Northward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way

Northward the Course of Empire Takes its Way BY DR. JOSEPH M. TANNER The migration of the human race in any direction upon the globe is always a matter of social and historic importance. Great migrations have not only drawn forth those whose spirit of adventure have moved them in any direction, but have developed new conditions of life and in some measure new qualities in our social existence. The environments of the east, of the south, and of the west, have had their strong influence upon those who have inhabited these different sections of our land. Just now, a new movement is taking place in a direction which we hitherto have considered uninviting, and even against the best interests of those who today are trecking northward. A few years ago Montana was considered an uninviting state, and the Dakotas were thought to belong to the frigid zone, unsuitable for the abode of man. Today, these states are really in the south. We have changed our point of view, and Montana today has perhaps greater agricultural advantages than any western state of the Union. We have learned through experiment some important lessons, among them, that the north is the most profitable field for livestock, not only because they seem to thrive there better, but because the quality of their meat is preferred. Our attention has recently been called to the possibilities of the great north by the recommendations of the President of the United States, and the action of Congress in appropriating many millions for the construction of a government-owned railroad in Alaska. To our great surprise, we are learning every day some" thing new about that far northern possession of our country. True much of its lands are swamps, but these can be drained. Many of its soils are sour, but the lime is close at hand to sweeten them, and this Alaska, from the few experiments made, gives promise of large agricultural possibilities. Canada has made great discoveries concerning the Peace River country, from an agricultural point of view. The Peace River is a thousand miles north of the southern boundary of the dominion. Those who live in the southern part of Canada are in some measure regarded in that country as southerners. Canada is pushing a railroad to the north. It has already reached nearly five hundred miles north of the boundary, and is at the Athabaska Landing. Good wheat is raised there, and men who have spent years in the far north of Canada

542 IMPROVEMENT ERA declare that its possibilities, both for grain and livestock, are marvelous. Hundreds of thousands of people are rushing every year into the western provinces of Canada. Their movement is northward. Their places of location are from two hundred and fifty to five hundred miles north of the boundary line. The great Canadian railroads, transcontinental lines now under construction, are from three hundred to five hundred miles to the north of where the early settlers first learned that grain could be raised. The construction of these railroads has been begun after a satisfactory demonstration of what could be done in the far north. The men who are conquering this new land are men of strong physical natures and of determined force of habit. They love the north. The rigor of its climate matters little to them. Indeed, they soon become accustomed to these changes in temperature, and look upon them as wholesome and discover that there are advantages in these severe climates that are not enjoyed elsewhere. Two great discoveries, or perhaps I should say achievements, have just been made. There are in Ottawa two men whose names are household words in the new development of Canada. They are brothers, Drs. Saunders. One of them has bred a new variety of wheat, which is called the "Marquis." It matures two weeks earlier than any other variety, and is equally hardy. Following this, the other brother has succeeded in developing still another variety which is called the "Prelude." Already the "Marquis" has found its way into different parts of Canada in such a quantity as to be of commercial importance. The "Prelude" is just beginning its career, and the man who has given to the world this new variety of wheat declares that its introduction will move the wheat belt of the world at least a thousand miles north. These new discoveries mean the marvelous development of certain portions of Russia. It is easy to believe that Siberia may be colonized to a very large extent by the new wheat which the Saunders have given to the world. These grains are likely to be of equal importance to our own country not only to those of northern latitudes, but those of high altitudes. There are mountainous districts in the west where the high altitudes make the seasons short, where it has been impossible heretofore to raise wheat. If these discoveries make good all that is claimed for them, or even much that is claimed for them, they will revolutionize and increase the production of wheat in mountainous districts as well as in northern latitudes. These discoveries seem to be in harmony with the destiny of man. They remind us that the possibilities of human endeavor are scarcely dreamed of, and they assure us that some of the greatest conquests in subduing the earth and the climates thereof, are yet to come. This article has nothing to do with the encouragement of col"