156 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



owned by a railway or land company are lying unoccupied and un- 

 fenced, on which anyone is at liberty to run stock ; and to the home- 

 steader who has gone out ahead of the railway and is waiting for 

 the day when he will be within marketable distance of it before 

 breaking up much land, this liberty is a great asset. Beginning 

 in a small way, by the end of four years he will find himself in 

 possession of quite a respectable bunch of stock representing a goodly 

 sum in hard cash. 



The following comparative table of shipments of stock from the 

 range provinces since 1903 indicates the terrible losses incurred 

 in the memorable winter of 1906-7, but in spite of this it also shows- 

 that up to 30th September last the provinces exported 13,500 more 

 head of stock than they did during all the year 1903, and doubtless, 

 the figures will again soon reach the high watermark of 1906. 



We had an opportunity of visiting the Crane Lake Ranch 

 belonging to the Canadian Land and Cattle Co., Ltd. At first sight 

 we could not help comparing the green hedge-girt fields and shady 

 pastures of the old country with the apparently boundless stretches- 

 of level or rolling prairie covered with short bent-like grass over 

 which the ranch stock roam. But we soon forgot the difference and 

 were lost in admiration of the feeding qualities of the prairie grass 

 which is capable of rearing and finishing cattle and has done much 

 to make the prairie regions a factor to be reckoned with in the 

 meat markets of the world. 



In ordinary circumstances one might visit a ranch and in the 

 short time at one's disposal see little or nothing of the cattle, 

 scattered as they usually are over many miles of country. At 

 Crane Lake, however, we were given a unique opportunity of seeing 

 a large herd of ranch cattle in the course of one day as the owners 

 of the ranch had sold all the stock and it was gathered within the 

 home pastures ready for shipment. Before, however, examining 

 the stock we examined the buildings. The commodious residence 

 of the manager, with its surrounding green hedge presented a note 

 of refinement and comfort. Near by stood the office with book- 

 keeper's house attached, behind which lay the garden, where praise- 

 worthy efforts were being made to grow everything from potatoes 

 to tomatoes and citrons with doubtful results, for the hot Chinook 

 winds play havoc with garden crops in the arid regions. After a 

 passing visit to the living rooms of the foreman and cowboys, and 

 to the dining-room, where generous meals are prepared for men 

 hungry from six hours in the saddle, we got to the rear of the main 

 buildings, which form a hollow square enclosing a large yard, in 



