Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 164, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 July 1914 — WESTERN CANADA’S NATURAL RESOURCES [ARTICLE]

WESTERN CANADA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

PETROLEUM, NATURAL GAS, COAL ANO FARM LANDS. The developments that have taken place recently in the oil and gas fields of Western Canada have but added another to the many previous evidences that have been produced, showing the great wealth that has been an unknown asset for so many generations. The latest reports from the oilfields at Calgary show that there is a production there that would appear to equal the best paying fields on the Continent. Experts have been on the ground for some time. It Is said that one of the wells is able to produce 2,000 gallons an hour. If this Is so there are but about a dozen wells In the world of greater production. During the past week discoveries of surface Indications have been made which show that oil exists over a considerable portion of Alberta and Saskatchewan, while in Manitoba there have also been showings. At Battleford, Saskatchewan, a few days ago discoveries were made which led to the filing for leases .on twenty thousand acres of land, all having strong surface indications. Companies were formed to carry on immediate work, and in a couple of months, or probably less, the story will be told whether oil exists in paying quantities. But there are also the coal deposits and the natural gas deposits that are helping, to make of Western Canada one of the wealthiest portions of the continent With the grain fields covering these hidden riches it is no wonder that a continued range of optimism Is to bo seen everywhere. Early reports of seeding of all grains being successfully completed all over the country are followed by reports of excellent and strong growth everywhere. During the first week In June most of the wheat had reached a growth of from twelve to twenty inches, with the most even appearance, almost universally, that has been seen for years. Oats appeared equally well, and covered the ground In a way that brought the broadest kind of a grin to overspread the farmer’s countenance.

Barley, a favorite with the hog raisers, had taken good root, and was crowding oats for a first place, as to length of shoot Cultivated fodder grasses are getting great attention, as a consequence of the inclination to go more largely Into mixed farming, and the* raising of hogs, cattle and horses. The weather is reported fine, just what is needed, and if present favorable eonditions continue, the grata, crop of Western Canada, for 1914 will be the largest average in the history of the country.