53 



young avenues had made good progress and that the trees and shrubs generally 

 wfere making satisfactory growth. One of the most striking features from this 

 distant view was a field of Ladoga wheat, which extended from the base of one of 

 the gradually-rising blufiB on the valley bank some distance up its side. Part of it 

 was cut, and that which was standing was of that warm brown colour which indi- 

 cated ripeness, while the other varieties on either side appeared comparatively green. 



On closer inspection everything was found to be progressing satisfactorily. The 

 grain crops were nearly all more or less lodged, as the result of a severe rain and 

 wind storm which had occurred a day or two previous. The straw was long and 

 the heads heavy, which prevented most of the grain from rising again, and thus 

 somewhat lessened the yield. The returns, notwithstanding, are exceedingly good. 

 The forest belts and young fruit trees were carefully examined and notes taken of 

 the most promising sorts. The barn and stable was completed and ready for occu- 

 pation. Several of the most useful breeds of stock have since been supplied, which 

 makes this now one of the most interesting and instructive features of the farm work. 

 The superintendent's residence was also finished, and was occupied shortly after. 



A constantly increasing interest is manifested by the farmers of Manitoba in the 

 operations going on at this farm, and the number of visitors who go there to gain 

 information and experience each year is now very large. The experimental work 

 carried on under Mr. Bedford's superintendence is favourably spoken of on all hands, 

 and the experiments tried from year to year are proving a valuable guide to the 

 farming community. 



VISIT TO MELITA. 



The day after my arrival in Brandon, the Souris section of the western division 

 of the Canadian Pacific Railway was opened, and by kind invitation of the assistant 

 superintendent, Mr. J. Murray, I was privileged to travel with the first regular train 

 as far as Melita, 66^ miles from Brandon. For the first 8 miles to Kenmay the 

 train runs over the main line, then turning south 16 miles brings the traveller to the 

 Souris river, whose wooded banks lend a charm to the scenery. Another 14 miles 

 brought us to Hartney, one of the new towns recently started, and after journeying 

 26 miles further, Melita, the present terminus, was reached. This town, which was 

 said to be only one year old, had a population of about 300, and seemed to be growing 

 rapidly. Through the courtesy of one of its enterprising residents, Mr. G. L. Dodds, 

 I was driven to see several of the neighbouring farms, where the crops gave promise 

 of an excellent yield. The country looked well the whole length of the route ; most 

 of the land seemed to be good, and settlement was progressing rapidly. Several 

 new towns seen along the line, from two weeks to two or three months old, were 

 struggling rapidly through theii- babyhood ; most of them could boast of an elevator 

 built or building, and one or more stores, surrounded by dwellings of that diversified 

 character so general in the newly -established towns of the west. 



INDIAN HEAD. 



On the 20 th of August the farm for the North- West Territories was reached, where 

 the field and garden crops, the forest trees and fruits were examined, and their con- 

 dition and progress recorded. The grain was all standing well, and gave promise of 

 an abundant harvest, but in consequence of the moisture of the soil, resulting from 

 an unusual rainfall and cool damp weather, the grain was from a week to ten days 

 later than usual. For this reason some of the crops did not ripen early enough to 

 entirely escape the frost, although it did not reach this district until about two weeks 

 after it had occurred in Manitoba. A very large proportion, however, of the grain 

 ripened here before frost. 



The forest trees planted in blocks and shelter belts are making good progress, 

 but are not growing so rapidly as those at Brandon, The results of the tests of 

 fruit trees have not thus far been very encouraging ; but most varieties of small 

 fruits grow well in the rich soil found here, and many of them are proving hardy. 



