Owing to the number of questions asked daily, it has been deemed
advisable to put in condensed form, such questions as most naturally
occur, giving the answers which experience dictates as appropriate,
conveying the information commonly asked for. If the reader does not
find here the answer to his particular difficulty, a letter to the
Superintendent, or to any Government Agent, will secure full
particulars.
=1. Where are the lands referred to?=
In Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and in British Columbia.
=2. What kind of land is it?=
The land is mostly prairie (except in British Columbia) and can be
secured free from timber and stones, if desired, the soil being the very
best alluvial black loam from one to two feet deep, with a clay subsoil.
It is just rolling enough to give good drainage, and in places there is
plenty of timber, while some is underlaid with good coal.
=3. If the land is what you say, why is the Government giving it away?=
The Government, knowing that agriculture is the foundation of a
progressive country, and that large yields of farm produce insure
prosperity in all other branches of business, is doing everything in its
power to encourage settlement. It is much better for each man to own his
own farm, therefore a free grant of 160 acres is given to every man who
will reside upon and cultivate it.
=4. Is it timber or prairie land?=
The province of Manitoba has considerable open prairie, especially in
the southwest; towards the centre it is parklike with some timber belts
in parts.
The southern parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta are chiefly open prairie
with growths of timber along the streams. As you go north or northwest
about 20 per cent of the country may be said to be timbered.
=5. Then as to climate?=
The summer days are warm and the nights cool. The fall and spring are
most delightful, although it may be said that winter breaks almost into
summer, and the latter lasts until October. Winters are pleasant and
healthful. There are no pulmonary or other endemic complaints. Snow
begins to fall about the middle of November and in March there is
generally very little. Near the Rockies the snowfall is not as heavy as
farther east, and the chinook winds have a tempering influence. The
absence of the snowfall would be regretted by the farmer. Nature has
generously provided for every mile of the country, and there is really
very little choice with the exception that farther west the climate is
somewhat milder.
=6. Is there sufficient rainfall?=
A sufficient supply can be relied upon. The most rain falls in May and
June, when most needed.
=7. What are the roads like?=
Bridges and culverts are built where needed, and roadways are usually
graded up; but not gravelled or macadamized. The natural prairie road is
superior to most manufactured roads, and afford good travelling in
ordinary seasons and every fall and winter.
=8. What sort of people are settled there, and is English generally
spoken?=
Canadians, English, Scotch, Irish, French, and English-speaking
Americans (who are going in, in large numbers), with Germans and
Scandinavians. English is the language of the country, and is spoken
everywhere.
=9. Will I have to change my citizenship if I go to Canada?=
An alien, before making entry for free homestead land, must declare his
intention of becoming a British subject and become naturalized before
obtaining patent for his land. In the meanwhile he can hold possession,
and exercise right of ownership. If not a British subject he must reside
three years to become naturalized. To become a British subject a settler
of foreign birth should make application to anyone authorized to
administer oaths in a Canadian Court. An alien may purchase land from
any of the railway or land companies and hold title deed without
changing his citizenship.
=10. How about American money?=
American money is taken everywhere in Central Canada at its face value.
=11. Can a man who has used his homestead right in the United States take
a homestead in Canada?=
Yes.
=12. If a British subject has taken out "citizen papers" in the United
States how does he stand in Canada?=
He must be "repatriated," i.e., take out a certificate of
naturalization, which can be done after three months' residence in
Canada.
=13. What grains are raised in Central Canada?=
Wheat (winter and spring), oats, barley, flax, speltz, rye and other
small grains, and corn is grown chiefly for silo purposes.
=14. How long does it take wheat to mature?=
The average time is from 100 to 118 days. This short time in accounted
for by the long hours of sunlight which during the growing and ripening
season, will average 16 hours a day.
=15. Can a man raise a crop on the first breaking of his land?=
Yes, but it is not well to use the land for any other purpose the first
year than for raising garden vegetables, or perhaps a crop of flax, as
it is necessarily rough on account of the heavy sod not having had time
to rot and become workable. Good yields of oats have been reported on
breaking.
=16. Is there plenty of hay available?=
In many parts there is sufficient wild hay meadow on government or
vacant land, which may be rented at a very low rental, if you have not
enough on your own farm. Experience has proven that timothy, brome,
clover and other cultivated grasses do well. Yields of brome have been
reported from two to four tons per acre. Alfalfa under proper
cultivation in many places gives successful yields.
=17. Do vegetables thrive and what kinds are grown?=
Potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, onions, parsnips, cabbages, peas,
beans, celery, pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, melons, etc., are unequalled
anywhere.
=18. Can fruit be raised and what varieties?=
Small fruits grow wild. The cultivated are plums, cranberries,
strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, currants. In British Columbia
fruit growing of all kinds is carried on very extensively and
successfully.
=19. About what time does seeding begin?=
As a rule farmers begin their seeding from the first to the fifteenth of
April, sometimes continuing well into May. The average yield of all
grains in Central Canada would be largely increased, did not some
farmers unwisely do seeding until the middle of June.
=20. How is it for stock raising?=
The country has no equal. In many parts cattle and horses are not housed
throughout the winter, and so nutritious are the wild grasses that stock
is marketed without having been fed any grain.
=21. In what way can I secure land in Central Canada?=
By homesteading, or purchasing from railway or land companies. The
Dominion Government has no land for sale. The British Columbia
Government sells land to actual settlers at low figures.
=22. Can I get a map or list of lands vacant and open to homestead entry?=
It has been found impracticable to keep a publication of that kind up to
date, owing to the daily changes. An intending settler on reaching the
district he selects should enquire of the Dominion Lands Agent what
lands are vacant in that particular locality, finally narrowing down the
enquiry to a township or two, diagrams of which, with the vacant lands
marked, will be supplied free. A competent land guide can be had.
=23. How far are homestead lands from lines of railway?=
They vary, but at present the nearest will be from 15 to 20 miles.
Railways are being built into the new districts.
=24. In which districts are located the most and best available
homesteads?=
The character of homestead wanted by the settler will decide this. Very
few homesteads are vacant in the southern districts; towards the centre
and north portions of the provinces, homesteads are plentiful. They
comprise a territory in which wood for building purposes and fuel are
plentiful.
=25. Is there any good land close to the Rocky Mountains?=
The nearer you approach the mountains the more hilly it becomes, and the
elevation is too great for grain raising. Cattle and horses do well.
=26. If a man take his family there before he selects a homestead can he
get temporary accommodation?=
At the following places the Government maintains Immigration halls with
free temporary accommodation for those desiring such and supplying their
own provisions. It is always better for the head of the family, or such
member of it as may be entitled to homestead, to select and make entry
for lands before moving family:
Biggar, Brandon, Calgary, Caster, Cereal, Edmonton, Edson, Emerson,
Entwistle, Gravelburg, Herbert, Kerrobert, Lloydminster, Lethbridge,
Moose Jaw, North Battleford, North Portal, Prince Albert, Regina,
Saskatoon, Strathcona, South Battleford, Swift Current, Tisdale, Unity,
Vegreville, Vermilion, Viking, Virden, Wainwright, Wilkie, Yonkers.
=27. Where must I make my homestead entry?=
At the Dominion Lands Office for the district.
=28. Can homestead lands he reserved for a minor?=
An agent of Dominion Lands may reserve a quarter-section for a minor
over 17 years of age until he is 18, if his father, or other near
relative live upon homestead or upon farming land owned, not less than
80 acres, within nine miles of reserved homestead. The minor must make
entry in person within one month after becoming 18 years of age.
=29. Can a person borrow money on a homestead before receiving patent?=
No; contrary to Dominion Lands Act.
=30. Would the time I was away working for a neighbour, or on the
railway, or other work count as time on my homestead?=
Only actual residence on your homestead will count, and you must reside
on homestead six months in each of three years.
=31. Is it permissible to reside with brother, who has filed on adjoining
land?=
A homesteader may reside with father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or
sister on farming land owned solely by him or her, not less than 80
acres, or upon homestead entered for by him or her not more than nine
miles from entrant's homestead. Fifty acres of homestead must be brought
under cultivation, instead of 30 acres, as is the case when there is
direct residence.
=32. How shall I know what to do or where to go when I reach there?=
Make a careful study of this pamphlet and decide in a general way on the
district in which you wish to settle. Then put yourself in communication
with your nearest Canadian Government Agent, whose name appears on the
second page of cover. At Winnipeg, and in the offices of any of the
Dominion Lands Agents in Central Canada, are maps showing vacant lands.
Having decided on the district where you will make your home, the
services of a competent land guide may be secured to assist in locating.
=33. What is the best way to get there?=
Write your nearest Canadian Government Agent for routes, and settlers'
low railway rate certificate good from the Canadian boundary to
destination for passengers and freight.
=34. How much baggage will I be allowed on the Canadian railways?=