Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-30
MELTING ICE FOR
IRRIGATION IN
FAR ALASKA
Novel Underground Method
Surprisingly Successful Ac-
Cording to Report of Super
visor of the Census,

Washington, July 26.-Farming by
sub-irrigation ana with the moisture
supplied by melting ice is a novel
agricultural method adopted in the
interior of Alaska, according to the
official report of Chief Special Agent
Mckenzie. who supervised the taking
of the recent census in the Fourth
district of hat territory. The sys-
tenn is proving surprisingly success
full. Many kinds of vegetables are
being grown, thus rendering living
conditions more tolerable in the far
northern country. The future is most
promising in this respect, believes Mr..
Mckenzie.
Not only enumerating the popula-
ton, but gathering statistics on agri-
cultural, mining and manufacturing
conditions was the work of Mr.. Me-
Kenzie. All the concrete facts will
be given in figures which will be
given out later. The census agents
remarks regarding the farming oper-
atoms are most interesting. ide says
that some homesteads have been
taken up n that on them farming
is conducted on = considerable scale.
Agriculture in this portion of
Alaska is yet in its infancy says
Mr.. Mckenzie, "bu it has arrived at
such proportions as to be considered
almost wonderful in its results. If all
the returns are taken they viii show
a very remarkable condition when it
is considered that it is a condition
existing within the Arctic circle
All the growth is attained between
May 20 and September Is. He at
tributes the fact that crops ripen not
only to the fact that the sun shines
from 16 to "a hours per day, but to
the c%orrelative fact that the plants
are supplied with moisture from be-
meath, where the melting ice affords
a regular and constant supply.
Celery, lettuce, radishes, cabbage,
turnips and potatoes thrive, and, Mr..
Mckenzie declares, they are so much
better han in the states hat the
high price charged by the growers is
quite justifiable. Raspberries grow
to be as large around as 25-cent
pieces, and blueberries and cranber-
ries grow wild in great profusion.
Experiments have been made with
strawberries and grain, and while no
great success is recorded the outlook
is encouraging.
The dog is the favorite carrier
throughout Alaska. The horse can
be used only on the government trails,
and the reindeer mas been found to
be unreliable. LAS a BEAST of burden
the reindeer has his limitations
says Mr.. Mckenzie, "and so ar has
not proven a substitute for the dog
If the reindeer wants to work he will
do so, but if not so inclined he will
quit wherever he m&y be and all the
driving in the world will not get any
thing out OF him. Horses are good
only on good roads, but the dog will
travel anywhere, The dog will work
at any temperature while a horse
cannot work below so degrees"
Manufacturing is confined TO the
city of Fairbanks. 1t consists largely
of making tin stoves, window sashes
and doors.
The total product of the mines was
easily obtained by Mr.. Mckenzie
from the banks, but it was difficult
ct get individual returns because of
the lack of method on the part of the
mine owners. Very few keep books
except to show the outline Of produc-
ton and the food purchased. They
are content says Mr.. Mckenzie. ''if
there is a gain in their bank accounts
at the end of the year"