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'■', ' '*':' '!*»> Catania: OFFICE OF THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST COMPANY (LIMITED), 81, Adelaide Strbbt, East. 1882. i 1,. ■t J I 1/ Thu Lim of C Cam Metl dene bers ■vaat nati( A prot F sett] Nor attei won tho£ Met felt well and Las reta tbei takt gioi cesa com ■was Go\ lane sett mit and Wh the mei cha grai und and tioE of I PKIMITIVE METHODIST COLONY IN TlIK NORTH WEST TERRITORY OF CANADA. This pamphlet is published by " The Primitive Methodist Colonisation Company, Limited," and is meant to give information epecially to such as are contemplating ©migrating from Great Britain to the North- West territory of the Dominion of Canada. This Colonisation Company, which has beea duly chartered by the Canadian Government, is compo&ed of ministers and laymen of the l*rimitive Methodist Church in Canada, who are wishful to conserve the interests of tbe denomination to which they belong by retaining within its borders those mem- bers and adherents who seek to improve their worldly position by settling in the Tast fuid fertile country, which is now welcoming all comers irrespective of nationality and creed. A few words relative to the origin and development o the Company will probably be interesting to those who may decide to emigrate under its auspices. For several years past there has been manifested a tendency on the part of settlers in Ontario and other provinces of the Dominion to migrate to the North- West, This has greatly increased during the last year or two, and the attention of many in Great Britain has also been turned to this land, whose wonderful resources have only recently been made generally known. Amongst those who have gone as pioneers are some who were connected with Primitive Methodist societies, and the authorities of the denomination in Canada have felt that they ought to adopt some method to promote the moral and spiritual welfare of these settlers ; but, on account of the great extent of the country and the population being so widely scattered, no feasible plan presented itself. Last autumn, however, the Rev. William Bee, the Canadian missionary secre- retary, who was suffering from overwork, determined to spend a few weeks there, in order to recuperate and, at the same time, see what steps could be taken to meet, in some measure at least, the need of settlers in respect to reli- gious ordinances. He found that the only way that gave any assurance of suc- cess was that of getting out people to settle together, as by this means, with comparatively small expense, churches and ministers might be maintained. It was also thought by Mr. Bee and others with whom he conversed that the Government would probably be willing to aid the scheme by allotting certain lands for settlement by Primitive Methodists and others who might wish to settle with them. The intention was, that the Counexional Missionary Com- mittee should undertake to advise and act as agents between the Government and the settlers without undertaking any purely business responsibilities. When, however, this scheme was brought before the Hon. D, L. Macpherson, the acting Minister of the Interior, he pointed out that this proposed arrange- ment would involve certain difficulties, and he suggested the formation of a chartered company, which could take land from the Government and make grants and sell to settlers and others as they deemed prudent. The scheme under this new form was brought before a meeting of the church authorities, and, after serious and lengthy deliberation, it was decided to act on the sugges- tion of the Hon. the Acting Minister for the Interior. There was, on the part of some, at first, au unwillingness to put the scheme on what appeared to be a fairly business basis ; but, after carefully weighing thv^ whole subject, it wa» manifest that it wou)' be pref«jrable for all parties conceded that this should be done. It will, therefore, be seen that, although the mai^'^r was at first com- menced with a phihmthropic desire to serve the interests of the church, it has now also assumed a business complexion. The original idea will, however, be steadily kept in view, and those who settle in the townships secured by the Company, particulars of whir are embodied in the following pages, will not only have at least all tlie mat< iil advantages to be obtained elsewhere, but also the added advantage of congv. ' al society and the benefit of regular religious ordinances. The following pages are partly original and partly drawn from various reliable sources. In some instances the names of the writers are given, in others they are not ; but in all cases quotations have inverted commas. Some of the extracts are from Government publications, others from writers and travellers equally trustworthy. Among them are the following, viz : — The Correspondent of the Toronto Daily Globe, who accompanied Lord Lome, Governor-General of Canada, through the North- West, and is known to be thoroughly impartial and reliable in his representations. Mr. M. M. Cope, of Oaerleon, Monmouthshire, a member of the British Board of Commerce and Agriculture, and connected largely with milling and shipping interests, who visited the North- West for the purpose of gathering information about the country for his own use and for the benefit of his countrymen, He was most diligent and earnest in his enquiries for information, and was careful not to accept anything but what was thoroughly reliable. Mr. Cope was one of the travelling companions of Rev. W. Bee when he made his visit to tht North- West. I'rofessor McCoon, of " e of the colleges of Ontario, has travelled a great deal in the North- West, has been a close ob- server, has an e\teiislve knowledge of the country, has written considerably on it, and his statements have been accepted by the Canadian Government and pub- lished in their annual reports. The tenant-farmers of England and Scotland who travelled through the country and made the strictest enquiries respecting its capabilities all give the fame favourable testimony as to the excellency of the country. They could not have any motive to say what would be mis- leading even had they been disposed to do so. They are all disinterested and reliable. From the reports of these and other travellers, surveyors, &c., a portion of the following pages have been extracted. For the sake of convenience to the reader and for reference, this pamphlet is divided into short paragraphs, according to subjects referred to. 1. Where the Nirrth' West Territory is Situated, and its Extent. — Manitoba is situated in the middle of the continent, nearly equally distant between the Pole and the Equator and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The eastern boundary of Manitoba is not yet decided, but is likely to be about the 95th degree of longitude, and the territory extends to the Kocky Mountains, about the 120th degree of longitude, or about 1,000 miles. From south to north it extends from the United States boundary to the North Pole. The following is from a Government publication :— " If the reader will consult the map of Canada, he will find in the heart of the continent a vast district, extending westward from the head waters of Lake Superior to the base of the Rocky Mountains, and northward from the United States boundary line to the Arctic Ocean. This region covers over an area 2,750,000 square miles in extent, and is generally known as ' The North- West Territory of British America-' Down to the yea. 1870 this immense territory was in possession and under the control of the Hudson Bay Company. In that year, by Act of the Imperial Parliament, it was transierred to the Canadian Government, and now forms part of the Dominion." 2. Physical Features. — It is known as the Prairie Country, because so much of it is composed of open prairie. In some instances there are large tracts of e subject, it wa» that this should eas at first com- le church, it has ^ill, however, be secured by the r pages, will not ewhere, but also regular religious 1 various reliable in others they le of the extracts ravellers equally )8pondent of the rnor-General of ly impartial and onmouthshire, a and connected rth-West for the n use and for the in his enquiries ; was thoroughly v. W. Bee when e of the colleges )een a close ob- considerably on irnment and pub- id and Scotland uiries respecting ihe excellency of : would be mis- iisinterested and rs, &c., a portion ihis pamphlet is I \t, — Manitoba is etween the Pole astern boundary 95th degree of .bout the 120th I it extends from wing is from a the heart of the waters of Lake rom the United rs over an area he North- West mense territory ipany. In that ) the Canadian cause so much large tracts of country, unbroken by any patch of woods, extending as far as the eye can reach. There are some of these extensive plains in the Canadian North- West, but there it is mostly described as rolling or undulating prairie, with here and there a "bluff" (patch) of timber, chiefly poplar. In some places, however, there are oak, birch, cherry, ash, spruce, and other kinds of wood. The rolling or iindu- Irtting prairie is preferable to the love), as it is likely to be drier- The North- West Territory and the western pa it of Manitoba are more rolling thau eastern Manitoba, and therefore settlers generally prefer tl j West. East of the Rocky Mountains there are scarcely any elevations which can properly be called mountains. I'embina, Turtle, and other mountains are only small elevatii ns. Tiger Hills and Brandon Hills are the nearest approach to mountains east of the " Rockies," as they are called. These remarku refer to the portions of the country which are likely to be soon settled. To the Nortli the country is more hilly, and there is more timber. The rivers and lakes in this great country are a study in themselves. The Red Iliver enters Manitoba at Emerson, and enters into Lake Winnipeg a hundred miles to the North, and is navigable the whole distance. The Assiniboine has been navigated from Winni- peg, where it empties into the K^d River, to Fort l*elly, about SOO miles. Ranking among the largest and longest rivers in the world are the Saskatcha- wan, with its two branches. This river is said to be navigable 1 .500 miles. The Mackenzie and Asthabaska Rivers are navigable 2,500 miles. The Qu'Appelle is a river of considerable size, and is to be dredged so as to be navigable at low water in dry seasons. Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba may be properly called inland seas, and Hudson's Bay is large enough to take the whole of the British islands. Throughout the country there are many other beautiful streams and lakes by which it is watered, and affords many advantages to man and beast. 3. Clitnnte and Seasons, — The following is what Mr. Cope says : — " I am delighted with the climate. The thermometer runs high in the day-time in summer, but the heat is not oppressive, and the nights are always cool and re- freshing. I got the benefit, too, of the lovely Indian summer in October. Winter, which sets in early in November, is, from all 1 can learn, very enjoy- able, and, I believe, is pleasanter than our damp English winters. I got a taste of the winter, too, for the mercury was down to twelve degrees below x.^ro before I left Winnipeg. I could not have credited it had I had to depend on my feelings. I did not feel it at all. Warm clothing and comfortable houses are all that the settler needs to keep himself warm. Early summer frosts are not worth mentioning. They are local, and do damage only in swampy lands. As to late summer frosts, in the end of August, or in September, there is nothing to fear if the farmer doesn't undertake too much and sow so late that he cannot harvest till a couple of weeks after the proper time. The mosquitoes are a perfect nuisance in some parts, but settlement clears them out. I found none in Winnipeg." " The snow goes away and ploughing begins in April, which is about the same time in the older Provinces of (Janada, the Northern United States on the Atlantic sea-board, and the North- Western States, Minnesota, and Wiscon- sin. The crops are harvested in August and September. The long sunny days of summer brmg vegetation of all sorts to rapid maturity. The days are warm and the nights cool. Autumn begins about the 20th September and lasts till November, when the regular frost sets in. The winter proper comprises the months of December, January, February, and March. Spring comes in April. The summer months are part of May, June, July, August, and part of Septem- ber. In winter the thermometer sinks to thirty and forty degrees below zero ; but this degree of cold in the dry atmosphere of the North- West does not pro- duce any unpleasant sensations. The weather is not felt to be colder than tliat in the Province of CJuebec, nor so cold as milder winters in climates where the frost, or even a less degree of cold than frost, is accompanied with dampness. In times of wind storms, however, the cold is found to be specially searching. 6 The testimony of settlers is universal as to the fact that the winter is, on th« whole, both pleasant and healthy ; and fornjor residents of both Ontario and (^lebec state that they like it quite as well as that of those provinces. " Snow does not fall on the prairies to an averapfe greater depth than eighteen inchpfl, and bufTaloes and horses graze out of doors all winter. They scratch the dtiow off the prairie grass, and gr.-w fat upon it. Horned cattle graze out of donrs part of tne winter, mt in some states of the weather they require to be brought in. Instances are, however, stated in which horned cattle have grazod out all winter. " Heat and humidity are the two chief elements of climate, and these two divisions of the North-West, the prairie and wooded, have high summer tem- peratures and heavy summer rairs. South of the parallel of INIanitoba lie the regions of summer droughts and great heat — producing the immense deserts over the Western territories of the United States. The "tbundance of rain in liritish America, with summer temperatures suiPcient to mature all the great staples of the temperate zones, makes it a pood agricultural country. The absence of summer rains, with high tempern i ures, leaves vast areas of the in- terior of the United States barren wastes, especially tho»! pa- • of the country westward from the lOOth meridian or west of the Missouri. *' Climate has much to do with the healthiness of acountry On this point there is united testimony such as tht following from Mr. Sutherland. Of such testi- mony many pages might be given were it necessary : — * I consider the country healthy, and we have not been subject to any epidemic. We had fever in Winnipeg in 1875, but none in the country places. It was brought into Winni- peg, and it owed its continuance there, no doubt, to overcrowded houses and in- LutHcient drainage. We never had small-pox in our province. As a rule, I think the country is very healthy.' '' 4. T/ie Soil and Produce. — Mr. Anderson, a tenant British farmer, says : — " The soil varies much, as it is natural to suppose over so large a tract ; but, as a rule, it is a rich, black, vegetable mould, working very like clay — rich beyond imagination — and resting on a marly clay. The depth of the surface soil varies a good deal, in some places not more than ten or twelve inches, in others as many feet. I am informed that chemical analysis has proved the soil to be the best adapted of any in the world for the growth of wheat ; and certainly prac- tical experience bears this out. It is very easily worked, becoming as fine as powder. However, there are all descriptions of soil to be had here, frona the heaviest clay to the lightest sandy loam." Another farmer says : — " The soil, which is mostly prairie and covered with grass, is a deep alluvial deposit of unsurpassed richness.^ It produces bountiful crops of cereals, grasses, roots, and vegetables. So rich and inexhaustible is the soil, that wheat has been cropped off the same place for fifty years without manure, and without showing signs of exhaustion. It is especially a wheat- growing soil, and is believed to contain the most favourable conditions for the growth of it." Mr. Cope vn-ites as follows on the quality of the soil and the superiority of the produce : — " All I have said applies to large sections of country up to the (^u'Appelle, on the Saskatchewan, and, from all I can hear, in the Athabasca and Peace River countries, two thousand miles beyond Manitoba. Of course, I do not believe all the land said to be good wheat land is so. There is a large tract from the South Saskatchewan across the Cypress Hills to the Boundary Line which is mostly better adapted for grazing. In Manitoba, too, there is often only one thousand acres of the best quality to two thousand acres of what, in a Manitoba sense, would be second-class. This fact is overlooked by in migrants, and Jome are, therefore, disappointed. Besides, in the valley of the Red River there is splendid land from the Pembina to the Turtle Mountains, and all along the Souris River to a few miles south of Brandon, north of Brandon, at Birtla, i winter is, on th» oth Ontario and vinc»'8. th than eif^hteen . They scratch cattle graze out ley require to be ttle have grazed 9, and these two ph summer tem- ^lanitoba lie the immense deserts dance of rain in ure all the great country. The areas of the in- ' of the country 1 this point there Ot such testi- der the country ie Lad fever in ;f?ht into Winni- }d houses and in- e. As a rule, I farmer, says ; — a tract ; but, as Ky— rich beyond irface soil varies hes, in others as he soil to be the I certainly prac- oming as fine as i here, from the id covered with •duces bountiful inexhaustible is y years without ?cially a wheat- nditions for the e superiority of untry up to the the Athabasca Of course, I do is a large tract Boundary Line », there is often res of what, in by in migrants, the lied River if and all along idoD, at Birtld, Rhoal Lake, Portage la I'rairit*, Fort Mllice, along tho Moose trail from Fi>rt ElHce to the (iu'Appelle, tl . whole valley of the (^u'Apnelle, and up in the direction of Fort I'elly. At Prince Albert and Carlton the land is splendid, and also between Ikttle lliver and the Saskatchewan. I know the latter country from careful enquiries of settlers there whom I made it a point to meet. There is good land elsewhei-e, but much of it requires draining. This can be done, and at a cost very light compared to the increase in productiveness that will follow. KXTRAOIlDI.>fAnV imonrrTIVKNKSS. " The productiveness of Manitoba and the Canadian North-West is astonish- ing. Wheat grows .'50 to 40 bushels per acre; oats, (iO to HO, and sometimes 100 and 120 ; barley, (>0; potatoes, .'JOO to 4(X) bushels ; and roots of all kinds — swedes, mangolds, carrots, and onions — beyond anything to be seen elsewhere. I never saw such potatoes, either for size or quali*y. They seem all flour to the core. In fact, the country is without a rival in the world, and I speak from a considerable acquaintance with many parts." HKAVIKST YIKLD ON THK CONTIITBNT. " The quantity per acre in Manitoba is greater than in any of the American States. In northern Minnesota and northern Dakota the average yield is 20 bushels per acre ; in the southern part of these States 1 2 to ir) ; in Iowa, Wis- consin, and Illinois not more than 12 bushels; in Michigan 14 or 15 bushels; in Manitoba the yield is 25 to 28 bushels, and it might be iV) to 40 but for the style of farming. Manitoba farmers come into the country with little capital, and, sowing on the broken sod, of course, get only a small yield. As there are many of these new farmers, the average is, therefore, reduced to 2-') to 28 bushels. Kenneth Mackenzie, at i'ortage T i Prairie, told me his average yield during eleven years has been thirty-five bushels, and about forty other farmers place theirs at from thirty to forty bushels. These figures are easily attainable with the kind of farming done by the Minnesotans and 1 )akotans, who have more capital when they settle down, and who, therefore, break the soil, back- set it — that is, give a second ploughing of another two inches in depth, and do not sow till the following spring. Thus it will be seen that while Dakota and Minnesota have reached their maximum production per acre, Manitoba has not ; and when it does reach it, will show an average of thirty to forty bushels per acre against the twenty bushels of the States adjoining to the south. Besides this, the difference in the soil constitutes an important factor in Manitoba's superiority. " In Minnesota and Dakota, for fifty miles on each side of the Red River, there is capital soil, and again west on James' River, as well as here and there in other parts ; but in the greater part of these States the land is second-class, or inferior. Even the good lands are greatly deteriorated by the constant suc- cession of wheat crops, and require a rest every six years. In Manitoba it is otherwise. The good lands are very extensive, although not found in the solid blocks which some people imagine. The soil is so rich and deep, that crop after crop of wheat may b taken from the soil for a large number of years without a diminution in the yield per acre. There is nothing like it to be seen on the continent." MANITOBAN HART) WHEAT. " To show you how high this hard wheat stands, I may state that 00 per cent. of the wheat of Northern Minnesota and Dakota is graded No. 1, while in Southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois only ten to twenty per cent, is so graded, and in Kansas and other southern latitudes perhaps little or none. The peculiar climate cf the North- West, with its dryness, hot days, and cool nights, appear necessary for its growth. Here the importance of Manitoba appears, for 95 per cent, of its wheat is No. 1. Not only is the quality better, but in weight and production to the acre it excels even the Minnesota and Dakota wheat. While the latter weighs HO to 02 lbs. to the bushel, Manitobd wheat — I Hpenk from actiiiil knuwledpe — weighs rtli to 04 Ibfl. The diPF«renc«" of two pounds may ridt Hfem of much importance, but, nevertheless, it is, for the increased weight does not add to the bran, but represents just tiiat much more real flour; consequently Manitoba wheat must command tne very highest prices in the world." The following is an extract from a letter of the Olohe correspondent : — " At the police farm here, which consists only of twenty-tive acres, adjoining the fort, 1,(K)() bushels of oats, besides a large quantity of potatoes, were raised. This large supply of oats only costs the coi:ntry iJo cents per bushel, while the contract price which the Government pays the Hudson Bay Company for oats at this p(..st is $2 per bushel. To-tlay I was shown a little field of only about five acres upon which the owner had hired all the work done. He raised pota- toes and oats, and the net profits were no less than $r)00." It will be interesting to the readers of this pamphlet to see something on the natural grass of the prairie. The following few lines will give some idea of it. It is what a Manitoba farmer says on the subject : — " The natural grasses are very nutritious, and cattle can be wintered without any coarse grain, neither is it customary to feed any grain except to milch cows or stall-fed animals. " The usual yield of prairie grass when cut into hay is an average of from three to four tons per acre. It usually grows about five or six feet high, and, although coarse, is very nutritious, "I consider the North- West as very well adapted for dairy purposes, as we have many miles of natural meadows throughout the country, and hay can be cut and cured for about $1 per ton. We have five or six varieties of grasses that are good and well adapted for stock-feedingi while a few others are not so suitable." 6. Pojmlation. — The population as yet is not large. It consiats of Indians, half-breeds, and people from the older provinces of Canada, Great Britain, Europe, and the United States. The people who are row there are chiefly in a few places, such as Winnipeg, Portage La Prairie, Selkirk, and a number of newer settlements, between Winnipeg and the Rocky Mountains. To populate it even half as thickly as the average population of Europe, there is room for hundreds of millions, and the soil is, no doubt, capable of feeding and sustain- ing them all. It is capable also of finding employment not only for an incal- culable number of agriculturists, but hundreds of thousands of mechanics and people to work its inexhaustible coal-fields, iron, and other mineral. All that IS wanted is people and capital to make the country as great in its trade and commerce as it is in extent and the richness of its soil. The Indians of Canada are well known to be, as a rule, peaceable. The treatment received by them from the British and Canadian Governments being such as to satisfy them, they will not readily do injury to any of the children of the " Great Mother," as they call the (^ueen. The Roman Catholics were, till recently, largely in the majority, but emigrants entering the country are chiefly Protestants, so that the latter are now in the majority. A Toronto Daily paper recently published the following on emigration : — " Between 1853 and 187G no less than 4,961,350 persons emigrated from Great Britain alone. The recent depression on this continent checked the outflow ; but it has been steadily increasing for three years past, and will probably become greater than ever very soon. The greater number of British emigrants come to this Continent. For many years back the States have been able to offer the greatest inducements, but their wheat lands are nearly all taken up, and Canada can now offer much the best terms. There is every reason why British emigration to America should be distributed as it was before 1840. Between 1820 and 1829 the United States got but 71,911 British, whL« the Provinces ! )ushel, Manitoba The difFwrencp rtheleflfl, it is, for (lint tiiHt much tlie very highest spondent : — " At 68, jwljnining the toes, were raised, bushel, while the ompany for oats )ld of only about He raised pota- see something on give some idea of wintered ■without jpt to milch cows average of from ix feet high, and, jr purposes, as we r, and hay can be irieties of grasses BW others are not )n8i«ts of Indiana, a, Great Britain, re are chiefly in a and a number of ins. To populate there is room for iding and sustain- only for an incal- of mechanics and uineral. All that it in its trade and 'ndians of Canada received by them satisfy them, they Mother," as they y in the majority, so that the latter m emigration : — rated from Great :ked the outflow ; [ probably become emigrants come to able to offer the n up, and Canada son why British 1840. Between L^ the Provinces that now comnrise Canada got 12«i,01fl. Between I'^.M) and 18.'{5> the States ?ot 17(),J7H; Canada, .*{-'(),7*Jn. The preference of the emigrantH was ch-arly or a land under the Mritish fl>vg. Hut after IrtK) tht» extenniop of railways broug'it btittdr I'nited States lands into the market than Canada could ofTer, and ever since the tide has bt)en in favour of our neighbours. Now that the Dominion has the most fertile and extensivt^ unoccupied territory in the world, which will next year be provided with railways, the preference for land under the old flag should bring to Canada a very n .ch larger number of Mriton.s each year than the eautern part of the Dominion can spare to the we«t." (5. I'rnde and Commfrce. — The following is Mr, Cope's view of the Commercial prospects of the country. TIIK ItKST COUNTRY IN TIIK WOIII !• KOIl TIIK I'AIIMKB. COMMKIICIAL AHI'KC'T. " There i? a commercial aspect which increases my estimate of the country as a land for the farmer to make money. Beef, mutton, butter, cheese, milk, bacon, kc , are oO per cent, higher than in Toronto, and will ho continue to be, unfortunately, owing to the large imniij;ration. This means pn-fit to the farmer, and where one has to consume these articles worth so much, is it not more profitable than the lower Toronto prices, when land can be got at on«)-tenth the cost of land in Ontario ? Taking every point of view and weighing everything, 1 believe that unquestionably Manitoba is the very best country on the face of tlie earth for the farmer. Kansas and the American States have bet-n attracting l']nglish emigration in the past. I will do what I can to turn it into the Canadian prairies, which are vastly superior. There the farmer, by industry and common sense, can almost coin money, and that territory will make Britain independent of the world for its grain supply.'' The North-West country is better suited than all others for the growth of hard wheat, and outside of it the area for that grain is limited. That grain will be in the greatest demand everywhere, both in lOurope and in the United States. American millers will seek to get it, notwithstanding the duty of i*() cents per bushel. This duty does away with the advantage the Americans would get from the nearness to the supply, but will tend to raise prices, so that Manitobans can count on getting the veij highest prices for their wheat. The cost of production in Manitoba is about 30 cents per bushel. The cost of transportation to Thunder Bay and elevator charges there on the opening of the railway to that point next year will be !>'> cents, so I am told by the Syndicate. The cost from Thunder Bay to Montreal may be put at 10 cents, and perhaps lower on the use of the new Welland Canal ; while from Montreal to Liverpool the figure will be lo cents. This makes the total cost of wheat, laid down in Liverpool, 75 cents a bushel, or :lh shillings a quarter. When the Hudson Bay route is open the cost will be stUl further reduced. This estimate leaves the farmer no profit, but the bare cost to the British farmer may be estimated at 45 shillings, or 20 shillings more than the cost of North- West wheat in Liverpool." The Commercial prospects of the country are considerably affected by Hudson Bay route being opened. The report recently made by Professor Bell, of the Geological Survey, is not only interesting, but important. The following is a short extract from his report, with a few lines from the Toronto Globe intro- ducing it. " To the North- West Territory, and, therefore, to the whole Dominion — for in the North- West lies our hope of population and power — the question of the practicability of the Hudson Bay route to England is of vast importance." An available route, via Hudson Bay, would bring our far North- West from one thousand to two thousand miles nearer market than by the St. Lawrence route, and, by the freight for that distance, increase the value of every bushel he sells. This being the case, every item of information regarding the Hudson Bay route is worthy of attention, and it is satisfactory to find that Professor Bell, ^f m^ J0^ *'m& 10 of the Geological Survey, who has epont several summers in surveying almost the entire coast of that vast inland sea and the interior contiguous to it, and has made an autumn voyage through the Straits to England, is decidedly of opinion that the Hudson Bay route wiU be found, commercially, an exceedingly valu- able one. During a visit of the Professor to Toronto recently he was inter- viewed on the subject. The substance of the information elicited during this interview is here given, and will be found interesting. " Churchill Harbour is the finest on Hudson Bay and one of the best in the world. It is about eight miles in length by two to three in breadth. The Churchill River flows in at the southern end, where, for several miles, except in the current of the river, the water is too shallow for ocean vessels. The lower part of the harbour is, however, from six to twelve fathoms deep. " I think it is probable that steamers could make their way through the Straits the whole year rouad, but, of course, such voyages would do no good during the five to six months of the year in which the Hudson Bay harbours are closed. For ordinary sailing vessels the known period of navigation is from the end of June till the beginning of November. Steamers could unquestionably pass for a longer period. The Straits are very deep and are free from rocks and shoals, as is also Hudson Bay, except along some parts of the shore. " I consider the Hudson Bay route decidedly practicable, and have no doubt whatever that it wiU be a most important channel of trade between the grain fields of the North- West and the Mother Country. Return cargoes would in- clude the usual importations and large quantities of coal and iron, the freight on which would be low on account of the cheapness of the long water carriage. The distance from Churchill flarbour to Liverpool, via Hudson Straits, is 2,92G miles, while from Montreal to Liverpool it is 2,000, and from New York to Liverpool 3,040 miles. Churchill is, then, G4 miles nearer Liverpool than Mon- treal, and 114 miles nearer than New Yoik. Lake Winnipeg is consequently brought nearer Liverpool than Toronto, and northern Minnesota and Manitoba as near as Michigan. The effect of this in developing the wheat fields of the North- West, where a further advantage exists of an immensely greater yield per acre than in Old Canada, or the Western States, cannot fail to be very great." The immense coal deposits must largely affect the commercial prospects of the country. The following on this subject is from the Government publica- tion, "The Dominion of Canada," &c. : — " In the heart of the Continent, in that vast region Imown as * the Great North- West Territories,' there are immense deposits of coal, supposed to be the most extensive in the world. It crops out on the surface in many places over an area of country hundreds of square miles in extent. This coal deposit is one of the most important peculiarities of tl at great district. The prairies of Canada, in fact, contain coal enough to supply the whole world for ages to come. The Canadian Pacific Railway, now in course of construction, will run across this coal coimtry. Then, again, on the other side of the Rocky Moun- tains, the coal fields of British Columbia are practically inexhaustible. The Comox field alone is estimated at about 300 square miles in extent. The output in 1874 was over 80,000 tons. This can be increased a thousand-fold if neces- sary. British Columbia seems destined to become the greatest coal-producing country on the Pacific side of the American Continent. In some places the seams are so favourably situated that the coal can be loaded on shipboard direct from the mine. The mineral wealth of this growing province is beyond esti- mate, and coal forms no unimportant part of the whole. 7. Miscellaneous. — We believe that the Dominion of Canada offers as great advantages to emigrants as any other country, and, indeed, many advantages which some other countries that have attracted considerable attention cannot offer. For instance, in addition to the advantages referred to in the preceding pages — e in surveying almost ntiguous to it, and has is decidedly of opinion , an exceedingly valu- recently he was inter- on elicited during this one of the best in the hree in breadth. The r several miles, except or ocean vessels. The 'e fathoms deep, heir way through the iges would do no good idaon Bay harbours are navigation is from the could unquestionably L are free from rocks rts of the shore, ble, and have no doubt rade between the grain turn cargoes would in- il and iron, the freight he long water carriage, ludson Straits, is 2,92G nd from New York to er Liverpool than Mon- innipeg is consequently linnesota and Manitoba the wheat fields of the mmensely greater yield cannot fail to be very ommercial prospects of le Government publica- 1 known as * the Great coal, supposed to be the ,ce in many places over t. This coal deposit is listrict. The prairies of rhole world for ages to 3f construction, will run .de of the Rocky Moun- illy inexhaustible. The ss in extent. The output 1 thousand-fold if neceo- greatest coal-producing nt. In some places the aded on shipboard direct province is beyond esti- E Canada offers as great ideed, many advantages derable attention cannot rred to in the preceding 11 (1) Canada has, to say the least, one of the best common and high school systems of education in the world. (2) The emigrant finds himself among a people that he can recognise as his own people ; and (Ji) the comparatively short distance from England is a con- sideration. On the two last thoughts the London Times, in speaking on the " Women's Emigration Society," says ; — " Canada is the goal towards which the society would point. If any Colony would attract an independent supply of women emigrants, that Colony is British North America. The voyage is the shortest and least expensive. The emigrant is not cut off irrevocably from the comforts of the mother country, as civilisa- tion is as widely diffused there as in any Colony. The climate is healthy, and, above all, the Colony is thoroughly English. It is permeated and perforated in all directions with English society and types of English life and English thoughts." And all these advantages and others yet to be referred to, and others which might be referred to, will, as soon as possible, be provided in the * Primitive Methodist Colony,' which we are about to refer to. 8. The Primitive Methodist Colony. — 1. The location, extent, and climate. — It is located just west of the 103rd longitudinal degree, and its latitude is on the ^'jlst degree. It consists of parts of townships 21, ranges '"^, !•, and 10; part of township 22, range 10, aid the whole of townships 22 and 23, in ranges 8 and 9, making six townships in all. The Colony is seventeen miles from south to north, and about thirteen miles from east to west. It is beautifully situated in what may be called the valley of the Pheasant Creek, which is really a small river with water privileges. What is known as the Big Pheasant Plain is just to Lhe north-east of it, and the beauti- ful QuAppelle Valley on the south. On the south-east are Pheasant Hills, with an elevation of two hundred feet, but the rise is so gentle and gradual that a person reaches the highest point without being aware of the elevation attained till he looks back upon the valley below. On the north of the colony are Beaver HUls, and on the west File Hills. All these hills are covered with wood, afford- ing some building timber, rail-fencing, and fuel. I'he hills are also a great pro- tection from the winds, and, as a consequence, the location is not nearly so cold as where there is no such shelter. The Pheasant Creek flows through the colony. It has two main branches, one rising in I'heasant Hills, and the other rising in the File Hills. These two branches unite about five miles north of the south boundary of the Colony, lielow the junction there are two water powers and mill sites. There are many small streams taking their rise in those hills, east, west, and north, which empty into the main branches of the creek, * more pro- perly,' says one of the surveyors, ' caued a river.' The land mostly slopes to the south and east. It will be evident that the colony is favoured as to climate. It is said by those who are in a position to know that in the locality spring is two weeks earlier than at Winnipeg. In the neighbourhood of Ou'Appelle barley has been harvested in July, and those who know the locality say that summer frosts are unknown. 2. Water, soil, and productiveness. — The water is good throughout the colony. The surveyors, in their notes, never speak of alkali, but frequently of the excellency of the water. The great question with many people is the quality of the soil. We have seen and conversed with over twenty surveyors, and all who know it 8peak most favourably of it. It is a rich clay loam mos+ly, and it is from a foot to two feet deep. The surface is generally described as rolling or undulating prairie. All travellers unite in bearing testimony that the valley of the Qu'Appelle, for beauty of scenery, richness of soil, and productiveness, is unsurpassed by even the best parts of the North- West. The following is copied from the notes of the surveyors of the townships 12 forming the Colony, and they have a better chance of knowing the locality than any one else. Mr. Hugh Wilson, who surveyed township 21, range 3 to range 10, says of this township in range 8 : " The land is beautiful, the soil rich, deep, black loam." All the sections in this township belonging to the colony are classed No. 1 by the surveyors. The same surveyor says of township 21, runge 9 : "I found this township to be exceedingly fine land. The soil, black loam, from one to two feet deep, well watered by I'heas-ant Creek, which attains a medium width of three rods before it leaves the township. The valley is about five chains wide. South of Centre line the banks are abrupt p-airie slopes. North of Centre line the banks assume a gentle slope, and, with a . w exceptions, they can be ploughed to the water's edge. The surface drainage is excellent, and consists of gently- sloping water-courses, taking their rise in Pheasant Hills, and emptying west- ward into Pheasant Creek. The same can be t-aid of that portion of the town- ship west of the Creek, where the drainage has its source in range 10. Throughout the township there are small ponds or sloughs of good water economically eituated for watering purposes." There is good water all through the location. On the surveyors' maps the land is all described as gently-roUing prairie, and in every case the sections are put down as Class I. The following paragraph is from a letter of the Special Correspondent of the Toronto Globe. The farm here referred to is near Fort Qu'Appelle, and about ten or twelve miles from the location of the Colony : — " I next visited Mr. Le Koch's garden, where I found all sorts of ordinary vegetables flourishing luxu- riantly and in a fairly advanced state for the time of the year. The soil in this valley is evidently not of that cold, heavy nature too often found in river bottoms. Beneath the thick upper stratum of rich black loam there appears to be a substratum of gravelly clay and sand, which is thoroughly conducive to the natural and prompt drainage of the soil, and consequent early and rapid vegeta- tion. In this respect I think the soil of a great portion of the North- West territory is vastly superior to that of Manitoba. In the Province there seems to be a substratum of very tenacious, close-grained clay, which holds the water persistently and renders the surface very slow to dry up after rain. To-day I saw in Mr. Le Roch's wheat fields as fine a sample of wheat as I ever saw at any of our Provincial Exhibitions. The whole crop was within a day or two of being fit for harvesting ; and, catching a head of wheat at random, I rubbed it in my hands, and was more than astonished at the result. The bulk of grain produced from the single ear was astonishing. Indeed, it seemed as if I had blown nothing but the thinnest of covering away in chaff, and there remained in my hand the great plump berry, larger than any I have ever seen, and withal as fir^ and hard as if it had beer kiln-dried. In short, it was absolute perfection in quantity, size, weight, texture, and colour. As Mr. Le Roch only commenced farming the year before last, he was not in a position to give me figures as to the yield yer acre. In fact, he had only a very small amount sowed last year, and though it turned out extremely well, he did not make any estimate as to the yield per acre. This year he has not yet taken in his harvest ; but the grain stands very thick upon the ground, and every straw, though aU are particularly stout and strong, has upon it an ear of grain that is just all it can support. The following brief extracts are from the reports of Dominion land surveyors sent to the Government Department at Ottawa, and afterwards published in Government Reports. It will be seen that the extracts refer to the townships composing the Colony, or the country adjoining. These surveyors cannot fail to know the country well, the quality of soil, and everything relating to the country, and it must be remembered that the reports are made to the Govern- ment, and that the surveyors have a personal mterest in such reports being strictly accurate :- " The whole tract of country within the limits of the survey is composed chiefly of first-class land, the remainder being second-class, and 1 am satisfied ' that^ respec tract settlei it f more > small us to 1 about « Y limit ( towar , unduli > draina ' down '•Ri many to be < "Tl ! pose f ] ; are no Ismail I I River I " Tl I soil ; ii I some 8 i «Tc ^ing, a •meado I Battle f "^ |clined Ipoplar 13 g the locality than range 3 to range the soil rich, deep, e classed No. 1 by b9: "I found this from one to two medium width of ; five chains wide, rth of Centre line ey can be ploughed consists of gently- d emptying west- rtion of the town- gelO. Throughout 'ater economically •ough the location, ing prairie, and in rrespondent of the Lppelle, and about ext visited Mr. Le s flourishing luxu- \ The soil in this ;en found in river m there appears to ily conducive to the f and rapid vegeta- if the North- West Dvince there seems ch holds the water er rain. To-day I at as I ever saw at thin a day or two ; random, I rubbed The bulk of grain leemed as if I had id there remained in seen, and withal as absolute perfection 3h only commenced e me figures as to ,t sowed last year, ly estimate as to the est; but the grain all are particularly it can support. nion land surveyors wards published in )r to the townships irveyors cannot fail ling relating to the lade to the Govern- such reports being jurvey is composed and I am satisfied that when it becomes better known, it cannot fail to be rapidly settled, and would respectfully recommend that the township and subdivision surveys of the whole tract be made as soon as possible, in order that the same may be opened for , settlement. I " The tract between the " hills " and the Qu'Appelle-road leading to Pelly is more or less gravelly, but the soil is rich and fertile and crossed by numerous small brooks. Five miles through a rich but mostly undulating country brought us to the Carlton trail, and three miles further east a branch of Cut Arm Creek about 12 feet wide and over a foot in depth. " From the eastern limit of Range 0, and extending some distance beyond the limit of my survey (eastern limit of Range 13) westward, as also to the south, ; towards the Moose Mountains, the country is high, dry open prairie with gentle undulations ; on Range 8 the (iu'Appelle Valley is re-crossed, and excellent ■ drainage is secured for the whole of this tract by numerous ravines leading ■ down to the river, all of which are thickly timbered. *• Range 8 is all dense poplar woods, with a thick growth of underbrush and •many grassy flats covered with deep water; across this Rangeja cart road had to be cut, which involved much loss of time on the line. " The district covered by these woods is known as the Beaver Hills — I sup- I pose from the fact that the beavers were and still are to be found in it ; they j are not elevated much above the surrounding plains; out of them flow many Ismail creeks, which on the easterly side converge into the Little White Sand fRiver; on the south there are one or two which flow into the (i^u'Appelle. I " The south half of Township twenty-four is fine rolling prairie, all excellent I soil ; in many places fine meadows are to be found ; along the edge of the woods I some small lakes occur. * " Township twenty-three is generally good black clay loam, the surface roll- ing, a very few clumps of small poplar ; there are some ponds and many small meadows. In the north section of this township this meridian crossed the ^liattleford trail just at its intersection by the Pelly and Qu'Appelle trail. I " Across Range 9 the soil is generally a good black clayey loam, in places in- |clined to be gravelly ; there are many small ponds, and a few small clumps of fpoplars. I " The east half of Range 10 is generally gravelly soil with no timber ; on the least section a fine large creek occurs, which runs into the Qu'Appelle. About nthe middle of this range we enter the woods which constitute the File Hills. JThose hills are covered with a forest of poplar and brush ; in many places the lyoplars are large and long, clean trunked, and would supply a good quality of Ipoplar timber ; through those woods are many small ponds. I " Before closing this report I beg to draw your attention to a large extent of lexcellent farming country which 1 passed over on my homeward journey, lying leouth of the Qu'Appelle River, between the Moose Jaw Creek and Fort I'iUice. Wot nearly the whole of this distance of l-'^O miles the soil is generally of an .^xceUent quality, the country being partially vooded and well watered. ** The Qu'Appelle River lies in a deep vaUey of some .■)20 feet. To the north f the river the soil is good and the land excellent for farming purposes." 8. .Proximity to Haihvaijs. —As to railway service the colony is excellently ocated. The main line of the C. P. R. is only twenty-four miles away, the orth boundary of their land joining the South boundary of the colony. It is expected that the North- Western or one of the other projected lines will pass Fort Ellice, and take its course not far from the Touchwood Hills Trail, in j^hich it would pass through or very near to our land. What may be done in khe matter of the Hudson Bay route cannot be known now, but any one examin- ing a map of the country will see that the probability is that the great country |o the West is most likely to be tapped by a Railway passing through or near 14 Qu'Appelle, by which the produce of the colony will be nearly b& easily and cheaply conveyed to Liverpool as from Toronto, the distance being about the same. Four or five railway companies are at the present time giving the necessary notice in the Canada Gazette of application to I'arliament to build railways to the north of the Canadian Pacifice main line, beside branch lines which are to cross the country where it is found to be required by settlement. Also com- panies are being formed for the purpose of dredging the various navigable rivers where necessary, and placing steamers on them. The Qu'Appelle is one of them. The following letters from the Olohe correspondent previously referred to it is believed will be interesting to the readers of this pamphlet, and, therefore, they are given almost entire. It will be seen that they refer to the part of the country close by the colony. In Camp, 25 Milbs from Touchwood Hills, en route to Fort Ellice, Nov. 27. The weather, though cooler this morning, was still not quite such as I would like to have seen. For all that, however, we made tolerably fair progress, and I think that my ponies are standing the work with the jumpers quite as well as those of my fellow-travellers with their waggons. We have made twenty miles to-day through what appears to be an excellent quality of rolling prairie, partially overgrown with bluffs of small timber, and having occasional groves or strips of poplar and cotton-wood of considerable size. Sleighing is certainly not any worse than it was yesterday, and there *d every appearance of cooler weather to come. I find travelling with jumpers not at all fatiguing, and in- stead of looking forward, as I used to do, with pleasure to the prospect of turning into camp at night, I now begin to dread it. Our tents are pitched to-right in a clump of timber south of the trail, where there is plentry of dry wood. We have a cheerful camp-fire outside the tent, and, all-in-all, the camp is an excep- tionally comfortable one. In Camp, -50 Miles from Touchwood Hills, en route to Fort Ellice, Nov. 28, We have made about twenty-five miles to-day, and the ponies finished their work almost as fresh as they began it. The country through which we have travelled is very much the same as that traversed yesterday. Here and there the couutry is broken with sloughs and lakelets, but it is, for the most part, fine rolling land, highly timbered. The forage is good all along the trail, and from the extraordinary growth of grass which stands up and asserts itself strongly above nine to fifteen inches of snow, I should imagine the soil must be exceedingly rich. Wherever we stop, the ponies invariably begin pawing and feeding just where they are turned out of the harness. They loso no time in looking for grass, as they appear to think it good enough for them anywhere along the trail. I have never heard this region very highly extolled as a favourable locality for settlement, but I should imagine \ that a farmer accustomed to the average farming land to be found in Ontario would imagine himself in an agricultural paradise could he be blindfolded at \ home and set down here before the wrapping was taken off his eyes. If he came up here in the ordinary way, he would learn by the time he got here to be as fault-finding and dissatisfied with the country as are the half-breeds and old settlers in Manitoba and the North- West. The average half-breed thinks that land is not worth cultivating provided it ever requires manure, and, as a conse- quence, he objects to anything except the heavy black loams of the river bottoms, J which are not as adaptable for agricultural purposes in a cold climate like th?,t f of the North- West as are the uplands, where the soil is lighter, but where the ■ crops are less apt to be visited by summer frosts, and where the land can be ' ploughed earlier in the spring without the danger of having the crop drowned out by spring rains or June floods. Indeed, I am of opinion that there will yet be a gen- eral re^ values ( land ha «8 onc( tbest ar ^re loc iBidered factor I is apt of unbi hi the \ r broke long ui luffs ( ateiii ^tream cf wat( Ijost of trifle. jKorth- ;here i man 'ants fastidic iked I Jind wh londea lis Jdes ftpinior |ili mea tif doin )ntari( ^ith a{ le list Fron ^ood af lountr; iigher luebec very jrhapi ?estwj mdy \i thre almc ?hty loughf Huffs one Imber link t lat w lirty ( lalley lost cl japs, reeqv nearly aei easilj and icu being about tbe giving the necessary it to build railways inch lines which are lement. Also com- ous navigable rivera )elle is one of them, iously referred to it hlet, and, therefore, r to the part of the ILLS, ']llice, Nov. 27. nite such as I would ly fair progress, and pers quite as well as have made twenty y of roUing prairie, ag occasional groves leighing is certainly ppearance of cooler 11 fatiguing, and in- ) prospect of turning ) pitched to-right in ' of dry wood. We e camp is an excep- ILLS, EUice, Nov. 28. the ponies finished itry through which raversed yesterday. . lakelets, but it is, The forage is good th of grass which a inches of snow, I srever we stop, the ey are turned out of sy appear to think it jer heard this region 3ut I should imagine be found in Ontario he be blindfolded at jfE his eyes. If he me he got here to be half-breeds and old ilf-breed thinks that ure, and, as a conse of tbe river bottoms, old climate like th?,t fhter, but where the ere the land can b« be crop drowned out iere will yet be a gen- 15 eral revolution in the sentiments of North-West setttlers concerning the relative values of light uplands and heavy bottoms. In some sections of the North-West the land has beeen condemned because it is thought that itwould require manure as often as once in five years, but I have invariably noticed that the farmers who are doing *best and making most money everywhere throughout the North-West territory ^re located on what would here be te- -ed light soil, but what would be con- iiBidered by any intelligent farmer in Ontario a rich sandy loam. But the cha- i^acter of the soil is not the only thing with which the settler in the North-West is apt to find fault. If he finds himself in a position to take up a whole section jpf unbroken, treeless prairie of the very best of soil, he objects to it on account jof the lack of timber. If it contains numerous bluffs, he characterises it as ^* broken" land, for the simple reason that he cannot plough furrov/s half a mile long until he has expended some money or labour in clearing off intervening fclufTs of timber, even though he well knows that it would furnish him valuable piateiial for fences and outbuildings. If there is a good-sized slough or a marshy jtream running across his location, he will object to that ; but, if it is destitute I)f water, he is quite as ready to find fault, never thinking, apparently, that the |;ost of sinking one or two wells in the soft prairie soil would be the merest trifle. Of course, I do not mean to say that all the farmers who come to the Korth-West, or, indeed, a greater share of them, are grumblers ; but, where |;here is so much choice land from which to make a selection, and where ii man, by looking about him a s ort time, can find almost anything he ^ants in the way of rich agricultuvttl land, the settler becomes extremely lastidious. He will in time, no doubt, select a good location ; but if i^ked concerning the merits of the country through which he had passed, ,nd where he had failed to find precisely what he wanted, he would be apt to londemn it as useless country simply because it did not quite come up to is idea of what a prairie farm should be. It will thus be seen that individual pinions concerning the North-West are apt to be greatly diversified, and though ,11 mean to represent the real facts of the case, very many will come far short if doing so, for the reason that, in speaking of North-West land to farmers in 'ntario, they compare them with other sections in the North-West, rather than ith agricultural land in Ontario, which is, perhaps, the only kind with which e listener is familiar. From Winnipeg to Fort Ellice I saw very little land that would not be rated ;ood agricultural country in any part of Ontario. Taking this whole stretch of lountry into consideration, the proportion of good agricultural land is vastly ligher than any corresponding stretch that I know of either in Ontario or 'uebec. From Fort Ellice to Qu' Appelle, a distance of about l-">0 miles, there very little but excellent land to be seen. The first ten miles west of tUice is, rhaps, about the poorest region that the traveller has thus far met with on his estward course Irom Winnipeg, and it consists of a broad stretch of barren ,ndy plain, where the vegetation is very scanty. Beyond this comes a strip if three or four miles of stony muskeg, which, though it might be made useful almost any part of Ontario, is rated as •* desert " here. Then comes some ^hty or ninety miles of magnificent prairie land, broken here and there by loughs or lakelets, but, upon the whole, very desirable for agricultural purposes, "luti's of timber are scattered along the trail, although for about twenty miles one place there intervenes a stretch of treeless priaries. There is plenty of [mber in sight to the northward, however, all along these plains, and 1 do not "link there is a quarter section along the whole of this eighty or ninety miles lat would not afford an excellent living to any industrious farmer. _ About lirty or thirty-five miles from Qu'Appelle Post the trail leads down into the lalley of the Qu'Appelle River, which I have already described as one of the iiost charming spots in the North-West. All along this valley, which is, per- haps, two miles wide, the trail leads through a region that is not only pic- iresquely beautiful, but admirably adapted for agriculture, From Qu'Appelle 16 the trail strikes northward to Touchwood Hills, and for the intervening fifty V)'^nnE miles the country is all that could be wished for by industrious and thrifty ^J^ ^ settlers. 1). Advantages of Settling in the Primitive Methodist Colony — 1. Religious, educational, and social advantages. In the ordinary way of settling, people are usually a considerable length of time without education for their children, and also without religious ordinances. This cannot be avoided because of the sparseness of the settlers. It is unnecessary to say much on the serious disad- vantages to children prowing up without education because schools cannot be .« maintained. It is dillicult to realise the sad blank people experience who are *(..pVje' obliged to live without the Gospel and religious ordinances, and the loneliness 4^jv,,vj, people feel when they cannot have social intercourse with g 'al minds. There IS a longing of heart for such association, especially with peo^de who have been accustomed to church privileges and social advantages like those who have lived in England and the older parts of Canada. These disadvantages, however, wUl be almost entirely obviated in the Colony, as religious services will be conducted from the first. Ministers will be sent as they may be required ; and, as soon as possible, schools for the education of children will be established ; people will be settled close together ; they vnW be able to aid each other in various ways : will be able to combine for the purpose of erecting churches and school-houses ; and in a short time will be as comfortably situated as people are in the older \ provinces of the Dominion. It would be difiicult to speak too strongly or say too much on these advantages, but we are persuaded they are so well under- stood as to make it unnecessary to say more on the subject, except one thing, The settlers will, no doubt, thoroughly appreciate the action of the Primitive | Methodist Colonisation Company in setting apart a portion of land in each ' township and several building lots in each village for church purposes, as the Company is anxious that the church shall, from the first, have every possible advantage. 2. Material advantages of settling in the Colony. — The settlers will not only have the advantage of settling on first-class laud, such as can be found in fe\T countries, but they will be free from a disadvantage often experienced by settlers, which has greatly retarded the progress of portions of Ontario, and from which even some parts of Manitoba are not free. We refer to large blocks of lanaj being held by companies, capitalists, and speculators, without any improvementi' being made. In the Colony farmers cultivating their own land will be settlec close together. While this will be an unspeakable advantage, religiously, educftv tionally, and socially, it will be equally so materially. Every acre of land brougb .Jneana under cultivation, every house built, and every other kind of improvemec effected will not only increase the value of the farm on which the improvemer. < is made, but will increase the value of all the neighbouring farms, and thus -: * the whole Colony. Of a necessity, in such a community mills will be built, an: other public improvements be made. Villages and trade will in a little tini', spring up, all of which will tend to increase the value of land owned by th;^ settlers. Land purchased at two dollars (8s. 4d.) an acre will soon be worth te:^ and even twenty times that sum ; and, of course, free-grant homesteads will i> of equal value. These are inducements which intending emigrants will n overlook, nor fail to appreciate. We do not say more on this point because v ; l^ deem it unnecessary. These few words we consider quite sufficient for though: | ^Wj^f ful intending settlers. 10. — Hints to Intending Settlers, — 1. Who should emigrate to the Colony .- Farmers who have means, and can stock a farm in ordinary circumstance, ca: le she not fail to do well. Farm labourers who have not more than enough means : i s^„^ take them there will, with the same application as is required to live in Englai:; ' j-igjiy accumulate property there. They will in all probability get one dollar fif: ^uunt cents. (Gs.) a day. We do not say decidedly, because it is only an opinio: Work will be plentiful, as railway operations will be in progress close to tb| jroute 1 Gli iailwi Vinni s expt lettler 3. 5 n his otato rairie rJul; n beir repar 4. 5 nduce eavinj 0 lar^ re mi ut th r the Iway he CO ersoE flug A •J. . / A, 17 • fifi ^^''^lony. Blacksmiths will be required, and they do well in all parts of the he intervening buy ^-j ),jniinion. A limited number of carpenters and shoemakers will be needed from Listrious and thntty -^^^ jjjg^^ And in about two years other tradespeople, to a limited extent, will . 1 T> r • ^^ re(mired. )/on;/ 1. KeligiouH, o. The best route is by the steamers of one of the twosteam»hip companies — f ot settling, people ^Hai, or the Dominion Lines. The steamers of the former are well known for )n for their children, ^j^gj^ superiority ; the latter have steamers building which will be among the inest, quickest, and safost afloat. The (Quebec route is much the shortest and est for Canadian settlers. The best plan to adopt is to take a ticket through rom Liverpool to Winnipeg. The Government assisted passage being jL'o to ^•uebec, thence to Winnipeg via Toronto, Chicago, and St. I'aul, is expected this ummer to be about £4 'js. (21 dollars (>4 cents ) only. By taking the Lake ^oute from Sarnia to iJubuth, at the head of Lake Superior, the Northern Pacific ' () Glinden in Minnesota, and thence by the St. I'aul, M., and Manitoba iailway, five dollars is saved ; but it takes about two days more time. From ^Winnipeg the Canada I'acific must be taken. By the middle of this summer it expected to reach a point twenty four miles south of the Colony, to which the itittlers can travel by wagon in a day. 3. The beat time for the Settler to go. — " The settler should, if possible, be n his land by the 1st of May, when he would be in time to plant a patch of Bople*are"in"the older %>otatoe8, which will grow in an ordinary season when ploughed under the k too strongly or say ft>rairie sod. The ploughing for the next spring's crops should be done in June - ■ r July, when the sap is in the roots of the grass." There are many advantages being there early. A house can more easily be provided, and various other reparations made for winter and the following summer's work and crops. 4. Things to take, and things needed to work the Farm. — (Emigrants are often nduced to make a clean sweep and part with everything they have before ;, have every possible leaving the old country, because it is said the charges for excess of luergage are 0 large that they would come to more than the things are worth. Now, there re many little household necessaries which, when sold, would not fetch much ; ut these same things, if kept, would be exceedingly valuable in the new country r the bush, and prove a great comfort to the family as well. It is not, therefore, Iways advisable to leave them behind ; they may not take up much room, and he cost of freight would be little compared to the comfort they will bring. The ersonal effects of emigrants are not liable to customs duty in Canada. Excess f luggage (unless very bulky) is seldom charged for on the Canadian Hallways. A person desiring to start comfortably should have the following, or the eans to purchase them, viz : — One yoke of oxen One wagon Plough and harrow . . Chains, axes, shovels, &c. Stoves, beds, &c. House and stable, say Food for six months . . oided because of the )n the serious disad- se schools cannot be experience who are IS. and the loneliness ; ^ial minds. There eo^ile who have been those who have lived ges, however, will be 38 will be conducted lired ; and, as soon as iblished ; people will her in various ways : IS and school-houses y are so well under- ct, except one thing, tion of the Primitive rtion of land in each arch purposes, as the ■ settlers will not onlj can be found in few xperienced by settlers, ;ario, and from which | large blocks of lana out any improvement- land will be settlec ge, religiously, educs' y acre of land brougb- kind of improvemet hich the improvemen g farms, and thus o nills will be built, m will in a little tim ' land owned by thi will soon be worth te; at homesteads will g emigrants will n this point because v sufficient for though; rate to the Colony .- iry circumstance, cat| than enough means ired to live in Englaci: ;yget one dollar fiftj it is only an opinio: progress close to $120 00 80 00 25 00 30 00 GO 00 350 00 135 00 Total $600 00 (£190) Lay in as good a stock of clothes before leaving home as you possibly can. VooUen clothing and other kinds of wearing apparel, blankets, house-linen, dkc, >re cheaper in the United Kingdom than in Canada. The emigrant's bedding, " it is good, should be brought; and if he has an old pea-jacket or great coat le should keep it by him, for he will find it most useful on board ship. Agricultural laboirrers need not bring their tools with them, as these can be isiiy got in Canada, of the best description, and suited to the needs of the Jountry. o. I'ayment to he made, — 1. Free homesteads of 100 acres will be given to 18 settlers on the payment of a fee of 25 dollars, which fee covers the Government settlement fee, expenses of location of land, the drawing up and registration of all the usual legal documents. By the payment of this fee the settler will be saved all trouble and anxiety in regard to these matters as well as time and tra- velling expenses. 2. The settler will have the right to preempt the quarter section of IGO acres adjoining his homestead, at 2 dollars an acre, which, according to Government regulations, must "i paid in one sum at the end of three years after entry. Settlers can make their claim for preemption or decline it as they prefer ; while some will be able to take work and pay for 320 acres, 160 acres will be as much as people of small means can manage. y. The Company has under consideration the question of offering to labourinf^ men free of cost, who have not means to undertake even a homestead, a portion of land, say about five acres, so that they may be able to raise their own pro- visions and keep a cow. This has not yet been decided, but may be done before long. CAUTION. Settlers have to pass through the United States as yet to reach the colony, and all kinds of statements will be made by luiscruplous agents, to induce people to settle in Minnesota or Dakota. The following is given as an example by one of the tenant-farmers : — " While parsing through Minnesota I saw one of the many ruses the Ameri- cans practise to prevent emigrants going into Manitoba, in which they see such a powerful competitor. I mention it here, as it may prevent many persons being deceived. I left my own carriage and went into one full of emigrants, for the purpose of questioning them as as to their destination, prospects, &c. At one of the stations I remarked two Yankees, apparently farmers, chatting together in the telegraph-office. A little before the train started they got on board, but evidently wished to be thought strangers to each other. After a short time, one of them entered into conversation with a Scotch emigrant, and discoursed eloquently on the horrors of Manitoba — said it was a swamp, that he had gone up there to farm, had lost nearly all he possessed, and given it up as a bad job. He called the whole thing ' a big take-in ' on the part of the Canadian Govern- ment. The other fellow, meanwhile, joined in and recounted his experience to a gaping audience ; and then both praised Minnesota and Dakota in the moat _ extravagant terms, pointing out the very country we were passing through (splendid land some of it appeared to be) as a specimen of what they could get tor next to nothing if they chose to settle in the neighbourhoods in which they said they had just taken up land— curiously enough, one in Minnesota, the other in Dakota. I don't know how it ended, but I have little doubt they induced some of their hearers to remain in the States. The men were afterwards pointed out to me as ' touters.' I may say that great inducements were offered me by a land agent if I would consent to remain in Minnesota and get some of my friends to come out and join me there. To anyone intending to go to Manitoba or the North- West I would decidedly say, do not be kept back by any of the numerous American agents you will meet, no matter what apparent advantage , they may offer you. Undoubtedly the land in Northern Minnesota and Dakota* is nearly as good as that in Manitoba ; but most of the good land — indeed, all of it within convenient distance of the railway — is in the hands of the railway company, and is dearer than land in Canada. Another thing the settler must^ bear in mind is that the average yield of Minnesota is but 18 bushels per acre, while that of Manitoba is 25." The plan to adopt is, to pay no attention whatever to parties like those re- ferred to in this quotation, CONCLUSION. We believe we have got as good a location as :i to be found in the countrytl Dur fri( ipplica )olitica oing, I IS so w the Ian Allthii Havi be kno made i once t BO tha patricb teach 6 be don eettlere the Co plicati( his son makeri requin We people change openm ^ers the Government and registration of the settler will be veil as time and tra- section of IGO acres ling to Government I years after entry, I they prefer ; while ores will be as much Qffering to labouring lomestead, a portion lise their own pro- may be done before 3 reach the colony, nts, to induce people ) an example by one 19 Dur friends can draw their own inferences from the fact that there were several Applications for the same land from men of capital, and some of them men of olitical influence — persons in a position to know very well what they were oing, and who would not apply for any land were it not first-class when there 8 so wide a field to choose from. Also, it is not a bmsM recommendation that he land eaat and west of ours is applied for by other Colonisation Companies. AH this must tend to enhance the value of our land. Having been so fortunate as to secure so good a location, the fact will soon be known to others besides our own people ; and those of our friends who have made up their minds to go to the North-West had better send to us at once their application for a homestead, with the necessary entrance fee, BO that they may have a good position on the list. Mr. W. D. Fitz- patrick, a well-known and reliable friend, who will preach to the settlers teach school, survey land, do farming work, Sec, and almost anything that ia to be done, will go there about the middle of April to conduct the first lot of settlers to the Colony and see them set ' d, and will stay there as the agent of the Company to give counsel and guidance to the settlers. We have had an ap- plication from a practical miller of considerable means for a mill t-ite. Two of his sons are likely to go as settlers. As the Colony develops, carpenters, shoe- Imakers, and all tne different trades will need to be represented. Villages as required will belaid out, and we hope shortly to have a flourishing Colony. y ruses the Ameri- which they see such ] many persons being I I emigrants, for the < pects, &c. At one ■8, chatting together * ly got on board, but lifter a short time, int, and discoursed I p, that he had gone it up as a bad job. ) Canadian Govern- id his experience to^ )akota in the moati re passing through vhat they could get oods in which they Minnesota, the other loubt they induced 3 afterwards pointed were offered me by d get some of my g to go to Manitoba )u.ck by any of the ipparent advantage: nnesota and Dakota I land — indeed, all mds of the railway ng the settler must 18 bushels per acre, We wish it to be distinctly understood th\! we have no desire to unsettle our people who are settled comfortably ; but for those who are intending to make a change, by removing either from Ontario or England, there can be no better openmg than our Colony presents rties like those re- undin the country. i >Svt>f£