By the 1880s , the provincial government had purchased 844,000 acres ( 342,000 ha ) .
By the 1880s , the provincial government resold 624,000 acres ( 253,000 ha ) to farmers .
By the 1880s , the provincial government had purchased 844,000 acres ( 342,000 ha ) and resold 624,000 acres ( 253,000 ha ) to farmers .