THE CALL OF 1916 



W. E. SCOTT, Deputy Minster of Agriculture, Victoria, B.C. 



The year 1916 still sees us in the midst of a titanic conflict, in which autocracy 

 and despotism are engaged in a death struggle with honour, justice and liberty. Whilst 

 the ultimate outcome must undoubtedly be the triumph of right, our British Empire 

 may yet have to undergo many heavy sacrifices before the bright sunshine of peace 

 breaks through the lowering war clouds. 



We are all asking ourselves how we may best serve our Empire. The farmers 

 of Canada have, during the past year, done nobly, and through the disposition of a 

 bountiful Providence, our stock and fields have largely increased their output. 



It is, however, our duty not to relax our efforts, but rather to redouble them, so 

 that the Motherland and our Allies may know that they can look to Canada with 

 confidence for the necessary grains and meats to feed their men at the front and their 

 women and children at home. 



Through proper organization, a large output has been effected in Canada of 

 munitions of war. Assistance of great importance has been rendered in this way. 

 It is, however, still more important that those of us on the land in Canada who, for one 

 cause or another, may not have the privilege of serving their country at the front, 

 should use every effort to increase production. By so doing, our farmers at home are 

 as surely contributing towards the successful termination of the war as are our brave 

 soldiers in the trenches in Flanders and elsewhere, and our sailors on the high seas. 



Shall Great Britain look to us in vain? A thousand times No. Our farmers 

 will not be found wanting. They will grow more grain and raise more stock, and 

 thereby each will do his share towards crushing once and for all, the present nightmare 

 of civilization — Prussian militarism. 



Farmers, remember the fate of Belgium, Servia, and Poland. Remember the 

 Lusitania and the martyred Edith Cavell, and there will be no doubt as to what your 

 answer will be. Once more respond to the call for increased production. 



PROSPECTS IN WEST 



Favourable Conditions for Crops and Live Stock 



Mr. George Lane of Calgary, perhaps the largest individual farmer and rancher 

 in western Canada, stated in an interview in the press recently that, while the 

 amount of land under summer fallow, ready for the crop of 1916, is less than the 

 prepared area a year ago, the land was so well cultivated in the fall of 1914 and the 

 spring of 1915, that it is able to hold the present abundant supply of moisture, and 

 really make conditions quite favourable for the crops of the coming season. 



In comparison with a year ago, the farmers of the west, Mr. Lane attests, are 

 infinitely better prepared to-day to commence operations on the land when the spring 

 season opens. "They have plenty of everything to start with this year," said he, "lots 

 of good seed, which was so scarce in 1915, and any amount of good feed for live stock. 



"I have never seen the ground in better shape in thirty years to receive the crop 

 than it is now. If we have a good spring season with an early opening, depend upon 

 it, a mighty big crop will go into the ground in all three western Provinces." 



Taking all kinds of live stock into consideration, Mr. Lane says that 1915 was the 

 best year in 25 years in western Canada. "For instance," said he, "hogs have been 

 at the unprecedented figure in Calgary of $8.50 to $9 per cwt., and we have had 

 buyers competing in Alberta for stock, from Vancouver, Seattle, Winnipeg, Minneapolis 

 and Chicago, and we have sent any number of hogs to Toronto." 



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