New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-25
AGRICULTURE IN ALASKA.
THE SOIL, NOT so BARREN AS IS GEN
ERALLY SUPPOSED.
Result OF EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED ny FRO
FEssoR GEoRGHsoN UNDER THE DIREc-

RESULT OF EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED ny FRO
rrssoR GEoRGHsoN UNDER THE DIREc-
TON oF SECRETARY WILSON.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNr.l
Washington. Nov. 24.-At a recent Cabinet meet
ing Secretary Wilson exhibited several hSc speoi-
mems Of barley and oats the stalk. They created
a great deal OF interest with the President and the
Cablne; as actual examples OF the agricultural pro-
auctions Of Alaska. a section Of the United States
which Is generally supposed 10 be barren ana
worthless so far as c.op-growing Is concerned.
Las: year Professor Charles c. Gcorgeson was
commissioned by the Secretary of Agriculture to
investigate the agricultural possibilities OF Alaska
end 20 make experiments where practicable. Pro-
fessor Georgeson arrived at Sitka In the middle OF
last May taking with him variety Of seeds Tor
trial. lie found that no grain whatever had been
grown IN the country. Il few vegetables. partlcu-
larly white potatoes being the extent OF Its agrl-
cultural productions. and the people depending
mainly on getting supplies from tae States. Cattle
he found 20 a considerable extent. and some dairy
ing native grasses beinr used For feed. professor
Gcorgeson secured the use Of number Of plots OF
ground around Sitka, comprising in all about two
acres. and these ne made his experm ms
planting Russian. Norwegian and Minnesota barley
and oats. AaXseed clover AMI numerous varieties OF
vegetables. lie then obliged TO leave them
while travelling through the coast country so that
they received indifferent attention. THIS results OF
MS farms exhibition at the Depart
uient Of Agriculture. The and barley indicate
IN immense yield. being remarkably plump and
well aned They would be-" said Professor
Georgeson remarkably fine for any country.
Seeding red clover grew 20 a height o. thirty
inches and was strong. Other grasses and clovers
Id much better than IN many sections In the
States.
Perhaps the most interesting specimen brought
to Washington is Il bunch OF fax grown by Profess
sor Georgcson. Il DO not claim to be a fax ex-
pert" said he but II this is not exceptionally fine
fax for fibre l am very much mistaken The con-
aitions On the Alaskan coast appear TO be idea;
something similar to those OF ireland. where IN
finest linen faxes arr grown. These stems. as you
see are remark th, strong: try one. yoI cannot
break H.
L have surveyed land for three experiment sta
lions continued Professor Georgeson ore at Sitka.
one at Kadiak Island and one Of 800 acres at Cooks
Inlet. I hope next year TO follow up the subject
AT these places and carry regular experiment
station work. TAe results satisfied. will am
ply repay the cost and labor The possibilities Of
Alaska are very considerable. 1t is no such place
as people generally imagine on Kadiak lslard as
well as places on the ma inland. there are consid-
cradle numbers OF cattle; they arc small. native
stock so-caed. and they can be greatly improved
by the introduction Of blooded stock
How IS the climate Of The coast 0, Alaska
The climate Of the entire western coast OF /
Alaska is very mild; its winters less rigorous
than those Of Washington CITY and It's t summers a,
n
recorded temperature at Sitka. while IN summer /
the mercury seldom rises above 80 This equabity
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 Wash (
ington Stka is abou: latitude 30 degrees by refer
ence 10 the map Il viii be seen that much or the /
Alaskan peninsula and Kadak Island is south OF
this all OF which Is under the influence OF the /
Japan current. -, -. ,
cultural feld? ,, 49,. .,,, /
The land lying south Of Cooks Inlet think i,
There is here tract of 40 miles or so or table
lands rising 100 or 200 fee; above the sea ON the /
north side Of Cooks Inlet active volcanoes. /
400 or 1900 fee; high. ] observed. while passing, |
The smoke issuing from Their SUBMITS
What about the interior OF the country Pro- /
fessor-the klondike''
II made no trips into the interior this time con-
nning my work 20 the coast. As soon as you sei .
back into the interior away from the influence OF
the Japan Current. the climate is very Inherent |
thing Although extremely cold In winter. now
ever the summers quite hot. believe mat /
winter wheat be grown well into the interior /
There is sufficient snowfall to protect 1t from the
exceedingly heavy freezing In the winter ana there
j. sufficient heat the summer TO mature H. /
have been told that volunteer wheat which sprung /
I'D from scatterings from pack feeding has grown |
and matured full heads during The summer months. ,
The interior is a subject for future investigation,
and a large subject. too At present have demon /
strafcd what can he done the coast. | grew /
oats on ordinary ground which will weigh: be- /
Icye. forty pounds 10 the bushel Naked the ker- I
nele as YOU see look almost Ike wheat