36 COMMISSIONOFCONSERVATION 



not a matter which can be regarded with complacency, especially 

 in view of the extent of the agricultural areas, on which large sums 

 have been spent for development, still unused, in close proximity 

 to railways and towns. Where there is good land lying idle 

 in the vicinity of existing means of transportation, and in 

 a state of partial improvement, it is unsound either to con- 

 tinue to import what might be produced on such land or to 

 spend money in new equipment to open up remote regions which can 

 be allowed to wait till the equipment already available is put to greater 

 use. This is an additional reason for encouraging greater production 

 and the settlement of more population in the older parts of the pro- 

 vinces near to railways and towns. The fact that most of this terri- 

 tory has been alienated from the Crown presents a difficulty in con- 

 nection with its more intensive settlement and improvement; but it 

 is not an insuperable difficulty and it should be faced. 



If the figures in the above tables regarding production 

 are attainable under present conditions how much greater may 

 production become with proper organization and with the fuller 

 opportunities which are capable of being provided? How much 

 greater might have been the production in past years if the 

 rural population had not been attracted in such large numbers 

 to other lands, and how much greater may it be in future if we make 

 a real effort to conserve our population and to artificially increase 

 the fertility of the soil. As the Chairman of the Commission of Con- 

 servation has pointed out, Canada is in need of intelligent applica- 

 tion of scientific methods to increase output from the land if it is 

 going to successfully compete with other nations. Even in regard to 

 wheat, which is the staple product of the western lands, we only 

 produced an average of 22.29 bushels per acre in 1914 and 1915, as 

 against 32.25 bushels in Great Britain. 



The migration of the f arming f population has also resulted 

 in the desertion of the rural villages in many counties. In 

 Rural Life in Canada, "Rev. John McDougall refers to his early experi- 

 ence in the county of Grenville, where, 40 years ago, "each hamlet had 

 its corps of trained and skilled workmen, with sturdily built homes, 

 making the rich contribution to community life that skilled craftsmen 

 bring. The essential industries were everywhere represented. The 

 village had a fairly self sufficing economic life." The re-creation of 

 the rural village in the older counties and the creation of rural villages 

 in the new territory being opened up are needed to give stability to 

 rural life in Canada. 



