THE LETTERS OF RUSTICUS INVESTIGATIONS IN MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST, FOR THE BENEFIT OF INTENDING EMIGRANTS. A SERIES OF LETTERS FROM THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER OF THE "MONTREAL WITNESS." i • 1 1 $ ^ John Dougall & Son, 33 to 37 St. Bonaventure Street, at r. INTRODUCTION. Two or three years ago the Montreal Witness who, from the nature of things, cannot be all devoted much attention to the question of finding speculators. work for the unemployed in agricultural pursuits, Having been born and brought up on a and opened its columns to descriptions of the backwoods farm, and having afterwards cleared attractions of different parts of the country. It one for myself, the proprietors of the Witness was s on found that the hope and interest of the thought I would be a suitable person to send to people centered largely in the prairies of the the North- West to glean information among the North-West, and numerous were the letters of settlers there, which might be of use to many of enquiry with regard to tbat land of promise. In the readers of that paper, as some of them or the published accounts within reach there was their friends might be thinking of removing to much evidence of one-sidedness and some con- that land of promise. It was their desire that I tradiction. Another defect which was too ap- should avoid as much as possible the beaten parent in almost all North-Western literature paths in which others had sought for information, was the fact that the writers were not practical and strike out afresh for myself, and to this end agriculturists themselves, and it might be as I was given carte blanche both as to time and wise to send a doctor to examine and test a steam means to be used. engine as send a man who never did a day's I did not at first anticipate that my letters work on a farm to write of the agricultural would ever appear in pamphlet form, or my first capabilities of a new country. Still another communications might not have been written so " defect in the writings referred to, was the lack much on the minor key," a* some readers have of sympathy, or fellow feeling, between the expressed it, although in all cases I wrote as I then writers and the class of readers who, above all felt ; but having just previous to my departure others, needed correct information. Perhaps a for the North- West, been reading a glowing doctor after having carefully examined a steam description of that country, written by Thomas engine, might be able to make a report on its Spence, and finding the true state of the country condition, which would be underst iod by other so unlike the description given, I felt a good doctors as well, if not better, than if the report deal of disappointment and much inclined to. had been made by an engineer ; but it certainly find fault with everything that was not up to would not be so well understood by engineers as my anticipations. Most of the new settlers if made by one of their number—so a book- whom I met in that country seem to have ex- learned gentleman might write correctly and perienced the same feeling of disappointment on intelligently about farms and farming, but he their arrival, although they were afterwards could make himself much better understood by well satisfied with their new home, and many of farmers if he had previously worked for many them blamed Mr. Spence's highly colored years on a farm. Again, although a person pictures as the chief cause of their feelings of travelling rapidly for several weeks over a large disappointment. I further believe that Mr. country will have opportunities for seeing a good Spence's work, although containing a great deal deal, yet a great deal more will remain unseen that is true, has driven hundreds, if not by him, and for a knowledge of what he does not thousands, of intending settlers out of that see he must trust to the statements of others country after they were at the trouble and ex- who have seen it ; but if his informants are all pense of going there ; for people will sometimes of one class, their statements will be more or less injure themselves in order to be revenged, as biased to suit the views and interests of that they think, on their deceivers. A few words particular class. Hitherto nearly all the writers more to the intending settler, and I am done for about the North-West have either been specula- the present (although I hope to continue my tors themselves, or were the guests and friends letters to the Witness on this subject after the of speculators, consequently their writings have press of Parliamentary news is over). The best been chiefly derived from, and made in the in- time for coming to the country is early in the terests of, that class, but in variance with the spring before the frost is out of the ground, or interests of the great majority of the people who in the latter part of the summer after the rainy propose to make that country their future home, season is over. The month of August I consider INTRODUCTION. the best time, although a person coming early in thrown up by the little animals referred to. the spring may secure his lot in a more con- The surface of the best prairie lands in the venient place, and also raise a considerable crop North-West is like a turtle's back, irregular like the first summer, which he could not do if he low wide potato-hills. This is caused by the came later ; but I know of a good many people action of the frost on very rich land, but I have who came to Manitoba at the beginning of not space here to explain it fully. If the surface April, yet had not done as much work on their is very smooth and the grass or weeds fine and farms by the first of October, as they might have not close together, no matter how rich the soil done in one month's steady work. Travelling may look, avoid it, as there is too much alkali in August here is very inexpensive, and almost present. I have also remarked that there is as pleasant as a pic-nic, if you have a tent and scarcely any alkali in land where timber or team of your own. This is also the best time bushe3 grow, although small alkali spots are for judging the quality of the soil, as there is no often met with almost surrounded by timber. test so safe and sure as "the crop test," or the I would advice all new comers to receive with judging of the land by what it produces. The caution a great deal of the advice which they moles, gophers, and badgers are also useful will be sure to receive, perhaps while on the animals to show the nature of the soil without way, but certainly after their arrival in the your having the trouble to dig into it yourself. North- West. Some of the persons giving the The moles burrow near the surface, and make advice may seem to be quite disinterested, but deposits of the earth in little piles on the even if they may have no axe to grind for them- grass, a little distance from their hole. If this selves, there is great likelihood that some of their deposit is rich black clay, or loamy soil, without friends own a dull axe. I an sorry to say that any gray or white clay, or gravel mixed with it, this applies to some of the Government officials, the soil is good (that is if there is little or no although I believe that their masters at Ottawa alkali in it), but if the moles bring up a good are sincerely desirous of promoting the best in- deal of light colored clay, or gravel, leave the terests of the country. land to them, and pass on to where the soil is Hoping that the readers of this pamphlet may deeper. Except where the soil is exceedingly derive a considerable amount of instruction or deep, the gophers and ground squirrels bring up amusement from its perusal. more or less of the lighter colored subsoil, or I remain their sincere friend, gravel, but you can judge of the quality of the soil by the quantity and quality of each kind on DAVID CURRIE. exhibition. The badgers are powerful animals Montreal, March 10th, 1880. and expeditious diggers, and are useful in bring- ing to light the subsoil, so that you may judge P. S. — I have just read in the papers that the for yourself, whether it is white soapy clay, gray Government at Ottawa propose to allow settlers clay, gravel or sand. in the North-West to import cattle for their own After a little practice a person can judge pretty use free of duty, for which considerate act they well the quality of the soil, even when the grass have my most hearty thanks. is burnt off, and there are no earth-mounds D. C. THE LETTERS OF RXISTICTTS. ON THE WAY TO THE NORTH-WEST. THE TBIP THROUGH CANADA—THE SMOKERS' PARADISE—A RAILWAY CONDUCTOR WHO UNDERSTANDS HIS BUSINESS—TRAVELLERS' NOTES IN THE UNITED STATES—TO BE REMEMBERED. St. Paul, March 28. and I'll get you a seit." He would then march along until he found a seat with only one human Sir,—Having for some time been affected, occupant.