The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-05
AGRICULTURE IN ALASKA.
Reports Submitted by Secretary Will
sons Special Commissioners.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 4.-Dr. W. H.
Evans and Benton KILN, commissioners
appointed to investigate the agricultural
possibilities of Alaska, have submitted their
reports to Secretary of Agriculture Wilson.
The reports agree that while comparatively
little agriculture exists there it is possible
that enough of certain crops ard animals
may be grown to sustain a considerable
population, provided proper methods are
pursued. While Director True, of the di-
vision of experiment stations, does not re-
gard as feasible the establishment of agri-
cultural experiment stations there, he be-
lieves. that experiments may be carried on
in number of lines with great success.
The two commissioners spent three months
Investigating the southern coast region of
Alaska.
The reports say that cultivated areas in
Alaska are confined to small kitchen gar
dens in which are grown many of our earlier
and harder vegetables. Stock raising is
carried on to "a very limited extent The
possible extension of the pasturage and gar
dening area is quite considerable. Esti-
mates are made of an expense of $500 per
acre in preparing the soil for cultivation.
What agriculture there will be in Alaska
will be subsidiary to fishing and other in
dustries, according to Mr.. Killins separate
report. Fishermen will locate on Alaskan
lands and make homes. At the present rate,
Mr.. KILN says. the salmon will soon be de-
stroyed: 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 or Douglass pine of the Pa
cific, coast is exhausted, as it is superior
to the Alaskan spruce or hemlock. Alas
kanS will not feel the want of agriculture,
as freight from the coast agricultural dis
tricts is by sailing vessel, and very cheap.
1t now costs but 80 cents a day to provide
food for miners at Turn Again Arm, the
most remote part of Cooks inlet He says
that the Agricultural Department do
nothing in the way of experimental sta
tons in Alaska, but can furnish informa-
ton.
will be drawn sailors for the merchant ma
rine and navy. 1t can be done, he thinks,
by granting to every American citizen who
shall establish himself in a home for five
years on the public lands, and who shall
engage in some occupation on his own ac-
count for the same period twenty-acre
tracts of land. with about six hundred feet
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 the timber Is taken off of
the land small fruits and green vegetables
can be grown, and grass will be furnished
for the domestic animals. Grasses grow to
great perfection: little was seen of the Gull
tivation of cereals. but small fruits and ber-
ries abound. though practically no attention
is paid to their cultivation.
AS to the country from the southern
boundary to Kodiak and Long islands, and
from the Pacific to the coast Alaskan
mountains. 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 vegeta-
bleS will rot mature.