The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-11-12
FARMING In ALASKA.
A Not Very Encouraging Repors
OF Possibilities.
Enoughof Certain Crops and Animals MAY
bc q owa. However. ~ Sustain Con
siderable Population. Provided
Proper Methods AR. Pursued.

WARRINGTON. Nov. 5.--Dr. ". III. Evans
and Benton KILN. commissioners APP
pointed to investigate the agricultural
possibilities Of Alaska. have submitted
their reports To Secretary of Agricul-
turc Wilson. The reports agree that
while comparatively little agriculture
exists there il j. possible that enough
of certain crops and animals may he
grown To sustain . considerable popu-
lation, provided proper methods are
pursued. While Director True, of
the division of experiment stations.
does not regard as feasible the estab-
hshment of agricultural experiment
stations there, he believes that expert
mcnts may be carried ON in number
of lines with great success The two
commissioners spent three months IN
vcstigating the southern coast region
of Alaska The reports say cultivated
areas in Alaska are confined To small
kitchen gardens in which are
many of our earlier and hardier
vegetables. Stock raising is car
ried on 10 very limited extent.
The possible extension of the pastur-
az. and gardening area is quite consid-
cradle. Estimates are made of an ex-
pense OF 600 per acre in preparing the
soil for cultivation. What agriculture
there viii be in Alaska will be suOsI-
diary 10 fishing and other industries.
according 10 Mr.. killin's separate re-
port.
Fishermen will locate on Alaskan
lands and make homes AT the pres
cnt rate. Mr.. killen SAYS. the salmon
viii soon be destroyed; they are iished
for in the spawning waters TO such an
extent that they have no opportunity
10 propagate Hallbut, cod and her
ring viii last forever Timber will not
20 into the market until the yellow lii
or Douglass pine Of the Pacific coast j.
exhausted. a. IL is superior 10 the
Alaskan spruce or hemloc@.
AlasNans Will not feel the want Of
agriculture. A. freight from the coast
agriculture! districts j. By Sal. vessel,
and very cheap. IL now costs but 80
cents day 10 provide food for miners
al Turn Again Arm. the most remote
part oi Cooks Inlet lie says that the
agricultural department can do moth
ing in the way of experimental sta
iions ia Alaska but can furnish infor-
nation.
Mr. KILN says that from that county
will be drawn sailors for the merchant
marine and navy Ii eau be made. he
thinks. by granting to every American
citizen Who shall establish himself in
a home for tive years ON the public
lands. and who shall engage IN some
occupation ON his own account for the
same period - acre tracts of land
with about 600 feet of water front
The latter will make it possible for
boats To be landed aud nets To be drawn.
The timber of the 20 acres of land will
build "A boat. "a house and furnish fuel
A. fast as the timber il taken off of the
land small fruits and green vcgeta BILE,
can be grown and grass will be fur
nished for the domestic animals
Grasses grow to great perfection;
little was seen OF the cultivation OF
cereals. and small fruits aud berries
abound though practically no atten-
tiol is paid to their cultivation.
As 10 the country from the southern
boundary to Kodiak and Long islands
aud the Pacific To the coast or the
Alaskan noun tains. the climate is
extremely wet. but not cold; winters
are very long and the feeding period
will be at least seven months. The
cereals will not ripen and the vege Ia
bles will not mature