Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1914 — WESTERN CANADA’S STRONG POSITION [ARTICLE]

WESTERN CANADA’S STRONG POSITION

"THE WHEAT GRANARY OF THE WORLD," A WELL APPLIED TERM.

Western Canada occupies a stronger posftion today than it ever has occur pied. Taking one year with another; the efficiency of its lands to produce has been well proved. It has not been said of it that year in and year out there were bumper and bounteous crops. If such a condition existed it would be phenomenal In the history of any country. With' an extensive territory producing g*ain, hogs, cattle and sheep, of some 800 miles wide and 1,000 miles long, it is easy to conceive of a wide variation In temperature and climate; thereto variation in rainfall &hd snowfall; every section is not the best in the diftyirit —some are better than others and some worse, but as a general thing, the great percentage is “better.” This past year has shown that some portions are not altogether immune from periods of drought The same may be said of adjoining states to the south. But this year has also shown that in the greater portion of Western Canada drought does not appear, but even in the drought-stricken area of this year, past years have shown that the soil produces wonderfully well and even this year, with modern methods, known as “dry-farming,” good crops were harvested. The large number of Americans who during the past sixteen years have been attracted to Canada have not gone simply because of the advertising of that country, but because their friends and their oldtime neighbors have done well there, and with careful and judicious farming almost everyone has done well. As a result of the great influx of immigration the open or prairie homesteading area is being rapidly taken up. The fact that this is so is evidence that Western Canada lands are productive, and on. these open plains today are to be seen the homes of successful farmers from almost state in the Union. They have earned their patents, own outright their 160 acres of land, together probably with an adjoining 160 acres, which they have purchased or preempted, all of which is worth from $25 to S3O per acre. They originally started by growing grains altogether, but they found that they could secure a better price for much of their grain by feeding it to hogs and cattle, and the most successful ones are those who have followed this course.

But to meet the wants of the newcomer a new homestead area has been opened up, known as the “park country.” In this park country are to-be found beautiful groves of poplar and willow, small lakes and streams, with sufficient open area to enable one to go Into immediate cultivation of crop, and in due time when they wish more land to be put under cultivation, they may at small cost cut down some of the groves, which' in the moantime have been valuable in providing fuel and in giving shelter to cattle. Notwithstanding the high character of the open prairie lands and the fact that farmers there have realized In a splendid way, there is the opinion backed up by a lot of experfeqce that this parklike country contains soil even better than that of the open area referred to.

The opportunities, therefore, for money making are as great today as they ever were. The opportunities for carrying on farming successfully are fully as great as they ever were. Of this park area we have an immense quantity of land yet to be settled. It is true that the railroads have not yet penetrated these districts to the extent that they have the open area, but this will come and as settlements advance, so will railroads build. For the present there is a temporary lull In railroad building, but it Is always the case that where there is a demand there will come a supply, and it will not be long before the park Country will be penetrated by railroads that will give sufficient accommodation for all needs, but to those who prefer it there are lots of opportunities for purchasing land nearer towns and villages 9 and at low prices and on easy terms.

Whether one! cares to purchase or homestead it can better be done by paying a visit to.the country and it will repay ypu to spend some little time visiting' the different districts. — Advertisement