The Alaska daily empire., 1914-12-28
GE0RGES0N REPORTS
 ON ALASKA WORK

0te Arsi se. a' .-e
 The annual report of Prof c. G. Georgeson, special agent in charge of the Alaska agricultural experiment stations for the year 1913, has just reached Juneau. It is very compre- hensiye covering the work of tho four government stations at Sitka, Fair banks, Rampant, and Kodiak. At the Sitka station the main experiments were with hybred strawberries, caoh. flower. cabbage and other vegetables, and fruittrees The report on the Fairbanks station deals with crop re- suits, the cold wave, the rabbit pest, and land clearing The Rampant sta- tion report contains information about alfalfa growing, hybridizing grains, growing seed, native grasses and im- proyements. The report on the Kodi- ak station deals principally with the herd of Galloway catte adn other ani- mals.
 A splendid variety of hybrid straw berries has been developed at the Sit ka station, with the flavor and rrag- rance Of the wild berry but it has also been discovered that they must be grown in hills and not in rows. Three or four yarities of caulinower were successfully grown and also of cabbages; also kale and Brussels sprouts were proven a success. A great deal of attention was given to testing potato culture. All varities will grow successfully. Testing of fruit trees resulted in 9 failure this year on account of the crop failing of for some reason not yet determined be- fore maturity. It is the purpose to use the native crab for stock in fu- ture for grating purposes instead of imported apple stocks from the North. en states. Currants and gooseber. ries can be grown better in Alaska than In any part of the country south Of the l9rh parallel.
 The cold wave which swept over the Fairbanks section in August of last year was abnormal. but the earlier crops matured, demonstrating that only the earlier varities of all kinds of vegetables and grains should be grown.
 The rabbits did much damage as. usual They have increased so rapidly during the past few years that they have become serious pest There. seems no practical way of getting rid of them or their destructiveness.
 Ten acres Of new land were cleared at the Fairbanks station and some 20 acres of additional land slashed ready for burning and clearing in the spring.
 At tho Rampant station two species of alfalfa seed were successfully ma tured, one a heavy strain of Grimm. the other the yellow-flowcred Siberian. Prof Georgoson thinks it quite im- portantas demonstrating that the crop of alfalfa can be perpetuated by us. ing Alaska grown seed. This means, " he says, "that the Alaska farmer inI suitable regions can produce this nu- trltious hey and that he can raise livestock to the extent of his needs This is the first time that the small alfalfa plots have produced seed. It took two years for the plants to bel come thoroughly established. There were 42 hybrid barleys of Alaska pro auction grown at this station during tho year One of the hybrids matur ed in 69 days During the summcr of 1913. 30 pounds of turnip seed were grown from selected roots. Itis de- clared to be superior to Che avesaee| commercial turnip seed grown else where. Five acres of now land we're cleared at the station durlnG the yea
 The work of reclaiming the Kodiak station after the destructive fall oil volcanic ash was continued through the year Just passed with gratifying results. On the hin slopes the ashI has partially disappeared by being washed into the lowlands by the rains snd native vegetation has begun to appear The ashes seem to have stimulated the vegetation on the hill. sides until tho pasturage Is betterl than ever. The low places have beonI filled up, and the irregularities have disappeared so that 1t is now post sible to establish clovers and cultiY- ated grasses.
 The herd of Galloway cattle increas. ed beyond the needs of the station. A selection was therefore made and the surplus sold at public auction. The aim in selection was to hold those animals that came near the ideal type. The idea is to develop dairy type.