Public Works and Railways.—About 600 miles of steel were laid last year, bringing the railway mileage of the province up to nearly 3,600 miles. Equal activity is assured for 1914. This year the Government made a step to provide transportation facilities for districts sidetracked by the railway companies. The means adopted is guaranteeing the interest on the securities of light railways up to one-half the estimated cost.

Financial.—The income of the farming community exceeds that of all former years. It is estimated that the product of this year that will be converted into cash for the liquidation of debts, is nearly 65 million dollars. The farmer is therefore in a position to pay his machinery debts, store debts, and other obligations. Consequently the farmers are optimistic and are planning extended operations for the coming season.

Measured by every economical standard, Alberta shows sound prosperity and justifies a continuance of the confidence of outside capitalists in her established business, and increased investments in the development of her vast resources of farms, mines and forests.

Population and Live Stock.—(Dominion Census Bureau):

19091910191119121913
Population............374,663......[2]500,000
Horses263,713294,225407,153451,573484,809
Milch cows116,371124,470147,687157,922168,376
Other cattle910,547926,937592,163587,307610,917
Sheep171,422179,067133,592135,075178,015
Swine139,270143,560237,510278,747350,692

[2] Estimated.

One type of house built of logs in the park districts of Central Alberta.

Marketing the grain at one of the elevators that are essential at every station in Western Canada.