CROPS AT RED RIVER. 



225 



The farm, as an exclusive object of industry and 

 attention, is recognised by very few of the people of Eed 

 Eiver. 



Hitherto remuneration for agricultural industry has 

 been impossible as a general rule, on account of the want 

 of a market. Where, however, due attention has been 

 given to husbandry, it has secured comfort and solid 

 independence. The fruits yet remain to be reaped ; for 

 now that immigration is taking place to a limited extent, 

 prices of all kinds of farm productions have doubled ; 

 and those who have looked to the soil as their means of 

 support in Eed Eiver, will be in a position to benefit by 

 the industry and care of former years, and probably find 

 a remunerative market for all they can produce during 

 the next two or three years, until the market becomes 

 overstocked, which is extremely probable in respect of 

 grain, on account of the remarkable facilities which the 

 country offers for bringing large areas of land into 

 immediate cultivation. 



CULTIVATED CROPS. 



1. Indian Corn. — Varieties of corn exist, which may 

 always be expected to ripen in Assinniboia. In order to 

 secure this result, the rich and moist prairie soil requires 

 draining, which may be accomplished without difficulty 

 or expense, by running deep furrows with a common 

 plough, at certain distances apart through the field devoted 

 to Indian corn. This grain is a sure crop on the dry 

 points of the Assinniboine and Eed Eiver, where the 

 absence of superabundant moisture permits it to' ripen 

 within a certain period, so as to be secure against the 

 early autumnal frosts. No doubt varieties of Indian corn 

 are to be found in New England and in Lower Canada, 

 which would ripen several clays earlier in Assinniboia than 



VOL, I. Q 



