The evening times., 1899-03-07
Vegetation on IN. Coast.


Director True says it is believed that
the work of the past Two seasons has
been sufficient TO indicate the ways in
which experimental Investigations may be
most efficiently prosecuted in Alaska, and
it is therefore planned To make arrange
ments during the coming year for syste-
matte experimental enquiries in that Ter
ritory. With this in view headquarters
has been established at Sitka. and it is
proposed 10 erect there a building which
will contain offices. laboratories, and
quarters for the special agent in charge
and the weather observer. Appara tus,
implements, furniture, work animals, and
other equipment Will be purchased to meet
the requirements of the work as far as
means will allow.
As soon as practicable small buildings
should also be erected on the land resery-
ed at Sitka and Kenai for field expert
ments. Much attention will necessarily
be given the coming season TO the clear
ing and preparation of land for expert
mental purposes. This will be done at
SitSa and. if feasible. at Kenai. The eX-
peTiments which can be undertaken i'm
mediateiy will necessarily be limited in
scope and number, and will be confined to
the growing of different kinds of crops.
studies of soils and different methods of
culture, and the preservation of grasses
and forage plants.
Seeds and plants of varieties deemed
suitable for different parts of Alaska will
be procured from this country and abroad,
and will be distributed to such residents
of Alaska as are prepared TO make tests
OF them under direction of the department
and report thereon. 1t is hoped that be-
fore long experiments in the care and
feeding of live stock may also be feasible.
In considering what may reasonably be
accomplished in experimental investiga-
tions in Alaska, season by season, with
limited means, it is necessary to keep dis
tinctly in mind the difficulties attending
the prosecution of such work in that re-
gion. The Territory covers an immense
area and the regions in which the work
must be done are separated by great
stretches of water. forests. or rugged
mountains. Transportation facilities by
water along the coast and on the Yukon
River are very meagre. and on the land
there are almost no roads and compare
lively few good trails.
Director True says that further investi-
cations have confirmed the conclusions
stated by him in his last annual report
that, while for an indefinite period agri-
culture in Alaska will be subsidiary tn
that strenuous efforts should be made ia
speedily discover the best ways in which
agriculture may be carried on in that Ter
ritory with view TO saving the native
population from what is already more than
menace of starvation. and to enable the
miners, fishermen, and other immigrants to
maintain life or secure a greater degree OF
comfort by producing in whole or in part
the materials which they require for food
Little can be done toward the permanent
organization of other industries in Alaska
until it can be shown whether any consid-
cradle amount of food supplies and domes-
Tic animals can be produced within the
Territory.
Government Surveys Needed.
One of the drawbacks to settlement in
Alaska is said to be that the land law pass
ed for this Territory by Congress is in
operative. 1t is so for the reason the
country has not been surveyed, and
the expense of surveying isolated
tracts under The present conditions is SC
great that the class of people designed tc