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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 44

What Capital is Necessary with Which to Commence

What Capital is Necessary with Which to Commence.

This is a question frequently asked—the answer depends entirely upon surrounding circumstances. A young man without family, willing to work and save, would secure himself a home in a few years, provided he had only ten dollars to pay the fees for a free grant homestead claim. Work is to be had at high wages, and ho could work for other parties part of the time, and then hire help again in turn to assist in putting up a small homestead house. After page 47 that he could plough and fence in a few acres for a crop in the following spring. The next year he could earn enough to buy a yoke of oxen and other cattle, and thus, in a short time, he might become, comparatively, an independent farmer. A settler with a family ought to have provisions for one year (or the wherewithal to procure them).

Such a one, desiring to start comfortably, should have the following articles, or the means to purchase them, viz:
One yoke of oxen $120 00
One wagon 80 00
Plough and harrow 25 00
Chains, axes, shovels, etc 30 00
Stoves, beds, etc 60 00
House and stable, say. 150 00
Total $465 00

A person having $800 or 81,000 can, if he wishes to carry on farming on a large scale, purchase another quarter section in addition to his free grant, when we will have a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land for cultivation, and in addition can cut alt the hay he wants in the marshes, if he thinks it desirable.

In conclusion, I would remark that a poor man can adopt the mode of farming on a small scale for the commencement, as practised by the half-breeds. They have carts made of two wheels and a straight axle, with two poles fastened on the axle to form shafts, and a rack or box thereon. To a cart so made is hitched one ox. The cart costs about ten dollars, and the ox and harness $50 to $60. With such a vehicle a man can do all the teaming that is required on a small farm—and after the first ploughing one ox oan plough all that is required.

I strongly recommend Manitoba as a home for German emigrants, and as they can obtain large grants of land en bloc, they can form a settlement or settlements of their own, where they can preserve their language and customs, as in the Western States of America.