The Historical Role of Canadian Agriculture
To understand the function of the historical role of Canadian
agriculture, we must first understand the two main features. 1. The
fact that the British North American Colonies were self sufficient was
a myth 2. Agriculture was supported by the government, not because
it was the main source of food, but in order that it would assist in the
other sources of importance
From the beginning of time agriculture has served as a vital
step in building a stronger economic and political empire. It has done
this by 3 ways 1. It is a means of defense and trade routes 2.
Provisions of the great staple trades 3. Provides investment
opportunities on the agriculture frontier
For the French and English Codfish, fur, sugar, provisions, and
shipping was very important to their economies. In order to maintain
a military, territories, and trade routes, local agriculture was needed
to provide the necessary provision; these became vulnerable if these
supplies were needed from the homeland. For example New England
developed a semi self sufficient agriculture base, which gave them an
advantage over New France who was dependent on the mother
country for supplies.
In the mid 1800’s commercial interests turned to agriculture
because of the failure of the fur and timber trades. With the
continuation of the government’s involvement in agriculture, it can be
traces beck to see that this was the cause for the desire for
Confederation which prevented the western territories form falling
under the control of the US. The bureau of agriculture was formed for
the purpose of building at nation, not for the aid in agriculture
FOWKE states
The Canadian farmer had had political power, but this power
has varied in proportion to the contribution which agriculture could
make, at any given time, to the cause of commerce, finance,
commerce, and industry, rather than in proportion to farms numbers
or their state of organization
French Agriculture in New France
Europe started to settle in New World. These new colonies
were developed to serve the interests of the Mother Country. The fur,
and cod trade were the two main resources. These commodities
contributed to the trade with Spain. Trading with Spain was very
important to everyone because of there latest uncover of large
amounts of gold. And a positive trade balance with them would bring
gold into the coffers of England, France, and Holland. So at this time
agriculture was not of any importance. Any completion with the fur
and cod trade would not be tolerated. This was proven when the
explore Cartier traveled to the new world he found agriculture all
along the St. Lawrence, then ¾ of a century later no agriculture
settlements were found. People were more interested in fur and cod
trade that seemed limitless. The beginning of agriculture in New
France started around 1598 by a man named Marquis de la Roche.
He was appointed lieutenant-general and governor of the French
territories. He also was give the power to grant land in seigniories,
which means “ to be held in such a manner as he shall deem in
keeping with services and on such terms and conditions as shall
conduce to the defense of the said countries”. So agriculture at this
time was to provide only as a means of defense. The farmers were
used to protect the fur trade routes. This was a quick way to raise an
army rather than waiting for them to arrive form Europe. Roche also
realized that agriculture could be used to strengthen the cod and fur
trade by producing food within the colonies. This would cost
considerably less than if the food was bought from over seas.
Inspire of various forms of assistance, the French governments
efforts to developed agriculture in the Canadian colonies were
relatively unsuccessful. An indication of the limited degree of
success was the fact that much of the food required to maintain the
staple industries continued to be bought from France. This would
lead to the colonies demise. With the French and English colonies so
closely together and competing for the same goods, conflict was
inevitable. The treaty of Utrecht in 1713 required the French to with
draw from the area called Acadia. In this area agriculture was finally
starting to take hold. The French were restricted on where they could
hunt and fish and tried to make a go of agriculture again but with the
final fall of Quebec, clearly indicated the French failure of agriculture
in the New World. Most of the French settlers sold there land and
returned to Europe following the conquest.
The St. Lawrence Region under English Control.
Once the British took control of the French colonies they
became enthusiastic about the agriculture potential of the area. They
wanted to expand the production of the growing of hemp and
manufacturing of potash. These items were in great demand in Britain.
Hemp was encouraged to be grown in a number of ways. 1. Prices
were fixed for locally grown hemp 2. Bounties were on land planted in
hemp 2. Premiums for the largest field, best fiber and seed. Despite
all of this assistance Canadian hemp productions never really
contributed to British supplies. The reason for this is because to grow
hemp is easy but its final product was very labor intensive which the
colonies lacked. Special government offers were given to new settlers
but this failed. James Murry was appointed Governor and was excited
about agriculture in the area. He tried to promote settlement in the
area by advertising in American papers and offering large settlement
offers but the fur trade route restricted this. The only 2 motives for
merchants in the area were to feed and clothe the troops and the fur
trade. Agriculture in the area was not appealing to the people. But
governor Murry would set the stage for British agriculture policy
Quote Upper and Lower Canada
When the government tried to develop agriculture they made
grants of land, encouraged immigration, gave bounties, and made
much use of agricultural societies to distribute these bounties and to
effect improvements in methods of production. The enthusiasm to
develop agriculture varied so its evolution was a relatively uneven
process; it was not until the establishment of a Bureau of Agriculture
for Upper and Lower Canada in 1852 that agriculture was recognized
as an important industry.
The Key factor which made the switch to agriculture in the
colonies was the failure of the fur trade. People were looking for a
new trade so they turned to wheat, timber and potash. As production
increased, it placed downward pressure on British prices, wages, and
land values which led t Britain closing the markets to the colonies.
The farmers had no markets for their produce, this led to British aid
which they gave grants to the colonist farmers.
On the trade side of agriculture, farmers favored tariffs and the
protection of agriculture while merchants wanted free trade.
Merchants only care about themselves and cheap produce. They
would not tolerate anything that threatened their prosperity. In 1840
tariffs were applied against American farm produce which was not a
victory for the Canadian farmers but was designed to encourage the
removal or reduction of US tariffs. At this point the tariffs were
designed to protect agriculture but it was not needed. The supply
exceeded the demand and Canada was exporting so the tariffs were
more of a hinder than a help.
As the commercial interests began to fail Canadian agriculture
took on a new importance and a new role. Canada was having
economic problems and the only solution to this was immigration.
Immigration involved settlement, settlement required manufacture
goods, tools and implements as well as capital and investment.
Therefore the frontier role of agriculture was to create investment
opportunities.
The Agricultural Frontier
World – wide depression, European and British crop failure,
local crop failures, and commercial difficulties had created distress
and unrest in British North America. This led to a desire in Canada for
closer ties with America. Two problems had to be over come for this
to happen. 1. Transportation had to be improved and 2. Trade had to
be liberalized. In 1848 the St. Lawrence Canals were completed to
draw the trade of the western states but the high freight rates
deterred this. To make matters worse, the Canadian soils were
becoming exhausted and the march of pests such as the wheat
midge, the Hessian fly and the emergence of a new fungus to the
new world, “rust”. This resulted for a greater effort to improve
agricultural production in Canada. The US was involved in a civil war
and these events provided a very profitable environment for
merchants, transportation companies and producers.