The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-12-30
EXPERT SEES FUTURE
FOR ALASKAN FARMING

| FOR ALASKAN FARMING
Important Statement by Govern
ment Agent Just Returned.
| There are many thousands Of miles
OF good tillage land in the valleys of
the southern coast Of Alaska. to say
nothing of the great interior, accord
ing to Levi Chubbuck, special agent
for the department Of agriculture, who
has just returned from the northland.
! Mr.. Chubbuck spent the entire sum-
mer making a general reconnaissance
of agricultural lands that may be sur
veyed for homesteading by the general
land office. The chief areas examined
We're the Sushitna basin north of Sew
ard, the Copper river and the Tanana
valleys. Concerning agricultural prog
! ress and possibilities in Alaska he
makes statements that may be consid-
! cred most conservative, but that will
be amazing to the great majority of
those outside
1.-The most obvious fact concerning
nearly all the valleys of this area l
have seen-from tidewater northward
$50 miles-is that they are natural
grazing lands. There are certainly
| thousands Of square miles of a very
| high quality of wild grass. the nutri-
tive value of which for stock seems
we'll established. The grass often
stands six and seven feet high and is
| of the most luxuriant growth; also it
! can be cured and is of good keeping
| quality.
Great Dairyine Country.
Nearly all of this land except some
| side hill areas has more or less stand
| ing and fallen timber on it. but much
| is Immediately available for grazing.
| With adequate winter protection stock
thrives. and the market with the de-
| velopment of roads would seem as.
sured. At present every pound Of meat
consumed must come from Seattle, and
| meat is Of first Importance in the diet
airy of so cold country as this In
many parts of the country also it costs
the consumer 81 a pound. All dairy
products, too, are brought in by steam
| er at high cost, and this is certainly
dairying country.
'"There need be no speculation as to
some present possibilities. Farming
| has just begun in a few localities in
this region, and local conditions are
most varied. but oats and barley are
| being successfully grown. timothy
fourishes. and the root crop is of high
excellence
| Found Many Fine Farms.
Il have been astonished at the
amount of farming under way around
| Seward. had expected practically
none, and instead find half a dozen
| hourishing ranches on commercial ba-
sis and dozens of home gardens. Pota-
toes of first quality are being grown in
half dozen neighborhoods, excellent
| turnips grow freely and there seems
no difficulty with beets. carrots. rad
1sheS. beans. peas and lettuce. Cab
bage and cauliaower are surprising
success in some localities. | believe
| this list can be extended almost indeti-
| nltely with careful selection of varie-
ties. study Of soil requirements and
acclimatization by selective breeding.
The possibilities are still practically
unknown. but we do know that they
are far greater than most people even
mere in Alaska imagine. Some of the
most promising parts of this area
nave not been tried at all. and the
most successful tests have generally
been in the least likely locations.
Regarding climatic conditions |
nave been somewhat surprised. With
IN a thousand feet Of sea level in fairly
open country the growing season is not
shorter than in the mountain region of
New Hampshire. Peas are safely
planted in May. and danger from frost
is considered over after the first few
days in June. In the fall the first
frosts are rarely before the second
week in September. 1t is true that the
summers are cooler than in the north
ern states and on the immediate coast
have more rain, but there is compen-
sation in the fifteen to eighteen hours
OF sunshine daily and the continuous
daylight for nearly three months.
The exact area of the tillage lands
in the Sushitna group of valleys, as an
example generally applicable. is still
impossible even to estimate. us much
OF the territory is uninhabited and still
because of its undeveloped state rath-
er than because it is inaccessible.
There is total area Of about $500
square miles along the western edge
OF Kenai peninsula bordering Cook in
let the greater part Of which is prob
ably available and some small valleys
IN the interior Of the peninsula.
| roughly estimate the rest. which in
ecludes the Knik Arm region and Ma
tanuska valley to the eastward. the
Yentna to the westward the main
Sushitna valley and smaller tributaries