The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-23
FACTS CONCERNING
alaska and FINLAND.



most northerly point that pleasure steam
ers touch, is in latitude ABOUT 50 degrees
30 minutes. 1t will be seen that the tenn
peratures here also correspond very close
Iy with those Of southern Finland.
As for the temperature OF The coast re-
gion, the average record for more than
eight years shows that II is mild the year
around. AS a matter of fact, the report
OF the special agent who has had these
Investigations in charge shows that cat
tie have run out for years at Kadiak. both
summer and winter. without food or care
of any kind Kadiak is located in latitude
about 81 degrees As minutes. some 500
miles west of sitka.
Facts Concerning Alaska.
Alaska lies between ATTITUDES "a degrees
30 minutes and 20 degrees north. and be-
tween longitudes 1872 degrees and Iss de-
grees west 1t covers an area of $4,000
square miles. So far as agriculture has
been tried in a systematic manner in this
territory IL has been success. The de-
partment OF agriculture matured no less
than eleven varieties OF wheat and about
a dozen varieties each of barley and oats,
as well as fax and buckwheat. and also
produced all the common vegetables dur
ing the past year. T.is was at Sitka,
in about latitude 81 degrees 80 minutes
but reports received by the department
from all over the territory show that the
hardy vegetables can be successfully
grown everywhere There are large and
successful market gardens at Dawson.
north OF latitude Ga degrees Barley has
been ripened as far north as Fort Yukon,
in latitude about Sc degrees As minutes.
Volunteer wheat has been found ripe at
places on the Yukon, where II han peeh
accidentally scattered. The whole OF
southwestern Alaska. embracing the pen
insula of Alaska and the adjoining ISL
ands is covered with an abundance OF
grass. and, as pointed out, cattle can I'VE
and in certain localities do live out doors
the year round on this natural pasturase'
While Il true that Alaska Is much more
mountainous than Finland, II Us also true
that 1t Is more than four times larger IMAM
Finland and contains an area OF land as
large as Finland which can be utilized
for agricultural purposes In some form
Work Already Done.
II is further noted concerning Alaska
that experiment stations have already
been established at Sitka and at Kenai. on
the Renal peninsula.
That grains and vegetables have been
grown with marked success at both or
these places.
That the government has erected
beaanuarters building at Sitka. with
view 10 the perpetuation of the work
That the investments by the government
for the equipment OF these stations, IN
Guiding buildings, work animals and inn
Elements. so far amounts TO something
over $1,000
That this property. which has been
transnorted there at great cost, should not
be abandoned or given away.
Organized service Necessary.
That ,Ae department is very DESTROYS or
establishing an experiment station our
ing the coming summer somewhere on
the yukon river. with view to testing
the agricultural possibilities of that vast
region.
nat In order TO DO this work In sys-
teuattc and scientific way. II Is necessary
TO organize the service properly and to
maintain Il from year to year for AT least
six or eight years before IL can be said
with certainty what may be expected In
that region.
That the distances in Alaska are very
great. From Seattle to Sksgway is about
100 miles; from Sitka TO KAYAK. about
500 miles: from Kadiak TO Unalaska, 100
miles; from Unalaska to st. Michael. $50
miles These distances are in straight
lines across the open sea and not along
the coast line. From st. Michael 10 Circle
city Is about i,iUJ miles up the Yukon
river.
should Encourage Agriculture.
That skagway, which Is the northern
most point touched by pleasure steamers.
which follow along the inland passage.
ia 200 miles east Of the list meridian.
where Alaska proper begins, and that.
consequently, gentlemen who think they
have seen Alaska and are prepared 20 pass
Judgment upon its possibilities when they
have Travelled along the inland passage
and viewed the hilIsides from the deck Of
a steamer, as a matter OF fact have seen
nothing OF Alaska. except the rocky
promontories which are characteristic Of
southeastern Alaska. The department.
does not maintain that Southeastern Alas
ka IL likely TO be OF any great Importance,
agriculturally. although there II land
enough TO raise the food for all miners
who will ever locate there
Possibilities In Alaska.
sitka was made the headquarters for
the experiment stations, because IL was
the seat OF government. II was a place
readily accessible the year around. where
as places In the interior or further west
ward could NOT be reached al all times.
The success ~ growing grains and veg
etables and In raising livestock ia Alaska
are positive proof that the country has
agricultural possibilities. It's resources IN
minerals and timber. rs fisheries and fur
trade, are certain 20 cause a large popu-
lation 70 now 70 the territory. and Il IS a
measure OF sounu poliucai economy Ia
encourage the development - agriculture
ia order 20 cheaper the living of those