=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 municipal 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 competition
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 butt, 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 principal 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 sparse, 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 assist 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.