<P> To strengthen the colony and make it the centre of France's colonial empire, Louis XIV decided to send single women, aged between 15 and 30 known as the King's Daughters or in French, les filles du roi, to New France, paying for their passage and granting goods or money as a dowry . Approximately 800 arrived during 1663--1673 . The King's Daughters found husbands among the male settlers within a year or two, as well as a new life for themselves . They came on their own choice, many because they could not make a favorable marriage in the social hierarchy in France . They were from commoner families in the Paris area, Normandy and the central - western regions of France . By 1672, the population of New France had risen to 6,700, from 3,200 in 1663 . </P> <P> At the same time, marriages with the indigenous peoples were encouraged, and indentured servants, known as engagés, were also sent to New France . The women played a major role in establishing family life, civil society, and enabling rapid demographic growth . There was a high demand for children, for they contributed to the prosperity of the farm from an early age, and there was plenty of food for them . Women bore about 30% more children than comparable women who remained in France . Landry says, "Canadians had an exceptional diet for their time . This was due to the natural abundance of meat, fish, and pure water; the good food conservation conditions during the winter; and an adequate wheat supply in most years ." </P> <P> Besides household duties, some women participated in the fur trade, the major source of cash in New France . They worked at home alongside their husbands or fathers as merchants, clerks and provisioners . Some were widows who took over their husband's roles . A handful were active entrepreneurs in their own right . </P> <P> After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, New France began to prosper . Industries such as fishing and farming, which had failed under Talon, began to flourish . A "King's Highway" (Chemin du Roy) was built between Montreal and Quebec to encourage faster trade . The shipping industry also flourished as new ports were built and old ones were upgraded . The number of colonists greatly increased . By 1720, Canada had become a self - sufficient colony with a population of 24,594 people . The Church, although now less powerful than it had originally been, controlled education and social welfare . These years of peace are often referred to by French Canadians as New France's "Golden Age". </P>

The economy of new france was based on what