viii Preface. 



various R^port^; they must be allowed to speak for tliemselves. They 

 ciciil with Canada as swn by practical agriculturists, and refer not only 

 to its advantages, but to its dinadvantagea, for no country is without 

 the latter in some shapt; or form. It may 8af«;ly be said, however, that 

 Canada has fewer drawl)acks than many other parts of the world ; and 

 this is \M)nn\ out by the favourable opinions that are generally expressed 

 by the D«'legation. Those who read the lit^porf* of the farmers who 

 visited Canada in 1879 and 1880 will realise that immense progress 

 has been made since that time — when the vast region west of Winnijieg 

 was only accea^ible by railway for a short distance, and direct communi- 

 cation with East«;rn Canjwla, through British territory, was not complete. 

 Considerable devt'lopnient has also taken place since 1890 — when the 

 previous Delegation visited the country. 



The Canadian Government, in inviting the Delegation, wished to 

 place, before the public, information of a reliable and independent 

 character as to the prospects the Dominion offers for the settlement 

 of prTsons desiring to engage in agricultural pursuits, and it is believed 

 that its efforts will be as much appreciated now as they were on previous 

 occasions. In (ireat Britain and Ireland the area of available land is 

 limited, and there is a large and ever-increasing population ; while at 

 the same time Canada has only a population of about 5,000,000, and 

 hundreds of millions of acres of the most fertile land in the world, simply 

 waiting for people to cultivate it, capable of yielding in abundance 

 all the products of a temperate climate for the good of mankind. 

 It only remains to be said that any persons, of the classes to whom 

 Canada presents so many opportunities, who decide to remove thei» 

 homes to the Dominion, will receive a warm welcome in any part 

 of the country, and will at once realise that they are not strangers in 

 a strange land, but among fellow British subjects, with the same 

 language, customs, and loyalty to the Sovereign, which obtain in the 

 Old Countrv. 



For general information about Canada^ advice to intending EniP- 

 grants, and a description Oj ilie Canadian Agricultural and Dairy 

 Ejchihits at Chicago, see Appendices (page^ 47 to 58). 



In addition to the lUports of the Delegates referred to above, the 

 Reports of Professor Long, tlie ivell-hnown Agricultural Expert, and of 

 Professor Wallace {Professor of Agricvlture and llural Economy), of 

 Edinburgh University — who visited Canada in 1S93 -are also avatlahle 

 for distribution, and may be procured from any of the Agents of Hie 

 Government, 



