Although we cannot promise government land in any of our colonies, still we give the following synopsis of the laws affecting such land, as likely to be of benefit to those who wish to secure homes in this way.

HOMESTEADS.

1. Who may enter.—First, every head of a family; second, every single person, male or female, over the age of twenty-one years, who are citizens of the United States, or have declared their intentions to become such.

2. Quantity that may be entered.—80 acres within ten miles on each side of a land-grant railroad, and 160 acres without.

3. Cost of entry.—Fourteen dollars.

4. Time for settlement.—After making his entry the settler has six months within which to remove upon his land.

5. Length of settlement.—The settler must live upon and cultivate his entry for five years. At any time after five, and within seven years, he makes proof of residence and cultivation.

6. Proof required.—His own affidavit and the testimony of two witnesses.

7. Residence.—Single, as well as married men, are required to live upon their homesteads.

8. Soldiers' Homesteads.—Every honorable discharged soldier, sailor or marine, who served for ninety days, can enter 160 acres within railroad limits, upon payment of eighteen dollars. The time spent in the service will be deducted from the five years' residence required.

TIMBER CULTURE ENTRY.

1. Who may enter.—The same qualifications are required as in a homestead entry.

2. Quantity that may be entered.—40, 80, or 160 acres.

3. Limitations.—But one-fourth of any section can be entered.

4. Requirements.—No settlement is required. By the amended law only ten acres need be broken and set out in trees on 160 acres, (quarter section.)

First year, break five acres.

Second year, break five acres and cultivate in crop first year's breaking.

Third year, set out trees in first five acres broken and crop second five acres.

Fourth year, set out trees in latest five acres broken.

N. B.—Seed or cuttings can be put in in place of trees.

If the timber entry be but 80 acres, one-half the quantity before given is planted; if 40 acres, one-fourth.

5. Proof required.—Affidavit of party, and testimony of two witnesses.

6. Cost of entry.—Fourteen dollars for any entry, without regard to quantity.

A man making a Homestead entry, is also entitled to make a Timber-culture entry. This would give him, outside of the ten miles railroad grant, half a section of land; a son or daughter, twenty-one years of age, can also enter under the Homestead and Timber-claim acts, half a section; and thus one family can secure a whole section of land.

PRE-EMPTION ACT.

Under this act, a man can enter 80 acres of government land, inside the ten miles railroad limits, price $2.50 per acre; or 160 acres, outside the railroad grant, for which he will have to pay, getting two years time $1.25, government price.

If he wishes, he can pay up in six months, on proof of actual residence, having made the improvements on the land required by the law, which are easily done, and get his title; having secured this, he can then enter 80 or 160 acres more, under the Homestead act. He cannot Pre-empt and Homestead at the same time.

None of the government conditions for securing land are at all burdensome to the actual settler; whether required by law or not, to be a farmer, a man must live upon his land and cultivate it.