Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-04

is mostly slate, with little clay over it,
except glacial clay. which is at the mouth
Of Stikeen and Copper rivers. The soil else
where is decaying vegetation lying i'm
med:ately upon the primary or country
rock. The land, except at the mouth Of
the two rivers, Is swamDy, and the whole
country, except these points, Is covered
with spruce. hemlock and cedar timber.
The land will be very difficult to clear and
DRAIN Native grasses grow luxuriantly
where there is no timber, and appear as
soon as the timber is removed. Mr. KILN
states that the finest growth of grass he
has ever seen was in the Copper river
delta: Vegetation goes on very rapidly in
the long days of July. Grass grows as
much as an inch a day.
This country, like the other section
abounds in berries, tire ld-fashioned red
cur1ants growing wild at Cooks Inlet in
such abundance that the natives sell them
Tor ~ cents per pound. White clover ami
Kentucky blue grass are becoming in
dlgencus. Native grasses are very nutri-
fious, although growing so fast. While cat
tie were extremely thin on Kodiak Island
in April, they were good beef the latter
part Of July.
Climatic Conditions
The climate is extremely wet, but not
cold, the mercury rarely reaching ten de-
grees below zero. The winters are very
long and the feeding period will be at least
seven months. The cereals will not ripen
climate is SO damp that the curing Of hay
Will be very uncertain and unsatisfactory
What agriculture there will be in Alaska
the report states, will be subsidiary to the
fishing and other industries. Fishermen
will locate on Alaskan lands and make
homes. They will raise green vegetables
and small fruits, and will feed a few cows
and sheep for domestic use on grass in
Summer and on ensilage in the winter
There is plenty of wood for both house and
barn building and for fuel. At the present
rate, Mr.. KILN says the salmon will soon
be destroyed; they are being fished for in
the spawning waters to such an extent that
they have no opportunity to propagate
Halibut. cod and herring will last forever.
Timber will not go into the market until
the yellow fir OF Douglas pine of the Pacific
coast Is exhausted, it Is superior to the
Alaskan spruce or hemlock.
Cheap Freight Rates.
In conclusion, the report states that Alas
kans will not feel the want of agric ulture,
as freight from the coast agricultural dis
tricts Is by sail vessel and very cheap. It
now costs but 30 cents day to provide
food for miners at Turn Again Arm, the
most remote part of Cooks Inlet He saws
that the Agricultural Department can do
nothing in the way of experimental sta
tons in Alaska. but can furnish literature
on the subject, OF the silo It is suggested
1t might be well to send up there for few
years person skilled in building and oper-
atiEg silo.
Mr.. KILN ventures the statement that
from that country will be drawn sailors
for the merchant marine and navy. 1t can
be DONE he thinks. by granting to every
American citizen who shall establish him
self in a home for five years on the public
lands and Who shall engage in some occu-
patton on his own account for the same
period. twenty-acre tract of land with
about 600 feet of water front. The latter
VIII make it possible for boats to be landed
and nets to be drawn. The timber of twenty
acres of land will build boat, house and
furnish fuel. AS fast as the timber is taken
Off OF the land small fruits and green veg
etableS can be grown, and grass will be
furnished for the domestic animals.