THE ROYAL RANCHER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4771, 3 November 1924, Page 4

THE ROYAL RANCHER.

PRINCE’S CANADIAN 1 -. HQMK A GLIMPSE OF THE PROPERTY. (By Owen E. McGillicuddy, in the Now York “Outlook.”) During the nerve-racking years of war a favourite song of the Canadian soldiers in France was “My Little Grey Home in the West.” The last year of the war His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was attached to the Headquarters Staff of the Canadian Army Corps. The heir to tiie British throne developed an affection for Canadians, and he then and there decided that as soon as possible he would see Canada. In the summer 191 b he came to the great Britisa Dominion and, journeying westward, bought for himself “a little gray home” in southern Alberta.

His Royal Highness is particularly fond of the people of North America. He has an open admiration for their initiative and enterprise, and he will enjoy every minute of his two weeks’ visit in the United States, .His main purpose, however, in crossing the Atlantic; is to. spend, a quiet vacation at the royal ranch in southern Alberta.

The first intimation that His Royal Highness would visit his ranch this fall was given at the Dominion Day dinner at the Canadian Club in London on. July 1. “Canada has been a real tonic to me,” he declared in the course of hip speech. "I don’t know what it is exactly—whether it is the air. the great spaces, or the many kind friends —but the fact remains. I first realised the appeal of the Wes: when i spent a few weeks there after the close of the war. 1 went straight from four years of horror and confusion to a great, clean country, full of hope and confidence, and I am sure I shall find the same benefit from my visit this fall.” The staff of the “E.P.” Ranch were not surprised to hear that their royal employer would be visiting them this fall, for on leaving them last year he stated that he nad a “jolly good time,” and would be back again as soon as possible. When his motor arrives at the main gate of the ranch s he will be welcomed quite simply by Professor W. L. Carlyle, the superintendent. and his staff of experienced stock attendants. While visiting iu the West His Royal Highness no doubt will enjoy a night ot two of dancing at Banff or Cal,gary, but for the most part he will confine himself io tiie open-air routine of ranch life. ■ -In seeking the open spaces for a i holiday the Prince of Wales is following in the footsteps of his royal grand- | father, King Edward VII. The Prince, 5 however, is the first of his family to •seek a home in the wide, open spaces of the British Dominions, and his initiative and democratic behaviour have developed deep admiration ; among the Canadian people.

i His Royal Highness possesses considerable business capacity and an i unusual imagination. This has been demonstrated a number of timep in recent years, but never more so than by his purchase of the .Beddingfield homestead near Pekisko, Alberta, now known as the “E.P.” Ranch. If the heir to the British throne had made an inspection of the British Dominions it is doubtful if another spot could have been found to equal it for exclusion, beauty, or restfulness. It nestles in the foothills ■ of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, twenty-five milejs west of the town of High River. The ranch is hidden from view until one is quite close to it, for it lies at the end of a long row of balm of Gilead trees which stand as sentinels on the winding Pekisko River. While the royal ranch’ is sheltered from the east, it is even more securely protected from the west, for far down the valley on which the .“EB?.” faces, and rising from its outer edge, is the finst

great range of the “Hills of Time the Canadian Rockies. The. haven of- refuge from the. endless coil of official appearances is a typical western ranch, not more pretentious or luxurious than a numbei of similar ranches throughout the United States and western Canada. The main ranch house, in which the Prince lives, is simply a log cabin disguised by board (sheeting. It is a low, rambling structure, and contains a dining-room, a good sized liv-ing-room, three master’s rooms, three baths, three servants’ bedrooms, and a kitchen,. On approaching the house 'the vinecovered verandah first attracts the attention, and then the gravelled walk leading to the dining-room door presents a cheerful appearance with. bright-hued geraniums neatly placed in large green-painted pots. The din-ing-room is much the name as those of neighbouring ranch houses. The walls are finished in a light yellow, with white, woodwork, and are decorated with a sepia print entitled A Tug of War.” An upright coal stove is. placed in one end of the room, and two china cabinets, a table, and six straight-backed chairs are the only furniture in this simple, democratic dining-room.

The Jiving room is a replica of that in thousands of other modest homes, and is a combined reception-room, den, and drawing-room. It is immediately south of the dining-room, and contains a red-brick grate and half a dozen chairs of varying degrees of comfort. Over the fireplace is a framed photograph of the King, on the wall there is an autographed .photograph of the Prince, while near by are two interesting pictures of the late King Edward holding by the bridle reins Persimmon and Minoru, two Derby winners owned by that popular sportsman. Deerskin rugs are the only coverings on the painted floor, and in one corner is the desk of Professor Carlyle.

The bedroom used by the royal ranch owner is very simply decorated. It its situated to the right of the liv-ing-room, with its window facing the south, and is a fair-sized room finished with the light-gray wallpaper and white ceiling and woodwork. A large mahogany bed stands in one corner of the room, with a chiffonier and dressing-table o£ the same wood against the wall. A small mahogany table for magazines and books and a coal stove complete the equipment of the room.

The fact is that the “E.P.” Ranch is designed for business and worn rather than, for pleasure and entertainment. It was acquired by His Royal Highness during his first tour of Canada,. five years ago, when he visited the famous “Bar U” ranch of George Lane, one o£ the best known ranchers in western Canada. One day while out walking with Professor Carlyle, who was managing Lane’s ranch at that time, the Prince expressed a desire to own a Canadian 'ranch. “Well, why not, Your Highness ?” replied Carlyle. “The Beddingfield, farm near by might be bought.” The Prince did not make up his mind at once, but on his return from the Pacific coast he wired Lane and Carlyle to meet him on his train, and .then gave them commission to buy. Part of the arrangement was that Carlyle should come to him ; but, while Lane lost a .manager he acquired a royal neighbour. The ranch which was purchased by the Prince of Wales had been the property of Mrs W. Beddingfield, of High River, for twenty years. It consists of 1600 acres of deeded land and 2400 acres of pasturage leased from the Dominion Government. It was rechristened' the “E.P.” Ranch for “Edward Prince,” and-because it is also convenient and distinctive tor branding purposes. The ranch and equipment l are managed by Professor Carlyle, who is a former Master of Science from the State College’ of Colorado and was Cor six years in

charge of horse breeding for the United States Government. Cariyle has ar. international reputation as an agricultural expert, and his sei vices were seemed by the I'oy.al rancher because of his success in breeding and raising prize stock. The maintenance of the ranch is no*, based altogether on reasons, nor for tiie sole purpose of having a western retreat far from the importunities for royal pationage. The "E.P. ’ Ranch is being conducted as an experimental farm, but it is also managed as an efficient business, Tiie main endeavour is to discover what breeds thrive best :>tj western land, and, with this in view, the Prince, through his manager, has imported the finest horse and cattle strains.

On the “E.P.” Ranch at present are rfhorthoin cal'lle, Dartmoor ponies, Shropshire and Hampshire sheep, heavy draught horses, and racing stock. The original Shropshire sheep came from the Duke of Westminister s establishment at Eton Hall, Cheshire. The Hampshire sheep arrived at the royal ranch during the past summer, and have thrived at. their new home. The climate of Alberta also seems to agree with tiie. herd of Dartmoor ponies from the Dartmoor Plateau in Devonshire. The Dartmoor is only twelve hands high, but His Royal Highness and Professor Carlyle have hopes that in a few generations the breed can be developed to fourteen hands—about the height of a polo pony. Duruig the early par.t of 1923 the Prince sent out three Clydesdale fillies. These, with five prize Percheronis, give some ide,a of the objective which is being sought by the management of the “E.P.’ Ranch. To give the names of some of the Shorthorn cattle at the ranch would be a listing of some of the proudest names in the cattle aristocracy of England. The cows are royal animals from the Prince's English farm at StokeClymsdale. Recently a three-year-old bull was added to the herd called by the peculiar name of “King of the Fairies.” The original herd of twentysix Shorthorns have increased greatly since, the finst importation, and have taken many prizes at exhibitions throughout the continent. Since the Prince purchased the ranch in Alberta many improvements have been made. A modem barn of ample proportions has been built near its modest log predecessor; rail fences have been replaced by up-to-date wire ones ; a silo has been constructed : large crops of hay, alfalfa, turnips, oats, and sunflowers are grown for feeding the stock; and a system of irrigation is being developed. While the royal rancher and his manager. Professor Carlyle, are confident that the ente-’prise will develop into a highly profitable one, the Prince maintains that ranching is “the most playful, way of working” he has ever known.