Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-12
FERTILITY OF ALASKAN SOIL
Official Tests Made to Ascertain Its Agri-
cultural Capabilities.
SATISFACTORY RESULTS ON A SMALL PATCH
Interesting Experiments in Growing
Grain md NegetabIes-Limite
Areas Available for
Cultivation.
SATISFACTORY RESULTS ON A SMALL PATCH

WASHINGTON, March 9.-(Correspond-
ence Of The Bee More than thirty-one
years ago the flag of our country was raised
on Alaska soil and it became our terri
tory. During all these years, or until 1897,
no efforts were made to ascertain its agri-
cultural capabilities. Efforts in this direc-
tion were confined to garden patches for
the growing of hardy vegetables, chiefly
potatoes and turnips. Agriculture, in the
sense used in the states, has never been
practiced anywhere in Alaska. In 1897
$4,000 which had been appropriated by con-
gTess, was expended in making preliminary
surveys and Investigations. In 1898 the
appropriation was increased to $4,000, and
Prof c. c. Georgeson of Kansas, a gentle
man well known throughout the country
for his attainments in the line OF scientific
agriculture, was appointed special agent of
Alaska Investigations by the secretary of
agriculture, and his report is about to ap-
pear in bulletin from the department.
The experiments We're carried on prln-
cipally at Sitka. These were very much
handicapped owing to the lack OF broken
land. Arrangements were made with Gov
ernor Brady for his garden patch, and the
priests of the Russian church and the Pres
byterian mission school made similar prof
fers. The total area thus secured amounted
to about two acres.
The planting of these plants was done
during the ten days between May IS and
2S. The garden seeds and grains used in
these tests were collected from many
sources. Much Of it came from Norway,
Sweden and elsewhere in Europe where the
climatic conditions approximate those found
in Alaska. Some were also taken from
the experiment stations OF Minnesota, Wyo-
ming and Montana.
Results of the Tests.
The all-important question to be deter
mined in these tests was whether the grains
could be matured there. No country can
claim to be agricultural which cannot pro-
duce the grains necessary to feed man and
beast. 1t demonstrated during last season
that oats and barley will mature in south
eastern Alaska whether wheat and rye will
also mature cannot yet be stated as they
must be tested a fall-seeders. This test Is
being made for the coming season. Flax
for fiber grew surprisingly we'll. Oats, bar
ley, timothy, hay grass, clover and potatoes
all did we'll, but were not equally success
full in all places; for instance. nothing ap-
peared TO do well on new ground, owing TO
Its being sour and its need of drainage. The
soil that is raw and waterlogged is too acid
for the growth of most cultivated plants and
is unproductiye until sweetened by the air
and drainage.
Some Of the oats whioh matured large,
heavy pauicles Of plump seed grew five
feet high. Barley matured plump and
heavy grains at three and one-half feet
high Flax grew over three feet high and
received favorable comments from the fiber
expert OF the department There Is a possi-
bility of a good industry being developed
there in this fiber plant, Seven varieties OF
clover were tested all doing we'll and
some growing to a height of two and one
half feet. TheTe is no question about cloverg
on properly aerated soil
Vegetables Grown.
The vegetables tested covered almost the
whole list used In the states and were
as follows Asparagus, wax beans, beets,