The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-02-02
EXPERT SEES FUTURE
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 sa
nothing of the great interior, accord.
ing to Levi Chubbuck, special agent
Tor 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 SUI
veyed for homesteading by the general
land office. The chief areas examined
were 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 /
have s%een-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.
A Great Dairying 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 a 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 a
dairying country.
"There need be no speculation as to
some present possibilities. Farming
has just begun in a few localities il
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.
II have been a%stonished at the
q amount nf forp,i,r 1,rdnr x,,n o,,,.
Seward. l had expected practically
none. and instead l find half a dozen
do%urishing ranches on a commercial Da-
sis and dozens Of home gardens. Pota-
toes Of first quality are being grown in
half a dozen neighborhoods, excellent
turnips grow freely, and there seems
no difficulty with beets. carrots. rad
1shes. beans. peas and lettuce. Cab
bage and caulifower are a surprising
success in some localities. believe
this list a be extended almost indeti-
nitely with careful selection of varie-
ties, a 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
here in Alaska imagine. Some OF the
most promising parts OF this area
have not been tried at all. and the
most successful tests have generally
been In the least likely locations.
Regarding climatic conditions
have 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
are cooler than in the north
ern states and IN 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.
1.-THE exact area Of the tillage lands
IN h Sushitna group Of valleys. as an
example generally applicable. is still
even to estimate. as much
OF the territory is uninhabited and still
because Of its undeveloped state rath-
err than because it is inaccessible.
There is a total ares of about $500
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. l
roughly estimate the rest. which in
cludes the Knik Arm region and Ma
valley to the eastward. the
Yentna to the westward. the main
Sushitna valley and smaller tributaries
northward far into the in
terror at. say. $500 square miles. but
L might exceed this considerably"