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4^^-^

WELSH TENANT-FARMERS

ON THE

f

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

OF CANADA.

THE REPORTS

OF

Mr. JOHN ROBERTS, C.C., Plas Heaton Farm, Tkefnant, R.S.O.,

North Wales;

Mr. W. n. DEMPSTER, MiLLimooK Lodge, Clardeston Road, It.S.O.,

South Wales,

on . . . -

/.

:.'>

THEIR VISIT TO CANADA IN 1893.

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PuhlisJied hj Authwity of the Government of Cimacla (Department of

the Interior),

<.'^'4.^Mi^'i'

FEBRUARY, 1894. ..,

i?>iiii iiiiwiniiuii iMi iiiiin " ■ fiia iwiMMliltligiliiiMiiMaMiiMiititi^^ — — i ii iiiriii- -^- *i''»«-i*^

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CONTENTS.

J^mEPAUB ••• ••• ••• ••• •• ••• •••

Mr. John liouERTs's Report

Mr. W. H. Dempster's Report

General Information about Canada (Appendix A)
The Canabian Exhibits at Chicago (Appendix B)

iVl-A " ••• ••• ••• •«• ••• •«> ••• ••#

Paob

•• • •• *

iii

1

... ...

81

...

47

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55

...to f..co

58

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Experimental Farm, Ottawa 3

Parliament Buildings, Ottawa 4

WiNKIPEO ... ,., „, .. ,,, ,,, ., ,, ^^^ 5

Wheat Stacks, Manitoba «. 8

A Crofters Stable and Farm-Yard 9

A Farm-House, Southern Manitoba H

Grain Elevator, Brandon 12

HvDE Farm, Qu'Appelle ... ;.. ... 13

Cameron's Farm, Qu'Appelle ,„ I4

Bow River, Calgary 15

Vancouver 19

A Large Tree (Girth, 65 Ft.), Stanley Park, Vancouver 20

Ranch Scene, Alberta

Galloway Cattle on a Manitoba Farm ...

An Ontario Faum..

Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel, Quebec

A KiLLARNEY CbOFTER PLOUGHING

Crofters Threshing

• •• ••• ••■< ... oO

... 30

«•• ... ... ... 32

••• ••• ••. ... 35

r** ••• ••• ... 36

37

Farm Scene, Manitoba ,^ ... ^^^ g^

Calgary ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ^^^ gjj

Farm Scene, Ontario 1.

Toronto ... ... ... ... ... ,„ ,„ ... ... ^^^ ^g

Cattle in thic (Ju'Appklle Valley , ^,^ , ,, 54

R.3 ^0 0$^

PREFACE.

It^ July, 1893, the Il'gh Commissioner for Canada, by diroction of tho
Minister of the Interior, invited the following gentlemen (who are all
connected with the agricultural industry in the different parts of the
United Kingdom from which they come) to visit the Dominion of
Canada, and report upon its agricultural resources, and the advantages
the country offers for the settlement of farmers and farm labourers,
and the other classes for which there is a great demand : —

Mr. A. J. Davies, Upper Hollings, Pensax, Tonbury, Worcestershire ; Mr. W.
H. Dempster, Millbrook Lodge, Clarbeston Koad, South Wales ; Mr. Alexander
Fraser, Balloch, Culloden, Inverness, {Scotland ; Mr. 11. II. Fanlk«, Langham, Oak-
ham, Rutland ; Mr. J. T. Franklin, Handley, near Towcester, Northamptonshire ;
Mr. J. J. Guiry, Peppardstown, Fethard, Clonmel, Ireland ; Mr. Tom Pitt, Obum-
ford, Cullompton, Devon ; Mr. John Kobcrts, Plas Ileaton Farm, Trefnant, North
Wales; Mr. Reuben Shelton, Grange Farm, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire; Mr.
Joseph Smith, 2, Mowbray Terrace, Sowerby, Thirsk, Yorkshire; Mr. John Steven,
Purroch Farm, Hnrlford, Ayrshire, Scotland; Mr. Booth Waddington, Bolehill
Farm, Wingerworth, ChesterHeld; and Mr. William Weeks, Cleverton Farm,
Chippenham, Wiltshire.

In addition, two other farmers — Mr. John Cook, of Birch Hill,
Neen Sollars, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire ; and Mr. C. E. Wright,
of Brinkhill, near Spilsby, Lincolnshire — visited the Dominion, under
their own auspices, during 1893 : and they have been good enough to
prepare Beports of their impressions.

The Reports, if published together, would make a bulky volume.
It has therefore been decided to divide them into the following
parts : —

Par' 1 — The Reports of Messrs. Shelton, Waddington, Cook, and Smitli.

Par, 2 — The Reports of Messrs. Franklin, Faulks, and Wright.

Par' 3 — The Reports of Messrs. Weeks, Pitt, and Davies.

Part 4 — The Reports of Messrs. Roberts and Dempster.

Part 5 — The Reports of Mes.^rs. Steven and Fraser,

Part G— The Report of Mr. Guiry.

Part 1 will be circulated in the following counties : — Northumber-
land, Cumberland, Durham, Westmoreland, Yori, Lancashire, Shrop-
shire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derby, and Nottingham.

Part 2, in Lincoln, Rutland, Leicester, Northampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertford, Bedford, Bucks, Oxford,
Berks, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex.

Part 3, in Warwick, Worcester, Hereford, Gloucester, Wiltshire,
Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.

Part 4j in AVales ; Part 5, in Scotland ; and Part 6, in Ireland.

Any or all of these pamphlets, as well as other illustrated
Th-oni whom pamphlets issued by the Government, may be obtained,
Pamphlets post free, by persons desiring to peruse them, on applica-
obtainahle. tion to the Hon. Sir Charles Tupper, Eart., G.C.M.G.,
C.B., High Commissioner for Canada, 17, Victoria Street,
London, S. W. ; to Mr. J. G. Colmer, C.M.G., Secretary, at the same

MM

iv Preface,

address ; or to any of tlu* agents of the Canadian Government in the
United Kingdom, uliof^e names and addresses are as follows: — Mr.
John Dyke, IT). Water Street, Liverpool; Mr. Thomas Grahame,
40, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow ; Mr. E. J. Wood, 79, Hagley Road,
Binningham ; Mr. P. Fleming, 44, High Street, Dundee; Mr. W.
G. Stuart, Xetliy Bridge, Jnverne.ss; and Mr. G. Ijeary, William
Street, Kilk''nny. Copies may also be obtained from the steamship
agents, who -ire to be found in every village.

As the land regulations of the different Provinc<^s
Land are frequently referred to in the Reports, they

JUijulationA 4 are quoted in detail in the following paragraphs ;

vmnoua I'r nces. but tl ey are, of course, subject to alteiation from

time to time : —

jjlftward Island — The available uncultivated and vacant Government
lanu . wimated at about 4;i,000 acreg. These consist of forest himU of medium
quality, the very best having, of course, b3en taken up by the tenants in the first
instance, and their price averages abont one dollar per acre. Parties desiring to
settle ui)on them are allowed ten years to pay for their holdings, the purchase-
money to bear interest at 5 per cent, and to be payable in ten annnal instalments.

iVorrt Scotia. — There are now in Nova Scotia about two millions of acres of
ungranted Government lands, a considerable quantity cT which is barren ami
almost totally unfit for cultivation ; but ♦here is some land in blocks of from 200
to i>00 acres of really valuable land, and some of it the best in the province, and
quite accessible, being very near present settlements. The price of Crown lands
is $40 (4:8 sterling) per 100 acres.

New Brunswick. — Crown lands, of which there are some 7,000,000 acres stil!
ungranted, may be acquired as follows : — (1.) Free grants of 100 acres, by settlers
over 18 years of age, on the condition of improving the land to the extent of jE-t
in three months ; building a house 16 ft. by 20 ft., and cultivating two acres within
one year ; and continuous residence and cultivation of 10 acres within three years.
(2.) One hundred acres are given to any settler over 18 years of age who pays £i
in cash, or does work on the public roads, &c.. equal to £2 per annum for three
years. Within two years a honse in ft. by 20 ft. muRt be built, and tAvo acres of
land cleared. Continuous residence for three years from date of entr;;, and ten
acres cultivated in that time, is also required. (3.) Single applications may be
made for not more than 20D acres of Crown lands without conditions of settlement.
These aie put up to public auction at an upset prii e of 4s. 2d. per acre ; purchase-
money to be paid at once ; cost of survey to be paid by purchaser.

Qufhec. — About 6,000,000 acres of Crown lands have been surveyed for sale.
They are to be purchased from the Government, and are paid for in the following
manner: — One-fifth of the purchaiie-money is required to be paid the day of the
.sale, and the remainder in four equal yfc?rly instalments, bearing interest at
6 per cent. The prices at which the lands are sold are merely nominal, ranging
from 20 cents to 60 cents per acre (15d. to 2.s. S'^d. stg.). The purchaser is reqtiired
to take possession of tSe land sold within six months of the date of the sale, and
to occupy it within two years. He roust clear, in the course of ten years, ten acres
for every hundred held by him, and erect a habitable house of the dimensions of
at least 16 ft. by 20 ft. The letters patent are issued free of charge. Th(^ farts
of the Province of Quebec now inviting colonisation are the Lake St. John District;
the valleys of the Saguenay, St. Maurice, a,nd the Ottawa Rivers; the Eastern
Townships; the Lower St. Lawrence; and Gaspe.

Ontario. — Any head of a family, A\hether male or female, having children
under 18 years of age, can obtain a grant of 200 acres; and a sinjile man ever
18 years of age, or a married man having no cl.ildren under 18 residing with him,
can obtain a grant ot 100 acres. This land is mostly covered with forest, and is
situate in the northern and north-western f>arts of the province. Such a person
may also purcha.«« an additional 100 acres at 50 cents per acre, cash. 1 he
settlement duties are— To have 15 acres on each grant cleared and under crop at the

■ 1 'AB.k>.i'«.:. „ " .. -• : .. , -■-.,.>- JL.. .j-'^-t.^.:. .......

Preface, r

end of the fint five years, of which at least two acres arc to ho cleared annnally ;
to build a habitable house, at lea.st Ki feet by 20 feet in si/e : and to reside on
the land at least six months In each year. In the Raiuif River district, to the west
of Lake Superior, consisting of well-watered unclenr^'d land, free grant* are nia<le
of IGOacH'sto ahead of a fanuly having children under 18 years of age residing
with him (or her); and 120 acres to a single man over 18, or to a married man
not having children under 18 residing with him; each person obtaining a free
grant to have the privilege of purchasing 80 acres a<lditional, at the rate of one
dollar per acre, ptiyable in four annual instalments.

Manitoba and North- West Territories. — Free grants of one quarter-section
(IGO acres) of surveyed agricultural land, not previously entered, may be obtained
by any person who is the sole head of a family, or by any male who bos attained
the age of 18 years, on application to the local agent of Dominion lands, and on |>ay-
nient of an office fee of ^10. The gmnt of the patent is subject to the following
conditions having been Complied with : —

By making entry and within six months thereafter eracting a habitable
house and commencing actual residence upon the land, and continuing to reside
upon it for at least six months in each year for the three next succeeding years, and
doing reasonable cultivation duties during that period.

Persons making entry for homesteads on or after September 1st in any year
are allowed until June 1st following to perfect their entries by going into actual
residence. The only charge for a homestead of IGO acres is the entrance fee of $ 10.
In certain ca^es forfeited pre-emptions and cancelled homesteads are available for
entry, but slightly additional fees, and value of improvements thereon, if any, are
demanded from the homesteader in each case, and when abandoned pre-emptions
are taken up they are retjuired to perform specified conditions of settlement Full
information can be obtained from the local agenta In connection with his home-
stead entry the settler may also pur -base, subject to the approval of the Minister of
the Interior, the quarter-section of the fame section, if available, adjoining his
homestead, at the Government price, which is at present $3 per acre. In the event
of a homesteader desiring to secure his patent within a shorter period than the
three years, lie Avill be permitted to purchase his homestead at the Government
price at the time, on furnishing proof that he has resided on the land for at
least 12 months subsequent to date of entry, and has cultivated '60 acres thereof.

The following diagram shows the manner in which the country is surveyed.
It represents a township — that is, a tract of land six miles square, conUiining
3G sections of one mile square each. These sections are subdivided into quarter-
sections of IGU acres each, more or less.

TOWNSHIP DIAGRAM.

610 ACRKS.

N.

W,

.. 31..

.. 32..

..33...

...28...

•f-

..3S..

...36...

...30...

•

School
...2ft..
1 anils

...27...

H.n.

...26...
Lanclit

...25...

...19..

...20...
...17...

..21...
..16...

. 22...
...15...

..23...
...14..

...24...
...13...

...is .

... 7 ...

H.n.

...8...
Lands

...9...

...io...

Sctiool
...11...
Lands

...12..

•

...1...

...6...

•

...5...

...4...

...'3...

•

...'2...

E.

S

The right of pre-emption has ceased to exist, having been altogether discon-
tinued since 1st January, 181X}.

Information respecting timber, mineral, coal, grazing and bay lands, may be

.rsBMii^aSSB^

vi Preface.

obtained from any of the land agents. lIomesteaderB in the first year of icttlemcnt
ar« entitled to free permits to cut a specitied quantity of timber for their own use
only, upon pnyment of an office fee of 25 cents.

It muNt be distinctly understood that the land regulations are subject to varia-
tion from time to time. iSettlers should take care to obtain from the Ian' agent,
when making their entry, an explanation of the actual rej^nlations in force at that
time, and the clause of the Act umler which the entry is made endorsed upon the
receipt, so that no question or difficulty may then or thereafter arise.

hiittsh Columbia. — In this province any British subject who is the head of
a family, a widow, or a single man over 18 years, or an alien proposing to become
a British subject, may acquire the right from the Provincial Government to pre-
empt not more than 160 acres of Crown lands west of the Cascade Bange, and 320
acres in the east of the province. The price is 4s, 2d. an acre, payable by four
annual instalments. The conditions are — (1) Personal residence of the settler, or
his family or agent ; (2) improvements to be made of the value of lOs. t>d. an acre.
Lands from 160 to G40 acres may also be bought at from $ 1 to $5 an acre, ac-
ording to class, without conditions of residence or improvements.

The Esquimau and Nanaimo Railway Syndicate have not yet fully arranged
the terms upon which they Avill dispose of their unoccupied lands. They own
about 1,500,000 acres, but they are much broken up by rock and mountains.

The land belonfjing to the Dominion Government lies within the " Railway
Belt, "a tract 20 mile." wide on each side of the line, which begins near the seA-board,
runs through the New Westminster district, and up the Fraaer Valley to Lytton ;
thence it runs up the Thompson liiver valley, jwist Kamloops and through Eagle
Pa», across the northern part of Kootenay district to the eastern frontier of
British Columbia. The country is laid out in townships in the same way as
in Manitoba and the North-West Territories. The lands may be purchased at a
price not less than $5 (4)1) per acre — free from settlement conditions, no snle,
except in special cases, to exceed 640 acres to any one person. The lands may be
'• homesteaded " in certain proclaimed districts by settlers who intend to reside on
them. A regifctration fee of $10 (£2) is charged at the time of application. Six
months is allowed in which to take possession, and at the end of three years, on
proof of continuous residence of not less than six months annually and cultivation,
he acquires a patent on payment of $1 per acre for the land. In case of illness, or
of necpssar,' absence from the homestead during the three years, additional time will
be granted to the settler to conform to the (xovernment regulations. Any person
after 12 months' residence on his homestead, and cultivation of 30 acres, may obtain
a patent on payment of $2.50 (lOs.) per acre. These conditions api,'y to agri-
cultural lands.

In addition to the free-grant lands available in Manitoba
Lands fo^ and the North- West Territories, several companies have
Sale. large blocks of laad which they o^t'er for disposal at

reasonable rates, from $2.50 up to SIO per acre. Among
others, tlie Canadian Pacific Eailway Company (Land Commissioner,
Mr. L. A. Hamilton, Winnipeg) has about 14 millions of acres;
and the Hudson Bay Company (Chief Commissioner, Mr. C. C.
Chipman, Winnipeg) has also a considerable area. The same
remark applies to the Canada North-West Land Company (Land
Commissioner, Mr. AY. B. Scarth, Winnipeg) and the Manitoba and
North- Western Eailway Company ; and there are several other com-
panies, including the Land Corporation of Canada. The Alberta Coal
and Eailway Company also own nearly half a million acres of land in
the district of Alberta. The prices of these lands vary according to
position, but in most cases the terms of purchase are easy, and
arranged in annual instalments, spread jver a number of years.
Mr. E. Seeman, c/o The Manitoba and North- Western Eailway
Company, Winnipeg, has purchased about 80,000 acres of land from

Pt-efacs, vii

that railway company. He is prepared to «ell the land at a reasonable
rate per acre, a Hmall sum being paid down, the remainder in annual
instalments on a graduated scale. Mr. Heeman has already sold about
40,000 acres during the last year. As will be seen from some of the
delegates' Beports, Lord Brassey, Senator Sanford, and others have
land for sale. The Colonisation Board have also land for disposal,
under favourable arrangements, particulars of which may be obtained
of Mr. G. B. Borradaile, Winnipeg.

In all the provinces improved fanns may be purchased
Improved at reasonable prices — that is, farms on which buildings
Farms. have been erected and a portion of the laud cultivated.

The following are the average prices in the different
provinces, the prices being regulated by the position of the farms,
the nature and extent of the buildings, and contiguity to towns and
railways: — Prince Edward Island, from £4 to £7 per acre; Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, from £2 to ^10; Ontario,
from £2 to .£20; Manitoba and the North- West Temtories, from
.£1 to XIO; and British Olumbia, from £2 to .£20. These farms
become vacant for the reasons which are explained with accuracy
in many of the accompanying Beports. They are most suitable
for persons possessed of some means, who desire more of the social
surroundings than can be obtained in those parts of the various
provinces in which Q-overnment lands are atill available for occupation
and settlement.

Canada has already assumed an important position as
^Agricultural an agricultural country, and the value of its exports of
Exports. such products alone now nearly reaches $50,000,000*

annually, in addition to the immense quantity required
for home consumption. The principal items of farm and dairy
produce exported in 1 892 — the latest returns available — were :
Horned cattle, $7,748,949; horses, $1,354,027; sheep, $1,385,146;
butter, $1,056,058; cheese, $11,652,412; eggs, $1,019,798; flour,
$1,784,413; green fruit, $1,444,883; barley, $2,613,363; pease,
$3,450,534; wheat, $6,949,851; potatoes, $f^94,421. Besides the
articles specially enumerated, a considerable export trade was done in
bacon and hams, beef, lard, mutton, pork, poultry, and other meats, as
well as in beans, Indian com, oats, malt, oatmeal, flour-meal, bran, fruits,
and tomatoes. The chief importers of Canadian produce at the present
time are Great Britain and the United States, but an endeavour is
being made, and so far with success, to extend the trade with the
mother country, and to open up new markets in other parts of the
world. The products of the fisheries, the mines, and the forests are
also exported to a large annual value ; and the manufacturing industry
is a most important and increasing one, especially in the eastern
provinces, and includes almost every article that can be mentioned.

It is not necessary to extend this preface or to summarise the

♦ The exports of these products in 1879 were only 33J million dollars, and
the importauce of the present volume of the trade may be realised when it is
remembered that prices nave declined, ronghly, 25 per cent in the interval

viii Preface.

various R^port^; they must be allowed to speak for tliemselves. They
ciciil with Canada as swn by practical agriculturists, and refer not only
to its advantages, but to its dinadvantagea, for no country is without
the latter in some shapt; or form. It may 8af«;ly be said, however, that
Canada has fewer drawl)acks than many other parts of the world ; and
this is \M)nn\ out by the favourable opinions that are generally expressed
by the D«'legation. Those who read the lit^porf* of the farmers who
visited Canada in 1879 and 1880 will realise that immense progress
has been made since that time — when the vast region west of Winnijieg
was only accea^ible by railway for a short distance, and direct communi-
cation with East«;rn Canjwla, through British territory, was not complete.
Considerable devt'lopnient has also taken place since 1890 — when the
previous Delegation visited the country.

The Canadian Government, in inviting the Delegation, wished to
place, before the public, information of a reliable and independent
character as to the prospects the Dominion offers for the settlement
of prTsons desiring to engage in agricultural pursuits, and it is believed
that its efforts will be as much appreciated now as they were on previous
occasions. In (ireat Britain and Ireland the area of available land is
limited, and there is a large and ever-increasing population ; while at
the same time Canada has only a population of about 5,000,000, and
hundreds of millions of acres of the most fertile land in the world, simply
waiting for people to cultivate it, capable of yielding in abundance
all the products of a temperate climate for the good of mankind.
It only remains to be said that any persons, of the classes to whom
Canada presents so many opportunities, who decide to remove thei»
homes to the Dominion, will receive a warm welcome in any part
of the country, and will at once realise that they are not strangers in
a strange land, but among fellow British subjects, with the same
language, customs, and loyalty to the Sovereign, which obtain in the
Old Countrv.

For general information about Canada^ advice to intending EniP-
grants, and a description Oj ilie Canadian Agricultural and Dairy
Ejchihits at Chicago, see Appendices (page^ 47 to 58).

In addition to the lUports of the Delegates referred to above, the
Reports of Professor Long, tlie ivell-hnown Agricultural Expert, and of
Professor Wallace {Professor of Agricvlture and llural Economy), of
Edinburgh University — who visited Canada in 1S93 -are also avatlahle
for distribution, and may be procured from any of the Agents of Hie
Government,

THE REPORT OF MR. JOHN ROBERTS, CO,

Plas Heaton Farm, Trefnant, R.8.O., North Wales.

In August last 1 had tho honour of being selected by Sir Charles
Tupper u.s a delegate from the tenant farmers of North Wales to visit
the Dominion of Canada, with the object of imparting afterwards to my
countrymen and others such information as to the places visited, as
might prove advantageous to intending emigrants.

It is ray ii.tention — as I am sure it is the wish of the Canadian
Government — to give an unbiassed opinion of the different localitiea,
whether fjivourable or otherwise, and not, as is too often the case, to
draw a beautiful picture depending more upon the imagination than on
facts. Katur!illy, bt'ing the only Welshman in a party of six delegates,
my remarks will be more directed to Welshmen, and possibly better
understood by them than by their English, Irish, and Scotch
agricultural brethren.

Soon after four o'clock in the afternoon of the
The Voyage. 24th of August, we (six of the delegates) started

from Liverpool in the Dominion Line steamer
" Vancouver.*' This noble ship, commanded, as I was very glad to
observe, by a countryman of my own — Captain Williams— carried on
board over 900 souls (943). Amongst them were representatives of
nearly every nation in Europe. The Principality was specially repre-
sented, for we had on board two of the most famous amongst the many
choirs of Wales. They were the Peurhyn Choir, from the North, and
the Rhondda Choir, from the South. To the inspiriting strains of
" Codwn Hwyl " (" Up with the Sail") by these united choirs we sailed
out of the dock and do\^n the river. These choirs were on their way to
the World's Fair at Chicago, and how well they sustained the fair fame
of their country at that unique Exposition is now a matter of ancient
history. A voyage across the Atlantic has so often been described, that J
shall only devote a few lines to it. Personally, I was most fortunate,
as I did not su^er even for an hour from that distressing malady
mal de mer, either in going or returning. About half of the passengers
were more or less sick for a couple of days, but, with that exception,
the voyage was an exceedingly pleasant one from beginning to end.
My first night at sea having passed off quietly, next morning we
had a good look at " Ould Oireland," which we kept in sight all day.
AVe called at Moville for mails, and then steamed right out into the
Atlantic. The following morning no land was in sight in any direction.
A word or two as to life on board an Atlantic liner may be of some benefit
to my countrymen, wnose greatest " bogejf " in the way of emigration is
the sea voyage. In these vessels a liedroom is called a " stat^ room," and
each one has two beds, one above the otner. They are very comfortable,
and sleep, when one is " rocked in the cradle of the deep," is just as re-
freshing as when upon terra Jirma. The meals for the saloon passengers

2 The Agricultural Resourcfs of Canada,

were as follows : - Breakfast at eight, lunch at one, and dinner at six.
Ail these were served in the large dining saloon, and the cuisine was as
goo<' as could be obtained in any first-class hotel. Between meals each
one amused himself in his own way— some reading, 8( playing
various games, some walking en the decks, and others amus>*x^g them-
seives with conversation or music. The ordinar} rules of etiquette are
suspended on board ship ; no formal introduction is necessary, but
everyone is invited to " make himself at home " with his fellow-passen-
gers. The voyage passed over without any incidents worth .n.^ntioning.
A grand sight was witnessed ofE Belle Isle, when a large number
of enormous icebergs were seen. With the sun shining upon them,
the sight was one never to be forgotten. Their presence was
also felt, the temperature going at once several degrees lower.
The sail up the St. Lawrence was delightful : on each side could be
seen the neat and small dv/cllings of the French Canadians. The
mails were landed at a smpil town (Bimouski) during the night, and
none of the passengers were aware of that fact, being sound asleep at
the time. The last evening but one of our voyage, we had a concert on
board, in which sc *^eral memljers of the Welsh choirs took part ; the
playing of the Welsh harpist was specially enjoyable.

Our first real stoppage was at Quebec, where we arrived on
Qathcc. the 2nd of September, and landed the steerage ])assen-
gers and those who were en route for Chicago. We had
only a few hours here, but managed to see many of the principal
sights and historical places, such as the Plains of Abraham, the Wolfe
p-nd Montcalm Monuments, the Basilica, and the Citadel.

Next morning at daybreak we left Quebec, still in the
Montreal, " Vancouver," for Montreal, where we arrived about noon

on Sunday, the 3rd of September, ten days after leaving
Liverpool. Montreal is a town of 250,000 inhabitants, and is the
Liverpool of Canada. It contains some magnificent buildings, including
some of the most beautiful churches in the world. After dinner, we
went to the Notre Dame and listened to the service there. The singing
was very good. The service was conducted in the French language.
The building, both inside and out, is a magnificent one. In the
evening we visited the Church of the Jesuits. This is not quite sd
large, but is more costly, if possible, than the other one ; it contains
some very valuable pictures. We also saw the Montreal bridges, and
other places of interest. The favourite mode of locomotion is by the
electric tram ; indeed, so great is the passion for the service of electricity
here, that the poles and wires along the streets are, in my opinici?,
positively ugly. We counted 100 wires together, in groups of tend,
on one pole. On Monday we visited the Grand Trunk Eailway
Station, the Canadian Pacific Eailway Station, the " Windsor "
Hotel, and St. Peter's Cathedral, which took 25 years to build, and is
said to be built on the plan of St. Peter's Church, Home : it is not yet
finished. We also went up Mount Boyal in an elevator, which goes ujp
almost perpendicularly, the track being 900 feet in length. Ihojn the top
we had a lovely view of the town, which seemed to be fidl of fine
trees. We could also see the country on each "ide the St. Lawrence,

Mr. John Boherts's Beport.

8

and the Victoria Bridge — the longest tubular bridge in the world,
being over a mile and a half long.

We left Montreal by train on Monday afternoon for Ottawa,
Ottawa. the seat of the Dominion Government. The journey took

us five hours, y'.nd we arrived there late rhe same even-
ing. We had an interview with Sir Adolphe Caron, the Post-
master-General, and several Government oifficials. Next morning
we visited the Ottawa Experimental Farm, which is pituatod in
close proximity to the town. Unfortunately, exceptionally heavy
rain the week before our arrival had spoiled several ^ crops, so
that we did not see the farm to the best advantage. Mr. W. Saunders

EZPEBIMEMTAL FABM, OTTAWA.

is the director of the farm, and resides on it. There is also a resident
staff, including botanist, chemist, entomologist, dairy commissioner,
&c., <fec. The laboratory is an elegant building, fitted up with the
best appliances for testing soils, fertilisers, &c., for making analysis of
feeding stuffs, cakes, and agricultural produce generally. This establish-
ment is of great value in finding out the most suitable seeds for this
comparatively new country, in ascertaining what insects are, and are
not, destructive to crops and vegetation, in selecting the most suitable
animals for the climate and pasture, and in various other ways. In
one year only there were distributed from this farm 16,905 samples of
grain, which were sent out in 3-lb. packets to different parts of the
Dominion. A very large number of fruit trees have also been grown,
classified, and reported upon, including several varieties of the vine.

4 The AyrkulUiral Iltsoitrces of Canada,

We left Ottawa on Tuesday night, September 5th, for
Toronto. Toronto. This is a large city of some 190,000 in-
habitants. It is the capital of Ontario, and the second
city in Canada. Unlike Montreal, where the French Canadians
predominate, Toronto is inhabited chiefly by English, Scotch, and

PARLIAMEXT BUILDINGS, OTTAWA.

Irish, the English language being almost universally used. It
lias several large manufactufing industries. Here are made nearly
all of the agricultural implements used in Canada ; the principal
firm in this line of business being Messrs. Massey-Harris Company.
An agricultural show was held at Toronto whilst we were there.
These Canadian shows are quite different to our agricultural shows ;
Ihey are a combination of our shows with flower, fish, and other
exhibitions, and country sports. There were also exhibitions of riding
by cowboys, Indians, and several others. Many of their feats of
horsemanship were very remarkable; they had a very interesting
trotting match, the competitors mounted on very light vehicles, and
standing 20 abreast. There were musical entertainments repre-
senting different nations, a tight-rope performance, and fireworks.
We were too soon to see the animals, and the pick of the province had
been sent to Chicago, where, we since ascertained, they gave a very
good account of themselves. The implements we saw at this show
were lighter than ours. Nearly all the waggon:^ are made for two
horses abreast. During all our travels through the different provinces
we did not meet a single cart or waggon with the horses in single file,
but always two abreast, the teamster invariably riding.

On the 6th of September we crossed Lake Ontario in
Niaf/ara Falls. a steamboat to see the Niagara Falls. On our way

we had our first experience of a Canadian thimder-

Mr. John RoberWi Bepcri. i*

stonn, the rain coming down in torrents. On the banlis of the river we
saw large orchards of ])ears, peaches, apples, and other fmits, and some
very fine vineyards. These fruits, especially the peaches, are packed by
the farmers in small, cheap, and neat -looking bakets, which are
covered with muslin. They look most attractive. Evidently the
Ontario farmers have learnt how to entice customers. I am not
going to say one word about the Niagara Falls. Thousands of
descriptions have been written. Most of them are failures. So
would mine be if I attempted it. After seeing the Falls from different
points, we returned to Toronto.

From Toronto we started on the evening of the 7th for
Winnipeg, Winnipeg, via North Bay. This was a long railway

journey, occupying three nights and two days. Most of
the land along the line is not well adapted for settlers, having been at
one time a large forest, which some time or other had been destroyed
by fire. The charred stumps were to be see'^. for hundreds of miles.
We passed a large number of lakes, all of which seemed to be well

WINNIPEG.

stocked with fish, as were also the rivers that we crossed. In this district
many deposits of minerals have been tound, the nickel at Sudbury being
especially deserving of mention. Canada has the largest deposit of this
valuable mineral in the world. The lumber industry is also important.
We passed Fort William, where there are large grain elevators.
The largest, owned by the Canadian Pacific Railvvay, is ten stories in
height, and will hold 3,700,(i00 bushels. The grain is carried in closed
trucks, !ind these are emptied by zinc cups running on an endless band.
We arrived at Winnipeg on Sunday, the 10th of September, and
made our headquarters at the "Manitoba" Hotel, which is one of the
finest in Canada. The day was very warm, the thermometer registering
90 degrees in the shade. I had experienced the same degree of heat at
home a few days before starting, but I did not feel the heat in
Winnipeg nearly so -oppressive as 1 had done at home. Such was

0 The Agricultural RetourceM of Canada,

also the experience of my fellow-dolegates. Wiiinipeg is sitrdted at
the conlluence of the Asainiboine and Bed Biver??. In 1871
the population was 400 ; now it is 30,000. It is the capital of
Manitoba, and the seat of the Provincial Government. The principal
street is a very long one, with four tramway lines running side by side.

1 could not say that the streets were in good condition — rather the
reverse — pools of stagnant water being the rule, and not the exception.

We visited the new pork-packing house, which has a capacity for
dealing with 200 hogs a day. It is owned by Messrs. J. T. Griffin &
Co., and is u brick building 100 feet by 60 feet, three stories high.
The upper story is for cold storage. The pigs are driven up a gangway
to the building ; then each hog enters a pen, where a man fastens a
" catch " on the hind leg. Piggy is then hauled up till he reaches th«^
overheau railway, where a man stands, and in a few seconds the fatal
stab is inflicted. When the bleeding is over the " catch " is released,
and the pig is let down to a vat of scalding water. From there he goes
along an iron rail, where four men are in waiting, and by them all the
hair is taken off. He takes another journey by rail, and three men
pounce upon him, and with knives and cold water give poor Mr. Pig
ins finishing touches, ten minutes after he was ascending the fatal
gangway, in full possession of his squealing voice. The pork is left in
the cold storage before being cut up and salted. It is then despatched
away, among other places, to England, where it figures on many a
table as "home-cured bacon." It would take too much space to
describe how all the parts are utilised. A house of this kind is
invaluable in a district like this, which is mostly a wheat-growing
district. By its means fanners can turn all their refuse corn into
money. The price paid for pigs while we were there was 5 cents, or
2|d., per lb., live weight.

On the nth we drove from Winnipeg along a large
Stonewall. tract of flat land (which at one time was the bottom of a

lake) to Stonewall. Near the former place we met large
herds of cattle, which were called " town herds.'* Nearly every house-
holder in Winnipeg has a cow, which is sent to graze on the prairie
each morning with the herd, and is returned to its owner in the
evening. The soil is mostly black loam, and, being near the town, is
held by speculators for high prices. On our way we passed several
farms, and some very good crops of wheat and oats. It was at Stonewall
we for the first time saw a number of native Indians. They live in
tents, and are now very docile and harmless. They live principally by
shooting and hunting. Whilst here we visited the farm of the Hon.
S. J. Jackson, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Basing our
expectations upon British ideas, we erroneously expected to find a fine
gentleman, in broadcloth and kid gloves. We found nothing of the
sort:. We came across Mr. Jackson in hi? wheat-field, helping to fix
the thresher ready for the morning. We could hardly recognise him
from the other workmen, nor tell whether he was a white or a red man,
m covered he was with dirt and dust. We found that Mr. Speaker
was an energetic farmer, who disdained not to toil with his own hands.
He had himself cut, with his own self-binder, 150 acres of grain. He

Mr, John lioberfs's Report. 7

bad also ploughed himself 50 acres of land. He works the farm with
the assistance of one regular man, a lad in spring, and the help of
another one at harvest time. He keeps a few cattle, and feeds a large
number of pigs. In this he is unlike the majority of Manitoban
farmers, who depend wholly on wheat-growing. Now they are
beginning to see their mistake. A farmer in Manitoba, as in this
country, ought to have something bringing in money every day.
In the evening, the Speaker entertained us at his hou , which
was an elegant structure, full of all the comforts of life. ^ rront it
had well-kept croquet and tennis lawns, where, he said, .ey enjoyed
themselvea in the evenings. Mrs. Jackson could not give us much of
her company, being so much occupied in providing for the hands on the
farm. She, like her husband, was, we discovered, not afraid of work.
We stopped this evening at the Stonewall Hotel.

On the 12th we drove out to see the Penitentiary, at
The % Stony Mountain. Here were about 100 criminals, one of

Penitentiaftf. them (whom we saw) being under sentence of death.

The prisoners work on the farm like ordinary labourers.
We saw four or five of them with the teams ploughing: two of them
were with four oxen, driving; whilst another handled the plough.
A guard is always kept near them, with loaded rifles in their hands.
There was also a mounted guard in the field. It is very seldom that a
prisoner escapes. The crops on the farm were very good ones. Little
is sold, as most of all that is grown is consumed on the premises.
Colonel Irvine, the governor, is of opinion that the establishment
should be self-supporting. I cannot help thinking that this system
of dealing with criminals is much better than the home system.
The prisoners are kept at rational, useful, and varied work, and
not compelled to everlasting oakum-picking or crank-turning. They
also keep themselves, and are not a burden on the country whose laws
they have broken.

From the Penitentiary we drove in the direction of the
The SelJcirJc Bed Biver, and visited the Selkirk settlement. Here
Settlement. we saw land that had been in cultivation for 70 years,

and, although it had never been manured, it would yield
this year an average of 30 bushels to the acre. Most of the farmers in
this district have gone in for dairying, as they can find a good market
ior their butter at Winnipeg. From the Red Eiver we drove back to
Winnipeg. The horses travel much quicker, and scarcely ever tire
here, as compared with the Old Country. The district is flat, and there
are no roads, simply tracks. The ground, although sufficiently firm, is
cool and soft for the feet. We have always two horses when driving. ,_ .

Our next move was for Killarney, on the 13th. On our
Killa^ney. way here we passed through an excellent wheat-growing

district. We counted from the train 30 sets of wheat
stacks, each set being composed of four stacks. We also passed an
occasional field of flax. The Mennonite settlement was on our route.
The Mennonites went from Germany to Russia because they would not
conform with the military laws. Russia promised them that they
would not be required to render any military service for 100 years. At
the end of that period they were required to furnish soldiers to the

T

' U'Ai

S The Af/ricuttural Resources of Canada,

Bussian Army, but, rather than do that, they emigrated to this place,
where they have proved themselves verj' gofKl settlers^ At first they
were very poor, several families joining together in one outfit. Tho

WHEAT STACKS, MANITQDA.

whole capital of some of them was .£54, and with this they entered
upon their homesteads of 160 acres. Many of them had advancey
made to them indirectly by the Government through their German
friends in Ontario ; and, to their honour be it said, they repaid both
principal and interest long ago. Near Killarney, we visited a cheese
factory which had only been in existence for a little over a twelve-
month. To me this appeared to be as paying a business as any I saw.
The cows are sent on the prairie to graze, and this costs them nothing.
They pay to the Government for the privilege of cutting hay on vacant
land 10 cents, or /)d., per ton. Only two or three farmers as yet work
the factory, but others are expected to join, and the larger the number
of cows the better. I was informed that one of the partners kept
300 ])igs in the summer ; the average price he got was 4J cents (2|(i.)
per lb. He also kept 15 breeding sows. Each cow averaged 25s. per
month for six months. Ten pounds of milk made 1 lb. of cheese.
They sold their cheese for 10 cents (5d,) per lb., and had a ready
sale for it.C The price of a good cow was $25 (£5). This district
is well watered with streams and lakes, and there is an abundance
of wild ducks. We visited a farmer, who was a mason by trade,
who had been on his farm for 11 years. He had started with
a very small capital. He gave us the following information : —

Mr. John Jiohei'U'ii Report,

9

In 1890 he had 120 acres in wheat, which yielded 3,320 bushels,
which ho sold at 75 cents. In 1^91 ue had 140 acres, which gave
4,380 bushels, which he sold at 52 cents. In 1892 he had 175 acres,
which made 4,800 bushels, which he sold at 55 cents. This year ho
had 150 acres of wheat and 50 acres of oats, neither of which had ho
yet threshed. His farm buildings consisted of one stable and imple-
ment shed; the horses, cattle, and fowls were all kept in one building
(but in different stalls), which was a great advantage when the cold
weather came. He had 40 head of cattle and horses, all being very fair
specimens, and including a pure-bred Holstein bull. This breed suits
the climate and the country better than any other ; they are easy to
fatten, and are possessed of good milking qualities. This farmer works
his farm with the assistance of one man, whom he employs all the year
round, and pays a salary of $210 (£42). He employs another man for
seven months, and pays him «20 (£4) a month. He also pays S35 (X7)
to another man for the harvest month. When he first commenced
farming here he had to draw his wheat to Brandon, a distance of 60

▲ CBOFTEB 8 STABLE AND FAEM-YABD.

miles, but now that the Souris Railway has been made lie is w-ithin
five miles of a railway station. He paid $345 (.£69) for his binder,
but he could now buy one for $130 (.£26). In the evening we met
several farmers at our hotel, all of them loud in their praise of their
own particular districts. Indeed, I found throughout my journey that
every farmer we met tried to convince us that his particular neighbour-
hood was the " best in creation."

On the 14th we arrived at the Scotch crofter settle-
ment, and had an interview with some of them. On
our way we visited a farm situated in a valley, the
owner of which was a man who had commenced life
as a bookseller in Liverpool. He had selected a very desirable spot
for his farm. It was on the banks of a lake, where a large number of
trees were growing, affording excellent shelter for his stock. He was
now building a new brick house, overlooking the lake. Close to the

PAKT IT. 2

Scotch Crofter
Settlement.

i

\0 The Agricultural Ueiourees of Canada.

wntt^r h' had a largo kitchen gardrn, in which some Bph'ndid moloiis
wero grown in the open, without any shelter. He had threshed 2,2<)0
bushels of wheat from 107 acres, and 1,500 bushels of oats from 33
acros. The nearest station to his farm is eight miles off. Near the
farm w(^ saw a self-binder cutting hay, which was afterwards put up in
stooks. It was prairie grass, about 5 ft. in height. Between this
farm and Belmont, a roadside station, the land was poor, the soil being
light and full of alkali.

From Belmont our party divided into two, one part
An Icelandic visiting the Icelandic settlement, wh'ch has proved
Settle mtnU a success. The Icelanders make good settlers, being

hardy, quiet, and steady workers.
As we got near to Glenboro' the land improved, and we
Glenlxyro*. could see on each side large stacks of wheat ready for thresh-
ing. We spent the evening at Glenboro', and next morning
— the ir)th — visited several farms about three miles off, farmed mostly
by young men who in this country had failed to pass their examinations
for'admission into one or other of the learned professions. They had
good houses, and appeared to be comfortable. They, however, com-
plained that the harvest had been most disappointing. Up to about
a fortnight before the wheat was cut the prospects were most
encouraging. It appears that this district had suffered considerably
from the drought. Hot winds came and ripened the grain too suddenly.
When it was cut the grain fell from the ears and was lost — in some
cases from a third to one-lialf. In some of the fields I c(»ild see that
the ground wa.s thickly covered with wheat. The wife of one of those
men who complained was a lady who had been brought up in a large
English town. We next visited the " Farmers* Elevator." This had
been put up by a number of farmers who were not satisfied with the
treatment they had received from the owners of the other elevators— a
company of corn dealers, and the Ogilvie Milling Company.

At Souris, which was our next stopping place, there
Souris District — are three Welsh farmers, whom we visited. Two are
Welsh Farmers, brothers from South Wales, whom we found after

some difficulty, as they had gone with a party of
their neighbours to shoot "prairie hens." That was the second day
of the season, and they had made a " bag " of 30 brace. I could not
help contrasting my own country and this. In ours, the farmer feeds
the game, sees it growing, and then the landlord, or someone else who
pays the landlord for the right, comes and enjoys all the fun and all the
profit ! These brothers have a farm between them of 960 acres. They
came there with small capital, and now are looked upon as two of the best
and most successful farmers in the district. One of them contested an
election for a seat in the Legislative Assembly. He did not succeed, but
he very nearly ousted a man who had been in possession for many years.
1 asked their views upon the question of Welsh settlement in the country.
They were of opinion that to start a settlement of new-comers would be
a questionable process. Rather they advocated the individual settling
of Welshmen in established districts, .where they could get the help and
the advice of the old sett.^ers. We also visited the other Welshman, a
native of North Wales. Before coming to Canada he had been a

Mr. John UobertMa Report.

11

quarry man. Eh'ven years apjo he emigrated. On his way I»o caught
a severe cold, which developed into inflamoiation of tlie lungs. As
soon as he landed he had to take to his bed, which he did not quit
tor three and a half years ! Y^y that time he had spent all the money
he had saved in thi; Old Country. However, he got better, and home-
steaded a farm of 160 acres, starting with only one cow. The fifth
year he thought that he was well off, for he had harvested 15 acres
of v.heat. He took it over 16 miles to sell, with a pair of oxen ; but

▲ lARM-UOUSE, SOUTHERN MAMTOBl.

another disappointment waited him. The dealers would not buy,
because his wheat bad been frost-bitten. He now owns 320 acres of
land, has as good a house and farm buildings as any I saw in the
neighbourhood, and is, as he justifiably exclaimed, "as independent as
any man." His wife is a good butter-maker, and always gets a good
price for that article. She has made up her mind not to sell under
25 cents (Is.) per lb., and if she does not get that, she keeps the
butter until the winter. The last two vears he has rented another
farm of 320 acres, which adjoins his own. He has a family of five,
all of whom are sharp, intelligent children. It is his intention, he
informed us, to go in more for dairying, as the present price of -^orn
is unprofitable. From Souris we, on the 16th, started to try and find
another Welshman ; but, after considerable trouble, we were informed
that he had let his farm and gone elsewhere.

Some miles before reaching Brandon we saw some very
Brandon, fair land, and market gardening was carried on under,

apparently, favourable conditions. Beaching jSrandon on
the Saturday afternoon, we visited several of the stores, and found
them much superior to the shops generally found in towns of similar
size in the Old Country. The town also boasted a livery stable
with 1 00 horses. Twelve years ago, our guide — Mr. E. P. Leacock — •
built the first shanty in this place. Now it has a population of 5,400,
and the largest grain market in Manitoba. It has five grain elevators,
a flour mill, and a saw-mill. Near the town, on elevated ground, stood
the lunatic asylum. The town also contained several hotels, a skating

12

The Agricultural Rfiourfet of Canada,

rink, and variolic places of amusement. Not far from the town is the
ox|HTiint'ntal t'urni, of 625 acres. It is partly in the valley of
AsHiiiiboine, and partly on the adjoining hi^h hind. Ic was com-
inrnced in 1888» and since then very rapid pn>gre8s has heen made.
When the trees planted along the fide of the road have grown a
liltlo larger, the farm will present a very attractive appearance.
We were greatly struck hy th(^ windmill which li.'is hnen erected,
and hy \\hich power of from 4 to 14 horse can he generated.
U was managed with the utmost ease. They had devoted here \()'^
plotd of land to different qualities and kinds of wheat, and they also

GKAIN ALEVATOa, DBANDOX.

experimented on different kinds of oats, barley, &c., &c. Experiments
were also made with different kinds of fruit trees, such as apple, pear,
plum, currant, gooseberry, &c. As this farm represents in itself the
diffi^rent qualities of land in Manitoba, it must of necessity be of great
interest and assistance to farmers in that district. The numlx^- of
visitors (4,703 recorded their names in the last twelve months) shows
that the interest taken in it is great. The afternoon of this date we
visited the first sheep farm that we had come across in Manitoba. On
our way we passed through a large tract of land, most of which was light
and poor. Upon arrival we found a fine flock of ewes, which last vear had
cost' the proprietor S900 (i^lSO). He said that he had sold 60 lambs
atS5(^l) each, and had in stock lambs valued at S400 (£80). He
had also 100 acres of vheat, which had done badly this year. He was
of opinion that mixed farming was more likely to pay than any other
kind of farming, although the keeping of a stock of sheep in wintei^

Mi: John Ilobatsi lieporL

13

was exp<MiHivo. Ihcy must bo housed and fed for fivo L.ouihM during
wintry weather. In suinnior they arc? turned on tho prairie, and this
costs nothing. In this district we saw several fields of wheat that
had been destroyed by hail. Thes<i hailstorms aro a puzzle. They
leave, perhaps, one part of the field without being touched, whilst the
other part is destroyed. They are local storms.

On the 10th we left Br»ind;)n for Qu'Apjxdle, a "new"
Qtt'Apjtelle, town of 1)50 inhabitants. On our way we passed a

hv^e tract of land not yet farmed. This land is held
by speculators. These people, I was informed, do not [)ay as much
in i*ates and taxes as those who actually cultivate the land. In my
opinion, it is a great hardship that industrious farmers are '<uiipelled to

BYDB FABM, QU'APPSLLB.

])ay higher taxes, while speculators are allowed to go comparatively free.
It would be better, I should tlunk, that the taxes should be reversed, and
put on land that is doing not^iing, ^o as to compel its owners to put it
in a state of cultivation, or put it in the market. At present the holding
of such land compels farmers to live far away from the stations
Besides, land left in this state breeds "gophers," a most destructive class
of vermin. The land in this district is a rolling prairie, and not so
bleak as in some other parts. It is dottetl w-ith poplar bluffs, which
afford admirable shelter for stock, and supply the farmer with fuel and
rails. All the houses have been built during the last 10 years. ' There
are ^ tist, Wesleyan, Eoman Catholic, and Episcopalian churches,
and last named denomination has also a college, where, among

14

The AyricMUund licsourcc* of Canada,

other mubj.'cts farming w taught. The Bishop of *\\o diocese i« tho

principal of tho college.

On the 20th we drove from Qu Appelli to ladian
Indian Head. H«'ad, where Lord Bnw*M«'y'H farms are situated. Thtre

art» alMO the Bell, Alliance, and Kxperimental Farms.
Ahrmt two miles from the station we saw, on a farm, the finest crop of
wlu'at that w»^ came across in our travels. The farmer had 2S0 acres of
wheat, which averaged 40 bushels to the acre. The soil here is heavy,
and takes three horses to do the work usually performed by two. It so
sticks to the moulds of the ploughs that there is great diiliculty i.i
idoujrhing. It is a black loam, of tirst-rate quality, the subsoil being
clayf This hay been able to stand the hot winds and weather, and is

'- *-''-\ii,-liJiin*: L-' ■ :,ar"wJii-''«?^V

'l^:':

I

I

■*"■;

CAMKBuM 8 FAK.M, QU'aPFKLLE.

'^

not affected by frosts. Fine crops of oats were also grown, averaging
from 45 to 55 bushels to the acre. The barley yielded about 30 bushels
per acre. 'Sheep do well here. "We saw a nice lot of Shropj'hire sheep,
which had received but very little attention during the winter. They
had an open shed to go to, and could help themselves to wheat straw.
The cattle that we saw belonging to Lord Brassey looked exceedingly
well. They were mostly Durhams. We also saw about 25 Clydesdale
colts, looking remarkably healthy. Most of the crops were on the
large fields. These fields are so large that on the Bell Farm (before it
was broken up) a ploughman, starting in the morning, would have to
be particularly sharp, in taking a furrow, to be able to return to his
dinner, doing a furrow each way. These furrows were four miles long.
Land is rather dear here, or, at least, it is higher priced It is from
$5 {£\) to $15 (j£3) per acre. We saw on the Alliance Farm a large
number of Indians carrying com. They are paid a dollar a day. and
they must have their wages every night. If the hunting fit comes on,

Mr, John Robtrtt'i Report,

15

away they pjo, even if in tho middle of the harvest, and at the hunU'tit
tiiiM^. The general wiigen \m'u\ are a« follows: — The four winter months,
from $10 (£2) to *12 (£2 1<)h.) per montii ; the other eight months,
from $\o (£:i) to S2<> (£4) }>er month ; making an average of 1*40 a
year, with board. Servant girls get from Ss (£2) to *10 (£2 UK) |>er
month. 1 felt .Horry at the time, and I feel isorry now, that 1 eould not
give more time to thi-* interenting diatrict, «o a^ to vinit more farms.

From Indian Head wo went, on the 2 1st, to Calgary. On
Culf/ary, our way we panned some very large farms, including the

Canadian Agricultural Co.'s farm. We also passed Hegina,
the capital of the North- VVest JV'rritoriea, with its jxipulation of U,:iUO.
From this point a railroad goes northward to Prince Albert. This
town is tha headquarters of tho Mounted Folice— a body of men 1,0UU

BOW BXTSB, CALOABT.

strong.

We reached Calgary on the 22nd. This is a fine town, with
some substantial buildings. It has a population of 4,500. It Is the
centre of the ranching district, and charmingly situated on the Bow
River. We visited a saddler's store, and inspected the saddles of tho
cowboys. The whole "rig-out" of a cowboy will cost X20. Some of
the saddles and trapp-ngs are decidedly ornamental, and all of them
very strong.

We left Calgary by the new railway for Edmonton, about
Edmonton, 190 miles due north. We arrived at Edmonton late at

night, the concluding portion of the journey being a
two-mile drive with a four-horse team. We drove through such steep
places that we certainlj' thought we would be upset. On our way from
Calgary we passed a large tract of land which had not been taken up.
We also passed an Indian reserve, close to the railway. The Govern-
ment instructor's house was pointed oui to us. His duty is to teach
the Indians bow to farm. The Indians here have a large number of

16 The Agricultural lUiources of Canada,

cattle, and j^row some crops. In this district were several sheep fanns.

My j^Hjrsonal impre^^siou is that splendid sheep-wolks could be made

here. A farmer who was our fellow-travelhir for some distance, and

nho had a cattle ranch and a horse ranch, told us that, in his opinion,

sheep had better prospects than any other animal in this district.

Another farmer, v ho had been sheep-farming in New Zealand, told us

that he considered this place better for making money than New

Zealand. A young man could start a sheep ranch with very small

capital. A good class of sheep could be bought for about $y or S4

(12s. to 168.) each, and a stock of 500 would be a fair start. Wool,

owing to the McKinley tariff in the States, is not high at present, 11

cents (5|d.) per lb. being the average price. Wolves are the only

dangerous animals in this neighbourhood, but they do not run in packs.

The town of Edmon is situated on the banks of the Saskatchewan

lliver. The river is 1,00C fc. wide, with banks rising 200 ft. high.

The town is in two parts, the oldest being on the north bank of the

river, and the new part on the south side, where also is the railway

station. There seems to be much rivalry between the two parts of

the towii. There is some gold found by the river side in the form

of dust. The gold-washers earn from $2 to S4 a day. Seams of coal

can also be seen cropping out of the ground on the river banks. We

went to see a coal mine near the town. We walked about 100 yards

along a level to see the coal before it was mined. There seems to be

any quantity of it, and it is sold in the town for $2^ (10s.) per ton.

There are four or iive coal mines near the town. There are also

brickworks there, and some very good bricks are manufactured, and

used on some of the best buildings.

On the 22nd we drove along a circuitous route to St.
St. Albert, Albert. On our way were some of the heaviest crops of oats
and barley that I ever saw. The barley was of excellent
colour. In the village of St. Albert we found a large number of
farmers — mostly half-breeds — horse-racing. They could find time to
do this, although most of their grain was in the fields, not being
carried. On the bank of the river Sturgeon is situated the Eoman
Catholic cathedral, together \v\t\\ the Bishop's palace. We were
received by the Vicar-Cxeneral, his Lordship being away from home.

The land in this district seems to be very rich ; it has a depth of
several feet of black mould, under which are several feet more of
marly clay. There have been some very heavy yields of oats — as much
as 100 bushels to the acre; of barley, 65 bushels; and of wheat, about
40 bushels.

On the 23rd we drove to Fort Saskatchewan, 20
Fort miles down the river. This is the headquarters of

Sashatchewan. the Mounted Police of the district. Travelling back

by the south side of the river, we had our first
experience of the trouble the fencing in of the land makes by
shutting up the trail. We completely lost our way. We passed
several new settlers; and as we got nearer Edmonton we saw many
old settlers, several of whom had good and well-made houses. I
am of opinion that this district has a splendid future, on account
of its lich soil. It will grow all kinds of corn and vegetables. It

Vr. John Roberts' t Beport, 17

has an unlimited supply of coal and good clay. No doubt with
these advantages some works will be developed before long. The
great drawback is the distance to a good market. It would be
^ter for the farmers to put their produce into as condensed a form
as possible, such as cheese, butter, Ac. A great acquisition to this
district would be an oatmeal mill, in addition to the corn mill ♦hey
already have ; a brewery or distillery, as the quality of the barley is
so good; a pork-packing factory, and a woollen factory. We were
struck with the condition of the cattle here — they were all so fat,
although most of them had been wintered out, as we saw no accommo-
dation for them. During our stay at Edmonton we had some bad
weather, including frost and snow, but tho day we left was bnght,
warm, and sunny. Prices in this neighbourhood were as follows : —
Best quality hay, $5 a toji ; beef, 3 cents to 4| cents per lb., live
weight; mutton, veal, and lamb, 10 cents per lb., dead weight;
pigs, 7 to 8 cents per lb., dead weight.

Leaving Edmonton on the 25th, we drove to Leduc,
Wetaslciwin. and from there to Wetaskiwin. This is a rising little

village, surrounded by picturesque lakes that harbour a
large number of wild ducks. We went to see the store, for the
purpose of getting the prices of different articles. It was the most
complete country store that I ever saw. Everything necessary for the
house could be procured there. Clothing made c^' imported cloth is
dearer than in this country. Sugar was 4|d. and 5d. per lb. ; the other
groceries seemed to be about the same in price as in the Old Country.
Twelve months prior to our visit there was not a single house built
in this village; now it has several shops, a nice hotel of some 20
beds, a lively stable, an office of the Dominion land age^.t, and a
railway station. We were informed that there was some very good
land taken up some few miles out of the station.

We stayed this night at our old quarters in Calgary, and
The Rocky the next morning — the 26th — we started to cross over the
Mountains. Eocky Mountains — no doubt the grandest journey in

Canada. We could see tlie " Eockies" from Calgary, and
their lofty peaks seemed to reach the clouds. On our way we passed
several large ranches, where the cowboys found plenty of employment.
A description of the journey over the Eocky Mountains is not part
of my work, and I shall not attempt it. Sufficient to say that " its
grandeur is indescribable." It would be an impossibility to describe it
properly. It must be seen to be appreciated. Prom Banff — situated
in the Eocky Mountain Park, a natural reserve, where there are several
hot springs — we could see the Peechee, which is a mountain peak
10,000 feet high, or nearly as high as three Snowdons piled one above
the other. I could not help admiring the engineering skill exhibited in
the construction of the railway. Sometimes it climbs up the steepest
gradients, and soon after it descends into the very bottom of the
mountains, till it can find a place to cross some mighty mountain
torrent. As we got through the Eockies we could notice the
difference in the climate. It showed itself directly in the difference
in the herbage and the grass. '^ ;.;: : • v .;; "'^ '

18 TJie Agricultural lUsourcet of Canada,

On our train we had several gentlemen farmers from New
Westminster, who informed us that an agricultui-al show was being
held there. We at once decided to go to that town, and extend our
visit in British Columbia. .

We arrived at New Westminster on the 28th, in the
New evening, and it was with some difficulty that we secured

Westminaler, beds, the town being so full of visitors. We went to

see the exhibition buildings, and were invited by the
Mayor to attend the distribution of prizes, but, unfortunately, we were
too late to witness that event. The show, or exhibition, building was
lighted up with electricity. This mode of lighting and travelling is
nuich more common in Canada than in our country ; they are far ahead
of us in this respect. In the centre of the building was a raised plat-
form, on which the New Westminster City Band, composed of young
men from the town, was playing some very good music. A large
number of people were listening attentively to them. This show was
called the " Koyal Agricultural and Industrial Society of British
Columbia." It combined instruction with pleasure. The exhibits
embraced every variety of vegetable, including some very good specimens
of cabbage, cauliflowers, potatoes, peas, «fcc., and there were also
splendid apples and melons. There were shown some very fine samples
of the timber of the district. The corn we did not consider to be so
good as what we had seen in the North- West ; the butter was of a
very good quality, and tastefully made. The fruit of British Columbia
is one of its best productions. One of the first duties of a settler here is
to plant an orchard, the soil and the climate being most favourable to
the growth of fruit trees of all kinds. The following morning we
again visited the show. The fowls penned were of an average
quality. The cattle were mostly Holsteins, but there were a few
kSliorthorns. In such a new country as this we did not expect
to see extra good stock. There were a few good cart horses.
In connection with the show, they had Rugby football matches,
lacrosse, canoe races, Indian canoe races, rifle match, bicycle races,
running, trotting, cowboy riding feats, and a log-chopping contest.
They had a riding competition for ladies, and also an Indian brass band.
After dinner we were taken in a steamboat up the river. Wo had
a good view of the town, v.'hich is situated on an elevated position on
the Fraser Eiver. We visited the Brunette Saw-Mills, and saw how
easily the great logs are dealt with. They are floated from the forest,
and kept in an enclosed part of the river until called for. They are
then brought up from the river on an r^ndless chain, supplied with a
liberal quantity of hooks. It is surprising with what ease they are
hauled up. One saw is in reality 30 saws working upright, cutting
the log into boards at one operation. Sailing up the river, we passed
several salmon canneries, but they were not working, the season being
over. There was any quantity of salmon to be seen in the river.
Pitt's Meadows, to which we were taken, has an area of 12,500 acres.
It is flat land, and in its original state was quite useless, as the river
flooded it in June and July, when the snow melted on the mountains.
A company bought it, and at a great cost procured what is called

Mr. John Rohertt^a Report,

19

" dyking plant/' consisting of a steam navvy and other appliances.
They have put up a dyke round it from 5 ft. to 6 ft. high, and 33
ft. wide at the base; at the lowest point a pumping station has been
erected, to be used when the water cannot be got off in any other way.
For this land the company expect to get $50 an acre ; and, if the
scheme succeeds, it will be well worth that. On the other side of the
river, a piece of land in the same condition is similarly treated. This
company must be a very plucky one, to cope with such work. Land is
high in New Westminster, ranging from $15 (.£3) per acre upwards.

From New Westminster we went to Vancouver,

Vancouver. travelling by the electric tram for 12 miles through a

<^ * forest ot pines and cedars of enormous size. At

Vancouver we were received by the Mayor, and taken to see some of

the principal buildings of the town. The President of the Board of Trade

VAXCOUVEB.

' ^ - •'

also accompanied us. There seems to be a large trade carried on at this
place. ^ What Montreal is to Eastern Cnnada, Vancouver is to Western '
Canada. The shipping business is do' ncipally with China, Japan, ^

Australia, and the Californian and Can .an coasts. We inspected one
of the Canadian Pacific Eailway C upany's steamers which plied
between Vancouver and China. It was a magnificent boat, well
fitted, and apparently most comfortable.

The strides which this citv has made since so recent a time al
1885 is wonderful. In that year the whole town was represented by-
one saw-mill. In 1886 the population had increased to 600. In 1893

20

The Aijricultural Resources of Canada,

we find a large town of 20,000 inhabitants, with every prospect of further
rapid increane. We visited Stanley Park, so called after the present Lord
Derby, \» lio was a few years ago Q-overnor-General of Canada. It has an
area of 1 ,000 acres, and is reserved for public uses and recreation. A
zoological collection has already been started. The largest trees here
are of enormous size We saw one that had a girth of 55 ft. Others
were from 35 ft. to 40 ft., and would be 200 ft. to 300 ft. high.
On the very top of a tree (the actual top being broken off), about
200 ft. fi'om the ground, we saw an eagle's nest.

A LABGE TREE (gIRTH, 65 FT.;, STANLEY TARK, VANCOUVEB.

On Saturday night we started for Victoria, arriving there
Victoria. at one o'clock on Sunday morning. Victoria is the chief

tow n of British Columbia, built on elevated ground over-
looking the Gulf of Georgia. From the Park, which also overlooks
the Gulf, we could see the State of Washington. On Sunday morning
we were invited to attend divine service on board the " Royal Arthur,"
the flagship of the Pacific SqT adron (which consisted of eight men-o'-
war). The " Royal Arthur " had 642 men on board, most of whom
attended the service. We also inspected the jruns, machinery, &c.

A large percentage of the population of the city of Victoria is
made up of Chinese. There are at least 3,000 of them there. "Johnny
Chinaman " makes a very useful servant, and, owing to the scarcity of
female servants, he is invaluable as a laundryman. He is also an adept
at all kinds of household viork. They are brought over by companies,
who contract to take them back dead or alive. They inhabit a district

Mr. John Eohertss lleporU 21

of the city by themselves. They spend but very little money, and most
of their trade is done wit h one another.

On Monday, through the kindness of Mr. Dunsmuir,
Nanaimo and a special train was placed at our service, to enable us
Wellington. to go and see the coal mines at Nanaimo and
Wellington, abnat 90 miles north. We stopped the
train at several points, and drove up the country to inspect the land.
The Indians hav(; some very tine land on their reservation ground. We
also saw a lot of good sheep. Eeaching Wellington, we visited several
of the collieries which are owned and worked bv the Dunsmuir
Colliery Co. They started working in 1871, and now they have an
output of 350,000 tons annually, most of which is shipped for San
Francisco. Returning to Nanaimo, w-e visited the works of tho
Nanaimo Colliery Co. They have five or six pits about three miles
apart. The coal is worked under the Gulf, but the colliers are never
troubled with water. The Mayor of Nanaimo — A. Haslam, Esq., M.P.
— kindly drove us round, and entertained us. We left Nanaimo at 6
a.m., and crossed bn^k to Vancouver, which we reached by 11.

The climate of V^ancouver is said to be delightful, and very much
like the climate of the South of England. They have but very little
snow at Vancouver, and when it comes it soon melts away.

We started on our return journey by taking the train to a
Harrison, small station called Harrison. There we had an experience

that none of us wanted repeated. In a small canoe, seven
of us were taken some four miles up the Eraser Itiver. We had to
cross several whirlpools, and to do this with our overladen and frail
boat was full of real peril.

However, we got to land safe, and drove to Chilliwack,
ChilliwacJc. a little town about a mile from the river, in a valley,
surrounded on all sides by high and towering mountains.
We inspected several farms, among them being a bop farm, where the
crop had just been picked. It averaged a ton to th.; acre. The pasture
in this neighbourhood seemed to be very rich and strong. In one
dairy farm that we visited all the milk was made into Cheddar cheese.
We tasted it, and found it to be of excellent quality — tjuite as good,
if not better than some made in England. This farmer s plan was to
stop making cheese when butter got to be worth more than 25 cents (Is,)
per lb. He informed us tliat his cows averaged him .£12 per head per year.
He had sold from his farm 300 tons of timothy hay, which was of excel-
lent quality and w^ell harvested. He had pressed it by horse power,
and sold it to go by boat to Vancouver. This man has grown hay on
the same field, unmanured, for 18 years, and his crops average 3
to 4 tons an acre. On this farm we saw a grand crop of green
corn, which w as estimated to weigh 35 tons to the acre. It was from
8 ft. to 9 ft. in height. This crop was put through a chaff-cutter
and cut into inch lengths, and made into ensilage for the cattle.
This farm, in my opinion, looked more like a paying concern than
any that I saw. It \\as 400 acres in extent, 50 of which had not
yet been cleared. Land is rather high in this district. They ask as
^uch as S150 (.£30^ an acre, but no doubt it can be bought for less

The Agricultural Ilesourcet of Canada.

than that. This district has a heavy rainfall, which makes it more
suitable for clairyinpf than for growing corn.

On Wednesday, October 4th, we left Chilli wack and drove
Agasaiz. to Agassiz. Owing to the heavy rain, the roads — if roads

they may be called — were nearly impassable ; so much so,
that one of our party was thrown clean out of the car into a pool of
water. After reaching the river side, we crossed, and " footed it '' through
the Indian reservation for about three miles, along a rough footpath,
till we got to Agassiz. The land seemed to be very fertile. The
Indians had cleared portions of some fields, and had planted orchards.

We visited the experimental farm, the superintendent of which
is Mr. T. A. Sharpe ; it is 300 acres in extent, and situated near the
railway station. Part of it is in the valley, and other portions
rise somewhat suddenly to a height of 800 ft. At that elevation
orchards have been planted, and the experiment is watched with
much interest. The expense of clearing this land must have been
very heavy — quite $75 {£\b) an acre. It was formerly covered with
heavy timber. The climate is mild ; the lowest reading of the thermo-
meter last w inter was seven degrees above zero. On the side of the
mountain a large orchard has been planted, containing 887 varieties of
fruit. This, we were told, is the largest collection of fruit on the
continent. Although only three years have elapsed since the trees
were planted, their growth is something wonderful. The value of
these experimental farms must be very great to this province in
finding out the most suitable fruit trees for the district. If this
had been left to individuals, it would have taken many years to
acquire the knowledge that is now obtained free, and without trouble.
We left Agassiz about 3 p.m. on Wednesday to re-cross the Eocky
Mountains.

n J. f By Saturday morning we reached Winnipeg, having

rx^-' travelled 1,411 miles on the same train. On our way

r J' y^Q ga^ several crops of wheat out, not yet carried,
especially at Qu'Appelle and Indian Head districts.

On Saturday, at noon, we started by train for Chicago,

Chicago. arriving there on Sunday night. We passed through a

large tract of land in North Dakota, most of which is

sinjilar to Manitoba. St. Paul and Minneapolis, which we passed

through, are thickly populated districts.

Arriving late on Sunday night, with the newspapers reporting that
no bed coidd be had upon any consideration, was everything but
pleasant. However, we soon found a place to lie down, and enjoyed
our rest to the utmost. On Monday morning we started to see the
World's Fair. It being " Chicago Day," with 742,000 persons visiting
the Show, it could not be the most advantageous day to see things.
However, I soon met several Welshmen from my own neighbourhood,
one of whom had lived at the next farm to me. From him and from
others I got a full account of the *' Eisteddfod " that w^as held
there. We were told that 80,000 Welshmen attended it from
different parts of the world. The Eisteddfod week was the one in
which the largest number of persons visited the Fair since its opening.

Mr, John Boberiis Report, 23

Having been over the different provinces of Canada, we were
naturally anxious to see how Canadian stock and Canndian products
had succeeded in competition with the rest of the world. The " big
cheese " of Canada is bj this time well known. It weighed 22,000 lbs.
It has not yet " walked away," as some said that it would, but keeps in
perfectly good condition. The judges, reporting on it, said that " its
excellence of quality was a source of surprise and wonder.*' I
understand that it is going to be taken to England.

Canada, as an old Ontario farmer said, had on this occasion
"beaten the wo rid. ^ No doubt it secured more prizes than any other
part of the world, for its population.

In the cheese competition Canada has been remarkably successful.
This 1 was not at all sur} ised at, ns t'.e cheese we had tasted on our
journey was of specially good qualit; , and contrasted most favourably
with what is sold in this country as " American cheese."

In cattle Canada was very sr.icessful, taking with 180 entries
$6,045. Ontario breeders took the bulk, and the best of the prizes for
Hackneys. In Thoroughbreds they secured all the prizes open to
them They also carried off several prizes for trotters. In all
their other exhibits Canada came also off with flying colours. (See
Appendix.)

Our programme having now been concluded, I shall pro-
Oeneral ceed to offer a few remarks about the Dominion of Canada
Itemarks. generally, and the different territories visited, in the hope
that they will be of assistance to some who are desirous of
emigrating, informing them of what they may expect in the New World.
The Dominion of Canada has an area of 3,470,257 square miles, and a
population of 5,000,000, being equal to the population of London. A
train starting from Montreal will not reach Vancouver, on the West
Coast, until five days, travelling night and day. The Grovernment of
Canada is Federal. Each province has its local legislature — a kind of
a Home Rule Parliament — and these have each their Prime Minister,
Speaker, &c., &c. The present Governor-General, who represents the
Queen, is the Earl of Aberdeen. There are two Houses of Parliament,
but no hereditary legislators. In the Senate, or Upper House, are 80
members, who are elected for life. The House of Commons consists of 215
members. The education of the country is in the hands of the Provincial
Governments. The schools are managed by trustees, and the expenses
paid by local rates, and by grants from the Provincial Treasuries. No
religious instruction is allowed in any school before three o'clock in
the afternoon. After that time such instruction as will be permitted
by the trustees is given ; but parents have the option of withdrawing
their children, if they so desire, before the religious instruction is given.
There are at present a million persons — quite one-fifth of the whole
population — receiving instruction in these schools. All the children
receive their education free, rich and poor being educated together.
An English journalist who accompanied us for some time, paid a visit
to a higher grade school. He said " there was no distinction of class;
the daughter of the Chief Justice sat by the side of the daughter of
a common labourer; by the side of the Mayor's son sat the son

24 The AgrUuUnral Uaourca of Canada,

of a Jewish pedlar." In Canada every child, if he has brains and
determination, has an equal chance to climb the ladder of life, and is
given exactly the same assistance. Beyond the elementary schools are
higher grade schools —where education is wonderfully cheap — colleges,
and universities. Over 9,000 students attend these schools.

There is no established religion in Canada. With the exception
of the province of Quebec — where the Komau Catholics are allowed
to enjoy the same privileges as they had before the country was
ceded to Great Britain — no religion k in any way State-aided. The
Koman Catholics are the most numerous body, their adherents number-
ing about 2.'>00,000. The principal other denominations are the
Wesleyan M 'lodists, 809,637; Presbyterians, 754,142; Church of
England, 644,l J ; and Baptists, 257,449. There are also Congi-ega-
tionalists, Lutherans, Salvation Army, and other denominations.

The distinction of classes, so general in this country, is unknown
there. There are no Poor Laws in Canada, and therefore there are
no paupers. The expensive parochial system in our country creates
paupers, and multiplies them. The fact that there are no poor in
Canada is a splendid testimonial to the country.

The Canadian farmer is independent of everyone. This con-
sciousness of independence makes the farmers a better, nobler, and
more honourable class of men. Over there the farmer is not expected
to be the catspaw of his landlord, and obliged to think, speak, and vote
as that master thinks tit. Canadians now enjoy most of the reforms
which have yet to be granted in Great Britain. The law of primogeni-
ture does not exist. After certain formalities have been complied with,
any city or county may put in force the Canada Temperance Act.
This Act is very stringent, and provides that no person shall expose for
sale any intoxicating liquors. They have also Sunday closing, although
in some places the police authorities are not over-sharp. In Ontario
the public-houses close at seven o*clock on Saturday evenings. As to
the franchise, every person over 21 years of age, if a British subject —
and persons going from this country to Canada have the same rights as'
the Canadians — can vote. In the United States, all persons arriving
from other countries must be naturalised before they can vote. The
qualification is to rent or own a place value £60, or being the son of a
farmer, or a fi;!iherman, &c., &c. In some parts the Indians have votes,
provided they have the necessary qualification. Parliamentary life is
never longer than five years'. Each Senator receives an indemnity of
$1,000 (J2OO) a yeur. Members of the House of Commons receive
SIO (£2) per day whilst in session, but not exceeding S1,000 (£200)
per session. In the Dominion, marriage with a deceased wife's sister
is allowed and sanctioned. With some few exceptions, the laws are
everything that could be desired.

In the matter of railways and canals Canada is specially blessed.
There is a natural waterway from the Straits of Belle Isle to the head
of Lake Superior, a distance of 2,260 miles, along which there is
uninterrupted navigation. The Government have spent on canals
alone as much as £11,957,114. These works are of the greatest
importance. The railways, except the Intercolonial Eailway, are owned

Mr. John Itobertsa IUi*ort. 25

by private compjinioa, and not by the country. Afanyof them, however,
have been largely subsidiHed, and 43,377,422 acreH of land have btHm
granted to them. The principal railways are the Canadian Pacific
Kailway and the Grand Trunk Kailway. There are 14,5^8 miles of
railways in the Dominion.

The province of Ontario has an area of 182,000 square
Ontario. miles, and a population of 2,000,000. We, as del^-gatt^s

had but a very short stay in Ontario, as we wer(» given to
understand that our mission was more in Manitoba and the North- West
Territories. That being so, my remarks will necessarily be brief. The
work that the pioneers in this country did was something wonderful,
and well have they and their successors reaped the fruit. AVhat was
once a forest has now been converted into orchards and fields.
Ontario is now an old settlement, and land is fairly dear. In favourite
localities SI 00 (^20) per acre is given for the best improved farms, but
others can be bought as low as SIO (^2). The average price is $50 (.£!<>)
per acre. A family from the Old Country would soon feel at home in
Ontario, as they have easily accessible and good markets, and excellent
educational and other facilities. The climate is said to be very pleasant;
but it is much warmer there in summer, and much colder in winter,
than in this country. Their mode of farming is more like our own,
b(nng mixed husbandry. This was the only province where we saw
autumn-sown wheat. A largo number of farmers and farmers' sons from
Ontario have gone to the West. If we found a Canadian in the North-
West, he invariably turned out to be an Ontario man. Undoubtedly
he is the best man to go there ; he knows how to build his own house,
and he can fix his own land. In fact, an Ontario farmer is an all-
round man — well-educated, hard-working, industrious, and plucky.
In Ontario the average yield of fall wheat is 20 bushels, and spring
wheat 15 bushels ; barley, 25 bushels ; oats, 35 bushels ; peas, 20
bushels ; hay and clover, a little over a ton ; potatoes, 118 bushels ;
mangolds, 440 bushels ; caiTots, 554 bushels ; turnips, 418 bushels, per
acre. Besides the above-named products, they also grow hemp, flax, and
tobacco. Maize and tomatoes ripen well, and peaches and grapes are
eivsily grown in the open air. An old settler told us that now the
Ontario farmer turns more of his attention to stock, and consumes
most of his products at home, converting it into beef, mutton, &c., &c.
A good deal of cheese is also manufactured there; aini Ontario cheese is
considered as good as English cheese.

The province of Manitoba has an area of 74,000,000 acres,
Manitoba. and a population of 150,000. It is mostly prairie land,
with hills and yalleys, several belts of timber, and some
large lakes. The latter are well stocked with fish, and at seasons with
ducks and geese. The surface water is not always good, as it sometimes
contains a large percentage of saline matter ; but good water is obtain-
able by sinking. The favourite mode of pumping is by a windmill.

The climate is cold in winter, and warm in summer. In winter the
thermometer falls occasionally to 40 degrees below zero, and in summer
it averages from 65 to 75 de:;rees. Although tlie winter temperature
is very cold, measured in the usual way, it is claimed for it that the

PAET IT. Q

20 The Afjr'unhural Hesource9 of Canada.

dryiu'MH of tho atmoHphere, and the almost continuous cloudless sky,
render it much eauier to bt^ar than equal temperature on the Atlantic
coast. Judging from the ap(><>ttranc«' of the inhabitants, the climiite
must Ix' a lu-altliy one, the children enpecially looking remarkably well.
Its drawljacks are wtorms and blizzards, and summer frosts. Hail-
Ktorm.H in some parts damage the wheat crops; but most of the farmers
insure against hucU a loss, which they can do for a small sum. This
summer hot winds came, and ri[>ened the crops too soon, and caused
oon!<idHrable losses. >* ^^ f-ilU in November, covering the earth to a
depth of about 18 inches, it remains continually on the ground,
without thunderstornis, thaws, miii, or fog, until March, or the
beginning <>t" April, when it gDes away. Ml day the sun shines
brightly. There are no cyclones in Manitoba. The rainfall is small,
and is lieavier in May and Junt-s than in other months. The favourite
mode of travrlling in winter is by means of sleighs.

As soon as the snow clears comes the busy time of the farmer.
He must then put in his wheat crop. It is wonderful how cheap they
can sow their wheat per acre. It is difficult there, as here, to say what
cultivating land costs, as it depends so much on the condition of the
land previously. If summer fallowed, a good deal more expense is
incurred. Breaking prairie is also more expensive ; but if it is oidy
pJoughing stubble, the cost is very little. The following particulars
were given to me by a farmer in whom I had every confidence : —

Breaking frairie

• • •

» • • • • •

IGs.

to 208.

per acre.

Plonfjhiujt stabble

• ■ •

■ « • • • •

58. to Os.

j»

Harrowing

• • • • • •

7id,

to lOd.

>»

Seeding - 2 bushels at 56 cents

• • • • • •

• ■ •

4^

i»

{sowing — galling or broedcAst drill

which can

sow

80 acres per day ...

• • •

••• • • •

• ••

^Ci.

r»

ITarvesting —

Twine

• • • • ■ •

• • •

Is.

1*

Cutting

• • • • • •

• ••

28.

i»

Stocking

• • • »• •

..•

7Ad.

»»

Total for harvesting

• • « ••»

about Ab.

ty

Threshing

* . • • ••

••«

58.

it

Marketing (to England)

about XI 88. 4d.

>•

The wheat harvesting is nearly all done by the self-binder. These
machines will cut and bind about 10 acres a day. It takes two men to
stook the wheat after one machine. They place from 15 to 20 sheaves
in each stook. The wheat is cut froui 9 inches to a foot high, as
straw is of no consideration there. On threshing days the straw is
burned to raise steam. The rest is drawn into the fields and burnt.
To me this appeared to be a great waste, in view of the great scarcity
of straw in this country. They make their stacks in groups of four
on the fields, and place the thresher between them. A good deal
is threshed straight from the stooks. Two men cut the ties and attend
to the feeder, one on each side. The straw being short, it is no wonder
they can thresh such an enormous quantity in a day. At Indian Head,
a machine threshed 2,260 bushels in eight hours, the week before we
were there. It is easy to calculate how much corn is threshed, as it is
put in 2-bushel bags or sacks. The average da/s work is from 1,500

L_

Mr. Joftn Rof^frtMt ReiMrt. 27

to 2,000 bush«'l«. The farmers are not in a hurry to carry their wheat,
as there is no danger of rain at thai time of the year. They do not
thatch their ftaclcs, and no trouhle iii taken for the sake of app<»aranc<\
The wheat is carried «*trai((ht frrnn the htooks an<i the thresher to the
elevator, where it is cloanetl and NtonKi, to the h«'i«;tit of alxmt 70 feet.
If our wheat was carrieti in th« same m^mntT, and st4»r»Hl, it would only
he tit for the manure heap. The quiiiity of the Manitoba No. 1 hard
is so well known that it does not r't^u r»« any praise, it is always in
demand at Liverpool and other corn marketn, and comuiands the high-
est price.

These territories are situated west and north-west of
The North-West Manitoba, the chief town being Kegina. In Alberta
Territories. the climate is not so cold as in Manitoba. The

"chinook" winds — that is, warm winds from tlu» Pacific
— blow over the country, and soon melt away the snow and ice. It is in
this district that tho large cattle, horse, and sheep ranches are situated.
The animals do not requii'e much winter shelter, nor much winter k(»ep ;
but no farmer is safe who does not provide for a possible exceptional
winter. The cattle in the Edmonton district were in ve'vy good con-
dition. We also saw in the same neighbourhood very fine lots of sheep.
In my opinion, this district is eminently suitable for sheep, being a
rolling prairie, with plenty of good water. Up to the present time
sheep-ranching hns not received the attention it deserves— at all
events, in the districts we visited.

The crops we saw in the Territories were the best we saw in our
travels. The wheat crops at Indian Head, and the oats and barley at
Edmonton, were far superior to anything we saw elsewhere. The wheat
is said to have yielded in some cases as high as 55 bushels per acre,
oats 100 bushels, and barley 45 bushels. These, of course, would bo
exceptionally fine crops, and the average would be under this. The
great drawback of the country is the distance from good markets.
Of course, as the district gets better populated, this will be partly
remedied. The best course at present is to put the produce in as
condensed a form as possible, such as cheese, beef, wool, &c., «fcc.
Owing to the quantity of coal to be found, no doubt many manufactures
will spring up, the development of the country being only a question
of time.

Land can be secured at a very cheap rate from either the Canadian
Piicific llailway Company — who are large holdeis of land, and whose
prices vary from 8s. an acre upwards — or from the Dominion agents.
If the purchaser pays cash, he gets his deeds at once ; but payment may
be spread over nine ;ears by paying one-tenth down, and paying
interest for the remainder at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. Free
lands, consisting of a quarter-section — 160 acres — may be obtained by
any person who ii the head of a family, or by anyone over 18 years of
age, by paying $10, and complying with the conditions as to building
and cropping. Full particulars of terms, &c., can be obtained from any
of the Dominion land agents. My advice to new-comers to these Ter-
ritories, as well as to other parts, is not to rush to buy a farm as soon
as they get there. It would be much better for them to work on

28 The Agricultural li*tourc€t of Canada,

w)in«*on« elw'.M farm for a y<'ar, or keop thoir inonoy in tlx'ip pocl«'t«
for a »iiuilar t«rni, till thty ^et to know the ct)iiritry. Thi« rushing
for latul hiiM IxM'ii i\w cause of endless failures. It is also just as well
to keep an eye opi'n for "land sharks," who are rather i)l«*ntiful.
The taxes in the North- West Territories are very lii^ht. In an ohl
district they are about $12 on a quarter-section of 160 acres. In
newer districts they would only l)e about $2.

The attention of the Canadians has of late years been turned to
the production of beef. In lHU2 they exported to Great Britain cattle
to the value of »$7,481,613. A small part of this rejiresents store
cattle exported to Hcotland and England, where they have competed
with Welsh runts in the markets. This has been partly the cause
of the present low prices of cattle here. IJullocks weighing 180 Iba.
per quarter can be bought on the ranches for 3d. per lb. It is
estimated that the cost by rail and water, and other charges, to this
i'ountry, amount to 2d. per lb. Thus these animals can be sold in this
country at a profit for a little over 5d. per lb. The fact that as
Eoou as the St. Ijawrence becomes navigable, in May, we have for the
last two or three years experienced a drop, at a time when we used to
make the highest prices in the year, proves conclusively that we must
hK)k to Canada — and especially these ranches — as formidable rivals.
If this compt^tition develops in the next few years as it has done in
the last year or two— and in my opinion this Canadian cattle trade is
yet but in its infancy—agriculturists on this side, with heavy rents,
tithes, taxes, and other charges to pay, will be compelled to emigrate, or
** givt? it up."

This " Far West " province is situated on the Pacific Coast,
Briiish and includes several islands, such as Vancouver, Queen
Columbia. Charlotte, &c., &c. The climate is more uniform than that

of the other provinces, the summer not being so warm,
and in winter snow seldom remains on the ground. The appearance
and complexion of the inhabitants indicate that the climate is not
unlike that of the Old Country. It is recommended by medical men
as being very salubrious and healthy. Vegetation is green nearly all
the year round. They have in British Columbia a great deal more
rain than in either Manitoba or the North-West Territories.

Unlike other parts of Canada, the principal resources of British
Columbia are its minerals, such as gold, silver, iron, copper, coal,
galena, mercury, platinum, plumbago, mica, slate, salt, &c., &c. Most
of these nunerals give employment to a large number o£ men ; and
so does the timber trade of this province. A visit to the large
timber mills proves the enormous richness of its timber yield. The
Douglas fir, spruce, cedar, and hemlock grow to an enormous size.
Much of the food of British Columbia — unlike the other Canadian
])rovinces — is imported. They get their flour from the North- West :
this fact proves that there is a demand, and where there is a demand
there is a price. I am convinced that more money can be made
frx)ni an acre of land there than in this country. There is a good
market for liay, chees(;, butter, eggs, &c. The rich lands in the valleys
and along the river banks are admirably adapted to prodjce the articles

i

J/r. John Ui)ftei'(»t Kt^oyt, 20

that T have nanifd ah bcinj^ in dnnand. T!i»} ♦^raziiij* land is lioli,
Hud yiold.i M form to 4 tons to thi; acn». llops aru HiicceNot'ully gi*o\ui
ttterc, uid most (»f tli«) Cfop is NiMit to the liritiHh market.

Starting on a farm in Jkitisli T'olumbia must ha rather exp^MJHivo.
Good hind wdls there as high oh £30 \u'V acre. Of courm) hind can he
bought cheajM-r than tliat, but it haa to bu (dearud of the large trees
that grow upon it.

In concluHion, I venture to t(dl n)y fellow-countrymen
Conelvmons. that if they emigrate to Canad.i tlu'y will be mon.» inde-
pendent than most of them can ever h()i>e to be in the
Old Country. They will have to work hard — if they don't, it is no
use tlunr emigrating — but they will in all probability reap the fruit of
their labours sooner than in their old homcM.

In this country a large outlay on th(» land is the first requisite,
owing to its exhausted condition. In Canada it is virgin noU, and no
manure of any kind is necessary. Again, the land in this country is
expcKjted to maintain thti landlord, agents, parsons, farmer, lalxnirers,
and the poor ; besides having, in addition, to bear heavy burdens in
conner/ion with the roads, police, sanitation, education, and other
matters. The rates, tithes, and taxes in this country amount, on an
average, to Bs. per acre. It is not surprising, therefore, that the land
in many instances fails to do this. In Canada all the land has to do is
to j)ay for its own cultivation, keep the farmer and his family, and \my
about 6d. per acre of rates.

In the matter of wheat-growing there is no comparison between
Canada and this country. Our land, exhausted as it is, cannot now,
and never will be able to compete successfully with the rich virgin soil
of Manitoba. Besides the difference in the soil, there is the difference
in the charges on the land, already alluded to. Farmers, therefore,
who wish to be corn-growers will have to emigrate from this country
to such a country as we have described, where the conditions are more
favourable. At the same time, it is quite evident that, even in
Canada, wheat-farming cannot be profitably carried on at the present
low prices. To those whose forte is the rearing of stock, Canada offers
many inducements. Its large open j)rairie&i, its rich pastures, and its
climate, especially in the North-West, are most advantageous to the
rearing of stock, especially cattle, sheep, and horses, and also for
dallying purposes.

Farmei-s who are comfortable in their present position sh'^uld not
emigrate, neither should those who are not adapted for outdoor, rough
work. But it is possible, and even probable, that those hard-working
fanners who cannot, despite their utmost industry, gain a competency
on their farms, would be better off in Canada, and more certain of
ultimate success. As to agricultural labourers, the best thing is to
inform them that there nve at tlie present time in Canada a lai^e
number of farmers who commenced life in that country as labourers,
but who have, hy their own industry and perseverance, orked them-
selves up, till they are now the proud possessors w! '^. own farms,
Already in this Keport several tables of wages nave been given,
and these will enable labourers who, having no capital, wish to

30

The Agricultural liesources of Canada,

emigrate, to determine whether it is worth their while to do eo or
not. The wages of domestic and other servants have also been
given.

It only remains for me to return my most sincere thanks to the
hospitable Canadians for all their warm-hearted kindness and assist-
ance, so willingly and continuously given.

BA>Ofl SCENE, ALBEETA.

GALLOWAY CATTLE ON A MANITOBA FARM.

31

THE REPORT OF MR. W. H. DEMPSTER,

Mjllbrool- Lodge, Clarbeston Road, R.8.O., South Wales.

In response to an invitation from Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., G.C.M.G.,
C.B., High Commissioner for Canada, to report on the agricultural
resources of Canada, I have visited nearly all the principal territories,
chiefly in the North-West ; and after travelling a distance of 10,000
miles, I think one is justified in giving an opinion as to the present and
future prospects of that great country. Taking into consideration the
Union Jack flying in the air, and the Word of God represented by
ministers of all denominations, a new settler cannot but feel — whicl)
is also my candid and unbiassed opinion — that peace and happiness,
truth and justice, religion an '. piety, have already established themselves
in that land. t.- ^r, : ' , ^

---f V - 'i: ' After going carefully through the different methods

Grain-Growing. of farming, I find that grain-growing alone no longer

occupies the position it did, and if the farmers are
well advised they will turn their attention more to mixed farming,
especially dairying and hog-raising.

The useful hints that may be obtained by visiting the Government
Experimental Farms leave no doubt on the minds of farmers as to
what is best suited for the soil : the different branches of agriculture
are carefully studied and worked by very competent men for the benefit
of the farming community.

In many parts of the North- West I noticed the majority of
Farming farmers hardly work their farms in a methodical manner —
Methods. that is, from our point of view. Where they waste their

manure and small grain, burn their straw, and buy their
hogs ready fattened, a man would tell us that farming is not pros-
perous; whereas his neighbour, with a fine lot of poultry and about
50 h' hogs, a good lot of cattle, and nothing going to waste, seems to
be doing wonderfully well, — and what wonder? he has no rent to
pay, no rates or tithes, and only very nominal school taxes. Then,
again, his crops are raised by one ploughing, with no manure bills, and
an excellent harvest may be expected.

Unfortunately, there are a number of young English
Unsuccessful gentlemen, brought up in the lap of luxury, who perhaps
Farmers, first turned their attention to Army, Law, Church, or

other professions ; and then, not being successful, went
in for farming in the North- West, with perhaps £1,000 capital, thinking
that it required no skill or practical knowledge — which is a great mistake.
The result is, they get into the hands of confidential friends (as they term
themselves), and get fleeced in all shapes — simply ruined; and, in nine
cases out of ten, the country is blamed. Unless a man is prepared to
turn up his sleeves and go to work in right earnest, he had better lemaiu

r

32

The AgricuUural Ilesovrces of Canada.

.1 :-i

ij

n

1, !

at home ; there is no one to do the work for him, and the result is, it
w ill be left undone.

Gentlemen farmers would do better in the older
Farmers with settled parts of the country, such as Ontario. Im-
Caintal, proved farms may be bought or rented on reasonable

terms; there need be no unnecessary expense; and
there is good society, A^itli all the usual home comforts. Children
mav be educated at a very small cost. This, I may say, is the most

•» a

vff^^

•_ -I* «

_*

_ , - -^-- i.

_

■Jx..- - - --

- — —

■mr-.^ . — .

■ - " '■ '-

- . --a»

=

i "

/j^^^^^^^^

s-g^-sr^

I^PB

i^Su^^MS

gi^^'^-fej!

^^^^B^i^^^^H

Manitoba and
the West.

AN ONTARIO FARM.

delightful country I have ever seen ; magnificent fruit of all kinds is
grown, and its scenery— hills, valleys, and lakes— is all that can b3
desired.

In writing of Ontario I do not by any means insinuate
anything derogatory to the province of Manitoba—
another charming country— or to the country all
along to Eegina— the capital of the province of
Assiniboia, where the North- West Mounted Police have their head-
quarters. The good discipline and smartness of the men are
admirable. We are, indeed, deeply indebted to Colonel Herchmer
for the assistance he rendered us during our tour, by means of
men and horses ; also to Major Steele, at McLeod : here, again,
both men and horses were at our disposal. Calgary and other pTaces
we cannot speak too much in praise of. About 200 miles north of
Calgary is the rising town of Edmonton, in the Alberta district, where
there is an abundance of coal; it is also a very rich farming count rv.
We took three days to survey this place, so as to see the produce of

Mr, ir H, Denipster*8 Report, 33

the beautiful soil we were walking and driving over. Among tho
fine samples brought to us were wheat, oats, barley, turnips, potatoes,
tomatoes, carrots, «fcc., the size and quality of which we were agreeably
surprised to see, grown as they were without manure. Tliinking,
perhaps, that they were picked samples, 1 examined stooks in different
fields, and actually found a better sample of barley than that brought to
us ; another sample I found equal to it— and that was grown on Birtle
Side Farm, near Birtle, Manitoba, the property of Major-Gen. H. C.
Wilkinson, C.B. I do not consider roots a successful crop to be
raised for fodder in the North-West. In Silver Creek, Manitol)a,
however, a fine sample was seen — by far the best to the east of 1 he
Kocky Mountains. In all the provinces farmers seem thoroughly
satisfied with their farms, each one declaring that he had struck
upon the Garden of Canada — which proves contentment. I do not
me^n to say that there are no exceptions, but the complaints usually
come from persons who had not had any, or much, experience of farming
before emigrating.

All along the Canadian Pacific Railway, Nature in
The Canadian all its grandeur and variety is seen. The "Kockies*'
Pacific- liailway. are indescribable. Suffice it to say that the four

seasons of the year may be observed at one glance.
At the foot, the sheltered valleys and warm sulphur springs give the
spectator an idea of early summer ; then, again, a little higher may be
seen the beautiful autumn tints; the maple trees, with their leaves
quite crimson, dotted among green and yellow ferns and white rocks,
make a lovely scene; and, to complete the picture, the tops of the
" Rockies " are often coated with ice and snow. Also, the clearness
of the different mountain streams which flow into the Fraser River
was very noticeable.

It has been said by some people that the United
Canada and the States are more prosperous and successful in agri-
United States. cultural pursuits than Canada, but I beg to diti'er

very much with them. The following figures (which
I took notes of) will bear me out : —

Cheese (June and October), "World's Fair, Chicago.
United States . . . . Out of 598 exhibits, 54 awards.

Canada . . . . . . „ 687 „ 607 „

50 per cent, of all money prizes were taken by Canada.

At New Westminster (British Columbia) we were much
Keiv impressed with the agricultural exhibition (which we were

Westminster, fortunate enoug!. to witness) ; every branch of industry
was represented by specimens of an excellent kind. When
on the island of Vancouver, we were again surprised to see the wealth
of the land — fine rich soil, first-class fruit, very fine trees, and plenty
of good coal ; but in conversation with an officer in Her Majesty's Navy,
I was told that the coal is not equal to that of South Wales for naval
requirements — that is, for steaming purposes — although its quality for
ordinary purposes is praised. In case of war, this coast may prove
advantageous to England for embarkation of troops to the East, «fec.,
should the Suez Canal become blocked.

I 34 The Ar/ricultwal Ifesourcea of Canada.

I ■ . '

! So far, I have written of the beauties of Canada and

I l)rawhacJc9 of British Columbia, and the fertility of the soil, but have

I Canada. said nothing of the drawbacks, which are comparatively

1 few, and these to a certain extent may be remedied,

f Ist. Prairie fires are great enemies which farmers have to contend with.

I The Mounted Police are very active in helping to subdue them, and also

i sharp in compelling farmers to attend to their fire guards, which is the

I only remedy for overcoming that devouring element. It would be an

I advantage, too, if fire guards along the lines of railway were compulsory,

as sparks from the engines are a frequent source of prairie fires. 2nd.

I Frost is also detrimental to the grain crops. "Wheat sometimes gets

frozen, and becomes unsaleable for grinding. We find that crops sown

and harvested in proper time are seldom troubled in that way; and

even should the wheat get frozen, it will do for fattening hogs, and is

good feed for cattle. 3rd. Sheep pay very well, but care must be taken

i of them on account of wolves, which, however, are not very numerous.

I The Government is offering a reward for their heads, and the probability

I is they will shortly become extinct.

I The Dominion Government has done, and is doing, a great deal for

I the sons of the Canadian soil ; they are conscious of the fact that the

I success of farmers is good for the country, as all industries must depend

I more or less upon the tillers of the land.

Our travels were as follows; — We left Liverpool on board the
s.s. "Vancouver" on the 24th of August last, and, after a very pleasant
chat with Mr. Dyke, the Government agent, who kindly assisted us
in every way, we steamed out of the harbour about 8.30 p.m. The
number of passengers on board was 850. We were fortunate in
having two choirs on board bound for the World's Fair. We all
enjoyed the healthy sea breeze, and the weather throughout was delight-
ful. With such a fine ship, fitted with every comfort, and with the
good attention of officers and crew, one could enjoy the sights of the
great Atlantic, viz., large icebergs, whales, &c.

On August 31st, at 8.30 a.m., we sighted Labrador and the
• Arrival in north coast of Newfoundland. On September 1st we were
Cana'ia. in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; then on to Quebec, where we
remained about 3| hours. On September 3rd we landed at
Montreal, our voyage having taken a little over nine days. On September
4th, after arranging our transports, we had a look around this magnifi-
cent city. We ascended Mount Koyal by means of an elevator ; and a
fine tract of country there was to view. Harvesting was the chief opera-
tion with farmers, and, judging from the stooks, pretty good crops were
sure. Mount Eoyal is 900 ft. above the level of the rivers St. Lawrence
and Ottawa. Montreal, the chief city of Canada, has a population of
250,000. Leaving the city about 4 p.m., we got to Ottawa at 10.1 5 p.m.
Here we were fortunate enough to again meet General Laurie, who bad
I previously assisted us. He spared no trouble in taking ns to the

principal places, and introducing us to Sir Adolphe Caron, Postmaster-
General, and most of the Government officials, including Mr. Lowe,
Deputy-Minister of Agriculture. The General has the welfare of
Canada still at heart, and, judging by the re-spect shown to his name
in the country, he must have served his constituency well.

1

y

'fc.'v — », ".■'«as'..",i ■_■(*■'

Mr. W, II, Den)^>stcrg Report,

85

In company with General Laurie, Mr. Hall (of tho
fjxpfrimenlnl Department of the Interior), Professor Robertson, and
Farm, Ottawa, others, w ^ visited the (jovernment Experimental Farm,

\\ here, 1 am sorry to say, crops of an excellent quality
had been inundated by rain. Roots were not at all good ; grapes fairly
good ; the wine, made under Professor Robertson's supervision, was very
good. Ottawa is the capital of the Dominion, and has a population of
48,000. ■ 5. .•.;.: .

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY HOTBL, QUEBEC

Toronto to
Winnipeg and
the West.

We next proceeded to Toronto, arriving there on Sep-
tember 6th, at 9 a.m. We saw the exhibition, but,
unfortunately, it was the wrong day for the cattle show,
but we inspected many kinds of improved agricultural
machinery. On September Vth, after paying a short
visit to the Falls of Niagara, we returned at 8 p.m., and left for Winnipeg
by 10.30 p.m. train, via North Bay. On September lOtli, at 7 a.m., we got
to the well-known prairie city (populatiom, 30,000), the capital of the
province of Manitoba, situated at the junction of tho Red and
Assiniboine Rivers, both of which are navigable by steamboats.
Winnipeg commands the trade of the vast regions to the north and
west. From here we visited Stonewall and Wavy Bank. We had a con-
versation with Mr. Shipley, who formerly lived in Ontario, Imt came
here some years ago, and has done exceedingly well. Mr. Gibbon (Mr.
Shipley's neighbour), who is a native of Pembrokeshire, South Wales,
had just arrived, and is delighted with his farm. Land seems to be a
rich black loam, well suited for mixed farming. Mr. Shipley's stock and

30

Tlie Agricullund liesourcu of Canada,

CFDps are lookii:^ well. This would ha a good country for a new settler.
We returned to Winnipeg, and on our way visited the Provincial (iaol.
1 thought everything most satisfactory. We were met very kindly by
the Governor, Lieut.-Col. Irvine. On Wednesday, the 13th, we started
by train for Killarney, a very useful mixed country. We saw the dairy
factory, but thought there was room for improvement.

We left Killarney at 8 a.m. on the 14th, and first called at
Crofters. the crofters' settlement, about 10 miles north. They have

suffered very much from hailstorms ; these are local, but the
crops in several places in this district are ruined. Tlie farmer can insure
against these storms which sometimes visit Manitoba ; Is. per acre will

A KILLARNEY OlSOFIIR iLOLUtllNG.

recover 2os., in case their crops are destroyed by hail. I think that the
crofters commenced rather injudiciously, getting expensive implements,
and otherwise getting into debt. I am told that the interest charged
on implements is from 18 per cent, to 24 per cent.— a very good reason
for not getting into debt. All crofters are not alike. Those who came
out on their own resources have done well, which the following figures will
prove, and there is no reason why the others should not do the same: —

Settlers ix

1881 AND

1882.

started with

Xow worth

L. McLean

$G00

■ • •

• • •

$8,000

Charles McLean

400

• • •

• « •

T.OCO

.Tolin McLean

400

• • •

• • •

(5,000

Hugh Lamont anil famly . ..

800

(joii

itl.v)

10,000

"William Carles

1,000

• • •

8,000

John Campbell, Shoal Like...

fiOO

• • •

• • •

6,000

Kiel Lamont, ,,

GOO

• ••

• • •

G,000

Captain McLean, ,,

1,000

• • •

• ••

80,000

John McPhail, ,,

500

• • ■

• • •

G.OOO

John McPhail, ,,

500

»••

• • •

G,000

Mr. W. II. DempsUrs lieinyrt.

37

Between Killarnoy and Glenboro*, where we next came
Icelamlers. to, we struck on a settlement of Icelanders, who were

intelligent and industrious men, and appeared to be doino-
very well. On arriving at Glenboro' we met several gentlemen
more or less connected with farming, aud who were kind enou'^li

CBOFTEB8 THSESHINO.

to assist us in every way they could. Mr. James Duncan, who
came here 13 years ago, with a capital of £100, was the only
settler within 60 miles at that time. He homesteaded a quarter-
section (160 acres). In a short time he bought 300 acres, which
were added to his farm. He is now a man of good means. Glenboro'
has a population of 600, with a railway passing through it. The land
is chiefly under grain, to the west, and well suited for mixed farming.

We next visited Souris, and called upon several "Welsh people.

Welsh Mr, E. J. Jones, who came from North Wales 12 years ago,

Settlers, with a capital of S700, was taken ill at Montreal when he

lauded, and it cost him all he had ; but, notwithstanding his
misfortune, he now owns a half-section, and rents another half-
section, on which the stock and crops looked very promising. About
25 miles' drive north-east brings us to Brandon (population, 5,400) ; the
largest grain market in Manitoba. On Monday, the 18th, we visited
the Brandon Experimental Farm, and saw much to be admired there ;
the cattle were first-rate, and the machinery was also a great
att)*action : all branches of farm work were methodically carried on.
We next came to Qu'Ap])elle (population, 950), which is some
distance west of Brandon. We drove to Indian Head. Mr. William
Dixon, who farms 640 acres, says that he expects his wheat to turn out
about 35 bushels per acre. Land was a clean black loam, evidently
with grain-growing properties — as the return of this farm is above the
average of the Assiniboine district ; quality of grain. No. 1 hard,
Shropshire Down sheep, he says, will do well here, only they must be

3,^

7*.ic AijAcaltaral limoti rci'S of Canada,

housed ill winter. Cattle will do out with care even at the ex-
ceptional t<^mperature of 'tiO° behiw zero. He arranges the straw so
a8 to give shelter an well as fodder. We then went through the
experimental farm, which is worthy of praise. The wheat crop at

If"" '"■ ;;'" ""fll-iiiii.jil'V'-'' :^IWbJ'^ -ij;fe^'

;'.:i Tit;; :

'^iSili^ir^'^'-'

■:: :;;.^*;isi-iii:::f:.: V

-•■■;^,i<

FARM SCENE, MANITOBA.

Lord Brassey's farm was quite a show in itself, which proves what
good tilling can do. This extensive place is managed by Mr. Sheppard,
from whom we received the greatest kindness and hospitality. On
getting to Calgary, on the 22nd, we were greeted with a snowstorm.
\Ve, however, only remained here half an hour, as our train was
leaving for Edmonton, where we arrived about 8.30 p.m. the same evening.

Edmonton is a rising town (population, 500, taken in 1891).
Edmonton. We were all very much pleased with this district ; the fact

of its being so far from market is its only drawback ; but
no doubt much of its produce will find an outlet in British Columbia.
Heavy crops of grain and roots are raised in this locality. In addition
to plenty of good coal, gold is found in the bed of the river
Saskatchewan in the form of fine dust; last season between SI 5,000
and $20,000 w^orth was obtained, chiefly by settlers living along its
banks. Traces of petroleum have been found in various parts, but no
satisfactory developments have been made. In journeying northwards,
in the direction of Fort Saskatchewan, a fine tract of country, with
nice clumps of trees and plenty of water, could be seen — a great
part of this may be homesteaded. St. Albert, nine miles north-west
of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River, is a little village with shops,
post ofiice, and telephone connection with Edmonton. The cathedral

}fr. W. //. Dempsters Report.

Sd

church of the Koinan Catholic dux-eae is situated there, with the
residence of the bishop and a convent of sisters of chanty, who
conduct a hospital and orphanage. The wint^er is not so severe here as

in many other parts, so it is said. „r i •

We left Edmonton Sept^mk^r 2r)th, and drove to VV etaski-
Red Deer win, in the Red Deer district. A good country ; pU-nty
and Calgary, of sport : wild geese, ducks, chickens, &c., in abundance.
Here, I may say, we received valuable assistance trom
a Government guide, Mr. Hayes, who speaks in enthusiastic praise of
that part of the country. We got biick to Calgary at 7.30 p.m. on

CALGART.

the 26th. On the 27th, with police teams, we started to view the
country around the town. We saw nothing specially good in the way
of farming lands in the immediate vicinity. Population, 4,500. It is
the handsomest town between Brandon and Vancouver, and in the
distance the white peaks of the " Eockies " can be seen ; it is also the
centre of the ranching country, and is situated on the river Bow.

We next took train for the coast, and arrived at New
British Westminster, on the river Eraser (population, 8,000), at
Columbia. 8 p.m. on September 28th. Here the salmon-canning

industry is carried on largely ; there are about a dozen
extensive establishments in the town ; also very large saw-mills, the
produce of which is shipped to China and Australia. In company with
local gentlemen we visited a place called Pitt's Meadow, which has
been reclaimed, and is owned by a company. I shall be interested to see
if it will ever pay ; the soil when thoroughly dried will undoubtedly
be exceedingly fertile. We also saw the exhibition which was held at
that time. The vegetation is by far the best I have seen in Canada.
Animals are not so good ; it would be well to import some of the best
sires from Ontario. Vancouver (population, 18,000) was our next stop ;
it is the Paci6c terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Until May,

40 The Afjricidlural lieioureti of Canada.

1886, it« site was covered with a dense foreHt. In July of that
year a fire, Hprt^adinj? from the surrounding forest, Hwept away every
iioufM? I»ut one in tlie phice. A more beautiful town than it is now
would be hard to find.

We then crosat^d the Straits of Georgia, and found ourselves
Victoria. at Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It has a

population of 20,000, and is situated at the Sv^uthern
extremity of Vancouver Island. From here may be observed tht^
iM^autiful Olympic Mountains, and the white cone of M»junt Baker.
It is a hm^ country, and there is a certain amount of agriculture. We
were heartily welcomed by the ex-Mayor and other gentlemen. On
October 2nd we left for Xanaimo. Through the exceeding kindness
of Mr. Dunsmuir, a special train was arranged for our transport.
The tine timber we saw is evidence of the strength of the soil. 1
f.iioukl like to see more of the land tilled on tliis rich little island.
The coal is »vorked successfully, seams being from 3 ft. to 9 ft., and
miners' wae:es are from $3 to S4 per day (128. to 16s.). We also
visited the New Vancouver Colliery, where an abundance of coal is
brought to the surface. Leaving Nanaimo, we were next bound for
Harrison, and proceeded down the Fraser to Chilliwack, where
we arrived about 3 p.m. on October 3rd. This country is very
like parts of Wales ; it looks very flourishing, but is rather subject
to rain. We first went to Eden Farm, the property of Mr.
Wells, who is a very good farmer, with land of excellent quality.
He keeps a dairy of 50 cows, and calculates that each cow turns
him in £\2 per annum. His young stock is a credit to
the land and its owner. We also visited the hop yards, which are
quite an experiment, and to all appearance satisfactory. He is
much pleased with his return. "How about picking the hops?" I
asked, labour being so scarce. "No trouble at all," he re, I'ed ; "the
Indians pick them at $1 per measure, and they make about S2 per day."
Land in this district is very rich, but dear to buy after being cleared —
SloO per acre. Leaving this place much pleased, we proceeded to
Banff, a station and village in the " Rockies," among the hot sulphur
springs, where we enjoyed a bath. Staying at this place one night, we
returned to Calgary on the 6th October. Next morning we started for
McLeod, where we arrived at 4 p.m. We had the pleasure of witness-
ing an Indian horse race. In the evening we were visited by two
Indians — minor chiefs — who were very friendly disposed. Through the
kind assistance of Major Steel wo were furnished with eight magnificent
horses, also men, and were driven to the Cardstone district — a settle-
ment of Mormons, named after Mr. Card, the first settler, and now
chief of the settlement.

The Mormons are an industrious people, and are doing
Mormons, very well ; they turn out a quantity of butter and cheese,

and they also raise good grain. Wheat averages 20
l)ushels per acre. The settlement is composed of 100 families, and
coi-imands 50,000 acres of land ; 400 cows are milked, and the total
return of cheese this year is 35,000 lbs. They have a milk factory,
and buy milk at 8 cents (4d.) per gallon. These people originally
came from Salt Lake, but they do not practise polygamy. Mr. Card

Mr, W, H, Demiy9ter*t Rfjwt, 41

itrongly ndvocates immigmtion. We returned to McTjecKl, which wnn
named aft»T Colonel (now Judgt^) MeTj«H)d. (letting back to C'ulp^ary
via Mosquito Creek and the ranches, we saw thousands of fine cattle and
horses. They are collected twice a year to brand the young ones and
sell the fat ones —which are magnificent animals from three years and
upwards ; they are quite fit for the butcher. We find that in this
part of the country experimental irrigation is the order of the day.

Leaving Calgary for th(^ last titiie, we got to He«;i!ia
Calgary (population, 2,200) on October 13tli. We did not care
tolteijina. very much for the country near the town. It is ml her

heavy land, but yields good returns in favourable 8ea*ions.
Wo were much pleased with the Indian Industrial S('hot)l, where Indinn
children are taken charge of and tau<j;ht all kinds of trades. It (;r>ntains
at present 40 girls and 70 boy«, who are turning out very W(»ll. On
our way to Duck I^ke, which is 23 miles from Regin^, we
came across several successful farmers. Most of them complain of
hot winds this year, which made the crops below the average, Mr.
Curruthers lia» farmed his place three years, and has done remarkably
well. Mr. Bratt has lived five years on his section of land ; the lake
near his house swarms with wild ducks, geese, and other birds.
Undoubtedly he has well feathered his nest. On 17th October we
arrived at a little town called Grenfell, about 50 miles ea;.t of Regina,
and were received by several local gentlemen, who appeared to
be happy and energetic. Mr. and Mrs. Peel, with whom I
had the pleasure of staying, were not only hospitable in their house,
but assisted me by way of information, &c., and in driving me round the
country. I much admired a farm belonging to Mr. Skrine, with a nice
house, buildings, &c., complete, which he is now offering for sale at
$12 per acre (1,840 acres). The country around is picturesque, and is
dotted with bluffs of wood and a chain of lakes. We visited
Mr. Skilita, Pipestone Farm, and saw some fine Shorthorn cattle,
also a particularly good heifer. 1 measured a bull, which was
a very fine beast — 7 ft. 9| in. behind shoulder, 6 ft. from point of
shoulder to rump, 5 ft. 3 in. from top of shoulder to dewlap, and
1 ft. 4| in. from dewlap to ground. Mr. Bennett, Grenfell, farms
940 acres : barley, 40 bushels per acre ; oats (poor crop), only 30
bushels per acre. He keeps a number of pigs, and says that sheep will
do well in that neighbourhood.

We proceeded to Brandon again, and thence to
Rapid City Rapid City (population, 700). On inquiry of Mr.
and District. Haffer, we find that wheat is far below the usual
returns— only 17 bushels to the acre— and oats 40 bushels
per acre. Some fairly good mixed land may be purchased here at
$5 per acre. We examined the elevator (managed by Mr. Duncan),
which is capable of holding 4,000 bushels of grain. The woollen factory
was next inspected. Wool was bought at 8 cents, 9 cents, and
10 cents per lb., unwashed; washed, 14 cents to 16 cents (7d. to 8d.)
per lb. There is also in this place a large grist mill, which is a paying
concern. Mr. Peter James, of Ashdale Farm, has 480 acres ; he came
here eight years ago from Milford Haven, South Wales. His children, he
says, enjoy better health than when they were in Wales. He is making

PAET i\. 4

42

Th€ Atji-to'ltural Retovrert of Canada.

money, and hopee to be able to induce other membera of hii family to
come out next spring. This year he baa a very poor rctarn of grain.
Mr. James in in favour of Diixed farming. At 2 p.m. we started for
MinnedoNa. After a drive of 15 miles north-east uf Rapid City,
we took the Manitoba and North-West train to Yorkton. The
land hero rather resembles that of Edmonton. This town is the
terminus of the Manitoba and North -West Kail way.

Keturning to l^inscarth, we drove to Theodora Farm,
the property of Mr. Seeman, who only (»mti hero
a year ago. He bought 8,140 acres at SI \)er acre —
but has sold some since. He employs 18 men, and
he has made in this short time a marvellous improvement. He
intends this winter feeding 100 head of cattle. He cultivates 490 acrcH.
Cn)))s are most excellent, but roots are not so good. He seems to have
paid a great deal for cleaning, which in most parts is put out as contract
work at from $*i to $5 per acre. His account for the sumuier of 180.*]
runs as follows : —

Mr. UtemarCt
Farm,

ABt«T8.

516.70

LiADiLines.

1,087.92

Sandry debtors ...

• • •

Sundrv creditors

Value of animals ..

• • •

12,310.75

Capital account

80,096.88

„ buildings

• • •

2,880.64

„ utensils...

• • •

2,217.78

„ Roods ...

• ••

2,178 28

Cost of 1,920 acres,

at $:)

per acre

• • '

6,700.00

„ preparing

490

acres ...

•«•

4,973.00

„ fencings...

• ••

700 00

Value of crop ..•
Cash on band

• ••

6,636.00

• • •

105.64

,

$37,184 75

$37,184.76

pBOriT AND Loss ACCOUNT.

To feed oats

seed grain >

binder twine

sundry expenses ... .

food account

,, wages account

,, depreciation of utensils
proDt «•• .

II

»i

II

$

150.00

490.00
131.65
382.41
326.10

1,540.46
222.60

2,286.78

$5,536.00

By produce of 200 acres oats,
at 70 bush, per acre r=
14,000 bush., less 60
bush, sold = 13,940
bush., at 15 cents

100 acres barley, at 45
bush, per acre = 4,500
bush., at 25 cents

ISO acres wheat, at 25
bush, per acre » 3,250
bush., at 40 cents

10 acres potatoes, at 150
bush, per acre = l.-'JiOO
bush., at 20 cents

14 acres roots, at 300 bush,
per acre = 4,200 bush ,
at 10 cents

800 tons hay

II

II

8

2,091 00

1,125.00

1,300.00

300.00

4?0.00
300.00

$5,536.00

X'r, ir. //, IhrnifUrt Hfimt. 43

Tl»e district U'tuten Theodora and Bii)j*carth did not.
Dr. BamartloB pWano me im» much an some others, tht-ru b«ing a hwlc
Fami. of water, and I abo obwrvt'd a qiumtity cf alkali in

the soil, moro or less. We calhd at Dr. Barnardo's
Home Farm, an institution managed by Mr. Strutbers. All the
jjrain crops wen* jxMjr, due to the hot u inds. There were (KH> aerCH
under cultivation — 100 aiues ot wheat ; 180 acres oats, produi'injif
25 bunhels per acre; 114 acres of barley, prcxlucing 25 bushels per
acre. The creamery is worked to advaJitag«% taking in nulk during
August and 8<*ptember. The tikiin-niilk is returned to farnwrs. The
i*ock looked fairly well, but the pigs, though a good sort, were
much neglected and kept dirty ; there also app«'ared to Iw a great
waste of food. The roots were small. I believe "kohl-rabi** to bo
bt»8t suited to thin country, and feel sure that if roots were grown
with the aid of manure they could Ix? raised to a better advantage.
We next drove to Kussell, and back to Binscartb. This country seems
good for mixed farming. Binscartb Farm was worthy of inspection.
It consists ol 1,600 acres, with a fine dwelling-house, two cottages,
bam, and sheds measuring 250 ft. by 50 ft., and calculated to hold 250
head of stock. It is situated 2| miles from a railway station. This
farm is offered for sale at $8 per acre, 1,000 acr«'8 being fenced in. On
the 24th we started for Silver Creek, to see Mr. Keating's farm. The
wheat averages 25 bushels. Barley was a very poor sample. Mr. Keating
does not complain, neither does he speak in good terms of his farm. Mr.
Crearer, also of Silver Creek, farms 320 acres, mixed, but keeps no sheep,
on account of wolves being troublesome. H e has good cattle, hors^,
and pigs. Mr. Baker, of Seaborn district, who with his brother farms
half a section, speaks highly of the returns of his farm, which is also
mixed land. Sheep do very well on this place, but the crops of grain
were rather poor. The total amount of taxes on this farm for the year
was $12. We came to Birtle on October 25th. This town has saw-
mills where a quantity of lumbering is carried on. There is also a grist
mill, which is worked by steam power. We also visited a line building
which is nearly completed, an Indian Industrial School, chiefly supported
by Unitarians, with the assistance of the Government. The heating
apparatus will consume six cords of wood per month, at. Sl| per
cord. In convf3rsation with a carpenter from the Old Country, he
told me be earns l$2| per day, and is shortly going in for farming,
hoping to have a better return. The Prohibition Law is in force in
this neighbourhood. The Mayor, who is much respected, took great
pains in showing us all that there was to be seen, and giving us all the
assistance he could. Birtle is near Bird-Tail Creek, which empties
into the Assiniboine Eiver.

There are many successful farmers who give very in-
Succ£ssful teresting accounts of their beginning. Mr. Spalding,
Fanners, of Beulah, an Irishman, who came to his farm nine

years ago, with nine children, complains of crops being
light this year. He has brought up his family in a w^ay that
is a credit to himself and his country. Mr. Doyle, also of Beulah,
showed us a first-class cr:5p of roots, nearly equal to those of British

44

The Afjricultaral Iteaourcea of Canada,

Columbia. IIo is one of the farmers who use the farm-yard manure
with a good result. Mr. Drummond, who is a practical, intelligent
farmer, and manages for Major-Gen. H. C. Wilkinson, C.B., showed
us fine samples of grain, especially barley, which I considered lit for
malting. He has some good pedigree sheep, and is in favour of raising
stock to make farming successful.

On the 27th we took train for Portage-la-Prairie, where a flat, grain-
farming country could be seen ; line rich-looking eoil, nearly all arable
land. Wheat yielded 22 bushels per acre, and was selling at 58
cents per bushel for No. 1 hard. Farmers seem very reckless about
their machinery ; it is left where last u^:ed.

FABM eCENE, ONTABIO.

We now returned to Winnipeg, and remained over
Winnipeg to Sunday. On Monday ve made a trip to St. Paul's and
Ontario, Chicago, which took us about three days, afid then back

to the charming province of Ontario. Woodstock was
our first stop. Here many gentlemen met us, from whom we received
every kindness. After looking round the market place and other
])ublic buildings, in company with Mr. Charles (with his grand pair
(i horses), the President of the Board of Trade, and Vice-President
Karn, we visited Mr. W. Donaldson at Huntingford, South Torra, and
saw a beautiful herd of Shorthorn cattle. This gentleman farms
400 acres, but \ery little of it is under grain. Wheat averages ^5
bushels per acre. He has farmed for 37 years, and has been veiy
successful. He farms most methodically ; roots fairly good. Strath-
allan Cheese Factory was our next call, and we were told that it
pays well. Milk i^ received daily from May until October. Farinerj

Mr. W, If. DempHer*8 BepoH, 45

receive 1 cent per lb. for their milk ; the quantity from an avemgo
cow l>ein^ JiO lbs. per day. There is also au allowance made to
tarmers for whey and washing .ip of utensils. Mr. Charles, of
Donnybrook, who is a good »i)ecii:ien of a true-born Irish gentle-
man, took us to see the farm he had just purchased ; and, with tli«
improvements he is now making, no doubt it will turn out a capital
investment. The quality of the land is all that can be desired.
lie also took us to Vansittart House, the r'^sidence of Mr. T. C
Patteson, where we were again hospitably received. This place
is beautifully situated in a pnrk, with natural clumps of trees, sur-
rounded by a fine forest, which makes the scenery most picturesque.

On November 10th we left this delightful district by the (Jrand
Trunk Kailway for Grimsby, where we found ourselves in a fruit
district. Many acres of grajies, apples, and i)ears, &c., &c. ; the
fruit is most abundant, and pays \\A\. Mr. Kerman, who is a
Lincolnshire man, has gone in largely for hot-houses, and raises
a quantity of tomatoes ; getting them out in winter, they command
a hi<;h price — iiO cents per lb. This pretty little village has a
beautiful temple, with about 300 summer-houses, which induces numbers
of families to spend the season (July, August, and September) here.
The land is fertile, and suitable for all kinds of farming and gardening
purposes, and worth, near town, $150 per acre. The town is charm-
ingly situated, and commands an extensive view of Lake Ontario.

Leaving G-rimsby at 6.15 p.m., we passed through
Grinusby to Gait a fine tract of country, with many flourishing-
ami Gaelph. looking little towns and villages, including Gait,

containing about 1,500 inhabitants. From a con-
versation with Mr. Thomas Hunt, of Hespeler, I find that the district
is considered good for grain, the average being above that of the
North- West, viz. : wheat, 25 to 30 bushels per acre ; butter sells at
25 cents per lb. Land is w'orth $35 to $40 per acre ; the farming
is of a much better class here than in many other parts. On November
6th, at 9.15 p.m., we got to Guelph. We visited the Ontario
Agricultural College and Experimental Earm, which is under the
control of the Minister of Agriculture — President : Mr. James Mills ;
Mr. G. E. Day, Professor of Agriculture and iarra superintendent;
Mr. A. E. Shuttleworth, B.A., Sc, Professor of Chemistry ; Mr. A. H.
Panton, M.A., F.G.S., Professor of Natural History and Geology ; Mr.
J. H. Eeed, V.C., Professor of Veterinary Science ; Mr. H. H. Dean,
B.S.A., Professor of Dairy Husbandry ; Mr. J. B. Eeynolds, assistant
resident master ; Captain Walter Clark, instructor in drill and
gymnastics ; Mr. C. A. Zavetz, B.S.A., experimentalist ; Mr. A.
McCalluni, bursar ; Mr. Wm. Kernel, farm superintendent. With
this efficient staff it is unnecessary to say that each department
was admirably conducted, and we acquired many useful wrinkles
ourselves. We found an improvement in almost every branch of
farming operations, especially the manner in which animals are fed.
It would well pay some North- Western farmers to take a day at
this magnificent institution. The neatness and cleanliness were
admirable, and we spent a most enjoyable day.

46

The Afjricultural Resources of Canada.

The same evening we arrived at Toronto. On the 8th,
Toronto, in company with Alderman Hailam and Lieutenant

Laurie (after being kindly received at Government
JIouso by the Lieut.-Gf)vernor), we drove to see Messrs. Davies and
Go's bacon factory— where 170 pigs were killed and dressed in an
hou»- It was interesting to see how well each nmn mastered his
work Pigs were bought at this establishment at 5j cents per lb.,
live weight, from 160 lbs. to 220 lbs. The same gentlemen kindly
accompanied us to Thorncliffe Stock Farm, where we had the

c^^.

TORONTO,

pleasure of seeing the champion thoroughbred stallion of America,
*' Mikado/' Standing 16.| hands high, and weighing in stud
condition 1,300 lbs., with line qualily and substance, a more perfect
animal cannot be seen. Next canv? a Clvdesdale stallion named
'• Energy," another grand specimen of its class. Besides some fine colts
and young stock, we also saw a magnificent red Durham bull ; and I
uiudt conft ss, taking into consideration size and quality, I have never
seen one to equal it.

We here completed our task, and prepared to return
Conclusion. to England. We A'ere unanimously of the opinion

that Canada is a great but undeveloped country, with
unbo""ded weaUh both in minerals and agriculture. It undoubtedly
has a great future before it. Many thousands of families who are
striving against tlie tide of fortune in Great Britain will obtain in
Canada what they never can expect to where they are, viz., the
privilege Ol being thtir own landlords, with, as I have before said,
the law and liberty of the Old Country.

n

APPENDIX A.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA.

The Dominion of Canada includes the whole of British
Geiural North America to the north of the United States, and

iTiformation. has an area of nearly 3,500,000 square miles. It is

divided into eight separate provinces, and the population
at the laat census was 4,829,411 — viz.: Prince Edward Inland, 109,088;
Nova Scotia, 450,523; New Brunswick, 321,294 ; Quebec, 1,488,586 ;
Ontario, 2,112,989; Manitoba, 154,472; the North-West Territories,
67,554; British Columbia, 92,767; and unorganised Territories, 32,168.
The extent of the country will be better understood by stating that it
is larger than the United States without Alaska, and nearly as large as
the v/hole of Europe. • '

The government of the country has at its head
Constitution atid the Qovenior-General, the representative of Her
(jfovemment. Majesty. The Dominion Parliament consists of the

Senate and of the House of Commons, and the
government of the day is in the hands of the majority, from whom the
Privy Council, or the Cabinet, who act as the advisers of the Governor-
General, are taken. The members of the Senate are nominated for life
by the Governor-General, and the duration of the House of Commons
is fixed by the Act as five years. Each province has also its local
Parliament, in some cases of two Houses, as in Prince Edward Island,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, and in others of only one,
as in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. The head of the
Provincial Government is known as tlie laeutenant-Governor, and is
appointed by the Governor-General. The constitution of Canada is
contained in the British North America Act, 1867, which defines the
powers both of the federal and of the local Legislatures. It may be
said, generally, that the fonner deals with matters concerning the
community as a whole, and the latter with subjects of local interest.
Twenty-seven years' experience has demonstrated that the country has
made great progress under the existing institutions, and the prin-
ciple of union is recognised by all political parties as the sure foundation
on which the future of the Dominion depends. There is a free and
liberal franchise in operation, both for the Provincial and Dominion
Parliaments, which gives most men the benefit of a vote. In the
provinces there are county and township councils for regulating local
affairs, such as roads, schools, and other municipal purposes, so that
the government of the Dominion is decentralised as far as practicable,
in the spirit of the Imperial legislation before mentioned.

Nothing connected with Canada is so much misrepresented
Climate, and misunderstood as its climate, but it has only to be

experienced to be thoroughly appreciated. It is warmer
in summer and much colder in winter than in Great Britain : but

48 General Information about Canada,

the heat is favourable to the growth of fruit ani the crops, and
in every way pheasant and beneficial, and the cold is not prejudicial
to health or lite. In fact, Canada is one of the healthiest countries
in the world. The .vinter lasts from the end of November or the
beginning of December to the end of March or middle of April ;
spring from April to May; summer fnom June to September; and
autumn from Oc*^^ober to the end of November. The seasons vary
sometimes, but the above is the average duration of the different
periods. The nature of the climate ot' a country may be measured
by its products. In winter most of the trades and manufactures are
carried on as usual, and, as regards farming, much the same work
is done on a Canadian farm in autumn a:id in winter as on
English, IScotch, or Irish homesteads. Ploughing is not possible, of
course, in the depth of winter, but it is done in the autumn and early
s|)ring, and in the winter months cattle have to be fed, the dairy
attended to, cereals threshed, machinery put in order, buildings repairea,
carting done, and wood-cutting, and preparations made for the spring
work, so that it is by no means an idle season. One thing is perfectly
certain — that the country would net have developed so rapidly as it
has done, and the population would not have grown to its present
proportions, had the climate been unfavourable to the health, pros-
})erity, and progress of the community. Of course there are good and
Ittid seasons in Canada, as everywhere else, but, taken, altogether, the
climate will compare very favourably with other countries in similar
latitudes.

As the temperature in Manitoba and the North-Wr >t
Temperature. Territories is frequently referred to, it is desirable
to quote official statistics bearing on the quv ion.
The mean temperature at "Winnipeg in the summer is 00*3°, and during
the winter 1 ° ; Brandon, 58-1° and - 1-8° ; Eapid City, 62-2° and 27° ;
Portage-la-Prairie, 61-8° and 12-6°. In the North- West Territories, the
summer and winter mean temperatures at the specified places are as
follows:— Kegina, 59-2° and -2-4°; Calgary, 55-6° and 12-2"; Edmon-
ton, 55'2^ and 11*3°. It is very evident the temperature only very
occasionally reaches the various extreme limits that are sometimes
mentioned, or the mean winter temperatures could not be anytliing liko
the figures above quoted, v

Beference has been made elsewhere to the agricultural
Products of products of Canada. The countr} also possesses great
Canada, wealth in the timber contained in the immense forests, and

in the minerals of all kinds, including coal, gold, silver,
iron, copper, &c. Then, again, the fisheries along the extensive coasts,
both on the Atlantic side and on the Pacific, and in the inland waters,
are most valuable and varied, and are valued annually at several millions
sterling. The principal fishes are salmon, trout, cod, herring, mackerel,
halibut, and haddock. Oysters and lobsters are also most nume-
rous. The manufacturing industry already occupies a most important
position, and is growing more extensive every year. Almost every
kind of manufacture is carried on. This activity is not confined to
any one part ot Canada, but is apparent ia all the older provinces,

General Infarmation about Canada, 49

and will no doubt in time extend to the western parts of llie Doininion
also.

Reference is sometimes made? to some Canadian farms
Mortgages. being mortgaged. It should be borne in mind, however,

that a proportion of the Canadian farmers start willi
little or no capital. In order to provide capital in such cases, the farm
is mortgaged, but the loan companies, as a rule, do not advance more
than half the value of the properties. The interest paid bears no com-
parison to the rent of similar-sized farms in the United Kingdom, and
the fact of the existence of a mortgage, in these circumstances, is not
detrimental to the position of the farmer. Not only is the interest
invariably paid, but the experience is that the loans are paid off as they
mature. The losses of the Canadian companies arc comparatively small,
and the investment, therefore, is a good one to the lender, and an
advantage to the farmer.

Canada's trade — import and export— amounts to nearly
Trade Imports X50,000,000 per annum, and is largely with Great
and Exiwris. Britain and the United States, the balance being

exchanged with European countries, the West Indies,
South America, xVustralasia, China, and Japan. The figures given
above only include the outside trade, and do not embrace that done
betw^een the various provinces. Free trade, in its entirety, exists
within the boundaries of the Dominion, and the local business is
very large, as the tonnacje carried on the railways and canals and on
the coasting vessels will show. It may be stated that the revenue
now amounts to about S36,000,000 per annum, of which about
.'§20,000,000 — equal to 17s. per head of the population — is obtained
from customs duties on goods imported into Canada.

Markets, either within or without the Dominion, exist
Markets. for all the products of the country, and no difficulty
is found in this respect. New markets have been pro-
vided by the establishment of lines of steamers to the West Indies,
Australasia, China, and Japan, which are now in operation. Canada
is well served with railway and water communication, and the
shipping owned in Canada is so large that it occupies a high place
in the list of sbipH3wning countries of the world. A railway extends
from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and each province possesses
excellent railway accommodation; in fact, there are over 15,000 miles
of line in operation at the present time. The rivers and canals have
been so much improved of late years, that the largest ocean-going
steamers can moor alongside the wharves at Quebec and Montreal,
and it is possible for a vessel of 500 tons burden to pass from the
Atlantic into the great lakes. The enlargement of the canals now
in progress, which is to be completed in 1895, w-ill i^ermit ocean
v(}ssels of 2,000 tons gross burden to pass to the head of Lakr*
Navigation without breaking bulk.

The distinctions of class do not exist in Canada to the

Social same extent as in the mother country. There is no law

Distinctions, oi primogeniture, and there are no paupers ; a feeling of

, healthy independence pervades all classc?, which no doubt

50 Oenei'al Information about Canada.

I arises from the fact that every farmer is the owner of his acres, is his

I own master, and is free to do as he wills— a state of things conducive

to a condition of freedom unknown in older countries. Then, again,
taxation is comparatively light, and many social difficulties, still under
discussion in Great Britain, were grappled with in Canada years ago.
Keligious liberty prevails ; there is practically free and unsectarian
education; a free and liberal franchise exists; local option in regard
to the liquor traffic is in operation ; the duration of the Parliament
does not exceed five years, and the members are paid for their services ;
marriage with a deceased wife's sister has been legalised ; and there is
no poor law system, although orplians and the helpless and aged of
both sexes are not neglected, being cared for under the municipal
system. And, again, a good system of local government is at work in
every province. The system of education in force — under the super-
vision and guidance of the Provincial Governments — enables the best
education to be obtained at a trifling cost, and therefore the poor, as
well as the rich, can make themselves eligible for the highest positions
in the country. In principle the system in operation is the same in
the different provinces, although the details may differ somewhat. In
each school district trustees are elected to manage the schools for the
inhabitants, who pay a small rate towards their support, the balance
being met by considerable grants from the local governments.

British subjects settling in Canada do not require to be naturalised.

I They are entitled to all the same rights and privileges as their fellow

British subjects who may have been born there ; indeed, the removal

|| of a family to Canada makes no more difference in their position, as

British subjects, than if they had gone instead to any city, town, or
village in the United Kingdom. Of course it is a different thing if they
go to the United States or any other foreign country, In that case they
must renounce their birthright, and their allegiance to their sovereign
and their flag, before they can enjoy any of the political advantages
of citizenship ; and in many parts of the United States land cannot
be bought, or sold, or transferred, excepting by naturalised persons.

Intending settlers in Canada are strongly advised
Government to communicate, either personally or by letter,

Agents in the with the nearest agent of the Canadian Govern-

United Kingdom, ment in Great Britain (see Preface) before they

leave, so as to obtain the fullest and latest
advice applicable to their cases. Cards of introduction to the Govern-
ment Agents in Canada are also supplied to desirable persons. Any
information supplied by these gentlemen may be thorougUy relied upon.
Then, again, on reaching Canada, or at any time afterwards, the
nearest Government Agent should be consulted, as they are in a
position to furnish accurate particulars on all matters of interest to
the new arrival.

The Dominion Government has agents at Quebec, Mon-

Governmenl treal, Halifax, and St. John, the principal ports of lauding

Agenfs in in Canada ; and the various Provincial Governments also

Canada. supervise immigration as far as possible. At Toronto,

Ontario, the Superintendent of Immigration is Mr. D.

i.j

i

General Information about Canada, 51

Spence, 65, Siiucoe Street; and in Victoria, British Columbia, iMr.
Jessop, the Provincial Goveniinent Agent, should be consulted. Tiie
following is a list of the various Immigration Agencies under the
supervision of the Department of the Interior: —

•<in chj

ommissioner of Dominion Lands, *)
^rge of Outside Service in Manitoba >
and the North-West Territories )

Winnipeg, Man. -^in charge of Outside Service in Manitoba >■ Mr. II. II. Smitif.

Agents at Ports of Call for Steamships in Canada : —

Mr. E. M. Clay ... Halifax, N.S. j Mr. 1*. Doyle Quebec, Q.

,, S. Gardner ... St. John, N.B. | ,, J. Hoolahan ... Montreal, Q.

Dominion Lands Agents iu Canada who act as Immigration Agents: —

W. H. HiAM Brandon, Man.

W. G. Pentland Birtle, ,,

John Flesuek ... Deloraine, ,,

W. M. HiLLiARD... Minnedosa, .,

W. H. STEVEN80N Kegiua, N.W.T.

A»f08 IlowE Calgary, ,,

.J. G. JE88np ... lied Deer, ,,

John McTaogart PriuceAlbert,,

Thos. Anderson Edmonton, N.W.T.

C. E, Phipps ... Oxbow, ,,

E. Brokuvski ... Baltleford, ,,

Geo. Young ... Lethbridge, ,,

T. B. Ferguson Saltcoats, ,,

John McKenzie New Westminster,

B.C.

E. A. Nash ... Kamloops, B.C.

The best time for persons with little or no capital to go out is
from April to July — the earlier the better. Domestic servants may
start at any time of the year.

There are no free or assisted passages to Canada. The
No Assisted full ordinary steamship fares must be paid by all immi-
Passacfes. grants, and they must also have enough money in

addition to pay for their railway fares from the port
of landing to their destination, and to provide board and lodging
until work is secured. The Government does not render any assistance
in these matters, and all new-comers must be self-supporting. The
Government Agents do not book passengers, and intending emigrants
are advised to consult the local steamship agents on that subject.
Neither do they recommend any one line more than another. They
are quite impartial in both respects.

It is not necessary to say anything in detail about the
Boolcing various steamers going to Canada, or about the fares. All
Passages. such information can be obtained from the advertising

columns of the newspapers, or from the steamship agents,
who are to be found in every town or village. Passengers are
recommended to take through tickets (including ocean and rail
tickets) to their destinations in Canada. They are issued by the
steamship companies, and in this way it is often possible to save
money — as through tickets often cost less than the ocean ticket and
the Canadian rail ticket if taken separately. Many of the railway
companies in Great Britain issue cheap railway tickets from various
places to the ports of embarkation, such as Liverpool, London, and
Glasgow, and in these cases information may be obtained from the
railway booking oflices.

Passengers should pay particular attention to the labelling
Liujgarje, of their luggage, and labels may be obtained from the

steamship companies. They should also bear in mind that
the steamship companies only carry free a limited quantity of baggage,

i<\^>-^^

62 General Information about Canada.

according to the class of ticket taken, and that tI»o railway companies
limy charge tor an^lhing over 150 lbs. weight. The Canadian Pacitic
liailway carry iiOU lbs. free for emigrants proceeding to Manitolxi and
the Ncrth-West Territories. Care should bo exercised in deciding
what had better be taken to Canada. Furniture, and heavy and bulky
goods of that description, had better be left behind, as the freight
charged for extra bagj2[age makes it an expensive luxury ; all household
requirements can be purchased in the country. Agricultural implements
and tools should not be taken out. as the most improved articles of
this description adapted to the country can be purchased in any
village in Canada. Skilled mechanics and artisans, when recounuended
to go out, may take their tools, but they must remember what is
stated above, and also that in the Dominion all these things can bo
bouj^ht at reasonable prices. Emigrants may be safely advised to take
a good suj)ply of underclothing, heavy and light, for winter and
summer wear, house and table linen, blankets, bed-ticks, and any other
articles of special value which do not take up much room.

Settlers' effects are admitted free of customs duty if
Seillerg Effects they come within the terms of the following clause of
free of the customs tariff : —

Customs Duty. Settlers' Effects, r/z. .-—Wearing npparel, household far-

niture, professional books, imulcinents and tools of trade,
occupation, or employment, which the cettler has had in
actual use for at least six months before removal to Canada, musical instru-
mente, domestic sewinj; machines, live stock, carts, and other veliicle^ and
agricultural implements in use by the settler for at least one year before his
removal to Canada, not to include machinery or articles imported for use in any
manufacturing establishment or for sale : provided that any dutiable article cntcretl
as settlers' effects may not be so entered unless broujjht with the settler on his
first arrival, and shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of without payment of duty
until after two years' actual use in Canada ; provided also that, under regulations
made by the Minister of Customs, live stock, when imported into Manitoba or the
Korth-West Territory by intending settlers, shall be free, until otherwise ordered
by the (iovernor in Council.

Wages — which, of course, vary from time to time — are,
Wafjes. as a general rule, from a quarter to one-half higher

than in Great Britain, but in some trades they are
even more. The cost of living is lower, upon the whole, and an
average family will, with proper care, be much better off in Canada
than at liome. There are very good openings in Canada for the
classes of persons recommended to go out, but it must be borne in
mind that hard work, energy, enterprise, and steadiness of chanicter
are as essential there as in any other country. Indeed, perhaps they
are more necessary ; but, on the other hand, there is a much better
chance of success for any persons possessing these qualities, and who
are able and willing to adapt themselves to the conditions of life
obtaining in Canada.

Persons with capital to invest will find many openings

Capitalists. in Canada. They can engage in agricultural pursuits,

taking up the free-grant lands or purchasing the

improved farms to be found in every province, or in mining, or in

the manufacturing industries. Again, a settled income will be found

General Information about Canada, 53

to go much fartluT in Canada, and whilo the cliinato is hoaltliy and
the actmery ina^jniticent, there aro abundant opportunitit's for sport ;
and the facilities for education are nob to be excelled anywhere.

Young men should go to Manitoba, the North- West,
Where to go. or British Columbia. Older men, with capital and
young families, should go to one of the older pn)vince8,
and either buy or rent an improved farm. This, however, is only a
general statement, and individual cases must be decided by the special
circumstances of each. In Manitoba and the North-West, and in
some parts of British Columbia, pioneer life on frt^e grants,or away
fi-om railw^ays, is attended with a certain amount of incoDvenience, and
an absence of those social surroundings which may be obtained in th(^
older settled parts of these and other provinces, and tliis fact should be
borne in mind by those who are considering the subject. But even in
these districts improved farms may bo purchased at reasonabh; rates.

It is difficult to lay down a hard-and-fast rule as to the
Capital amount of capital necessary for farm work. The answer
necessary, depends on tlie energy, experience, judgment, and enter-
prise of the person who is to spend the money, the province
selected, whether free-grant land is to be taken up or an improved
farm rented or purchased, and many other details. It may safely be
sjxid, however, that if a man has from o£100 to o£200 clear on landing,
and some knowledge of farming, he is in a position to make a fair start
on the free-grant land in Manitoba and the North-West; but it is
generally advisable to obtain some experience of the country before
commencing on one's own account.

There is a large and growing demand for rnahi and
Farm female farm servants in every part of the Dominion.

Servants, Machinei»v of various kinds is in daiW use, but labour is
scarce notwithstanding, and good hands can in the proper
seasons find constant employment. Many persons of this class who
started as labourers now have farms of their own in some of the finest
parts of the Dominion. Market gardeners, gardeners, and persons
understanding the care of horses, cattle, and sheep, may also be advised
to go out.

So far as numbers are concerned, perhaps the largest demand
Domestic of all is for female domestic servants. The wages are good,
Servants, the conditions of service are not irksome, and comfortable
homes are assured. Domestic servants should go at once
on their arrival to the nearest Q-overnment Agent. These gentlemen
often have in their offices a list of vacant situations, and will refer
applicants to the local ladies' committees, so that they may have the
benefit of supervision and guidance, until they are satisfactorily placed.
Servants should, however, take their characters with them, and must
bear in mind that good records are just as indispensable in Canada as
elsewhere. They may safely go out at any time of the year.

There is little or no demand for females other than
Other Classes domestic servants. Governesses, shop assistants, nurses,
of Labour, &c., should not go out unless proceeding to join

friends able and willing to aid them in getting

r'ti i ftlifi

04

Otwval Tn/onnatioH about Canada.

employment. Mechanics, general labourers, and navvies arc advised to
obtain special information aw to their respective trades before going out.
Tlie deTiand is not now so great as it was a few years ago, ar:d such
men, esin^icially with large families, are not encouraged to set out on the
chance of finding employment. They may be safely advised to start
when going to join friends who advise them to do so, or if they have
the inclination and the knowledge to enable them to change their
callings and Im'Coiuo agriculturists.

Clerks, draftsmen, shop assistants, and railway employh are not
advised to emigrate unless proceeding to appointments already assured.
Any demand for labour of these kinds is fully met on the spot.

No encouragement is held out to members of the higjii juid
medical and other professions, schoolmasters, and |)erson8 desiring
to enter the military and civil services, to go to the Dominion,
especially in cases where immediate employment is necessary. There
are always openings and opportunities for men of exceptional ul)ilitieH
with a little capital ; but, generally speaking, tho profcFsional and
so-called lighter callings in Canada are in very much the same position
as they are in the United Kingdom, the local supply bt?ing equal lo,
if not greater than, the demand.

'-1-^^/^

CAMOKINO.

65

APPENDIX B.

THE CANADIAN EXHIBITS AT CHICAGO.

The Canadian exhibits at the Chicago Exhibition iiaving been
referred to in several of the delegate's Reports, it has been considered
denirable to publish such facts as are available as to the success which
the Dominion obtained on that occasion in competition with the world.
The American Press are unanimous in conceding that Canada will
reap a greater benefit from the World's Fair than any other country.
The variety of the vegetable products of Canada served to illustrate
in a manner, hardly to be shown in any other way, the clim.'ito and
the fertility of its soil ; while the exhibits of mineral wealth, of its
fisheries, and of its manufacturing industries demonstrated the possibili-
ties of future development.

It may be said that Canada was unrepresented on many of the
juries connected with several ot the groups of exhibits, and on others
the Canadian members were of course in a minority. It is eminently
satisfactory to find, therefore, thi.t the awards in all classes of exhibits
have been so numerous, and fiequently coupled with remarks of a
flattering nature.

The following is an extract from the report of the British Consul
at Chicago to the Earl of Kosebery, Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, on the Chicago Exhibition : —

Canada has been brought prominently forward in a manner which can
scarcely . fail to assure permanent benefit. Its chief exhibits were natural pro-
ducts, though the colony was represented in every department except electricity.
Its cheese and butter exhibits were remarkable, and gained a disproportionately
large number of awards, beating all competitors ; Jaimn is understood to have sent
a special commission to examine and report on the methods adopted by the colony
in these matters. The show of animals, especially sheep, met with great approval.
The quality of Canadian fruit was generally recognised. The exhibit of grain and
other products of the north-western provinces has shown what can be grrjwn, and
as a result many inquiries have been made with a view to settlement in th'jse parts.
The same applies to British Columbia, regarding which province overtures have
been made by quite a colony of Austrian subjects for settlement, with a view to
fruit-growing and general farming.

The Canadian exhibits in this important department
AgHculture. were excelled by none in quality and appearance. The

excellence of the wheat was the subject of general com-
ment, and a considerable demand has already arisen on the part of
United States farmers for seed grain from Manitoba and the North-
West Territories. Canada obtained 1,016 awards in this group,
including 776 awards for cheese and butter. This does not comprise
the awards obtained by Manitoba, which have not yet been received.
It is understood that in the tests for quality, made under chemical
analysis on behalf of the Exhibition authorities, Manitoba No. 1 Hard
Bed Fyfe wheat gave the very best results.

56 Ths Canadian EUhibiU at Chicago,

The eihibitions of chwae and butter wore tlie larpfost of
Cheeie an I their kind ever wade on the North American continent.
Butter, Two competitions were urrancjed for Cheddar or factory

chee«e, in the months of Juno and ()ctob<'r. In the
first named, the United States entries numlM»red ')()">, and the Canadian
162. There were 138 prizes awarded, of which Canada took 129, and
th(! United States 9. Thirty-one exhibits of Canadian cheese also
scored higher points than the best United States cheese. In the
October conn)etition for the same class of cheese, made previous to
1893, there were 82 entries from the United States, and 524 from
Canada. There were 110 prizes offered, and Canada secured tliem
all. There were also 4 1 4 awards for cheese made in 1893. Of these,
Canada obtained 369, and the United States 45. In these two coin-
petitions, therefoH', the United States entered 5S7 exhibits and took 51
prizes, as against Canada's 686 entries and 608 prizes. There were three
judges for cheese, two for the United States, and one for Canada. The
significance of this result is enhanced when considered in conjunction
with the difference in the population of the two countries — 65 millions
against 5 mdlions. Canada now exports several millions of pounds of
cheese ]>er annum more than the United States to the English market,
her exports to the mother country having risen from 30,889,353 lbs.
in 1875 to 127,843,632 lbs. in 1892. In the butter competition,
Canada took 27 awards. The great development of the cheese industry
in recent years has interfered, no doubt, with the expansion of the
butter trade. The steps, however, that have been taken of late years
to encourage this industry are having effect ; and the Dairy Commis-
sioner of the Dominion has expressed an opinion that within five years'
time the manufacture of butter in Canada will be equal to that of
cheese, both in quality and quantit)'. In 1893 Canada exported
43,193 cwts. of butter to Great Britain.

The absence of awards for Canadian agricultural
ArfHcultural machinery is explained by the withdrawal of the
Machinery. exhibits from competition, it having been decided

that machines adapted to field work should be judgt d
by field tests. As this would have necessitated bringing duplicate
machines to Chicago at great expense, or the spoiling of the actual
exhibits for show purposes during the remainder of the Fair, the
greater number of Canadian and United States exhibitors withdrew
from competition. Professor Thurston, the chairman of the jurors
on agricultural implements, and consulting mechanical engineer to
the Exposition, stated that in design, finish, and smootlmess of
operation the Canadian machinery was equal to anything in the
Exhibition.

Canada obtained 65 awards. The list included seven
Horticulture, different awards for Canadian grapes— a valuable tribute

to the climate of the country. The small number cf
awards Is due to the fact that awards w^ere only given to collective
exhibits., and not to individual exhibitors, or for each variety of fruit
shown. With regard to the vegetable display, it was admitted that the
Canadian exhibit was greatly superior to any other. Both fruit and

^

The Canadian f^hihitt at Chicago, fBfjf

Tftgi^tables won tho higho8t nraiHo from the iiirors for variety, excel-
lence, and quality; and in this Cvnnection the report of the British
Consul is especiiilly interesting.

Canada more than sustained at Chicago her splendid
fAve Stock, record at Philadelphia in 1870 in this de{)artmeot, the
live stock and poultxy exhibited having 8ecurc»d more
than one- half of the total prizes offered. In cattle, with 184 entries,
Canada took 104 prizes, 17 medals, and M diplomas; against 532 entries
of the United States, and 306 prizt^s and 13 medals, in horses, Canada
had 90 entrioH, and 44 prizes, 2 gold medals, 10 medals, and 3 diplomas ;
the United States, 440 entries, 257 prizes, 0 gold medals, 12 medals,
and 4 diplomas. In sheep, Canada, with 352 entries, secured 250
prizes, 5 silver cups, and 8 diplomas; against the United StAtes* 478
entries and 193 prizes. In swine, Canada's 68 entries obtained 64
prizes, and th(^ United States' 90 entries 07 prizes. In poultry and
|)et stock, Canada was awarded 501 prizes with 1,147 entries, and the
United States 071 prizes with 2,453 entries. The grand totals were :
Canada, 1,847 entries and 1,175 prizes; the United States, 4,005
entries and 1,494 prizes. This must be regarded as a very great success
especially when the populations of the United States and Canada are
taken into account. All the Canadian sheep and swine were bought
by the Commissioner for Costa Kica.

The committee of jurors considered the Canadian fish
Pish ami exhibit the best and most complete in the Ex-

FisJieries, position. Twenty-four individual exhibitors also

obtained medals.

No single exhibit in the mining building attracted
Mines and more attention, and came in for more favouraWe

Mining. comment, than the Canadian display ; and the fact

that there were 07 collective exhibits which took gold
medals and diplomas in competition with other countries, speaks highly
for the variety and richness of the mineral resources of the Dominion.
The collections of ornamental and precious stones were much admired,
and orders were subsequently received from two of the leading manu-
facturing jewellers of New York. The nickel ore exhibits were
mentioned as being higher in grade than any other shown at the Fair.
Canadian copper also obtained a flattering award ; and the fine exhibit
of anthracite and bituminous coal from all the mines in the North-
West Territories, now being worked, attracted a great deal of
interest.

The machinery exhibit was a small one, but almost
Machinery, . every exhibit took a prize, 43 gold medals and diplomas
■ falling to the Dominion. Professor Thurston -^hairman
of the jurors, and consulting mechanical engineer to the Exposition,
stated, in an address, that in design, finish, and smoothness of work-
ing the general machinery shown by Canada was equal to anything
shown; and that, as compared with the exhibit made in 1870 at
Philadelphia, Canada had made greater relative progress in manufac-
turing, since that time, than any other nation taking part in the
Exhibition.

PART IV. ft

*F^1^,-

is-m-s^

68-

The Canadian Rvhihits at Chicago.

In this (ic^partruont Canatla obtained 30 modalfl and
Transportation^ diplomas,. Tlie Canadian Pacific llaihvay train was

referred to as the finest and most complete on exhi-
bition, which reflects great credit on the position manufacturing
enterprise has reached in Canada. t , . ^

The great development in the industries of thb
Manufactures, Dominion is illustrated very aptly by the following

return, taken from the census of 1891 : —

.'.' '

1881.

1891.

Increase.

Per Cent.

Number of establbhmento ...

49,023

' 75,768

25,845

51-8

Capital invested

$lG5,302,(J2a

$353,836,817

$188,534,194

1140

a umber ot employes

2r)4.y3r)

367,865

112,930

44-43

Wages paid

$59,429,002

$99,762,441

$40,333,439

67-86

Cost of raw material

$l79,918,r.93

$255,983,219

$76,064,626

42-3

Value of products

$309,676,008

$475,445,705

$165,769,637

63-5

Canada had a most interesting exhibit of manufactures, which secured
124 awards, and drew an appreciative statement from the president of
the jurors on textiles — a member of the Austrian Commission, and him-
self a manufacturer of high-grade cloths in Austria — to the effect that
the progress made by textile manufacturers in Canada had been more
rapid during the last five years than that of any otb*^r country show-
ing industrial products. It will be remembered by many readers of
these pamphlets that Canada's display of manufactured articles at the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition in 1886 attracted much attention.

The educational system of the Dominion has a world-wide reputa-
tion, and the exhibits in that department were naturally, therefore, an
object of sustained interest throughout Ihe course of the Exhibition.
191 awards were obtained by Canada. No better evidence of the
excellence of the display can be had than that in a section supposed
to be the smallest among the Canadian exhibits, such a large number
of awards should have been secured.

J»RAIRIE CHICK ENR.

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