The National tribune., 1902-03-27

of sustaining even 100000 people there IL
all that they required to support life must
be brought from the States, 1000 miles
distant, and carried hundreds of miles
more from the ports Of entry 20 the mining
camps and villages In the interior. Under
such conditions development OF the natu-
raj resources must languish. Agriculture
is the backbone OF prosperity. An ade-
quate food supply is .he first essential to
the growth of population, 20 prosperity,
to greatness, and if this factor were lack
ing in Alaska. it would be doomed to re-
main scantily populated Territory.
States with little or no agriculture make
no growth. Look at Nevada, for instance.
But it is fortunate for Alaska, and there
fore for the whole country, for the growth
of any section benefits the whole, that she
has agriculture possibilities To an extent
which viii make the fullest development
of her resources practicable. Alaska can
furnish homeSteads OF 800 acres each to
100000 families. She has abundant re-
sources TO support population of at least
3OO0,UOO people. Such population would
mean a volume of trade which would
yield an immense and permanent income
10 the coast States. There are people who
fear that the development of agriculture
would prejudice the mining interests.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
On the contrary, it would be of the great
est possible help to the mining industry.
1t would reduce the cost of living, make
labor more plentiful, and therefore cheap
er, and give rise to better transportation
facilities. 1t would then become possible
to work the loves. grade mines with profit
and to materially increase the profits OF
good mines.
THE EXAMPLE OF FINLAND.
The foregoing statements are borne out
by the example of Finland. This little
country lies wholly north of the Goth par
| allel. Alaska reaches six degrees south Of
this latitude. Finland is less than one
| fourth the size of Alaska, and its agricul-
tural area is less than 10000 square miles;
yet IN 1898 Finland had population OF
over 100000 souls. Agriculture is the
chief industry. Only about 100000 people
are city dwellers. They export large guam
titles of dairy products, livestock, fax,
hemp, and considerable grain, and the pop
ulatiOn has increased some $4,000 in the
| last - years, and this in spite of a very
considerable emigration. The conditions in
| Alaska from an agricultural standpoint
are more favorable than those of Finland
| We have large agricultural area, some
| what warmer Summers, and the mines
/ Will yield the best possible home market.
| When the fishing industry in Alaska ls
| developed, it will engage the labors of hun
| dreds of thousands of people, who must
| be fed in large measure from the farms.
| Alaska has coast line of 10000 miles,
practically all of which affords splendid
fishing ground. The salmon is as yet the
only fish which has attracted attention.
| There are thousands of square miles of
cod banks, the enormous halibut grounds
have not been touched, and the myriad
shoals of herring go by unhecded. An oil
| and guanO factory has been established for
some years at KiilisnOo, a little village
some distance from Sitka, in which the
/ herring is utilized. There is room for 90
such enterprises.-The National Geo
graphic Magazine.