Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 158, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1915 — BOUNTIFUL PROMISE FROM WESTERN CANADA [ARTICLE]

BOUNTIFUL PROMISE FROM WESTERN CANADA

Average Increase of Acreage in Wheat Over 22 Per Cent Wheat Acreage Province. Increase. Saskatchewan 25 per cent Alberta 32% per cent Manitoba 15 per cent Average for prairies... .22% per cent Saskatchewan. The growth of the crop during the past week was very satisfactory. Rain fell In many places during the early part of the week, followed by warmer weather, which has been most beneficial to the grain. Breaking and sum-mer-fallowing were well under way. and conditions generally were most promising. The following reports have been received by the department from the various centers: Denholm—A little rain needed in the northern part to start late grain; remainder of district plenty of moisture. Davidson —Ideal growing weather; a few farmers harrowing grain to conserve moisture by breaking crust formed since last rain. North Battleford to Prince Albert — Good growing weather; crops looking well. Slight damage near North Battleford from cutworms; recent rains beneficial Klndersley—Crops looking fine and prospects good; plenty of moisture, with prospects of more rain Every slough In this country is full. Prince Albert —Crops in fair condition, though cutworms and light frosts have done damage in some sections. Have had moderate quantity ot rain. Owing to prompt marketing of the harvest of 1914. the farmers were enabled to devote more time than usual to cultivation in the autumn, under conditions which were decidedly favorable, and that, combined with the opportunities for soil preparation presented by an early spring this year, has resulted In the seeding of a wheat area estimated at twenty-five per cent greater than last year. Areas sown to oats and flax may be less than last year, because of the concentration upon the cereal in greater demand for export. Wheat seeding was completed eight days earlier than the average, under almost ideal conditions. Alberta.

"Prospects excellent. Abundant moisture throughout the province, following rain. Area thirty to thirty-five per cent greater. Crop generally two weeks earlier.” Attention Is drawn to the fact that the land has not been in such fine condition to work tor years; neither has there been as much moisture as there was last autumn. This was protected during the winter by a little more than the average snowfall, which remained on the land, not being removed by the warm Chinook winds, as is usually the case. There never has been a more optimistic feeling than exists today, Judging by the information received from various parts of the province. We feel Justified in saying that the crop never went in under more favorable circumstances; weather splendid and land particularly well While it is true that the acreage will be greatly increased, it is pleasing to team that, despite the high price of feed, the receipts of milk and cream at the dairies continue to keep up, and that the output of the creameries has Increased In quantity. One of the most encouraging things In last year's work was the Increase of practically thirty per cent In the output of cream and butter south of garyManitoba, Owing to the exceptionally early harvest last year and favorable fall weather, a much larger acreage of land was prepared than usual, and partly tor the same reason and the prospests of high prices for all kinds of grain, farmers took more pains In the preparation of land, so that the spring opened up with 1,235.000 acres of fully prepared land above the previous year. Seeding was general by the 7th of April, some days in advance of the average. Since that time the weather has been exceptionally favorable for the sowing of wheat, and the farmers have taken full advantage of It Much of the crop is now above the surface. There has been a very general and liberal rainfall; this will hasten the germination of the recently sown wheat and will prevent the soil from drifting off the later sown crop. The area sown in wheat is fully 15 per cent greater than last year. To sum up the agricultural situation generally, the Department of Agriculture says: “The area is larger than usual, the land has been well prepared, and the wheat has been sown at the right time; not so early as to run the risk of being killed off by frost, but sufficiently early to insure its ripening in the fall.”—Advertisement