The sun., 1901-12-06
FARMING WEALTH IN ALASKA.
A GOVERNMENT EXPERT THINKS
WE'LL OF THE PROSPECT.
Prof. Georgeson Says Alaska Can sup
port an Agricultural Population Of
3.OOO OOO-iIardicr Grains Win Grow
stock Raising Offers Good Promise.

ant TO think OF Alaska as bleak wilderness,
rich In placer gold deposits, perhaps, and
bounded by waters teeming in salmon and
other valuable food fishes. but without
further resources in wealth producing, and
particularly in food-producing possibilities.
Nevertheless, the experiments conducted
for the last three years under the direction
OF the Department Of Agriculture indicate
that the Territory is capable OF sustaining
q large agricultural population,
These experiments have been made under
the supervision Of Prof. c. Georgeson. who
returned this week from Alaska and IL now
on his way to Washington, where he VIII
amend the winter preparing report OF MS
SEASONS work His work for the first three
wears was largely in the nature OF explora-
tions. A station was established at Sitka,
and experiments were made in the pro-
duction Of the harder crops. These were
attended with very gratifying success. but
the cost Of cultivation was found to be
bevond tho limit Of profitable development
under present conditions.
stations we're established in 1909 at Kenai
and in 1900 at Rampant and Fort Yukon
on the Yukon River, and 1t is the success
of the experiments at those stations and OF
experiments nldut DN tIdbt'iNt ~ N"l'NNN'' y
and other settlers which inspire In Prof.
George his enthusiasm in the agricul-
tural possibilities of the country. Prof.
Georgeson says:
The whole course OF the experiments
we have made in Alaska. covering period
Of five years, now has been constant series
of surprises to all those connected with the
work. This year the surprises have been
/ a
the greatest of all, consisting as they did
OF the dcmonstr alton that there are vast
stretches of land in the interior OF the
country south Of the Yukon River on which
the harder grains can be raised successfully
and with profit to those engaging In the
industry as soon as the country Is properly
provided With means OF transportation to
the nearby markets.
-The country Is capable OF sustaining
In plenty, even in comparative luxury, an
agricultural population OF upward or 3 Ooo.-
COO people. Our experiments az the ham-
mart station proved conclusively that the
harder grains can be raised there.
-I came from the Yukon River at Eagle
Citv southward over the route TO be fol-
lowed by the Government military trail TO
valdez and my observations along the
route convince me that there Is no reason
why equally gratifying success cannot
lie secured in a great deal OF the land lying
along that route.
sT6e distance travelled by this trail is
AS miles and for fifteen miles on each side
of il for practically the entire distance there
Ut retches a country covered WIN heaVy
growth of grass making excellent grazing
land and from one-third to two-tfths OF II
could easily be placed under cultivation and
made to produce excellent crops OF cereals.
/ found ripe grain along the route where
il had been sown by prospectors. and be-
yopd that had no care whatever.
aeF@ta aNNaN NJ
miles wide, and extending from the Yukon
As miles to the coast. There are iour such
etrips and have no reason TO believe that
practically the same conditions do not
exist throughout them all.
This means that there are more than
10 600 600 acres OF farming land In the Terri
tory and three times as much land suitable
AT the Rampant station. which is on the
extreme northern border OF the agricul-
tural territory, grains and vegetables were
produced this season with very gratifying
success Rye which was planted on Aug
4. 1900. came through the long winter III ex-
cellent condition. green and hardy, and II
fiourished during the summer season and
m.,SrSd sv Sy Nav hve came 10 maturity
on Aug IS, standing four feet with large
well-filled heads Spring wheat matured
perfectly and sufficiently early IN tue season
10 escape all danger from the frost.
-ManN NaTltlits VI Nts'AaDiCS "'i'
raised with the most surprising SUCCESS
and ease. Why, this year the town OF
Dawson was fully supplied with green
vegetables grown at home. These we're
found 10 be Of excellent quality, aud the
industry was found 20 bs highly profitable
-As TO stock raising, there is no longer
doubt that cattle and horses can be raised
over the whole Of the region referred 10
with comparative ease and proht In several
places | saw horses In a seml-wid state,
a NaW ~ fr.V5a
In the fall TO rustic for themselves
These animals had not only found their
own food in the winter months, but during
the summer were always found to be IA
sleek and thriving condition FOR the
mast fifteen years the Alaska Commercial
t;ompany has maintained u rock of sheep
ON one Of the small i-iands near kAdiak
-'rhez. sheep have had 40 feed Whatever
except what they have secured ior them
selves The company merely moves them
from one Island 20 'ciher, thus anOfdihg
them fresh grazing land ior the winter
months The-s she-D have increased
on an average of ~ per cent annually,
AMI have yielded all average oi hVo pounds
81 wool each year
sThsr. are q number 81 plaoes along
CD. ooast Whsi" cattle haV" l-~n hhoSn
60 winter without feed and s"itir h"r"
whole h.fds are permitted 90 oai" Tot them
sflNs.s the year round
s'There are lUlUD square iIllrs iu
AlAhhn Niifh wiz NI ilAf ~ thfitN fNA
slsIs fOf soiIis NaIl"fy oi Agit'uiiufai Ia
dusty I DO uut Nirh g. l." uildri 81 ODD
g. nisaning that there b. 30 ng land
thai can u. brouEuf uhdei CULTIVATION
a. easily a. oui great N"ri"fu pislurr
hsNs bson broken up sud rulul ai"d Iisfu
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