Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1901 — AN INHERITANCE IN WESTERN CANADA. [ARTICLE]

AN INHERITANCE IN WESTERN CANADA.

Indian Reservation* and Other Nbu Metricts to Be Opened Lp This Year. In the Great Saskatchewan Valley and the Fertile Plains of Assiniboia. To the Editor, Dear Sir: The past three or four years have demonstrated to a large number of Americans the value of the grain-growing and ranching lands of Western Canada. Tens of thousands have taken advantage or the offer made—by the Canadian government as well as of the exceedingly low prices asked for lands by the railway, colonization and other companies. The experience of those who have been settled there for some little time is of a highly gratifying character. So much so that the Canadian government, who has control of the immigration into Western Canada, has decided to open up some new districts this year in the well known Saskatchewan Valley and also in the fertile plains of Assiniboia. These Districts are probably the most productive in the entire West and in close touch to largely settled communities as well as being situated on some of the most important. lines of railway. They are within easy reach of markets, schools, churches and other social advantages. in some of these districts lands may be homesteaded as well as purchased outright at very low prices. Now as to what can be done on these lands. The evidence of the settlers in the neighborhood of the lands now about to be opened for settlement (some of them being located in one of the best Indian Reservations) goes to show that the very best results have followed even most indifferent methods. Cases are given where farmers having gone there with most limited means, barely enough to erect a small house and break up a little land, have in three or four years time become prosperous, all debts paid and money in the bank. The soil in the Districts mentioned, Assiniboia and Saskatchewan, is a rich black loam, fifteen inches to three feet deep. As a settler says, "It appears like the accumulation of decayed vegetation and ashes for centuries (the sub-soil is a stiff, putty clay).” On this soil it is possible to raise from 40 to 50 bushels of wheat to the acre, oats 75 to 100 bushels, all of which bring good prices at the local market. For mixed farming these new districts are probably among the best in Western Canada. Stock fatten easily on the wild grasses. Hay is plentiful, and prices splendid. Another settler writing to a friend in lowa says: "'rhe climate is all that could be desired, plenty-of rainfall in summer, with-no hot,, dry winds.’ On the 28th of September I saw prairie flowers in full bloom, sweet corn, potato and tomato vines that had not been touched a particle with frost, and the winters are milder than those in the State from which I came. After the holidays the Winter sets in clear and cold, with plenty of snow for good sleighing; no high winds or blizzards are known. Horses live out all winter and pick their own living, while cattle live all winter in open sheds and around the hay ricks. Wheat, oats and barley are the principal grain crops. Potatoes and all other roots and vegetables do well, the yield being enormous as compared to those in the States. Wild fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, gooseberries and all varieties of currants yield in abundance. As a reader of your valuable paper for a number of years, 1 feel that I should inform you of the progress and advancement being made in Canada within the past few years, and the inducements and advantages that will follow settlement in Western Canada. Those who desire information can do. as I did, and apply to any Agent od the Canadian Government, whose name I see appears in advertisements appearing elsewhere in the columns of your paper, and when writing ask particularly about the Saskatchewan Valley or Assiniboia Districts. Yours truly, Old Reader."