Let me close this chapter by quoting the stories told by some sample settlers from the Old Country who went out within the last seven years. I take them from a pamphlet issued from the office of the Dominion Ministry of the Interior.
Arthur Newman went out to Alberta in 1907 from New Shildon, County Durham, England, and at once took up a homestead. He writes:—
“My father and brothers came out and we were in partnership, but I pushed ahead, as we had some drawbacks like all homesteaders. We had everything to haul from Lloydminster, forty-two miles either way, but we have a town twelve miles from us now. We have about 100 acres in crop this year, 57 wheat, and about 43 oats, besides potatoes and a garden patch. If the season permits, we hope to break about 100 acres more. Our wheat turned out 35 bushels to the acre and the oats 70 bushels to the acre. This was our second year’s crop; our first was hailed out. Our stock is getting along finely. I lost a fine mare the first year, but am still ahead. We have four oxen, four fine mares in foal, about fifteen head of cattle, seven pigs, and about seventy hens. I might also say we have all the machinery that is wanted for the farm, &c., and all of it is paid for. So if our crops turn out well this year, we shall be all right and making fine success. I often have letters from friends at home asking me if I should not like to come back, and I always tell them just for a holiday but not to stay. This is the home I prefer.”
W. Hordern, a native of Leicester, who settled in Saskatchewan, writes:—
“I came out six years ago. The first three years were mostly spent in learning by defeats. We earned very little at first, and my capital of £400 disappeared after buying horses, &c., but I knew I was getting on the right line. Then, with a family of six young children, we made a comfortable living. Now I value my farm and stock little short of £2,000. I have six work horses and three others, fourteen head of cattle, twelve hogs, hens, and the full outfit of farm machinery, some in double sets, and three waggons. By last summer we had 150 acres broken and in crop. The total earnings were £460; total farm expenses were £140, leaving a clear income of £320.
“I am now fifty-five, and was far gone towards being a worn-out man before leaving Old England. The first year I broke 15 acres with a yoke of oxen; had a one-room house, 14 feet by 16 feet of bought prepared timber, cost £30, and dug a 23-foot well. Next year was in England eight months and did little good here. Third year my eldest boy took up the heavy work. I am practically a gentleman farmer in these days—ride around in a light four-wheeler and do the errands to town and about. My hobby is the school board, of which I am also the clerk and collector. My second lad helps in stable work and odd jobs, and a third lad assisted in the fall. Between them my lads earned £55 out, mostly helping other farmers, which I have included in the income.
“Last year we raised 239 bushels of linseed, 1,030 bushels oats, 12 acres barley, 1,818 bushels of wheat. After keeping enough for seed, sold the wheat for £300, freight cost £33 to Port Arthur, on Lake Superior. My threshing bill was £45, twine for tying up sheaves £6, rates, all told, £8 10s. My family have cost nothing yet in doctoring, and we all have good health. We produce, free of charge, our own butter, milk, fuel, water, stock and meat, and these items save us 25s. a week. I have carefully kept a record of every cent coming in and going out last year. My farm is now 415 acres. I bought 164 acres three years ago, which is now worth twice what I gave for it. My son has 200 acres also, worth £800, outside my own property.”
Joseph Williams, formerly of Abergele, came to Canada three years ago. After working in Eastern Canada for a while he went West. He writes:—
“I got a job at Yorkton which was the turning point to success. I may say here that when I arrived at Yorkton I had the enormous sum of 3 cents (1½d.) in my pocket. Six months later I started business there, butchering, with my brother Arthur as a partner, and twelve months later sold out at a good sum, and to-day I am pleased to say I can sit and look at my crop growing, from which I hope to receive somewhere from $2,000 to $3,000 (£400 to £600) next fall, besides being the owner of three fine mares and foals, and all necessary farming implements.
“You can show this letter to all my old friends at Abergele, and if you like you can send it to the press, if you think it will benefit any young men or women who think of coming to Canada. I can say without the least hesitation that this is a much better country than the Old Country, and there is no reason whatever why a young man or woman could not succeed here.