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SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED.
USEFUL AND PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE SETTLER
ON
Canadian Prairie Lands
AND FOR THE
GUIDANCE OF INTENDING BRITISH EMIGRANTS
TO
Manitoba and the North-West of Canada.
WITH FACTS
REGARDING THE SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTS, ETC., AND THE SUPERIORS
ATTRACTIONS AND ADVANTAGES POSSESSED, IN COMPARISON
WITH THE WESTERN PRAIRIE STATES OF AMERICA.
BY
THOMAS SPENCE,
Clerk or the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Entered according to the Act of Parliament of Canada, iu the year 1881,
by Thomas Spence,
in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.
X ■
N,
i
Second Edition^ Revised and Corrected.
1883.
PREFACE.
This is the fifth pamph'et published by the writer on the resources of
the great North- West of the Dominion of Canada. His first issue for the
anformation of the outside world, which appeared in June, 187 1, was com-
piled with much care, labour, and difficulty, he is proud to say, has ever
since been extensively used as an authority by the Press, not only of Canada
and Great Britain, but the United States, and also received the commenda-
tion of all the public men of the country ; it, and later editions covering a
wider field, remain standard books of reference on the subject. For over ten
years he has devoted himself and his pen to the task of making the unsur-
passed resources of the vast Prairie Lands of Canada, familiar to the i)eople
of Great Britain, as the nearest and best field for the investment of their
labour and surplus means. That he has not laboured wholly without reward,
the liberal patronage and gratuitous distribution by the Dominion Go\em-
ment of several editions on both sides of the Atlantic, and the unprecedented
flow of immigration as the result, affords the truest indication.
Since his first publication appeared, a magical transformation has taken
place — from a country then peopled by only Indians, natives, fur traders.
and a few of an adventurous class, c'ustering about the chief settlement of
the Red River, to a Province filled with churches and school houses, a
flourishing city as the capital and gateway, with a population of over 12,000,
and rapidly increasing, the country dotted with thriving villages, and hun-
dreds of miles of the Canadian Pacific Railway completed and running,
giving us direct connection with the east, and stretching far over our fertile
and beautiful Prairies to the west, ere long to span the continent from ocean
to ocean, when with her elevators filled with wheat, furnishing the world's
markets with flour, her influence will be felt rrom England to Russia.
In this, as in the previous publications, there has been no attempt to depict
in glowing colours the resources of the country, beyond the warrant of facts.
The subjoined few of the many opinions of the Press, are submitted to
the intending emigrant, that entire confidence may be reposed in the infor-
mation contained in this work, and the author respectfully bespeaks for it a
careful and attentive perusal, by all who are desirous of procuring homes
and improving their condition, by fjettling in a country with home institu-
tions, protected by the same flag, and already renowned for beauty,
J'ERTILITY, HEALTH AND PROSPERITY.
THOS. SPENCE.
St. Boniface, Manitoba, Jan., 1882.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
FnOM Tint CHICAGO INTKU-OCKAN,
Mr. Spenco hns Hhown hini«clf an inlmimbh' special plearlor on behalf of thai:
vast portion of Canada, and wo must admit, althonch Iks does draw coniparisons
somewhat nnfavorablt) to the Western Slates and Territories of the Union, that ho is
ready, with chapter and verse, for every fact which he puts forth. Canada's maxin*
now is: Build railways, and the country will soon be settled. Slie is now building
her Canadian Pacific Railway, which will run for a thousand miles through that rich
and beautiful country. This is a very shvewd dodge upon tlie part of our slow, but
Bure, neighbors across the line, and we do not doubt that, by the disHemination of
such phamphlets as this of Mr. Spence, the hopes of the projectors will, in process of
time, be realized. He goes minutely into a description of the entire fertile country,
and. besides, gives a vast amount of information valuable and necessary for intend-
ing emigrants. — Chicago Jnter-Occan, June 16, 1877.
MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST— ITS RESOURCES, &c., &c.
nV THOMAS SPKNCK.
The author throws himself heartily into hit, subject, and, from his several yearB
residence in the North-Westand general information, has qualified himself to handle
it effectively. All who take an interest in our new region should procure and study
it. We can endorse the compliment paid to it^by the late Lieutenant-Governor, Mr.
Archibald, as followB :
«' I have read Mr. Spencie's pamphlet entitled ' Manitoba and the North-West,'
with much interest. It draws the comparison with much force and descrimination^
and altogether the pamphlet is a valuable contribution on the subject of the North-
West, and of particular value to the intending emigrant." — Ollawa Times, 1874.
MANITOBA AND ITS UE.SOURCES, AC, AC
This, with the result of personal experience and observation, is by far the most
valuable publication upon Manitoba, and tnost practical, as well as the mo.st reliable'
means of conveying information for the guidance of the immigrant. It has received
the highest enconiums from the late Sir George Cartier and oiXiers.— -Ottawa Free-
Press, May, 1874.
, <
T
THE PRAIRIE LANDS OF CANADA.
By Thomas Spence, Clerk Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
" The Prairie Lands of Canada.'' — A pamphlet with this title, from the pen of
Mr. Thomas Spence, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, JIanitoba, will shortly be
issued. The known ability of this gentleman for compiling and making attractive
the facts, which a long residence in our West and keen powers of observation
present to him, are a guarantee that this work will be as valuable and popular as all
his former efforts in the same direction have been. Since the publication of
" Manitoba and its Resources," by Mr. Spence, the circumstances of the establish-
ment of a Government in the great uncircumscribed North-West, and the increasing
activities of emigration ever Westward, have enlarged the field of observation for
writers on the subject, and the present work proves how folly capable the author is
of doing justice to the task. The former treatise referred to received the commenda-
tion of all the public men of the country, as the best book that had appeared on the
subject, and became the accepted book of reference on Manitoba with the public.
We are confident that the success of the present work will ever outrun that of the-
earlier, and we predict that it must become the standard book of referrence on the
subject. Every one who has anything of national spirit shouJd have a copy. —
Montreal Gazetee.
I • ' '
CONTENTS.
INTllODDCTION
Paoes.
7
i
^f
USKKUL AND PRACTICAL HiNTS FOU THE BuiTISH KmIOUANT.
Who Hhould emif ate — Oenoral directions — How to come, Fares,
RouteH, &c. — When to come — First operations liow ami wiiat to
do after arrival in the country — What is required to start with
and the cost of a home — The second year of settlement — Imple-
ments needed, prices, &c. — Cost of brealcing up and working land
— Fencing and herding — Information on tree ctilture — Preparation
of the soil — Method of planting — Method of cultivation, young
trees and seeds^Plan for a settler's house, and how to build
it, cost, &c. — Best time to settle — Advantages of the Colony
system from 8 to 1 7
Important Miscellaneous Information.
What capital can do — What pluck and muscle may do — Public lands
— System of surveys — Private lands — Railroad lands explained —
Coal lands — Hay and grazing lands — Mineral resources 17 to 20
Descriptive and General.
The soil and its agricultural capacity — Wheat growing — Stock
raising — Sheep and wool growing — Dairy farming — Beet root
culture and cost — Salubrity of climate and its adaption to agri-
culture— Frosts — Seasris — Fruits — The salid plants — Oats, bar-
ley, rye, potatoes, Ac. — Flax and hemp — Bees — Game — Fish —
Beauty and fertility of the North-West — Official and scientific
testimony — The contrast, in comparison Western States — Liberal-
ity of Canadian Land Regulations — Internal communication —
Rivers and Lakes — Conclusion 21 to 40
,( ,
INTRODUCTION.
The birth and growth of Manitoba and the North-Wcst Territory,
now filling out the tenth year of existencx', as a ])art of the grand Confeder-
ation of Canada, is one of the most remarkable events which men in our
day have the opportunity of seeing pass before them. From a large tract
of country destitute of dwelling houses, of cultivated fields, of fixed
inhabitants ; where Indians \van(iered over it, but did not leave a single
trace of having made a home, or subdued the soil, of having changed the
face of nature ; in the short space of ten years, a large area of this desolate
waste has become the home of thousands of people, coming from each
Canadian Province, the United States, Great Britain, Russia, Iceland, &c.
Schools, churche'^^ mills and stores are met with almost everywhere in
settlements of little over a year's growth, and op|)ortunities for social inter-
course are at the command of even those in the most sparsely
settled neighborhoods. The hunting ground of the savage has been
transformed into the home of the civilized and contented European ;
and this growth of the past will be far transcended by the growth
of the future. The inducements to-day offered by Manitoba and the
North-West of Canada to immigrants cannot be surpassed, and
are rarely equalled by any other country on the globe, — these com-
prise excellence of soil and water, agricultural and commercial advan-
tages, and educational facilities ; and in addition to all these, cheap lands,
and free homesteads of t6o acres, equally good, of which thousands of
enterprising i)eople are every year taking advantage, and the tenant farmer
and man of small means daily attracted to the splendid opportunity here
presented to acquire homes in such a productive country ; not a lease for
any term of years, but a perpetual ownership, to transmit to his heirs, or he
may sell it ; no landlord, no yearly rent to pay, nor are any church rates
or tithings exacted. The settler's farm is his private domain, and his house
is really his castle ; he becomes his own master for life, and leaves this
precious legacy to his children.
It may be affirmed that whatever Manitoba is to-day, she owes solely
to the inherent merits that God has given her, of soil, climate and pro-
duction, developed by the energy, industry and perseverance of her people ;
our success has been nchieved without the phantom lures of gold or silver
to blazon forth to the world, as was the case with California and Australia.
The jealously of American Western Prairie States, and their railway
landed interests, competing for immigration, circulating through their letters
and papers false reports of our climate and soil, rendered necessary the
writer's previous comparison and statements of facts as antidotes to these
poisonous fables. But that day and era have passed. The new era has
arrived of more general intelligence, and acquaintance more indmate and
thorough with our commerce and our advantages of soil and climate. Our
8
growth cannot be checked by human agency. Immigration to a prime
wheat growing region can no more be prevented than to newly discovered
gold regions.
The newspapers of Canada and Great Britain, and the reports of the
delegates of tenant farmers, liberally invited by the Government of Canada
to judge the merits of the country by personal visits, have contained
glowing pictures of the wonderful fertility of our prairies. Instances have
been published and scattered world-wide, showing the certainty of wealth,
or at least competence to the farmer, in the Canadian North- West, with its
gems of lakes, rivers, and fringes of timber j a region already cleared and
fit for the husbandman, requiring only the turning of the sod and sowing of
seed to convert a park into a farm. It is little wonder, then, that farming
made so easy, and in a country so beautiful and attractive, should draw to
it that rushing stream of immigrants which we daily witness, and that for
years has been pouring into it.
The object of the present compilation is to afford later and more
general information for the emigrant's guidance before leaving the old home
for 3 new ; and in addition, to furnish the most useful and practical advice
to the settler commencing on his land. The utmost care has been observed
throughout in the preparation of these pages, to avoid exaggeration in
setting forth the inducements to immigrants. If mutual benefits are to
flow from immigration, new settlers must not be attracted by representations
which their future experience will not verify. Cut Malo.
USEFUL AND PRACTICAL HINTS.
WHO SHOULD EMIGRATE.
" The tillers of the soil " are the class who are most needed here, and
who are most certain in achieving success by steady industry ; in fact, any
man, whatever his station in life may be, who is able and willing to work,
and has any adaptability for agricultural pursuits, can, in the course of a
few years, build up for himself and family a properous future and inde-
pendence. Professional men and clerks should not come unless with
means to take up land and commence the life of a farmer. Carpenters,
blacksmiths, etc., with a little capital to start with, can, when not working
on their land, secure employment in the nearest settlements, and do well.
There is also a constant demand for female servants at good wages (who
are certain soon to become their own mistress). Laborers who can handle
a pick and shovel will meet with ready employment for some years to come,
in consequence of the construction of the Canadian Pacific and other
Railways, the wages averaging $1.50 and $1.75 per day, equal to six and
seven shillings, stg. With prudence and economy he may soon save
enough to start him on a free homestead of 1 60 acres, his own master.
The tenant farmer with some capital, who seeks to improve his con-
dition by his experience, and desires larger and quicker returns for labor
bestowed and capital invested, has unequalled advantages offered to him,
and the ordinary immigrant with even a couple of -hundred pounds to
begin with, can start under very favorable circumstances on a free grant of
land. Detailed particulars will be found under the appropriate headings.
'11-
.f.
r
GENERAL DIRECTIONS.
.v
4k
Ml
■^
The intending settler in Manitoba is advised not to encumber himself
with very heavy luggage unless it is absolutely necessary. Cumbrous and
heavy articles of furniture, such as chairs, stoves, tables, etc., would probably
cost as much in transport as they would be worth, and things of this son
can be obtained reasonably in Manitoba. But beds (unfilled), bedding,
and clothing of all sorts should be taken. Agricultural implements (which
should be of the kind adapted to the country) would be better purchased
after arrival ; also tools, unless those belonging to special trades.
Sometimes, however, when a settler engages a car specially to take up
his effects, he may find it convenient to put everything in, and there is very
frequently an economy in this kind of arrangement.
Individual settleis are allowed 150 lbs. weight of luggage, and parties
going together may arrange to have their luggage weighed together, and so
have the whole averaged, but everything over 150 lbs. weight is charged,
and this charge, in the case of freight of the kind referred to, is often found
.to be expensive.
The settler who goes by the lakes will find an officer of the Canadian
'Government at Duluth, Mr. W. C. B. Grahame. Mr. Grahame will assist
him in bonding his luggage on entering the United States, and otherwise
.afford him every possible information. The Canadian Government has a
large Settlers' Reception House at Duluth, at which immigrants may rest
.and refresh themselves.
Settlers going by way of the United States Railways must see that
.their personal luggage is examined by the U. S. Customs officers at Port
Huron, after crossing the Canadian frontier at Sarnia, and previously that
i their heavy freight has been bonded.
At Emerson, an agent of the Canadian Goverment will be found, Mr.
J. E. Tetu, and he will assist in discharging any bonds of immigrants' effects,
.and otherwise give information how to proceed.
At Winnipeg there is also a Canadian Immigration Agent, Mr. Wm.
sHespeler, to whom immigrants may apply on arrival.
All intending settlers will obtain either from the Government Immigra-
tion Agents, or from the Land Officers, directions as to where to go and
how to proceed to select land, if their point of destination is not previously
determined. There are also Government Land Guides, who will direct
parties of settlers to their particular localities.
All settlers are especially advised to look very closely after their
luggage, and see that it is on the trains or steamboats with them, properly
checked. Very great disappointment and loss have often occurred from
neglect of this precaution. It is better for the immigrant not to proceed
/Until he knows his luggage is on the train.
Settlers' effects, including their cattle in use, will be passed free through
the Custom House, and any necessary bonding arrangements will be made,
which will thus prevent any delay, inconvenience, or loss occurring. Each
passenger, before his departure from the port in Great Britain, should be
provided with address cards, and he should see that one is fastened to each
.of his pieces of luggage.
\
10
Immediately on the arrival of settlers in the Canadian North-West, the-
Dominion Government Agents will see them properly accommodated, and
will give them every information to assist them in choosing a good locality
to settle in.
For rates of passage, either ocean or inland, it is better to apply to the
Agents of the steamships or the nearest Dominion Agent, who will give all
information and directions.
The following are the officers of the Dominion of Canada in Great
Britain : —
LONDON Sir Alexander T. Galt, G.C.^l.G., &c., High Commis-
sioner for the Dominion, lo "ictoria Chambers, London,.
S.W.
Mr. J. CoLMER, Private Secretary, (Address as above).
LIVERPOOL .Mr. John Dyke, 15 Water Street.
GLASGOW . . Mr. Thomas Grahame, 40 Enoch Square. \
BELFAST Mr. Charles Foy, 29 Victoria Place.
DUBLIN Mr. Thomas Connolly, Northumberland House.
The following are the Agents of the Canadian Government in Canada r
QUEBEC Mr. L. Stafford, Point Levis, Quebec.
TORONTO ...Mr. J. A. Donaldson, Strachan Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
OTTAWA Mr. W. J. Wills, St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway
Station, Ottawa, Ontario.
MONTREAL. Mr. J. J. Daley, Bonaventure Street, Montreal, P.Q.
KINGSTON .. Mr. R. Macpherson, William Street, Kingston, Ontario.
HAMILTON . Mr. John Smith, Great Western Railway Station, Hamilton,
Ontario.
LONDON Mr. A. G. Smyth, London, Ontario.
H ALIFAX . . . . Mr. E. Clay, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
ST. JOHN Mr. S. Gardner, St. John, New Brunswick.
WINNIPEG.. .Mr. W. Hespeler, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
EMERSON ....Mr. J. E. Tetu, Railway Station, Emerson, Manitoba.
DULUTH Mr. W. C. B. Grahame, Settlers' Reception House.
These officers will afford the fullest advice and protection. They
should be immediately applied to on arrival. All complaints should be'
addressed to them. They will also furnish information as to Lands open
for settlement in their respective Provinces and Districts, Farms for Sale,
demand for employment, rates of wages, routes of travel, distances, expenses,
of conveyance ; and will receive and fonvard letters and remittances for-
Settlers, &c.
1
11
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HOW TO COME — FARES, ROUTES, ETC.
The cost of conveyance from any part of Canada to Manitoba is-
exceedingly moderate, and the steamers from Great Britain are now so-
numerous, that the transport ot a family from any part of the United.
Kingdom or from Canada to the great wheat growing region and cattle
raising districts in the North West, cannot fairly be considered as a difficulty
when the advantages offered are considered. A continu* us line of railway
now exists from Quebec and the different sea ports to Wumipeg and about
two hundred miles west, and daily extending under rapid construction. An
alternative route is offered by railway to Sarnia or Collingwood, and thence-
by first-class steamers to Prince Arthur's Landing and Duluth, at the head,
of Lake Superior. The time taken by the " lakes " is now about one day
longer than by all rail, but in 1882, when the Canada Pacific will be opened-
from Prince Arthur's Landing, Thunder Bay, to Winnipeg, the trip by the
" lakes " will be quicker than the fastest express trains of the all rail.
Berths are provided for emigrant passengers, but they must bring,
their own bedding and provisions. Improvements have been added,
to the steamers, and the trip through the scenery of the lakes will give the
traveller a good idea of the extent of the nationality among whom he has-
come to seek his home. At present the cost of carriage for each person
(children reduced) is as follows : By rail all the way from Quebec via!
Chicago : For Emigrant or third-class (for emigrants from beyond the seas-
only), $21.64; or by the Lakes and Duluth, $16.64.
Cattle, goods, dire, are taken at reasonable charges by either route.
Special arrangements have been made by the Grand Trunk Railway
Company for emigrants going to Winnipeg in parties. 1 o obtain the benefit .
of such arrangements, special application should be made in the case of each,
party. This may be done either directly to the head offices of the Com-
pany in London, 21 Old Bond Street, E.G., to the Company's offices in.
Montreal, or through any or the Dominion Government Emigration Agents.
Through tickets for Winnipeg may be obtained in England, of the Railway
or Steamship Companies, or their Agents.
WHEN '10 CO.ME.
Those with limited means should endeavour to arrive in the country
as early in spring as possible, say during the month of April, or early in
May, so as to have time to hunt up and locate their land. (Guides for this •
purpose are furnished by the Government to parties free of expense.) By
arriving at this time, they have a season of seven months before them, in
which to get some of their land under cultivation, build a house, and gather
a crop for family u.- e, before winter comes on ; to the poor man, who •
expects his support from the soil, the value of time is an important considera-
tion ; as a rule, the autumn is the worst time he could come.
FIRST OPERATIONS.
If the immigrant reaches his land by the middle of May, he can at once ■
break up a iew acres, and sow wheat, oats, barley, &:c., realizing a fair crop.
If he does not commence until the middle of June, he is too late to produce-
12
most crops the same season, but he is yet in time for barley, potatoes and
turnips. The best time for breaking the prairie sod is in June or July, when
the grass roots being filledwith juice, a thorough rotting of the turf is secured,
and if turned early in June, potatoes may be dropped into the furrow, and
•covered by the plough with the tough sod, and will grow through it ; the yield
■will be about half a crop. Indian corn may also be planted on the sod, while
turnip seed may be sown, and very slightly covered ; but the ground will be
in better condition for the succeeding year where nothing is planted upon
the turf. In the following spring the ground should be thoroughly
harrowed, and the wheat drilled in or sown broadcast. If sown in May it
will be ready for the reaper early in August, and as soon as it is taken off,
ploughing may commence for the next year's crop. An early variety of
Indian corn should be used. After the furrow is turned, it may be planted
by chopping a place with a single stroke of the hatchet, dropping the corn
in, and pressing it down with the foot. Squashes, pumpkins, and melons
grow on the sod. Beans also may be grown on the turf, and by using early
varieties of seed, an abundant supply of these articles of food may be raised
for the use of the family. A great advantage to the new settler in having a
good yoke of oxen is, that they will work better in the breaking plough, and
grow fat on the green grass that they eat at night ; whereas, the horses,
accustomed to a liberal supply of oats, will not do so well at first on grass
alone. A tent may be used to live in at first to gain time in putting in crop.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO START WITH AND THE COST OF A HOME.
The question is often asked, ho v much money is in'"'ispensably neces-
sary for the settler to get a fair start with ? The answer to this depends
very much upon who the questioner is, what family he has, with how
little they could be content, and many other circumstances which cannot be
anticipated. It is therefore best to tell simply w/iaf may be do?ie, under ordi-
nary adventitious circumstances. In the case of a poor man going on Gov-
ernment land — I St. The entry fee for his homestead of 160 acres will be
^10; a tent, $12 ; material for his house, if built of sawn lumber, size
16x18 feet, say $125. The work he can do himself, and for winter this can
be made warm enough by building a sod wall outside of the boards. Fur-
niture, consisting of a cooking stovee, crockeryware, half a dozen chairs, on
table, and two beadsteads (bringing his own bedding), will require about
$40. To work his farm, a yoke of oxen, $130; a breaking plough, $20;
waggon, $75 ; total, $392. If he begins in the spring, he can grow corn,
potatoes, and garden vegetables, but will have to buy flour for a family of
four persons, say $40 ; groceries, $20 ; a cow, $40 ; total, $85. Add for
two or three hogs, hoes, shovel, rake, scythe, and other incidentals, say $40,
and we have the following :
Entry Fee for homstead $ 10
Tent 12
Material for house 125
Furniture (exclusive of bedding) 40
Farm implements and oxen 225
Living tLe first 16 months, if no wheat sown 100
Incidentals 40
' — 1552
-equal to £110 8s. stg.
'
13
or, he may even manage to get along on a lesser sum, by doing with fewer
implements at first ; for instance, say :
One Yoke of Oxen $120.00
One Waggon 80.00
Plough and Harrow 25.00
Chains, Axes, Shovels, etc 30.00
Stoves, Beds, etc 60.00
House and Stable, say 150.00
equal to p£"93 Stg. . $465.00
If all his time is not employed about his own claim, he may safely
calculate upon having opportunity to work for his neighbours, and earn
considerable, or the construction of the Canadian Pacific and other railways
will afford him all the employment he desires. The above calculation is of
course only intended for the guidance of the poor man.
THE SECOND YEAR OF SETTLEMENT.
He will require cash for seed wheat, and a drag to harrow it in, say
$75 ; this year he may confidently expect from his fifty acres of wheat 1,000
bushels. Deducting 200 bushels for bread and seed, and selling the
remainder at say 60 cents per bnshel, will bring him $480 ; his cash,
expenses may be limited to groceries, clothing, &c., say $150, and he has
$330 to improve his house, and add to his stock and farm implements. If he
breaks fifty acres again this year, and secures a crop of say 2,000 bushels (a
low average) the third year, the accomplishment of which depends mainly
upon his own industry, he will be able to make himself and family comfort-
able and have a good home. All such as have more money than the sum
given above, will not be under the necessity of submitting to so many
privations at first, but it may be added, three things are necessary for success
in any country. They are industry, economy and careful business
MANAGEMENT.
IMPLEMENTS NEEDED, PRICES, &C.
For the information of those with more ample means, and desiring to
farm on a larger scale, the following is added as a detailed list of present
prices at Winnipeg : —
Waggons complete $ 70 to $ 90
Extra Prairie Breaking Plough 20 to 25
Cross Plough, 13 inches 17 to 20
Cultivators, 5 teeth 7 to 9
Harrows, iron with 60 teeth 15 to 20
Sulky Plough 60 to 65
(These Sulky Ploughs are much in use, saving the labour
of walking, the horses being driven as in a wiggon)
Sulky Ploughs, 2 gangs 115
Seeders 75 to 95
Reaping Machine 120 to 140
Farming Mills 35 to 45
Self-Binding Harvester Combined Reaper 30010. 320
14
{(which is supplanting all others, as one man with one of these will accom-
(plish the work of six men with the reaper of six years since).
Nails, 5 cents |Der lb.
Iron, 7 " ''
IN BUILDING MATERIAL.
Common pine lumber, per looo ft $25.00 to $30.00
Flooring 35.00 to
Siding (for outside) 35.00 to
Window Sashes from i . 50 to
" Frames 1.25 to
Panel doors i .80 to 2.50
40.00
40.00
3.00
2.00
COST OF BREAKING AND WORKING LAND.
The following is as near correct an estimate of the cost of operating a
prairie farm in Manitoba, or the North-West, and the methods of farming,
as we can give : —
Breaking from June ist to July 20th, cost per acre $2.50 to $ 3.00
Backsetting, same breaking in August and September, per acre 2 . 00
Seeding (getting seed in the ground following spring) per acre 0-75
Cutting, Binding and Shocking at harvest, per acre 2.50
Cost of raising one acre of wheat, say 10.75
Twenty busheh (low estimate) wheat at 70 cents 14.00
Profit per acre on first crop, in round numbers 4.75
Hauling to market costs about half a cent per bushel for every mile.
For subsequent years it will be the same as above, less the cost of
breaking, $,>oo per acre, and there will be an increase in yield of 10 per
cent, a yeav for three years, Avhere it remains for ten years following.
ii
15
FENCING.
It has become an established custom among farmers in most of the
municipalities, to herd cattle during the summer, confining them in small
yards at night. Two or three boys can thus take care of the cattle and
sheep of an entire neighborhood. This obviates the necessity of fencing
the fields in which grain is growing, and limits the amount of fencing
required to what is necessary for enclosing only a few acres about the
houses and stabling. This saving becomes considerable, in comparison
with 'vhich, the cost of herding the stock is insignificant, and in the mean-
time the appearance of the farm is improved by the absence of unsightly
fences. Where suitable fencing timber is scarce, a three string wire fence
is at present in general use, the cost being very reasonable.
An excellent plan, much adopted in Minnesota, is planting trees along
the highways ; it takes only a few years to grow live fences, which can easily
be made to turn cattle into, by placing poles along, and nailing them to the
growing trees : Resort to these expedients greatly lessens the force of the
objection urged against prairie countries, for there the expense of fencing
must always be a serious consideration, especially with those who possess
■ only small capital, if the necessity exists, (as in some localities) for fencing
to protect the growing crops against cattle. Legislation has already liberally
provided for the encouragement of the growth of timber; we therefore
: submit the following : —
INFORMATION ON TREE CULTURE.
As it is a matter of importance that every immigrant in the North-
'VVest should endeavor to increase instead of decrease the wood he may
"have on his farm, as it is a fixed fact in Physical Geography that the more
the land in clothed with trees the greater the rainfall. In Palestine and
Northern Africa, what were the most fruitful countries in the world 2,000
years ago are now barren wastes. The cause is well known : the trees
were cut down, none were planted in their place, the sun evaporated the
rain before it had time to permeate the soil, and in course of time the land
was given up to perpetual barrenness.
At the same time it may be well to remark that with us the long rich
grass which clothes the prairies must act as a great preventive against the
sun's ])ower.
The agent which has caused the destruction of forests that once
occupied many i)arts of the prairies is undoubtedly fire, occasioned by the
•carelessness of travellers and Indians camping, and the same swift and
effectual destroyer prevents the new growth from acquiring dimensions,
Avhich would enable it to check their annual progress.
This, however, will soon be arrested with advance of settlement
and governmental ca'^e. In the State of Minnesota, forests have sprung up
with wonderful rapidity on the prairies, as the country became settled so as
,to resist and subdue the encroachment of annual fires.
1(J
In view of the importance of the subject, the following practical hints^
are offered, and will be found of value to tiie immigrant.
Here is the experience of an extensive farmer in the State of Minne-
sota ; his example can be equally well followed in any part of our prairie
lands :
In spring he covered seventy-two acres with cuttings of cotton wood,
poplar and white willow, which have flourished finely, and, after two years,
were from ten to fourteen feet high. At the same time he planted several'
bushels of seed, including two elder, oak, white and red elm, hard and soft
maple and bass wood, and the sprouts from this seed in two years were-
three to five feet hi^h.
DIRECTIONS FROM EXPERIENCE. PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.
A proper and thorough cultivation of the soil is an indisputable pre-
requisite to success ; without this thorough preparation, failure and disap-
pointment are inevitable.
To secure the best results the ground must have been previously
broken and the sod thoroughly decomposed, then, with a common stirring,
plough, the ground tc» be planted should bo given a thorough ploughing to
the depth of ten inches, after which it should be thoroughly harrowed until
the ground is completely pulverized. It is recommended that the ground
for a single row for a fence or for a hedge should be prepared in the above
manner, in a strip eight feet wide, in the centre of which the cuttings should
be set in, leaving a margin for cultivation four feet wide on each side of the
cuttings.
METHOD OF PLANTING.
Stretch a small rope of suitable length over the exact place where it is;
desirable to plant the cuttings, each end of the rope to be staked firmly tO'
the ground. The ground immediately beneath the rope should be smoothed
off with a small iron rake. The planter should then take up as many cut-
tings as he can conveniently carry under one arm and proceed to stick them
in the ground close up to the rope. They should be stuck deep, leaving
not more in any case than two buds out of the ground. If stuck in the full
length it is just as well. It is advised that they should be stuck in standing
say at the angle of from 30 to 45 degrees and invariably butt end first. For
a live fence or hedge, they should be struck as nearly as possible one foot
apart, 5280 cuttings will plant a mile of such fence. Two good hands can
plant this mile in a day if the ground is partly prepared for them.
METHOD OF CULTIVATrON.
As soon after planting as the weeds and grass show themselves, hoeing
should be commenced ; every cutting should be carefully hoed. All of the
four feet margin on each side of the row should be hoed thoroughly, as soon
afterwards as the cuttings have started, so that the row may be distinctly
seen, the grass and weeds killed, leaving all of the four feet on each side of
cisap-
IT
^the row perfectly mellow. This process should be repeated two or three
times during the season, as not a weed or a hunch of grass should be
allowed to go to seed. Great care should be exercised in hoeing not to
disturb the cutting of the young tree. After harvest all the weeds and grass
found within the four feet margin should be gathered and burned.
Look out for prairie tires, and, if the plantation is in danger, burn
round it.
It cannot be sufficiently impressed upon the tree planter that t/iorough
•cultivation the first season will ensure the success of the plantation. The
■second year the plants will do with half the cultivation, and the third year
.no further cultivation will be required. By pursuing this treatment the
•cuttings will be grown in five years to a size and height which will form an
impenetrable barrier to horses and cattle, as well as a valuable windbreak.
Ten acres planted in this way in rows eight feet apart will in that period (5
years) not only furnish all the fuel and fencing necessary to support a farm,
'but will also bring a handsome income from the fence poles which may be
•spared to less fortunate neighbors.
The earlier the cuttings are planted after the frost is out of the ground
the better, but ih '-"'anting may be continued to the ist of June with
success. Cuttings set in spring ploughing time should have the earth
ipressed on each side of them as fast as the planting progresses.
The cuttings may be procured from the nearest natural groves or belts
of woods on the margin of streams or the river sides.
YOUNG TREES AND SEEDS.
Youug aspen and poplar, one or two years old, may be gathered in
waggon loads on the prairie in the vicinity of groves which fires have not
run over. The seeds of the ash-leaved maple, the ash and the elm (very
.pretty and suitable for protection round the house and stables) may be
found in abundance from these trees along the margins of the streams, and
should be gathered as soon as ripe. Soft maple and elm ripens in June,
and should be planted before the seeds are dried, or they fail to come up ;
the seed should be planted in drills in small furrows previously made by the
hoe, and should be liberally sown, then covered with a small iron rake to a
depth of from one to two inches. Seed necessary to be kept throughout
the winter should be kept in moist sand, in boxes or barrels, two parts of
sand to one of seed, and where they will be kept cool, and at about their
natural moisture.
PLAN FOR A settlers' HOUSE.
A very comfortable house, large enough for a family of several persons,
-may be built at a cost of %2t,6, or about jQj^'j 4s. stg. It would be 16 ft. 20
inside, contain a living room 13 x 16, bedroom 7x12, pantry 4 x 7, on the
ground floor, with stairs leading to the attic. The studding would be
twelve feet from the sills to the eaves, the lower storey eight feet, four feet
above with a sloping roof will give an attic large enough for good sleeping
-accommodation. The house would need five windows, one outside and two
2
18
in&ide doors. The items of expense would be approximately as follows, not
including assistant labour that may l)e recjuired.
4,000 feet common lumber, at $30 $120.00
4,000 shingles, at $6 24.00
Nails, &c 20.00
Sheathing paper (to make air tight) 20.00
Doors, windows, <S:c 24.00
For contingencies, say 28.00
floor.
Total $236.00
The following diagram shows the arrangement of the interior — groundt
20
i.ill.l.l.Uf..pi
r|i"ii'Hii'iiif!
LIVING ROOM
IS X IS
PANTRY
»
QC
—
<
1-
BED ROOM
M
7X12
^"■" *=
d-
-X
^^^t^tt:^:^
Plan— Scale 3-16th8 of an inch to the foot.
The eaves should project a foot or more to carry the rain from the
sides of the building, — until bricks can be obtained for the chimney, a
joint of stove pipe will serve instead, only great care should be taken to
protect the surrounding wood from taking fire. The plan is drawn on a
scale of 3-i6ths of an inch to the foot, so that a settler with the plan before
him, may make his own calculations, and be his own joiner. The house
should front towards the East or Wesi. The winds prevailing in Manitoba
are from the North and South- West. Easterly storms do not often occur.
In building the house, oaken posts at each corner, five to six feet in length,
and eight or ten inches in diameter, should be sunk into the ground nearly
their full length, and the sills spiked firmly to them. This, with proper
bracing, will give sufficient firmness to the structure, against the strong
winds which often prevail on the prairie. In the autumn, it should be well
banked round with manure or earth, with battened walls (strips to cover the
seams), and sheathing paper (a kind of thick pasteboard) ; such a house is
very warm, and will give good accommodation, till the ov/ner is in circum-
stances to replace it with one of more ample dimensit)ns.
THE COLONY SYSTEM.
The system of emigrating in small colonies will bt found very
advantageous to the pioneers, as well as economical ; neighbours in the
old land may be neighbours in the new ; friends may settle near each
lows, not
o
o
o
lo
o
•o
)0
—ground
from the
limney, a
taken to
awn on a
an before
!'he house
Manitoba
;en occur,
in length,
nd nearly
th proper
he strong
Id be well
cover the
1 house is
in circum-
Lind very
irs in the
near each
19
other, form comnuiuiiics and the nucleus of new settlements and towns,
establish schools aiul, in short, avoid many of the traditional har(lslii|)s
which have usually attended pioneer life. The colony system is also
calculated to supply the needs of all members of the conununity, and to
furnish employment to every industry. Whenever a colony is eiaablished
there will soon be near its centre the storekeeper, blacksmith, carpenter,
etc., post office, school house and church, and, with the progress of the
Canadian Pacific Railway and Steamboat navigation, a market. Until
then an ample market, commanding high prices, is created in the interior
by the influx of following settlers and the rapidly increasing trade.
The attention of the capitalist intending to emigrate is drawn to the
importance and mutual advantage of this system, in which cai)ital, directed
by sagacity and enterprise, i)ossesses such uncpiestionable advantages,,
united with industry and a plucky purpose, and in no place under the sun
could it reap better rewards than under the bright skies and healthful
atmosphere of this fair land.
IMPORTANT MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
WHAT CAPITAL CAN DO.
Of course capital, directed by sagacity and enterjirise, possesses great
advantages here as elsewhere ; indeed, the numerous avenues being
continually opened up by the rapid development of a bountiful new
country like this, multiply the opportunities for its profitable employment.
There is scarcely a vocation of any kind wherein the same capital and good
management which insures success in older communities will not yield far
greater returns here. The legal rate of interest when not stipulated, is six
per cent ; but any rate agreed to is lawful varying from ten to twenty
per cent. At the latter rate money may be safely loaned, amply secured
by mortgage. Judicious investments in real estate, owing to the rapid
settlement and development of the country are sure to realize large profits.
Purchasers, both of city lots and farmincj lands, can be made in the Prov-
ince of Manitoba at all times, which will command an advance of 25 to 50
per cent, within a year, and not uufrequently such advance is over 100 per
cent annually. The time was a few years ago, when this could be done
without discrimination by the venturer, the sole condition of acquiring
fancied wealth being to take hold. Now, good judgment is required to
cause real estate or any active business to yield much better returns thark
money commands at interest.
WHAT PLUCK AND MUSCLE MAY DO. (
Great as are the unquestionable advantages which a union of money
and industry possess, there is no country under the sun where unafded
muscle, with a plucky purpose, reaps greater rewards than under the bright
skies and helpful atmosphere of this fair land.
Feeling himself every inch a man, as he gazes upon the unclaimed
acres which shall reward his toil, the settler breathes a freer air, his bosom
swells with a prouder purpose, and his strong arms achieve unwonted
20
tv.sults. Any man whose capital consists on his arrival of little but brawny
arms and a brave heart, may do as others have done before him, select a
homestead in some of the many beautiful and fertile rej^ions westward, and
inio which railroads will rapidly ])enetrate ; after which, bein^ allowed six
iiionths before settling upon the land, he may work upon the railrond and
earn enough of money to make a start in a small way ; and by the time he
])r()duces a surplus, the railway will be within a reasonable distance to take
it to market; he fmds himself the prouil possessor of a valuable farm,
which has cost him little but the sweat o! his brow.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Under the provisions of the Dominion Public Lands' Act (/or w/iic/i,
see official notice at end), a vast area of land abounding in all the elements
of health, beauty, and fertility, of much greater extent than many of the
principalities of Europe, is open for the landless of all nations of the earth,
to enter upon and possess, who may be the head of a family, male or
female, or who has attained the age of eighteen years, may become the
owner of a farm of i6o acres without paying for it, by simply cultivating
and residing upon the land for three years, and the land thus accpiired
without cost (with the excejjtion of the ottice fee for entry, of $io), is
exempt by law from liabilities for all debts previously contracted, thereby
showing that we have no limitation as to the value of the farm or residence
thus secured to the family ; whatever its value may become, it remains the
shelter, the castle, the home of the family, to cluster round in the hour of
gloom and disaster, as securely as they were wont to do in the sunshine of
prosperity. Such an exemption law will be found a blessing to thousands
of worthy men, women and children.
Here every man may enjoy the reward of his labor, and become an
independent land proprieto However poor, he may possess equal rights,
and equal political opportunities, with the rich and prosperous.
/*ll informaiion as to the nature of particular localities, where the
immigrant may desire to settle, will be afforded him for his guidance by the
officers of the Dominion Lands Branch of the Department of Interior at
Winnipeg, or any of the district officers.
SVSTEM OF SURVEYS.
Each township consists of thirty-six sections of one square mile each,
and road allowances, of one chain in width between all townships and
sections.
Sections are numbered i to 36, and a raised mound of turf with picket
marked, being at each corner of section.
PRIVATE LANDS.
Farms of various degrees of improvement, near a town, are frequently
offered for sale at from $5 to $15 per acre, such price being often less than
the cost of the buildings and fences. These cases occur not from the
undesirable character of the property, so much as from the restlessness and
ove of change, characteristic of the people of the country. The Hudson's
Bay Company arc the owners, under the Dominion Lands Act. of two
sections in every surveyed township in the great fertile belt. Kach section
consists of 640 acres, and is s(>ld either in hUx U or in (juarter sections of
160 acres each ; the prices of these lands are regulated act orchng to location
and (juality, ranging from $4 per acre and upwards, with easy terms of
payment, puring the past year 35,000 acres were sold at an average price
of $6 jter afcre.
RAILROAD r.ANDS.
As this pamphlet may he read by many in Great Britain, who are
imacquainted with the meaning of the term *' ra'Iroad lands," we deem it
important to offer a few words by way of explanation. All the lands arc
originally the pro|)erty of the (Jrown, and are granted to aid in the construo
tion of railways, as experience has shown that a locomotive running through
a new country tends as much to civilize it as to settle it up ; the wisdom of
this disposal of lands by the Ciovernment of Canada can only be com-
mended. Such lands are situate along tlie lines of road to which they were
granted, and consist of the odd numbered sections (the even numbered
sections being for free homestead entry as Government lands), on both sides
of the line for a certain number of miles. The title to such lands are good,
coming directly from the Crown to the Railway Company.
The Canadian Pacific I'aihvay Comjiany offer lands in the Fertile Belt
of Manitoba and the North-West Territory, for sale, on certain conditions
as to cultivation, at the price of $2.50 (los. sig.) per acre, one-sixth
payable in cash, and the balance in five annual instalments, with interest at
six per cent., a rebate of fifty per cent., for actual cultivation being made as
hereinafter described.
The ordinary conditions of sale are : —
1. That all improvements placed upon land pmrhased shall remain thereon
until final payment for the land has been made.
2. That all taxes and assessments lawfully imposed upon the land or improve-
ments shall be paid by the iiunhaser.
3. The Company reserve from selection at the above price all mineral, coal, or
wood-lands, stone, slate and marble (jiiarries, lands with water-power thereon, and
tracts for tt)wn sites and railway purposes; and, as re):ards lauds having some stand-
ing wood, but not liereby excluded from selection, the purchaser will only be
permitted to cut a sulHcient (luantity for fuel, fencinjr, and for the erection of build-
ings un his land until he shall have received the Hnal conveyance thereof.
Manitoba has already unbroken connection by Railway to all parts of
the Continent of America ; and the Canadian Pacific Railway is already
pushed nearly three hundred miles west of Winnipeg, and will reach th6
Rocky Mountains in less than two years. The Canadian Pacific Railway
connection between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg will open for traffic this
year, that arduous work being nearly completed. This will give independent
Canadian communication between the Eastern Provinces and the North-
West during the season of navigation. Other hues of railway, within the
North-West are being pushed rapidly forward.
22
Colonization Railways are being projected in every direction ; and it is
proposed to oi)en up another outlet to Europe via Hudson's Bay.
COAL LANDS.
The route of the Canadian Pacific Railway is indicated as the natural
pathway of Commerce, by the vast and inexhaustible coal beds through
which it runs for over two hundred miles.
Prom Geological reports, and the Engineer's surveys, the district
through which it passes possesses one of the largest coal fields in the world.
Between the 59th parallel and the North Sea, it has been calculated
that there cannot be much less than 500,000 square miles that are underlaid
by true coal. The average breadth of this belt is about 280 miles. In
addition to the coal, this country contains rich deposits of iron ore.
On the North Saskatchewan River, coal prevails with little interruption
in beds two and two-and-a-half feet thick on the bank of the river, from a
little below Edmonton, upwards for two hundred miles.
On the Pembina River, seventy miles to the west, there is a seam ten
feet thick, of a very superior quality. On the Battle River it is also noted,
and in the Red Deer Branch of the South Saskatchewan, 170 miles from its
mouth, are extensive deposits of coal, and at 100 miles further up it is there
in beds so close, that, of 20 feet of strata exposed, 12 feet are coal.
Coal has lately been discovered on the Souris River, at a point near
the international boundary line, and the South-Western Railway is now
under construction to connect that point with the City of Winnipeg, a
distance of nearly 200 miles, through a magnificent and exceedingly fertile
country.
The Minister of the Interior has the power to protect persons desiring
to carry on coal mining in the possession of the lands on which such mining
may be carried on, provided the proper application is made, with a deposit
of one dollar per acre, under the terms of the Dominion Lands Act.
HAY AND GRAZING LANDS.
The wild grasses of Manitoba and the North- West, extending to the
foot of the Rocky Mountains, are famous for the nourishment they contain.
They not only afford rich and ample pasturage upon which horses, cattle
and sheep may thrive well, but also make an excellent quality of hay ; many
farmers prefer them to timothy for the latter purpose. Three varieties, the
buffalo and herd grass and the blue joint, after the ground has been
mowed over a itw times, become fine and succulent, and cure very nicely,
and even the coarsest variety of slough glass is similarly affected, though its
improvement is not so marked. Cattle subsist during the winter on hay of
this latter description, and keep in good order. For the encouragement of
persons desirous of going into stock-raising on a large scale, the Government
is empowered und. • the Lands Act to grant leases of unoccupied Dominion
Lands for grazing purposes to any person, for such term of years, and at
such rent in each case as may be deemed expedient, conditionally, that the
Minister of the Interior may, on giving two years' notice, cancel the lease
at any time during the term.
23
MINERAL RESOURCES.
i t-
Our mineral deposits — next in importance to coal, already referred to
— may, so far as yet known, be embraced in the following :
Irou — Is found throughout the coal region, at accessible distances from
the line of railway, and gives promise of the establishment of future centres
of industry along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Go/d — Is found on the numerous sand-bars of the North Saskatchewan
River, paying from $5 to $10 per day, with limited appliances for mining
and washing. As the country settles up, and supplies become cheaper and
more easily obtained, no doubt enterprising proprietors will yet make valu-
able discoveries in the numerous streams running from the eastern sloi)e of
the Rocky Mountains.
Rich gold and silver-bearing quartz veins have recently been discovered
*on some of the thousands of the islands which dot the beautiful Lake of
the AV'oods ; the discoverers have as yet, from want of capital, been unable
to properly develop these mines ; but when the attention of capitalists is
attracted, no doubt future enterprise will cause operations to be conducted
•on a large scale, supporting a numerous mining population. A portion of
the Pacific Railway is now completed and running to Rat Portage, a thriving
Jittle town at the head of the Lake, east from Winnipeg 136 miles.
Lbnestone — A fine quality is found in many portions of the country,
and affords ample material for the manufacture of lime.
Clay — A kind of blue clay, underlying the soil, makes brick of a good
quality. White marl occurs in large beds ; it is used for pottery-making,
-and also makes a hard, durable brick, similar to the famous Milwaukee brick.
Salt Springs — Are numerous — some of them very pure, yielding
upwards of a bushel of salt to thirty or forty gallons of brine, the writer
having himself made salt from the brine of that strength as obtained on the
surface without boring, and of as good a quality, as American or English.
jproduction. With the development of the country, this source of wealth
jnust yet be an important one.
DESCRIPTIVE AND GENERAL.
THE SOIL AND ITS AGRICULTURAL CAPACITY.
The soil is generally an alluvial black argillaceous mould, rich in
•organic deposit, and resting for a depth of eighteen inches to four feet, on a
tenacious clay. Scientific analysis develops the presence in due proportion
of elements of extraordinary fertility, comparing favorably with the most
<;elebrated soils of the world. This theoretic excellence is amply confirmod
by the practical results of agriculture, as is shewn hereafter.
The following important analysis of a sample of the prairie soil of
this country, was made at the instigation of some gentlemen of capital,
gDractical fanners in Scotland, who visited the country, and became so
favorably im.pressed as to invest largely in lands.
The analysis is by Dr. Macadam, the well-known lecturer on Chemistry
in the University of Edinburgh, and proves beyond doubt that to the
11
24
farmer who desires to select for his future home a country which has the-
most productive soil, and promises the richest harvest, nowhere in thet
world are greater attractions offered :
Analytical Laboratory, Surgeom's Hall,
Edinburgh, 14th December, 1876.
ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE OF MANITOBA ISOIL.
Moisture 21.364-
Organic mutter containing nitrogen equal to ammonia, 23° 11.22S''
Saline matter :
Phosphates 0.472
Carbonate of lime 1.763
Carbonate of magnesia 0.937
Alkaline salts 1.273
Oxide of iron 3.11.5
Silicious matter :
Sand andsilica ' 51.721
Alumina 8.132
7.560-
59.8.'' a
100.000'
The above soil is very rich in organic matter, and contains the full amount of
the saline fertilizing matters found in all soils ot a good bearing quality.
(Signed),
Stephenson Macadam, M. D.
Lecturer on Chemistry, ^c:
A.n important 'feature in the soil of our prairies is, that its earthy-
materials are minutely pulverised, and is almost everywhere light, mellow, .
and spongy.
With these uniform characteristics, the soils are of different grades of
fertility, according to local situation. The limestone sub-strata of this region,
with its rich, deep, calcareous loam and retentive clay sub-soil, is alv\'ays ,
associated with a rich wheat development, while its hot and humid sum-
mers fulfil all the climatological conditions of a first-rate wheat country.
Some fields on the Red River have been known to produce twenty succes- -
sive crops of wheat without fallow or manure, and the yield has frequently '
reached as high as forty bushels per acre.
Blodgett (an American authority) states " that the basin of the Winni-
peg is the seat of the greatest average wheat product on this continent, and >
probably in the world."
As will be observed by the analysis of Dr. Macadam, a general ingre-
dient of the soil is sand, of which silica is the base, as of all good soils. It-
plays an important part in the economy of growth, and is an essential,
constituent in the organism of all cereals. We are told that about 67 per
cent, of the ash of the stems of wheat, corn, rye, barley, oats, &c., is pure-
silica, or flint. It is this which gives the glazed coating to the plants and.
gives strength to the stain. Now this silica is an acid and is insoluble, but,
readily combines with lime, soda, magnesia, potash, and the other ingredients-
of our soil, and in this condition is readily available to the use of the plant,..
'h
I
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I.
'f*
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25
and forms an essential element in the growth of the cereals ; from this and
other causes is attributable the superiority of our wheat over all other grown
East or South.
•i»
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pS'
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WHEAT GROWING.
The average yield of wheat in Manitoba, deduced from the aggregate
of local estimates, is twenty-five bushels to the acre, the range of ordinary
yields being from fifteen to thirty-five. Experience has taught us to allow
largely for the disposition to base general inferences on the most striking and
notorious instances, and for the general habit of confounding a usual result
with an average one.
A comparison of the yield of wheat for past years in Manitoba witb
the best diitricts of the United States, will show its superiority over them,
viz : —
Red River Spring Wheat, average production, 25 bushels per acre.
Minnesota do do 20 do do
Wisconsin do do 14 do do
Pennsylvania do do 15 do do
Massachusetts do do 16 do do
The weight as compared with the following States, is :
Manitoba Spring Wheat 63 to 66 lbs. to the bushel.
Minnesota do 60 to 65 lbs. do
Illinois do 52 to 58 lbs. do
Ohio do 57 to 60 lbs. do
Pennsylvania do 57 to 60 lbs. do
The soundness and fulness of the grain is unmistakeably indicated by
the fact, that it wi// comviand a higher price than any Western State grain,
when it goes to market unmixed and well cleaned.
The fact established by climatologists that " the cultivated plants, yield,
the greatest products near the Northeiamost limit, at which they will grow"
is fully illustrated in our productions.
An extensive Miller in Minnesota, was astonished on visiting Manitoba,,
at the yield of wheat in his hand. " We have had an excellent harvest in
Minnesota, but I never saw more than two well formed grains in each
group, or cluster, forming a row, but here, the rate is three grains in each
cluster. Thafs the difference between t7venty and thirty bushels per acre."'
Winter wheat has not been tried, except in one or two instance, the
result being unfavorable to its reputation as a reliable crop ; and an opinion"
is generally prevelant, that it cannot be grown successfully ; but this opinion
is not warranted by facts. The success of winter wheat depends peculiarly
upon having a moderate and sure covering of light snow, not condensed by
thaws, and packed close by warm winds. Such a snowy covering requires —
firstly, a moderate fall of snow ; and secondly, a low, uniform range of tem-
perature, free from winter rains and prolonged thaws, sufficient to dissipate-
the snowy covering.
26
These are, in fact, the decided characteristics of our winters. The j^re-
•cipitation of snow at Manitoba is about 25 inches for the whole winter.
It is remarkable also that light falls coincide with quite low tempera-
tures. The short noon-day heats, which often carry the thermometer for an
hour or two above freezing point in winter, are not sufficient to create a
thaw, and even a whole day, but slightly above, freezing, will not seriously
affect the snow.
Wheat-growing has been termed the "back-bone of agriculture."
When the vital importance of maintaining and increasing the production
of a grain so essential to civilized man is considered, it cannot be assigned
a less place in agricultural economy. Wheat is pre-eminently the food of
civilized nations ; and perhaps there can be no surer measure of their
civilization than the culture and consumption of that cereal. History
affirms its agency in shaping the power and character of nations. They
have grown sturdy and i)rogressive in their ratio of wheat consumption by
all classes. Scientific analysis confirms the indications of history. Anatomy
and Chemistry show that food to be best, which gives toughness to muscular
fibre, and tone to the brain.
England, who has long since been the conceded mistress of the seas,
.and whose dependencies will nigh encircle the globe, has so stimulated and
enlarged her capacity for wheat-growing, that her annual average is twenty-
«ight bushels per acre ; but her consumption so far outruns her production,
that she lays the world under contribution for her supplies of bread. The
grave significance of the question involved is not susceptible of conceal-
ment, when the fact is considered that while the consumption of wheat, as
the choice food of the human race, is rapidly extending, the capacity of
wheat-growing regions for its production is rapidly diminishing. ^Ve are
told that in New England, U.S., the entire wheat product of a year is
barely sufficient to feed her own people for three weeks, and the State of
New York for six months. In the ten years ending in i860, the wheat
•crop of only four States decreased 6,500,000 bushels. In the light of these
facts it is not difficult to foresee that the North- West of the Dominion of
Canada must yet assume a proud pre-eminency in wheat-growing.
The following facts are demonstrated :
First. — That there exists a constantly and inevitably increasing
foreign demand for breadstuffs, with a constantly increasing demand for
domestic consinnption.
Second. — That therefore the value of wheat, as a commercial staple,
is advancing in a compound ratio.
Third. — That, within this zone, the climate and other causes tend to
concentrate the growth of wheat in the best districts.
Fourth.— T[\t prairie lands of Canada are the best of these wheat
districts, having the largest average yield, the most certain crops, and the
best and healthiest grains.
\
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STOCK RAISING.
The experience of many years shows that no physical impediment
arising from climate or soil, exists to prevent the prairies of our North-
27
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i
West becoming one of the best grazing countries in the world, and with
the introduction of immigration, in a few years, the beautiful prairies of the
North- West will be enlivened by numerous flocks and herds, and the cattle
trade, already springing into importance, will rapidly increase. It is un-
derstood that a prominent member of the Senate of Canada is at i)resent
making arrangements to enter upon the raising of thorough-bred stock,
horned cattle, horses, sheep and pigs, and with that view, is now in treaty
with the Government of the Dominion for the purchase and lease respec-
tively of very considerable tracts of grazing land near the foot of the
Rocky Mountains, for a stock farm. For raising cattle and horses, this
country is equal to the State of Illinois, and for sheei)-ra in-i; it is far
superior. The quality of the beef and mutton raised u}jon our northern
grasses, has been pronounced of superior excellence. Among the i)eculiar
advantages of Manitoba for stock-raising and wool-growing, the most pro-
minent are — I St. The richness and luxuriance of the native grasses. The
grass is mainly cut on the swamps and meadows, which chequer the
prairies, or fringe the streams and lakes. 2nd. The great extent of
unoccupied land, affording for many years to come, a wide range of free
pasturage. 3rd. The remarkable dryness and healthfulness of the winter.
The cold dry air sharpens the appetite, and promotes a rapid secretion of
fat, and vigorous muscular development. All point to stock-raising as one
of the most important and promising of the diversifi'^d channels into which
the industry of the immigrant and capitalist is to b ected. Notwithstand-
ing the expensiveness and difficulty of stocking farms in a new country like
this, where animals must be procured at a distince of hundreds of miles,
the progress already made in this direction affords a gratifying proof o'^ i.^
rapid growth of this important interest.
SHEEP AND Vv'OOL GROWING.
There is not room in this guide to give the subject of wool growing
the attention which its importance deserves. The experience of forty years,
^nd of some who have been engaged in the business in Australia, establishes
.beyond a reasonable doubt the following conclusions :
I . — That from the nature of our climate and the general undulating
'Character of the prairies, the richness of the grasses, and the purity ot the
Avaters, this country is adapted in an eminent degree to the healthful and
profitable breeding of sheep.
2. — That sheep are entirely free from the diseases which cut them off,
•so largely in more southern climates.
3. — That the characteristic dryness of our winters, not only protects
them from the casualities to which they are exposed in moister winter
climates, but stimulates them to a more healthy and vigorous growth.
4. — That the naturalization of sheep imjiorted from Illinois, Ohio, and
other middle states of America, improves the quality of their wool.
5. — That it is by far the most profitable branch of industry in which
Jhe settles with capital can engage, especially in connection with stock-
.raising.
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Prolific as is the soil, it is far from the Eastern markets, and the bulky
and weighty products of the field largely consume themselves in the cost of
transit. Wheat which is bought here for 60 cents, sells for 90 cents or
$1.00 in Montreal or New York, costing the farmer 30 to 40 cents for
transportation. A few years, it is true, will complete a great system of
internal improvement by means of the Canadian Pacific Railway. But even
then, it will be far more profitable to grow wool ; the best information on
this subject shows that it costs about 15 cents to produce a pound of wool,
which sells here for 30 cents, yielding a net profit of 15 cents per pound,,
and mutton at present commands from 123^ to 15 cents per pound; The
cost of producing a bushel of wheat varies with the yield, the average cost;
being about $6.50 per acre, or about 32 cents per bushel for an average
yield of 20 bushels to the acre. The average product of wool is not subjec*'.
to fluctuation, and the price also is far steadier than that of breadstuffs.
Well-fed ews produce fleeces from 3 to 3^^ pound?. Wethers produce,
fleeces from 6 to 8 pounds, the wool being of good quality. All breeds-
stand the winter cold well, but the Cotswold the best. An instance came to-
the knowledge of the writer, where a flock of about twenty strayed away in.
the beginning of winter and were found in the spring fat, and none miss-
ing, but an addition to the flock in lambs. An experienced settler writes as*
follows : " 1 believe this to be equal to any country for sheep growing. I,
prefer the Cotswold breed to any other for this country, as they are good]
shearers, prolific breeders, and good for mutton. My sheep have been,
troubled with no disease, but the dogs have killed and wounded some. I be-
lieve that in this branch of husbandry this country has few equals, and-
no superiors in any country of the globe."
To simply raise a crop of wheat from the new prairie, is but one
remove from barbarism ; but when we see upon a farm a flock of pure blood''
sheep, and a herd of well bred cattle, we are sure that behind them all is.
superior intelligence, and we feel confident the farm is not running out.
DAIRY FARMING
Must also become in a few years an important source of wealth. It is now
conducted on a very large scale in the other Provinces, in connection with
cheese and butter factories for European consumption. In the Province of
Ontario alone no less than 200 cheese factories being in operation, that-
Province deriving an income of nearly two millions of dollars a year from-
this single article of produce, and the quality esteemed almost as highly as'
the best English cheese.
With the progress of improved communications, what a vast field is-
presented for the development of that branch of agricultural enterprise ir*.
this great grazing country.
THE BEET ROOT.
Beet root sugar manufacturing will certainly, at no distant day, be a>.
-question of much interest in this part of Canada, and occupy the attention*
of the capitalist, for without doubt the rich deep mould of our soil isv^
,.
29
r
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)r
)r
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n
n
r-
f
e
3tJ
Hmiiienscly superior to anything upon the continent for the production of
'ihe sugar beet.
It is the opinion of the Monetary Tuuc: tha^ the production of beet
■root sugar, if prosecuted on a sufficiently large scale, could be made very
profitable. A calculation is given, setting forth the estimated results of the
■manufacture of a thousand tons of sugar beets in the States c^ New York
and Pen isylvania, as made by an American gentleman who has given long
'>consideration to the subject. It is as follows :
EXPENSES.
1000 tons of beets at $4 per ton $4,000
EHtituated cost of manufHcture at $5 per ton 5,000
Total $9,000
BESL'LT.
200 tons pulp at $2 per ton $ 400
.30 " syrup at $20 per ton 600
60 " of eugaral$250per ton 16,000
Total results $16,000
From which deduct expenses 9,000
Leaves a profit of $7,000
The sugar l)eet will grow on our prairie soil to great perfection. Those
vsent from here to Philadelphia were the suprise and admiration of thou-
sands from all parts of the woild.
This fact being established, it next becomes important to have a proper
■test made of the percentage of saccharine matter the beets grown in our soil
-will yield, and its suitability for manufacture. It is advisable • beets in-
ten ' }d for sugar manufacture, should be grown on old ploughed land,
rather than the newly ploughed prairie.
This manufacture, which has elsewhere been found so profitable, will
(probably be found the same in the North-West of Canada.
SALUHRITY OF CLIMATE AND ADAPTION TO AGRICULTURE.
Of paramount importance to the emigrant is the healthfulness of the
'locality which is to be the scene of his future labors, and the home for him-
self and family. What to him are fair fields, flowering meadows, buried in
the luxuriant growth of fertile soils and tropical suns, if they generate fever-
producing miasma and vapour ? What are soft and perfumed breezes, if
they waft the seeds of pestilence and death ? What are bountiful harvests
>'>f golden grain, rich and mellow fruits, and all the wealth the earth can
yield, -f disease must annually visit his dwelling, and death take away, one
by one, the loved and the young ? It is well known that some of the fairest
portions of the Western States are so fruitful of the causes of disease as
•almost to preclude settlement. And thousands have left their comparatively
healthy Canadian and European homes to find untimely graves in the
prairie soil of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. And even in the
■
30
sections of these States deemed most iiealthy, the climate has an enervating
effect upon those accustomed to the bracing air of Northern Europe and
our Eastern Provinces.
The dryness of the air, the character of the soil, which retains no
stagnant pools to send forth poisonous exhalations, and the almost total
absence of a fog or mist, the brilliancy of its sunlight, the pleasing succes-
sion of its seasons, all conspire to make this a climate of unrivalled salu-
brity and the home of a joyous, healthy, prosperous people, strong in
physical, intellectual and moral capabilities. Therefore, the assertion that
the climate of our North-West is one of the healthiest in the world may be
broadly and confidently made, sustained by the experience of its inhabi-
tants. Some of the hardiest and strongest men the writer has ever seen are
Europeans and Canadians, who came to this country at an early date, and
finally became settlers. Agriculture, therefore, cannot suffer from unhealthi-
ness of climate.
Its distinguishing features in relation to husbandry : The melon, growing
in open air, and arriving at perfect maturity in August and September, may
be briefly explained by reference to the amount of sunlight received during
our growing seasons, viz : Whilst at New Orleans in July they have fourteen
hours of sunlight, we have sixteen, with much longer twilight than they,
consequently our vegetation grows more rapidly than theirs, and matures
much sooner. This is a beautiful law in compensation, as what we lack in
heat is made up in sunlight during our summers. Changes in our temper-
ature, it must be admitted, are sometimes sudden and violent. We are
about half way to the North Pole, and subject to either extremes. This,
instead of being a disadvantage, is rather in our favour ; it gives variety,
a thing desirable at times. Then, again, these changes are, for the reasons
already given, seldom pernicious. Plants and animals are armed with the
proper implements for resistance. I would not infer that we are subject to
hurricanvis, or other violent commotions of the atmosphere, any more or as
much as other pk^cs. But we have a touch at times of both extremes, a
vibratory movement of the climates of the torrid and frigid zones.
The seasons follow each other in pleasing succession. As the sun
approaches its northern altitude, winter relaxes its grasp, streams and lakes
are unbound, prairie flowers spring up, as if by the touch of some magic
wand, and gradually spring is merged into the bright, beautiful June, with
its long warm days, and short, but cool and refreshing nights. The harvest
months follow in rapid succession, till the golden Indian summer of early
November foretells the approach of cold and snow ; and again winter, with
its short days of clear, bright sky and bracing air, and its long nights of
cloudless beauty, complete the circle.
The average fall of snow is about six inches per month. The snow
falls in small quantities, at different times, and is rarely blown into drifts so
as to impede travelling. With the new year commences the extreme cold
of oui winter, when, for a few days, the mercury ranges from 15 to 35
degress below zero, falling sometimes even below that. Yet the severity of
these days is much softened by the brilliancy of the sun and the stillness of
the air. Thus, while in lower latitudes they are being drenched by the cold
I >
31
rain storms, or buried beneath huge drifts of wintry snow, we enjoy a dry
atmosphere, with bright cloudless days and serene starlight nights ; and
when the moon turns her full orbed face towards the earth, the night scene
is one of peerless grandeur.
FROSTS.
Experience has shewn that the liability to disastrous frosts in the season
of growth, and which so intimately concerns the interests of husbandry, is
not any worse in this country than elsewhere, when the thermometer has
occasionally fallen to 30° in the latter end of August ; vegetation did not
suffer ; in fact the injury was scarcely noticeable, which may be accounted
for from the following reasons :
1. The dryness of the atmosphere (which is a peculiarity of this region),
allows a much lower range of temperature without injury to vegetation, than
in moister climates ; and m addition to the heat, gives greater vigour to the
plants, they grow rapidly but with firm texture, and are consequently able
to resist much cold. On account of their excessive vitality, the same as a
person who has dined heartily on rich food, is better able to bear the cold
of winter.
2. The sudden change of temperature, which is often the case in this
region, one extreme following another in rapid succession, is less deleterious
'to vigorous plants than a gradual lowering of temperature. The earth and
plants still retain the heat previously absorbed, and are thus enabled to bear
an atmosphere at 20° much better than at 35°, after their latent heat has
been given off. The soil of the prairie is in general dry, and is rapidly
warmed by the rays of the sun in spring.
3. The dryness of the air is accounted for from the fact that the
moisture conveyed in the air has a tendency to soften the delicate covering
of the plants, and thus render them more sensitive to cold.
4. The heat retaining character of the soil. For these and several
other reasons that might be mentioned, the climate of Manitoba is less
subject to killing frosts than might at first be supposed, on account of its
high latitude.
SEASONS.
The natural division of the season is as follows :
Spring — April and May.
Summer — June, July, August and part of September.
Autumn — Part of September and October.
Winter — November and December, January, February and March.
Frequently the weather is warm, the atmosphere hazy and calm till
late in November, and the early and rapid advancement of temperature in
May is strikingly represented.
FRUITS.
The culture of fruit, especially the apple, has been almost entirely
neglected heretofore in this region ; probably on account of there generally
32
l)eing such an aljundance or wild fruits, or the difficulty of procuring cut-
tings. Kor this and other reasons an erroneous impression has prevailed
that we could not raise fruit or apple orchards — an extraordinary inference,
when we consider that many forms of wild fruit are indigenous to the coun-
try, abounding in the woodlands, and unsurpassed in flavour, size and pro-
duc^iveness — the princi|)al of which are strawberries, whortleberries, saska-
toon, and marsh and high bush cranberries; therefore, immigrants are not
likely to suffer for want of fruit.
In Minnesota the wild plum improves so much by being transplanted
and cultivated as to equal any of the garden varieties. The high-bush
•cranberry also improves by transplanting, and makes a beautiful ornament
to the grounds about the prairie farmer's house.
The celebrated and delicious apple peculiar to the neighborhood of
Montreal, known as the " Fameuse,^' will no doubt be successfully raised
here ; although we are nearly five degrees further north than Montreal, yet
we are twenty-six degrees further west. Some young trees are doing well ;
as also a variety from nurseries in Minnesota. T\\q ^^ Fameusc^^ is a rich
and beautiful apple, peculiar to the climate and soil of the Island of Mont-
real, a rich loam with a heavy clay subsoil, which retains the rooting, and
prevents the growth of the tree pushing ahead too rapidly for the severe
frosts of that latitude. It should be borne in mind that it is not the severity
of the winter that kills the young apple tree, but the alternate thawing and
freezing of the south side of the tree in the spring, which can be avoided by
mulching and protecting the stem of the tree when young, by a wrapping
■of straw. With these precautions, and procuring plants from a suitable
climate, or planting the seeds, and thus acclimatising, there is no reason
why every farm may not have its orchard in this as in other parts of the
Dominion.
THE SALAD PLANTS.
Cabbage, lettuce, celery, spinach, &c., are not only more tender with
us than in warm climate, where the relaxing sun lays open their very buds,
and renders their limbs thin and tough, but are more nutritious, because
their growth is slow, and their juices well digested. The cabbage attains
'enormous size, as also the cauliflower, pumpkins and cucumbers ; the latter
•come in rather late, but instead of throwing too much of their growth into
the vine, as they do south, fully mature, and grow very fine and large.
OATS, BARLEY, RVE, POTATOES, ETC.
The whole group of subordinate cereals follow wheat, and are less
restricted in their range, growing five degrees beyond wheat, in the Mac-
•kenzie River Valley to the Arctic Circle. Barley is a favourite alternative
of wheat in Manitoba, and yields enormous retui-ns, with a weight per
bushel of from 50 to 55 pounds. Oats also thrive well. Potatoes. — The
mealy quality, the snowy whiteness, the farinaceous propertirs, and the
exquisite flavour which distinguish the best article, reach perfection oniy in
high latitudes.
i 1
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o-
a-
ot
d8
The potatoes grown in Manitoba are well-known to be unsurpassed in
all the (lualities named, while their |)roIific yield is not less remarkable.
'I'urnips, parsni|)s, carrots, beets, and nearly ;.ll bulbous plants, do etiually
as well as potatoes.
FLAX A\r) nr.Mi'.
Tlie cultivation of these important crops was carried on to a consider-
able extent by old settlers many years ago, the product being of excellent
([uality, but the universal complaint at that time was the want of a market,
or of machinery to work up the raw material, and this led them to discon-
tinue this important branch of husbandry. Its cultivation is again renewed
extensively by the Russian Mennonite settlers, of whom there are now
between 8,000 and 10,000 in this country, who within only three or four
years, are, by their untiring industry, rapidly gaining the road to wealth.
It is well known that tlax and hemp come only to perfection in a cool
country; their bark in southern climates is harsh and brittle, because the
plant is forced into maturity so rapidly that the lipt does not accjuire either
consistency or tenacity. No doubt the North-West of Canada will prove
ecjual for Hax and hemp growth to Northern Europe.
LEES
thrive well in the North- West, as they require a clear dry atmosphere, and
a rich harvest of flowers ; if the air is damp, or the weather cloudy, they
will not work so well. Another reason why they work less in a warm
climate is, that the honey gathered remains too fluid for sealing a longer
time, and, if gathered faster than it thickens, it sours and spoils. Our clear,
bright skies, dry air and rich flora, are well adapted to tlie bee culture, and,
since the process of burying bees during the winter has been inti'oduced
successfully in Minnesota, and generally adopted in the North-Western
States, the length and coldness of our winter ceases to be an obstacle. In
fact, experience in Minnesota proves that bees succeed better there, consume
less honey during the winter, and the colony comes out much stronger than
in warmer climates.
GAME.
The prairies and forests abound in great variety of wild animals,
among which arc deer, bears, wolves, foxes, wild-cats, raccoons and rabbits,
otter, mink, beaver and muskrat are the principal aquatic animals that
frequent the water courses. Buffalo in the Western prairies. Pigeons,
grouse, j>artridges and prairie chickens are among the feathered game. In
the fall and spring ducks and geese are found in immense numbers.
FISH.
The larger lakes abound in white fish, a delicious article of food,
weighing from four to five pounds. The fisheries of the lakes, when
properly developed, will form an important source of revenue. The rivers
3
84
.ind siicains abouiitl in pickerel, pike, callish, sturgeon, gold-cycs, Sic, and
trout in the mountain streams.
IIKAITV AND I'F.RTII.ITY Ol THH NOKTHWF.ST.
Throughout our prairie lands is found not the illimitable level, treeless
prairies which distinguish Illinois, but a charming alternation of woods and
prairie, upland and meadow, characterize the topography of the country.
The general surface is undulating, well watered, and ample building timber
on the main streams. The prairie is fre(|uently interspersed with groves of
poplar and oak openings, in many parts numerous lakes, presenting a
pleasing and enlivening appearance.
It would be absurd to expect any country of this vast extent to be all
equally tit to receive the plough at once. If only one-third is here pointed
out as awaiting the industrious hand ol man to ensure him independence,
the other two-thirds are parts recjuiring draining or jiartial clearing. It
would also be absurd to suppose it all e([ually fertile, as there is a consider-
able difference between the deep beds of black vegetable mould which
generally prevail, and of course there are occasional bad spots and poor
sandy ground, which must be found in all coimtries ; but prominent among
the questions proposed by the emigrant or ca])italist seeking a new home in
a new country are those concerning the climate, its temperature, adaptation
to the culture of the grand staples of food, and its healthfulness. There-
fore, in proof of our assertion that the North-West of Canada offers the
finest and most inviting field for emigration, the following is submitted as
u
OFFICIAL AND SCIKNTIPIC TESTIMONY.
In 1858, Captain Palliser was requested by the Under Secretary of
State for the Colonies to state his opinion on the country he was engaged
in exploring, and he describes the region drained by tlie Saskatchewan in
the following words : —
" The extent of Hurfacu drained by the Saskatchewan and other tributaries to
Lake Winnipetr, which we had an opportunity of examining, amounts in round
number.s to one hundred and fifty thousand square miles. This region is bounded
to the North by what is known as the strong woods, or the Southern limit of the
great circum-arotif zone of forest which occupies the 'atitudes in the Northern
Hemisphere. Thi.s line, which is indicated on the map, sweeps to the North-West
from the shore of Lake Winnipeg, and reaches its most Northerly limit, about 54''
30' N. and I gitude 1 19' W., from where it again passes to the South- West, meeting
the Rocky ]Vi. "n tains in latitude ST N. and 115° W. Between this line of the
strong woods and, the Northern limit of the true prairie country there is a belt of
land varying in wio'th, which at one period must have been covered by an extension
of the Northern forests, but which has been gradually cleared by successive lires.
" It is now a paiUally wooded country, abounding in lakes and rich natural
pasturage, in some parts rivalling the finest park scenery of our own country.
Throughout this region of r"!untry the climate seems to possess the same character,
although it passes through very different latitudes, its form being doubtless deter-
mined by the curves of the isothermal line. Its superficial extent embraces about
sixty-five thou.sand square miles, (whether geographical or statute he does not state ;
if the former, it would be about eighty -five thousand statute) of which more than
85
Kjne-fhir t limy Ix* ( oiiHidcrol ah nt onco liViillnMi' fur t\w imrpoHfs of the nAiicuU
tiilist. Itri «-|('vatii)it iiici'i ascH Irntii hcvcii liiiii(trf<l to four tlii)UHiin<l feet HH Wo
4tppt()iU'li tli*> Uucky MiMiiitaitiH at I'idiiioiitnri, wliirli Iihm an altitiido of ;<,00i) tout.
Wiuat is <•• Itivatfd with hii(( i-mh. The h'liHt vuiiiahh' porlioii of the i'rairic Country
has nil V .iciit of aliout < i^iity tlioiiHiind si|Mar'' niilcK, Hiid is thnt lyiii^ aloii^ the
South<rii hiaiich of tho SaHkatc iiiwau, iioutitward trom th''iicf to tlic buuiidiiry line,
wIiIIm itH Northern limit is Iviu^wn in tiic Intlian hmKnaKcH iin thu <• edgo of tliu
woodf/' the ori^nal lin«; of tb(; woodn lieiiig Invaded by fire.
•• It in (I ^ihi/niciil renlitu of the highest tni/init'inC'- to the inter"glii '/ Ihitiih North
Amtricn that this continuous full cun he .villi il anil rultiiateiljrom a tew miles West of Lake
<j/ the Woods to the passis of the Koc/ci/ Mountoins, anil any line of communieutioii,
whether bi/ waijon or railroad^ /kissw'/ throui/h it, utll eventually enjoi/ the (/real advantage
qf being fed bg an agricultural pn/ailalion from one extremitg to thf other. No other part
of the American Continent pos.'ifsses an upproach eciji to this aingularly J'avonrublt dispo-
aition of soil and climate.
"The natural reMouiTt'g lying within th»! iiiiiits ol the Fertile Belt, or on its
Kastern honleiH, are themselves of great value as lo( ul elotnents ot future wtaith
and prosperity ; but, in vii'W of a (.onimunication across the continent, they a((|ulri'
jtarainount importaiue. 'i'iniher, availal'le for fiu'l and Imilding purposes, coal, iron
ore are widely distributed, ot i,'reat purity and in considerable abundance ; salt, in
<|Uantity HufUcient tor a dense population. All lliese crude el mentn of wealth lie
within the limits or on the borders of a region of great fertility.'
His (Iracc Archljishoj) Taclic, of St. Boniface, whose long residence
and travelled experience throughout the North-West, says : —
" The coal liclds which cross ths ditVerent branches of the Saskatchewan are
a great source ol wealth, and favor the settlement of the valley in which nature has
multiplied pictureH(|ue scenery that challenges comparison with the most remarkable
of its kind in the world. I can understand the exclusive attachment of the children
of the Saskatchewan for their native place. Having crossed the desert, and having
come to so great a distance from civilized countries, which are occasioaaily supposed
to have a monopoly of good things, one is surprised to tind in the extreme VVest .so
extensive and ho beautiful a region. The Author of the universe has been pleased
to spread out, by the side of the grand and wild beauties of the llocky Mountains,
the captivating pleasure grounds of the plains of the Saskatchewan "
Confining his remarks to the capabilities for stock-raising, His Grace
further adds, referring to the great extent of pasturage: —
•' The character and richness of its growth niualling the finest clover. It is
known that in cold countries grass acquires a nutritive power which its juices have
not time to develop in warmer climates."
Captain W. J. S. Pullen, R.N , comparing with other countries : —
'• I have been in, viz. : Australia, America, North and South India, «fec., that I
have no hesitation in agreeing with Father de Smet, Mons. Borgeau, Blakiston and
many others, that there is a most extensive portion of the country so long governed
by the Hudson's Bay Company ready and offering a good field for colonization.''
Lord Milton, who spent some time in the counUy, says : —
" As an agricultural country its advaatages can hardly be overrated. The cli-
mate is milder than that of the same portion of Canada which lies within the same
latitudes, while the soil is at least equal, if not of griuater fertility. Coal of good
sound quality is abundant in the Saskatchewan, Battle, Pembina and other Rivers.
In some places the beds are of enormous thickness, and may be work'td without
36
Binking, as it often crops out along the river banks. Cereals of almost every descrip-
tion flourish even under the rude cultivation of the half-breeds. The same may be
said of all the root crops which are ordinarily grown in England, Canada or the
Northern States of America.''
Mr. W. B Cheadle, an English gentleman who accompanied Lord
Milton, also says :
" At Edmonton, eight hundred miles distant frora'Fort Garry, near the Western
extremity, wheat grows with equal luxuriance, and yields thirty to fifty bushels to
the acre, in some instances even more. The root crops I have never seen equalled
in England ; potatoes ge* to an immense size, and yield enormously. Flax, hemp,
tobacco, all grow well ; . the cereals appear to flourisli equally well ; plums, straw-
berries, raspberries and gooseberries grow wild. The herbage of the prairie is so
feeding that corn is rarely given to horses or cattle. They do their hard work, subsist
entirely on grass, are most astonishingly fat ; the draught oxen resemble prize
animals at a cattle show. The hors( s we took with us were turned adrift at the
beginning of winter, when snow had already fallen ; they had been over- worked and
were jaded and thin. In the spring we hunted them up, and found them in the finest
condition, or rather too fat. The soil in La Belle Prairie, where we built our hut for
the winter, was Jour feet deep, and free irom rocks or gravel — the finest loam. The
climate is that of Upper Canada, or perhaps rather milder. The summer is long and
warm, the weather uniformly bright and fine ; with the exception of occasional
showers, a wet day is almost unknown. The winter is severe and unbroken by
thaw, hut pleasant enough to those able to house and clothe themselves warmly.'
Prof. John Macoun, M.A., Botanist, who thoroughly explored the
country, says :
" In Crofutt's Trans-Continental Tourists' Guide occurs the passage, speaking of
the Prairie West of Antelope, ou the line of the Union Pacific Railway : ' We now
enter on the best grass country in the world,' and further on he says : ' The country
is destined at no distant day to become the great pasture land of the continent.'
"Now," says Prof. Macoun," I have passed over these plains from Larimie to
Antelope, which is represented as being the best grazing lands in the world, and
which are now supporting thousands of cattle, and they bear no more comparison to
our plains (the Saskatchewan) than a stubble field does to a meadow. While they
have 1,000 miles of sage plains (valueless), for bunch grass soon dies out when
pastured, and sage brush takes its place, we have over 1,000 miles, from East to
West, of land covered at all times of the year with a thick sward of the richest grass,
find which is so nutritious as to keep horses in good condition, though travelling, as
ours did, at the rate of forty miles per day."
Further on he says :
« That there is a great uniformity respecting soil, humidity and temperature
t*MOUghout the whole region, is apparent irom tiie unvarying character of its natural
productions. Spring flowers were found on the plains April 11th, and the frogs
croaking the same evening. During 20 years in Ontario, he never observed our first
spring flower (Hepatica triloba) as early as that except twice."
Again he says :
" It requires very little prophetical skill to enable any one to foretell, that very
few years will elapse before this region will be teeming with flocks and herds."
The Rev. Georg'^ M. Grant, in " Ocean to Ocean," says from his
own experience crossing the continent as Secretary to the Engineer-in
Chief of the Canadian Pacific Railway :
" The climatolcgical conditions are favorable for both stock raising and grain
producing. The spring is as early as in Ontario, the summer is more humid, and,
^
37
therefore, tlie fj^rains, grasses and root crops grow better ; tlie autumn is bright and
cloudless ; the very weather for harvesting; and the winter has less snow and fewer
snowstorms, and, though in many parts colder, it is healtliy and pleasant, because of
the still dry air, the cloudless sky and bright sun. The soil is almost everywhere a
peaty or sandy loam resting in clay. Its only fault is that it is too rich. Crop after
crop is raised without fallow or manure.'
The following extract from the Speech from the Throne of His
Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, at the opening of Par-
liament, .speaking of the prosperity of the Province of Manitoba :
•'A harvest was reaped of such an alnindant character as to prove beyond all
•question that Manitoba is entitled to take the highest rank as an agricultural
country."
Lord Dufferin, so highly popular as the late Governor-General of
Canada, has already given in many of his able and eloquent public
speeches, his opinion, as the result of his visit to the country in the
ummer of 1877, pronouncing it to be one of the finest in the world.
Lastly, — Our newly-appointed Governor-General, the Marquis of
Lome, in his farewell address to the electors of Argyleshire, delivered at
Inverary, thus refers to this favored portion of the Dominion :
" Some years ago, at a public meeting in GlaFgow, I took the opportunity to
describe the temptation offered by the Catadian Government, to men emp", '.'din
agriculture here, to settle in Manitoba, and since that day, as before it, hundreds of
happy homesteads bave risen, and the energies of the Dominion have Vieen directed
towards the construction of railways, which will make Manitoba and the North-
West considerably more accessible than is Inv-rary now. Let me invite your attention
to this gr^at Province, and the vast prairies beyond. I am informed, unless one has
heard or seen for himself, he can form no idea how fast the country is settling up
with people from Kngland, Scotland,
Provinces of the Dominion."
Ireland, Russia, Iceland, and the older
The foregoing corroborating testimony must be sufficient to carry
conviction to the mind of the most ordinarily intelligent intending emigrant
or investor, of the great superiority, in point of soil, climate and agricul-
tural capacity, of this vast prairie country over that of any portion of the
United States, which have arisen so rapidly from the condition of a fringe of
Provinces along the Atlantic to that of a mighty nation, spreading its arms
across the continent.
THE LONTRA.ST, IN COMPARLSON WESTERN STATES.
^Llny readers of this pamphlet who may be intending to emigrate, and
have a longing desire to realize the romance and happiness of a life in the
Western States of America, drawn to that, by the glowing and attractive
pictures and representations which have been held out throughout Europe,
of their riches should know that Iowa and other States to-day contain
thousands who would gladly leave for anywhere, if not to return to their
native land, // t/iey could; fever and ague, poor and unsalable land, dearly
bought, have brought the inevitable end — ruin. The writer has seen too
many letters telling the pitiful tale, and as a serious warning to intending
■emigrants and capitalists in Europe, the following is selected :
38
Wilson County, Kansas,
April 211/1, 1876.
}
Editors Planters:
Dear Sirs, — A few facts from actual experience of farming in Kanas — the other
side, and the truth. We have heen much amused by the gushinp; letters of some
contributors to your valuable paper, about this State, and think the actual experience
of farmers like ourselves might be as valuable as the moonshine idea of men who
never put a plough in the ground, or raised a calf, or wintered a Texas steer, or tried
to watch a corn-field, or sell corn at 10 cents a bushel. We came here four years
ago, determined to like the coimtry. Now we believe it to be a delusion and a snare.
We wanted cheap lands ; we paid $1.25 per acre, but it has cost us in dead outlay, in
money and in time, $5 to $20 per »,cre, and is all for sale less than cost.
We came to find a great st( ick country, where the time of feeding might be shorty
and tattle might live on tlie range all winter ; we find it tlic worst hampered stock
country we ever saw, and tlie grass nutritious and flesh-producing only three or four
months of the year. We came to find a great wheat and corn country : we find that
wheat-raisers have not averaged their seed. Corn ranges all the way from nothing
to fifty bushels per acre. We expected to find a tame grass countrj', but so far,
timothy, clover and blue grass failed, and the climate that kills wheat will kill them.
We came here to find a salubrious and healthy climate ; we find it sickly, and the
rates of mortality last winter along tlie streams terrible, so much so that we came to
believe what an old doctor told us : " That the most hardy coiUl not expect to survive this
climate fifteen years."
We came to the "Sunny South," where the warm zephyrs ever blow: we find
cattle freeze to death in every locality. We came to find a great fruit country : we
find our peach trees dead to the ground. We came to find a bracing air : we have
found it so that we have to brace ourselves at an angle of forty-five degrees to make
headway against the wind. We came here to escape the oppression of the rich, and
the high taxes: our taxes range from 2.05 to lo percent, on real estate, and does not
pay anything. We came to find homes for the homeless, and lands for the landless :,
we have got homes, very poor ones, and the land we would be glad to get shut of at
half price. In short, we have got the land, and it has got us in the very worst way,
and every one is dissatisfied, uahappy. discouraged, and wants to get out of the coun-
try. We came to the country that was said to flow with milk and honey : we find it
flowing with poverty and complaint. We find wc must go where money is plenty,
where labour is needed, and a market for our produce.
We live where every quarter section of land has been settled by good energetic
people, who have made every efi"ort and universally failed ; those who have doLe the
most, and spent the most, are the most completely floored.
Such is our experience, after a fair, faithful trial of Southern Kansas. If you, Mr.
Editor, can help us out in r.ny way by advice or otherwise, you will oblige three
farmers.
We have many friends East, and there are many coming West, we earnestly hope
will see these few lines.
We do not wish to see our friends made paupers by doing as w > have done,
neither ought any more capital be wasted in this desert of a country. We can
substantiate all we have subscribed our names to by more positive proof if needed,
and ask that all this whole article may be published for the sake of truth.
Address, —
J. S. Calmkr,
M. G. AVERILL,
J. T. Douglass.
The foregoing is clipped from a Kansas newspaper,
terrible the description, bears upon its face the honest truth.
and however
.1
39
.1
.1.
LIBERALITY OF CANADIAN LAND REGULATIONS.
The Canadian Land Regulations having been very generally represented
to be more onerous and less liberal than those of the United States, it is
proper to point out to intending settlers that ten dollars ($io) covers the
whole of the office fees in Canada, either for a pre-emption oi a homestead ;
while in the Western States there are three fees, one of eight dollars,
payable on entry, another of eight dollars for a commission, and another of
ten dollars when the patent is issued, making twenty-six dollars ($26.00).
In some of the Stales the fees are thirty-four dollars ($34.00). The U. S.
lands are sold at $2.50 and $r.25 per acre. These prices are nearly the
same, but the difference is favourable to Canada.
In fact, it is repeated that not on the Continent of America, and it is
believed not elsewhere, are the Land Regulations so favourable as in
Canada.
It is providt'l by the Canadian Naturalization Act that aliens may
acquire and hold re^l and personal property of every description, in the
same manner and in all respects as a natural born British subject.
The only disqual.fication of aliens is that they are not qualified to hold
office under the Government or to vole at Parliamentary or municipal
elections.
The oath of allegiance required of aliens who desire to become British
subjects simply e}^3resses fidelity to the Queen and Constitution, without
any discrimination against the nation from which such aliens come.
To take up United States Government land, however, the following
oath is required to be taken by a British subject : —
District Court, '\
Judicial District, I State of
Comity of f J
I do swear that I will support the Constitution
of the United States of America, and that I do absolutely and entirely Renounce
and Abjure forever all Allegiance and Fidelity to every Foreign Power, Prince,
Potentate, Statv. or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Queen Victoria, 0/ Great
Britain and Irelind, whose subject I was. And further, that I never have borne any
hereditary titL, or been of any of the degrees of Nobility of the country whereof I
have been a sulject, and tliat I have reaided within the United States for five years
last pas«, and in this State for one year last past.
Subscribed and sworn to in open Court
this,
, day of IS.
}
, Clerk.
Prof. Henrv, of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, speaking of
the explorations, under the auspices of the U. S. Government, of the region
between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, reveals to us the start-
ling facts :
" That the western progress of its population, has nearly reached the extreme ivestern
limit of the areas available for settlement ; and that the whole space west of the
40
ninety-uiglith parallel, embracing one-half of the entire surface of the United States,
is an arid and dtsolate waite, with the exception of a narrow belt of rich land along
the Pacific coast."
The importance of these official statements cannot be over-estimated
in drawing public attention to our vast resources, and should not fail to
carry conviction to the most obtuse intellect, that, as we have already stated,
the entire expansive movement of population on the American continent
will be concentrated in the direction of our fertile valleys, and the future
destiny of the North- West of Canada will be a great and glorious one ; for-
tunate, therefore, will be descendants of those who may obtain a foot-
hold within its gigantic borders, possessing all the true elements of future
greatness and prosperity, its rapid growth will continue unparalleled.
After a careful perusal of these testimonies, on both sides, the intend-
ing emigrant must judge and decide in the future interests of himself and
family, to which country he shall emigrate, the Western States or the North-
West of Canada, with its home institutions and the flag of " old England."
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION.
Never lose sight oi' the fact that Population, the sure precursor of
devel'^pment, and trad< n variably follows the lines of railways and the
course of navigable rive 1 he settler will perceive that with such a system
of rail and water comm ication there can never come any question of want
of market. 'J'he home , narket, from the large influx of settlers and the
immense construction of public works, will absorb nearly all the produce for
years to come.
The best lands, and most advantageous situations for wood and water,
are thus rapidly appropriated. The intending settler in the North-^V'■est
will therefore be repaid by an attentive study of the following
RIVERS and lakes.
T/ie Saskatchewan River, being the largest, is 1864 miles in length.
The North and South branches rise in the Rocky Mountains within a few
miles of each other. The South branch is 1092 miles in length, and the
North branch 772 miles. In ascending the river from Lake Winnipeg, the
Grand Rapids, 3 miles long, with 43)^ feet of descent, are first reached.
The character of the soil in the country drained by the Saskatchewan, is of
a very superior quality. Already the country is settling up rapidly, and men
of capital and experience are pushing their enterprises in that direction.
Steamers sometimes run as high as Edmonton, a distance by river of about
1200 miles.
Prince Albert Settlement, on the South side of the North Saskat-
chewan, 45 miles below Carleton, extends a distance of about 30 miles, and
mnnbers over 1000 settlers, who are in a highly prosperous condition.
It has a steam saw and grist mill, numerous stores, &c. The distance from
Winnipeg overland, is about 575 miles.
Jio-MONTON is the centre of a fine section of farming country, rapidly
settling up with an enterprising population. The country drained by the
I
4tk
MK
f '
41
iiorlli branch and its tributary, tlie Battle River, is considerably wooded.
Edmonton is the centre of the gold washing fields of the north Saskatchewan.
Battleford, the Capital of the North- West Territory, is situate 700
miles by road west of Winnipeg, and occupies the tongue of land between
tlie Battle River and the north branch of the Saskatchewan. The Canadian
Pacific Railway will probably cross the river at this point, and doubtless
will greatly add to the future prosperity of this ambitious young town. A
fortnightly Express and Postal Service is maintained between Winnipeg,
Battleford and Edmonton.
There is also direct telegraphic communication opened with Ottawa
and other chief centres of the Dominion. On the branch above " the forks"
of the Saskatchewan spreads the " park country," natural fields of rich
land, dotted with lakes and groves. Duck Lake, 20 miles west, is also the
nucleus of an improving colony.
Red Deer, Bow and Belly Rivers are tributaries of the South Sas-
katchewan, and drain a fine region, abounding in nutritious grasses and
well adapted for stock raising.
The Assiniboine River, the principal tributary of Red River, which it
joins at Winnipeg, is usually navigable as far as Fort Ellice, 213 miles from
Winnipeg, by waggon road, by river about 550 miles. Its entire course is
upwards af 600 miles.
The Qn'Appelle, the main tributary of the Assiniboine, rises near the
elbow of the south branch of the Saskatchewan ; it is 250 miles long, and
flows through a fine valley. The Soiiris, and the Little Saskatchewan, are
also tributaries of the Assiniboine.
Little Saskatchewan River is a very beautiful stream, though very
rapid. It drains a magnificent country, which is fast settling up, and the
soil is of wonderful fertility.
Peace River is navigable for 500 miles from the Rocky Mountains,
with an average depth of six feet, and drains one of the richest and most
magnificent portions of the territory.
Rih ' or Carrot River rises in rich lands 60 miles south-west from " the
forks " of the Saskatchewan, and flows through a wooded country with
many lakes, generally from 30 to 50 miles south of the Saskatchewan, into
which it falls after a course of 240 miles. It is estimated that there are
three millions acres of land of first quality between this river and the
Saskatchewan.
Sloan River has a course of nearly 200 miles, running through a
beautiful country, and enters Lake Winnipegoosis near its north end.
Lakes Winnipeg, Manhota and Winnipegoosis are the chief lakes.
Mossy Portage, four miles long, connects the head of Lake Winnipegoosis
with C dar Lake, on the main Saskatchewan, thus linking a line of continu-
ous w.ier communication 1,500 miles in length, extending from Winnipeg
City to the base of the Rocky Mountains.
conclusion.
We would only add, in conclusion, all intending emigrants should
remember that a new country like this is not the idler's paradise, that all its
42
mines of wealth are surrounded by bustling difficulties. It also has its
drawbacks ; no country is quite perfect or without them. Its great superiority
is, that it is a land of opportunities. Its rapid growth and present prosperity
may be attributed to three principal causes, viz. : First, its salubrity of
climate ; second, the extraordinary- fertility and adaptibility of its soil ; and
third, to the liberal homstead law in force under the provisions of the
Dominion Lands .^.ct.
Piof. Macou?\ the eminent Canadian Botanist and Explorer, on his
'•'-luin in Novemb ;r last from an official tour throughout a great portion of
the North-West, i ^ an instructive lecture delivered before a large audience
in Winnipeg, said, " that he, who had seen more of the North-\Vest than
any man in Canada, was surprised to find places that had exigence last
spring, had now regular mails, weekly or more frequent, and post offices
were established where "^vs months ago there luere no houses ^ From this,
those interested in Great Britain will be able to form some idea of the rapid
development of the country, and it is at least food for honest pride that
Canadian enterprise is so actively spreading civilization over this land of
promise as to cause even the astonishment of our flist go-ahead American
cousins across the border. It is to be a firsr-class new world power, with
its Danube of the Saskatchewan, and its Baltic and Black Sea of Lake
Winnipeg and Lake Superior. A broad ^eld of commercial activity is now
open before us, and the hundreds of thousands who will be attracted hither
will enter into triumphant competition with the agriculture of the world in its
central marts. Finally, we repeat, here, as in no oth'^r portion C'f this
continent, are openings to-day that yield their wealth to brains, energy,
pluck, whether with or without capital, more than is actually necessary to
start with fairly ; and if a man wants to work honestly for what he has, he
can do it as well here as in any land beneath the sun. In a few short years
our yet undeveloped wealth will astonish the world, when our coal and iron
mines are laid bare, when our vast plains and hills are covered with flocks
and herds, when our valleys iupply grain to Europe and the East, and the
great Canadian Pacific Railway links England, Canada, Japan and China in
one great belt of commerce and mutual prosperity .
'
•
r ■»
fr
w'i'
43
DOMINION LANDS REGULATIONS.
The following Regulations for the sale and settlement of Domiinurj
Lands in the Province of Manitoba and the North-West Territories shall^
on and after the first day of January, 1882, be substituted for the Regula-
tions now in force, bearing date the 25th day of May last :
1. The surveyed lands in Manitoba and the North-Wesi Territories
shall, for the purpose of these Regulations, be classified as follows :
Class A. — Lands wit)iin twenty-four miles of the main line or any branch lint;
of the Canadian Pacific Railway, on lither side thereof.
Class B. — Lands within twelve miles, on either side, of any projected line of
railway (othc- tlian the Canadian Pacific Railway) published in the Canada d'azettr.
Class C. — Lands south of the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway not
included in Class A or B.
Class D. — Lands other than those in Classes A, B and C.
2. The even-numbered sections in all the foregoing classes are to be
held exclusively for homesteads and pre-emptions.
a. Except in Class D, where they may be affected by colonization agreements,
as hereinafter provided.
b. Except where it may be necessary out oi them to provide wood lots for
settlers.
c. Except in cases where tlie Minister of the Interior, under provisions of the
Dominion Lands Act, may deem it expedient to withdraw certain lands, and sell
them at public auction or otherwise deal with them as the Governor-in-(Jouncil may
direct.
3. The odd-numbered sections in Class A are reserved for the Cana-
dian Pacific Railway.
4. The odd numbered sections in Classes B and C shall be for sale at
$2.50 per acre, payable at the time of sale.
a. Except where they have been or may be dealt with otherwise by the Governoi-
in-Council.
5. The odd-numbered sections in Class D shall be for sale at $2 per
acre, payable at time of sale.
a. Except where they have been or may be dealt with otherwise by the Governor-
in-Council.
b. Except lands affectetl bj' colonization agreement, as hereinafter provided.
6. Persons who, subsequent to survey, but before the issue of the
Order-in-Council of 9th October, 1879, excluding odd-numbered sections
from homestead entry, took possession of land in odd-numbered sections
by residing on and cultivating the same, shall, if continuing so to occupy
them, be permitted to obtain homestead and pre-emption entries as if they
were on even-numbered sections.
PRE-EMPTIONS.
7. The prices for pre-emption lots shall be as follows : —
For lands in Classes A, B and C, |2.50 per acre.
For landii in Class D, $2.00 per acre.
44
Payments shall be raado in one sum a^ the end of thivo years from the date of
entry, or at such earlier date as a settler may, under the provisions of the Dominion
Lands Act, obtain u patent for the homestead to which such pre-emption lot belongs.
'iWl
COLONIZATION.
P/(in No. I.
S. Agreements may be entered into with any company or persons
(hereinafter called the party) to colonize and settle tracts of land on the
following conditions :
a. The party applying must satisfy the Government of its good faith and ability
•to fulfil the stipulations contiiined in vhose regulations.
h. The tract of land granted to any party shall be in Class D.
9. The odd-numbered section within such tract may be sold to the
party at $2 per acre, payable, one-fifth in cash at the time of entering into
the contract, and the balance in four equal annual instalments from and
after that time. The party shall also pay to the Government five cents per
acre for the survey of the land purchased by it, the same to be payable in
four equal annual instalments at the same time as the instalments of the
purchase money. Interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum shall be
charged on all past due instalments.
a. The party shall, within five years fram the date of the contract, colonize its
tract.
h. Such colonization shall consist in placing two settlers on homesteads on each
even-numbered section, and also two settlers on each odd-numbered section.
c. The parly may be secured for advances made to settlers on homesteads accord-
ing to the provisions of the 10th section of the Act 44 Victoria, chap. Ifi. (The Act
l)assed in 1881 to amend the Dominion Lands Acts.)
d. 'J'he homestead of 160 acres shall be the property of the settler, and he shall
have the right to purchase the pre-emption lot belonging to his homestead at $2 per
acre, payable in one sum at the end of three years from the date of entry, or at such
earlier date as he may, under the provisions of the Dominion Lands Act, obtain a
patent for his homestead.
e. When the settler on a homestead does not take entry for the pre-emption lot
to which he has a right, the party may within three months after the settler's right
has elapsed purchase (he same at $2 per acre, payable in cash at the time c)f
purchase.
10. In consideration of having colonized its tract of land in the manner
set forth in sub-section b of the last preceding clause, the party shall be
allowed a rebate of one-half of the original purchase-money of the odd-
numbered sections in its tract.
a. During each of the five years covered by the contract an enumeration sliall
be made of the settlers placed by the party in its tract, in accordance with sub-
section b of clause 9 of these regulations, and for each bond fide settler so tound
therein a rebate of one lnuidred and twenty dollars shall be credited to the party ;
but the sums so credited shall not, in the aggregate, at any time exceed one hundred
and tw 'nty dollars for each bona fide settler found within the tract, in accordance
with said sub-section, at the time of latest enumeration.
b. On the expiration of the five years an enumeration shall be made of the honOi
fide settlers on the tract, and if they are found to be as many in number and placed
in the manner- stipulated for in sub-section b of clause P of these regulations, a
further and final rebate of forty dollars per settler shall ' e credited to the party.
45
ng8.
ity
:
which sum, •■hen added to those previously credited, will amount to one-hull' of the
purchase money of the odd-numbered sections and reduce the price thereon to one
dollar per acre. But if it should be found that the full number of settlers n'(|uired
by these regulations are not on the trnct, or are not placed in conformity witli the
said sulvsection L, of clause 9 of these regulations, then, for each settler fewer than
the required number, or not placed in conformity with the said sub-sections, the
party shall forfeit one hundred and sixty dollars of rebate.
c. If at any time during tiie existence of the contract the party shall have
failed to perform any of the conditions thereof, the (Jovernor-in-Council may cancel
the sale of the land purchased by it and deal with the party as may seem meet
under the circumstances.
(/. To be entitled to rebate, the parly shall furnish to the Minister of the
Interior evidence that will satisfy him that the tract has been colonized and settled
in accordance with sub-section b of clause 9 of these regulations.
r ' ft
PLAN NUMBER TWO.
11. To encourage settlement by capitalists who may desire to cultivate
larger farms than can be purchased where the regulations provide that two
settlers shall be placed on each section, agreements may be entered into
with any company or person (hereinafter called the party) to colonize and
settle tracts of land on the following conditions :
a. The party applying must satisfy the Government of its good faith and ability
to fulfil the stipulations cont<uned in these regulations.
b. The tract of land granted to any party shall be in Class D.
c. All the land within the tract may be sold to the party at two dollars per
acre, payable in casli at the time of entering into the contract. The party shall, at
the same time, pay to the Government five cents per acre for the oUrvey of the land
purchased by it.
d. The party shall, within five years from the date of tiie contiact, colonize the
township or townships comprised within its tract.
e. Such colonization shall consist in placing one hundred and twenty-eight
bona fide settlers within each township.
12. In consideration of having colonized its tract of land in the manner
set forth in sub-section e of the last preceding clause, the party shall be
allowed a rebate of one-half of the original purchase money of its tract.
a. During each of the five years covered b}' the contract an enumeration shall
be made of the settlers placed by the party in its tract, and, for each bona fide settler
so found therein, a rebate of one hundred and twenty dollars shall be repaid to the
party ; but the sums so repaid shall not, in the aggregate, at any time exceed one
hundred and twenty dollars for each bona fide settler found within the tract, in ac-
cordance with the said sub-section at the time of the latest enumeration.
b. On the expiration of the five j'ears an enumeration shall be made of the bono
fide settlers placed 'iy the party in its tract, and if they are found to be as many in
number and placed in the manner stipulated for i.i sub-!3ect!on e of clause 11 of
these regulations, a further and final rebate of forty dollars per settler shall be re-
paid, which sum, when added to those previously repaid to the party, will amount to
one-half of the purchase money of its tract and reduce the price thereof to one dollar
per acre. But if it should be found that the full number of settlers required by these
regulations are not on the tract, or are not placed in conformity with the said sub-
section, then, for each settler fewer than the required number or not settled in con-
formity with the said sub-section, the party shall forfeit one hundred and sixty dollars
of rebate.
46
c. To l»o entitlfti to lolxite, thi; jmrty shall fiirniHh to tin; Minister of tlie Interior
evitlence that will Hatisfy him that tho tract has been toloiii/od atiU wcttlod in accord-
ance witlt 8ub-8oction e of clause 11 of thuKO regulutionH.
OFFICIAL NOTICE,
13. The Government shall give notice in the Canada Gazette of all
agreements entered into for the colonization and settlement of tracts of land
under the foregoing plans, in order that the public may respect the 1 ights of
the purchasers.
TIMHER FOR SETTLERS.
14. The Minister of the Interior may direct the reservation of any odd
or even numbered section having timber upon it, to provide wood for home-
stead settlers on sections without it ; and each such settler may, where the
opportunity for so doing exist, i)urchase a wood lot, not exceeding 20 acres,
at the price of $5 per acre in cash.
15. The Min ter of the Interior may grant under the provisions of the
Dominion Land Acts, license to cut timber on lands within surveyed town-
ships. The lands covered with such license are therel)y withdrawn from
homestecd and pre-emption entry and from sale.
s
¥■
PASTURAGE LANDS.
16. Under the authority of the Act 44 Victoria, Chap. 16, leases of
tracts for grazing i)urposes may be granted on the following conditions :
a. Sucli leases to bt for a period of not exceeding twenty-one years, and no single
lease shall cover a greal:er area than 100,000 acres.
b. In surveyed territory, the land embraced by the lease shall be described in
townships and sections. In unsurveyed territory the party to whom a lease is promised
.shall, before the issue of the lease, cause a survey of the tract to be made, at his own
expense, by a Dominion Land ..urveyor, under instructions from the Surveyor-Gen-
eral ; and the plan and field notes of such survey shall be deposited on record in the
Department of the Interior.
c. The lessee shall pay an annual rental at the rate of $10 for every 1,000 acres
embraced by his lease, and shall, within three years from the granting of the lease,
place on the tract one head of CHttle for every ten acres of land embraced by the lease,
and shall during its term main'.ain cattle thereon in at least that proportion.
d. After placing th-^ pre8i;ribed number of cattle upon the tract leased, the
lessee may purchase land within bis leasehold for a home farm and corral, paying
therefor %2.00 per acre in cash.
e. Failure to fulfil any of the conditions of his lease shall subject the lessee to
forfeiture thereof.
17. When two or more parties apply for a grazing lease of the same
land tenders "hall be invited, and the lease shall be granted to the party
offering the highest premium therefor in addition to the rental. The said
premium to be paid before the issue of the lease.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
18. Payments for land may be in cash, scrip, or Police or Military
Bounty Warrants.
•
.' >
f' ,
47
r
19. These regulations shall not apply to lands valuable for town jjIoIs,
or to coal or other mineral lands, or to stone or marble (juarrics, or to
lands having water power thereon ; or to sections 1 1 and 29 in each
Township, which are school Lands, or Sections 8 and 26, which belong to
the Hudson's Hay Comiiany.
By order,
Department of ti[k Inikrior,
Ottawa, 2yd December, 1881.
LINDSAY RUSSELL,
Surveyor General.
<• K
.-4. *
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