Climate of the Canadian West. Og 
During May, June and July rain, generally in the form 
of thunder-showers, is of almost daily occurrence; so that 
there is no lack of moisture for the sustenance of the grow- 
ing crops, just when they need it most. This diminishes 
toward the west, however, and when the plateau beyond 
the Coteau de Missouri, with an elevation of 3,000, is 
reached, summer showers are less frequent and certain. 
Even here, however, it is quite sufficient, as experience 
shows, until the very foot-hills of the Rockies are ap- 
proached, when irrigation becomes necessary to success in 
farming. Over the great mass of the tillable prairies, how- 
ever, drought causes no apprehension; and there is a belief 
abroad that as wire fences, railway lines, buildings and 
other lightning conductors spread over the plains, a greater 
electric equilibrium will be maintained, and rain will tend 
to fall more frequently and equably than heretofore. 
After the middle of July rains are few, and during harvest 
cease altogether. This is another marked advantage over 
our eastern provinces, where farmers have to contend with 
wet harvest-weather nearly every year. 
Harvest begins by the first of August, and is uninter- 
rupted. Hay has been been stacked in the open air quite 
unprotected, for the farmer is sure that no deluging rains 
will fall upon, nor melting snows sink into it, to wash out 
its juices or mildew it underneath. The grain is stacked 
uncovered in the fields and threshed in the open air without 
fear of harm through dampness. You will see everywhere 
small stables for stock, some small granaries, and cellars for 
keeping vegetables; but hardly ever a barn for storing hay, 
straw or grain. The climate renders it unnecessary. 
Over the whole of Canada’s great west the climate is 
equally favorable for live-stock. As is is usual in northerly 
regions, the grasses are of the best, and by reason of the 
absence of fall rains and wet winter snows, they dry up on 
the stalk—are cured into real hay as they stand, instead of 
rotting ; and their nutritious juices are never washed out of 
them. Horses, cattle and sheep fatten on this prairie grass 
as well as upon the richest meadows of Ontario, and cows 
8 
