Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1901 — THE SASKATOON DISTRICT. [ARTICLE]

THE SASKATOON DISTRICT.

ONE OF THE NEW WESTERN CANADA DISTRICTS. The Great Advantages of Settlement Where the Sell la of Unexampled Fertility. During the past year or two a largo sumber of American settlers (those going from the United States to Canada), have made homes in the Saskatoon district in Western Canada. They have found the climate all that could be desired and their prospects are of the brightest. In writing of it a correspondent says: The lands for sale are choice selections from a large area, and every farm is within easy distance of a railway station. Experience has shown that this district enjoys immunity from sdmmer frost, from cyclones and blizzards. The South Saskatchewan, flowing through the tract, is one of the finest rivers in the country, being navigable and having an average width of stream of 1,000 feet The agents of the Canadian government, whose advertisement appears elsewhere in your paper and who will be pleased to furnish full information, tell me that within the limits of tho tract there are two distinct varieties of soil. One is a rich black loam, and the other is a somewhat lighter loam, containing a small admixture of sand. There appears to be no appreciable difference between the fertility of these two kinds of soil. Both are alluvial in their characteristics, both are marvelously productive, and both rest upon a subsoil of clay. The advantage of this formation is that it retains the heat of the day during the night, and is favorable to the early maturity of crops. Every kind of crop will here attain the highest perfection of quality. The land is admirably adapted for stock-raising and dairy farming, as well as growing grain. Some idea of the richness of the natural grasses of the prairie may be formed from the fact that more than 200 tons of hay were gathered within a short distance of Saskatoon and stored up for use during the winter. A growth so luxuriant demonstrates beyond all possible question the suitability of the land for pasturing cattle, and no doubt this important industry will be largely carried on. Nature has been lavish in her gifts to this territory. Not only is the soil of unexampl<»d fertility, but the climate is delightful and healthy. Such is the testimony of every settler, and this testimony is confirmed by enthusiastic opinions from every traveler, explorer, missionary or newspaper correspondent who has ever visited this farfamed Saskatchewan Valley. In former years vast herds of buffalo came here to winter from the elevated storm-swept regions south of the United States boundary line, proving thereby the adaptation of these rolling prairies to the purpose of raising stock. The land is dry, with sufficient, but not excessive raififall, capable of early cultivation in the spring, and free from summer frosts. The configuration of the country renders artificial drainage unnecessary, and prevents the accumulation of stagnant pools; mists and fogs are seldom i, The days of summer are full of sunshine, under the genial influence of which crops rapidly ripen. Autumn is characterized by an almost unbroken succession of fine weather, during which the crops are safely garnered. In winter it is cold, but extremely exhilarating and pleasant, owing to the wonderful dryness and bracing qualities of the air. The winter is a source of profit as well as enjoyment to the people, being far healthier than a humid climate. Water and fuel—these two prime necessaries of life are plentiful throughout the district.