Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1907 — CROP CONDITION IN WESTERN CANADA. [ARTICLE]

CROP CONDITION IN WESTERN CANADA.

- ____ t- . Lateness of Spriac Overcome by Excellent Growing gammer Season. Once more the farmers of Western Canada rest at ease and grow rich while they slumber. Their season of anxiety is over. For a time It looked as though the backward season was for _ once prevent the western coun-,_ try from maintaining Its pre-eminent position as leader of the grain growing - countries of the world. The Unusual lateness of the spring, coupled with the rapid advance In the price of foodstuffs, gave the pessimists some reason for their gloomy forebodings and among even the optimistic Westerners Imbued, as they usually are, with a spirit of buoyancy and hope, there - commenced to glimmer a fear that perhaps thra'yearr~fEetr ‘BaTrgulu« -exi>ec-” tations were not to be realized. On May day, when a large proportion of wheat has usually been sown, there was this year very little seeding done. Finally, however, winter, which had Tarried so late“Tn the lap oT in all parts of the Continent vanished before the vertical rays of the sun, and the hurry and bustle of spring work commenced on the western prairies. By the 20th of May 83 per cent of the spring wheat was sown and the fall wheat in the districts devoted to Its cultivation was covering the fields with ’ a mantle of green. Wheat sowing finished on May 30th, and by June 10th, the coarser grains were also In the ground. The heavy snowfall during the winter left the ground In excellent shape when once seeding operations commenced, and from the time weather conditions permitted the commencement of work until planting was completed, the farmers were a busy class. The area in wheat is not much larger than last year but oats, barley and flax are much In excess of past records, the farmers deeming it wiser on account of the lateness of the season to put In a heavier proportion of the coarser gr’ains. From the most reliable reports to hand It appears that the acreage as compared with 190 G will show an increase of 12 per cent In oats, 19 per cent in barley and 13 per cent In flax. Around Okotoks, High River, Nanton, Claresholm and other winter wheat centers, if the present weather conditions continue, the winter wheat will be In head by the middle of July. The backward weather In the early part of May allowed the newly-sown grain to get a firm root in the ground . and now, with an abundance of moisand warm weather, the growth is remarkable. All danger of injury from droughts Is practically over, as the green crop covers the ground, retaining the moisture required for its growth, and preventing the too rapid evaporation which might otherwise take place. Crops in Western Canada mature in one hundred days of good weather, aftd as the weather conditions have been ideal since seeding, and with spring ■wheat now from 14 to 18 inches above the ground, a full average crop is confidently expected. In addition to the cheering prospects of this year’s yield the farmers are to be congratulated on the fact that they still have in their possession five million bushels of wbfat from last year's crop which they are now disposing of at high prices. The splendid yield of 90,000,000 bushels of wheat raised In 190 G in the three provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan .and Alberta, together with-the almost certain assurance that this year will ace a considerable Increase, is, as in the past, calling the attention of the world to the “Last Best West,” and thousands from United States and the agricultural districts of Europe are each month securing free grant lands or purchasing farms in the land which has proved itself peerless among grain growing countries of the world.