PRINCE IN CANADA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1927, Page 4

PRINCE IN CANADA

■ INTEREST IX RAXCIHXt

VANCOUVER, July 15. Aside from the lavish preparations made for the forthcoming visit of the Prime of Wales to the Canadian Xaiiunal Exhibition at Toronto accompanied by Premier Baldwin and Prince George, the Printe of Wales is limiting forward happily to his visit shortly thereafter to his Canadian much in Alberta. .Many improvements have been introduced since his last, visit and the property is beginning to make some return to the Prince for the stuns ho has spent in developing it. It is expected that Premier Baldwin will accompany the Prince to the ranch.

The IC.P. Ranch, as it- is known locally is a .small one as Canadian ranches go. extending over some (5000 acres, but it is high grade land and is situated in one nf i.hc richest grain

growing and stock raising regions to be found in Western America. It has always been the Prince's ambition to make this a model of its kind and an example to other farmers in iho Dominion. Everything in connection with the ranch is conducted on business-like lines under the control of Professor W. L. Carlyle, one of the leading agricultural authorities i.n Canada. One of tho Prince's steps was to place on the ranch a herd of purebred shorthorn cattle selected from his farm at Stoke Clinixland, on the fringe of Dartmoor. To this herd lias been added some of the best strains of Canadian cattle. Already the Prince is experiencing a considerable demand for his cattle, mainly for breeding purposes, and good prices for the cattle are being obtained. The Prince later Dirtied his attention to the raising of unlit; horses. The King presented him with his thoroughbred Will Somers, and though this horse proved a disappointment on the turf, his value at stud has been considerable. The Prince likewise established the first stud of sturdy Dartmoor ponies that Western Canada has known, and tihere is a brisk demand tor the-e throughout Alberta. SELF-SUPPORTIXG PROPERTY. Xext io attract the Prince's attention were sheep, and lie bought some

prize winning rams and ewes Irom the famous herd of the Duke of Westminster. These are principally of the Shropshire and Hampshire breeds and have Ineii found to flourish so well

on Canadian soil that many farmers have established similar (locks, mamIv from the stock established by the Prince. The whole of his ranch, however, is not given up to stock raising. A considerable area i.- tinder tillage. >o Hmi tlm property is practically sell-sup-porting, providing almost I iio whole of the fodder required tor the horses, cattle and sheep. This area extends to about 200 acres, and oats and Minitower seeds are the principal cropharvested here. These provide the winter food, the ample grass lands offering all that is necessary during the summer months.' Since last, His Royal Highness visited his ranch the house has been enlarged and improved. A new lounge flail and extra bedrooms have been added. This modest dwelling is mod-

c.-tly furnished, the place being almost Spartan, ft contains a few comiortnble lounge chairs, a well-filled bookcase or two, arid cue or two water colour pictures of beauty spots in the neighbourhood. Its sporting equipment, however, is of a very complete character, and His Royal Highness is able to enjoy good sport while in Alberta.

On his own property wild duck abound on one or two small lakes and a tributary of the High River that winds through the ranch and provides it with water. This stream abounds with mountain trout, some attaining considerable size, while not far away partridges and prairie chickens are to he found in flocks at certain seasons of the year. Tf the Prince has a taste

for bigger game he has not to ride far before ho comes upon the trail of herds of wild deer that range over the foothills ol the Rocky Mountains. The ranch house is solidly built of logs and is delightfully' warm, even in the depth of the severe Canadian winter. The farm buildings, which are not far from the house, are up-to-date in every respect with regard to their equipment, and some of the latest labour-saving devices have been installed. The buildings are in crescent shape and face south at an elevation ol over 3000 feet above the sea level. The view from the house is picturesque and impressive, with the peak's ol the Rockies in the distance seen over a, vast- intervening area of rolling prairie.