The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-07-28
sub-Irrigation Plan is Ex-
tensiyely Used in That
Section of Country.
DOGS BEST WORKERS
An Interesting Report is Made
to the Federal Census
Department.

WASHlNGION, ID. c., July 81
Farming by sub-irrlsation and with
the moisture supplied by melting Ice
Is a novel agricultural method adopt
ed in the interior of Alaska, accord
ing to the official report of Chief
Special Agent Mckenzie. who super
vised the taking of the recent census
in the fourth district of that territory.
The system Is proving surprisingly
successful. Many kinds of vegetables
are being grown, thus rendering liy-
ing conditions more 'tolerable in the
far northern country The future is
most promising In this respect, be-
lieves 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 re-
marks regarding the farming opera
tons are. most interesting. He says
that some homesteads have been TAX
en- up and that on them farming is
conducted on considerable scale.
Agriculture in this portion of
Alaska is yet in It's infancy" says Mr..
Mckenzie, but 1t has arrived at such
proportions as to be considered al
most wonderful in its results. If all
the returns are taken they Will show
ia very remarkable condition when it
is considered that II Is a condition ex-
isting within the Arctic circle"
All the growth is attained between
May 20 and September Is. He attrib-
utes the fact that crops rIpen not only
to the fact that the sun shines from Is
to "a hours per day. but to the cor
relative fact that the plants are sup
piled with moisture from beneath,
where the melting ice affords a reg
ular and constant supply
Rain is practically unknown" he
says, but the necessary moisture
comes from below" The thaw never
extends deeper than three feet and
often not farther than 15 inches, but
the thaw is regular and~the water sup
ply sufficient to force a rapid growth.
Celery, lettuce, radishes, cabbages,
turnips. and potatoes thrive, and Mr..
Mckenzie declares, they are so much
better than in the states" that the
high price charged by the growers
Is quite qustfiiable. Raspberries grow
to be as large around as 25-centpieces
and blueberries and cranberrles 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 he
used only on the government trails,
and the reindeer has been found TO
lie unreliable. las a beast OF burden
the reindeer has his limitations" says
Mr.. Mckenzie. land so far has not
proven a substitute for the dog. II
the reindeer wants to work ne viii
do so. but II not so inclined nc will
quit wherever he may be and all the
driving in the world Jill not get any
thing out of him. Horses are good
only on good roads, but the dog will
travel anywhere. The dog viii work
at any temperature. while the horse
cannot walk below. so degrees"
Manufacturing is' confined to the
city Of Fairbanks. 1t consists largely
of making tin stoves, wInuow sashes
and doors.
The total product Of the mines was
easily obtained by Mr. Mckenzie
from the banks, but 1t was difficult TO
get individual returns because of the
lack OF methId 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. III
there is gain in their bank ac'
counts at the end of the year"