Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-11-09
SIrKA, A. T., Oct. II, 1858.

CiIhA, a. IL, OCt. IL, 1000
Ed. STANDARD:
In accordance with . promise to
write you something concerning
Alaska after my arrival here, I will
now proceed although the limited
time l have been here is hardly suf-
fcient 10 justify much.
Alaska, although q country Of 81.
gxntic proportions. is extremely com.
plex and irregular 10 its area, being
cut up ly inland seas into islands
and peuinsulas of extremely noun.
famous formation. The mainland
10 also equally a. irregular in sur
face. The altitude Of surface varies
from a small uprising of rock to a
mountaia Of Is. 900 feet, where snow
remains constantly and glaciers reign
in sublimity. The mountains to the
snow line are covered with forests OF
irreRuIarly developed trees, from the
stunted cedar 10 the lofty pine.
The varieties most valuable and at
tanning the largest size are the vel.
low cedar Tor cypress), hemlocI and
spruce. Tue yellow cedar is most
priced for it's durability, elasticity
ioughness Of fibre, and SUSCEPTIBLE
" Of fns polish, besides an aromatic
odor both fragrant and lasting. l,
10 said 10 be adaptable for ship
building purposes in all its require
ments and a handsome wood for the
manufacture OF cabinet ware.
Bushes Of many varieties form the
underground Of the forests and Of.
ford an abundance of delicacies in
the shape of the whortleberry, sal.
mon, black, bunch and cranberry,
while the fora is made up of many
beautiful ard rare specimens. Veg
etables, where cultivated, develop
surprisingly for this latitude, and
species Of wild grass and cereals
grow luxuiiantly. which, for eight
months ct least, would afford, with
the climate Of S:tka, ample susten-
ance for cattle and sheep, though
many winters pass here that cattle
could live uncared for other than
provided by nature. OF course, this
does not apply 10 Alaska in general,
~ its extremes Of boundary and va.
ried elevations Of surface render the
climate almost a. equally varied.
Potatoes and the harder vegetables
are grown here, not only by the few
white people but by the Indians as
we'll, who have for . long time been
cultivating them. OF tine mineral
resources . great deal has been writ
ten. yet practically they are quite
primitive, and only time, coupled
with q gre, amount Of capital, labor
and hardship, can determine the
reality OF Alsskas mineral wealth.
Fishing indus riss are prospective
Of a good future. The field is CON-
paratively inexhaustible and guam
iity beyond comprehension. The
enterprise Of establishing Gamer.
les aud stations for curing the many
varieties that are valuable here is
jus, commencing aud will increase
from year 10 year, and future fol
Alaska can he dependent on the my.
riads Of creatures that crowd its wa
tiers alone, together with the land
aud water fur.bealing animals that
inhsbit Their respective haunts. The
forests ere inhabited with many AMI
mails. Bear and deer are very plen-
tiful. Venison is the staple OF meats,
beef being seldom kept in the mar.
kets, with varieties of wild fowl and
fish.
Civil government, If given to the
region Of oourtry known as Alaska,
together with infol nation concern
ing its present and prospective re.
sources, would induce capital, L.
borsrs and adventurers to concen.
trats in this northwestern extreme
J Of The United States and develop