Settled by French, 1639, and formed with Nova Scotia part of Arcadia. First
British settlers came from Scotland, 1764. Province created 1784; became
part of the Dominion, 1867.
Government vested in a Lieutenant Governor, an Executive, a Legislative
Council and a House of Assembly. Area, 27,174 square miles. Population,
321,233. Capital, Fredericton; pop., 6,218.
Climate subject to extremes; temperature in winter, 30deg; in summer,
95deg. Soil exceedingly fertile. In 1881, acres in crops, 849,678; in
pasture, 392,169. Products: grain, 5,490,896 bushels; potatoes, 6,961,016;
hay, 414,046 tons. In 1881, wool product, 760,531 pounds. The number of
horses in 1881 was 52,975; oxen, 8,812; horned cattle, 203,748; sheep,
221,163; swine, 53,087.
There is a good system of non-sectarian free schools in the Province.
Telegraphic and railway communication throughout the Province. Number miles
of railway, 1,148.