The Hudson's Bay Company at this time seems to have 

 been in earnest in endeavoring to promote the development of 

 the Red River as a farming coiintr}'. That they succeeded so 

 poorly is probably the reason that they afterwards settled down 

 to the eri-oneous belief, expressed so decidedly by Sir George 

 Simpson in the investigation by the Imperial Parliament in 

 1857, that agriculture could not be successfully carried on in the 

 country. 



The period beginning with 1830 or 1831 was one of great 

 activity at Red River. Sir George Simpson threw himself with 

 o-reat vigor into projects for developing the country. We can 

 do little more than mention them. Indeed, they need little 

 more than mention, for they ended in failure. 



(1) The Buffalo Wool Company, a wild scheme to manufac- 

 ture cloth from buffalo's wool and to tan the hides for leather. 

 An absolute loss of upwards of £6,000 sterling gave the 

 promoters serious cause for reflection. 



(2) Sir George promised to take all the Company's supplies 

 fnjm the colony ; but he was disappointed by the carelessness 

 and discontent of the people. 



(3) An experimental farm was begun on the Assiniboine near 

 the farm since known as Lane's farm. After six years of effort 

 the farm failed, having cost the Company £3,500 sterling. 



(4) A farm for growing flax and hemp. The flax grew and 

 the hemp grew, but they rotted in the fields ; while a costly 

 flax mill to manufacture the product fell into decay. 



(5) Sheep from Kentucky. Governor Simpson determined 

 to introduce the care of sheep as an industry suitable to the 

 country. A joint stock company was formed. £1,200 was 

 raised, and the enterprise was begun with high hopes. It was 

 in connection with this scheme that Robert Campbell came to 

 the country. In charge of the enterprise was a gentleman of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company, by name, H. Glen Rae. With him 

 was associated John P. Bourke, one of the Irish immigrants who 

 had come with Lord Selkirk's first party. Bourke was a man 

 of education, had served the Company well, and was well fitted 

 for the task assigned him. In 1833, Rae, Bourke and four 



