The evening times., 1898-11-25
T[LLING THE SOIL
In FAR-OFF ALASKA
Not So Barren as 1t Is Gener-
ally Supposed.
SPECIMEN BUNCH OF FLAA
The Climate of the Western Coast
Is Very Mild.
SPECIMEN BUNCH OF FLAl
Resale of Experiments Conducted by
Professor Ge0rgeson Under the
Direction OF Secretary Wilson.

Wilson exhibited several fine specimens
OF barley and oats on the stalk. They
created great deal of interest with the
President and the Cabinet as actual eN7a
amples of the agricultural productions OF
Alaska. a section of the United States
which is generally supposed to be barren
and worthless SO far as crop-Srowing is
concerned.
Last year Prof Charles c. Georgeson
was commissioned by the Secretary of
Agriculture To investigate the agricultural
possibilities of Alaska, and 10 make ex-
periinents where practicable. Prof.
Geors.son arrived AT sitka in the middle
Of last May, taking with him variety
OF seeds FOR trial. He found that no grain
whatever had been grown in the coun-
Try. few vegetables, particularly white
potatoes being the extent of its agrlcull-
ural productions. and the people depend
ing mainly on getting supplies from the
States Cattle he found to a considerable
eXter. and some dairying, native grasses
being used for feed. Prof. Georgeson Sc
cured he use of a number of plots OF
ground around Sitka, comprising IN all
about TWO acres. and on these he made
his experiments. planting Russian, Nor
wecian aud Minnesota barley and cats,
raXseed. clover and numerous varieties
OF vegetables. He was then obliged 10
leave them while travelling through the
cnast country 50 that they received IN
different attention. The results OF ms
farms are Tow on exhibition at the De
partment OF Agriculture. The oats ana
harley indicate an immense yield, being
remarkably plump and well filled. IhtE
would be. said Prof. Georgeson' re
narkabIy fine for any country" Seeding
red clover grew 10 height oil lhlrty
inches. and was strong. Other grasses
and cioyers did much better thah IN
many section in the States.
Perhaps the most interesting specimen
brought to Washington is a bunch OF max
grown by Prof. GeorEeson. 4 do NOT
claim TO be a fax expert, said he, DAT
II this is not exceptionally fne fax Tor
fiber 1 am very mIsoh mistakeIl- fhe con-
Siiijons Oh the Alaskan coast appear 10 DE
ideal: something similar TO those OF Ire
land. where the finest linen flakes are
grown. These stems. as you See are re
markably strong; try one, you cannot
break ii.
Il have surveyed land for three ex-
yyrrfrnent staticns continued PROF.
Gtorgeson. one at Sitka, one at kadiak
Island and one OF go acres at Cook : In
let. l hope next year to follow up the
subject a these places and carry on reg
ular experiment station work. The re-
suits. / am satisfied, will amply repay the
cost and labor. The possibilities of Alas
ka sre very considerable. 1t is no such
place as people generally imagine. On
Kadiak Island as well as places on the
Il. I,7 NhtAt.S
Of cattle: they are small, native stock,
so-calIed and they can be greatly i'm
proved by the introduction OF some blood
ed stock.
How is the climate of the coast of
Alaska
The climate of the entire western
coast Of Alaska Is very mild: its winters
are less rigorous than those of Washing
ton city. and its summers are cooler.
-Four degrees below zero is the lowest re-
corded temperature at Sitka, while in
summer the mercury seldom rises above
s. This equability is due 10 the influence
OF the Japan current, which strikes across
the Pacific from Japan and influences the
climate of the entire Pacific Coast of
Alaska the Dominion of Canada and the
State OF Washington. Sitka is about lati-
tude % degrees. BY reference to the map
il will bc seen that much of the Alaskan
peninsula and Kadiak Island is south of
this. all of which is under the influence of
the Japan current"
"Whar region of Alaska presents the
best agricultural field?'
The land lying south Of Cook Inlet.
I think. There is here a tract of 80
miles or 50 of tabelands, rising 100 or POO
feet above the sea. On the north side
Of Cooks Inlet are active volcanoes. l0.o9J
or 1900 feet high. ! observed while pass
ing. the smoke issuing from their sum-
mits.
What about the interior of the country,
prof. Ssor-the klondike?''
~ made no trips into the interior this
time. confining my work TO the coast
away from the influence of the Japan cur
rent the climate is a very different thing
Although extremely cold in winter. how
ever the summers are quite hot. 1 be
lieye that winter wheat can be grown
well into the interior. There is sufficient
snowfall TO protect il from the exceed
ingiy heavy freezing in the winter, and
there is sufficient heat in the summer to
mature IL. / have been told that yolun-
teer wheat, which sprung up from scat
terings from pack feeding. has grown and
matured full heads during the summer
months. The interior is a subject for fu-
ture investigation, and a large subject
toe. At present / have demonstrated
what can be done on the coast. grew
oats on ordinary ground which will weigh
l believe forty pounds to the bushel. Max
ed, the Kernels as you see, look almost
like wheat