GET YOUR FARM HOME FROM The Canadian Pacific A HANDBOOK OF INFORMATION REGARDING ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN and MANITOBA AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED YOU BY THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY IN THESE PROVINCES Presented by THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY Department of Natural Resources CALGARY, ALBERTA CANADA 1915 I Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba WHAT THE CANADIAN PACIFIC WILL DO FOR YOU THE Canadian Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are commonly called "The Prairie Provinces" on account of the great area oiTertile prairie land within their borders. They are by no means all prairie, as their territory includes mighty lakes and rivers, vast stretches of forest and towering mountains, but it is for their prairies they have become jaKnous throughout the world. The prairie region sjjieftheB, roughly, from the Red River in Manitoba to theffp>tf|lf!Ms of the Rocky Mountains in Southern Alberta, a distance of approximately 800 miles. It extends northward from the International Boundary between Canadaf^tftitFthe United States a distance varying from fifty to twp h\fnc|reft£ miles. At its northern edge it merges into a park like .country, part prairie and part light timber, which gradually becomes thicker and heavier until it is unfafcken forest. The area of these three provinces is 756,05^pq^ire jmiles, which is more than the combined area of t\W states ^df Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa£?|j||jJterth Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and|^pSio. According to a Dominion Government estimate tjiere fire in these three provinces 272,892,000 acres of land suitable for agriculture, without taking into account forestykind that may ultimately be tilled. Of this vast acreage-There were in 1914 only 16,732,460 acres under crop. The object of this folder is to give you information concerning the climate, productiveness, and conditions of life in these provinces, with the possibilities affordedgto farmers to make good homes and good livings from thfse cheap, fertile lands. The liberal terms and generous assistance offered by the Canadian Pacific Railway £tace these lands within the reach of ambitious home-makers even though their capital be somewhat limited. TW Canadian Pacific Railway Company is not a land-sellim organization in the ordinary sense of the word. Its chie business is to handle traffic, and in order to produce traffi it desires industrious, successful settlers located along it lines. For that reason it absolutely refuses to sell its land to speculators under any circumstances, but to actus home-makers, men who will go on the lands and devefoj them, it offers terms unequalled in the history of colon! zation. TWENTY YEARS TO PAY; $2,000.00 LOAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS. The Company's general terms of sale provide for i small cash payment by the settler and the balance ex tended over twenty years with interest at six per cent, oi the amounts remaining unpaid. Purchasers of lands ii the Company's Irrigation Block in Southern Alberta, or o irrigable lands in the Lethbridge Irrigation District, art provided with a loan, if they want it, to the value d $2,000.00, which is expended, under the Company's sups vision, in erecting a house and barn, sinking a well, an« fencing the farm. This loan is also repayable in twentj years with interest at six per cent. In order to quaffl| for it the settler must be a married man with agricultura experience, must have his own implements and horses or the means to buy them, and have sufficient cashj| make his first payment and care for his family during theii first year's occupation of the land. This loan is the mosi positive evidence of the Company's faith in its own proposition. No security is required except the land itself, anc the first payment (which is made in advance) and the £%*^S*. . chance of the Company getting its money back depends pn the success of the farmer. That it is willing to make the loan on these terms is proof that the Company is sincere in its belief that the farmer can -not only make a living but can pay for the land and for the loan out of the proceeds of his farm. In certain districts the Company has for sale "Ready- Made Farms"—that is, farms on which improvements have been made in the form of house, barn, well, fencing, cultivating a certain area and placing it under crop at the proper season of the year. The great advantage of the ready-made farm is that the home-maker with his family pan enter immediately into a home without the pioneering experiences otherwise connected with settlement in a new country, and settlers arriving during the growing season :can take off a crop the first year. These farms are sold pn terms extended over 20 years. A.DVANCE OF LIVE STOCK ON LOAN BASIS. To settlers in certain specified areas who have been :one year in occupation of their land, who have the neces- isary feed and shelter and can satisfy the Superintendent of Agriculture and Animal Industry that they are possessed of practical experience in the care and handling of live-stock, cattle, and in some cases sheep, to a value not exceeding one thousand dollars, may be advanced under easy terms. The Company's Agricultural and Animal Industry experts are glad to give the benefit of their practical advice to settlers, and to assist them in every way possible toward making a success of their farm undertakings. Although these Prairie Provinces have become world-- famous for the quality of their wheat production, it is generally recognized that the settler's greatest success requires him to go into mixed farming, producing horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, dairy products and fodder and root crops. To improve the quality of the live stock, the Company places "at central points, pure bred bulls for service, the only fee being a nominal one which goes to remunerate the caretaker. The Company maintains Demonstration Farms in a number of localities where free advice is given to all settlers asking it. At some of its farms the Company has installed creameries paying the highest cash prices for cream brought in by farmers who retain the skimmed milk for feeding purposes. The Company has also established at certain points, egg circles, taking all eggs brought in by farmers, and paying cash for them. In these and other ways the Company at all Western Canada Plow Teams at the Barn and in the Field. times seeks to advance the settler's interests and by so doing increase production along its lines of railway. through dishonesty, unfairness, or financial embarrassment of the dealer: To sum up, the Canadian Pacific Railway has no land for sale to speculators, but to actual home-makers it offers fertile lands at low prices on twenty-year terms of payment, interest at six per cent, per annum. The Company will extend aid along the lines above mentioned and assist the settler in every possible way. The Company has never yet foreclosed on a farmer making an honest effort to get on his feet. To the progressive farmer, Western Canada offers greater opportunity for advancement than any other district on the face of the earth. The following pages take up in detail the various branches of agriculture, showing exactly what the Western Canadian provinces have to offer. Soil, climate, crops and kindred topics are discussed, and schools, churches, taxation—in fact, all items of interest to the intending settler are treated. WESTERN CANADA'S GRAIN TRADE. Although the farmers of Western Canada are going more extensively into mixed farming and dairying every year, the grain production of the country also continues to increase, and now represents an annual value of hundreds of millions of dollars. The intending settler will be interested in the class of grain produced in the country, the average yields, the prices paid, and the conditions under which the grain trade is handled. In Canada the practice is to sell all grain according to grades established by law. Inspectors, who are appointed by the Government, decide*-the grade of the grain passing out of the country. The Board of Grain Commissioners, whose headquarters is at Fort William, Ontario, have general charge of the grain business of the country. They are Government appointees, and in the performance of their duties must themselves comply with the rules governing the grain trade generally, and must see that the law is observed by all concerned in the grain business of the country. • Most of the grain of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta is handled through elevators located at railway stations in the grain-producing country. Some of these elevators are owned by farmers, some by farmers' organizations assisted by the Government, and some by grain dealers and milling companies. In addition to the ordinary elevators at country points, are terminal elevators maintained at Fort William and Port Arthur, and large Government storage elevators located at Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Calgary. All grain dealers must be licensed and bonded, thus securing the farmer from loss either The farmer may deliver his wheat to the elevator andi receive cash for it, or, if he thinks the market is likely to rise, he may store his wheat in the elevator and secure a| storage ticket showing that he is entitled to a stated] number of bushels of wheat of a certain grade. This enables him to sell his wheat when the market is most] favorable. Or, if he prefers to load his grain into a car| without dealing with the elevator, he may do so over the] loading platforms which are provided at grain shipping? points. The railways are compelled by law to erect these! platforms at stations from which wheat in carload lots is] shipped. Some idea of the increase in grain production in the] three Prairie Provinces may be gained from the following) approximate figures for the years 1903 and 1914, showing* the development in that period, bushels: Figures shown are; Year Wheat Oats Barley 1903 56,147,021 47,215,479 10,448,461 ♦1914 138,380,000 147,383,000 18,009,000 * Figures for 1914 are estimated only. Flax 884,000 7,445,000 STORAGE CAPACITY; Remarkable as has been the increase in its crops, the storage capacity of the country has kept pace with its agricultural development. In addition to the elevators owned by the railways, by grain firms, and by private companies, both Provincial and Dominion Governments, recognizing the importance of adequate storage facilities, have encouraged elevator construction, the Dominion Government by a policy of large terminal and interior elevators, and the Provincial Governments by assisting farmers' organizations with the financing of elevators managed by the farmers themselves. The following table shows the increase in elevator capacity in Western Canada from 1900 to the present date: Year Bushels 1900 20,908,000 21,000,000 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 21,298,000 30,356,400 41,186,000 46,640,630 50,453,200 55,600,000 Year Bushels 1908 60,808,600 1909 63,190,100 1910 77,901,100^ 1911 84,917,700 1912 85,514,900^ 1913 102,003,650s 1914 124,915,0001 Flour milling daily capacity has increased from 41,530 bbls. in 1910 to 55,685 in 1914, and the daily capacity of i oatmeal mills has increased from 1,425 bbls. in 1910 to! 3,755 bbls. in 1914. GRAIN PRICES. The following tables show the average price paid for different grains on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange for the years mentioned. The Grain Exchange year is from September 1st to August 31st, and the prices quoted are for the grain in store at Fort William. These prices are for No. 1 Northern Wheat, No. 2 Canadian West Oats, and No. 1 Northwestern Flax. ALBERTA Year Wheat Oats . 1910 $1.00% $0.35 1911 94y2 .34 1912 1.00% .41% 1913 89% .35 1914 887s .377/8 Last 4 mos. of 1914 1.14 < .56 Flax 2.28% 1.93& 1.2154 1.30% 1.24 In the following pages the agricultural opportunities afforded by the Prairie Provinces are dealt with in as great detail as the limited space in this booklet will permit. The thoughtful reader cannot fail to be impressed with the advantages that are here offered to the farmer, especially the all-round farmer who produces not only wheat, but fodder grains, grasses, roots, vegetables and small fruits and combines with j his tillage of the soil, the raising of live stock and poultry and the production of milk, butter, cream and cheese. The constantly increasing cost of farm land in older countries, and the difficulty of getting land which has not been robbed of its fertility, are very serious problems to the farmer, especially the farmer on a rented farm, or the farmer with a family of boys coming up and needing land of their own. This problem can be solved by moving to the prairie provinces, where there is still an abundance of soil in all its virgin richness, available to the settler at moderate cost and on easy terms of payment. With the liberal terms upon which lands of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company can be bought, and the generous assistance given by the Company to bona fide home-makers, a means is afforded the ambitious farmer, even though his capital be limited, to make a good start in Western Canada, and give himself and his family the prospect of a fair return for their labor, and comfort and competence in their later years. 8 - Alberta is the most westerly of the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Its southern boundary adjoins the State of Montana; its western boundary is the crest of the Rocky Mountains, which it follows in a north-westerly direction to a point on about the -same parallel as Edmonton, when the boundary leaves the mountains and continues due north to the sixtieth parallel, which is the northern boundary of the province. Its eastern boundary is the 110th meridian west from Greenwich, which is also the western boundary of the sister'Province of Saskatchewan. The Province of Alberta comprises an area greater than that of any country in Europe save Russia, and more than twice the combined areas of Great Britain and Ireland. Its northern boundary, the 60th parallel of latitude, passes through the Shetland Islands and north of Petrograd; and its southern boundary, the 49th parallel of latitude, passes south of the English Channel, through France a few miles north of Paris, through the southern portion of the German Empire, and through the middle of Austria-Hungary. The province embraces 162,765,200 acres. Of this 1,510,400 acres is the estimated area contained in rivers and lakes, leaving 161,254,800 acres of land. Allowingtheodd 60,000,000 acres for the rough land of the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, other mountains and hills, together with waste places that will not likely be suitable for cultivation, there still remains the enormous area of 100,000,000 acres available for settlement. Of this less than 4,000,000 acres were actually in crop during 1914. In other words, only about four per cent, of land available Breaking the Fertile Prairie Sod the for cultivation in the province has as yet been brought under the plow. None of the other Prairie Provinces presents the variety of climatic and geographical features to be found in Alberta. The topography of the country ranges from the vast, level, treeless plain to the wildest and grandest mountain scenery. The climate of the southern and southwestern portion of the province is the mildest in Canada with the exception of some parts of British Columbia. In.the district lying southward from Calgary the snow fall is so limited that sleighs are seldom used. The Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, including the great foothill country which extends towards the plains some fifty miles further than the mountains proper, and which-has become famous as the home of the ranching industry, are included in Alberta for nearly 400 m.iles in a north-westerly direction. The slopes of these mountains, as well as many of the foothill valleys, are heavily covered with timber, and a great forest reserve has been created by the Dominion Government to guarantee the preservation of these forests. The policy of the Government is to maintain for all time a vast forest reserve which will afford a permanent supply of building material to the settlers of Alberta, and at the same time constitute a reservoir storing up the heavy snowfall of the mountain region to be distributed over the plains by the natural agency of wind and rain, or by the artificial means of irrigation. Many mountain rivers come down from these wooded slopes, and exert a very great influence upon the country which they traverse. They water fertile valleys which are rapidly becoming centres of close population. They bring down the logs of the lumberman to railway connections, where towns spring up and sawmills provide labor for the working man, and fuel and lumber for the Cattle in Alfalfa Fields, Western Canada. settler. They make available an enormous supply of water for irrigation purposes. They provide beautiful sites and ample water supply for cities and towns, and it is worthy of note that all the larger cities in Alberta are located on fine rivers. And these rivers, with their scores of mountain tributaries, afford a region of unmixed delight for the sportsman and angler. ALBERTA'S PROGRESS. The greatest natural resource of the province is, of course, its immense area of fertile farm land; but aside from this there are resources which in themselves are capable of supporting a very large population, and which are of prime interest to the intending home-maker. The province has forests of great value and extent, which support an important lumber industry. Great coal properties 10 have been opened up; in 1913 the coal production of the province exceeded 4,300,000 tons, and is steadily increasing; hitherto unexploited deposits of natural gas have been tapped; the existence of oil of altogether exceptional quality has been established; great beds of merchantable clays and shales have been uncovered and factories erected for their manufacture; and the development of all these natural resources means not only a convenient supply of the various commodities used by the farmer, but also a large and profitable market at his door for his grain, hay, cattle, hogs, mutton, poultry, butter, milk, eggs, roots, vegetables and small fruits—in fact everything capable of being produced on the Alberta farm. Alberta's history is a record of wonderful advancement. In 1902 the population was well under the 100,000 mark; by the census of 1911 it was 374,663, and it is now; estimated at fully 500,000. Railway mileage in Alberta increased from 946 miles in 1905 to 4,200 miles in 1914. In 1914, 950 miles were added to the railways of Alberta.' FERTILE FARM LANDS. Although Alberta's resources are the most varied of any of the Prairie Prov-S inces, it is her fertile farm? lands which are the basis! of her present and future! prosperity. They varyj from open prairie to morej or less heavily wooded districts, and the soil, which! is very rich and deep! ranges from a light chocolate to a heavy loam. Itsl fertility is evidenced b]| the record of crops shown! below, extending over a period of fifteen years. Summary of the A creage and Yields of the Leading Grains in Alberta During the Last 15 Years. Crop area Total yield Aver. Averi Year in acres in bushels per acre yield 1900 30,361 583,806 19.22 1901 34,890 857,714 24.58 1902 • 45,064 850,122 18.86 1903 59,951 1,118,180 18.65 1904 47,411 786,075 16.58 1905 75,353 1,617,505 21.46 1906 115,502 2,664,661 23.07 ring Wheat 1907 123,935 2,261,610 18.25 19.83 1908 212,677 4,001,503 18.81 1909 324,472 6,155,455 18.97 1910 450,493 5,697,956 12.65 1911 1,299,989 28,132,000 21.64 1912 1,256,200 27,059,000 21.54 1913 1,310,000 30,130,000 23.00 1914 1,150,000 11 23,219,000 20.19 Crop area Total yield Aver. Aver. Year in acres in bushels per acre yield Winter Wheat Oats Barley Flax 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 3,440 8,296 32,174 61,625 83,965 104,956 102,167 142,467 316,910 161,000 202,000 221,100 77,616 104,533 118,997 162,314 180,698 242,801 335,728 307,093 431,145 693,901 492,589 1,178,300 1,359,300 1,639,000 1,502,000 9,256 13,483 22,201 42,219 61,549 64,830 73,588 54,698 77,867 107,764 90,901 156,418 174,900 197,000 178,000 373 830 367 581 3,647 6,488 9,262 12,479 14,300 40,275 111,400 105,000 82,418 152,125 689,019 1,301,359 1,932,925 3,093,422 2,312,344 2,206,564 9,011,000 3,515,000 4,242,000 4,252,000 2,625,581 4,253,284 3,776,976 5,187,511 5,609,496 9,514,180 13,136,913 9,274,914 15,922,974 24,819,661 12,158,530 56,964,000 62,936,000 71,542,000 54,523,000 234,971 442,381 473,108 1,077,274 1,608,241 1,773,914 2,157,957 1,082,460 1,949,164 3,310,332 1,889,509 4,151,000 5,780,000 6,334,000 4,681,000 7,753 5,003 8,337 38,491 50,002 73,762 131,531 64,000 418,000 1,429,000 1,155,000 23.95 18.33 21.41 21.11 20.66 29.47 22.63 15.48 25.28 21.83 21.00 19.23 33.82 40.68 31.74 31.95 31.04 39.18 39.12 30.11 36.93 35.76 24.68 48.34 46.30 43.65 36.30 25.37 32.81 21.31 25.51 26.12 27.36 29.32 19.78 25.03 30.72 20.79 26.54 32.87 32.15 26.30 4,476 12.00 9.34 13.63 14.34 10.65 7.87 7.96 10.54 4.48 10.39 12.83 11.00 21.69 36.64 26.80 10.42 Figures not complete at time of compilation. A comparison of Alberta yields for a period of ten years with leading grain-showing states is very instructive: 12 Wheat Oats Barley Flax All Canada 18.88 34.60 28.07 11.72 ♦United States 13.40 29.90 25.20 9.00 Alberta 20.19 36.30 26.20 10.72 Minnesota 13.70 32.00 24.70 10.00 Iowa 15.20 31.80 26.40 10.70 North Dakota 11.60 28.60 21.60 8.70 South Dakota 11.50 " 28.30 22.30 9.10 Kansas 10.00 23.40 16.90 6.90 Nebraska 12.80 25.10 21.70 8.90 Wisconsin 16.70 33.30 27.70 13.10 Note:—The yields of the various states quoted in this folder are taken from "The Farmer's Bulletin" published by the United States Department of Agriculture. Wheat.—Alberta's fame for wheat producing dates back to the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, over 20 years ago, when the prize winning wheat came from the Peace River Valley in Northern Alberta. In 1912 first prize for the world's best wheat was awarded by the International Dry-Farming Congress to grain growers in Southern Alberta. Wherever shown, Alberta wheat has proved its superiority, its only serious competitors being the grain from the neighboring Prairie Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with which the awards usually alternate. The yield of Alberta spring wheat for the last fifteen years has averaged over 19 bushels to the acre, and only once in that period has the yield for the province dropped below 15 bushels per acre. The poorest crop in 15 years averaged 12.65 bushels and, for the sake of comparison it is worth noting that the average crop of such grain-growing states - as the Dakotas and Kansas for the last ten years has been less than the poorest crop, in Alberta during the same period. Most of Alberta's wheat crop is sown in the spring, but this province has also an important winter wheat crop, occupying over 200,000 acres, and yielding in 1914 an average production of 19.23 bushels per acre, while the average for the last 12 years has been 21.69 bushels per acre. The foregoing figures show the average yield of spring wheat in Alberta compared with wheat yields of Canada as a whole, the United States as a whole, and a number of the leading wheat producing states. Oats.-—There is no section of Alberta where oats of the very highest quality cannot be produced successfully. There are frequent yields of over 100 bushels to the acre, and from 50 to 60 bushels is a common yield. While 34 pounds is the standard Canadian weight for a bushel of oats, Alberta oats are on record which weighed 48 pounds to the measured bushel, and the statement was made by the Dominion Grain Inspector for the province that 85% of Alberta oats examined by him would weigh over 42 pounds to the measured bushel. The triumphs of Alberta oats have been many at the great shows of Canada and the 13 United States. At the International Dry-Farming Congress in 1912, Alberta won first prize for medium white oats, and 14 other prizes in the oat class, and again at the International Dry-Farming Congress in 1913 Alberta captured first for black oats and third for white oats, the first prize for white oats having in this case gone to Saskatchewan. The excellent quality of Alberta oats, and the large yield secured, have led to the establishment of important oatmeal mills. There is a large home demand for oats, in addition to the excellent market afforded by British Columbia, the Yukon territories, and exportation to other countries. Great Britain for the manufacture of malt by some of] the largest maltsters there. Much prize winning barley has been grown in Alberta, but it remained for Nick^ Taitinger, a farmer of the Claresholm district, in Southern^ Alberta, to establish a unique record by capturing first! prize for his barley three years in succession at the Inter-3 national Dry-Farming Congress. The Congress for these" three years was held at Lethbridge, Alberta, Tulsa, Okla-' homa, and Wichita, Kansas, respectively, and it may safelyi be said that the finest barley on the American continent-; competed. Alberta's triumph in capturing the first prize three times in succession tells its own story. Cattle Fatten on the Native Grasses of Alberta. The Upper Scene Shows Cattle Feeding Out of Doors in Midwinter. Barley.—There are two varieties of barley produced in the province; the six-rowed barley, used for both malting and feeding purposes, and the two-rowed barley, in demand by British maltsters. The six-rowed is the principal barley crop, although the production of a high-grade two-rowed barley in Southern Alberta is rapidly coming to the front. Barley is a heavy yielder in Alberta, as the accompanying tables show. The quality, also, is first- class. It is used extensively for malting purposes, and the two-rowed variety has been shipped direct to Flax.—Although not grown in such great quantities as| wheat, oats or barley, flax is an important product of Alberta. The soil and climate of Western Canada are^ well suited to this crop. A good average yield is secured^ and some very heavy crops are on record. Premost flax, a variety which has been developed by the Canadian Department of Agriculture, is on record as having yielded! 29.63 bushels per acre on a large field of breaking inf Southern Alberta. The crop in question was practically! all sold for seed, and commanded $3.00 a bushel. 14 15 CLIMATE CfF ALBERTA. The figures of crop returns, both general and specific, which have been presented, are in themselves the best tribute to the climate of Alberta. If the climate were not one exceptionally favorable to farming operations, such yields, extending over a representative period of years, would be impossible. It is not denied that at times and places there is severe winter weather in Alberta. In January and February short periods of cold, sharp weather are to be expected, but at such times the sky is almost always bright and cloudless, and the dry, pure air renders the cold more bearable than temperatures many degrees higher in damp climates. These cold periods are generally of short duration. During the 151 days in the months of November, December, 1913, and January, February and March, 1914, there were 104 days in which the mid-day temperature at Calgary varied from 30 to 69 degrees above zero; 40 days in which it ran from zero to 29 degrees above, and only 7 days on which it ran below zero, the lowest point registered being 19 degrees below. The snowfall is scantyt the precipitation being practically all in the summer months. There is no rain in winter. The winter generally breaks up in February with a warm wind from the west, followed by a period of from one to three weeks of warm, bright weather, the beginning of Southern Alberta's spring. The earliest spring flowers appear in March. May is generally fine, warm and bright, June and the earlier part of July rainy, the remainder of July, August, September, October and generally November warm and dry. The summer, July to September, is characterized by warm days, relieved by a never-failing breeze, and cool nights, but the warm golden days of autumn, often lasting well into December, are the glory of the year. The grand characteristic of the climate as a whole, and the one on which the weather hinges, is the chinook wind, so called because it blows from the region formerly inhabited by the Chinook Indians, on the banks of the lower Columbia River. It is a warm, dry, balmy wind, blowing from the mountains across the plains, and its effect in winter may be described as little short of miraculous in maintaining a temperature milder than prevails in latitudes much further south. Temperatures:—The equable nature of Alberta's climate is shown by the following table, which gives the mean temperature for a period of six years. Temperatures naturally vary considerably over an area as large as Alberta, but these figures give a fair average for the Southern part of the province. Not only has Alberta a very moderate winter clirrfate, but a very pleasant summer, excessive heat being unknown. 16 1908 January .... 25.34 February ... 21.9 March 21.6 April 42.50 May 49.80 June 54.60 July 63.42 August 57.55 September .. 52.93 October .... 39.03 November .. 33.10 December .. 22.04 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 4.11 19.74 18.91 12.83 1.52 16.3 12.17 18.89 21.10 26.39 10.92 16.5 30.22 39.85 34.60 21.96 18.58 31.0 32.10 46.00 36.28 41.25 42.31 42.8 47.01 50.48 47.25 50.03 46.15 50.8 57.06 59.96 57.58 59.81 57.65 57.7 61.30 62.20 58.00 56.32 58.29 66.5 59.05 55.06 54.35 57.38 59.65 61.8 55.00 49.73 47.38 46.48 48.48 53.3 40.48 43.52 40.33 40.00 36.20 44.6 19.65 26.70 18.56 31.60 27.91 32.0 13.45 22.90 20.90 28.10 22.26 14.1 Precipitation by Years for 18 Years. Year Inches Year 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 Inches .. 16.14 .. 16.45 1 17.96 .. 16.15 .. 11.89 .. 20.04 .. 21.30 .. 17.38 1897 20.58 1898 16.79 1899 23.01 1900 15.41 1901 21.31 1902 35.71 1903 21.98 1904 11.16 1905 16.51 Average precipitation for 18 years, 18.17. It is important to note that the precipitation in Alberta falls almost exclusively during the months in which it is of value to growing crops. The following table shows the amount of moisture which fell at Calgary each month of the year 1914. Note the almost total absence of moisture from September to May. It is the dryness in the winter months which contributes largely to the enjoy- ability and healthfulness of Alberta's climate. January 93 February ... .1.15 March 76 April 60 May 52 June 2.64 July 2.52 August 2.18 September . ..1.11 October ... 1 82 November . ..2.73 December . .. .40 Total precipitation for the year, 17.36. It is true that there are large areas in Southern Alberta where the rainfall drops below the average above quoted* These areas of light rainfall have called into existence a number of irrigation enterprises, notably those of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company along the main line of the railway between Calgary and Medicine Hat, and in the Lethbridge district. These irrigation areas are districts of delightful climate and great fertility of soil, awaiting only the application of water, which engineering skill has now made possible. They promise to become the greatest alfalfa-growing and stock-producing territory of Western Canada, and are well adapted to all forms of intensive farming. Healthfulness.—The open character of the country in the Province of Alberta, its clear, dry atmosphere, the 17 abundance of sunshiny days, its elevation (from 1,400 to 4,000 feet above sea level), and the fresh breezes that blow across the plains, all tend to make it one of the most healthful countries in the world. There is an entire absence of malaria, and there are no diseases peculiar to the country. The Central and Southern parts of the province have a continental reputation for healthfulness. Government records show that in Southern Alberta in 1913 there were 2,400 hours of sunshine—a very high percentage of bright weather. The death rate in Calgary for the same year was 12 per 1,000, and when figures are complete it will probably be found to be still lower in 1914. The death rate in the United States is 16 per thousand. FORAGE AND ROOT CROPS. It may be stated safely that no country can grow better fodder crops than Alberta. The rich native grasses of the prairie sustained immense herds of cattle in the days of the open range, and are still a very important factor in the production of Alberta beef and mutton and the support of horses and cows. Many farmers pasture horses, cattle, and, in increasing numbers, sheep, on the native prairie grass on or adjacent to their farms, and a very nutritious natural hay is cut on the open prairie. Alfalfa.—Alfalfa is now recognized as one of the important crops of Alberta; it has long passed the experimental stage and is being cultivated more and more extensively every year. Its greatest success has been attained under irrigation in the Southern part of the province, but it is also grown to some extent in districts where irrigation is not employed. Alfalfa gives two and three cuttings per season, and yields three to five tons per acre, after the crop has been properly started. The success which has attended this crop opens a great field Settlers Arriving in Alberta in Solid Train Loads. 18 before the mixed farmers of Alberta. *The value of| alfalfa as a fodder crop is too well known by practical\ farmers to call for discussion in these pages. It is suffi-j cient to say that wherever alfalfa is successfully grown an| important mixed farming industry is assured. Timothy is another crop which is grown successfully and proves very profitable to the farmer. In addition tol the local demand, the Province of British Columbia, lying; immediately alongside of Alberta, is a big consumer of. timothy, which is imported for use in the mining and1 lumbering districts. From two to three tons of timothy" per acre can be raised, and crops as heavy as four tons; per acre have been recorded. Farmers in certain districts! in Southern Alberta have built up a very profitable business m the shipping of timothy and other hay crops to British! Columbia. The farmer has also at his command a number of other valuable fodders which are held in high esteem\ by stock-raisers and dairymen. Oats and barley give heavy yields, and are frequently cut green for fodder. I Field peas and clovers of all varieties thrive well and are| very productive. Canadian Barley and Oats vs. Corn.—Among many] stockmen from corn growing countries the opinion pre-; vails that corn is necessary in order to bring cattle, or^ even hogs, to their highest market value. To all who entertain such ideas of stock feeding, a trip through West— ern Canada is a veritable revelation. Here they find cattle running at large, grazing on the prairie grass, supple-; mented, perhaps, with a small ration of oat or barley chop," in a state of fitness which the corn farmer, until he has; seen it with his own eyes, simply cannot credit. The old: theory that corn is an essential food for stock dies hard among those who have been brought up to that belief, but] it can no longer be maintained by any who keep pace withj the knowledge of the times. For) two years in succession (19121 and 1913) Canadian steers which^ never ate a mouthful of corn in: their lives have captured the; Grand Championship sweep-^ stakes at the International Live] Stock Show at Chicago in com-i petition with the best corn-fed 1 stock produced in the United; States. This double victory! surely establishes the superiority of Canadian oats and barley over American corn as a food for beef animals. Experience has; established beyond all question —anld the International Live Stock Show at Chicago corrobo- 19 rates this—that the grains and fodders of Western Canada, fed under Western Canadian conditions, combine to produce a finer beef animal than is possible by any means known to stockmen in any other part of the continent. Roots and Vegetables.—All varieties of roots and vegetables usually grown in temperate climates are profitable crops in Alberta, and there is scarcely a farm without its garden, some only large enough to supply the needs of the family, others large enough to give a surplus for marketing. There is a big field before the farmer who gives proper attention to his vegetable garden. The settlement of Alberta has been very rapid; cities of considerable importance have sprung up in a few years, and the farmers themselves have, as a rule, been more interested in their grain crops than in supplying the local market with vegetables. The result has been that in recent years potatoes have been brought to Alberta right across the continent, from Prince Edward Island, and potatoes and .other vegetables are continually being imported from British Columbia and some of the Western States. Every pound of these products can be produced in Alberta. The soil and climate are favorable, and all kinds of root crops give large yields. There are no potato bugs or similar pests. The potato crop of Alberta for 1914, according to a Dominion Government return, amounted to 3,652,000 bushels, and the average price was 65 cents per bushel. The average yield of potatoes per acre secured at Lethbridge Experimental Farm for the last seven years was 233 bushels without irrigation and 492 bushels with irrigation. Turnips and other roots do equally well. The Alberta farmer can produce everything of this kind he needs for his own uses, and sell the surplus at good prices. Sugar beets are successfully grown in Alberta, and already only one province in Canada produces greater quantities. As the facilities for handling beets increase the crop promises to be one of great importance. Fruit Raising.—Fruit raising in Alberta has not been followed to any great extent, perhaps because farmers have in .the past been so occupied with their grain and Stock interests. But those who have devoted some attention to fruit culture have established the fact that the smaller fruits can be grown successfully on a commercial scale in this province, and as the cities are dependent for their supply upon outside sources, a profitable local market is always available. Currants, raspberries, strawberries, saskatoons, gooseberries and similar fruits grow wild in Alberta, and when placed under cultivation yield very profitable crops. Many farmers now have fruit gardens sufficient for their own requirements, and some are making a business of supply- 20 ing nearby markets. Instances are on record of Alberta raspberries yielding a net profit at a rate of over $800.00 an acre. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company's supply farm at Strathmore, Alberta, has been producing small fruits for some years, and the quality of the fruit is attested by the fact that it is used extensively on the Company's dining cars and in their hotel system. In 1914, from an area of 1% acres, *L,100 quarts of excellent strawberries were sold, besides a considerable quantity not offered for sale. LIVE STOCK IN ALBERTA. HORSES.—Alberta is pre-eminently noted for her horses, which have become famous for their endurance, lung power, clean bone, and freedom from hereditary and other diseases. With the outbreak of the European war in August, 1914, the British Government at once turned to Alberta for a supply of army horses, and Thoroughbred Mares on an Alberta Ranch. large purchases were made in this province. The drain upon the horse supply of the world which the war has occasioned assures high prices for horses for years to come, and the Alberta farmer, who includes horse-raising with his agriculture, will undoubtedly find it very profitable. The horses in Alberta at the beginning of 1914 were valued by the Dominion Government at $67,199,375. The following table shows very clearly the steadily increasing importance of the live stock industry in Alberta: COMPARISON OF LIVE STOCK IN ALBERTA FOR FOUR YEARS. . lp|* 1911 1912 1913 1914 Horses 407,153 451,573 484,809 609,126 Milch Cows .... 147,687 . 157,922 168,376 192,203 Other Cattle .... 592,163 ;587,307 610.917 898,978 Sheep 133,592 135,075 178,015 501,188 Swine 237,510 278,747 350,692 750,789 21 1 CATTLE.—Southern and Central Alberta have long been the recognized home of beef cattle of exceptional quality. The peculiar nutrition of the prairie and foothill grasses, the pure water and moderate climate, combine to favor the live stock industry. The scarcity of beef is not a local but a world-wide condition. It is significant that the number of cattle, exclusive of dairy cows, in the United States, decreased over 16,000,000 from 1907 to 1913, although the population of the country increased nearly 10,000,000 in the same period. With beef supplies growing smaller and population increasing, beef prices are high and must remain high for years, if not permanently, and the Alberta mixed farmers will reap the benefit. That they are already doing so is indicated by the following figures showing the number of cattle handled by two leading firms at Calgary during a period of years: 1905 1909 1911 1912 1913 1914 3,417 10,820 25,862 32,250 70,416 83,513 The value of live stock handled through the Calgary yards in 1913 has been carefully computed at $14,405,900. It is an interesting fact that Calgary is the home of the largest individual pure-bred cattle auction in the world, which takes place in April of each year, and has an important effect in improving the quality and increasing the distribution of the best breeds throughout Alberta. The Provincial Government has conducted extensive experiments to ascertain profits which may be made by farmers winter-feeding steers. The steers are bought in the fall at the market price, fed through the winter, and sold in the spring. The feed used is green feed, oats, barley, and, in some instances, wheat. After paying for all the feed used at market prices, allowing interest on the money invested in the stock, and paying for the labor employed, the net profit on a lot of 104 steers with which the experiment was tried amounted to $1,820.58, or $17.50 per head. Many farmers employ for feeding purposes straw and other by-products which would otherwise be of no value, and are thus able to make even a better showing than th© Government experiment. Live Stock Abound on the Home-Maker's Farm. 22 SHEEP.—In common with other stock, sheep thrive to great advantage in Alberta, and their importance as an adjunct to mixed farming is. being gradually more and,; more recognized. Mutton commands a good price, local markets being supplied to a considerable extent by importations, notably from New Zealand. The wool industry is also growing in importance. During 1913 a shipment of Alberta wool was made to Great Britain, and the fact that it was eagerly bought by the woolen manufacturers there is sufficient evidence of its quality. The removal of the duty on wool entering the United States from Canada has resulted in a big demand from the wool firms of the Republic, and the Alberta clip of 1914 was largely absorbed by Boston firms. The climate of Alberta is very favorable to sheep raising, the total absence of winter rains being an important factor. According to an estimate of the Alberta Department of Agriculture, the sheep in the province increased 25% during the year 1913, and reached a total of over 500,000 in 1914. Sheep raising in Alberta is decidedly profitable, and promises to become an important branch of the live stock industry of the province. DAIRYING.—Probably nowhere are greater opportunities afforded the dairy farmer than are to be found in Alberta. Conditions of climate and fodder are ideal, as is evidenced by the fact that an Alberta cow holds the dairy championship of the British Empire. The cities and towns afford a large market for milk and cream, and the price paid is usually higher than in older districts, where the dearer lands make the cost of producing milk considerably greater. The Carlyle Dairy Company, of Calgary, Alberta, reports that during the year 1914 the lowest price paid at any time for milk was $1.60 per hundred pounds, and from that it varied up to $2.20 per hundred pounds. Comparison of these figures with the prices paid in dairy districts of Eastern Canada and the United States leaves no doubt as to the profit available to the Alberta dairy farmer. The local demand for butter frequently exceeds the supply, and butter of good quality commands good prices < at all seasons of the year. The Provincial Government gives much active assistance to the dairy interests. The preference of consumers is for creamery butter, owing to its uniform quality, and the Government gives liberal ? assistance toward the establishment and management of creameries throughout the country. Creameries are sub-; ject to the control of patrons, but are under Government^ direction. At the end of every month each patron gets? credit for the equivalent of his cream in butter, a cash; advance being paid to him at once and the balance as the product is sold. Co-operation of creameries under Gov-, 23 Native Hay in Stack on the Prairies. }ernment supervision has resulted in the production of butter of high uniform quality and the obtaining of good prices. During the last year covered by Government reports 49 creameries and 7 cheese factories were operated in Alberta. The average price received for butter at the creameries during the summer was 26J4 cents per pound, and the average for the winter months was a little-over 30 cents per pound. The proximity of the British Columbia market assures the Alberta producer of an ample demand for all his surplus butter, and the cheese production of the province as yet falls far below the local consumption. SWINE.—In no other branch of mixed farming has such great progress been made within the last few years as in the hog industry. Farmers have found that hogs do well in Alberta; that there is almost a total absence of disease; that the necessary feed can be cheaply produced, and in many cases was going to waste on their farms, and that hogs command good prices. The following figures, showing the hogs handled by two leading Calgary firms during the years stated, show conclusively the increasing importance of hog-raising in Alberta: 1905 1909 1911 1912 1913 . 16,512 26,597 15,520 28,770 128,593 The fact that Canadian hogs now enter the United States free of duty has opened a very large market to the hog-producer in Alberta, and during 1914 heavy shipments were made from Calgary to United States coast points, mainly Seattle. Some idea of the volume of this trade is gained from the fact that in seven months of 1914 a single Seattle firm bought 112,544 hogs on the Calgary market, paying for them an average price of $7.81 per hundred pounds, their highest price being $8.27j^ and the lowest $7.15. Alfalfa, the king of hog fodders, is produced with great success in the irrigated area of Southern Alberta, and oats and barley are among the chief grain products of the province. So long as 24 1914 353,910 beef prices remain high, pork, which is to some extent a substitute food, cannot become very cheap. Alberta farmers who have turned their attention to hog raising have prospered greatly as a- result, and even with the present prospect of very high prices for grain, those who prefer to convert it into pork will no doubt continue to reap a handsome profit by so doing. POULTRY.—'There is a large and profitable field in Alberta for the poultry-raiser. With eggs never lower than 25c, and ranging from 35c to 60c per dozen on the Calgary market, little further need be said regarding this valuable branch of the farm. It is generally conceded that the primary conditions for successful poultry-raising are reasonable mildness of climate, abundance of sunshine and dryness of atmosphere. These conditions are all present in the highest degree in Alberta. The climate offers exceptional inducements to engage in poultry-raising. There is abundance of sunshine throughout the year; in fact, there are few days, either in winter or summer, that the birds cannot take exercise out-of-doors at some time during the day. During March, April and part of May there is practically no rainfall, making conditions for rearing the very best for all kinds of poultry. As this is the hatching season, the poultryman has ample opportunity to get the young stock past the danger period before the wet weather, which is so injurious to the young stock. With dry weather and from 14 to 18 hours of daylight, they have every chance to mature. .Many have discarded the heat brooders and are rearing chicks most successfully in the cold brooders. There is a good local market for all kinds of poultry, and British Columbia stands ready at all times to consume the surplus. Turkeys, which do exceptionally well in Alberta, are exported in large quantities to Coast cities. Alberta turkeys are favorably known on the markets wherever they have been introduced. Sheep Show Big Profits in Western Canada. 25 SOIL IS FAR SUPERIOR TO MINNESOTA. I have lived in this district for a period of fourteen years, having dome here from Minnesota. I think this country the best I have ever seen for a man with small means to make a start. The winters here are much more moderate than where I came from. I never stable the cattle and horses are never stalled or fed, except work horses. The soil is far superior to Minnesota. I have never had a crop failure and have never raised less than 40 bushels of oats per acre and up as high as 70 bushels of oats per acre. My wheat went 34 bushels per acre this year. All kinds of root crops do well. We have good roads, rural telephone, good schools, etc. I am well satisfied here and will never go back for any ™0j^a*s^!£*- Ferry Point, Alberta, December 18th, 1914. NO CROP FAILURE IN 13 YEARS. I came from the State of Nebraska in 1901 and took up C. P. R. land in this district. I have cropped my land every year and have always had a good crop. I find the climate here equally as good as Nebraska and like it better on account not so much wind. We have never had a crop failure since starting farming and could recommend any men to come to this country. I threshed this year 6,000 bushels of wheat, oats and barley from 195 acres under cultivation in addition to this have 200 tons of timothy hay from 100 acres, besides all kinds of roots and vegetables. I consider this district as good for mixed farming as any country I know of. I would be glad to correspond with any one wanting information. FITCH Evarts P. O., Alberta, December 22nd, 1914. LIKES THE WINTERS BETTER THAN THOSE OF IOWA. I came to Alberta from Oklahoma, eleven years ago, after living in thirteen different States, and own a section of land here. I consider this is a country second to none for mixed farming and dairying. I .threshed 6,000 bushels of grain this year, which averaged about 50 bushels to the acre. I like the winter weather here very much better than in Iowa, I consider that this is a country of splendid opportunities for a man of small means. I will be glad to answer any enquiries concerning conditions here. (SgJJ A. F. COWITZ. Didsbury, Alberta, December 15th, 1914. JSTEVER HAD A CROP FAILURE IN ALBERTA. I came here ten years ago from Oberon P.O., North Dakota, and farmed there ten years previous to coming here, and have been engaged in mixed farming ever since I came. I much prefer living here than in North Dakota; we escape the bad blizzards and awful storms we used to have in North Dakota. In my experience farming west of Crossfield, I may add that I never had a failure of crops in all that time, and land properly tilled will produce larger yields than any country I have ever seen. Anyone wishing to come to a new country cannot make a mistake by coming here. (Sgd.) F. T. WILLIAMS.. Crossfield, Alberta, January 8th, 1915. MORTGAGED HIS LAND IN UNITED STATES TO COME TO CANADA. In March, 1904, I mortgaged my 150 acre farm in Gallatin Co., Montana, and came to Alberta the same month and took up a homestead. About three years later I sold the "Tarm in Montana and with the proceeds bought two more quarters of land. I have added to my holdings from time to time and now have 1,120 acres of land nearly all in cultivation. Although the season of 1914 was considered a dry season I sold about $7,000.00 worth of grain. When I came here my total assets were between $4,500 and $5,000, and now outside of my indebtedness (which the most of us have) I figure my net worth about $28,000.00, so you will always find me boosting for "Sunny Alberta". (Sgd.) A. A. DAWES. Blackie, Alberta. 26 SASKATCHEWAN Saskatchewan lies between the 49th and 60th parallels of north latitude, and between the meridians of 102 and 110 degrees west from Greenwich. The southern border is the International boundary, the dividing line between Canada and the United States. South of Saskatchewan are the States of North Dakota and Montana; east of it is the Province of Manitoba; west of it is the Province of Alberta, and on the north it is bounded by the unorganized North West Territories. Its greatest length is 760 miles and its width on the south is 393 miles. In the middle it is 300 miles wide; at the northern boundary it has a width of 277 miles. The area of this great quadrangle is 250,650 square miles, of which 8,318 square miles is water. The land surface contains 155,092,480 acres. Of this immense acreage, less than 10,000,000 acres, or six per cent., was under cultivation in 1914. The history of agriculture in Saskatchewan, in a general way, is embraced in the last 25 years, and mainly within the latter half of that period. The Canadian Pacific Railway first opened the country to settlement 29 years ago, and the movement of farmers, commencing with a few adventurous settlers, has steadily grown until Saskatchewan is now the greatest grain producing province of the Dominion. Railway development has kept pace with the needs of the settlers, the mileage of railways in the province having increased from 1,552 miles in 1905 to 4,894 miles in 1912, and 5,817 miles in 1914. Important cities and towns have sprung into being, .and all phases of industrial life have shown great development. SOIL. Many scientific investigations of Saskatchewan's soil have been made, and all have resulted in the pronouncement that for grains, fodder crops, roots and vegetables it could hardly be better. As in all areas of the extent of this province, there is a great variety in the class of soil, though practically all districts are very desirable for agriculture. The color ranges all the way from a light chocolate to deep, black loam, and the texture from a heavy to a rather light loam with a slight mixture of sand. There are few farmers who agree upon which soil is the most desirable; large and profitable crops are grown on all classes. The subsoil is clay, underlaid and mixed with grivel. Almost without exception the soil is rich, deep, and fertile. 27 Hogs, Sheep, and Dairy Cows Mean Money to the Home-Maker. GRAIN GROWING IN SASKATCHEWAN. Although it is only in recent years that Saskatchewan has risen to be a world factor in wheat production, the cereal has been successfully cultivated in the province since its early settlement. The rich Indian Head district was famous for its wheat crops long before other and newer parts of the province began to attract attention, but it is only during the last few years that the almost unlimited agricultural possibilities of Saskatchewan have begun to be properly appreciated. The success of the farmers who have located in this province, both as regards yields and quality of their crops, has, however, in recent years attracted very wide attention, Saskatchewan grains having been awarded the premier place in the most important world exhibitions. At the great Land and Irrigation Show, held in Madison Square Garden, New York, in November, 1911, Mr. Seager Wheeler, of Rosthern, Saskatchewan, entered a sample 100 pounds of Marquis wheat and captured the thousand-dollar gold prize offered by Sir Thomas Shaughnessy. Mr. Wheeler's prize-winning wheat weighed 28 66Y2 pounds to the measured bushel and yielded over 70 bushels to the acre. At the International Dry Farming Congress, at Wichita, Kansas, in 1914—-to mention only two of the important events at which Saskatchewan wheat has excelled all competitors—Mr. Wheeler again won the sweepstakes for all wheat, and also captured the first prize for the best bushel of red spring wheat; while William Henley, of Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, was awarded the first prize for the best bushel of Marquis wheat. In oat production also Saskatchewan has established an enviable record. Messrs. J. C. Hill & Sons, of Lloyd- minster, have achieved the distinction of winning three times in succession the $1,500 trophy presented by the State of Colorado at- the National Corn Exposition, which thus becomes their property. The oats with which Messrs. Hill & Sons captured this coveted trophy were of the variety known as "Abundance," and weighed 52 pounds to the measured bushel. The following tables show Saskatchewan crops for ten years up to and including 1913. Figures for 1914 were not complete at the time of this compilation: 29 Crop area Total yield Aver. Aver. Year in acres in bushels per acre yield 1904 910,359 15,944,730 17.51 1905 1,130,084 26,107,286 23.09 1906 1,730,586 37,040,098 21.40 1907 2,047,724 27,691,601 13.52 Wheat 1908 3,703,563 50,654,629 13.68 18.81 1909 4,085,000 90,215,000 22.1 1910 4,664,834 72,666,399 15.58 1911 4,704,660 97,665,000 20.76 1912 4,838,500 92,706,000 19.16 1913 5,720,000 121,559,000 21.35 1904 346,530 10,756,350 31.04 1905 449,936 19,213,055 42.70 1906 369,873 23,965,528 37.45 1907 801,810 23,324,903 29.09 Oats 1908 1,772,976 48,378,838 27.29 37.86 1909 2,240,000 105,465,000 47.1 1910 2,082,607 63,315,295 30.40 1911 2,124,057 97,962,000 46.12 1912 2,285,600 105,115,000 45.99 1913 2,755,000 114,112,000 41.42 1905 32,946 893,396 27.11 1906 53,565 1,316,415 24.57 1907 79,339 1,350,265 17.02 Barley 1908 229,574 3,965,724 17.28 26.31 1909 244,000 8,833,000 32.1 1910 238,394 5,859,018 24.85 1911 172,253 5,445,000 31.61 1912 180,300 5,926,000 32.87 1913 292,000 10,421,000 31.39 1904 15,917 166,434 10.45 1905 25,315 398,399 15.73 1906 76,005 710,689 9.35 1907 128,528 1,364,716 10.62 Flax 1908 264,728 2,589,352 9.78 11.09 1909- 319,100 4,448,700 11.9 1910 396,230 3,044,318 7.68 1911 570,000 6,413,000 11.25 1912 1,463,000 18,931,000 12.94 1913 1,386,000 15,579,000 11.24 The story told by the foregoing figures is rendered more striking by comparison with the ten-year averages in the leading grain growing states of the United States: Wheat Oats Barley Flax All Canada 18.88 34.60 28.07 11.72 United States 13.40 29.90 25.20 9.00 Saskatchewan 18.81 37.86 26.31 11.09 Minnesota 13.70 32.00 24.70 10.00 Iowa 15.20 31.80 26.40 10.70 North Dakota 11.60 28.60 21.60 8.70 South Dakota 11.50 28.30 22.30 9.10 Kansas 10.00 23.40 16.90 6.90 Nebraska 12.80 25.10 21.70 8.90 Wisconsin 16.70 33.30 27.70 13.10 Raising Quality Grain.—The general quality of all Saskatchewan grains is attested, not only by the successes at international exhibitions, as already briefly referred to, but by the demand for cereals grown in Saskatchewan by the milling trade. The province is the home of a considerable flour milling industry, attracted by the excellence 30 A Western Canada Oat Crop. of Saskatchewan wheat, and when the largest producers of rolled oats on the continent were looking for a Western Canadian location their choice fell on Saskatchewan. The fact that barley can be so successfully raised in the prov-l ince means much to the farmer who is looking for a district in which he can practice mixed agriculture; the barley-fed hog outrivals the old corn-fed standby. The; location of a number of malting plants in the Western, provinces also assures him of a good local market for his malting barley. Flax raising is an industry of great importance, the province's crop in 1913 having exceeded; the fifteen million bushel mark, amounting to about forty per cent of the total flax production of the United States and Canada combined. Saskatchewan is exceptionally adapted to the production of these four staple cereal crops, and although only a fraction of the available land is under cultivation, the production of this province is already a considerable factor in the world's supply. CLIMATE. The climate of Saskatchewan is pleasant and exceedingly healthy. The temperature during the summer frequently rises to between 90 and 100 degrees; but the heat is tempered by a never-failing breeze, and the nights are cool and refreshing, even after the hottest days. The number of hours of sunlight is greater here during the summer months than in more southern latitudes, and the clear, healthful atmosphere is particularly refreshing and invigorating. The autumn season in Saskatchewan is probably unsurpassed in any part of the world. 31 $1,600.00 Colorado Trophy won three times in succession by Saskatchewan oats. The winter, which usually begins about or shortly before the 1st of December, and continues without interruption until the middle or end of March, is undoubtedly cold, but thanks to the aid of comfortable houses and suitable clothing, it inspires no dread, and, indeed, is altogether pleasant and healthful. The infrequent occurrence during that time of thaws or rain, the absence of humidity, the large proportion of bright sunshine and the stillness of the atmosphere when the weather is coldest, all tend to make the Saskatchewan winter weather invigorating and enjoyable. Severe snowstorms occasionally occur, but they are not, as a rule, accompanied by extreme temperatures. The infrequency of thaws and equability of the temperature causes a* noticeable absence of pneumonia and those kindred troubles that are so much dreaded in more moist and changeable climates. In an ordinary season, the winter ends about the middle or end of March and in a few of the past 20 years the snow has disappeared before the end of February. In some seasons grain has been sown about the middle of March, but that is exceptional. Usually seeding is not in full swing until April. Cattle Wintering in Straw Piles and Natural Shelter. In the ranching district, west and south of Swift Current, the Chinook winds occur at intervals during the winter. These warm, dry winds blowing from the southwest cause the snow to disappear rapidly. It is the occurrence of this wind that makes the southwestern part of the province such an ideal ranching district; the live stock winters well on the open range. Temperature.—The following table has been carefully compiled from the records of the Government weather observation stations. They extend over a period of years sufficient to present a fair average, and are worth the careful consideration of any reader who may have had 32 exaggerated ideas of the extremes of temperature in Saskatchewan. They show that only in the month of January does the average fall below the zero point, and even for January an average as high as ten above zero is recorded. The summer climate shows an average, in the hottest month, of about sixty degrees. Visitors to Saskatchewan in the summer months,-coming from regions sweltering in close, oppressive heat, find the climate of this province one of its great attractions. Average Monthly Temperatures in Saskatchewan. Month 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 January 1.1 -7.8 8.3 -8.8 5.6 -5.5 10.0-14.6 6.6 February 3.3 2.6' 6.9 1.3 1.7 0.6 8.9 6.2 6.5 March 21.0 8.9 18.1 22.4 33.2 17.2 10.3 14.9 15.9 April 37.7 41.7 30.9 36.6 43.9 25.8 38.2 24.9 44.4 May 50.5 47.2 49.2 48.8 47.6 49.2 50.7 39.7 47.2 June 58.2 59.2 61.3 60.5 60.8 58.9 56.8 59.4 59.4 July 68.5 61.1 59.7 57.8 64.6 64.3 64.5 61.6 65.6 August 59.6 60.8 59.4 56.9 56.8 62.6 58.2 57.7 62.7 September 52.6 52.1 56.0 47.7 49.0 52.7 47.8 55.8 55.8 October 44.0 33.3 39.2 40.4 41.4 37.8 37.3 42.1 42.1 November 25.3 26.8 28.3 11.7 17.0 17.1 27.0 26.3 21.9 December 3.3 17.7 13.3 9.1 8.4 2.5 9.9 14.7 3.3 Annual mean 34.9 33.6 35.0 32.0 35.5 32.2 35.4 31.4 39.9 Rainfall.—A matter of very great importance in connection with successful agriculture is the amount of the annual precipitation. A pleasing feature of the climate of Saskatchewan is that the greatest rainfall occurs during the months in which it is required for the successful growth of ihe crops. The snowfall is comparatively light and the aggregate precipitation for the year is less than in many other countries. Precipitation occurs principally during the summer months. June and July are the wettest months in the year, although May and August are only moderately dry. Two-thirds of the annual precipitation occurs in the form of rain between April and September. Precipitation by Months for 7 Years. Average precipitation for 10 years Month 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 by months. January 00 .70 .34 1.36 .38 .62 .29 .63 February 28 .64 .26 .44 .46 .36 1.14 .62 March 70 .65 .37 .35 .84 .53 .99 1.00 April 71 .31 .52 . .77 .55 .69 .84 .72 May 154 1.00 2.92 2.73 2.07 2.46 1.13 2.04 June L.'.47 3.00 2,37 4.06 2.63 2.64 4.84 3.39 July 1.49 3.18 3.63 2.68 1.50 5136 1.27 2.20 August 3.35 2.80 2.36 2.55 2.12 1.41 2.06 2.30 September 139 .88 -12 1.35 .97 .72 .62 1.62 October 1.71 .89 .42 1.04 .29 .61 1.31 .79 November 84 .35 .33 1.13 .71 .99 .54 .63 December 50 .04 .44 .50 .96 1.62 .45 .59 Total 12.98 14.21 16.08 18.96 13.48 18.01 15.43 16.53 April-Sept 8.93 11.17 13.92 14.68 9.84 13.28 10.76 12.27 33 The preceding table is a compilation, averaged of all the available data, respecting precipitation at all the meteorological stations in the province in each year. Snowfall is reduced to its "water equivalent," 10 inches of snow being stated as 1 inch of rain. FORAGE AND ROOT CROPS. Certain parts of Saskatchewan are especially adapteds for the culture of fodders and roots; practically all sections will grow satisfactory crops of this nature. Many farmers are content to rely upon the rich, native grasses to feed their stock; these are found in great variety and abundance. However, the progressive farmers who are more and more going into the practice of diversified agriculture, are raising tame fodders in greater areas each year and are attaining very satisfactory results. Alfalfa.—Alfalfa growing in Saskatchewan has emerged from the experimental stages and the results have been very gratifying to those interested in the advancement of mixed farming in the province. The interest in the cultivation of this fodder is continually growing, and there is every reason to expect that it will in time rank as one of the country's most important crops. There is no doubt that the wonderful opportunities for mixed and dairy farming in Saskatchewan are attracting wider and wider attention, and if any further guarantee of the success of such industries were needed, it is found in the fact that alfalfa is already being successfully cultivated in many widely separated portions of the province. Many districts would dispute the claim of any other to be regarded as the banner alfalfa section of the province, but in 1914 the first prize of $500.00 awarded by the Government of Saskatchewan for the best alfalfa crop in Some Saskatchewan Vegetables. 34 the province was won by S. E. Shaw, of Biggar. Of his experience in raising the prize-winning field Mr. Shaw writes in part: "No one here knew how to grow alfalfa l (myself included) and it was a problem as to whether it would grow here and the yield it would give. Moreover, few knew of its feeding value and the important place it would fill in that respect. I sowed ten acres on the lights! est land I had. The alfalfa came on well the first year, and I clipped it back in August as recommended by the literature I had on the subject. The second year I took IY2 tons to the acre the first cutting. This year—1914—I had the first prize and about three tons to the acre on the first cutting. During the winter of 1913-14 I fed alfalJB hay to some 200 hogs I had, together with a little damaged grain, and got splendid results. All stock from hens to horses relish it. It has about four times the feeding value of timothy hay, and is about equal to bran as a food. Mixed farming is the coming industry of the West, and alfalfa the food par excellence for the stock. There is no doubt that it can be profitably and successfully grown here, as has been abundantly demonstrated by the results of this contest. Alfalfa land, that is, land on which alfalfa can be grown, is worth $150.00 an acre in the Western United States, and here the same land, or even better, can be had for from $20 to $30 an acre, and that on very easy payments. Within five years this alfalfa crop will be more important than the grain crop is today. The land here is admirably suited to its growth." Other Fodders.—Timothy and clovers give satisfactory results in most sections of the province, and those who have grown fodder corn have obtained excellent results. At the Indian Head experimental farm, crops of the latter averaging from 17 to 26 tons per acre have been secured. Field peas give as large yields as anywhere, and brome and Western rye grass are sure crops. In fact, the farmer who wishes to practice mixed agriculture in Saskatchewan, will find at his service an abundance of feed of every description. Roots and Vegetables. — All varieties of roots and vegetables indigenous to temperate climates are successfully grown in Saskatchewan. There is scarcely a farm without its small garden for 35 home use, but there are very few market gardens. Plots Kofc vegetable raising in the vicinity of the towns and cities of the province offer the small farmer an excellent means of livelihood. There is a large demand at good prices, as under present conditions large quantities of vegetables are shipped into the province, and these could quite as well be produced at home. The Canadian Pacific Railway has land suitable for this purpose in some localities. Experimental work at the Indian Head farm has shown what can be done with roots, some of the yields following: Turnips gave from 26 to 39 tons per acre; mangels, 26 to 34 tons; sugar beets, 11 to 21 tons; carrots, 16 to 22 tons; potatoes, 300 to 800 bushels per acre. Of course, these returns were from small plots that received much better attention than the ordinary farmer would bestow upon them, but they show the results that can be attained. The experimental farms have also raised all the following and individuals a greater part of them: Asparagus, beans, beets, early and late cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, sweet corn, celery, lettuce, parsnips, garden peas, radishes, tomatoes, pumpkins and squash. Fruit Culture.—The farmers of Saskatchewan have been so fully occupied with grain growing, and, of later years, in laying the foundation of their live stock and dairy industries, that it is but natural that comparatively little attention has been paid to the possibilities of fruit culture. But as the farmers more and more are coming to the conclusion that Saskatchewan is not only a good place to make money, but is also a good place to make a home, more attention is being paid to gardening, the setting out of trees, shrubs, and fruits, and the beautifica- tion of the farm premises. Among the fruits which grow most successfully in Saskatchewan are red, white, and black currants, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, saskatoons, plums and crab apples. The present supply of fruit for the residents of the cities and towns and also for many of the farmers themselves, is imported from British Columbia, Ontario, or the United States. The farmer who will apply part of his attention to fruit culture can therefore not only supply his own requirements, but can dispose of the surplus'on local markets at prices based on the cost of importation. 36 Typical Farm Home and Harvest Scene LIVE STOCK. The raising of live stock, especially beef animals, was an important industry in Saskatchewan long before the possibilities of the province as a grain-growing, territory were generally recognized: The discovery that Saskatchewan was wonderfully adapted by nature to the raising of such staple cereals as wheat, oats, barley, and flax, resulted in a rush of farmers anxious to settle on the low-priced lands. There was naturally a sudden, great increase in the total of grain production, and the stock industry of the province was for the time eclipsed. But Saskatchewan is just ' as well adapted to stock-raising as to grain-raising, and high prices for beef, hogs, wool, mutton and dairy products are leading even those farmers who at first devoted themselves exclusively to grain-growing to give more and more attention to their live-stock interests. The immense ranges of the past have become, to a large extent, a matter of history, but they have been succeeded by thousands of farmers each with his own little herd, with the result that the aggregate stock interests of the province arc now very much greater than in the days of almost exclusive ranching. The growth of the live stock industry is shown in the fact that in the fourteen years following 1900, horses in the province increased from 83,461 to 640,035; milch cows increased from 56,440 to 322,790; ether cattle increased from 160,613 to 541,504; sheep increased from 73,079 to 177,752, and swine increased from 27,753 to 477,360. The Government fully recognizes the importance of the live stock industry, which makes for greater permanency and greater eventual profits than exclusive grain growing, and is giving encouragement in every practical way to farmers. The Canadian Pacific Rail- Trees Thrive on the Prairie with a . „„ t,„„ „1„~ w„„.. Little Attention. way has also been 37 an important factor in directing the attention of the farmer to the importance of live stock raising, and in assisting him to make a proper start in that direction. Other organizations—agricultural societies, boards of trade, and, in some cases, organizations formed expressly for the purpose, have been and are active in encouraging increased live stock production. Horses.—-With the cultivation of great areas of land, the building of extensive public works and the carrying out of the great railway undertakings, the draft horse has for some years been one of the greatest assets of the Saskatchewan farmer. Breeders who had horses of good agricultural type for sale were always assured of an ample market at good prices. And just as the supply of horses for the above purposes began to overtake the requirements, the outbreak of the European war created another huge market for horses, with the prospect of high prices for several years to come. Recognizing the fact that Saskatchewan was a natural source of supply for horses for the British Empire, the Government of the province made a gift of horses to the British authorities. In addition, the British Government sent officers through Saskatchewan, as well as through Alberta and Manitoba, buying horses direct from the farmers and ranchers. These conditions practically assure high prices, not only temporarily, but for a considerable number of years, and the Saskatchewan farmer who makes a point of having a few horses for sale each year has every reason to be pleased with the prospect. Beef Cattle.—The visitor or new settler in Saskatchewan is invariably struck' with the high quality of Not Many Years Ago this Farm was a Bare Homestead. A River Scene in Western Canada. Saskatchewan cattle. One reason for this is the policy which the Government has followed of introducing pure - bred breeding stock to raise the general quality of the herds, and another is the education and encouragement afforded by the system of Government supported annual fairs held in many parts of the province. These forms of encouragement, however, could have availed little had not Saskatchewan been blessed with a healthful climate, nutritious grasses, abundant fodder crops, pure water—the prime conditions which constitute the basis of the stock-raising industry in Saskatchewan. And of later years the farmer has had the added inducement of a market for his by-product. The grain farm produces immense crops of straw, with considerable quantities of screenings and mixed products which have no market value but which are excellent feed for cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry. Dairying.—While there is a most profitable market for beef, pork and mutton, there is a still better one for the products of the dairy. Even in mid-summer milk retails as high as 10 cents per quart, butter above 35 cents per pound, and cream 40 cents per quart in many of Saskatchewan's towns and cities. The cause is obvious, when it is stated that the local production of these commodities takes care of but a'fraction of the demand. At times it has been found necessary to bring milk and cream in from as far away as points in Minnesota, while a great part of the butter consumed is brought in from Eastern Ontario. Not for a great many years can the production possibly catch up with the consumption. By the Dairymen's Act of 1906, the Provincial Government provides for the substantial encouragement of the industry in Saskatchewan. When a company guarantees the cream from at least 400 cows within a radius of 15 miles of the place where it is proposed to erect a creamery, and upon satisfactory evidence that the undertaking warrants support, a government loan, 38 39 at a low rate of interest repayable usually in five years, may be obtained. The government at all times' looks to the well-being of the creameries and, when necessary, in order to keep one working at capacity, ships in cream from outside points. This method of operation insures production at the least possible expense. The department engages managers and assistants, purchases all supplies, markets the butter and makes semi-monthly payments to the patrons on account of cream supplied. The local authorities look after the smaller details of operation. Weekly shipments are made from all creameries to cold-storage, where the quality of the goods is preserved until the market warrants its sale. Considerable advantage is gained by disposing of butter in large quantities, as shipments can be made in carload lots, thus securing the advantage of the lowest transportation rate. A similar advantage is obtained in purchasing supplies and in addition a closer price on large orders is secured. lard type is also coming into prominence and breeders are proving that this latter kind can be profitably raised in the wheat belt of Saskatchewan as well as the corn belt of the United States. Yorkshires, Tamworths, Duroc- Jerseys, Chester Whites and Poland-Chinas are also all found to be making money for their owners. The large Western packing plants, the constant local demand, and the fact that dealers and packers in Eastern Canada and the United States are looking more and more to Western Canada for their hogs, assure the Saskatchewan farmer of good prices for everything he has to offer in this class of stock. Sheep.—The profit derived from sheep will eventually far more than repay the owner for his original outlay of money, time and trouble. The demand for mutton is constantly increasing, and the home-grown article is immeasurably superior to that brought from the Antipodes, and always commands a remunerative figure on the local market. There is always, in addition, the keen demand of the Eastern centres of population on both sides of the International Boundary, while it should not be forgotten that the only reason why Canada has ceased to ship mutton to Britain is that she no longer has any to spare. During 1914 a considerable business in wool was done with manufacturers and dealers in the United States. The good prices realized are encouraging farmers to go more extensively into sheep raising. All the well-known breeds of sheep suited to the temperate zone do well in Saskatchewan. Hogs are Money-makers for Saskatchewan Farmers. Swine.—The raising of hogs is a profitable and rapidly growing industry in Saskatchewan. According to figures compiled by the Government of Saskatchewan, the average price for hogs in that province for the year 1913 : was $8.48 per hundred weight. The government report for 1914 was not available at the time this booklet went to press, but during 1914 the average price paid for hogs on the Winnipeg market was $7.65% per hundred weight. Considering that this class of stock can be raised as economically in Saskatchewan as anywhere in North America, there should be, and is, good money in hog raising. Saskatchewan has demonstrated that her fields can grow alfalfa, roots of all kinds, rape and barley as well as any place on the continent, and experts all agree that in order to make a success of hog raising it is necessary that roughage can be raised cheaply and in abundance. There is also a practical absence of disease in Saskatchewan, a healthful climate, and, as a rule, abundance of good water. The bacon type of hog is preferred, the English Berkshire being probably the greatest favorite; but the 40 Poultry.—Poultry raising offers good returns to the Saskatchewan farmer. While the profits to be made in the business would tempt the specialist to engage in poultry raising exclusively, the greatest development of the poultry industry in the province will no doubt be among the mixed farmers. Screenings and other waste products from the grain crops can be turned into cash by means of a flock of chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys. There is practically no outlay in raising poultry in this way, and the revenue is as good as so much found money in eggs, as the local demand far exceeds the supply. MAKES AN AVERAGE PROFIT OF $2,500.00 YEARLY.. I moved to the United States from Norway in 1893, and came to Saskatchewan from Iowa in 1905. I took up land in the Areola district, where I have now seven quarter sections. I bought this land at prices ranging from $8.25 to $17.50 an acre. I value it now at $40.00 an acre. .1 keep 25 horses, 7_ cows, 21 other cattle, about a dozen pigs and 100 poultry. My 'principal crops are wheat, oats and barley. I have had 45 bushels of wheat to the acre, and never had less than 17 bushels. I estimate the average profit from my farm operations at $2,500.00. When I came here I had a capital of about $4,000. I value my property now at $54,000. This is a good country for a man to make a home in, and a settler with lots of enterprise is assured of success. (Sgd.) M. J. OLSEN. Areola, Saskatchewan, January 30, 1915. 41 SASKATCHEWAN IS A GOOD COUNTRY TO LIVE IN. I settled in Saskatchewan nine years ago and have never had a crop failure. My poorest yield in that time has been 19% bushels of wheat to the acre, and there have been years when my wheat crop went as high as 33 bushels and oats 75. I estimate the average profit from my farm operations at $3,000.00 a year. My capital to start with was about $600.00, and my property is now worth not less than $24,000.00. In addition to my land and improvements I have 14 horses, S cows, 17 other cattle, poultry, etc., besides my farm implements and machinery. The climate is very healthy and in every respect it is a good country to live in. (Sgd.) Si JOHNSON. Kandahar, Saskatchewan, January 9th, 1915. A SPLENDID COUNTRY FOR LIVE STOCK. I settled in Saskatchewan, in 1902, coming to this country from Ontario. I have three quarter sections of land and raise principally wheat, oats, and barley, with some flax. I have had yields of wheat as high as 42 bushels to the acre, but my average is 22. I have never had a crop failure. This is a splendid country for live stock. I keep 90 horses, 15 cows, and 65 other cattle. I also keep a quantity of swine and poultry. The climate is very healthy. The summers are warm and the winters are even-tempered and enjoyable. I had a capital of about $4,000.00 when I came to Western Canada, and I estimate it now at $33,000.00, so I have reason to say a good word for Saskatchewan. It is a good country to make a home in, and any man who is energetic and ambitious can do well here. .(Sgd.) R. P. SMYTH. Kennedy, Saskatchewan, January 20th, 1915. CLIMATE IS SPLENDID—CHILDREN NEVER SICK. Never having done any farming before, I came to this district in 1909 and homesteaded S.W. 7 44-10 W. 3rd, which is only 35 miles east of North Battleford. The first year I broke 60 acres and have now 130 under cultivation and can say that I have always been very successful in raising first- class crops, every year. This last year for instance, I had ten acres of breaking in Marquis wheat which yielded 380 bushels, and from 10 acres of Gartons No. 22 oats I secured 1,350 bushels. These oats are a combination of "Abundance," "Banner" and "Tartar King" and in cutting this crop the binder would only take a two foot swath. The oats I sold for 75 cents per bushel and the wheat at $1.75 cents. A neighbor of mine put an acre and a quarter of garden land into Marquis wheat and secured 95 bushels therefrom. There is first-class water in this district to be secured from wells if you do not happen to have a quarter on which there is a creek. In .1912 I bought a sow for $12.00, which farrowed in a couple of months and from this sow I secured inside of two years 79 hogs which I sold for an average of $14.75 apiece. I find that by plowing deep and by cultivating the land well that it pays a great deal better than endeavoring to put in a greater acreage and trusting to luck. The climate is splendid, and since coming here my children have never been sick. I am a firm believer in mixed farming and can assure anyone who wishes to make a success in this district, that he can do so by working the land properly, and not trying to crop more than he can conveniently handle with the power available. We have co-operative elevators throughout the West which pay the highest prices for grain and the stock is held by the farmers, they paying a cash payment of $7.50 per share and the balance is paid yearly out of the profits. The Provincial Government supervises these elevators. (Sgd.) A. C. LAWLESS. Hafford, Saskatchewan, January 23rd, 1915. CORN AND ALFALFA SUCCESSFULLY GROWN. I came to the North Battleford District in the spring of 1912 from Nebraska, settling on section 18-43-13 W. 3rd and like the country and climate so well that I have no desire whatever to return to the States. My crops have always turned out first class, as have those of my neighbors who have made it a practice to farm in a proper manner. 42 I find that mixed farming is the better plan to adopt, and feed most of my grain, receiving thereby a great deal higher prices, and at the same time do not have to leave my fall plowing in order to haul grain to town in order to get the high price at the start of the threshing. Corn and alfalfa have been tried out here and have been vef-jsa successful and the coming year will see a greater acreage of these commodities. The Government lend stallions, bulls, boars and rams to groups of farmers when they form a small association, and where there are no privately owned male animals in their district. This is a great help to the farmers and taken advantage of by a good many. The city of North Battleford last year erected a public market where farmers can market their produce free of charge, and if they do not wish to come into town .may send their produce by rail to the market commission who will "sell it for them and only charge : a very small commission. The prices obtained are very good indeed and it saves the bother and loss of time in going from door to door. A creamery is now operated in the city and can take care of all the cream that comes in, paying good prices for same too. I do not know of a better farming district than that around here and sincerely recommend it to anyone wishing to locate near a progressive city and in a first class farming community. (Sgd.) W. B. JONES. North Battleford, Saskatchewan, January 20th, 1915. MANITOBA Manitoba is the oldest and most easterly of the so-called Prairie Provinces of Canada. The first agricultural settlement in the district now comprised in the Province of Manitoba was made under the leadership of Lord Selkirk in 1812 in the Red River Valley near the site of the present City of Winnipeg, but Manitoba assumed little importance as an agricultural possibility until 1878, when the first railway entered her boundaries. In 1882 the Canadian Pacific Railway ushered an era of prosperity into the province. In 1870 Manitoba had a population of 12,000, which has grown to more than 500,000 at the present time. Agriculture has been successfully practiced for more than 30 years, and the information that will be presented to you in the following pages can leave no doubt that Manitoba is particularly well adapted by nature for agriculture, embracing in the term mixed farming in all its branches. Manitoba, as originally created into a province, comprised only 13,500 square miles area. This has been increased from time to time and is now 253,720 square miles, or approximately the same as Saskatchewan or Alberta. Manitoba is bounded on the east by Ontario, on the northeast by Hudson Bay, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the west by the Province of Saskatchewan, and on the south by the States of North Dakota and Minnesota, and lies between the 49th and 60th parallels of latitude. It is in the same latitude as the British Isles. Edinburgh, Scotland, is farther north than the present settled parts of Manitoba. 43 1893 1903 1914 1,003,640 2,442,873 2,616,000 388,529 855,431 1,331,000 114,762 326,537 468,000 9,737 55,900 40,000 Grain Growing in Manitoba.—Although in recent years Manitoba farmers have been turning their attention largely to mixed farming, including dairying and the raising of live stock for the market, it was as a wheat- producing country that the province first became famous. The name "Manitoba" has become a standard as applied to wheat, and is favorably known in all the large wheat- consuming centres. "Manitoba Hard" is esteemed by millers as practically the best milling wheat in the world. Spring wheat is grown almost exclusively in Manitoba, although in recent years some attention has been given to winter wheat with good results. In 1914 the winter wheat crop amounted to 15,000 acres, which yielded an average of 21% bushels to the acre. The soil and climate of Manitoba are also admirably adapted to the production of oats, barley and flax, the total yearly crop of each of these, with the exception of flax, running into many millions of bushels. The following table shows the increase in the area under cultivation to the different cereal crops in Manitoba during the last thirty-one years. The area is shown in acres: 1883 Wheat 260,842 Oats 215,431 Barley 60,281 Flax The table below shows the average yield of Manitoba jgrain crops for the last ten-year period. For the sake 'of comparison the average yield of a number of the leading States of the American Union for the same period is also shown: Average Yield Per Acre for Ten Years. Wheat Manitoba 17.9 Minnesota 13.4 Iowa 14.7 North Dakota 11.8 South Dakota 12.0 Kansas 10.8 Nebraska 12.8 Wisconsin 16.3 These figures tell their own tale. They prove conclusively that in the production of wheat, oats, and barley Manitoba easily ranks above these leading grain-growing states, and in flax production she has only one serious competitor. The figures, too, are not for any particular year, which might show especially to the advantage of Manitoba, but are for a period of ten years—• sufficient to establish a fair basis of comparison. Fodder and Root Production.—The fodder and root production of the province 44 Dats Barley Flax 39.8 30.1 12.7 31.4 24.8 10.0 30.8 26.2 10.7 28.8 21.7 8.7 29.5 23.7 9.1 24.0 19.3 6.9 25.4 22.7 8.9 32.9 28.0 13.1 is a big factor in the building up of a live stock and dairying industry. The production for the years 1913 and 1914 is shown in the table below: 1913 1914 Average Average Yield, Per Acre, Yield, Per Acre, Bushels Bushels Bushels Bushels Potatoes ... 9,977,263 180 8,494,104 140.4 Roots 4,196,612 -257.8 3,351,742 190.9 Tons Tons Tons Tons Brome Grass 43,432 1.7 48,344 1.9 Rye Grass.. 33,907 1.6 30,780 1.8 Timothy ... 181,407 1.5 282,183 1.7 Clover 9,732 1.8 7,212 1.7 Alfalfa 10,722 2.3 23,575 2.3 Fodder Corn 119,764 5.9 164,322 5.9 Climate of Manitoba.—Manitoba possesses a climate which is particularly adapted to the production of a healthy, vigorous people. Although in winter the temperature frequently drops to low figures, the bright sunshine and the total absence of dampness make such temperatures much more bearable than in damp climates many degrees higher. And when this is said the worst is said of the Manitoba climate. Old residents of the province are unanimous in their declaration that they prefer the Manitoba winter to the winter of the Eastern Provinces or Eastern or Central States. There is a considerable snowfall, which farmers regard as an advantage, as it protects vegetation and affords ample moisture for the crops in the spring. Snow lies from late in November until about the middle of March; there are none of the sudden extremes of temperature which render the winters in many countries so dangerous to health: Spring and autumn are delightful seasons of moderate temperature and bright sunshine. The summer is warm, • the mercury frequently rising to between 90 and 100 degrees, but the warm days are tempered by nights which are invariably cool and comfortable. The long summer evenings, when the sky remains bright until ten o'clock or later, are a most enjoyable feature of the summer climate. The average rainfall is sufficient for the production of all cereal crops and the growing of field roots, garden stuff and fodders of great variety and luxuriance. A Manitoba Flock 45 Live Stock in Manitoba.—It is only natural that in a Horses, Sheep and Swine.—It is not only in the raising new prairie country the first years of settlement should be of beef cattle that great opportunities lie before the devoted mainly to grain-growing. The early settler may Manitoba farmer. Horses, sheep and swine each offer know quite well that there will ultimately be greater profits their own peculiar advantages. A wonderful improvement in raising stock, but for the first few years he perhaps in the general quality of horses in Manitoba has taken has not the capital to start a herd or to provide the build- place in recent years, and the animals now to be seen ings necessary to house them. The shrewd settler, how- even at the small fairs at the country towns might well ever, begins engaging in mixed farming as soon as he can, stir the pride of the horse lover in any country anywhere, and continues to increase gradually his activities in that The rapid development of the Canadian West, the great direction. Nowhere is this more clearly shown than in influx of immigration, the immense amount of railway the history of Manitoba. The Government records show- construction work, and other causes have all contributed ing the expenditure on farm buildings bear testimony to a keen demand for good horses, and the farmer who to the fact that everywhere farmers are giving more and has a team or two to sell each season is always able to more attention to their stock. From 1900 to 1914 no less realize good figures. than $3,387,395 were spent by farmers in the erection of The increase in sheep raising has not been as rapid farm buildings, and the increase in the quantity of stock ' as might be expected, but there are indications that a kept in the province during the same period is shown by great deal of attention will shortly be turned to this in- the following Government statistics: dustry. The chief drawback to sheep raising in the past has been that few farmers had proper fencing. This draw- Year Horses Cattle Sheep Pigs back is being gradually removed, and of recent years 1900 118,629 237,560 25,816 77,912 sheep have been shipped in from the provinces further 1901 140,080 263,168 22,960 94,680 west and from the Western States. The fact that leading 1902 146,591 282,343 20,518 95,598 wooi buyers of the United States are now looking to J3S2 !5Hq2 ™°All ??'?S !?q'oE Western Canada for a portion of their supplies is turning 1904 143,386 306,943 18,228 118,986 ., .. .. t , „, ., , , ,, -□ . . ^ hq^c 1 ^7 724 319 290 18 508 104113 attention of farmers throughout the Prairie Provinces 1906 ............. 164*444 363^202 16^606 120^838 to the possibilities of this industry, and there is every 1907 173,212 463,862 14,442 118,243 reason to believe that sheep raising will soon become an 1908 169^905 409,785 16,924 120,364 important branch of Manitoba husbandry. 1909 189,132 372,520 17,922 155,541 In the last fourteen years the number of swine kept J2J? Sll l9rli^ SSS llolll in Manitoba increased by over 400 per cent—a fact which 1911 251,572 407,611 37,227 192,386 . ,, .. , , ., . , A, 1912 273395 429274 42085 216640 story of the growing importance of that jqi3 '' "" 300'753 456936 52152 248254 industry. Everything that goes to make swine raising 1914 325,207 498,040 75,100 325,416. profitable is produced in abundance on the Manitoba farm. _ In former years many the raising of beef ani- votes part of his atten- mals. It shows conclu- Graded Herd, Two-Year-Old, Yearling and Calf, Champions over tion to this industry is as" sively that with the grains, all Breeds at International Live Stock Show, Chicago, sured of liberal returns fodders, water, and clim- 1913, Raised in Manitoba. for his labor and invest- atic conditions of Mani- ment. toba it is possible to produce better beef steers in Mani- Prices for Live Stock.—The settler who thinks of toba than anywhere in the United States. raising live stock for sale will be interested in the price 46 47 which he can reasonably expect for his animals. The pillowing compilation shows the average price paid for butchers' cattle, hogs, and sheep handled through the stockyards at Winnipeg during 1914. Averages are shown for each month and also average for the year. Butchers' Cattle Sheep Hogs January $7.14 $6.04 $8.02 February 6.59 5.79 8.40 March 6.99 .... 8.38 April 6.97 .... 8.20 May 7.30 6.64 7.51 June 7.34 5.82 7.21 July 6.88 6.39 7.66 August 6.73 6.24 8.40 September 6.43 6.31 8.05 October 5.80 6.03 6.82 November 5.37 5.91 6.62 December 5.90 6.50 6.55 Average for 1914.... $6.62 $7.65^4 $6.17 Dairying in Manitoba.—The growth of the dairy industry is illustrated by the fact that in 1900 the butter and Cheese products of the province amounted to $643,991.00, and in 1914 this total had j increased to $2,202,773.77. Manitoba possesses great natural advantages for the dairy farmer. The pasturage is rich and nutritious, and there as an abundant supply of good water. The growth of jsuch a large city as Winnipeg, in addition to many smaller •Centres, has brought the dairy business home to every |resident of the province as an economic question. The farmers in the past have been unable to keep up with the rapid increase in consumption of dairy products due to She phenomenal growth in city population, and the result -is that the city of Winnipeg, in the midst of one of the "world's most favored dairy countries, is obliged to import large quantities of milk and cream from the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Government is extending encouragement to the dairy industry, both by means of special education and by facilitating the financing of -creameries, and the home-maker who desires to make dairying an important part of his farm life can be assured that Manitoba offers him a splendid opportunity. Poultry Raising — Manitoba also affords every opportunity to the farmer who will' devote part of his time ! ^'^m pV*l Bl t0 poetry rais- %g i '-iH iH^ --s^tJjjMuM. &i3*flfi9 fH mS- The normal supply in the province is less ■g^aaSnSy"-i(ifr^r7iT'i ^ ■i»nir-rr-*ftT~-~':^?T&a than the de- Manitoba "Three Pounders" mand, and large 48 quantities of dressed poultry are imported from Eastern Canada to supply the local markets. There is no occasion for this state of affairs except that consumption has increased more rapidly than production. Many farmers are raising poultry with much profit to themselves, but there seems no immediate prospect of the sup- p 1 y overtaking the demand. The following table shows the poultry disposed of by farmers of Manitoba in the years 1913 and 1914: All Vegetables Yield Large Crops in Western Canada. 1913 Turkeys 176,964 Geese 79,940 Chickens 777,808 1914 184,236 81,720 815,852 Fifty-one thousand nine hundred and five pounds of honey were produced in Manitoba in 1914. Bee-keeping is not yet recognized as an extensive enterprise, but the above figures show it to be entirely possible, and there is a large field before the settler wishing to give part of his attention to this line. Raising Small Fruits.—All the hardy small fruits do well in Manitoba, and a number of varieties of apples can be grown where the necessary care is taken. The small fruits raised in the province have an excellent flavor, and can be produced in any quantity. As the principal fruit supplies are imported, the local grower gets a much higher price for his product than do growers in states or provinces which are exporters of fruit. The farmer who sets out a fruit garden, taking care to plant a windbreak, and give the plot proper cultivation, can not only supply his own table but add a tidy item to his income on the side. Trees for beautifying the farm, providing shelter and windbreaks, and, eventually, fuel, are easily grown, and many Manitoba farmers' homes, which were originally located on absolute bare prairie, are now completely sheltered in magnificent groves of Manitoba maples, poplars, cottonwoods and other trees. 49 CAME TO MANITOBA WHEN HE WAS 63 YEARS OLD. Prior to settling at Kenville, in the Swan River Valley, Manitoba, my present abode, I lived in Iowa several years; but the climate not being suitable, I moved to Kenville, taking a homestead there at the age of sixty-three. At this age, when most men do very little work, I set about to make a home afresh, hauling the lumber some eighteen miles and doing a large share of the building of a house and barns myself. This was in 1902. During the years since my arrival I have accumulated a large amount of land, actually farming about 300 acres, and doing most of the work myself. My farms are provided with good buildings, and my land and chattels should be worth at least from $15,000 to $20,000, all made in Manitoba. Since coming to Manitoba my health has been perfect, and I am one of the many farmers who bless the day they decided to come to this province. JAMES WHITE. Kenville, Manitoba. CAME TO MANITOBA WITH $80; IS NOW WORTH $60,000. Killarney, Manitoba, December 29th, 1915. I came to Western Canada from Ontario in March, 1882, and settled on land in the Killarney district. Land when I settled on it was valued at $4 to $6 an acre; it is now.valued at $40 an acre. Some people in other countries seem to think that the climate of Manitoba is a disadvantage but I have found the summers perfect, and the winters are more pleasant than those of a damper climate. I raise principally wheat, oats, barley, timothy, and some corn, potatoes, turnips, etc. I have had wheat yield on an average 40 bushels to the acre and oats that went 100 bushels, barley that yielded 65 bushels and flax as high as 25 bushels to the acre. I have never had a crop failure and I have been here now for over 32 years. I am raising timothy and alfalfa successfully, as I keep quite a lot of stock— about 30 horses, 10 cows, 40 other cattle, and some sheep, hogs, and poultry. I have reason to speak well of Manitoba as my capital when I came here was only $30 and I now estimate it at $60,000. I believe other settlers can have similar success and my advice would be to them to avoid any unnecessary debt and be industrious and economical. They will find that they can not only make a good living but establish a good permanent home in this country. (Sgd.) JAMES CHAPMAN. HAS MADE MONEY AND A GOOD HOME IN MANITOBA. Killarney, Manitoba, December 30th, 1914. I came to Manitoba in 1886 from Huron County, Ontario. I had no experience in farming up to that time and had only $15, after arriving in the country, so was obliged to work out for my neighbor until I could procure sufficient money to begin operations for myself. I bought a quarter section of land from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company at $4 an acre. I have since bought a half section adjoining which cost me $25 per acre. I own altogether at the present time 540 acres of land. I have built on these premises in recent years a frame dwelling which cost me $3,600, a cattle barn at a cost of $500, and a frame horse barn which cost me $1,800. These prices are over and above my own work. The estimated value of my land as it stands today with improvements is $21,600, or an average of $40 per acre. The farm is all fenced, a great deal of it with special fencing and cedar posts. I have spent in the neighborhood of $1,000 besides my work in beautifying my home with ornamental trees and shrubbery which has added very materially to the farm surroundings. I own 20 head of good farm horses which I value at $3,000. I also own 40 head of cattle which I value at $2,000. Half of them are pure breds. I have also a few hogs, some poultry and a full line of implements suitable and quite sufficient to carry on the operations of my farm. These, together with my land and improvements thereon, are the result of my earnings since settling in Manitoba, and I have had no other resources except the earnings of the farm. I shall never regret mv decision to settle in Manitoba and I believe any one who has ambition and industry can succeed today as well as I have. (Sgd.) S. T. KELLAWAY. 50 66 READY-MADE" FARMS Although these provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba undoubtedly offer the world's greatest opportunity to the farmer desirous of making a start on land of his own, or of increasing his holdings, or of acquiring at reasonable cost land upon which to establish his sons, the Canadian Pacific Railway has recognized that there are many practical farmers who, if left entirely to their own resources, are not in the position financially to make the best kind of a start. To such men and their families the prospect of years spent in pioneering may be a barrier holding them back from their own greatest prosperity and happiness. What is a Ready-Made Farm? A ready-made farm is a farm upon which the pioneer work has been done; a farm ready for occupation by the home-maker and his family, with operations advanced to the point where they will begin to turn an income almost immediately. Indeed, the settler who is properly supplied with milch cows, hogs and poultry can make his. farm revenue-producing from the day he arrives on it. These farms, which are-sold to married men only, consist of 160 or 320 acres each, and are laid out in colonies on lands which have been carefully selected with a view to their suitability for mixed farming. They are located within easy reach of markets, and as they are laid out in colonies there is none of the loneliness of remote settlement. Indeed, the ready-made colonies are among the most closely settled agricultural districts in the provinces, a condition which contributes to the social advantages of the home-maker, and also to the economical maintenance of rural schools, churches, local improvements and telephones. On each farm a comfortable house of design which experience has shown to be b'est suited to the conditions of the country and the needs of the settler, is built. A substantial barn, to accommodate the horses and cows of the settler, is provided; the land is all fenced; a well is dug and a pump installed, and an area of from 50 to 100 acres is brought under cultivation. The prairie sod is first broken up, then disced and harrowed until it is in first-class condition for cropping. In the spring it i a,x jsm. -m>m. |§|53C| ""■Wfpfjj _-^—^MjEp iri«"rTT"-~r .,.£TO)CmC' ►,-^PP pp^S Hpt-i^O; ^Wlllli - Type of "Canadian Pacific Railway" Homes. 51 Type of "Canadian Pacific Railway" Homes. is seeded with wheat, oats or barley, so that the settler arriving in summer finds his crop already under way. This enables him to realize a crop the season of his arrival in the country; indeed, the settler arriving in mid-summer may commence almost at once with his harvest operations. Beginning January 1st, 1915, the policy of establishing ready-made farms was limited to the Company's Irrigation Block in Southern Alberta, and the Lethbridge Irrigation District. At the time of compiling this booklet, however, there were still some ready-made farms available in other districts. Settlers desiring these farms should write at once to the General Superintendent of Lands, Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary, Alberta, or to any representative whose name and address appears at the conclusion of this book- LOANS TO HOMEMAKERS For those who do not wish to avail themselves of a ready-made farm, and yet who desire some financial assistance toward making a start, the Company has another policy equally liberal and remarkable—its Loans to Home- makers Scheme. Under this policy a loan to the value of not more than $2,000 will be made to the home-maker in the form of improvements upon the land he buys. When the Company finds a practical farmer, a married man who has a thorough knowledge of farm work, who has. the neces'sary horses and implements to work a farm, or the money to buy them, and who has sufficient capital to make his first payment and provide for himself and family for the first year, it is prepared to assist such a man with a loan for the purpose of providing a house and barn, digging a well, and fencing the land. The sattler may select the type of house and barn he desires from 52 plans which are furnished by the Company, which plans are the result of many years' knowledge of conditions in this country and the requirements of the settler. This loan is extended over a period of twenty years, with interest at six per cent, per annum. No security is required other than the land itself and the first payment on the land and loan, which is made at the time of purchase. The above loan is given only to home-makers who purchase land in the Company's Irrigation Block, or irrigable land in the Lethbridge Irrigation District. GENERAL TERMS OF SALE. In order to encourage the settlement of experienced farmers on its lands in Western Canada, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company makes very liberal terms to home-makers. The general period for the payment of land extends over twenty years, with interest at six per cent, on. the amount unpaid. Home-makers buying land with loan or improvements make no second payment of principal until the end of the second year. Interest is payable yearly. Home-makers buying land without improvements pay one-twentieth down and the balance in nineteen annual instalments with interest -at six per cent, per annum. The first cash payment is required at the time of making final application for the land. Purchasers of lands with improvements or loan pay one-tenth down. In order to assist home-makers during the first years of their occupation of improved lands, or lands on which the Company has advanced a loan, special terms of payment are made which will be fully explained upon request. Type of "Canadian Pacific Railway" Homes. 53 For information concerning the details of the above terms and the assistance given to home-makers, write to Allan Cameron, General Superintendent of Lands, Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary, Canada, or to any representative of the Department of Natural Resources, a list of whom will be found in the back pages of this booklet. TOWNSITES. When a line of railway is definitely located and it is decided to build the same, the Company selects convenient townsites to serve the area affected by the railway. These townsites are subdivided and offered for sale to the public at a convenient place and at list prices. Lots undisposed of at this opening sale may be purchased through the Company's land offices in Calgary, Alberta; Lethbridge, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. An office for the sale of lots is also usually established in the town where the lots are located. TERMS OF PAYMENT FOR TOWN LOTS. The Company has adopted uniform terms for the sale of its townsite property. One-third cash is demanded, and the balance in two equal instalments in six and twelve months from the date of purchase. The rate of interest charged on deferred payments on town property sales is 8 per cent, per annum. Farmers Unloading Wheat at a Country Town. NATURALIZATION. It is not necessary for anyone purchasing or owning lands anywhere in Western Canada to become a naturalized subject unless he so desires. The majority of those who have settled in the Canadian West from foreign countries have, however, become citizens. TITLE. When you purchase land from the Canadian Pacific Railway you make your "Contract" direct with that Company, the deed to the land being made by them under the authority of what is known as the "Land Titles Act."^ The "Title" is perfect, and you are dealing with a corporation which has assets of hundreds of millions of dollars. 54 A Prairie Home after a Few Years' Occupation. • The Land Titles System of Western Canada was perfected and applied in the early stages of colonization,:, and is regarded a"s the simplest and most efficient in the world. CUSTOMS, QUARANTINE AND TRANSPORTATION. The Canadian Customs tariff provides for free entry of certain household and settlers' effects, as follows: Wearing apparel, books, usual and reasonable household furniture and other household effects, instruments and tools of trade, occupation or employment, guns, musical instruments, domestic sewing machines, typewriters, bicycles, carts, wagons and other highway vehicles, agricultural implements and live stock for the farm, not to include live stock or articles for sale or for use as a contractor's outfit, nor vehicles nor implements moved by mechanical power, nor machinery for use in any manufacturing establishment; all the foregoing if actually owned by the settler for at least six months before his removal to Canada, and subject to regulations prescribed by the Minister of Customs, provided that any dutiable articles as settlers' effects may not be entered unless brought by the settler on his first arrival, and shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of without payment of duty until after twelve months' actual use in Canada. Live Stock.—A settler may bring into Canada, free of duty, live stock for the farm as follows, if he has actually owned such live stock abroad for at least six months before his removal to Canada, and has brought them into Canada within one year after his first arrival, viz:— If Horses only are brought 16 allowed. If Cattle only are brought 16 allowed. If Sheep only are brought 160 allowed. If Swine only are brought 160 allowed. The settler is allowed sixteen head of stock, that is to say, he may bring into Canada ten horses and six cowS or in any way he wishes making' sixteen head of stock. 55 Household Goods.—In connection with the shipping of household goods and personal effects into Canada no particular form of invoice is necessary. Shipments should be forwarded in the ordinary way and they will be looked after by the Canadian Customs Officer at the frontier port or nearest customs offices to destination. Customs entry must be made and sworn to by the owner or agent of the goods before delivery can be obtained. Automobiles, Traction Engines, Gasoline Engines, and all implements or vehicles moved by mechanical power are not allowed free entry into Canada as settlers' effects, but are dutiable. Dutiable Articles, being brought into Canada by a settler of which it is impossible to procure invoices, will be appraised by a Customs Officer at the frontier port or nearest customs office to destination for duty purposes. Shipments in Bond.—Shipments may be made in bond to .the following points. Those shown in light type are sub-ports, reporting through the main ports shown in black type. Winnipeg.—Selkirk, Sprague, Morden, Crystal City, Snow- flake, Le Pas, Moose Factory, York Factory. Emerson.— •Gretna.—Haskett. Brandon.—Bannerman, Boissevain, Carberry, Deloraine, Killarney, Melita, Souris, Virden. ^Portage La Prairie.—Dauphin, Minnedosa, Neepawa. Those shown in the smaller type are sub-ports, reporting through the main ports shown in black type. Moose Jaw.—Big Muddy, Maple Creek, Swift Current, Weyburn, Willow Creek, via Maple Creek, Wood Mountain, Gull Lake, Harlem Trail and East Poplar River. North Portal.—Marienthal, Estevan. Regina.—Moosomin. Saskatoon.—Humboldt, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Rosthern, York- ton, Melfort. Calgary.—Medicine Hat, Red River, Bur- dett. Edmonton.—Vermilion, Wetaskiwin, Vegreville, Athabasca Landing. Lethbridge.—Cardston, Coutts, Blairmore, Macleod, Twin Lake, Pinhorn. Live Stock.—Live stock may be entered only at the following points: In Manitoba, Emerson, Gretna, Snow- flake, and Bannerman; in Saskatchewan, North Portal, Big Muddy, Wood Mountain, Marienthal, and Willow Creek; in Alberta, Pinhorn, Coutts, and Twin Lakes, or 56 at Kingsgate, Gateway, Rykerts, or Nelson, British Columbia. Quarantine Regulations.—All animals imported into the Dominion of Canada from the United States must be accompanied by a statutory declaration or affidavit made by the owner or importer, stating clearly the purpose for which said animals are imported, viz., whether for breeding purposes, for milk production, for work, for grazing, feeding, or slaughter, or whether they form part of settlers' effects, or whether they are entered for temporary stay. Said declaration or affidavit must be presented to the Collector of Customs at the port of entry, who will decide whether the animals are entitled to entry under these regulations, and who will notify the Veterinary Inspector -of the Department of Agriculture in all cases where the regulations require an inspection to be made. The importation of branded or range horses, mules and asses, other than those which are gentle and broken to harness or saddle, is prohibited. Settlers' Horses, Mules and Asses must be accompanied by a satisfactory certificate of Mallein test, dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of entry, and signed by an inspector of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, or a similar certificate from a reputable veterinarian, provided such certificate is endorsed by an inspector of said Bureau of Animal Industry. Settlers' Cattle, at the present time, are allowed to Harvesting Scene, Western Canada. enter Canada without being subjected to the Tuberculin test. Cattle for breeding purposes and milk production, six months old or over, if unaccompanied by a satisfactory tuberculin test chart dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of entry and signed by a veterinarian of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, must be detained in quarantine for one week or such further period as may be deemed necessary, and subjected to the Tuber- 57 culin test; cattle reacting thereto must be returned to the United States, or slaughtered without compensation. Importers may be required to furnish a statutory declaration that the chart produced applies to the cattle it purports to describe, and no other. Settlers' Sheep must be accompanied by a certificate from an Inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry; if not accompanied by a certificate they will"be held at the quarantine station at the frontier port for thirty days. Typical Farm Home, Western Canada. Settlers' Swine.—All swine are held at the quarantine station at the frontier port for thirty days, and before being admitted to quarantine a certificate from the inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry must be presented. The importer will also be required to produce an affidavit to the effect that the swine he proposes -to import have not been immunized to hog cholera by the simultaneous injection of hog cholera virus and serum. Chickens may be"brought into Canada by a settler free of duty if he has actually owned such chickens for at least six months before his removal into Canada, and has brought them into Canada within one year after his first arrival. Settlers can save themselves the possibility of delay and expense by complying carefully with the regulations governing customs and quarantine. These are set out at greater length in a folder entitled "Information for Settlers," which will be furnished free upon request to the Canadian Pacific Railway, Department of Natural Resources, Calgary, Alberta, or any of its offices in the United States, a list of which will be found at the. end of this folder. Canadian Pacific Railway Regulations Governing Carriage of Settlers' Effects.—Carloads of settlers' effects may be made up of the following property for the benefit of actual settlers, viz.: Household goods and personal effects (all second hand) and may include agricultural implements and farm vehicles, all second hand (will not include automobiles). Live stock not exceeding a total of ten head, consisting of horses or mules (not to exceed 58 six head); cows, heifers, calves, oxen, sheep or hogs (up to ten head). Lumber and shingles (pine, hemlock, spruce or basswood), which must not exceed 2,500 feet in all, or the equivalent thereof; or in lieu of (not in addition to) the lumber and shingles, a portable house, knocked down, may be shipped. Seed grain, trees or shrubbery—the quantity of seed grain must not exceed the following weight: Wheat, 4,500 lbs.; oats, 3,400 lbs.; barley, 4,800 lbs.; flaxseed, 1,400 lbs. Live poultry (small lots only). Feed sufficient for feeding the live stock while on the journey. All shipments must be accompanied by properly filled- in Export manifest blanks, which can be obtained from agent at point of shipment. Freight Rates.—Information regarding special rates on settlers' effects can be obtained from any land or station agent of the C.P.R., from M. E. Thornton, Colonization Agent, room 1012, 112 West Adams Street, Chicago, 111., or from any District Representative of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Settlers' Rates.—It is impossible within limited space to quote rates to even a hundredth part of the many points in Western Canada from Points in the United States, and the following list of special homeseekers' round trip rates is only to act as a general indication. Typical Country School, Western Canada. Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Man. Sask. Sask. Alta. Chicago, 111 $29.10 $35.00 $37.50 $46.50 Peoria, 111 33.60 37.50 40.00 47.50 St. Louis, Mo 34.40 44.00 46.50 50.50 Kansas City, Mo... 30.15 43.50 46.00 47.50 Council Bluffs, la.. 24.40 33.75 40.00 46.50 Omaha, Neb. ...... 24.75 37.50 40.00 46.50 Sioux City, la 21.45 30.85 38.05 46.50 St. Paul, Minn 17.00 28.60 32.50 39.50 Minneapolis, Minn.. 17.00 26.60 32.50 39.50 59 School in a Country Town, Western Canada. time to time, without notice. One way settlers' fares are in force between the following points at the following a pproximate rates, but it is always advisable to verify them from your nearest Station Agent, as they are subject to change from Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Congregation at a Western Man. Sask. Sask. Alta. Montreal, P. Q $17.00 $17.75 $19.50 $24.50 New York via 1 Montreal 27.30 28.05 29.80 34.80 Boston via Montreal 26.45 27.30 28.95 33.95 Buffalo 20.10 20.85 22.60 27.60 Windsor (Detroit).. 17.00 17.75 19.50 24.50 Full information regarding rates can be obtained from any District Representative of the Canadian Pacific iRailway or from M. E. Thornton, Inspector of Agencies, Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Railway, room 1012, 112 West Adams [St., Chicago, Illinois. GENERAL INFORMATION. Public Worship.—The utmost religious liberty prevails in Canada. All ; the leading Christian denominations are renresented, but there is no state : church and no form of compulsory taxation for the support }oi any denomination. The leading religious bodies, how- -ever, contribute financial assistance toward their congregations in the more unsettled districts. Sunday is observed as a day of rest and recreation, all ordinary forms of labor being discontinued. Church buildings are erected even in ; the smallest villages and also in the better settled rural communities. Where churches are not available the public school buildings are used for religious gatherings of all denominations upon terms of entire equality. School System.—The school system of these provinces is acknowledged to be equal, if not superior, to any on the continent. One-eighteenth part of the whole of Western Canada, or two sections in every township, is set aside as a school grant for the maintenance of public schools. This provides a very large fund which makes possible an adequate and advanced school system at small cost to the home-maker. The schools are non-sectarian and national in character. 60 The management of the system is vested in one of the ministers of the government. The organization of school districts is optional with the settlers, and wherever there are sufficient children to justify a school district, one is established. Children in any school district are rarely more than 2J^ miles from the school. The cost to the settler of maintaining a school is comparatively small, owing to the liberal government assist-' ance and the fact that all privately owned lands, whether occupied or not, must bear their share of the charge. Each teacher employed must have a certificate of a recognized standard of education, and a thorough system of government inspection is maintained. Agricultural Education.—The people of these provinces are fully alive to the importance of the most advanced agricultural education. Each Provincial Government maintains a thoroughly up-to-date and well equipped Department of Agriculture, paying special attention to the dissemination of useful information on agricultural subjects among farmers, and particularly among the new settlers who are unacquainted with agricultural conditions in Western Canada. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, well equipped agricultural colleges are maintained at Winnipeg and Saskatoon respectively and to each of these is attached an extensive Demonstration Farm. In Alberta, there are no less than three farm schools, situated at Claresholm, Olds and Vermilion, in addition to which the Provincial Government conducts Demonstration Farms at Medicine Hat, Stoney Plain, and Sedgewick. The Dominion Government has for many years maintained a chain of well-conducted Experimental Farms in Western Canada. Two of these farms are located in Alberta, one at Lacombe in Central Alberta and the other at Lethbridge, in the southern part of the province. Both are devoted to mixed farming, although that at Lethbridge is operated partly as an irrigated farm Country Church Canada. Farm Home, Western Canada. and partly under the dry farming system. In Saskatchewan, one of the oldest and most favorably known farms of the system is located at Indian Head, while at Rosthern 61 in Central Saskatchewan and at Scott, further north, there are also Experimental Stations. In Manitoba, the Brandon Farm has long been noted for its thorough experimental work and has been of the greatest possible value to the farmers in that province. The Agricultural Society and the Farmers' Institute are flourishing institutions in Western Canada, being subsidized by the various Provincial Governments, which provide for their organization and assist them in every possible way. These bodies are of the greatest possible assistance to farmers through the whole country. Expert judges are supplied for local fairs and for the stock judging classes which form a prominent feature at the Institute meetings. Speakers, well qualified to discuss agricultural topics, are also furnished for these meetings by both the Provincial and Dominion authorities. The membership fees are in all cases nominal, the work being carried on almost entirely at the expense of the local Governments, with liberal assistance from the Dominion. The Department of Natural Resources of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company has established Demonstration Farms on which the most approved system of mixed farming is practised with the idea of giving Western farmers absolute proof that this is the best paying system, and the only manner of farming that ensures permanent agricultural development. Each of these farms is in charge of an expert agriculturist whose duty it is to show by example that in any series of years, mixed farming produces more satisfactory results than straight grain growing. At these farms, advice is given without charge to farmers, and every effort is made to advance the interest of the agricultural community in which they are located. In addition to dairy herds, beef cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens are kept and areas given over to cropping of various grains, grasses and roots. Three of these farms a^e already in operation in Manitoba, four in Saskatchewan and six in Alberta. At Strathmore, in the Canadian Pacific Irrigation Block east of Calgary, the railway company operates a well equipped Demonstration Farm with a competent staff, the members of which are ready to give disinterested advice to newcomers and to assist them in many other ways. A number of other farms in the Eastern portion of the Irrigation Block are now being operated by the Company in preparation for their development on lines similar to that at Strathmore. In conjunction with the local Governments, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company furnishes, at suitable seasons, Demonstration Trains manned by experts in various lines of agricultural work to address meetings of farmers at many points, in conformity with an itinerary 62 previously arranged and widely advertised. These trains';; carry specimens of various kinds of farm stock to be;; used for illustration purposes at the meetings and the? judging classes at the various stopping places en route. In the Department of Natural Resources of the Ca-J nadian Pacific Railway Company, one of the most impor-| tant branches is that devoted to agriculture and animal| industry. Connected with this branch are a number oii trained agriculturists and experts in almost every line of agricultural work. These men are ready at all times to advise new settlers and to assist them in acquiring knowl-j edge of local conditions and of the agricultural methods! and the varieties of stock most suitable for the district in! which they are located. Railway Facilities.—Western Canada is very well served by railroads, as the main lines of three transconti-.^ nental roads—the Canadian Pacific, the Canadian Northerni and the Grand Trunk Pacific—all traverse the Prairie^ Provinces and cover it with a network of branch lines. Naturally, in such an immense territory, there are still many districts remote from railway connection, but a. glance at the map of either Alberta or Saskatchewan will show what immense strides have been made in supplying1 the country with railway facilities. The lands offered for sale by the Canadian Pacific Railway are for the most - part convenient to good railway service. Public Roads.—Natural barriers to public traffic such as dense forests and impassable rivers, which were such a drawback to early settlement in many of the older:. countries, are for the most part absent in these provinces. \ Good natural roads are established by the simple process of driving over the prairie. With the increase of settle-' ment, however, teamsters are being more and more forced to the government road allowances, and the local governments are coming forward with liberal assistance for the opening up of these road allowances and the construction of bridges where necessary. Taxation.—When the territory now known as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba was created into provinces of the Dominion of Canada, an agreement was: entered into which gives these provinces a large revenue without any form of direct taxation. The Dominion Gov-: ernment agreed to grant to each province, every year, a certain stated sum per head of population, and this grant constitutes the principal source of the revenue of the Provincial Government. It is from this revenue together with the revenue from school lands already mentioned, that the province is able to bear a share of the cost of educating the children in rural communities and also to conduct a liberal program of road-building without imposing taxation upon the settler for these purposes. A 63 small taxation is, it is true, imposed to supplement the government grant towards education and public improvements, but the rate is such that it does not bear heavily upon the settler. No taxes are charged on his improvements; his buildings, machinery, live stock and personal effects are all exempt from taxation. He pays taxes on his land only, and even that taxation is very light. It rarely exceeds $25.00 on a quarter section, and this money is spent under the direction of the home-makers themselves, through the municipal councils which they elect. The amount of taxation which may under any circumstances be charged on a farmer's land, is strictly limited by laws passed by the Provincial Governments. Voting Regulations.—Canadian naturalization laws are very liberal, much more so than those of the United States, and it is not necessary to become naturalized in order to vote on municipal or school matters. In order, however, to vote on Provincial or Dominion issues, it is necessary to be, or become, a British subject. Rural Telephones.—The telephone systems in these provinces are owned and operated by the Provincial Governments, and service is given to the settlers practically at cost. The systems are being rapidly extended into the rural districts as settlers demand them. In some localities farmers have organized companies and established local telephone systems of their own, using the Government systems for long distance purposes. Domestic Water Supply.—An abundance of good well water is readily obtained by digging, driving or drilling. The cost ranges from $2.00 to $3.00 per foot completed. In many sections springs abound and reports are continually being received from well drillers and others to the effect that they have, during the course of their operations, secured heavy flows of artesian well water. System of Land Survey.—The lands are laid off in townships, practically square in form. The tiers of townships are numbered from one upwards, commencing at the International Boundary, and lie in ranges from east to west, numbered in regular order westward from certain standard lines called principal meridians. Each township is divided into 36 sections containing 640 acres, more or less, divided by road allowances. Each section is in turn divided into four quarter-sections of 160 acres each, which are designated the south-east, the south-west, the northeast and the north-west quarters. The corners of each division are marked on the ground by suitable posts, rendering it an easy matter to locate any particular piece 1' s. for 90c Table & cooking syrun. .75c gal. Cheese 18 to 20c lb. Baking powder 25c lb. Kerosene oil 40c gal. Gasoline 40c gal. Vinegar 60c gal. Starch 10c lb. Turnips lc lb. Tinned beef 35c Condensed milk 15c—2 for 25c Codfish l,")c-2 for 25r Spices Same as St. Paul Crockery Same as St. Paul A FINAL WORD. If you have read the information contained in the foregoing pages you can no longer question the advantages which these provinces offer to the intending settler. You have here an opportunity to buy land at from $11.00 to $30.00 per acre which, according to government statistics, is capable of producing greater average crops than lands in older countries selling at $100 an acre and upwards. You have an offer of terms, and, to settlers in certain* localities, financial assistance such as has never before been made on so generous a scale. You have before you a country where the conveniences of life are already 66 67 f 3* established; a country of churches, schools, railways and telephones. It is a country of pleasant and healthful Bimate and of intelligent and sociable citizens; a country in whose development any man may well be proud to have a part. And the development of that country is only in its infancy. Its future possibilities cannot be estimated, even by those who know it best. It is a country that will make great demands upon the rising generation, and that Eyill offer great rewards for industry and intelligence. The man with a family must think of his children. Does he wish them to follow in the ruts so firmly established in older lands, or will he give them the opportunity of a pew country, where there is no limit upon their possible accomplishments except such as they set themselves? »The Farmer with a Family of Boys.—If you come under this head, the contents of this pamphlet should have your profound consideration. Ask yourself: "Are my present holdings large enough to take care of my boys and the families they will have some day?" "Are the Returns from my farm sufficient to enable me to loan- the money to buy some of the high-priced land in this vicinity?" The chances are you will have to answer each question in the negative. Then, you should be on your way to Western Canada as soon as you can get away,. By selling your present farm you could buy at least four Kmes as large an acreage for the same or less money,— land that would probably give you greater returns per acre than your present holdings, and plenty of room for the boys. The Farmer with a Mortgaged Farm.—If you come in this class, the remarks made above apply equally in your case. Furthermore, you are probably tired of pay- Big so large a portion of your net earnings out in interest. You may be able to effect a sale of your farm and realize considerable capital, and in addition you have your equipment. The first payment you will require to make upon a good-sized farm purchased from the Canadian Pacific Railway will probably be but a fraction of what you are now paying out annually in interest to a mortgage company. The Farmer on a Rented Farm.—If you come under fthis class, you are thrice welcome. A large experience in Western colonization has taught us that the ex-renter rnakes, perhaps, all things considered, the most successful [farmer, when provided with the inspiration fostered by the knowledge that he is working a place of his own. You, no doubt, started on a rented farm with very limited capital. If your capital had been ample, you would never have been a renter. Since then your landlord has taken 'most of the profits and you have been face to face not alone with paying rent and keeping your family, but also with augmenting your slender capital as you went along. You have probably by this time a considerable farm equipment, some grain and live stock and perhaps a little 68 balance in your bank. Come to Western Canada and avail yourself of the Canadian Pacific's loan to settlers. You will find that within a few years your farm in Western Canada will have paid for itself, and instead of paying half of your" profits out in rent every year, as you are now doing, you will be an independent land-owner in comfortable circumstances. CITIES AND TOWNS. It is impossible in a booklet of this size to describe, or even mention, all the cities and towns of Western Canada, but the following brief information concerning some of the leading centres will be of interest to the intending settler. For particulars as to industrial and business openings in all Western Canadian cities and towns write to Industrial Agent, Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary, Alberta. MANITOBA. WINNIPEG.—Forty years ago Winnipeg's population was less than 1,000. That city is now the railroad and business centre of the Canadian Middle West, and has a population estimated at 230,000. Twenty-seven railway lines radiate from it, and it is the chief central point of the three transcontinental railways traversing Western Canada. Winnipeg has 22 chartered banks with 20 branches in the city, 400 manufacturing establishments employing 18,500 hands, 192 churches and missions, 40 public schools, several colleges, a university and provincial agricultural college; Its magnificent buildings and parks make it one of the finest cities in Western America. BRANDON.—The City of Brandon is situated on the Assiniboine River, 134 miles west of Winnipeg, and is a growing distributing centre. In 1901 the population was 5,340, and by the census of 1911 it was 9,620, while at the present time it numbers over 17,000. Brandon is also a centre of education, has several flourishing industries, 10 banks, 17 churches and has four railway systems entering its limits. A large and beautiful Government Experimental Farm adjoins the city. Among other leading centres of settlement in Manitoba may be mentioned Portage la Prairie with a population of 7,500; St. Boniface, population, 10,000; Selkirk, 3,400; Virden, 2,300. SASKATCHEWAN. REGINA.—This is the capital of the province and also the largest city in Saskatchewan. It is an important distributing and financial centre. The population is 45,000. Regina has 41 manufacturing concerns, several wholesale houses, colleges, 12 public schools, churches of all denominations, and is credited with being the largest dis- ' tributing centre for agricultural implements in the world. 69 SASKATOON.—This city claims the distinction of having grown more rapidly into prominence than any other city in Canada. In 1903 there were 113 inhabitants, while the present population is 27,000. Saskatoon is the location of the Provincial University and' Agricultural College. The city has spent over $2,000,000 on its public schools, which are thoroughly well equipped. Saskatoon is located on three great railway systems and is a wholesale distributing centre of considerable importance. There are 13 branches of chartered banks. MOOSE JAW.—This is a divisional point on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, with a population of about 25,000, and serves an important grain-growing district. Moose Jaw has, in addition to other factories, a large milling industry, and is well equipped with educational facilities, including residential colleges for boys and girls. PRINCE ALBERT.—This city is picturesquely situated on the North Saskatchewan River, and is one of the oldest centres of settlement in the Province of Saskatchewan. The present population of Prince Albert is 13,500. Large lumbering concerns are located near this city, employing 5,000 men the year round. The city has nine banks. ALBERTA. CALGARY.—This is the largest city in Alberta, with a population of 85,000. Calgary has some 460 retail stores, 190 wholesale establishments, 92 manufacturing concerns, 27 banks, and is the chief divisional centre of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Alberta. Here also are located the head offices of the Department of Natural Resources of the Company. The extensive Western car shops of the Canadian Pacific Railway are located here and will eventually employ nearly 5,000 men. The city has many splendid business blocks, ranging in cost from $100,000 to half a million dollars. The Palliser, one of the magnificent hotels of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, is located here. There are 36 public schools, representing an investment of over $3,000,000. The city owns, Operates and controls all its public utilities, including street railways, electric light and gravity water-works. Natural gas is used as fuel. Calgary is one of the most up-to-date and beautiful cities in Canada. EDMONTON.—This is the capital city of Alberta, and has a population of 72,500, with 26 branches of chartered banks. There are 90 wholesale houses and 150 industrial enterprises of various kinds. The city is the centre of a rich agricultural district, has an important lignite coal industry, and is the base of supplies for the north country. The Provincial University has been established on the 70 south side of the Saskatchewan River, overlooking the Parliament Buildings. The city also contains ample educational facilities and operates all public utilities. Edmonton's location on the Saskatchewan River is most picturesque and much admired. LETHBRIDGE is situated in Southern Alberta on the Crow's Nest branch of the C.P.R. and is also a growing manufacturing and distributing centre, with a population of 15,000. Lethbridge owns its electric light and power plant; has wide streets and ample educational facilities, nine branches of chartered banks, and the mines operating in the vicinity have a pay roll of over $215,000 a month. MEDICINE HAT contains some 14,000 inhabitants. This city is located near the easterly boundary of Alberta on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Medicine Hat is famous for its inexhaustible supply of natural gas, and also has an important coal mine. A number of manufacturing establishments utilizing natural gas for fuel and power have located there. The entire gas supply is owned by the municipality, there being 20 wells with an open daily flow of 50,000,000 cubic feet. In addition to the foregoing there are in the three provinces 151 incorporated towns and 422 incorporated | villages, besides a large number of smaller places which have not yet been granted incorporation. The Canadian Pacific Railway alone has a record of establishing an average of better than a new townsite every week in the year. These new towns, and the rapid growth of many of the older centres, offer great opportunities to those who wish to engage in business or industrial undertakings. The farmers of these provinces furnish a great and profitable, market for the merchant and manufacturer "on the spot" to cater to their requirements. Good business openings exist in nearly all these rising towns for business men of means and experience. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES M. E. Thornton, Colonization Agent, Room 1012, 112 West Adams St., Chicago, 111. L. F. Mowrey, District Representative, Broadway and 30th St., New York, N. Y. C. W. Droegemeyer, District Representative, 205 Woodmen of the World Bldg., 14th and Farnum Sts., Omaha, Neb. H. H. Piel, District Representative, 176 East Third St., St. Paul, Minn. W. A. Smith, District Representative, 934 17th St., Denver, Colo. R. C. Bosworth, District Representative, 705 Sprague Ave., Spokane, Wash. L. P. Thornton, District Representative, Multnomah Hotel Bldg., 271 Pine St., Portland, Oregon. W. J. Gerow, Dept. of Natural Resources, C. P. R., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. F. W. Russell, Dept. of Natural Resources, C. P. R., Winnipeg, Manitoba. Any of the above Representatives of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Department of Natural Resources, will be glad to furnish full information concerning the Company's lands in Western Canada upon application, or inquiries may be sent direct to Department of Natural Resources, Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary, Alberta. 71 I \\OMf .CANADIAN] XPACIFIC/ *■ RAILWAY/ For Further Information Write Canadian Pacific Railway Department of Natural Resources Broadway & 30th St. New York March, 1915