Canada West Part 14

=35. Are settlers' effects bonded through to destination, or are they examined at the boundary?=

If settler accompanies effects they will be examined at the boundary, without any trouble; if effects are unaccompanied they will go through to the nearest bonding (or customs) point to destination.

=36. In case settler's family follow him what about railway rates?=

On application to Canadian Government Agent, settlers' low railway rate certificate will be forwarded, and they will be given the settlers'

privilege.

=37. What is the duty on horses and cattle if a settler should want to take in more than the number allowed free into Canada?=

When for the improvement of stock free; otherwise, over one year old, they will be valued at a minimum of $50 per head, and duty will be 25 per cent.

=38. How much money must one have to start grain farming and how little can he do with if he goes ranching?=

See Chapter "What wins in Central Canada," page 37.

=39. How can I procure lands for ranching?=

They may be leased from the Government at a low rental. Write for full particulars to Secretary of the Interior, Ottawa, Canada.

=40. In those parts which are better for cattle and sheep than for grain, what does a man do if he has only 160 acres?=

If a settler should desire to go into stock raising and his quarter-section of 160 acres should not prove sufficient to furnish pasture for his stock, he can make application to the Land Commissioner for a lease for grazing lands for a term of twenty-one years, at a very low cost.

=41. Where is information to be had about British Columbia?=

Apply to Secretary Provincial Bureau of Information, Victoria, B. C.

=42. Is living expensive?=

Sugar, granulated, 14 to 18 lbs. for $1, according to fluctuation of market. Tea, 30 to 50 cents a lb.; coffee, 30 to 45 cents a lb.; flour, $2.25 to $3.00 per 98 lbs. Dry goods about Eastern Canada prices. Cotton somewhat dearer than in United States, and woollen goods noticeably cheaper. Stoves and furniture somewhat higher than eastern prices, owing to freight charges.

=43. Are the taxes high?=

No. Having no expensive system of munic.i.p.al or county organization, taxes are necessarily low. Each quarter-section of land, consisting of 160 acres, owned or occupied, is taxed very low. The only other taxes are for schools. In the locations where the settlers have formed school districts the total tax for all purposes on a quarter-section amounts to from $10 to $14.50 per annum.

=44. Does the Government tax the settler if he lets his cattle run on Government lands? If they fence their land, is he obliged to fence his also?=

The settler is not required to pay a tax for allowing his cattle to run on Government land, but it is advisable to lease land from the Government for haying or grazing purposes, when needed. If one fences his land, his adjoining neighbour has to stand a proportionate share of the cost of the fence adjoining his property, or build one-half of it himself.

=45. Where can a settler sell what he raises? Is there any compet.i.tion amongst buyers, or has he got to sell for anything he can get?=

A system of elevators is established by railway companies and others throughout the entire West. Grain is bought at these and forwarded to the great markets in other parts of Canada, the United States, and Europe. Canadian flour mills, oatmeal mills, and breweries use millions of bushels of grain annually. To the west and northwest of Central Canada lie mining regions, which are dependent upon the prairies for supplies and will to a great extent continue to be. Beef is bought on the hoof at the home of the farmer or rancher. Buyers scour the country in quest of this product.

=46. Where can material for a house and sheds be procured, and about what would it cost? What about fuel? Do people suffer from the cold?=

Though there are large tracts of forest in the Canadian West there are localities where building timber and material is limited, but this has not proven any drawback as the Government has made provision that should a man settle on a quarter-section deprived of timber, he can, by making application to the Dominion Lands Agent, obtain a permit to cut on Government lands free of charge the following, viz.:

1. 3,000 lineal feet of building timber, measuring no more than 12 inches at the b.u.t.t, or 9,250 feet board measure. 2. 400 roofing poles.

3. 2,000 fencing rails and 500 fence posts, 7 feet long, and not exceeding five (5) inches in diameter at the small end. 4. 30 cords of dry fuel wood for firewood.

The settler has only the expense of the cutting and hauling to his homestead. The princ.i.p.al districts are within easy reach of firewood; the settlers of Alberta and Saskatchewan are particularly favoured, especially along the various streams, from some of which they get all the coal they require, at a trifling cost. No one in the country need suffer from the cold on account of scarcity of fuel.

=47. Is it advisable to go into a new country during the winter months with uncertain weather conditions?=

A few years ago, when settlement was spa.r.s.e, settlers were advised to wait until March or April. Now that so many have friends in Western Canada there need be no hesitation when to start. Lines of railway penetrate most of the settled districts, and no one need go far from neighbours already settled. There is no longer the dread of pioneering, and it is robbed of the romance that once surrounded it. With farm already selected, it is perfectly safe, and to the prospective homesteader he can get some sort of occupation until early spring, when he will be on the ground ready for it.

=48. What does lumber cost?=

Spruce boards and dimensions, about $20 per thousand feet; shiplap, $23 to $28; flooring and siding, $25 up, according to quality; cedar shingles, from $3.50 to $4.25 per thousand. These prices fluctuate.

=49. What chance is there for employment when a man first goes there and isn't working on his land?=

There are different industries through the country, outside of farming and ranching, such as sawmills, flour mills, brick-yards, railroad building in the summer, and lumbering in the winter. The chances for employment are good as a large percentage of those going in and those already there farm so much that they must have help, and pay good wages.

During the past two seasons from twenty to thirty thousand farm labourers have been brought in each year from the eastern Provinces and the United States to a.s.sist in caring for the large crops. The capable and willing worker is sure to succeed in Canada.

=50. Can I get employment with a farmer so as to become acquainted with local conditions?=

This can be done through the Commissioner of Immigration at Winnipeg, who is in a position to offer engagements with well established farmers.

Men experienced in agriculture may expect to receive from $25 up per month with board and lodging, engagements, if desired, to extend for twelve months. Summer wages are from $30 to $35 per month; winter wages $10 to $15. During harvest wages are higher than this.

=51. If I have had no experience and simply desire to learn farming in Central Canada before starting on my own account?=

Young men and others unacquainted with farm life, willing to accept from $8 up per month, including board and lodging, will find positions through the Government officers at Winnipeg. Wages are dependent upon experience and qualification. After working for a year in this way, the knowledge acquired will be sufficient to justify you in securing and farming on your own account.

=52. Are there any schools outside the towns?=

School districts cannot exceed five miles in length or breadth, and must contain at least four actual residents, and twelve children between the ages of five and sixteen. In almost every locality, where these conditions exist, schools have been established.

=53. Are churches numerous?=

The various denominations are well represented and churches are being built rapidly even in the most remote districts.

=54. Can water be secured at reasonable depth?=

In most places it can be had at from fifteen to forty feet, while in other places wells have been sunk to fifty or sixty feet.

=55. Where are free homesteads to-day, and how far from railway?=

In some well settled districts it may be possible to secure one by cancelling, but such chances are few. Between the lakes in Manitoba as well as north and southeast of Winnipeg. In the central portions of Saskatchewan, Alberta and west of Moose Jaw and Swift Current. A splendid homestead area is that lying north of Battleford, and between Prince Albert and Edmonton north of the Canadian Northern railway. One will have to go at least twelve or fifteen miles from a line of railway at present, but extensions will soon make many homesteads available.

VALUABLE HINTS FOR THE MAN ABOUT TO START

The newcomer may start for Western Canada during any month in the year.