Evening star., 1901-04-30
CEREALS IN ALASKA
Report of Investigations by the De-
partment of Agriculture.
SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS
Results Of Preliminary Survey Of
Interior Of Territory.
COMPARISON WITH FINLAND

The fourth annual report of "Investisa-
tions in Alaska" under the direction of
Secretary Wilson of the Department of
Agriculture, and the superintendence of
MIR A. c. True. director of experiment sta
tions, has just been issued The period COW
cred by the report was the year 1900, and
in part it is follows:
The experiments with cereals and vege-
tables previously begun were continued at
the Sitka and Kenai experiment stations
with great success, and numerous cooper
ative experiments were inaugurated with
almost uniformly good results. An extern
slve series of experiments was conducted
at the S1tka experiment station illustrat-
ing the effect of fertilizers on new soil, as
shown in the production of oats, barley and
potatoes.
Investigations at the Kenai station were
in continuation of those inaugurated the
previous season. Owing to a lack of drain
age the fall-sown cereals were winter kill
ed, but spring-sown barley and oats ma
tured good crops and vegetables were re-
ported of fine quality. Additional land has
been cleared and prepared for cultivation
at both the Sitka and kenai experiment
stations.
One of the most important features of
the work of the year was the preliminary
location of experiment station tracts at
Rampant and Fort Yukon, in the valley of
the Yukon river. Prof. Georgeson and Mr..
Isaac Jones of the department traversed
the Yukon country, starting from Dawson
July 6, 1900, visiting all the more impor-
tant villages along the river and investi-
eating their possibilities as agricultural
centers. AS a result two tracts of land
We're surveyed, and their reservation for
use in agricultural experiments has been
arranged for They consist of 1U6 acres
at Fort Yukon and 313 acres at Rampant
THESE places seem to be best adapted to
further investigation, and whatever re-
suits are achieved at these points will ap-
ply to most of the interior region. Mr..
Jones remained at Rampant and has al
ready made preparations for beginning
next season. For successful prosecution
of the work In the Interior, buildings, i'm
plements and other equipments will be
needed.
Construction of Buildings.
In the past year some advance has been
made toward completing the station head
quarters at Sitka, and work was begun
upon the station building at Kenai. but
The sum available for the purpose was so
small that little was accomplished The
abnormally high prices of labor and cost
of transportation made serious inroads
upon the appropriation annually granted
The services of a skilled horticulturist
are needed at the Sitka station to aid in
the Introduction of new and valuable fruits
and to improve the native varieties. The
furnishing of a laboratory at this station
is also necessary for the more accurate in
vestigations contemplated, and additional
buildings are needed at all the stations
1t Is thought desirable to begin investiga-
tions in dairying, and for the foundation
of the herd animals will have to be pur-
chased.
Alaska is large territory and Of widely
Varying requirements To meet these ne
cessities stations have been established in
regions which appear to be representative
of large areas.
There is an estimated area of 100000
square miles Of land on which agricul-
tural operations could be conducted Con-
ditions in Alaska are very similar to those
of Finland, where there is population Of
9, 10000 and where 34,0OO,OOO bushels of
cereals are raised annually. The latest
available statistics for Finland stated that
there were that year in the country 4OOO,-
coo head OF horses, cattle, sheep and swine,
and dairy products to the amount of So
$50, 600 were exported
1t is believed that Alaska Is as good a
field for agriculture as Finland, If the
proper encouragement be given 1t. 1t Is
further believed that as the mineral and
other resources Of this country are de-
Veloped permanent population will be es-
tablished and an agriculture will be de-
to the successful maintenance of indus
tries already yielding annual products val
ued at millions OF dollars. 1t will doubt
less be found that many Of the hardy
cereals, as we'll as a great variety of vege-
tables can be successfully grown in Alas
ka, and the experiment stations should be
able to determine what varieties are best
suited to the region Considerable num-
bers of live stock may also be maintained
and dairying may be developed.
A fact of much Importance from an ag-
ricultural standpoint is that cleared ground
thaws out completely over much of Alaska
every spring. As matter Of fact, the
gr ound does not freeze deeply. The snow
fall is so heavy-from four to eight feet
that it becomes an effective protection to
the ground; but 1t is true only of cleared
ground and of places where the sun can
reach the ground. Wherever vegetation
covers the surface SO as to keep the sun
off, the ground remains frozen the year
round. In the woods at Fort Yukon ice
was found Immediately beneath a layer of
moss six inches thick. The spruce tops
kept the sun off the moss and the moss
preserved the ice as sawdust preserves it
In an ice house.
Experimental Gardens
There were several small but good gar
dens at Weare QFort Gibbon) and neigh
oorhood. The Alaska Commercial Com
pany's agent had fine garden Of the usual
hardy vegetables In front of his store, and
at the military post there We're two very
creditable gardens near the bank Of the
river, where the drainage was good They
furnished lettuce, radishes, turnips, peas,
etc.
For some hundreds Of miles along the
lower Yukon the country is rolling and
generally timbered. Much of it will make
good farming land and all of it affords
more or less pasture. There are number
Of Indian villages along this portion of
the river. The Holy Cross Mission is per-
haps the most important settlement. There
is quite large Indian village at this place
and the Roman Catholic Church maintains
a school and orphanage for the natives.
This mission is not only famous for its
good work among the natives, but also for
It's gardens. For several years the sisters |
of the mission have been noted for their
success in gardening. 1t is really wonder
full Their cahhaReS caulifoWers notatoes