136 THROUGH CANADA 



and stretching to the international boundary-line, is 

 occupied chiefly by ranchers. It is especially suited 

 to the rearing of cattle on account of the abundance 

 of " buffalo grass." This is a short herbage on 

 which cattle can thrive all the year without any other 

 fodder. The Cypress Hills constitute a sheltered area 

 admirable for stock farming. What is known as the 

 " Chinook " wind, which blows from the Pacific ocean 

 across the Rockies, prevails in that locality, and is 

 advantageous. 



Between the north and south branches of the 

 Saskatchewan River lie vast prairie lands, which in 

 due season are likely to yield extensive crops. So 

 far it is only a vast area of possibilities. Its soil is 

 rich in the ingredients which nourish wheat plants ; 

 the climate is dry, and there is an absence of insect 

 pests. Flax cultivation is very profitable, and crops 

 can be relied upon from the first year. One notices 

 these all along the railway track. In the great 

 forest belt beyond the Qu'appelle River, there are 

 areas suited to the raising of live stock or mixed 

 farming. In the central division of the province, 

 cattle and sheep require sheltering for the winter 

 months, and sheep succeed best in small flocks. 



The official returns indicate the growth of these 

 and other industries. The Dominion census for 

 1901 reports 217,053 cattle and in 1906, 472,854, an 

 increase of 255,801 in five years ; 300,000 lbs. of wool 

 are shipped every year. 



