Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1905 — A COUNTRY THAT IMPROVES ON ACQUAINTANCE. [ARTICLE]

A COUNTRY THAT IMPROVES ON ACQUAINTANCE.

Crop Cohditiona in Western Canada Were Never Better than They Arm To-day. In order to secure the attention of the reader to any special article that is brought before the public it is often the custom to lead the reader on by the introduction of an interesting story until by one bold jump he is Intro-„ duced to the subject that It is desired shall be brought to his notice. This is not fair to the reader, and it is not the intention to do that in this article. It will discuss in the briefest way “Western Canada” and its possibilities for settlement. For the past six or seven years the government of the Dominion of Canada has talked of the resources of Western Canada to the readers of this and thousands of other papers throughout the United States. The quality of the soil was spoken of, the large area of fertile lands was discussed, the possibilities of the country as a grain-growing district were talked of, and the story of the success of farmers from the United States was told. The story is not yet an old one. The two hundred thousand from the United States, who have made Western Canada their home, who have taken advantage of the 160 acres of land that the government ogives free to actual settlers are telling the story to-day to their friends. They have proven the statements made through these columns, and by the government agents. They have produced from their lands twenty, thirty, forty and more bushels of wheat to the acre, and netted prolits ranging from three to ten and more dollars on every acre tilled. They have found the climate fully as good as they were told it would be, schools were convenient and easily organized, railways were not far distant, and markets close at hand. The social conditions were such as they chose to make them, and law and order were observed. Many of them bought land, because it was lowpriced and good, and hundreds of cases could be cited where the purchase price of the land was paid.out of the first crop. The writer knows of cases this year where the farmer, as a result of the yield on his farm, was put in a position that would enable him to increase his holdings three extra acres for every acre cropped and pay cash soy it. Is it any wonder that ohe grows enthusiastic when speaking about Western Canada? But what may be said of this year? We are now in a position to speak regarding it. The conditions throughout Manitoba and the new provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan have been remarkably favorable. Had conditions been no better than in past years, there would have been every cause for congratulation. We find, though, all previous records broken,' and that from a fout million acre crop of wheat there will be one hundred million bushels of a yield, or 25 bushels to the acre. Could anything better be desired? Covering the entire country the same splendid reports are being received. The following dispatch was sent by Mr. F. W. Thompson, Vice President of the Ogllvle Milling Co., one of the most careful grain men in America: “Have Just returned from covering “several hundred miles of the crop district- I never saw anything like it in “this country before. The average “yield and quality far exceeds our “earlier expectations. It Is an im“mense crop. The weather is extremely favorable.” Up to three weeks ago it was Mr. Thompson’s opinion that the frop would not reach general expectations. F. W. Thompson sends another telegram from Winnipeg to-night, saying that his estimate of the wheat crop Is now one hundred million bushels. Before he went west he thought it would fall considerably short of that figure. The moral of this story Is that there should be no hesitation In making a decision If you wish to better your condition; or, if you have a family of boys that you wish to become settled on farms, it Is a safe proposition to call upon the nearest authorized Canadian government agent, and get particulars as to most suitable districts and railway rates. *