Mr. W. H. Demj) iters liepjrt. 33 



the beautiful soil we were walking and driving over. Among tho 

 fine samples brought to us were wheat, oats, barley, turnips, potatoes, 

 tomatoes, carrots, &c., the size and quality of which we were agreeably 

 surprised to see, grown as they were without manure. Thinking, 

 perhaps, that they were picked samples, 1 examined stooks in diEEerent 

 fields, and actually found a better sample of barley than that brought to 

 us ; another sample I found equal to it— and that was grown on Birtle 

 Side Farm, near Birtle, Manitoba, the property of Major-Gen. H. C. 

 Wilkinson, O.B. I do not consider roots a successful crop to be 

 raised for fodder in the North-West. In Silver Creek, Manitoba, 

 however, a fine sample was seen — by far the best to the east of tlie 

 Rocky Mountains. In all the provinces farmers seem thoroughly 

 satisfied with their farms, each one declaring that he had struck 

 upon the Garden of Canada — which proves contentment. I do not 

 mean to say that there are no exceptions, but the complaints usually 

 come from persons who had not had any, or much, experience of farming 

 before emigrating. . (,\ 



All along the Canadian Pacific Railway, Nature in 

 The Canadian all its gi-andeur and variety is seen. The "Rockies"' 

 Pacific Railway. are indescribable. Suffice it to say that the four 



seasons of the year may be observed at one glance. 

 At the foot, the sheltered valleys and warm sulphur springs give the 

 spectator an idea of early summer ; then, again, a little higher may be 

 seen the beautiful autumn tints; the maple trees, with their leaves 

 quite crimson, dotted among green and yellow ferns and white rocks, 

 make a lovely scene; and, to complete the picture, the tops of the 

 " Rockies " are oft^n coated with ice and snow. Also, the clearness 

 of the different mountain streams which flow into the Fraser River 

 was very noticeable. 



It has been said by some people that the United 

 Canada and the States are more prosperous and successful in agri- 

 United States. cultural pursuits than Canada, but I beg to dih'er 



very much with them. The following figures (which 

 I took notes of) will bear me out : — 



'>'■■■ Cheese (June and October), "World's Fair, Chicago. 



' ' • United States . . . . Out of 598 exhibits, 54 awards. 



*; i Canada ,,687 „ 607 „ 



I "li 50 per cent, of all money prizes were taken by Canada. 

 ": j'-ui *-! At New Westminster (British Columbia) we were much 

 New impressed with the agricultural exhibition (which we vvei-e 



Westminster, fortunate enough to witness) ; every branch of industry 

 . .' was represented by specimensof an excellent kind. When 



on the island of Vancouver, we were again surprised to see the wealth 

 of the land — fine rich soil, first-class fruit, very fine trees, and plenty 

 of good coal : but in conversation with an officer in Her Majesty's Navy, 

 I was told that the coal is not equal to that of South Wales for naval 

 requirements — that is, for steaming purposes — although its quality for 

 ordinary purposes is praised. In case of war, this coast may prove 

 advantageous to England for embarkation of troops to the East, «fcc., 

 should the Sue/ Canal become blocked. 



