Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-02-27
CLIMATE OF ALASKA.

WRITTEN FOR THE TRIBUNE.
The climate Of Alaska in many re
spects resemble that of Washington
Territory, where it rains only seven
days in the week The density of the
forests in both OF those Territories,
may account for the heavy rainfall
In the spring and fall seasons in
southern Alaska, the rainfall IS light
but continuous, coming down eternal
ly and forming the most hazy, misty,
murky, cloudy and foggy of all atmos-
pheres. In the winter rain and snow
seems to have entered into an agree
ment, as both decend together, getting
well mixed up, forming slush in the
streets In such a way as to make tray
cling disagreeable. In course of time
side walks were completed, and eeya-
ted enough from the streets to afford
being kept dry and clean. During
the winter months in Alaska the sun
has got some hiding place and can
not be SEEN From this, however, it
must not be inferred as existing the
six months days and nights of the
Esquimauz region.
All winter is bright enough and
clear enough to perform out door
work from s g. n. until 3 or 4 p ~
This fact is potent to any one having
any knowledge Of the Territory OF
ever been there Notwithstanding
this, reports have been published
about the great ice field, and the con
tinual six months days and nights Of
those laiitudes. I have seen such re-
ports furnished by an assistant surgeon
Of the army, stationed for a time at
Sitka, Alaska. In extenuation Of such
an immense draw on the imagration
faculty it must be said the doctor was
a young man, inexperienced in the
worlds ways, unused to travel much
away from home, and therefore in
need Of friendly sympathy on account
Of loneliness, want Of comforts. and
so far away from every JOY, accounts |
OF such & nature given to random. and |
without any forethought OF reflection
are calculated to mislead and do not
deserve publicity or attention,
The snow fall at Sitka wares from
four to eight inches on the level, sell
dom remaining on the ground for any
length Of time, and very often melt
ing rs it falls. The mountain ranges
are wrapped in perpetual snow from
prehistoric ages. It has been affirm
ed by the old residents in employ of
the Russian American fur company,
that some thirty years ago the snow
fall on the streets in the town of
Sitka, reached the depth Of fifteen to
twenty feet creating a constant requisi-
ton for the shovel, lin order to make
passage way from house to house.
There is no intense cold in South
ern Alaska. no cold weather at all in
comparison to what prevails in the
states and territories Of the great
Northwest. The softening Of climate
in such high latltudes, me attributed
to the warm winds we welcome in
Montana throughout the winter
and to the shelter Of the
ranges and the forests.
In the more northern portion Of the
country the winds are more severe as
at Kdiak and Kenay. Near the latter
place grass is most abundant, and
grass to height of six feet Some
such consideration as grass and hay
in abundance weighed with Lieut..
Schwatka, when resigning his commits
sion in order to 60 in with capitalists
in the business Of stock raising on a
large scale. The knowledge derived
from three years experience exploring
in Alaska, has familiarized Lieut..
Schwatka with the many advantages
presented for stock raising, and other
varied resources. It is very possible |
that portion Of that vast Territory
may be converted into agricultural !
cereals of all kinds have
been grown already-so far back as !
seventeen years ago, potatoes, onions,
cabbage, lettuce, carrots and narsnips {
we're raised on the islands by the sol
liers, the yield was excellent and I
abundant. The Indians have been in s
he habit Of raising potatoes from time I
mmemorial, and disposing Of them in |
he markets. Some of the Russians t
nave raised as fine crop of potatoes
Is could be seen anywhere, and culti- {
7ation has been carried on in rather
rude way. It is within the range of t
that grain crops with prop s
II cultivation and care can be brought /
o mature. The months of April, May, /
Tune, July and August give the very {
,est kind Of weather, the four last t
lamed show the most agreeable eli s
nate and temperature in the world. |
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