Oregon union. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1897-1899, 1897-11-12
FARMING IN ALASKA
Commissioners Evans and
KILN Submit Reports.
STOCKRAISING VERY LIMITED
Enough of Certain Crops May Be Grown
to Sustain a Considerable
Population.

Washington, Nov. 8.-Dr. W. HI.
Evans and Benton KILN, commission
ers appointed to investigate the agricul
tural possibilities of Alaska, have sub
mitted their reports to Secretary OF
Agriculture Wilson. The reports agree
that while comparatively little agri-
culture exists there, it is possible that
enough of certain crops and animals
may be grown to sustain considerable
population, provided proper methods
are pursued.
While Director True, of the division
of experiment stations, does not regard
as feasible the establishment of agri-
cultural experiment stations there he
believes that experiments may be car
ried on in number of lines with great
success.
The two commissioners spent three
months in investigation on the south
ern coast of Alaska. They report that
the cultivated areas in Alaska are con-
fined to small kitchen gardens, in
which are grown many of our earlier
and harder vegetables. Stockraising
is carried on to very limited extent.
The possible extension of pasturage
and gardening are quite considerable.
What agriculture will be in Alaska
will be subsidiary to fishing and other
industries, according to Mr.. KILN s
special report. Fishermen will locate
on Alaskan lands and make homes. AT
the present rate. Mr.. KILN says, the
salmon will soon be destroyed. They
are being fshed for in the spawning
waters to such an extent that they have
no opportunity to propagate. The hall
but and herring will last forever.
Timber will not go into the market
until the yellow fir, or Douglass pine,
of the Pacific coast, is exhausted, as it
is superior to the Alaskan spruce or
hemlock. Alaskans will not feel the
want Of agriculture, as freight from the
coast agricultural districts by sailing
vessels is very cheap. 1t now costs
but 80 cents day to provide food for
miners at Turnagain arm, the most re-
mote part of Cook inlet. He says that
the agricultural department can do
nothing in experiment stations in Alas
ka, but it can furnish information.
Mr.. KILN says that from the coun-
try will be drawn sailors for the mer-
chant marine and navy. It can be
done, he thinks, by granting to every
American citizen who shall establish
himself in home for five years ON the
public lands and who shall engage in
some occupation on his own account for
the same period, 20-acre tracts of land !,
with about 600 feet of water front.
The latter will make it possible for
boats to be landed and nets to be drawn.
The timber of the 20 acres would
build boat, house and furnish fuel.
AS fast as the timber is taken off the
land, small fruits and green vegetables
can be grown and grass furnished for
the domestic animals. Grasses grow
to great perfection. Little was seen of
the cultivation of cereals and small
fruits. Berries abounded, though prac-
tically no attention is paid to their cul-
tivation.
As to the country from the southern
boundary to Kodiak and Long island,
and from the Pacific to the Alaskan
mountains, the climate is extremely
wet, but not cold. The winters are
very long, and the feeding period will
be at least seven months. Cereals
will not ripen, and the vegetables will
not mature.