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HERALD, WEDNESDAY

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. . ' ,Wiwar. March 31.

AGWWRAL Sooner“ l from the use of it.

'A Hilda St. Peter’s Bay Agricultural Wtety ivas read a second time. and referred to a committee of the whole House. lion. Mr. Dingwell in Welsh. ” ‘

Boa. Ids-{Benn I am plat! to see that the at St. Peter's Bay are becom- ing a more alive to their own luler- am. and fun“ we shall see some bone- lta resulting from oatabliahmeukol this society. I an that I thinlt there is need of aometlii toaiir up the pa la in that part of the country, toe with the people. in almost all other parts of the Island. are ende‘voring to obtain as much mussel-mud as they can to improve their farms. there is scarcely any being taken up in St. Peter's Bay. and there is no part of the country where it is more required. for inauy of the old fart is are not producing near as much as they did ten or fifteen years ago. There is something required to resuscitate those old farms. and as there is abundance ot mussel-mud in St. Peter's Bay. I iegret that the people have not commenced to use it more extensively. Ilowever. I hope this society will have the effect of putting a little inure lite and energy itito them than tlfly have hitherto manifested.

IIon. Mr. ,Iiar‘rtiouxit: Ono reflection arises from the application infants of in- cor oration for King's and Prince Coun- ties Agricultural Societies. which is. that it should stimulate the people of Queen‘s County to do soinething of a similar kind. If such acts are necessary for those two Counties,sitanly one is no less naeeuary for this County; but I am afraid we are really without any clll-

lmfl'fltdflu‘nfim page.) that they were not taking up any. “ ll know that in many parts of the Island.

whey are deriving incalcnlable benefits I was in cochrsatloii with a farmer from Prince County.s short timoago. who stated that live or six years ago he could scarcely raiaa hay enough to winter two horses and two cows. but be commenced using iiiussel- mud. and last year his crop was estimated at 100 tons. I know numbers of farmers are now cutting from 50 to 100 tons of hay each. who. a few years ago. did not raise near hall of that quantity. I have been told that in New Glasgow. tour diflereut farmers have taken tip lt00 loads each of mussel-mud this winter. Many persons are increasing the value of their farms from £100 to £20J a year. by the application of tuna- sol-mud. I hope the people of St. Peter's Bay. when they ate such an amount of Wealth within their reach, ‘will use it more extensively.

The House b-ing resumed, the bill was reported agreed to without any amend— meat. and was then reada third time and passed.

Adjourned till four o‘clock. p. in.

armaxoox aizsstou. WILDERNESS LANDS IilLL.

Ilon. Mr. MACDONALD. on rising to move for the second reading of a bill to, encourage the settlement and cultiva'ioul of public wilderness than. said :7—T‘liia" bill was introduced by the Government for the purpose of facilitating the leillO-y meat of wilderness land. Your honors, are aware that the wilderness land, now' in the hands of the Goveruiiicnt. upon the various estates which have been pur- chased aniounts to about “30.000 acres. and under the provisions of the land purchase ttct. the Commissioner is only

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cient organisation for the improvement rumhorizfll .0 .9" .0 sud. per...“ a, m...

of agriculture. There are various ways of stimulating and improving that branch of industry. and I think it can he better done through private means than by the Government. lorit appears to me. that to substitute public for private means. is to destroy that self-dependence by which all successful men are characterized. The men who are actuated by a manly spirit of self-reliance are more likely to succeed than those who depend upon Got-crutnen't assistance. Therefore. I cannot help complimenting the people of those two Counties upon the step they have taken. and I think it. casts a reproach upon the

not such a society among themselves.

lion. Mr. ‘MacDostb: I am also leased that the people of St. Peter‘s y have taken this step in advance. for

it is well known that such societies are productive of good wherever' they are established. and I have no doubt but they will be organised in. and flourish in many parts of the Island. As his honor from the second district of Queen's County. (Mr. Beer.) haeeettddished a branch of his business in that part of the country. and from the great interest he takes in agriculture. and thoroughly versed as he is in every thing connected with the improvement of the Island in general. I have no doubt but the Island. will give the people. in that part of the oountry,the benefit of his assistance and advice. The societies established in con- nection with the Royal Agricultural So- ciety in Charlottetown. have been allowed to die out. Perhaps one reason of it is. that they were-established mainly for the purpose of importing agricultural implements. Plough-plates. mould- boards, and articles of that description. was imported and sold at a lower rate than they were sold by the very few in- dividuals who imported them at that time; but afterwards. those engaged in business began to iniport agricultural implements more extensively. Then the society’s depot being‘ confined to one place in each county. while those doing business had stores indifferent parts. the people could there obtain what they re- tqnired more conveniently. and. perhaps, at almost as cheap a tutti. This took away a great part of the business for which the “ Royal‘gricu'ltinral'Society " was established in the «ii-st instance. However. I do not drink the operations of agricultural aocietlees‘limild now be confined to the importation of agricul- tural implements. for that itgotie into other bands; but they should extend the , sphere of their usefulness by lacing themselves in communicationwii i ,lcad- lag agrieitlturalists in other countries. with a view of introduciupjmprored methods of farming. Iwill have much; pleasure in supporting the bill.

Hoe. III. Datum. : r I very much agree with "Ifihmn who have eit- presaed your epic one this bill. for it is. new. the interns of 'iheooutitvy lltat agr clitoral societies should’he _ ished in variouslocalities. 'It is vary‘we hnown to your honors. that

3. «deems othervoccupa-l

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"with it. mustn't-yucca coins to spend; ' y to 'hoow'that our agri- eettnra he to pro'gre- seal» a mot wash «to the country. His ’ Wiener-tutu the second district of Queen's ‘Ceaatyv'am. Beer). node sortiei very last mussel-until. but I (blah hogtied ~tnlatd'ke. in it! _, .I’eter’s Bay

their farms. for

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_ Wit. whogavetue tender-

sotnethin‘g from the soil. would be an ad-

Ttiose instalments will bear interest at

be in a position to settle upon them in a

; objections which have been made are . fully provided for by the land purchase

V . . . Mn“. ,0, m connect“, yvith his honors explanation.

lees-than 00 or more than 100.” i think might'be pieces of land containing 60. or

reason why such plots should not he let on the same terms as 50 or 100 acres.

should be anything in the bill to prevent a man. with two or three sons. from sel- tllug side by side on a piece of land. A poor family might be turned out of their farm by a proprietor. and should he al-. lowed to settle on this wilderness land without such restrictions as this bill inv-

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um: and“ ., 't. m; . m“ ‘ rusted-ear Msfftiahbel 7 in are m,” vs stat tar in the United titties. suit, lberal he‘the provisloosef thlehill‘avv. I furthers

are solute trfitvof land which it will not laden men to settle upon, particularly in

prepared to pay down 20 per cent. of the purchase nioucy. It has been found that this provision operates rather injurious- ly. inasmuch as it prevents persons from taking tip and settling upon those lands. It has been thought that a provision. by which persons would he allowed to settle upon the land without having to pay such a heavy instalment till they could get

vantage. and. with that view, this bill has been introduced. The principal provisions of it are. that the Commis- sioner will be authorized to let those lands. in tracts of 50 or 100 acres. to persons desiring to become actual set- tlers. ~They will he required to clear one acre annually. to build a house equal to twenty feet square, and ten or twolve feet post. and acttiall to settle upon and cultivate the farm. a the event of par- ties taking land in this way. they can go on cultivating it for sight you". and then they must begin to pay their instalments. as prescribed by the land purchase bill.

the rate offive per cent. They will be required to pay it small sum for survey- ing the land. and five shillings for a deed. I believe this act will be the means of inducing our young men. num- bers of whom go to the neighboring Co- lonies and the United States. to remain at home. No doubt. many of those young men who go away intend. after they have earned a little money. to re. turn and settle upon the Island, btit the

form new associations and ties of frien - ship. and eventually they abandon that intention. and settle in the Unitrd States; or wherever they had been residing. I am disposed to think that this bill. if it become law, will be the means of in- ducing many of those young men to take farms. ‘even while they remain at home under the parental roof; and then. by working upon them at times. they may

few years. For those reasons. I think the hill will be a very general benefit.

The 'bill was then read a second time. and referred to a committee of the whole House. Hon. Mr. Mat-Donald in the chair. .

Hon. Mr. Dmowaaa: The bill says 50 or 100 acres. Now, 50 acres is a very small farm. and I do not see any objection to giving 150 or 200 acres on the same terms.

“on. Mr. Aunnason: I'thialt it quite right that the land should be surveyed and laid off in plots of 100 acres each; but then. I think. a man should be allow- ed to talte 200 or 300 acres. if he desired tode «so.

'Hon. Mr. Harmonica: [think the

act. This bill is intended to apply to poor persons. and it would be useless to grant 200 or 800 acres to a poor man who could only cultivate a small piece of land. 'Such a course would destroy the intention of tha’hill. ..

Ilon. Mr. DIIGWILL: I am satisfied

1 Hon. Mr. Putin: If the words of the bill were altered so an, to say. “ not

it would be an improvement. There

70. or80 acres. and I do not see any

the vicinity of Murray Harbor. A large tract there has been burned over two or three limos. and it has become so as- liaiiated. that unless the very best of terms are offered. it will uotbe settled upon at all. I think such land might be let for 12 or 15 years free. and thenui very small price should be cliarucd for it. By some such provision as that. some parties might bo induced to settle upon it. but not otherwise.

IIoo. Mrplfav'rttoinia: In reply to his honor who has just spoken. I would say that there is nothing iii the bill to prevent a father and a family of soon from settl- ing upon the wilderness lands. providing they are in a position to bring their hold- inns into a state of cultivation. The object of limiting the quantity to be granted to each settler to 100 acres. is to prevent speculators from holding a quantity of land without settling upon and cultivating it. Ks to his lionor's re- main rerpccting the very inferior qual- ity of land near Murray liarbot'and other places. I think it is entirely a subject for immediate legislation. This bill will cause a more active demand for good land. and in process of time the inferior descriptions will become tnore valuable. They may. in some instances. prove valuable as peat bogs. and in that view of the case. the Cunard estate may tun. out to be a better purchase than many anticipate. I hope great things from this bill. for it is calculated to allay, to some extent. the anxiety which exists in the minds of some unfortunate tenants. who have short leases and who have no alternative but to leave their farms. They will have an opportunity. under the provisions of this bill. of cutting a {mod 100 acres of land on very easy terms. and their families will have another alternative besides that of expatriating themselves; for it is lamentable to ace the young men who have been brought up in the country. and educated at the public expense. taking themselves off to strengthen the hands of a forc‘ipu nation. It the bill has no other effect but to in. diicc those young men to remain iii the Island. it will be a good and useful measure.

Hon Mr. BEER: One new a year is a very small quantity for a settler to clear. I think he should be required to clear two.

IIon. Mr. Bantams-on: I think the provisions of the act are very liberal iti- deed. It would be better. in my opinion. to require a small deposit to be paid by the settler. and then. after seven or eight years to commence paying his instal- meats. I think he should also be re- quired to improve two acres a year in- stead of one. for, as the bill is now. there is scarcely a guarantee to the Govern- ment that the person who takes land in- tends to settle uprn it all. It is different now from what it was when emigrants came to the country. svbo were not able to swinp‘au axeor‘ttse a hoe. for it is expected that our own young men will take up the land. and as they will only be required to build a small house. they can devote the greater part of their time to the improvement of the land. This pro- vision would also act as a spur to those who were inclined to be careless or in- doleiit.

lion. Mr. WALKER: There is nothing in the bill to prevent a man from clear- ing ten acres a year. but I think it is quite enough to compel him to clear one. No doubt.he will clear as much as he can for his own bcncfit. But I would like to know what is really ineaut by im- proving the land. It is almost. impos- sible to take out the stamps for eight or nine years after the timber is cut down.

"on. Mr. ANDERSON: Perhaps cutting down and burning oil~ the timber will be considered improving the land. That is the worst feature I see in the bill. that parties may talte this land for the very purpose of cutting down and taking away valuable timber. and then abandon it. In this way they ma make a clean sweep of all the valun le timber on the 130.000 acres which belong to the Gov- eminent.

.Ilon. Mr. Gannon : I think his honor who has just spolten is quite right. There should be some way to prevent a destruction of Government property by cutting oil the timber. I think the terms of the bill are very liberal indeed. I would not be much surprised to see a hill introduced to give every man it free farm and build him a house.

Ilon. Mr. I‘autitnt, Icoucur in the opinion expressed. that there should be some restraint imposed to prevent par- tiea from committing waste by cutting down and selling more timber than they would require for their buildings, and then abandonin their property. We know that timber is becoming more vat luablo every year. In some places the timber. independent of the land. is worth from £2 to £l0 an acre. Perhaps not many parts of the Government land have timber so- valaahlo as to reach the maximum price that I have named ; but still, there are tracts where it is very vala- ahle. and a "ll" would onl ' have to ‘aka two or three hundred acres. by himself and his friends. to enable him to talte. perhaps. £l00 worth of timber od' it in a short time.

“on. Mr. Balm: I do not thinkthere

, see. new. 1 am pleased to see a

[tie probable that this has born on over- sight in training the bill. and I do not think it would rctard the settlement of the land to introduce a provision to rcv'cnt fraud of that kind. In fact, as the all! in at present. a {neat deal of valuable theta-r tiiigtrt he is enofl' the land without cutting down the acre or building the house. as is com.- plIMi '

unit. the Passioaart‘ln mam rte or at. Island. wilderness land i. new ligan- insole then clear land. It sells at from .64

S “‘ll’lfl‘hiudvlatrodaeed. for. so ill! tease acre larttie or the i. (Hr. Husban- obese I reside. amt 33' l “333% , ’93. ,Wlll probably prevent many case with tanovrratneetmersess land. “not” in 1.. AsthebillstawdsJateafraid “will open ( that to: y ‘ “W h" M" 'the settler will , a..." t v my. moist-preventative you-Jet

that-trombone» have I . flewevrr. I have wr’pertteulg dblgctlifa

to theltlllt *I‘ivooltl like when those lands

taken up and settled tipoa.’hut. at the nine

than. it would be well for the Government

dercd and rendered less valuable.

llon. Mr. Bawitits'roa: I oaimot concur ,ln rcetricting a sottlur from cutting titttltt-r. When a poor man goes art a new-term. he rcquitoi to make a living out of it. and, it is vcrt- tlllnt'lllh‘p do so during the first two or three years, It would be better. in my opinion. to require the settlers to improve more of the land. so that. if they ill-I abandon their farms. they would leave tmtltolliillg behind them which would be an equivalent for the timber that might be ta- lteit off.

"on. Mr. Dixoivat.i.: The object of the bill is to benefit the poo ile. and I hope the Gowrumcnt will not fol ow in the footsteps at some of the proprietors. who rcscrvvd the timber on the farms which they leased. Wlit-n a man taltrs a wilderness flirt“. per- haps the only way he has of raining it sub- sistence is by selling timber off it. and it would he vcry hard to prevent liim from doing so. It is a liberal measure. emanat- ing from a liberal Government. and I would be sorry to see iteontain any such restric- tloti as that indicated bv some of your honors.

lion. the Pausmnxr: I-tvould be as sorry its any person to restrict the poor limit-Ill any unreasonable wa . but, under this bill. a man will he allowa scvcii )‘t-ttra free no Full‘llllm. in which time he might. strip the load an l make it valnclesa. If he was pity— iug anything for the land. the case would he dim-rent.

Hamlin “Elm: I think it would lie llt‘I'

'ier to t'cqulre the settlvr to int rove two

acres instead of one. so that. at t i: cud of seven wars. he Would have taut-teen acro- nloari-d. 'l‘bttt. would be some inducement to another man to take tlic farm in case the first i-cttlcr should leave it. I would not like to restrict it poor man iti selling tim- ber. for he must have something to sell to procure his necessaries.

lion. Mr. llav'ruonmt: I do not. sen any great objection to the auggeatltm of my lion. colleague. (Mr. Beer). to require the settler to improve two acres a war. instead of Otto; but it has been said that tho wil- derness ltttid would be taken by those who have clear farms—«hat they would improve it. and. after a few years. make it their place of residence. In that can». perhaps. one acre is as much astsvc should insist upon them clttaring. Ilia honor from the first district of Queen‘s County. (Mr. littl- tlcrstoii). said the settlcrs should he ritqnih ed to pay a deposit. but that was the olden- tlnn to the former out. It has been stated by the Commissioner of Public Lands that the applications for farms Wuro numerous. iii which the parties could not pay the tin- posit—~20 per cent.—-iind \vcrc, therelurc. prevented from .scttliug upon the land. It was to remove that obstacle that this inca- sure was ititrotlttct-tl. Something has been sold about the settlers cutting the timber. and tht-rcby rt‘utlt-ringthe land less valuable. but I think vour honors ate all aware that it is exceedingly difficult to preserve the tiinln-r on Wlltlcrncss land. and (iuvcruiiit-nt land appears particularly liable to be plun- dcrctl. No doubt. as long aa there is a de- mand for thither, that will continue to ho thc case; bttt the Government wilderness land will not be thrown opt-ii iiidiscritiiiuatoly by this bill. It is only certain parts of it that will be offered to settlers on these tums. A man will not have the privilege of choos- ing a piece of land wherever he lilies. and. thfl'ffim‘v 1 this“! the objection respecting the plundering of timber. is, in a guest int-satire. obviated. Then his honor the President said that. is certain )ni‘ta of the Island. wood land was more valuable tlnin clear laud. Such facts are within my own knowledge; but lands of that. Had would not remain to be taken up under tlto pro- visions of this bill. 'l‘herc, Would he abund- ance of customers for than), for the old aottlt-rs would be glad to take thom up an. dcr the provisions of the "land purchase