AND THE OANADIAN NORTH-WEST. 11 



W. H. J. Swain, of Morris, had citrons weighin^^ 18 lbs. each. 



A. V. Beckstead, of Emerson, gives his experience as follows : Mangel-wurzel 

 weighing 271bs. each ; beets weighing 23 lbs. each ; cabbages weighing 49 lbs. each ; 

 onions weighing 1^ lbs. each. 



W. B. Hall, of Headingly, has raised beets weighing 20 lbs. each, and gives 

 the weight of his turnips generally at 12 lbs. each. 



Philip McKay, of Portage-la-Prairie, has had cabbages meamring 26 inches in 

 diameter solid head, and four feet with the leaves on. His onions have measured 

 16 inches in circumference, and cauliflower heads 19 inches in diameter, 



Jaa. Lawrie & Bro., of Morris, have produced turnips 30 inches in circum- 

 ference, onions 14 inches, and melons 30 inches. They had one squash which 

 measured about the same size as an ordinary flour barreL 



James Owens, of Point Du Ghene, had turnips 30 lbs. each, onions 14 inches 

 around, and cucumbers 18 inches long. 



Neil Henderson, of Cooks Creek, has raised 1000 bushels of turnips to the 

 acre, carrots live inches in diameter and 18 inches long, while his onions have 

 frequently measured 6 inches through. 



Jas. Bedford, of Emerson, has raised 1000 bushels of turnips to the acre. 



It must be remembered that none of the farmers mentioned above used any 

 special means to produce the results we have described, and out of nearly 200 

 reports received from settlers concerning the growth of roots and vegetables in the 

 Canadian North-west not one has been unfavourable. 



Are tbe Crops generally Sure? There are no insects, worms, 

 or blight to destroy crops ; no storms, no wet seasons. Spring is clear and dry, 

 June is wet when the crops are growing ; a wet harvest is almost unknown. Yes, 

 crops are sure in Manitoba. 



Are Fertilizers Required? Fertilisers are not used in the 



Canadian North-west, and common manure only sparingly. Indeed, the land is too 

 rich to bear it, at least for the first year or two ; some farmers contend that the 

 use of manure is apt to make the crops grow too rank. Bat the best plan is to use 

 manure in limited quantities after the second year, in order to prevent any 

 exhaustion of the land. 



l¥hat is tbe Quality of the Grain raised In 



Manitoba? I cannot answer this question better than by giving the following 

 certificate I received from a prominent gentleman who examined some ordinary 

 samples which I brought from there : 



VoirrKKAL, January 17, 1881 



I have examined aamplM of grain grown in Manitoba, sabmitted by Alexander Begg, of the 

 Canadian Pacific Railway. 



Tbe sample of Fife wheat is ipecially good, and Na 1 hard, which is the quality of wheat now 

 BO much sought after by millers. 



The barley, white and black oats, peas and beans shown are all of very superior quality, and 

 would oommand very high prices in tliia market A. MITCHELL, 



iVuideiU Corn Exchange A*$ociati«», MonirtdL 



How abont Price of Farm Labor? it is difficult to give definite 



information on this point There is no doubt it has been high, especially during 

 harvest time, when there is a great demand for men to take in the crops. But the 

 very large number of people ^oing into the country will undoubtedly tend to reduce 

 the scale of wages. One point, however, may be remembered, namely — the farmer 

 in Manitoba, with his 'mmeuse yield and fair prices, can afford to pay a compara- 

 tively high rate of wage&, and still find his farming very profitable. 



Do Farmers Prosper tbere ? They appear to do so, if one is to 



judge from the comfortable houses they build for themselves, and the fine farm 

 macninery they buy. In every farmhouse you find a sewing machine, in many the 

 vtgasi, and not a few can boast of pianos and other luxuries of a happy home. 



How about Dairy Farming ? The best plan in my opinion is for 

 a settler to carry on a combined grain and dairy farm. He then has always a sore 

 thing, and the splendid meadow lands of the North\vest, with the sweet |>rairie 

 grasses, are specially suited to the fattening of stock and produeticrn of the richest 

 milk and finest batter ia the world. 



