Douglas Island news., 1900-08-29
KlLLIsNoo KINKS.

six or seven miles S0uCn or hlllISnoO, is a fine farm owned by Mir. Thomas Baker. He came to Alaska some five or six years ago from the state of Wash ington. He was favorably impressed with the climate and the vigor of vege- tation, and made up his mind to try farming in Alaska. After investigat- ing as to sites, he located in sheltered cove in the above named bay. His tract of land is sheltered on the north by mountains and protected from the raw winds from the sea by belt of timber, and at the same time had an exposure which admitted the sun.
 About two weeks ago, on beautiful, sunshiny morning, the writer and her husband started in their skiff for Mr. Bakers farm to buy some fresh vegeta' .bles. We had delightful sail of about two hours, and arrived there about Il o'clock. On the way going we met MT. Baker coming to KillisnOo with his pro- duce. He finds ready market at the store and boarding house for peas, on- ions, beets, carrots and potatoes; all as fine, or even better, than 1 ever saw in the states. We efound Mrs. Baker very pleasant and hospitable lady. She and the two noble dogs met us at the gate. She is never afraid of being molested or harmed when MT. Baker is away. For no one can land there, native or white man, until she tells the dogs that it is all right. They understand every word she speaks to them, and can do everything but talk. She then told us to make ourselves at home and go look at the garden and place. She got us a good dinner, such as farmers wives only can get. Fine fresh vegetables and fresh eggs. To us, who live where we can't get vegetables as early as those who have access to the boats from Sc. attle, it was a great treat. But from this time on we will have no trouble in getting all the new vegetables and fresh eggs. We brought home enough to last us until he comes again to Kill isnoo. He now makes regular trips there every two weeks.
 Now, as to what we found growing Iuxuriantly on his ranch: He has about 30 acres under good cultivation. When he located there, he found portion of this tract flooded at high tides. He re- claimed this tide land by building a dike across a narrow neck through which the water entered. The rest con- taining about 30 acres more, is used for pasture. Potatoes are his chief crop. They are as fine as any l ever saw in the states. He has several acres plant" cd to beets, carrots, onions, parsnips and peas. He had large patch of cab bage and turnips, but the cut worm took nearly all. He has wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat small patches of each. He feeds them to his hogs and chickens. He has two fine axes, too. If he had land enough under cultiva- tion, he could raise all of these grains in abundance. Part of his pasture is seeded to clover, which looks fine. 1t stands the winters we'll, especially the white clover. He has good barn for stocl, and silo in which he preserves food for the winter if it happens that he is short of hay. But this year l think he will have plenty of hay, as his timothy looks very good. He does not have market for grain and hay, as for vegetables. He finds it more profitable to devote his farm to trucking
 If any of the readers of the News want to see what can be done in the way of agriculture in Southeastern Alaska, come visit Mir. Bakers farm.
 We returned perfectly satisfied that a person can get gold more ways than digging it out of the ground in placer mines or crushing ore, with much less labor and live comfortably while get ting it.
 We returned that afternoon, but it was not smooth sailing as we found it in the morning. A heavy wind came up after we had got about mile from Mir. Bakers, and we had to row against it and the tide, the waves rolling high and tossing our skiff about at their will. We were six hours returning.
 MRS. CHAs. VANHUEBNER.
 KilIisnoo, August 17th, 1900.
 Messrs. o. M. Butler, Geo. Shotter, N. King and A. Bianchi returned Mon dow from Hoonah Hot Springs.