Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-05-24
FARMING IN ALASKA.
Four Agricultural Stations Carried
on by the Government.

on by the government.
The government maintains four agri-
cultural experiment stations in Alaska
at Sitka, Copper Center, Rampant and
Kenai, and reservation for another has
been recommended point midway be-
tween Cinema and Fairbanks, and adj
joining the Tanana mine railway which
connects the two towns being selected
as a suitable location, says the Boston
Alaskan.
The experiments at the Sitka station
are now devoted chiefly to horticulture,
and the work carried on there may be
grouped into two classes: First, the
introduction, propagation and testing
of fruit trees and fruit bushes, with
view to ascertaining which sorts can
be successfully cultivated in Alaska );
and second, the testing of varieties of
vegetables best suited to the climate
and soil in various parts of the district
Among the fruit trees the apple has
been the subject of closest study at the
station, but sufficient time has not yet
elapsed to determine what the result
will be. Interesting experiments are
being made with the native fruit
bushes, and new varieties Of raspber-
ries currants and gooseberries will
doubtless be the outcome Of the work
which is now being successfully car
ried forward. All the hardy vegetables
are grown at the Sitka station, particIl-
lar attention being paid to the potato,
, cabbage and cauliflower The people
of the vicinity cooperate with the gov
eminent eXperimenters, and aid the
work by supplying reports of the beha-
Vlor of the seeds supplied by the sta
ton for the use of residents
At Copper Center station the work
is devoted chiefly to grain growing,
though experiments in the production
of grasses and vegetables are also con-
Quoted. Wheat, rye and oats, clover,
peas, beans, turnips and rutabagas
comprise the list commented upon in
the report of Special Agent G. c. Geor-
geson who has charge of the work in
Alaska.
|.
one degree south of the arctic circle
the principal experiments conducted
during last season were directed to-
ward the production of early varieties
Of grains, those which mature before
the winter season sets in. The results
are being reached by selection. Seeds
are planted and those first maturing
are selected and planted the next year.
1t somrimeS occurs that an unusually
early winter destroys the grains in pro-
cess of selection and the work has to
be begun again. The hardy varieties of
Russia and England grain are used as
seed. Wheat from Karhoff, Russia and
Finnish black oats are crops which sell
dom fail, even SO far north as Ram
part. String beans and peas have been
successfully raised at Rampant station
and all Of the hardy vegetables. par
ships, carrots, potatoes and rutabagas
have also matured there; thus far the
potatoes have shown the best results
AS at Sitka seeds are distributed. the
people coming many miles to obtain
them.
The station at kenai, where formerly
| experiments in grain growing were con-
Quoted, is now given over to dairying
| and the growing Of feed. A herd of
Galloway cattle was introduced last
spring, and from this station interest
ing reports may be expected concerning
the raising Of cattle in Alaska, as the
Galloways are said to be particularly
adapted to the climate of the district.