HD I I IS 'he Canadian West I •: 79 I There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to »:• g« WESTERN CANADA THE GREATEST WHEAT GROWING = COUNTRY IN THE WORLD = TEe Last West HD A FEW FACTS AND =OF THE FLOWER. GARDEN OF THE Western Canada AND ITS FUTURE THERE has been much written and said in the past three years about the wonderful country to be seen in the Great North-west Territories and there unrivaled production of wheat and other small grains, but the English language cannot draw a mental picture clear enough to convince the average man of these facts who has never travelled north of the southern international boundary line or west of Manitoba, let alone never even getting as far west as Manitoba. Yet to one who has seen, it is more than passing strange than people of means, as well as those who should take advantage of these absolutely last opportunities to get a good productive farm, should not realise that it must be a thriving country. The official reports of the Government year by year prove the wonderful increase in the wealth of the West, and also show clearly that the opening of a country capable of such enormous crops, is full of opportunities for making money for those who have sufficient energy to investigate the conditions of the country and take advantage of the present low price of lands. There is the final reward of affluence, happi- ness and independence. These lands, however, are increasing in price, in a manner never before experienced' in a newly settled country, and in order to reap the full benefit of these opportunities it is necessary to grasp them at once. The Last West On consideration it will be seen that this is the correct description of \\V>tern Canada, civilization has always marched westward but has now reached its limit, as far as unoccupied land is concerned. Practically all the good, cheap lands in the Western American States, have been taken up, and prices have reached too high a level for the small investor and farmer of limited means. Consequently the American farmer in the last few years, has turned his attention to the neighboring territory of Canada. A few, having ventured, were so successful, that now the immigration into Canada of American farmers has reached surprising figures. These men, from past experience, are Cully aware of the great oppor- tunities in connection with newly opened territories and are accustomed to pioneer development. There are two ways in which immense profits may be reaped, one by the natural rapid increase in value of the land owing to the settlement of the country and the other by the actual crops from it, which are enormous in the case of such prolific and fertile lands as those of Western Canada. DO NOT BE DECEIVED While the Government reports show millions upon millions of open lands, do not be deceived by taking for granted that they are all good, first-class farm lands. With the large immigration, choice wheat lands will soon be comparatively scarce and you must lose no time in selecting your land. A proof of this is the fact that the average price of land has more than doubled in the last three years all over the Canadian West. All those who have given the Xorthwest the most practical investigation are convinced that the great wheat country runs diagonally in a northwesterly course across the Territories of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and into Northern British Columbia. The extreme western portion of Assini- boia and Southern Alberta are generally given up to ranching and grazing purposes. Northern Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan are available for mixed farming on account of the heavy timber and brush found in these sections. This wheat belt is, comparatively, a narrow one. It is ac- counted for, perhaps, by the fact that the chinook wind currents, after passing north to a certain degree, meet with the north current and are shifted more to the east and gradually turned in a southerly course. And, again, this wheat belt contains many streams and lakes. At all events, there is more moisture in this strip, which is usually termed the wheat belt. Therefore, those who contemplate purchasing a farm should bear these facts in mind, since they are material in determining the productive value of land. The eastern and northeastern portions of Assiniboia produce the GREATEST YIELDS AND BEST QUALITY OF SMALL GRAINS. These facts can be readily .verified by Government reports and the testi- mony of all old settlers, THE SASKATCHEWAN VALLEY In the Saskatchewan and Qu'Appelle valleys it has been demonstrated by practical farming for over twenty years past, that this section of country enjoys most advantages, viz. : The soil is not so heavy as to cause a rank slow growth, but is a deep black clay loam, with the celebrated friable chocolate-colored clay sub-soil, which is filled with root fiber and loaded with phosphates ; it is surrounded by and has within its area several beautiful, deep and clear-water lakes, in which great quantities of fine fish are found. A HIGH TRIBUTE The highest possible tribute was paid this district by John Macoun, F.L.S., Dominion Field Naturalist and Botanist, and for nine years Government Explorer of the Great Northwest, in his great book, " Mani- toba and the Great Northwest," published in 1882, when he said on page 75, chapter II., " Long or Last Mountain Lake lies in a depression that has a gentle descent from the east, extending over at least ten miles The waters ot the lake are sweet and pleasant to the taste, quite clear and of great depth. Multitudes of fish are caught here every fall by Indians who come down from the Touchwood Hills for the purpose of fishing. * * * Before many years steamboats will be plying on its waters and the lovely land bordering- on its shores will be dotted with farm houses. One of the richest tracts in the Qu'Appelle Valley lies east and north from Last Mountain and when known will be speedily taken up by farmers, as the much dreaded frosts of the Saskatchewan Valley are un- known. \Vhileeiicamped near the head of this lake, in 1879, we had an ample opportunity to examine this portion of the country. We were par- ticularly charmed with its soil, productions and position. * * * To the east of the head of the lake lay the rich country which produced the enormous mushrooms referred to in chapter XL, and when speaking- of the flowers, e.'iused me to call this region the 'Flower Garden of the Northwest.' Abundance of good water is found on every part of thistraet, * * * and future settlers will find that good, permanent wells can be obtained, at a reasonable depth on any part of the prairie." Speaking on page 75, about the tract of country lying south of the Touchwood Hills, extending from the mouth of the Qu'Appelle River to the South Saskatchewan, he states, " That there is a block of 16,000,000 acres that as to my knowledge, over 90 per cent, is fit for agricultural and pastoral purposes. No alkaline soil is known on iny part of it except a narrow tract extending from the head of Last Mountain Lake toward Quill Lakes. * * * /There will be no difficulty in obtaining first-class wheat crops throughout the greater part of it, as the soil is generally a rich black loam, mixed with silica. * * * The sub-soil in nearly every case, is a light colored clay, or clay intermixed with carbonate of lime." Realizing that the above was written over twenty years ago, it is not surprising that this country is now termed the " Famous Lasi Mountain Country," even though these lands have not yet been on the market three years, because involved in litigation. MANITOBA WHEAT PRODUCTION IN COMPARISON The following table will give some idea of the producing capacity per acre of this land as compared with that of the wheat raising belt in the United States. Av, for 10 yrs.Bu. 1903 Bu. 1902 Bu. 1901 Bu. 1900 Bu. 1899 Bu. **! 7 164 20 o 25 1 8 9 17 1 12 7 17 1 10 '.) 185 17 7 •I S 14 2 i:j i l:i ') pi <| In") ]•; | North Dakota ]•' 7 12.7 15.9 i:i 1 4 !l 1" S 104 l:; s j., •> !•> 'l i; '• in 7 1° 2 ]•' r, 1:'. '» 17 1 1" o l'i ; 14.7 12.1 « In the Northwest Territories— being much more recently settled than Manitoba — the records do not go back so far, but they show an average yield per acre equal to that of Manitoba, and for the last six years, as a matter of fact, greater. The official returns for Iqo4, are not yet published, but the average for Manitoba was about 16% bushels per acre, while that of the N.W.T. was considerably higher, being about twenty bushels per acre. The Last Mountain Valley district yields ranged from twenty to forty bushels per acre. A conservative estimate would make the average about 25 bushels. Taking the last five years this district has averaged at least that yield to the acre without any signs of rust whatever. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL FARM AT INDIAN HEAD FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS SPRING WHEAT. Name of variety Length of straw Yield per acre Weight per Bu. Red Fife Average 02 15-4 Ibs for Alpha j 4 diiys earlier ~l than Red Fife I 1 days earlier ) Averages ( /•between -4") in. j 42 bu. 5 Ibs. •10 bu. 23 Ibs. * years 543-4 ll». for 7 years " 1 than Red File 43 bu. 34 Ibs. (•;; 1-1 Ibs. for 8 years OATS — AVERAGE FOR SEVEN YEARS. 93 bu 11 Ibs :;s:;-l Ibs Golden Beauty — I Between l.> J f in. and 55 in. | 87 bu. 22 Ibs. 88 bu. 27 Ibs. 40 Ibs. :!'.> 1-1 Ibs. WONDERFUL INCREASE IN IMMIGRATION, 1896 16,000 1897 20,000 1898 31,000 1 899 44,000 1 900 45,000 1901 50,000 1902 67,000 * 1903 125,000 1904 130,329 The American invasion which commenced in 1896 and 1897, in 1903 sent to Canada 47,000 settlers. DECLARED SETTLERS ENTERING CANADA. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. 1902. United States 26,388 England and Wales 13.095 Scotland 2,853 Ireland 1, 311 Galicia 6,550 Russia and Finland 3,759 Scandinavia 2,45 1 Hungary i ,048 Germany 1 ,048 France and Belgium 654 Austria 320 Other Countries 7>9°2 Total 67.379 1903 49,473 32,510 ) 7,046 S 2,236 ) 10,141 ) 7.277 5.448 2,156 1,887 1,240 798 8,152 J 128,364 1904. 43.I72 5°.9'S 36,242 I3°,329 The number of declared settlers entering Canada in 1899 was 44,543 ; in one- half of 1900, 23,895; and in the fiscal year 1900-1, 49, 149. The bulk of this immigration is practically all going into Eastern Assiniboia and Saskatchewan, as the new railroad construction will indicate. EXPERT OPINIONS LARGE AREA OF WHEAT LANDS. " The wheat-growing districts of Western Canada," says the Orange Judd Farmer ', " are unrivaled in the production of grain. In these dis- tricts there is length of season and ample rainfall to secure the crop under ordinary conditions. During the year 1902, 50.7 per cent, ot all the wheat officially inspected at Winnipeg graded No. i hard, and 30.6 per cent. No. I. northern, making 81 per cent, of the total receipts falling within the two highest market grades. During practically the same time only i per cent, of the receipts at Minneapolis were No. I hard and 22 prr cent. No. I northern, or 23 percent of the total receipts represented the two highest gradings." WESTERN CANADA'S POSSIBILITIES. " The tide of immigration which is pouring into the northwestern territories of Canada, and which is being very largely recruited in the central valleys and northwestern states of this country," says B. W. Snow, in Farm and Home, " makes a presentation of the agricultural possib.li- ties of this new land of timely interest to American farmers. The charac- ter of the winters may perhaps be best appreciated when it is understood that cattle, both on the range and on the homestead, remain without shelter the year round, and ordinarily without feed, except as they rustle for themselves." SPYING OUT THE LAND. Three editors of the American Agriculturist recently made a 4,000- mile tour through Manitoba, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Their report of what they saw, after referring to the adaptability of Western Canada for the growing of small grains, and to the excellence o/ the stock, says : "Among the settlers are many from the United States. Such rapid development as we saw is only possible in a country blessed with a fertile soil and a prosperous people. The future of Western Canada is full of promise. Rapid and substantial development is certain When the newer parts of the United States were settled, they had much to con- tend with. There were no railroads, consequently no markets. With the settlers in Canada everything is different. Railroads have preceded them, furnishing at once a market and means of securing the comforts of modern farm life." A FEW PERTINENT QUERIES What is the average yield ? Wheat in the Strassburg, Assiniboia, section has been averaging over thirty bushels to the acre the past four years — twenty-five to thirty would be a very conservative estimate. Oats from sixtv to one hundred bushels. How many acres can one man farm ? One man and four horses can easily farm 160 acres, with some extra help in harvest time. Can an American own property without becoming a citizen of Canada ? Certainly. He must become a citizen only when he is a homesteader. He may live on and farm purchased land without becoming a citizen, but of course would have no vote in the elections. 8 Do the citizens elect officers of the Government ? Yes. \Vry niiu-li aft or the method in vogue in the United States. All otVu -ei-s an- elected save the Governor-General and Lieutenant-Governors, and tho jvdfM of the courts. The latter are appointed tor life and are kept free from and uncontaminated by all party politics, which accounts for our world-famous enforcement of all laws. The law here reaches the wealthi- est .nid most inilueiitial even in political corrupt practices and the pardon- ing power is seldom exercised in their behalf. The law of the land is supreme in Can. id. i. What a the character of the weather in winter ? The winter is steady and cold, but being a very dry atmosphere is not fell so much as in more southern climates where the atmosphere contain* more or less moisture. It is hot the degree alone that causes suffering, but the moisture in the frosty atmosphere is what effects the bod)* ot both man and beast. This is known to all who have ever lived in the various latitudes, and is borne out by the testimony of all who have come here from southern latitudes. Hence, the winter climate of Western Canada being dry, is healthy and exhilarating to a degree unknown further south. How much can a man reasonably expect as a profit per acre ? Allowing for all expenses, including plowing, harrowing, etc., the best authorities agree that the average cost will range from $6 to $6.50 per acre. Estimating crop at twenty-five bushels per acre, price 60 cents per bushel, would leave a very satisfactory profit even above labor and ex- penses. You should remember that you can raise two acres of wheat with less labor than one acre of corn. Are living commodities and provisions higher ? No, and yes. Provisions are scarcely higher, but cotton goods and iron wares are, for the present, slightly higher. Woollen goods, furs and silks are cheaper. Why can crops mature so far north ? Because the length of the days by far exceeds those farther east and south. Day breaks at 2 o'clock and the sun rises at 4 o'clock and sets at 8 o'clock and it is not dark until after 10 o'clock. The days are usually bright and clear. Besides the soil is peculiarly adapted to small grains. Does tame grass grow ? Manitoba grows some splendid crops of timothy and the Northwest Territories are producing fine crops of brome grass, making hay of high quality. Are the farms well improved ? In Manitoba and the older districts in the Territories, there are farm buildings which cannot be excelled on any part of this continent and sel- dom equalled on farm lands worth $100 an acre. This is the great surprise to all from the United States especially, and can be seen by any who will take the pains to investigate. It is a sure evidence of the prosperity of the Canadian farmer. Is there good stock in the country ? As good horses and cattle as can be found anywhere. The stock on show at the various exhibitions will demonstrate this. What are the town improvements ? The towns are strictly up-to-date and take on the appearance of a typical American western town. The residences, as a general rule, are said to excel those seen in the average American towns. It is not an uncommon thing to see handsome stone and brick houses in the towns ; or, even on the farms in Manitoba and older districts in Eastern Assiniboia. Are school advantages good ? Splendid, indeed. The Government maintains all Territorial schools and the teachers are hired by the year, usually at a salary of $600 per year. Is it a healthful climate ? None better in the world. The atmosphere is dry, pure, and invigor- ating. There being no prolonged extreme heat periods, the human system is not exhausted and subject to the various fevers prevalent in all warm climates. Are people contented ? The strange fact to the newcomer is to find everybody contented and happy. They get better returns for their labor with less work than any- where on earth and are satisfied. Discontent is only found in those countries where the returns from arduous labor are not sufficient to meet all expenses of living, taxation, doctor's bills, etc., and leaving nothing for a " rainy day." Are these answers not very flattering ? They are, most certainly, but based on facts. As noted above, in the first-class farming sections, these facts are not in the least exaggerated and a trip to these specially favored localities will convince you, no matter from whence you come nor what your conditions may be now or have been in the past. Will you investigate for yourself now. or wait and in after years repeat the same old complaint, "It might have been, I had the chance ? " You know too well what has been the history of the past. Yes, even in Western Canada, the past three years has demonstrated this truism. About what time does seeding begin ? As a rule farmers begin their wheat seeding from the first to the fifteenth of April, sometimes continuing until the fifteenth of May. "What is the duration of the winter ? Snow begins to fall about the middle of November, and in March there is generally very little. Snow is looked upon by the wheat farmer as a great blessing and benefit to him, as the ground is left in the spring in fine shape for seeding. Can fruit be raised in Western Canada? Yes, the small fruits grow wild. Among the varieties cultivated are plums, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, melons, etc. Do vegetables thrive there ? Yes, potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnips, cabbages, peas, beans celery, pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, etc., and it is sufficient to say the quality and quantity cannot be excelled anywhere. Potatoes yield as high as 500 bushels to the acre. How about American money ? You can take it with you. American money is taken anywhere in Western Canada at its face value. Canadian money has about the same ill-nominations as American money. How is it for stock raising ? The country has no equal. The climate in the Saskatchewan and Last Mountain valleys is such that cattle and horses are often not housed throughout the winter. So nutritious are the wild grasses that horses come in in the spring fat and with two weeks' graining are ready for the heavy spring work. Are the taxes high ? No. Having no expensive system of municipal or county organization, taxes are necessarily low. A quarter section, 160 acres, is taxed to the extent of $2 to $2.50 per annum. The only other taxes levied are for schools. In the localities where the settlers have formed school districts the total tax for all purposes on a quarter section seldom exceeds $8 to $10 per annum. Does rust affect small grain ? No. Rust is practically unknown in Canada. What quality of wheat is grown ? Nothing but very best quality. The bulk is of No. I hard and No. i northern. The latitude, a soil particularly adapted to small grains, and the long days of fifteen to sixteen hours of sunshine, affords the best possible climatic conditions. COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT The commercial growth of Canada has never been equalled before anywhere on this continent. Millions upon millions of dollars are being expended throughout Canada. The City of Winnipeg had between ten and twelve millions of dollars' worth of buildings under construction last year alone, and so far indications show that this result will beat least equalled if not surpassed. There are hundreds of miles of railroads now being constructed and thousands of miles yet to be constructed as fast as the work can be expedited. Are not these the very best evidences to be had of a country's rapid growth and stability? Men of wealth and great corporations are doing their utmost to keep abreast with the wonderful development of the Great Northwest. To those who keep posted in current events, it is needless to remind them that the bank clearings for Canada every month show a greater increase in percentage than any other country in the world — by far exceeding that of the United States even. " It is up to you."' Do you want to participate in this rapid, stable and unprecedented growth ot the acknowledged greatest wheat growing country in the world. If you don't care to come, send the boys and give them a start on the road to wealth and independence. You can't do it by investing $75 to $100 inlands. Slot) and think. You can own from seven to ten acres of land for every one of the high-priced lands further south besides getting better returns with less labor. The Saskatchewan Valley of Eastern Assiniboia has become famous through- out the world for its fertile and bumper crops. In the southern part of this prolific tract of hind lies the beautiful Last Mountain Valley, which has been described by one of Canada's greatest land experts, as being the "Garden Spot of tin- Northwest." Would you believe your neighbors as to their crops ami prosperity? Then why doubt the testimony of your own people who have given Western Canada a fair trial ? You couldn't induce one of them to go back. The people of Ontario, of Illinois, Iowa, .Minnesota, North Dakota, and all the Other States* must sooner or later reali/e that there are other states and localities where farming is quite as profitable, and in manv instances, much more so. RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT FACILITIES The Last Mountain Valley will, within a few months, be provided with fine transportation facilities. This country lies directly north of Regina and east of Last Mountain Lake, and the main line of the Prince Albert branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway runs within live miles of the south end or Last Mountain Lake (the nearest town being Lumsden), but for shipping purposes a spur has been built up to Craven, situate on the lower end of the lake. Two steamboats and barges are now plying up and down the entire length of the great lake. The Kirkella branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway is being constructed through the Last Mountain Valley coimtry and by this fall will be operating trains. The grade has already reached a point south and west of Last Mountain. Again, and the most important of all, is the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, (from coast to coast), which will be constructed across the northern portion of the Last Mountain Valley, as the present survey will indicate. What place can you find better or even as well served, in Western Canada? These are things to be remembered and taken into consideration when you select your future home. The Canadian Northern Railway have secured a charter for a branch running north and south through this district from Regina to Humboldt, which is proof of the high estimation placed upon this country by the railway companies of Canada. WHAT HAS BEEN CAN BE AGAIN TESTIMONIALS, NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF A FEW WHO HAVE LOCATED IN THE LAST MOUNTAIN COUNTRY. Herman Doege went into the I/onglaketon District with $50, worked around for a while, and then took up a homestead. Although at that time he had to haul his grain sixty miles, he got on. He now has a half sec- tion, well cultivated, and is buying more. He has a good house and stone barn. He has cattle, horses and machinery worth $3,000 and a good bank account. His crop last year was worth $2,000, and he owes nothing. Harry Barnes began with nothing. He now has 800 acres of land, fifty head of horses, a steam thresher, a stone house that cost $2,000, and a stone barn worth $1,000. He has 5,000 bushels of grain on hand and no debts. He estimates that he is worth $20,000. Mr. P. J. Curtin, writes : I came here from Redwood County, Min- nesota, last July. I settled on land in Tp. 27, Range 23, W. of 2nd, on the east side of Long Lake, then 50 miles from railroad. Now the grade is built 18 miles south-east of us; will be completed this summer with trains running by our place. There are two steamboats on the lake. The land will raise any kind of small grain and garden truck. The potatoes are the 14 finest I ever saw. Ploughed in on sod, no bugs in Canada to eat the tops. The finest oats I ever saw grown were on 1904 sod, broken and sown in June. Mr. Miller, on sec. 4, Tp. 27, Range 23, raised the crop. They raise from 20 to 40 bushels of wheat and from 50 to loo bushels of oats per acre. It takes two years in Minnesota, on the dear lands, to raise wheat we can raise here in one year on this cheap land. Canada is the home for the young man, the sooner he finds it out the better for himself. Another successfnl settler is Mr. Carl Klatt, who started with nothing in 1885, and is now worth $20,000. Of the new settlers we will now quote a few cases : — T. A. Martin, of Park River, North Dakota, in the spring of 1903, bought a half-section, and homesteaded for himself and son in Tp 24, Rge. 22. He is highly delighted with the country, and says he has the best well of soft water at 25 feet he ever saw. During the dry spell in June, one thing that impressed him very strongly was the rich, healthy condition maintained by the wheat, in spite of the lack of rain for a while. This is explained by the fact that there is a continuous underground drainage from the mountain to the lake, which provides moisture for the crops and unfailing supply in the well during the driest seasons. A. A. Downey, who has farmed for many years in one of the most favored districts of Manitoba, homesteaded in 26-23, and bought land adjoining. He took his family up and built his house in the fall of 1903. He says ; " I am delighted with the fine location of my farm overlooking the beautiful lake, which lies a short distance to the west and about forty feet below the level of my farm." He further says: " The soil is the finest I ever saw, and I anticipate very heavy crops next year. Am getting as much breaking done as possible this season, and intend to have it all under crop next year. The soil contains a very large percentage of bi-carbonate of lime. This is a very necessary factor in producing heavy crops of wneat. The gently undulating country affords ample natural drainage. A plentiful supply of wood for fuel can be obtained from the mountain a few miles to the east. We expect to have a post office opened at Arlington Beach and Westwyn this spring, although the first settler in the township only located in June, of 1903. I have now got over 500 acres of land, and have no hesitation, after a residence of twenty-five years in Western Canada, in saying that I consider this one of the best parts of the country I have seen, and I am well acquainted with the most favored localities for wheat growing." Mr. Hugh McFarlane, of Park River, North Dakota, says : " I settled in Last Mountain Valley in May, 1903. I broke up the prairie in June and sowed oats on the sod. Even this extremely crude way of farming pro- duced a fair crop of oats, the heads of oats being extremely heavy, many of them being eighteen inches long, and containing over 250 kernels. I consider that I am better off with my i6o-acre farm than with my 800 acres in Dakota." All these settlers will be only too pleased to answer any letters of enquiry they may receive regarding the district and to give any informa- tion in their power. Letters to them should be at present addressed to Strassburg Post Office, Assjniboia. PROSPECTS OF THE SETTLEMENT There is already an old established settlement of about one hundred and twenty families in the district, and according to the Government 15 i6 officials at Regina and Yorkton, about 2,000 families have taken up land in the district during the last year. All these new-comers will be cultiva- ting their land this year, and, as they are all practical farmers, will make the district one of the most prosperous in Western Canada in a very short time. New settlors are mostly from the United States (North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin supplying the largest number). A large number from Southern and Central Manitoba and the Winnipeg District have also located there, knowing from their past experience in Canada that, as soon as railway facilities are provided, the Last Mountain District will become one of the most valuable in the West. All these settlers are extremely pleased with their lands and very confident of the future In a petition totheC.P.R. dated Sept. gth, they say: "\Ve have no hesitation in express- ing our belief from what we have seen of this district, that the Last Mountain Valley, when fully developed as a wheat growing locality, will be easily equal to the Indian Head country or Portage Plains." It should be mentioned hen-, perhaps, that the Indian Head and Portage Districts are considered the most fertile in the whole Dominion of Canada. CROPS IN COUNTRY TRIBUTARY TO LAST MOUNTAIN VALLEY Alex. Wilson, of Pioneer, had 8,000 bushels of wheat and 2,300 bushels of oats. His summer-fallow wheat averaged 40 bushels. N. T. Alcock, of Eastview, threshed 4,000 bushels of wheat off 150 acres, and 50 acres of a volunteer crop yielded 500 bushels. Off 50 acres he had 3.500 bushels of oats, six acre.-> of which was summer-fallow and yielded 720 bushels, or an average of 120 bushels per acre. This is the largest yield per acre yet reported. Part of his wheat went 25 bushels per acre and part 40. Robert McCartney had 5,160 bushels of wheat off 180 acres, an average of 28 bushels all round. Andrew Moffatt, of Clinton, has 6,900 bushels of wheat off 170 acres, an average ot over 40 bushels per acre. One strip of ten acres yielded exactly 500 bushels — the best yield reported. Thirty acres of oats averaged 80 bushels. His brother, John Moffatt has 5,080 bushels ol wheat off 1 20 acres, an average of over 42 bushels all round. Off 16 acres of oats he had about 1,600 bushels—another loo-bushel per acre field. Last spring Andrew Moffatt sowed i|£ bushels of pure Red Fife wheat (obtained from the Indian Head experimental farm) on two acres of land. This was very light to sow and only a light yield was expected, but the two acres threshed 40 bags, or 80 bushels. Andrew Dalgarno, of Pioneer, threshed 6,708 bushels of wheat off 172 acres, an average of exactly 39 bushels. Off 30 acres of oats he had 2,400 bushels. James Coventry, of Drinkwater, had 2,200 bushels of wheat off 75 acres, and 2,200 bushels of oats off 30 acres. His son, Robert, had 1,200 bushels of wheat off 35 acres and 1,000 bushels of oats off 14 acres. James W. Smith, whose farms are situated from four to seven miles northeast of Moose Jaw, had probably the largest yield in that district last year, having threshed 18,000 bushels of wheat off 500 acres, an average of 36 bushels all around. Three hundred acres of summer-fallow averaged 40 bushels, and some must have gone 50 bushels. Eighty acres of oats yielded 5,000 bushels. 17 IS Winnipeg, Man., Aug. 4, 1904. I have seen 125 bushels of oats to the acre threshed and I have seen wheat sowed on spring breaking thresh out 35 bushels to the acre in the Saskatchewan Valley. A. W. ELLIOTT. SEEING IS BELIEVING \\V would strongly advise anyone wishing to locate in Canada to take a trip and see the district. Write to us before leaving, and we will post you thoroughly on the best way to see over the country. It may be taken as a tact that ihe Last Mountain Valley offers such chances of early suc- cess as are seldom met with — cheap, wonderfully fertile land, good climate, excellent water supply, ample fuel, and the lowest taxes in the world. All combine to make it a practical certainty that a settler in this district will acquire prosperity and wealth with the minimum of labor. The accompanying map shows the land for sale in the Last Mountain Valley. All land colored red is available, unless already sold. Prices range from $9 per acre up. We have 500,000 acres from which a selection can be made. On blocks of 5,000 acres we are willing to consider a smaller price, if we have the joint handling of the land again with the owner. If a company of farmers or a colonv wish to buy 5,000 acres Or more near together, and will agree to cultivate same, we will make reason- able concessions, and meet them in any other possible way. Write us if there is any prospect of forming such a colony. Terms of payment, etc-, on application to the owners. WM. PEARSON & CO. 383 MAIN STREET WINNIPEG, CANADA BRANCH OFFICES : REGINA, LUMSDEN &. ARLINGTON BEACH. WM. PEARSON & CO Winnipeg, Canada HD The Last West 1790 H65L3 PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY