a prosperous town with a population of 3.000. is lighted by electricity and has all the modern adjuncts of thriving towns. Edmonton has several chartered banks, two flour mills, plan- 46 ALBEETA — ITS CHIEF TOWNS, ing factory, pork packing factory, two breweries, two brick-yards, six churches, two hospitals, newspapers, public schools and "fevery branch of business, both wholesale and retail, is represented. There are five coal mines near the town. Strathcona (formerly South Edmonton), on the south bank of the Saskatchewan (population 1,250), and the present northern terminus of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway, is another rising centre where good hotel accommodation, stores, creamery, floiir and oatmeal mills, tannery, banks, four grain elevators, carriage, foundry and machine shops, and pump factory, etc., are established. It has several churches and a public school. Fort Saskatchewan, 20 miles east of Edmonton, is the head- quarters for the Mounted Police in that district, and the distribut- ing point for the Beaver Hills and Vermilion region. St. Albert, nine miles northeast ot Edmonton, is the site of the Roman Catholic Mission, where there are three stores, two hotels, blacksmith shop, etc. Leduc, 18 miles south of Edmonton, on Leduc Lake, is the centre of one of the most prosperous and well-settled farming districts of Alberta. It has stores, churches, two grain elevators, etc., and its growth during the past two years was phenomenal. Wetaskiwin is the busiest town between Edmonton and Calgary, and possesses some good stores, creamery, grain elevator, hotels, etc. It is the market for the Beaver Lake and Battle River set- tlements. Ponoka, between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe, is the centre of a new settlement which attracted a large number of settlers during the past year. Lacombe is 20 miles north of Red Deer in the centre of a rich and well-settled farming country, and is the market town for the Buffalo Lake District. It has a saw and a grist mill, grain ware- houses, creamery, etc. , Red Deer, on the river of the same name, half-way between Cal- gary and Edmonton, is in the centre of a fine stock country, there being several large ranches in the vicinity. Innisfail is a prettily situated and very prosperous town, 76 miles north of Calgary, with several stores, hotels, creamery and a grist mill. Olds is a rising town, 55 miles north of Calgary, around which there is a well-settled country. Okotoks, between Calgary and Macleod, has several stores, cream- ery, sawmill and planing mill. High River is the centre of a large cattle range, from which large shipments are made. Macleod (population 1,200), on Old Man's River, at the southern terminus of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway, and an important ALBEBTA — CATTLE AND HORSE RAISINQ. 47 divisional point on the Crow's Nest Pass Railway line, is the chief centre of business and headquarters for the great ranching inuustry of Southern Alberta. Pincher Creek, in the foothills of the Rockies, 30 miles west of Macleod, is a thriving village of about 250 population, in the centre of an excellent stock country. Lethbridge (population 2,500), on the Crow's Nest line of the C. P. R. situated about thirty miles east of Macleod, is a coal mining town doing a good business, with large stores and several public buildings. With the recent construction of very extensive irriga- tion works to the west and south of Lethbridge, a large area of ex- cellent land, tributary to the town, has become available for settle- ment. Cardston, on Lee's Creek, 15 miles from the boundary, is the centre of a well settled and prosperous district. Stirling is a new town in thp southern part that is growing rapidly. Anthracite and Canmore are two important coal mining towns in the Rocky Mountains, and Banff in the Canadian National Park, where there are hot sulphur springs of great medicinal value, is a most delightful summer resort which is yearly visited by people from all parts of the globe. Cattle Raising There are countless herds of fat cattle on the ranges of South- ern Alberta, which at any season are neither fed nor sheltered; cattle, too, which in point of breeding, size and general condition are equal, if not superior to any range cattle in the world. Short- horns, Herefords and Polled Angus (black and red of the latter), are the chief breeds. There are some Holsteins and Ayrshires, but they are not generally used except where dairying is the main desi- deratum. For the small stock breeds where dairying and beef pro- ducing must materially go hand in hand, probably a good milking strain of Shorthorns will be found the most profitable. To illus- trate the class of oattle produced, it may be mentioned that a train load of four-year-old steers from the Cochrane ranch after being driven 140 miles and shipped by rail 2,300 miles to Montreal, weigh- ed at the end of the trip on the average 1,385 lbs. Four-year-olds and long threes have, for several years past netted the owners from $42 to $48 on the range; three-year-olds, $38 to $40 each; old cows from $24 to $28. Calves from six to eight months old are worth $14 to $16. During the past few years prices for all classes of cattle have steadily increased, and at the present time breeding herds which, a few years ago, were sold for from $23 to $25 per head all round, cannot be purchased for less than $28 to $30. Bulls for breeding purposes are imported chiefly from the eastern provinces of Canada ?.nd from Great Britain. Breeding enterprises for furnishing bulls ALBERTA — STOCK RAISING. 49 under the management of experienced men, would doubtless prove profitable ventures, and several are already being carried on, fur- nishing a class of stock not exceeded by many of the older estab- lished breeding farms of the east. The outlay in cattle ranging is meeting with satisfactory and en- couraging reward, there being ready sale at the ranches. In Northern Alberta this branch is but in its infancy, but is developing rapidly. The local market annually consumes from eighteen to twenty thou- sand beeves, with a growing demand, while the great market of the world is within easy access. The number shipped for England is annually increasing. Horse Raising In breeding horses, Alberta occupies a somewhat similar position to Canada that Kentucky does to the United States. Owing to the high altitude, dry and invigorating atmosphere, short and mild winters, and its nutritious grasses and inexhaustible supply of clear, cold water, it is pre-eminently adapted for breeding horses, and the Alberta animal has already become noted for endurance, lung power, and perfect freedom from hereditary and other diseases. There are, in Alberta, several grades of horses varying in point of quality from the hardy Indian pony (Cayuse), to the beautiful, well- formed thoroughbred. Thoroughbreds from Great Britain and Ken- tucky, Clydesdales from Scotland, Percherons from France and trot- ting stock from the United States have been imported at great ex- pense, and the result is that the young horse of Alberta will compare with any in Canada, and finds a ready market in England and Bel- gium. Good three-quarter bred Clydes and Shires which at maturity will weigh 1,400 to 1,600 lbs., have been selling at three years old readily for $75 to $100. Good quality of other classes bring from $40 to $100. During the past two years shipments of polo ponies were made to England with successful results. A large number of Alberta bred horses were last year taken to South Africa, and there on the rough veldt under most trying circumstances, have held their own with picked horses from all parts of the Empire, the United States, ete. Sheep For sheep, there are thousands of acres of rich grass lands, well watered, and adapted in every way for first-class mutton and fine wool, where cold rains and dust storms, so injurious to the fleeces, are almost unknown. There is a railway running through the cen- tre of the grazing lands and markets for mutton and wool are with- in reach. The clear, dry, bracing air of the country suits sheep. 50 ALBERTA — STOCK RAISING. which suffer from little or no disease. Sheep mature early, ow- ing to the fine quality of the grass. To winter them safely, good, warm, roomy sheds, plenty of hay (10 tons to the 100 head), and attention is all that is wanted. The popular breeds are Shrops and Downs, aud in most cases they are crossed with Merinos. During the last ten years many hundreds of thousand cattle, sheep and horses have been raised in the southern half of Alberta on the rich grasses, without any feeding or shelter other than the shelter found along the hillsides or in clumps of trees on the bottom lands. The cattle and sheep when taken off the pasture are fat and fit for any butcher's shop in the world, and the horses are in capital condi- tion. Hog-s The favorite breeds are Berkshlres, Small Yorkshire Whites and Tamworths, which, if fed until they will weigh from 150 to 200 lbs. dressed, quoted (winter of 1900), at $4.50 to $6.00 per 100 lbs. for consignment to pork packing and curing establishments.. Those who are patrons of any creamery jcan always rear several pigs and find an active demand for them, and a good market— and one that is ex- panding greatly— is always attainable to those who have a surplus of coarse or inferior grains, which can best be utilized in developing pigs to proper weight. Hog raising can be increased indefinitely with great profit to the farmer as the demand is greatly in excess of the supply. Poultry One of the most profitable branches of farming in the Canadian West is the production of eggs, especially if these can be obtained during the winter months, when prices range from 30c. to 40c. a dozen. There is also a ready demand for fowls for home consump- tion, the supply not nearly equalling the demand. This climate cannot be equalled for the rearing of turkeys, the dryness and alti- tude being especially favorable for this profitable bird. Geese, which are exceedingly hardy and easy to rear, grow to a large size on the rich pasture without very much care or extra feeding. There are great possibilities for shipments, both east and west of poultry, raising of which has been found very profitable. Dairying in Alberta The conditions for carrying on dairying successfully are most favorable in Alberta, and although the industry is yet in its infancy, great strides have already been made in that direction. There are ALBERTA — ITS MARKETS. 51 eight Government Creameries in operation, of which number four will be running all winter. Besides these, there is a private cream- ery at Bowden. Good prices are obtained for the output of but- ter which finds a ready market in British Columbia. The main creameries established by the Government, are situated at Calgary, Olds, Innisfail, Tindastoll, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan. Besides these a number of tributary cream separating and receiving stations are established along the line of railway in such a way that they are within reach, practically, of all the farmers who may desire to patronize them. The main creameries are supplied with first-class cold storage rooms and other modern improvements. A regular weekly refrigerator service is furnished by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company which makes it practicable to ship perishable food products to the British Columbia markets in the pink of condition. The dairy industry in Alberta is carried on under similar conditions to those existing in Assiniboia, already referred to. The average prices realized for Alberta Government Creamery butter, during the last two years, have been over 20c. per pound for the summer season, and 23%c. per pound for the winter sea- son at the creameries. It will be seen, then, that the patrons realized 16c. and IQi/^c. net per pound of butter during the summer and winter seasons res£)ectively. Markets The apparent great distance of Northern Alberta from the large centres of population frequently leads to the wrong impression that the settlers there are without markets. Nothing could be farther from the actual facts. Northern Alberta is the nearest agricultural country to the rich mining regions of both northern and southern British Columbia, which are rapidly developing, and with which a large and growing trade has already been established, which is im- mensely increasing yearly since the completion of the Crow's Nest Pass Railway; and the whole Mackenzie Basin is supplied from Ed- monton, which is an outfitting and supply depot for prospectors in the copper areas and gold-bearing streams north and west whose headwaters are reached from that town. The trade of this vast dis- trict is immense and gradually increasing, as mining and trading in the north expand, the fur trade alone reaching $500,000 annually. The establishment of flour and oatmeal mills, crearueries, etc., ensure an excellent market for the products of the farm. The ranchmen of Southern Alberta find a ready market for their stock practically at their very doors through buyers who supply the English, United States, Eastern Canadian and British Columbia mar- kets; and the small farmers have a home market as well as one in British Columbia. 52 ALBERTA — ITS MINERALS. Minerals Alberta possesses untold wealth in her Immense mineral de- posits. For yeara past gold in paying quantities has been found on the banks and bars of the North and South Saskatchewan and in the Pembina, Smoky, Macleod, and Athabasca rivers. Gold colors are found in many streams and rivers in Alberta. Large veins of galena have been located which are pronounced by experts to con- tain a large percentage of silver. Capital alone is wanting to make them treasures of wealth to the country. Copper ore in enormous quantities has also been found said to contain 60 per cent, of pure copper. Iron ore has been discovered in various parts of Alberta. A forty-foot seam of hematite iron, said to contain 67 per cent, of iron, exists at the base of Storm Mountain, quite close to the Can- adian Pacific Railway line, and other large seams exist in the Mac- leod District. As to the quantity of the coal deposits of Alberta, it is impossible to form any estimate, the whole country being underlaid with rich deposits of anthracite, bituminous, semi-bituminous and lignite. The coal mines already discovered are of sufficient extent to supply Can- ada with fuel for centuries. Ldgnites are now mined at Medicine Hat, Cypress Hills, Red Deer, Otoskiwan, Edmonton, Sturgeon River and Victoria, and are obtained at the pit's mouth at from 65c. to $2.50 per ton, according to the demand— the greater the sale the lower the price. The semi-bituminous is mined at Lethbridge (where 11,500,000 have been invested). Pot Hole, Milk River Ridge, Wood- pecker, Crowfoot and Knee Hill Creek, and is obtained at from $1.50 to $3.00 per ton. The true bituminous is mined at Waterton River, Pincher Creek, on each of the South, Middle and North Branches of the Old Man's River, on High River, Sheep Creek, Fish Creek, Bow River and Canmore, and fetches similar prices to the semi- bituminous. Anthracite is mined at Anthracite (four miles from Banff), and is sold aboard cars at from $2 to $5 per ton, according to grade. There are extensive collieries at Lethbridge, Canmore and Anthracite. The Government issues permits to mine on Dominion lands at the following royalties: 10c. per ton for lignites, 15c. for bituminous, and 20c. for anthracite. Soft coal is so plentiful that the certainty of a cheap fuel sup- ply is assured to Albertans for all time to some. Game in Alberta Alberta Is an attractive country for the sportsman. Wild duck of all varieties, geese, prairie chicken, blue grouse, snipe, partridge, and other small game are usually plentiful, while in the north and 1 ■ i i 1 ■ -iC-f : . ..-■^♦' R. G. ROBINSON S HORSE RANC^H, ELBOW RIVER, NEAR CALGARY SOME OF GEO. BRYAN'S CATTLE AT INNISFAIL, ALBERTA 54 ALBERTA — settlers' TESTIMONY. the mountain regions of the south, deer, moose and other large game are by no means uncommon. Bands of antelope are also often seen on the plains in the south. Trout, from the brook trout to salmon trout, abound in all the streams and lakes of Southern Alberta. Settlers' Testimony AaRicoiA, AiBERTA, May 15th, 1900. As I have been requested as a farmer of Alberta to give my opin- ion as to how I like the climate and the country, and also how I have prospered in it, I must say I am well satisfied with the country and climate, and also with the way I have prospered in it. I emigrated from Parry Sound seven years ago this coming fif- teenth day of April. When I landed in Edmonton, all I possessed was one stove, one bedstead, a wife and two small children, and the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents in cash. I now own 160 acres of land, three span of horses, ten head of cattle, eighteen hogs, two wagons, one set of sleighs, one binder, two plows, one set of harness, one hay rake. Last season I raised 1,000 bushels of wheat, 20O of barley, and 400 of oats, all of which were good samples. My opinion is that this is a good country, with plenty of good hay and water; school-houses, post-offices and churches about six miles apart, and markets about eighteen miles apart, provided with splendid roads. WrLLLA.M H. Atkinson. Lbduc, December 3rd, 1900. I came here on April the 3rd, 1898, and located a place. I had no means but I got along all right. I have seen the finest crops grown that I ever saw anywhere. I have seen oats that yielded 80, wheat 50, and potatoes 300 bushels per acre. I am well satisfied with the country, and the district of Northern Alberta. George Fountain. Beaumont. Nov. 19th. 1900. I left North Dakota seven years ago and settled in Alberta, took a homestead and bought a 0. P. R. quarter section In Township 50, Range 24, in the Clearwater Settlement. I am well pleased with this country. I came to this coimtry with no capital and very few settler's effects, and now I am In a comfortable position, having eighty acres broken and under cultivation. I have six head of horses, sixteen head of cattle, and all kinds of farm Implements. I think this country is hard to beat for mixed farming. I would advise any parties from other parts of the world, who are not in good circumstances to move to this country and secure for them- selves a home, as there is lots of room for hustlers. My crop this year yielded 3,000 bushels off 65 acres. J. O. Wood, Bteaumont P.O., Alberta. ALBERTA — DELEGATES' REPORTS. 55 Wbtaskiwin, AX.TA., 1st Dec, 1900. I arrived in Wetasklwin, Alta., on November lOth. 1899, from Iowa. I purchased a farm, for which I paid $1,000. I put it into crop this year with the result that I had over 2,000 bushels of grain. I sold over $200 worth of hay, in other words, I made enough to pay for this farm the first year. Where can any settler do better? I am well satis- fied with the country, and believe it to be a good country for a poor man to start in. DOMINICK HaLADIK. Wetaskiwin, Alta., 2nd Dec, 1900. I came to this country from Quebec in the year 1891, and entered on a homestead in 1892. I have farmed ever since, and I consider it a good country to farm in. I have raised 40 bushels of wheat to the acre, over 60 bushels of barley and 60 to 70 bushels of good oats. I intend to stay with this country; it is good enough for me, and the best country under the sun for a poor man. I came in dead broke, and have to-day 55 head of cattle, three horses, and all farm machinery now, and over $1,000 in the bank. When I arrived I was just |30 in debt, and borrowed money to come. BOSfWELL ThEREAUX. Delegates' Reports I, the undersigned, a delegate from Kansas, to submit a report of a trip I made from Kansas to Alberta to visit that part of Western Canada in view of locating myself and the people I represent, take pleasure in stating that I am satisfied with my visit. The country is as represented by rhe literature and by agents. I visited all along the C. & E. Ry., and finally decided to settle at Carstairs, where I bought for myself and friends three-quarters of a section. I have no doubt that many other families from Kansas will follow my example after I have explained to them what I have seen, and will move into Western Canada next year. B. B. Bastin, Hillsdale P.O., Kansas. WiNNiPEO, 30th October, 1900. We, the undersigned, delegates from Kansas, Missouri, and Okla- homa Territory, have just returned from the Edmonton country. We are more than satisfied with what we have seen. The oat yield in this country is very good, averaging from 50 to 75 bushels to the acre, the quality excellent. The straw and grass growth is wonderful, from five to seven feet in length. Samples of Timothy and brome grass were seen the same length and the crop was very encouraging and heavy. The vegetable crop leaves nothing to be desired— potatoes yielding as high as 600 bushels to the acre, cabbage and all other varieties likewise. The soil is a rich black loam with clay subsoil varying from 3 to 7 feet in depth. We are satisfied from what we have ourselves seen in the country, cattle and produce, that this district cannot be beaten for farming. While at Dried Meat Lake, 56 ALBERTA — delegates' REPORTS. east of Wetaskiwin, our host sold 25 head of three year old steers for one thousand dollars and besides had 170 head of cattle left. He had only been four y.^ars in the country and was only too evidently pros- pering. The weather we have experienced was a surprise to us, the glass registered 60 degrees above zero and ploughing was going on all along our line of travel. The trip which we looked forward to as somewhat of a hardship was very enjoyable. Game, ducks ,nd chickens were very numerous, we ourselves killing at least fifty chicken on our trip. The cattle are certainly far superior to what we have in Oklahoma and Kansas— three year olds here being quite equal to four year olds with us— all of the cattle on the prairie being fat enough for beef. Gilford Bussard, Renfrew, O. T. A. HoFFMAK, Andale, Sedgwick, Kansas. C. R. HoLBiNpE, Rhinehart, Kansas. C. Mbrlett, Detroit, Kansas. P. McFerrenv Moonlight, Kansas. Geo. Mourer, Abilene, Kansas. J. Ollhoff, Navarre, Kansas. Manfred, July 1st, 1900. I with C. C. Rygne and Emil Sjorby, left Manfred, Wills County, North Dakota, on the 14th of June, and reached Wetaskiwin on the 15th in the evening. The land looked fine around Wetaskiwin, the grass stood high and rich and so did the fields. In the morning of 16th June we were to go out and look up land. There were 15 of us who then left in one company to seek for land near to each other. We drove eastwards through a country that was settled, so to enable us to see how the fields and everything looked, and we were all pleaspd, and the farmers we met with were all well satisfied with their conditions. We only drove about 15 miles into the country the first day, and we stopped with a farmer in the vicinity of Battle River, where there was a store and post office. The next morning we travelled 8 miles further east, where we discovered fine homestead lands, mixed prairie and bush, and fine grass all over, reaching up to the very buggy box, and we all selected our quarter sections, and the next day, when we returned to Wetaskiwin, we entered for the lands. We also made a trio into the country near Crookel Lake, where we met wirh a lot of " Valarisers." and they were all doing nicely and well and w^ took part in meetings and church and every- thing went off Fmoothly. G. H. Dahlb, Manfred Wills Co., North Dakota. WESTERN CANADA — THE SURVEYS. 57 SYSTEM OF LAND SURVEY Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have now been accu- rately surveyed by the Dominion Government, and parcelled out into square and uniform lots on the following plan: The land is divided into " townships " six miles square. Each township contains thirty- six " sections " ol 640 acres, or one square mile each section, and these are again sub-divided into quarter sections of 160 acres. A road allowance, one chain wide, is provided for between each section running north and south, and between every alternate section east an ' west. The following is a plan of a township: Township Diagram SIX MILES SQUARE. k 1 32 O.N^W. 1 34 1 35 36 C.P.K. Gov. 1 or C. P. R. Gov. 1 C.P.R. 1 1 26 Gov. 1 1 30 1 29 1 28 1 27 25 C.N.W. w < Gov. Schools Gov. 1 C.P.R. 1 H.B. 1 or C P.R. 19 20 21 C.N.W. 1 22 1 23 24 C.P.R. 1 Gov. or C.P.R. Gov 1 C.P.K. 1 Gov. 1 E 1 18 1? 1 16 1 15 1 14 13 C.N.W. X So Gov. 1 C P.R. Gov. 1 C.P.R 1 Gov. 1 or C.P.R. 1 12 1 7 1 8 9 C.N.W. 1 10 1 11 C.P.K. 1 H.B. 1 or C.P.K. Gov. Schools Gov. 1 1 6 1 5 1 4 3 1 2 1 C.N.W. Gov. C.P.R. Gov. 1 C.P.R. 1 Gov. 1 or C.P.K. a p 3 S' Government Lands, open for homestead (that is for free settle- ment).— Sections Nos. 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30, 32. 34, 36. Canadian Pacific Railway Lands for sale.— Sections Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27. 31, 33, 35. Sections Nos, 1, 9, 13, 21, 25, 33, along the main line, Winnipeg to Moose Jaw, can be purchased from Canada Northwest Land Company. School Sections.— Sections Nos. 11 and 29 are reserved by govern- ment for school purposes. Hudson's Bay Company's Land for sale. —Sections Nos. 8 and 26. 58 ♦ WESTERN CANADA — FREE HOMESTEAD REGULATIONS. FREE HOMESTEAD REGULATIONS Any even-numbered section of Dominion Lands in Manitoba or the Northwest Terntories, excepting 8 and 26, which have not been home- steaded, reserved to provide wood lots for settlers, or for other pur- poses, may be homesteaded upon by any person who is the sole head of a family, or any male over 18 years of age, to the extent of one quar- ter-section of 160 acres, more or less. Entry Entry may be made personally at the local land office for the Dis- trict in which the land to be taken is situate, or if the homesteader desires he may, on application to the Minister of the Interior, Ottawa, the Commissioner of Immigration, Winnipeg, or the Local Agent for the district in which the land is situate receive authority for some one to make entry for him. A fee of $10 is charged for an ordinary homestead entry; but for lands which have been occupied an additional fee of $5 or $10 is chargeable to meet cancellation or inspection and cancellation expenses. Homestead Duties Under the present law homestead duties must be performed in one of the following ways, namely: — (1) By at least six months' residence upon and cultivation of the land in each yoar during the term of three years. (2) If the father (or the mother, if the father is deceased) of any person who is eligible to make a homestead entry resides upon a farm in the vicinity of the land entered for by such person as a homestead, the requirements of the law as to residence prior to obtaining patent may be satisfied by such person residing with the father or mother. (3) If a settler has obtained a patent for his first homestead, or a certificate for the issue of such patent countersigned in the manner prescribed by the Dominion Lands Act, and has obtained entry for a second homestead, the requirements of this Act as to residence prior to obtaining patent may be satisfied by residence upon the first home- stead. (4) If the settler has his permanent residence upon farming land owned by him in tae vicinity of his homestead, the requirements ot the law as to residence may be satisfied by residence upon the said land. Application for Patent Should be made r.t the end of the three years', before the Local Agent, Sub- Agent or the Homestead Inspector. Before making appli- cation for patent the settler must give six months' notice in writing to the Commis.sionor of Dominion Lands at Ottawa of his intention to do so. When, for the convenience of the settler, application for patent is made before a Homestead Inspector, a fee of $5 is charged; no fee, however, being cliarged if the application be made at the land office. Application for patent must be made within five years from the date of the homestead entry, otherwise the right thereto is liable to for- feiture. WESTERN CANADA — GOVERNMENT MINERAL L \NDS. 59 GOVERNMENT MINERAL LANDS Coal Lands If surveyed, can be purchased by one individual to the extent of 320 acres, price $10 per acre for soft coal, $20 per acre for anthracite. Purchaser has to pay no royalty, nor is he compelled to work claim. Right to Explore for Coal On staking tut boundaries, run lines north and south, east and west, marking on each post the name of individual staking same, and date of such staking; then apply to Minister of the Interior, who will grant right upon payment of $10 to explore for 60 days on ex- penditure of at least $2 per day. At expiration of 60 days a further extension may be granted if asked for. This right to explore enables parties to satisfy themselves whether there is sufficient coal on the property to warrant a purchase. If the land is surveyed no staking is necessary. Synopsis of the Regulations for the Disposal of Quartz Mining" Claims on Dominion Lands in IWanitoba and the Northwest Territories (incluoing the Yukon Territory) Every pei-son 18 years of age and over, but not under, and every joint stock company holding a Free Miner's Certificate, may obtain an entry for a mining location. A Free Miner's Certificate is granted for one or more years, not exceeding five, and is not transferable. The annual fee for a Free Miner's Certificate for an individual is $10, and for a Free Miner's Certificate to a joint stock company, from $50 to $100, according to the nominal capital of the company. The holder of a Free Miner's Certificate who has discovered min- eral in place, may locate a claim not exceeding 1,500 feet long by 1,500 feet wide, by marking it with two legal posts, one at each end, on the line of the lode, or vein, and marking out the line between them. Upon each post shall be marked the name of the claim, the name of the person locating and the date, and the number of feet lying to the right and left of the line. The claim ehall be recorded with the Mining Recorder of the District within which it is situated, within 15 days after the location thereof, if located within 10 miles of the office of the Recorder; one additional day shall be allowed for such record for every additional ten miles or fraction there f . In the event of a claim being more than 100 miles from a Recorder's office, and situated where other claims are being located, the Free Miners, not less than five in num- ber, may appoint a Free Miner's Recorder, but if the latter fails within three months to notify the nearest Government Mining 60 ' WESTERN CANADA — INFORMATION FOR SETTLERS. Recorder of his appointment, the claims which he may have recorded will be cancelled. The fee for recording a claim is $5. An expenditure of not less than |100 per year must be made on the claim, or a like amount paid to the Mining Recorder in lieu thereof. When $500 has been expended or paid in connection with the location, the locator may, upon having a survey thereof made and upon complying with certain other requirements, purchase the land at the rate of $5 per acre cash, but if the surface rights have already been disposed of, at %2 an acre. A location for the mining of iron, mica and copper, not exceeding 160 acres in area, may be granted, provided that should any Free Miner obtain a location which subsequently is found to contain a valuable mineral deposit other than iron, mica or copper, his right in such deposit shall be restricted to the area prescribed for other minerals, and the remainder of the location shall revert to the Crown. The patent for a mining location shall reserve to the Crown for- ever, whatever royalty may hereafter be imposed on the sales of the products of all mines therein, and the Bame royalty shall be collected on the sales' which may be made prior to the issue of the patent. A liberal supply of timber for house building purposes and fuel is granted free to settlers on payment of a small office fee for the permit. For full information as to the conditions of tender, and sale of timber, coal or other mineral lands, apply to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Ottawa, Ont., or to any of the Dominion Land Agents, Manitoba, or the Northwest Territories. Jambs A. Smart, Deputy Minister of the Interior Ottawa, Canada. INFORMATION FOR SETTLERS Newly arrived immigrants will receive at any Dominion Lands Office in Manitoba or the Northwest Territories information as to the lands that are open for entry, and from the oflficers in charge, free of expense, advice and assistance in securing lands to suit them; and full information respecting the land, timber, coal and mineral laws, as well as respecting Dominion Lands in the Railway belt in British Columbia, may be obtained on application to the Superintendent of Immigration, Department of the Interior, Ottawa; the Commissioner of Immigration, "Winnipeg, Manitoba; the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Regina, N.W.T., or to any of the Dominion Lands Agents in Manitoba or the Northwest Territories. For disposal of the public lands by free-grant or sale, the Do- minion has established the following agencies, at which all the busi- ness In relation to lands within the district of each must be transacted: Government Land Offices (Figures are inclusive.) "Winnipeg District.— Includes all surveyed townships, Nos. 1 to 25, north; ranges— all east of 1st meridan, and ranges 1 to 8 west; also townships 1 to 4, ranges 9 to 14, and townships 5 to 7, ranges 9 to 12 west. Agent, "Winnipeg. WESTERN CANADA — INFORMATION FOR SETTLERS. 61 Brandon District. -Townships 1 to 4, range 15 west to 2nd meri- dian; townships 5 to 7, range 13 west to 2nd meridian; townships 8 to 12, range 9 west to 2nd meridian. Agent, Brandon. Minnedosa District— Townships 13 and 14, ranges 9 to 22 west; townships 15 to 20, ranges 9 to 23 inclusive west; townships 15 to 21, ranges 24 to 25; townships 15 to 22, range 26; townships 15 to 24. range 27; townships 15 to 26, range 28; townships 17 to 26, range 29. Agent, Minnedosa. Dauphin District.— All townships lying to the north of the dis- trict of Minnedosa. Agent, Dauphin. Alameda District.— Townships 1 to 9, ranges 1 to 30 west 2nd meri- dian. Agent, Estevan. Regina District. Townships 10 to 18, ranges 1 west of 2nd to 30 west of 3rd; townships 19 to 21, ranges 7 west of 2nd to 29 west of Srd; townships 22 and 23, ranges 10 west of 2nd to 29 west of 3rd; townships 24 to 30, ranges 2 west of 2nd to 29 west of 3rd; townships 31 to 38, ranges 2 west of 2nd to 10 west of 3rd. Agent, Regina. Yorkton District— Townships north of and including township 17, ranges 30 to 33 west 1st meridian; townships north of and including township 19, ranges' 1 to 6 west of 2nd meridian; townships north of and including towoship 22, ranges 7 to 9 west 2nd meridian; townships north of and including township 24, ranges 10 to 12 west 2nd meri- dian; townships 24, ranges 10 to 12 west 2nd meridian; townships 24 to 88, ranges 13 to 20 west 2nd meridian. Agent, Yorkton Lethbridge District.— Townships 1 to 18, ranges l to 24 west of the 4th meridian; townships 1 to 12, range 25 west of the 4th meridian to B. C. Agent, Lethbridge. Calgary District.— Townships 19 to 30, ranges 1 to 7 west 4th meri- dian; townships 19 to 34, ranges 8 to 24 west 4th meridian; town- ships 13 to 34, range 25 west 4th meridian to B. C. Agent, Calgary. Red Deer Sub-District.- Townships 35 to 42, range 8 west 4th meridian to B. C. Agent. Red Deer. Edmonton District.— Townships north of and including township 43 from range 8 west of 4th meridian to British Columbia. Agent, Edmonton. Battleford District— Tovushlps north of and including township 31, range 11 west of 3rd meridian to 7 west of 4th meridian. Agent, Battleford. Prince Albert District.— Townships north of and including town- slilp 3^, range 13 west of 2nd .meridian to 10 west of 8rd meridian. Agent, Prince Albert. From time to time the boundaries of the different agencies are liable to alteration as the progress of settlement renders advisable. In every case, however, ample notice is given to the public of any changes made in the land districts, and in the case of colonists newly arriving in Manitoba, they can obtain the fullest possible Information in regard to all land matters by enquiring at the office of the Com- missioner of Immigration In Winnipeg. At the offices in the districts, detailed maps will be found nhow ing the exact homestead lands vacant. The agents are always ready to give every assistance and Information in their power. Labor registers are kept at the Government Land and Immigration offices and may be made use of. free of charge, by persons seeking emplovment as well as by farmers and others seeking help of any kind. 62 WESTERN CANADA — RAILWAY LAND REGULATIONS. RAILWAY LAND REGULATIONS The Canadian Pacific Railway lands consist of the odd-numbered sections along the Main Line and Branches, and in the Lake Dau-phin District in Manitoba and the Saskatchewan, Battle and Red Deer River Districts in Northern Alberta. The Railway Lands are for s^le at the various agencies of the company in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, at the following prices: Lands in the Province of Manitoba average $3 to $6 an acre. Lands in Assiniboia, east of the 3rd meridian, average $3 to $4 an acre. Lands west of the 3rd meridian, including most of the valuable lands in the Calgary District, $3 per acre. Lands in Northern Alberta, $3 per acre. For the convenience or investors, maps showing in detail the lands and pi ices have been prepared and will be sent free to applicants. Tepms of Payment The aggregate amount of principal and interest is divided into ten instalments; the first to be paid at the time of purchase, and the re- mainder annually thereafter. The following table shews the amount of the annual instalments on a quarter section of 160 acres at different prices: — 160 acres at 33.00 per acre, 1st instalment $71.90 and nine equal instalments of $60.00 3.50 " " 83.90 " " " 70.00 4.00 4.o0 5.00 5 50 6.00 95.85 107. 85 119.85 131.80 143.80 80.00 90.00 100.00 110.00 120.00 DISCOUNT FOR CASH.— If land is paid for In full at time of pur- chase a reduction from price will be allowed equal to ten per cent, on the amount paid in excess of the usual cash instalment. Interest at six per cent, will be charged on overdue instalments. General Conditions All sales are subject to the following general conditions: — 1. All improvements' placed upon land purchased to be maintained thereon until final payment has been made. 2. All taxes and assessments lawfully imposed upon the land or improvements to be paid by the purchaser. 3. The Company reserves from sale, under the regulations, all mineral and coal lands, and lands containing timber in quantities, stone, slate and marble quarries, lands with water power thereon, and tracts for town sites and railway purposes. 4. Mineral, coal and timber lands and quarries, and lands con- trolling water power, will be disposed of QU very moderate terms to WESTERN CANADA— RAILWAY LAND REGULATIONS. 63 persons giving satisfactory evidence of their intention and ability to utilize the same. Liberal rates for settlers and their efects are granted by the Com- pany over their railway. Southern Manitoba and Assiniboia Lands The lands of the Manitoba Southwestern Railway Company are administered by the Land Commissioner of the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, under the same regulations as above. They consist of over 1,000,000 acres of the choicest lands in America, well adapted for grain growing and mixed farming, in a belt 21 miles wide, immediately north of the international boundary, and from range 13 westward to the Missouri Coteau. The Manitoba South-Western landsi are subject, In addition to the purchase money, to the payment of a survey fee of ten cents per acre. Thriving" Towns The Company offer for sale at their Land Office in Winnipeg most desirable Town Lots in the various towns and villages along th,e Main Line east of Brandon, and along all branch lines in Manitoba. The terms for payment for these lots are:— One-third cash, balance in six and twelve months, with interest at eight per cent. If paid for in full at time of purchase, a discount of ten per cent, will be allowed. For further particulars apply to F. T. GRIFFIN, Land Commissioner G. P. R. Co., Winnipeg, or to W. Toole, District Agent for Alberta, Calgary. For the convenience of applicants, information as to prices and terms of purchase of railway lands may be obtained from all station agents along the Company's main line and branches. In no case, however, is a railway agent entitled to receive money in payment for lands. All payments must be remitted direct to the Land Commis- sioner at Winnipeg. The Canada Northwest Land Co. This Company own 1,750,000 acres of selected land In Manitoba and Assiniboia. Purchasers have the privilege of paying for tho^e lands in the preferred shares of the Land Company. At the present price of the shares some of the choicest lands in Manitoba and other well-settled districts can be obtained at $3 per acre. These lands are on sale at the various land agencies of the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. For maps and further information application should be made to the office of the Land Company at Winnipeg. Stop-over Privileges Intending settlers are given the privilege of stopping over at stations where they wish to inspect land. Application should be made to the conductor before reaching station where stop-over is required. 64 WESTERN CANADA — SETTLERS' EFFECTS. SETTLERS' EFFECTS Freig-ht Regfulations for their Carriage on the C.P.R. 1. The rates in this tariff are subject to the General Notices and Conditions of Carriage printed in the Company's form of Shipping Receipt, and will apply only on shipments consigned to actual settlers, and are entirely exclusive of cartage at stations where this service is performed by the Railway Company's Cartage Agents. 2. Carloads of Settlers' Effects, within the meaniug of this tariff, may be made up of the following described property for the benefit of actual settlers, viz.: Live Stock, any number up to but not exceed- ing ten (10) head, all told, viz.: Cattle, calves, sheep, hogs, mules or horses; Household Goods and personal property (second-hand); Waggons, or other vehicles for personal use (second-hand); Farm Machinery, Implements and Tools (all second-hand); Lumber and Shingles, which must not exceed 2,500 feet in all, or the equivalent thereof; cr in lieu of, not in addition to the lumber and shlnglet, a Portable House may be shipped; Seed Grain; small quantity of Trees or shrubbery; small lot Live Poultry or pet animals; and sufficient feed for the live stock while on the journey. Settlers' Effects rates, however, will not apply on shipments of second-hand "Waggons, Buggies, Farm Machinery, Implements or Tools, unless accompaniea by Household Goods. 3. Car Rental and Storage of Freight in Cars.— Under this tariff when freight is to be loaded by consignor, or unloaded by consignee, one dollar ($1.00) per car per day or fraction thereof, for delay beyond 48 hours in loading or unloading, will be added to the rates named herein, and constitute a part of the total charges to be collected by the carriers on the property. 4. Should the allotted number of Live Stock be exceeded, the addi- tional animals will be charged for at proportionate rates over and above the carload rate for the Settlers' Effects, but the total charge for any one such car will not exceed the regular rate for a straight car- load of Live Stock. 5. Passes.— One man will be passed free in charge of live stock when forming part of carloads, to feed, water and care for them in transit. Agents will use the usual form of Live Stock contract. 6. Less than Carload Shipments.— Less than carloads will be under- stood to mean only Household Goods (second-hand). Waggons, or other vehicles for personal use (second-hand) and second-hand Farm Machinery, Implements and Tools. Settlers' Effects rates, however, will not apply on shipments of second-hand Waggons, Buggies, Farm Machinery, Implements or Tools, unless accompanied by Household Goods. Less than carload lota must be plainly addressed. 7. Merchandise, such as groceries, provisions, hardware, etc., also implements, machinery, vehicles, etc., if new, will not be regarded as Settlers' Effects, and, if shipped, will be charged the regular classified tariff rates. While the Canadian Pacific Railway is desirous of con- tinuing to give liberal encouragement to settlers, both as to the WESTERN CANADA — SETTLERS' EFFECTS. 65 variety of the effects which may be loaded in cars, and the low rates thereon, it is also the duty of the Company to protect the merchants of the Northwest by preventing as far as possible, the loading of merchandise of a general character in cars with personal effects. Agents, both at loading and delivering stations, are, therefore, strictly enjoined to give their personal attention to the preventing of the loading of contraband articles, aud to see that the actual weights are way-billed when carloads exceed 24,000 lbs. 8. Top Loads.— Agents must not permit, under any circumstances, any article to be loaded on the top of box or stock cars; such manner of loading is dangerous, and is absolutely forbidden. 9. Settlers' effects, to be entitled to the carload rates, cannot be stopped at any point short of destination for the purpose of unloading part. The entire carload must go through to the station to which originally consigned. 10. The Carload rates on Settlers' Effects apply on any shipment occupying a car, and weighing 24,000 lbs. or less. If the carload weighs over 24,000 lbs., the additional weight will be charged for at rates shown. 11. Minimum Charge|— Minimum charge on any shipment will be 100 lbs. at regular first-class rate. 12. Settlers' Effects ex connecting lines must be charged full rates from Canadian Pacific Railway Junction points. B. A. ERASER S RANCH AT ELBOW, TWELVE MILES FROM CALGARY 66 WESTERN CANADA — CUSTOMS EGULATION CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Settlers' Effects Settlers' Effects; viz. : Wearing apparel, household furniture, books, implements and tools of trade, occupation or employment, musical instrumeots, domestic sewing machines, live stock, carts and other vehicles and agricultural implements in use by the settler for at least a year before his removal to Canada, not to include machinery, or articles imported for use in any manufacturing establishment, or for sale, also books, pictures, family plate or furniture, personal effects and heirlooms left by bequest; provided that any dutiable article entei'ed as settlers' effects may not be so entered unless brought with the settler on his fii'st arrival, and shall not be feold or otherwise dis- posed of without payment of duty, until after twelve months actual use in Canada; provided also that under regulations made by the Controller of Customs, live stock, when imported into Manitoba or the Northwest Territories by intending settlers shall be free until otherwise ordered by the Governor-in-Council. Settlers arriving from the United States are allowed to enter duty free siojk m ihe lullowmg proporlioiis : One aniniai of neai block or horses for each ten acres of land purchased or otherwise secured under homestead entry, and one sheep or swine for each acre so secured. The settler will be required to fill up a form (which will be sup- plied him by the customs officer on application), giving description, value, etc., of the goods and articles he wishes to be allowed to bring in free of duty. He will also be required to take the following oaths: I do hereby solemnly make oath and say, that all the goods and articles hereinbefore mentioned are, to the best of my know- ledge and belief, entitled to free entry as settlers' effects, under the tariff duties of customs now in force, and that all of them have been owned and in actual use by myself for at least six months before removal to Canada; and that none of the goods or articles shown in this entry have been imported as merchandise or for any use in manufacturing establishment, or for sale, and that I intend becoming a permanent settler within the Dominion of Canada. The following oath shall be made by intending settlers when im porting live stock in Manitoba or the Northwest Territories, free of duty: I do solemnly swear that I am now moving into Mani- toba (or the Northwest Territories), with the intention of becoming a settler therein, and that the live stock enumerated and described in the entry hereunto attached is intended for my own use on the farm which I am about to occupy (or cultivate) and not for sale or specula- tive purposes, nor for the use of any other person or persons whom- soever. No Cattle Quarantine The regulations regarding the quarantine of settlers' cattle for ninety days before entering Canada, have been cancelled and no delay whatsoever Is now experienced at the boundary line beyond that ordinarily required for inspection. WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL NFORMATION. 67 GENERAL INFORMATION How to Obtain a Ranch If it is the intention to embark in the business of raising cattle, liorses or sheep on a large scale, an extent of gi'ound equal to the rancher's requirements can be obtained under lease from the Dominion Government on the following easy terms: The lease shall be for a period not exceeding twenty-one years. The lessee shall pay an annual rental of two cents an acre. The lessee shall within three years place one head of cattle for every twenty acres of land covered by his lease; at least one-third the number of cattle stipulated for shall be placed on the range within each of the three years from the date of the order-in-council granting the lease. Whether he be a lessee or not, no person shall be allowed to place sheep upon public lands in Manitoba and the Northwest with- out permission from the Minister of the Interior. Full particulars can be obtained on application to the Minister of Interior, Ottawa. Capitalists coming to this country and wishing to engage in this business will find thousands of acres of un,occupied meadow lands, possessing every attraction and advantage from which to choose a location. Capital Required The question " How much is necessary?" Is a difRcult one to an- swer. It depends upon circumstances. Very many men have gone into Western Canada without any capital and have prospered. A little capital, however, makes the start easier and saves valuable time. Some statements of what can be done upon a certain capital, say 500 dollars (flOO) or 1,000 dollars (£200), or 3,000 dollars (£600), may, never- theless, -be advantageous. This information has been given by many writers, in tables of various kinds and for various localities, but all amount to about the same conclusions, namely: The 500 dollars (£100) will set a man down upon some western quarter-section (160 acres) obtained as free homestead, or one chosen among the cheaper lands belonging to the railway company, and enable him to build a house and stay there until his farm becomes productive and self-supporting. In this connection a practical farmer of some years' residence in Manitoba speaks as follows: " Land can be purchased cheaply here, or it can be had for nothing by homesteading. A single man can start on an outlay of $385, made 68 WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. up as follows: One yoke of oxen and harness, $100; plow, harrow, etc., $40; stove and kitchen furnishings, $40; bedding, etc., $20; lumber, doors, windows, etc., for log house, $50; provisions, $90; seed, $30. A farmer with a family of five would have to lay out $240 more, bring- ing his outlay up to about $600. " A farmer can come in about the middle of March, select his land and build his shanty; he can commence to plough about the fifth of April; he can break 10 acres and put it under crop on the sod; he can continue breaking for two months after he puts the ten acres under crop, and can break 30 acres, and backset the 40 acres in the fall ready for crop in the spring. He can rais>e enough on the ten acres to give him a start; he can cut hay enough for his oxen and a cow in July, and it will cost him about $60 additional to seed the forty acres in the spring." It must not be forgotten, however, that hundreds have arrived at Winnipeg without any money, and by first working on wages have prospered and become substantial farmers. When to Go The best time to arrive in Western Canada for those who have decided where they will locate, or for young men expecting employ- ment on a farm, is March. The latter will then have opportunities of visiting different sections, if they desire, before the busy season sets in, and the actual settler with a family will be able to get settled be- fore the farm work claims his attention. Those wishing to make a prospecting tour with the idea of becoming settlers should start dur- ing the summer or early fall—from the beginning of June to the end of August— when the conditions are most favorable for the selection of land. Educational Facilities The management of the school system in the Territories is vested in a Council of Public Instruction, consisting of four members of the local government and four appointed members without votes — two Protestant and two Roman Catholics. A school district comprises an area of not more than twenty-five square miles, and must contain not less than four resident ratepayers and twelve children between the ages of five and sixteen, inclusive. Any three qualified ratepayers may petition for the formation of a school district, and upon its proclama- tion the ratepayers therein may establish a school and elect trustees to manage it. These trustees have power to erect and equip buildings, engage certificated teachers, levy taxes and perform such other acts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of a school. The classes of schools established are denominated Public and Separate. The minority of the ratepayers in any organized public school district. WESTERN CANADA— GENERAL INFORMATION. 69 whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, may establish a separate school therein, and In such case the ratepayers establishing such Pro- testant or Roman Catholic separate school, shall be liable only to assessment of such rates as they impose upon themelves in respect- thereof. Any person who is legally assessed or assessable for a public school shall not be liable to assessment for any separate school estab- lished therein. Schools are maintained by legislative grants and by local taxation. The school year for which grants may be paid does not exceed 210 teaching days. The legislative grant is paid as follows:— For each day a school (with an average attendance of at least six pupils) Is open, $1.40; for every pupil in average daily attend- ance an additional grant of $1.50 per school year; for a teacher holdins a second class certificate 10 cents, or a first class certificate, 20 cents for each day such teacher is actually engaged in. teaching; to each school according to its grading on inspector's reports a sum not ex- ceeding 15 cents per day. The grant paid in no case exceeds 70 per cent, of the salary earned by the teacher. High schools receive a special additional grant of $75 per term. In the programme of studies provision is made for teaching the elementary subjects, and such addi- tional subjects as are required for teachers' examinations and univer- sity matriculation. The last half hour of school may be devoted to such religious instruction as the trustees may determine. In 1809 there were 453 schools In operation with 543 teachers and 18,801 pupils. Towards the support of these schools the Legislature expended $142,455. The people take a keen Interest In their schools, and pro- vide means for giving children as practical an education as can be obtained in the older provinces, or any other part of the civilized globe. Harvest Hands So bountiful are the harvests that it is now necessary to bring in from Eastern Canada from 5,000 to 10,000 farm laborers to work in the wheat fields. These earn good wages, and many remain and become actual settlers themselves. Cheap rates are offered to points in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, and special trains run for their accommodation. Those who go are given certificates and when they have them properly filled out and signed by the employer to the effect that the holder has done one month's farm work he is returned to his destination at a low fare. Agents meet each train en route, with maps of the province on which is marked the number of laborers required in each locality. By this means laborers are easily directed to where they can obtain work without any delay, and all confusion and congestion in large centres are avoided. The special farm laborers' excursions run about the middle of August, when harvesting operations are commencing, and steady employment can be obtained during that month, September, 70 WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. October and part of November to take off the crops and complete the threshing of the same. Cost of Supplies There are a large number of towns, villages and hamlets scatter- ed throughout the entire country from Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, at. which articles needed by farmers are readily obtainable. Reasonable prices are charged, generally, but not always, a very small advance on eastern figures. The general stores in the smaller villages usually carry full lines of luxuries as well as the necessaries of life. The large implement firms have agencies in almost every settlement and lumber yards have also been established. Irrigation In the southern portion of the District of Alberta and the western portion of the District of Assiniboia it is now generally recognized that during the majority of years irrigation is necessary to ensure the IIMIIOATION WOHKS, SOUTHERN ALBERTA production of grain or fodder crops, the rainfall during the growing season being too small to produce certain crops by the ordinary methods of farming. The aridity of these districts, while necessitating irrigation, really constitutes one of the chief features in the great success which has attended stock raising and dairying therein, the dry summer seasons being accompanied by an almost total absence of WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. 71 flies, and resulting in a natural curing of the prairie grass in such a manner that the nutritive qualities are retained, and stock grazing outside during the winter will keep in good condition. With irrigation to produce good fodder crops every year ranching and dairy or mixed farming in these portions of the Territories offer many attractions to the immigrant who does not want to go in for purely farming operations, and very satisfactory development in both of these lines has taken place during the past few years. Irrigation in these districts has now extended entirely beyond the experimental stage and the experience of the past few years has conclusively proved that the crops of grain, including wheat, oats, and barley, and fodder crops, including timothy, bromus and alfalfa, as well as all kinds of roots and vegetables raised by means of irrigation will compare favorably with crops of a similar character produced in the ordinary way iu any other portion of the Northwest Territories. The large and healthy growth of irrigation development . in the districts referred to- is entirely the outcome of the efforts of the resident population to supply fodder which is the only need to make the arid portion of the Territories an ideal stock and dairying country, and is not in any sense attributable to efforts to " boom " irrigation or the construction of irrigation works. The irrigation works constructed and in operation in the different portions of the arid region may be divided into the following districts: Canals and Ditches in operation. Calgary District 80 High River District 16 Macleod District 15 Pincher Creek District 211 Lethbridge District 25 Maple Creek District 27 Battleford District 6 Regina District 10 200 These ditches or canals comprise a total length of some 591 miles, and the acreage susceptible of irrigation therefrom is approximately 800,000 acres. The larger number of these ditches and canals are private undertakings, constructed for the irrigation of lands be- longing to individual owners or ranch companies, but some of the larger works such as those constructed by the Calgary Irrigation Com- pany, the Springbank Irrigation District, and the Canadian Northwest Irrigation Company, are corporate undertakings designed to supply a large quantity of water and reclaim large areas of land as business ventures. Good farms susceptible of irrigation from these large canals can be obtained at from $8.00 to $10.00 per acre, with the furcli^r advantage that under the Northwest Irrigation Act an absolute title is 72^ WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. obtained to the water required for irrigation, and the irrigation farmer is not subjected to the disputes and troubles regarding water rights which have hampered irrigation development in other portions of Western America. Farming by means of irrigation is a novelty to immigrants from the older portions of the Dominion of Canada, from Great Britain, and from several of the European countries, but to the immigrant from those portions of the older countries where irrigation is practiced, and from the Western portion of the United States, the opportunity of obtaining a good irrigated farm affords a primary inducement to locate and make a home for himself and family in Southern Alberta or Western Asslniboia. It may also be pointed out that the rapid mining development which is taking place in the adjoining Province of British Columbia has created a splendid market for all the products of the irrigated farms in Alberta and Assiniboia, and has done much to put irrigation on the satisfactory basis which it now occupies. Many owners of irrigated farms are devoting themselves entirely to the growth of timothy as hay for that market, and are finding ready sale for all their product at from $9 to $11 a ton. Milling- in Western Canada Wheat-flour milling is the most important manufacturing interest in Western Canada, and the product not only finds a ready market throughout the whole Dominion, but is exported to Great Britain, Newfoundland, China and Japan and Australia. Mills are located at different points throughout the country, one at Keewatin having a daily capacity of 3,000 barrels, and another at Winnipeg of 2,500 barrels, and the total daily capacity of the 66 mills reaches 13,230 barrels. There are also oatmeal mills in operation at Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Pilot Mound, and Strathcona, having a daily capacity of 750 barrels. Grain Elevators The grain elevator system throughout Western Canada is per- fect, the facilities now existing being sufficient to handle, if necessary, 100,000,000 bushels of grain in less than six months' time. The magni- ficent system affords a ready market at all seasons of the year, the farmer being enabled to have his grain unloaded from his waggon, elevated, cleaned and loaded on the cars in an incredibly short space of time at very moderate charges. It is within the right of anybody or company to erect an elevator anywhere in Manitoba and the Terri- tories under exactly the same terms and conditions as those already built, the markets being open to anyone who chooses to engage in the WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. 73 business. There is no monopoly. Farmers are also given the privilege of loading their grain into the cars from their waggons. The follow- ing table shows the storage capacity of the elevators in Western Canada: Bushels. Canadian Pacific Railway, Port Arthur westwards 19,037,000 N. P. R 1,641,000 Canadian Northern R. R 230,000 Manitoba & Southeastern R. R 40,000 Grand Total 20,948,000 In 1891 the total storage capacity was 7,628,000 bushels; in 1892, 10.366,800 bushels; in 1893, 11,467,000 bushels; in 1895, 13,075,200 bushels;; in 1896, 15,203,500 bushels; in 1897, 18,624,500 bushels; in 1898, 19,958,000 bushels; and in 1899, 20,156,000. Experimental Farms Experimental farms have been established throughout Canada by the Government. One of these is at Brandon, Manitoba, and the other at Indian Head, Assiniboia. Although only 175 miles apart, the condi- tions are entirely different. These farms exist for the purpose of ascertaining the most suitable varieties of, and the best methods of cultivation for, cereals, grasses, roots, and other field crops; the hardiness and general suitability of the different varieties of fruits and vegetables, and also the best fodders for cattle and other stock. Considerable attention, also, has been given to the eradication of injurious insects, noxious weeds, and fungus diseases. The system of experimental farms has already aided in solving the question of scientific farming, and in the future will be a still more potent influence. As practical educators the farms are of immense value. Agricultural Societies There are 47 agricultural societies in the Northwest Territories, with a total membership of 5,275. The total receipts of these societies in 1899 were nearly $30,000, one-third of which was contributed by the Federal and Territorial Governments. A number of Farmers' Insti- tutes are also connected with them. Encouragement of Pure Bred Stock Importation Owing to the comparatively recent settlement of Western Canada, especially the Northwest Territories, it is not to be expected that establishments for the rearing of pure bred stock could yet be numerous enough to meet the growing demands of the country for 74 WESTERN CANADA — GENERAL INFORMATION. that class of stock. There are now a large number of pure bred animals raised in the West, but in order to facilitate the importation of the best blood on the continent of America, the Territorial Govern- ment and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company have joined hands, and perfected arrangements whereby pure bred bulls can be brought from any point in Ontario to any point in the Territories at a uniform rate of $5.00 per head. The railway company ••grants free transporta- tion and the Government takes charge of the practical work and pays any deficit which may arise. Several hundred brood sows and pure bred boars were also brought into the Territories in 1899 under a similar arrangement, and sold by public auction to settlers requiring them. The railway company also endeavored to create a greater interest in the breeding of improved cattle and hogs by distributing in Mani- toba and the Territories, for the free use of settlers eight car loads of pi' re Shorthorn bulls and four car loads of boars of the Tamworth, Berkshire and Yorkshire varieties. These animals were placed with responsible farmers on the condition that neighbouring settlers are to have their service free for two years in the case of bulls, and one year in the case of boars, at the expiration of the term the animals become absolutely the property of the farmers with whom they were placed. CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO.'S PUBLICATIONS Among the publications issued by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company are pamphlets or folders entitled " British Columbia," " The Gold Fields of Cariboo and Kootenay," " Northwestern Ontario Gold Fields," " The Klondike and Gold Fields of the Yukon," " New Route to Hawaii and Australia," " Around the World," " New Highway to the Orient," " Fishing md Shooting," " Westward to the Far East," and " East to the West " (guides to the pi'incipal cities of Japan and China, cither by the west or east), " The Climates of Canada," " Banfi'," " Swiss Guides in the Canadian Rockies," " A Trip to Hawaii," " Historic Quebec," " Montreal " and a series of " Summer Tours," which can be obtained free of charge from agents of the company. WESTERN CANADA — HOW TO REACH IT. 75 HOW TO REACH THE CANADIAN WEST Colonists having arrived in Canada at Quebec or Montreal in sum- mer, or Halifax, or St. John, N.B., in winter, travel to new homes in Ontario, Manitoba, the Territories, or British Columbia by the Cana- dian Pacific Railway direct. Settlers from the Eastern States travel via Montreal, Pi-escott or Brockville, and thence by the Canadian Pacific; but if from southern and western New York or Pennsylvania via Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Toronto and North Bay, thence Canadian Pacific Railway; those from the Middle States either by Toronto, or by Sault Ste. Marie and Portal, Assiuiboia, via St. Paul; from the Middle Western States by Portal (or, if for Manitoba by Gretna, Manitoba); from the Pacific Coast States by Vancouver or Sumas, or through the West Kootenay mining regions and Canadian Pacific from Rossland and Nelson. On the same fast transcontinental trains with the first- class cars are colonist cars, which are convertible into sleeping cars at night, having upper and lower berths constructed on the same prin- ciple as those of first-class sleeping cars, and equally as comfortable as to ventilation, etc. They are taken through, without change, all the way from Montreal to Manitoba. No other railway can do this. No extra charge is made for this sleeping accommodation. Second-class passengers, however, must provide their own bedding. If they do not bring it with them, a complete outfit of mattress, pillow, blanket and curtains will be supplied by the agent of the company at the point of starting, at a cost of $2.50— ten shillings. The curtains may be hung around a berth, turning it into a little private room. In addition to this, men travelling alone are cut off from families by a partition across the car near the middle, and smoking is not permitted in that part of the car where the women and children are. The trains stop at stations where mealo are served in refreshmeut rooms, and where hot coffee and tea and well-cooked food may be bought at very reasonable prices. The cars are not allowed to become over-crowded, and the safety and welfare of passengers are carefully attended to. Every possible care is taken that the colonist does not go astray, lose his property or suffer imposition. Where a large number of colonists are going to the west together special fast trains of colonist sleeping cars are despatched. No other railway in America offers such good accommodation to colonist passengers as does the Canadian Pacific. All trains are met upon arrival at Winnipeg, or before reaching that city, by the agents of the Government and Canadian Pacific Rail- way Company, wko give colonists all the information and advice they require in regard to their new home. 76 WESTERN CANADA — HOW TO REACH IT. In cases where some locality for settlement has been selected, at which friends are awaiting them, they are shown how to proceed directly to that point. If they have not decided upon such a locality, but intend to seek a home somewhere further west, every information can be obtained at the railway company's land office, or the Govern ment Immigration Office In Winnipeg, a short distance from the rail- way station. Special round-trip explorers' tickets can be obtained at the Com- pany's Land Office, the full price of which will be refunded if the holder purchases 160 acres or more. In this way land hunters are enabled to make a personal Inspection of the land free of cost for themselves. Most men wish to examine and choose for themselves the section which sepms to them the most suitable, and this is strongly recom- mended in every case. They are assisted in doing this by oflacials appointed by the Government for the purpose. Meanwhile, the family and baggage can remain at the government immigration house in safety and comfort. Providing themselves with food in the city mar- kets, they can cook their own meals upon the stoves in the house, and, with the bedding that has served them during their journey, they can sleep in comfort in the bunk bedsteads with which the rooms are fitted. Should they prefer, however, to stop at an hotel, they will find in Win- nipeg public houses of all grades, where the total cost for each person varies from $1 (4s.) to $3 (12s.) a day, according to circumstances, and good boarding houses are numerous, at which the charges are some- what lower. It sometimes happens that the intending settler has not much more than sufficient money to carry him as far as Winnipeg. In that case he will be anxious to begin immediately to earn some money. The Dominion Government has an agency at Winnipeg, whose business it is to be informed where labor is needed. Societies representing almost all the nationalities of Europe have been formed in Winnipeg, and will welcome and see to the welfare of their respective countrymen. At certain seasons farmers are on the look-out for able men and pay good wages, generally averaging $15 (£3) to $20 (£4) per month and board, and during harvesting as high as from $25 (£5) to $40 (£8) per month and board is paid. The girls of a family usually find employment in Winnipeg and other towns, in domestic service, in hotels, shops, factories and establishments employing female labor. Good wages are paid to capable girls and there is usually a greater demand for them than can be supplied. NORTHERN ONTARIO — RAINY RIVER DISTRICT. 77 NORTHERN ONTARIO The Rainy River District While this pamphlet is chiefly devoted to a description of the prairie regions of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, it will not be out of place to refer briefly to the unsettled lands of North- western Ontario. To those who prefer a land of river, lake and forest to a prairie country— or to those who prefer to remain nearer the Eastern Provinces of the Dominion, the Rainy River District presents many attractions. Before reaching Manitoba, the traveller on the C.P.R. passes through the northern portion of this region, but the fertile belt esti- mated to contain about 600.000 acres of good agricultural land, lies principally in the valley of the llxiny River. The Rainy River forms for some distance the boundar\ between Ontario and the United States. It is a fine navigable stream from 150 to 200 yards wide, and connects the Lake of the Woode wii !i Rainy Lake, a distance of about eighty miles. The river passes through a rich, alluvial tract of a uniform black loam of great depth. Nearly all the land fronting on the river is suitable for agriculture, and a considerable settle- ment already exists there. Fort Frances, the principal town on Rainy River, has a sawmill and several flourishing stores and industries; its population is about 1.400. The region is reached during the season of navigation by steamer from Rat Portage, on the main line of the C.P.R. The climate In winter, while being perhaps a few degrees colder than that of older Ontario, is remarkably healthful and plea- sant, and the snow fall is not deep. Vegetation is luxuriant in the extreme; all the cereal and grass crops common to Ontario grow there, and garden crops flourish exceedingly. The country is well wooded with pine, oak, elm, ash, basswood, soft maple, poplar, birch, balsam, spruce, cedar and tamarack. Lumbering operations are ex tensively carried on. and there are well-equipped sawmills on Rainy River, Rainy Lake and at Rat Portage. As a mining region the Rainy River district is yet in its infancy, but its possibilities In this re- gard are known to be very great. Numerous and valuable discoveries of gold and other minerals have been made throughout the district, and at the present time the country Is attracting the attention of capitalists and investors. There are several important gold mines now being worked on the Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake and Seine River, and elsewhere mining operations are being actively carried ob. Thug the mining and lumbering industries combined, afford the settler the best of markets for his produce »t price* conaiderably higher 78 • NORTHERN ONTARIO — RAINY RIVER DISTRICT. than can be secured in Eastern Ontario. The lands are owned and administered by the Government of Ontario (Department of Crown Lands, Toronto), and are open for settlement in 160 acre lots free, with conditions' of residence, cultivation of ten acres for every 100 purchased and erection of buildings. Any person may explore Crown Lands for minerals, and mining lands may be purchased outright or leased at rates fixed by the Mines Act. The minimum area of a location is forty acres. Prices range from $2 to $3.50 per acre, the higher price for lands in sur- veyed territory and within six miles of a railway. The rental charge is at the rate of $1 per acre for the first year and from 30 cents to 15 cents per acre for subsequent years, according to distance from a line of railway and whether the land is situated in surveyed or un- surveyed territory; but the leasehold may be converted into freehold at the option of the tenant, at any time during the term of the lease, in which case the first year's rent is allowed on the purchase money. At the expiration of ten years, if all conditions have been complied with, the lessee is entitled to a patent without further cost and free from all working conditions. A royalty of not more than three per cent, is reserved, based on the value of the ore, less cost of mining and subsequent treatment for the market, but not to be im- posed until seven years after the date of the patent or lease. The Wabigfoon Country, Rainy River District ~ North of the country bordering on the Rainy River, described above, and directly on the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is a section to which the Wabigoon River gives its name. Atten- tion was first drawn to it five years ago by the Ontario Govern- ment establishing there what was called a " Pioneer Farm," for the purpose of demonstrating the agricultural capabilities of the country, which had hitherto remained undeveloped. The precise location of the farm is 215 miles east of Winnipeg, and 80 miles east of Rat Portage. After one year's successful experiment the land was thrown open for settlement (that is. in the spring of 1896), since which time it has been rapidly taken up. The settlers consist almost entirely of a good class of Ontario farmers, and the development of the country is being pushed forward with energy. The little town of Dryden, on the C.P.R., and Wabigoon are the business centres of the district. They possess a number of stores, hotels, railway sta- tions, small sawmill, etc.. and have steamboat communication via Lake Wabigoon with the mines in the vicinity. The land is not free grant, but it is sold to actual settlers only, at fifty cents per acre (consequent upon certain improvements), one- fourth down and the balance in annual instalments. How much agricultural land there may be available at this point has not as NORTHERN ONTARIO — ALGOMA AND NIPISSING DISTRICTS. 79 yet been definitely ascertained, but it is known to be limited in ex- tent. The chief advantages of the country are as follows: First, the Canadian Pacific Railway passes through it, which renders ac- cess easy at all times of the year, and places it within the reach of such centres as Rat Portage and Winnipeg. Second, good mar- kets are to be found in the mining and lumbering camps near-by, and also at Rat Portage, a thriving town on the C.P.R., and the centre of the milling and mining industries of the district. Third, the land, although not a prairie, is easily cleared. Some stretches are entirely destitute of timber, having been swept by forest fires, and require only a little underbrushing before the plough starts to work. Elsewhere the growth is light, and may be cleared with much less labor than is required in heavily timbered countries. At the same time, sufficient large timber for building purposes is to be found here and there, so that, as will be seen, the advantages of a prairie and of a timbered country are here combined to a lai'ge extent. The country is well watered, and possesses a good soil and a good climate. It is adapted to mixed farming, but particularly to dairying and stock-raising. Alg-oma and Nipissing- Districts In the vicinity of Port Arthur and Fort William, two important points- on Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, there are a number of town- ships of good agricultural land similar to that of the Rainy River Valley, besides a country rich in gold, silver and iron. The land here is given as free grants, subject to settlement duties. Eastward along the north shore of Lake Superior, the country is found to be wild and rocky in the extreme. Whatever may be its mineral wealth, which has not as yet been ascertained to any extent, it is certainly not suited to agriculture. At Sault Ste. Marie, however, at the junction of Lakes Superior and Huron, another stretch of country adapted for settlement is reached. The country to the north of Lake Huron is known as the Algoma District, and includes St. Joseph and Great Manitoulin Islands. It contains a large proportion of fertile land, but sparsely settled, yet considerable development has already taken place. Already there are thriving settlements not only on the large Islands of St. Joseph and Manitoulin, but here and there along the north shore also, from Goul's Bay, about twenty or twenty-five miles north-east of Sault Ste. Marie, to the valley of the French River, some 200 miles to the eastward, and elsewhere. The country is fairly accessible, the Canadian Pacific running through it from end to end, and this fact, together with its nearness to centres of population, and the cheapness of its land, ranging from 50 cents to $2 per acre, renders It an attractive field for settlement. There seems to be no doubt that it win one day become the seat of very large 80 • NORTHERN ONTARIO — THE TEMISKAMING COUNTRY. Sheep-raising, dairying and stock-raising interests, for wliich pur- pose it is pre-eminently adapted. Sault Ste. Marie is the central point of the Algoma District. The town is easily reached either from older Ontario or the United States. It is situated on the " Soo line." a branch of the Canadian Pacific, con- necting with St. Paul and Minneapolis, in the west and Boston in the east. In addition several steamship lines call there. Large pulp and paper mills, iron smelters and other industries, are making Sault Ste. Marie an important industrial centre. The Algoma Central Railway is also being constructed from Sault Ste. Marie northwards, and will aid materially in the development of the country. The land, while very rich, is not in an unbroken, continuous stretch, as is the case in the southern portion of Ontario. Its physical characteristics and appearances are entirely different, and is adapted to special lines of agricultural production. Taken as a whole, the country may be described as an undulating plateau or table-land, elevated some 600 or 1,000 feet above the sea level, covered for the most part by a vigorous growth of forest. Between the ridges and protected by them, stretches of arable land, often unbroken for thousands of acres, wind in and out. As a dairy, stock and sheep- raising country it has all the advantages of cheap land, good trans- portation facilities, rich soil, good water and cheap building material, while its climate is unexcelled for the production of vigorous stock and vigorous men. The Algoma and Nipissing districts are known to be rich In a variety of minerals. Gold, silver, copper and iron have been dis- covered to the north of Lake Huron, and elsewhere, and it contains the most extensive nickel deposits In the world, which are now being worked In the vicinity of Sudbury. The Temiskaming Country Another agricultural section in the northern part of the province is the Temiskaming coimtry, which borders on Lake Temiskaming, a broadening of the Ottawa River. It is in the Nipissing District, and about two hundred and fifty miles north of Toronto in a direct line. It is reached from Mattawa on the C P. R., partly by railway, along the eastern bank of the Ottawa River, and afterwards by steamboat on Lake Temiskaming. The whole country is overlaid by a rich alluvial soil, level In character, and equal in fertility to any in the province. The land is thickly timbered with a somewhat small growth, but for the most part may be cleared without excessive labor. Its capabilities as to climate and productiveness are very similar to those of the country above described, but its unbroken character gives it an addi- tional attraction. There is a very extensive area of very fertile farm land in this section, 600,000 acres of which have been placed on the market at fifty cents per acre. The country is attracting quite a number of settlers from the older parts of Ontario and Quebec, and is well worthy of attention. The region of the Upper Ottawa is to- day one of the most important lumbering districts in Canada, and affords the settler an excellent market for the products of the farm. A pamphlet giving full particulars regarding Northern Districts of Ontario may be obtained on application to the Department of Crown Lands, Toronto. Ontario THE CANAIIIAN PARU^in fiilll WAY ifX ■^ *. vv THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY THE ONLY ROUTE TO THE RTILE FARM LANDS OF WESTERN CANADA THE MINING, LUMBERING, FISHING AND FARMING REGIONS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Is also the BEST to the States of WASHIKO-TON and OKE(JON and all points on Fnfrr.t Sound and the Pacific Coast, and the Shortest Koute to the KLONDIKE and ATLIN GOLD FIELDS BE SURE AND ASK YODR STEAMSHIP AGENT FOR PASSAGE BY THIS LINE OP RAILW.iy COLONIST SLEEPING CARS Are supplied for all holdersof Second Class or Colonist Tickets free of charge. Passengers are, however, required to provide their own beddingr. If they do not bring it with them, sleeping- car outfit may be purchased from the railway agent at the port of landing at a very reasonable price. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION APPLY TO STEAMSHIP AGENT, OR TO I rnUl\r Dnl/nr (67-68 King William St.. E.C« Cockspur St.. S.W London, Eno. AlCnGl 08X61 9 ■'^--S'-- •■<,■; LIVEKPOO., ENO. (.87 St. Vmcent Jst Glasgow A. H. NOTMAN Assistant General Passenger Agent 1 King St. East, Toronto E. V. SKINNER General Eastern Agent 3i3 Broadway, New York A. C. SHAW Acting General Agent, Passenger Department 228 South Clark St., Chicago M. M. STERN District Freightand Passenger Agent.. .627 Market St., Palace Hotel BId'g, San Francisco A. J. HEATH. District Passenger Agent St. John, N.B. H. J. COLVIN District Passenger Agent 197 Washington St., Boston. Mass. C E. McPHERSON. General Passenger Agent, Lines West of Lake Superior Winnipeq W. R. CALLAWAY .General Passenger Agent, Sou Line Minneapolis, Minn. G. W. HIBBARD General Pass»-nger Agent, South Shore Line Marquettb, Mich. E. J. COYLE Assistant General Passenger Agent Vancouver, B.C. C. E. E. US8HER ..General Passenger Agent, Lines East of Lake Superior Montrbal ROBT. KERR G. M. BOSWORTH PASSENGER TRAFFIC MANAGER MONTREAL FREIGHT TRAFFIC MANAGER MONTREAL THE GREAT HIGJ -TO THE PACIFIC COAST T^E ORIENT, THE TROPICS, THE ANTIPODES -^ AND THE FAR NORTH THE BEST, CHEAPEST AND QUICKEST WAY -- TO Manitoba Northern Ontario Alberta The Kiondil(e Puget Sound Japan Assiniboia Alasica Saskatchewan California Philippines British Columbia New Zealand Hawaii Australia OR AROUND THE WORLD -- IS BY THE -- CANADIAN PACIFIC RY.