The Alaska prospector., 1904-01-28

l Cabbage raised on this farm weighed l4 pounds aud turnils were especially large. The potatoes were dry aud mealy and com pared favoral,ly with the famous Yakima Burbanks in eastern Washington Hay in abundance was made from native red top. By writing to the Experiment Station, Sitka, Alaska, you will receive books free on agriculture in Alaska. and the U. <. Agricultural Department, at Sitka, will furnish Il quantity of seeds free of charge. When Congress appropriates money for wagon road from Valdez, don't wait Il mo-, mcnt, but come.
 Freight Transportation To Valdez. BY FRAxk ]. KiSonoRS.
 During the year 1898, 25OOO people were transported from the States to Alaska, the greater number being taken by steamer to Skagway and St. Michael, with the Klon- dyke as their objective point. This was also the first year of development in the Copper river and Cook Inlet country, and a number of the larger steamers found profit able employment ON this run during the season
 Discoveries of gold at Nome, and the continued activity at Dawson, served to di- vert attention from Valdez during the two following seasOns, and most of the steam CTS were withdrawn for that season. The increase in business has necesstated a cor responding increase in the number and capacity of the steamers engaged in this traffic, and four ships with total gross tonnage ot 4.5O0 tons; have been making regular monthly trips from Puget Sound to Valdez during the present year. serving the ports of Yakutat, Kayak and Elamar. From Valdez freight and passengers for the westward are transferred to the steam CT Newport, making monthly trips from Valdez to Dutch Harbor.
 In addition to the regular fleet engaged in this service, large steamers have also made special trips to Valdez direct, thus relieving the congestion in freight traffic which Is likely to occur during the months of winter outfitting for the interior.
 Mail and Photographic Communication
 with Valdez.
 BY cHAs. x. cKARY, POSTMASTER.
 The Valdez and Eagle mail route twice a month touches all intermediate points, Copper Center, Chisna, Jack Wade-in almost d straight line to Eagle on the Yu- kon river. The Valdez and Panama route follows the Eagle line as far as Chistuchina, and thence branches off westerly to connect with Fairbanks. Panama. St. Michael, Nome and all points on the Yukon below the mouth of the Panama and north as far as Eagle.
 The Post Office Department has proven that it intends to keep in tOucl, with the influx of civilization in this country, and with the building of wagon reads, railroads and better trails the time of mail service will be shorter.
 The government has found Valdez to be the only feasible starting point for an all- American route 10 the interior of Alaska The postotlice was raised to the Presidential class on December l5 last Military tele- graph lines extend to all Yukon and Tan ana river points, and to Cape Nome. A telegram may be sent from Valdez and an answer received from New York in less than six hours.
 The town is the distributing point for seven mail routes The contract for two of these routes calls for 9-day service be- tween Seattle and Valdez The overland mails are of the greatest importance to residents and prospectors, crossing, as they do, country which until few years ago was totally unknown to white men,
 Minerals Tributary To Valdez.
 BY Ao.EiH BorRkE EDITOR THE rROspECToR.
 The discoveries of minerals both placer and in place, located at points accessible through and tributary to Valdez, have been too numerous to mention.
 Along the coast from Kyak west is found coal and oil in abundance. In Prince William Sound on both sides from the ocean to Valdez are scores of copper prop critics, but two of which are in actual oper- ation, most of the others being held by locators who have not the financial ability to develop them. The copper ores of the coast are of the sulphuret variety, averag- ing about l5 per cent and carrying good gold values, and are all close to navigable waters. Gold and antimony also exist along the Sound.
 Passing through Valdez to the Copper river valley, there will be found located on the Kotsina and Chittyna rivers and their tributaries, vast bodies of high grade cop Der such as bOrnite plance and nat;va