The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-01-11

larry Suited Tor Agricultural Pur-
poses - Suggestion That Part Of 1t
BE Reserved For Experimental Sta
ton - Thriving Market Gardeners
sat Fairbanks.
In an interview with Professor G. G.
Georgeson he kindly gave us the fol-
lowing facts about Alaska, says the
SitlSa Alaskan:
Pursuant to instructions from the de-
partment of agriculture, / took steam.
er to the Tanana, stopping over at
Fairbanks, 267 miles from the mouth.
Thither travelled several days through
an excellent country. Every feature
was grand in the extreme. therefore
decided to make reservation of a GER
tain tract, we'll suited for the purpose
Of agriculture, almost midway between
Cinema and Fairbanks. A survey Of
over two square miles developed fine
display of good, sound sowing land,
and I recommend that this land be
reserved and shall certainly suggest
that such reservation be made by order
Of the president for an experimental
station.
The whole Of the Tanana country
seems to be particularly suited for ag
ricultural purposes. From observations
I note that the Tanana valley is warm
er, and in fact carries a higher tenn
perature throughout the year than the
Yukon or Copper river valleys. There
are in reality no high mountains in
sight of the Tanana, with the exception
of those peaks, clad with the whitest
snow, pure satellites Of the Alaska
clearest known weather. The Tanana
valley is densely timbered, the prevail
Ing wood being spruce, as is The case
elsewhere in Alaska. On the low, roll
ing hills, considerable birch is in evil
dence mixed with poplar Ga rare pro-
duction Of Alaska), and in the low
ground I have found alder and willow.
AS regards Fairbanks, have to say
that found it a thriving city. | esti-
mate the population, roughly, at 5000
people, and I would imagine that at
least twice this number are scattered
over the different creeks existing in
and surrounding the vicinity of this
thriving and we'll to do city. The news
papers report state of lawlessness in
Fairbanks, and | was prepared to meet
q very rough element Very much to
my surprise, | found the city to be
most law abiding community. The city
authorities have taken matters well
In hand, and no holdups, saloon rows
or brawls of any kind are features in
the forthcoming city Of Alaska-Fair
banks. The lawlessness reported from
time to time by the press is purely an
exaggeratiOn and founded alone upon
jealousy.
The creeks in the vicinity are ex-
traordinarily productive. Every Satur-
day night a long pack train comes into
the city loaded down with gold dust
this same gold dust amounting ON an
average from One-quarter of a million
to one-third of million dollars. Think
Of this vast amount of wealth.!
The country in the immediate vicin-
and favorable has been homesteaded,
and all around you can see cabins
spring up, clearings made, all the nu
clei Of the farms to be instituted in the
near future. Where there is doubt
as to the prosperity Of Fairbanks, let
some one visit the city, and his doubts
will soon be cleared.
have each a greenhouse. These are to
force whatever the market demands
Among them cucumbers and tomatoes
have great sale. The latter fetch 81
apiece, and the former sold early in
the season at the same price, but when
l was there they were selling at the
rate Of So per dozen, and for numerous
other commodities there is always an
open market. Most Of the small gar
dens in the front Of the dwellings are
brilliant with flowers of every conceiv-
able hue, and all around are small gar
dens full Of vegetables.
I took time to visit the famous Hot
Springs homestead, six miles from the
Tanana, eighty miles from the mouth
Of the river, near Baker creek. 1t is
indeed most wonderful place. A
prospector stumbled upon it some
three years ago and remained, decid-
ing to take up a homestead, including
the springs. He cleared about half
dozen acres, which is at present plant
ed with all kinds Of garden produce.
There are a number Of men clearing
the land around, SO as to enlarge the
area for use in cultivation There are
three or four hot springs coming from
the base Of neighboring rounded hills
and number of seepages of warn
water scattered over considerable
area. The ground all around is warm
this warmth being probably caused by
underlying surrounding hot rocks,
which produce a natural hotbed. The
proprietor Of this wonderful PROPOSE
ton has started to send to market all
kinds of produce at least one month
before any of his neighhOrS By the