Agricultural <X industrial {Irpgrrae in Canute 

 Published Monthly. Free on request. 



It_wM be appreciated by the Department if editors and 

 writers using matter from this Bulletin will quote source. 



Norman S. Rankin, Editor of Publications. 

 E. L. Chicanot, Asst. Editor. 



General Agricultural Situation 



By G. H. Htitton, Supt. of Agriculture and Animal 

 Industry, C. P. R., Calgary. 



The Prairie Provinces, July 15th. Speaking gen- 

 erally crop conditions on the Prairies this year are 

 above the average. The Province of Manitoba and 

 the greater part of Saskatchewan have enjoyed 

 liberal rainfall throughout the growing season. The 

 Northern and Central districts of Alberta are good, 

 but more particularly the Northern section. Southern 

 Alberta and South-western Saskatchewan were un- 

 usually dry up to July first, when 'the drouth was 

 broken by fairly general rains throughout this area. 

 During the first week in July these rains represented 

 a total precipitation of from one to two and a half 

 inches in many districts. There are however, a few 

 areas where the rainfall has not been as heavy where 

 more rain is still greatly needed While there are 

 certain districts in these drier areas which may not 

 realize a half crop even with favourable conditions 

 from now on, yet taking the whole of the drier area 

 into consideration a fifty per cent, crop is expected. 

 Based on present quotations for October delivery 

 the grain price outlook is fairly satisfactory. It 

 cannot 'be said however, that the outlook for prices 

 of livestock is as satisfactory as the price for 

 cereals. While the price of wheat is less than half 

 the quotation of a year ago, yet with the somewhat 

 reduced costs in connection with crop production, 

 the future is not altogether disappointing. The price 

 of good cattle is mot only low, but at present the 

 demand is not at all keen for the best stock. Much 

 of the stock has been produced at great expense and 

 a three-year old steer which is going to market this 

 fall has been produced under conditions of unusually 

 high feed and labour costs. Such stock when mar- 

 keted this season will represent a very heavy loss. 



Livestock. In the case of sheep and hogs the 



outlook is better, though the fluctuations in live 



hogs in Western markets indicate a very panicky 

 situation. 



Heavy horses are in fairly good demand, but 

 light horses cannot be sold. The situation at pres- 

 ent would indicate that the man who is breeding the 

 right type of horse, or who is handling the right 

 type of sheep or hogs has a good chance -to win out. 

 In respect to cattle it would appear that it is absol- 

 utely necessary for us to find a more satisfactory 

 market for our finished beef than is available at the 

 present time. 



British Columbia, July 18th. The season's first 

 crop estimate by the District Horticulturist for frui't 

 districts from C.P.R. main line to Keremeos shows 

 big increase over previous -predictions. Prefacing 

 estimate, Government states that report is justified 

 owing to quick development of fruit and close check 

 that has been made throughout valley. A total of 

 4019 cars is given for apples compared with 1800 cars 

 last year and 2800 in 1919 which was bumper crop 

 year in the Okanagan Valley. Fruit shippers are not 

 worrying over market problems pointing out that the 

 prairie consumption is increasing and that prices are 

 less than those prevailing during the war. Steady 



demand for apples from overseas, from New York 

 and Eastern and Canadian markets. The following 

 is summary for all province; Apples, 10% over 1920; 

 peaches, fair to good crop; plums, 90% of full crop; 

 pears, generally good; cherries, Sour, fair crop; 

 Sweet, very poor; apricots, raspberries, equal to last 

 year, good crop; currants, good crop; loganberries, 

 50% in excess of last year; potatoes, 4% less than last 

 year; onions, 50% less than 1920. 



Ontario, July 15. Department of Agriculture re- 

 ports fall wheat and rye nearly average yield; spring 

 grains are being forced by great heat prevailing for 

 weeks and are unlikely to head out well. Straw 

 short. Weather excellent for corn but more rain re- 

 quired. Roots crops fair; potatoes fair; apples and 

 pears medium in yield but peaches and grapes prom- 

 ising better and will be about two weeks early on 

 account warm weather. 



Quebec, July 14th. Minister of Agriculture re- 

 ports prospects not bright owing lack of moisture, 

 Hay crop 50% less than last year; cereals little straw 

 and short crop of grain; potatoes limited. Recent 

 rains have improved conditions. Apples and fruit 

 excellent. 



New Brunswick, July 18th. Provincial Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture reports that all garden and field 

 crops have suffered from prolonged drought but are 

 showing much improvement since recent rain. Con- 

 ditions now more encouraging than any time this 

 season. Hay crop 75% of normal. 



Nova Scotia, July 15th. Department of Agricul- 

 ture reports drought all parts excepting south shore. 

 Reduced hay crop yield cannot exceed. 75% of last 

 year. All other crops promising. Rain falling 

 heavily. Apples promise same yield as last year. 

 Annapolis Valley advises exceptionally dry weather 

 until today's rain. Strawberries short; ihay short; 

 apples and potatoes promise heavy yield. 



Livestock. The livestock market has been a bit 

 "draggy" recently with a tendency downwards in 

 prices owing to the long continued spell of dry 

 weather which has driven every o-n>e who could go, to 

 the country and 'thus lessened the consumption of 

 meat. The cooler weather during this week end 

 however has changed this and the market is strong 

 with plenty of sellers and buyers. Although the ban 

 upon the importation of cattle into Great Britain has 

 not yet been removed, the exportation of cattle from 

 the Port of Montreal is showing an activity that has 

 not been seen for many years. Since the opening 

 of navigation this year, there have been shipped 

 7,574 cattle and 1884 sheep. 



Fifty Years Agricultural Production 



The vast fertile plains of Canada, the 

 world's largest potential grain producing area, 

 has predestined the Dominion to a future of 

 the greatest agricultural prosperity and agri- 

 culture has never ceased to maintain a sub- 

 stantial lead over other activities of the land. 

 Despite the priority of establishment secured 

 by the fur trade, the rapidity of increase in 

 manufacturing, the greater exploitation of 

 forest and mine, agriculture by her giant 

 strides of progress has kept well in the lead, 

 for after all, with agriculture the fundamental 

 of national development the progress of other 

 phases are reflections of the movement of the 

 prime industry. And still there are millions 



142 



