The Last West: a few facts and illustrations of the flower garden of the north-west

HD

I

I

IS

'he Canadian West

I

•:

79

I

There is a tide in
the affairs of men
which, taken at the
flood, leads on to

»:•

g«

WESTERN CANADA

THE GREATEST WHEAT GROWING
= COUNTRY IN THE WORLD =

TEe

Last
West

HD

A FEW FACTS AND

=OF THE

FLOWER. GARDEN OF THE

Western Canada

AND ITS FUTURE

THERE has been much written and said in the past three years
about the wonderful country to be seen in the Great North-west
Territories and there unrivaled production of wheat and other
small grains, but the English language cannot draw a mental
picture clear enough to convince the average man of these facts who has
never travelled north of the southern international boundary line or west
of Manitoba, let alone never even getting as far west as Manitoba. Yet
to one who has seen, it is more than passing strange than people of means,
as well as those who should take advantage of these absolutely last
opportunities to get a good productive farm, should not realise that it must
be a thriving country. The official reports of the Government year by year
prove the wonderful increase in the wealth of the West, and also show
clearly that the opening of a country capable of such enormous crops, is
full of opportunities for making money for those who have sufficient energy
to investigate the conditions of the country and take advantage of the
present low price of lands. There is the final reward of affluence, happi-
ness and independence. These lands, however, are increasing in price,
in a manner never before experienced' in a newly settled country, and in
order to reap the full benefit of these opportunities it is necessary to grasp
them at once.

The Last West

On consideration it will be seen that this is the correct description of
\\V>tern Canada, civilization has always marched westward but has now
reached its limit, as far as unoccupied land is concerned. Practically all
the good, cheap lands in the Western American States, have been taken
up, and prices have reached too high a level for the small investor and
farmer of limited means. Consequently the American farmer in the last
few years, has turned his attention to the neighboring territory of Canada.
A few, having ventured, were so successful, that now the immigration
into Canada of American farmers has reached surprising figures.

These men, from past experience, are Cully aware of the great oppor-
tunities in connection with newly opened territories and are accustomed to
pioneer development. There are two ways in which immense profits
may be reaped, one by the natural rapid increase in value of the land
owing to the settlement of the country and the other by the actual crops
from it, which are enormous in the case of such prolific and fertile lands as
those of Western Canada.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

While the Government reports show millions upon millions of open
lands, do not be deceived by taking for granted that they are all good,
first-class farm lands. With the large immigration, choice wheat lands
will soon be comparatively scarce and you must lose no time in selecting
your land. A proof of this is the fact that the average price of land has
more than doubled in the last three years all over the Canadian West. All
those who have given the Xorthwest the most practical investigation are
convinced that the great wheat country runs diagonally in a northwesterly
course across the Territories of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and
into Northern British Columbia. The extreme western portion of Assini-
boia and Southern Alberta are generally given up to ranching and grazing
purposes. Northern Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan are available
for mixed farming on account of the heavy timber and brush found in these
sections. This wheat belt is, comparatively, a narrow one. It is ac-
counted for, perhaps, by the fact that the chinook wind currents, after
passing north to a certain degree, meet with the north current and are
shifted more to the east and gradually turned in a southerly course. And,
again, this wheat belt contains many streams and lakes. At all events,
there is more moisture in this strip, which is usually termed the wheat belt.
Therefore, those who contemplate purchasing a farm should bear these
facts in mind, since they are material in determining the productive value
of land. The eastern and northeastern portions of Assiniboia produce
the GREATEST YIELDS AND BEST QUALITY OF SMALL GRAINS.
These facts can be readily .verified by Government reports and the testi-
mony of all old settlers,

THE SASKATCHEWAN VALLEY

In the Saskatchewan and Qu'Appelle valleys it has been demonstrated
by practical farming for over twenty years past, that this section of country
enjoys most advantages, viz. : The soil is not so heavy as to cause a
rank slow growth, but is a deep black clay loam, with the celebrated
friable chocolate-colored clay sub-soil, which is filled with root fiber and
loaded with phosphates ; it is surrounded by and has within its area
several beautiful, deep and clear-water lakes, in which great quantities of
fine fish are found.

A HIGH TRIBUTE

The highest possible tribute was paid this district by John Macoun,
F.L.S., Dominion Field Naturalist and Botanist, and for nine years
Government Explorer of the Great Northwest, in his great book, " Mani-
toba and the Great Northwest," published in 1882, when he said on page
75, chapter II., " Long or Last Mountain Lake lies in a depression that
has a gentle descent from the east, extending over at least ten miles
The waters ot the lake are sweet and pleasant to the taste, quite
clear and of great depth. Multitudes of fish are caught here every fall by

Indians who come down from the Touchwood Hills for the purpose of
fishing. * * * Before many years steamboats will be plying on its waters
and the lovely land bordering- on its shores will be dotted with farm
houses. One of the richest tracts in the Qu'Appelle Valley lies east and
north from Last Mountain and when known will be speedily taken up by
farmers, as the much dreaded frosts of the Saskatchewan Valley are un-
known. \Vhileeiicamped near the head of this lake, in 1879, we had an
ample opportunity to examine this portion of the country. We were par-
ticularly charmed with its soil, productions and position. * * * To the
east of the head of the lake lay the rich country which produced the
enormous mushrooms referred to in chapter XL, and when speaking- of
the flowers, e.'iused me to call this region the 'Flower Garden of the
Northwest.' Abundance of good water is found on every part of thistraet,
* * * and future settlers will find that good, permanent wells can be
obtained, at a reasonable depth on any part of the prairie."

Speaking on page 75, about the tract of country lying south of the
Touchwood Hills, extending from the mouth of the Qu'Appelle River to
the South Saskatchewan, he states, " That there is a block of 16,000,000
acres that as to my knowledge, over 90 per cent, is fit for agricultural
and pastoral purposes. No alkaline soil is known on iny part of it except
a narrow tract extending from the head of Last Mountain Lake toward
Quill Lakes. * * * /There will be no difficulty in obtaining first-class
wheat crops throughout the greater part of it, as the soil is generally a
rich black loam, mixed with silica. * * * The sub-soil in nearly every
case, is a light colored clay, or clay intermixed with carbonate of lime."

Realizing that the above was written over twenty years ago, it is not
surprising that this country is now termed the " Famous Lasi Mountain
Country," even though these lands have not yet been on the market three
years, because involved in litigation.

MANITOBA WHEAT PRODUCTION IN COMPARISON

The following table will give some idea of the producing capacity per
acre of this land as compared with that of the wheat raising belt in the
United States.

Av, for 10
yrs.Bu.

1903
Bu.

1902
Bu.

1901
Bu.

1900
Bu.

1899
Bu.

**! 7

164

20 o

25 1

8 9

17 1

12 7

17 1

10 '.)

185

17 7

•I S

14 2

i:j i

l:i ')

pi <|

In")

]•; |

North Dakota

]•' 7

12.7

15.9

i:i 1

4 !l

1" S

104

l:; s

j., •>

!•> 'l

i; '•

in 7

1° 2

]•' r,

1:'. '»

17 1

1" o

l'i ;

14.7

12.1

«

In the Northwest Territories— being much more recently settled than
Manitoba — the records do not go back so far, but they show an average
yield per acre equal to that of Manitoba, and for the last six years, as a
matter of fact, greater. The official returns for Iqo4, are not yet published,
but the average for Manitoba was about 16% bushels per acre, while that
of the N.W.T. was considerably higher, being about twenty bushels per
acre. The Last Mountain Valley district yields ranged from twenty to
forty bushels per acre. A conservative estimate would make the average
about 25 bushels. Taking the last five years this district has averaged at
least that yield to the acre without any signs of rust whatever.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL FARM AT INDIAN HEAD FOR
SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS

SPRING WHEAT.

Name

of variety

Length of

straw

Yield per acre

Weight
per Bu.

Red Fife

Average

02 15-4 Ibs for

Alpha

j 4 diiys earlier
~l than Red Fife
I 1 days earlier

) Averages (
/•between -4") in. j

42 bu. 5 Ibs.
•10 bu. 23 Ibs.

* years
543-4 ll». for
7 years

" 1 than Red File

43 bu. 34 Ibs.

(•;; 1-1 Ibs. for
8 years

OATS — AVERAGE FOR SEVEN YEARS.

93 bu 11 Ibs

:;s:;-l Ibs

Golden Beauty —

I Between l.> J
f in. and 55 in. |

87 bu. 22 Ibs.
88 bu. 27 Ibs.

40 Ibs.
:!'.> 1-1 Ibs.

WONDERFUL INCREASE IN IMMIGRATION,

1896 16,000

1897 20,000

1898 31,000

1 899 44,000

1 900 45,000

1901 50,000

1902 67,000

* 1903 125,000

1904 130,329

The American invasion which commenced in 1896 and 1897, in 1903
sent to Canada 47,000 settlers.

DECLARED SETTLERS ENTERING CANADA.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

1902.

United States 26,388

England and Wales 13.095

Scotland 2,853

Ireland 1, 311

Galicia 6,550

Russia and Finland 3,759

Scandinavia 2,45 1

Hungary i ,048

Germany 1 ,048

France and Belgium 654

Austria 320

Other Countries 7>9°2

Total 67.379

1903

49,473

32,510 )

7,046 S

2,236 )

10,141 )

7.277
5.448
2,156
1,887
1,240
798
8,152 J

128,364

1904.

43.I72

5°.9'S

36,242

I3°,329

The number of declared settlers entering Canada in 1899 was 44,543 ;
in one- half of 1900, 23,895; and in the fiscal year 1900-1, 49, 149. The
bulk of this immigration is practically all going into Eastern Assiniboia and
Saskatchewan, as the new railroad construction will indicate.

EXPERT OPINIONS

LARGE AREA OF WHEAT LANDS.

" The wheat-growing districts of Western Canada," says the Orange
Judd Farmer ', " are unrivaled in the production of grain. In these dis-
tricts there is length of season and ample rainfall to secure the crop under
ordinary conditions. During the year 1902, 50.7 per cent, ot all the
wheat officially inspected at Winnipeg graded No. i hard, and 30.6 per
cent. No. I. northern, making 81 per cent, of the total receipts falling
within the two highest market grades. During practically the same time
only i per cent, of the receipts at Minneapolis were No. I hard and 22 prr
cent. No. I northern, or 23 percent of the total receipts represented the
two highest gradings."

WESTERN CANADA'S POSSIBILITIES.

" The tide of immigration which is pouring into the northwestern
territories of Canada, and which is being very largely recruited in the
central valleys and northwestern states of this country," says B. W. Snow,
in Farm and Home, " makes a presentation of the agricultural possib.li-
ties of this new land of timely interest to American farmers. The charac-
ter of the winters may perhaps be best appreciated when it is understood
that cattle, both on the range and on the homestead, remain without
shelter the year round, and ordinarily without feed, except as they rustle
for themselves."

SPYING OUT THE LAND.

Three editors of the American Agriculturist recently made a 4,000-
mile tour through Manitoba, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Their report of what they saw, after referring to the adaptability of
Western Canada for the growing of small grains, and to the excellence o/
the stock, says : "Among the settlers are many from the United States.
Such rapid development as we saw is only possible in a country blessed
with a fertile soil and a prosperous people. The future of Western Canada
is full of promise. Rapid and substantial development is certain When
the newer parts of the United States were settled, they had much to con-
tend with. There were no railroads, consequently no markets. With the
settlers in Canada everything is different. Railroads have preceded them,
furnishing at once a market and means of securing the comforts of modern
farm life."

A FEW PERTINENT QUERIES

What is the average yield ?

Wheat in the Strassburg, Assiniboia, section has been averaging over
thirty bushels to the acre the past four years — twenty-five to thirty would
be a very conservative estimate. Oats from sixtv to one hundred bushels.

How many acres can one man farm ?

One man and four horses can easily farm 160 acres, with some extra
help in harvest time.

Can an American own property without becoming a citizen of Canada ?

Certainly. He must become a citizen only when he is a homesteader.
He may live on and farm purchased land without becoming a citizen, but
of course would have no vote in the elections.

8

Do the citizens elect officers of the Government ?

Yes. \Vry niiu-li aft or the method in vogue in the United States. All
otVu -ei-s an- elected save the Governor-General and Lieutenant-Governors,
and tho jvdfM of the courts. The latter are appointed tor life and are kept
free from and uncontaminated by all party politics, which accounts for our
world-famous enforcement of all laws. The law here reaches the wealthi-
est .nid most inilueiitial even in political corrupt practices and the pardon-
ing power is seldom exercised in their behalf. The law of the land is
supreme in Can. id. i.

What a the character of the weather in winter ?

The winter is steady and cold, but being a very dry atmosphere is
not fell so much as in more southern climates where the atmosphere
contain* more or less moisture. It is hot the degree alone that causes
suffering, but the moisture in the frosty atmosphere is what effects the
bod)* ot both man and beast. This is known to all who have ever lived in
the various latitudes, and is borne out by the testimony of all who have
come here from southern latitudes. Hence, the winter climate of Western
Canada being dry, is healthy and exhilarating to a degree unknown further
south.

How much can a man reasonably expect as a profit per acre ?

Allowing for all expenses, including plowing, harrowing, etc., the best
authorities agree that the average cost will range from $6 to $6.50 per
acre. Estimating crop at twenty-five bushels per acre, price 60 cents per
bushel, would leave a very satisfactory profit even above labor and ex-
penses. You should remember that you can raise two acres of wheat with
less labor than one acre of corn.

Are living commodities and provisions higher ?

No, and yes. Provisions are scarcely higher, but cotton goods and
iron wares are, for the present, slightly higher. Woollen goods, furs and
silks are cheaper.

Why can crops mature so far north ?

Because the length of the days by far exceeds those farther east and
south. Day breaks at 2 o'clock and the sun rises at 4 o'clock and sets at
8 o'clock and it is not dark until after 10 o'clock. The days are usually
bright and clear. Besides the soil is peculiarly adapted to small grains.

Does tame grass grow ?

Manitoba grows some splendid crops of timothy and the Northwest
Territories are producing fine crops of brome grass, making hay of high
quality.

Are the farms well improved ?

In Manitoba and the older districts in the Territories, there are farm
buildings which cannot be excelled on any part of this continent and sel-
dom equalled on farm lands worth $100 an acre. This is the great surprise
to all from the United States especially, and can be seen by any who will
take the pains to investigate. It is a sure evidence of the prosperity of
the Canadian farmer.

Is there good stock in the country ?

As good horses and cattle as can be found anywhere. The stock on
show at the various exhibitions will demonstrate this.

What are the town improvements ?

The towns are strictly up-to-date and take on the appearance of a
typical American western town. The residences, as a general rule, are
said to excel those seen in the average American towns. It is not an
uncommon thing to see handsome stone and brick houses in the towns ;
or, even on the farms in Manitoba and older districts in Eastern Assiniboia.

Are school advantages good ?

Splendid, indeed. The Government maintains all Territorial schools
and the teachers are hired by the year, usually at a salary of $600 per
year.

Is it a healthful climate ?

None better in the world. The atmosphere is dry, pure, and invigor-
ating. There being no prolonged extreme heat periods, the human system
is not exhausted and subject to the various fevers prevalent in all warm
climates.

Are people contented ?

The strange fact to the newcomer is to find everybody contented and
happy. They get better returns for their labor with less work than any-
where on earth and are satisfied. Discontent is only found in those
countries where the returns from arduous labor are not sufficient to meet
all expenses of living, taxation, doctor's bills, etc., and leaving nothing for
a " rainy day."

Are these answers not very flattering ?

They are, most certainly, but based on facts. As noted above, in the
first-class farming sections, these facts are not in the least exaggerated
and a trip to these specially favored localities will convince you, no matter
from whence you come nor what your conditions may be now or have been
in the past. Will you investigate for yourself now. or wait and in after
years repeat the same old complaint, "It might have been, I had the
chance ? " You know too well what has been the history of the past. Yes,
even in Western Canada, the past three years has demonstrated this
truism.

About what time does seeding begin ?

As a rule farmers begin their wheat seeding from the first to the
fifteenth of April, sometimes continuing until the fifteenth of May.

"What is the duration of the winter ?

Snow begins to fall about the middle of November, and in March there
is generally very little. Snow is looked upon by the wheat farmer as a
great blessing and benefit to him, as the ground is left in the spring in fine
shape for seeding.

Can fruit be raised in Western Canada?

Yes, the small fruits grow wild. Among the varieties cultivated are
plums, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, melons, etc.

Do vegetables thrive there ?

Yes, potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnips, cabbages, peas, beans
celery, pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, etc., and it is sufficient to say the
quality and quantity cannot be excelled anywhere. Potatoes yield as high
as 500 bushels to the acre.

How about American money ?

You can take it with you. American money is taken anywhere in
Western Canada at its face value. Canadian money has about the same
ill-nominations as American money.

How is it for stock raising ?

The country has no equal. The climate in the Saskatchewan and
Last Mountain valleys is such that cattle and horses are often not housed
throughout the winter. So nutritious are the wild grasses that horses
come in in the spring fat and with two weeks' graining are ready for the
heavy spring work.

Are the taxes high ?

No. Having no expensive system of municipal or county organization,
taxes are necessarily low. A quarter section, 160 acres, is taxed to the
extent of $2 to $2.50 per annum. The only other taxes levied are for
schools. In the localities where the settlers have formed school districts
the total tax for all purposes on a quarter section seldom exceeds $8 to
$10 per annum.

Does rust affect small grain ?

No. Rust is practically unknown in Canada.

What quality of wheat is grown ?

Nothing but very best quality. The bulk is of No. I hard and No. i
northern. The latitude, a soil particularly adapted to small grains, and the
long days of fifteen to sixteen hours of sunshine, affords the best possible
climatic conditions.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The commercial growth of Canada has never been equalled before
anywhere on this continent. Millions upon millions of dollars are being
expended throughout Canada. The City of Winnipeg had between ten
and twelve millions of dollars' worth of buildings under construction last
year alone, and so far indications show that this result will beat least
equalled if not surpassed. There are hundreds of miles of railroads now
being constructed and thousands of miles yet to be constructed as fast as
the work can be expedited. Are not these the very best evidences to be
had of a country's rapid growth and stability? Men of wealth and great
corporations are doing their utmost to keep abreast with the wonderful
development of the Great Northwest. To those who keep posted in
current events, it is needless to remind them that the bank clearings for
Canada every month show a greater increase in percentage than any
other country in the world — by far exceeding that of the United States
even. " It is up to you."' Do you want to participate in this rapid, stable
and unprecedented growth ot the acknowledged greatest wheat
growing country in the world. If you don't care to come, send the
boys and give them a start on the road to wealth and independence.
You can't do it by investing $75 to $100 inlands. Slot) and think. You
can own from seven to ten acres of land for every one of the high-priced
lands further south besides getting better returns with less labor. The
Saskatchewan Valley of Eastern Assiniboia has become famous through-
out the world for its fertile and bumper crops. In the southern part of

this prolific tract of hind lies the beautiful Last Mountain Valley, which has
been described by one of Canada's greatest land experts, as being the
"Garden Spot of tin- Northwest."

Would you believe your neighbors as to their crops ami prosperity?
Then why doubt the testimony of your own people who have given Western
Canada a fair trial ? You couldn't induce one of them to go back. The
people of Ontario, of Illinois, Iowa, .Minnesota, North Dakota, and all the
Other States* must sooner or later reali/e that there are other states and
localities where farming is quite as profitable, and in manv instances, much
more so.

RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT FACILITIES

The Last Mountain Valley will, within a few months, be provided
with fine transportation facilities. This country lies directly north of
Regina and east of Last Mountain Lake, and the main line of the
Prince Albert branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway runs within live
miles of the south end or Last Mountain Lake (the nearest town being
Lumsden), but for shipping purposes a spur has been built up to Craven,
situate on the lower end of the lake. Two steamboats and barges are
now plying up and down the entire length of the great lake. The Kirkella
branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway is being constructed through the
Last Mountain Valley coimtry and by this fall will be operating trains.
The grade has already reached a point south and west of Last Mountain.
Again, and the most important of all, is the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway,
(from coast to coast), which will be constructed across the northern portion
of the Last Mountain Valley, as the present survey will indicate. What
place can you find better or even as well served, in Western Canada?
These are things to be remembered and taken into consideration when you
select your future home. The Canadian Northern Railway have secured
a charter for a branch running north and south through this district from
Regina to Humboldt, which is proof of the high estimation placed upon
this country by the railway companies of Canada.

WHAT HAS BEEN CAN BE AGAIN

TESTIMONIALS, NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF A FEW WHO
HAVE LOCATED IN THE LAST MOUNTAIN COUNTRY.

Herman Doege went into the I/onglaketon District with $50, worked
around for a while, and then took up a homestead. Although at that time
he had to haul his grain sixty miles, he got on. He now has a half sec-
tion, well cultivated, and is buying more. He has a good house and stone
barn. He has cattle, horses and machinery worth $3,000 and a good bank
account. His crop last year was worth $2,000, and he owes nothing.

Harry Barnes began with nothing. He now has 800 acres of land,
fifty head of horses, a steam thresher, a stone house that cost $2,000, and
a stone barn worth $1,000. He has 5,000 bushels of grain on hand and no
debts. He estimates that he is worth $20,000.

Mr. P. J. Curtin, writes : I came here from Redwood County, Min-
nesota, last July. I settled on land in Tp. 27, Range 23, W. of 2nd, on
the east side of Long Lake, then 50 miles from railroad. Now the grade
is built 18 miles south-east of us; will be completed this summer with trains
running by our place. There are two steamboats on the lake. The land
will raise any kind of small grain and garden truck. The potatoes are the

14

finest I ever saw. Ploughed in on sod, no bugs in Canada to eat the tops.
The finest oats I ever saw grown were on 1904 sod, broken and sown in
June. Mr. Miller, on sec. 4, Tp. 27, Range 23, raised the crop. They raise
from 20 to 40 bushels of wheat and from 50 to loo bushels of oats per acre.
It takes two years in Minnesota, on the dear lands, to raise wheat we can
raise here in one year on this cheap land. Canada is the home for the
young man, the sooner he finds it out the better for himself.

Another successfnl settler is Mr. Carl Klatt, who started with nothing
in 1885, and is now worth $20,000.

Of the new settlers we will now quote a few cases : —

T. A. Martin, of Park River, North Dakota, in the spring of 1903,
bought a half-section, and homesteaded for himself and son in Tp 24,
Rge. 22. He is highly delighted with the country, and says he has the
best well of soft water at 25 feet he ever saw. During the dry spell in
June, one thing that impressed him very strongly was the rich, healthy
condition maintained by the wheat, in spite of the lack of rain for a while.
This is explained by the fact that there is a continuous underground
drainage from the mountain to the lake, which provides moisture for the
crops and unfailing supply in the well during the driest seasons.

A. A. Downey, who has farmed for many years in one of the most
favored districts of Manitoba, homesteaded in 26-23, and bought land
adjoining. He took his family up and built his house in the fall of 1903.
He says ; " I am delighted with the fine location of my farm overlooking
the beautiful lake, which lies a short distance to the west and about forty
feet below the level of my farm." He further says: " The soil is the
finest I ever saw, and I anticipate very heavy crops next year. Am
getting as much breaking done as possible this season, and intend to have
it all under crop next year. The soil contains a very large percentage of
bi-carbonate of lime. This is a very necessary factor in producing heavy
crops of wneat. The gently undulating country affords ample natural
drainage. A plentiful supply of wood for fuel can be obtained from the
mountain a few miles to the east. We expect to have a post office opened
at Arlington Beach and Westwyn this spring, although the first settler in
the township only located in June, of 1903. I have now got over 500 acres
of land, and have no hesitation, after a residence of twenty-five years in
Western Canada, in saying that I consider this one of the best parts of the
country I have seen, and I am well acquainted with the most favored
localities for wheat growing."

Mr. Hugh McFarlane, of Park River, North Dakota, says : " I settled
in Last Mountain Valley in May, 1903. I broke up the prairie in June and
sowed oats on the sod. Even this extremely crude way of farming pro-
duced a fair crop of oats, the heads of oats being extremely heavy, many
of them being eighteen inches long, and containing over 250 kernels. I
consider that I am better off with my i6o-acre farm than with my 800
acres in Dakota."

All these settlers will be only too pleased to answer any letters of
enquiry they may receive regarding the district and to give any informa-
tion in their power. Letters to them should be at present addressed to
Strassburg Post Office, Assjniboia.

PROSPECTS OF THE SETTLEMENT

There is already an old established settlement of about one hundred
and twenty families in the district, and according to the Government

15

i6

officials at Regina and Yorkton, about 2,000 families have taken up land
in the district during the last year. All these new-comers will be cultiva-
ting their land this year, and, as they are all practical farmers, will make
the district one of the most prosperous in Western Canada in a very short
time. New settlors are mostly from the United States (North Dakota,
Minnesota and Wisconsin supplying the largest number). A large number
from Southern and Central Manitoba and the Winnipeg District have also
located there, knowing from their past experience in Canada that, as soon
as railway facilities are provided, the Last Mountain District will become
one of the most valuable in the West. All these settlers are extremely
pleased with their lands and very confident of the future In a petition
totheC.P.R. dated Sept. gth, they say: "\Ve have no hesitation in express-
ing our belief from what we have seen of this district, that the Last
Mountain Valley, when fully developed as a wheat growing locality, will
be easily equal to the Indian Head country or Portage Plains." It should
be mentioned hen-, perhaps, that the Indian Head and Portage Districts
are considered the most fertile in the whole Dominion of Canada.

CROPS IN COUNTRY TRIBUTARY TO
LAST MOUNTAIN VALLEY

Alex. Wilson, of Pioneer, had 8,000 bushels of wheat and 2,300 bushels
of oats. His summer-fallow wheat averaged 40 bushels.

N. T. Alcock, of Eastview, threshed 4,000 bushels of wheat off 150
acres, and 50 acres of a volunteer crop yielded 500 bushels. Off 50 acres
he had 3.500 bushels of oats, six acre.-> of which was summer-fallow and
yielded 720 bushels, or an average of 120 bushels per acre. This is the
largest yield per acre yet reported. Part of his wheat went 25 bushels
per acre and part 40.

Robert McCartney had 5,160 bushels of wheat off 180 acres, an
average of 28 bushels all round.

Andrew Moffatt, of Clinton, has 6,900 bushels of wheat off 170 acres,
an average ot over 40 bushels per acre. One strip of ten acres yielded
exactly 500 bushels — the best yield reported. Thirty acres of oats
averaged 80 bushels. His brother, John Moffatt has 5,080 bushels ol wheat
off 1 20 acres, an average of over 42 bushels all round. Off 16 acres of oats
he had about 1,600 bushels—another loo-bushel per acre field. Last spring
Andrew Moffatt sowed i|£ bushels of pure Red Fife wheat (obtained from
the Indian Head experimental farm) on two acres of land. This was very
light to sow and only a light yield was expected, but the two acres threshed
40 bags, or 80 bushels.

Andrew Dalgarno, of Pioneer, threshed 6,708 bushels of wheat off 172
acres, an average of exactly 39 bushels. Off 30 acres of oats he had 2,400
bushels.

James Coventry, of Drinkwater, had 2,200 bushels of wheat off 75
acres, and 2,200 bushels of oats off 30 acres. His son, Robert, had 1,200
bushels of wheat off 35 acres and 1,000 bushels of oats off 14 acres.

James W. Smith, whose farms are situated from four to seven miles
northeast of Moose Jaw, had probably the largest yield in that district last
year, having threshed 18,000 bushels of wheat off 500 acres, an average
of 36 bushels all around. Three hundred acres of summer-fallow averaged
40 bushels, and some must have gone 50 bushels. Eighty acres of oats
yielded 5,000 bushels.

17

IS

Winnipeg, Man., Aug. 4, 1904.

I have seen 125 bushels of oats to the acre threshed and I have seen
wheat sowed on spring breaking thresh out 35 bushels to the acre in the
Saskatchewan Valley.

A. W. ELLIOTT.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

\\V would strongly advise anyone wishing to locate in Canada to take
a trip and see the district. Write to us before leaving, and we will post
you thoroughly on the best way to see over the country. It may be taken
as a tact that ihe Last Mountain Valley offers such chances of early suc-
cess as are seldom met with — cheap, wonderfully fertile land, good climate,
excellent water supply, ample fuel, and the lowest taxes in the world.
All combine to make it a practical certainty that a settler in this district
will acquire prosperity and wealth with the minimum of labor.

The accompanying map shows the land for sale in the Last Mountain
Valley. All land colored red is available, unless already sold. Prices
range from $9 per acre up. We have 500,000 acres from which a selection
can be made. On blocks of 5,000 acres we are willing to consider a
smaller price, if we have the joint handling of the land again with the
owner. If a company of farmers or a colonv wish to buy 5,000 acres Or
more near together, and will agree to cultivate same, we will make reason-
able concessions, and meet them in any other possible way. Write us if
there is any prospect of forming such a colony. Terms of payment, etc-,
on application to the owners.

WM. PEARSON & CO.

383 MAIN STREET

WINNIPEG, CANADA

BRANCH OFFICES :

REGINA, LUMSDEN &. ARLINGTON BEACH.

WM. PEARSON & CO

Winnipeg, Canada

HD The Last West

1790

H65L3

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY