The Harrison times., 1915-09-18

Alaska to investigate the agricultural
possibilities of that territory has re-
Gently been made, and the results OF
this work will shortly be published IN
a report by the Bureau Of Soils OF the
United States department OF agricdl-
sure. The report comprises 2O2 pages
and contains 3S-page plates and four
maps. 1t describes the climate, Soils
crops, and other conditions bearing up
on the possibilities of agricultural de-
velopment in Alaska, and In addition
discusses such incidental subjects as
settlement, natusal resources, pfysioS'
raphy, drainage means Of cOmmunica'
ton, and a comparison Of Alaska with
parts of Siberia and Finland
The report says in part:
THE existence of vast mountain
GUS area along the southern coast OF
Alaska, with numerous lofty, snow-coV'
cred peaks and huge glaciers, nsces-
SaTiiy Unfit for human ha5itatioH, !s
apt to give one unfamiliar with the
complexities of the topography ana
climate of the country as a whole the
impression that Alaska is region OF
inhospitable mountains, glaciers, and
snow, without farming possibilities.
In q measure this is true, for there are
in the territory immense areas or
rugged mountains, including the lott
lest peaks upon the North American
continent, and great wastes of snow
clad and precipitous land, VIDE
stretches of bleak tundra and noun
tain skirting the Arctic ocean, innu-
merable bodies Of water-soaked mus
keg, and many glaciers of almost IN
credible magnitude. Nevertheless
there are millions of acres of relative
ly low, smooth land and gentle slopes
in various parts of the country which
are geographically and climatically
suited to farming. That this is true
is not matter of conjecture, for many
valuable food products both for man
and animal are now being successful
ly grown. Farming In region so far
north may seem astonishing until one
is acquainted with the equable sum-
mer climate, the long hours of sum-
mer daylight, and the good quality OF
the SOIL"
Pioneer Conditions Prevail.
It is pointed out, however, that
while the development Of a successful
agriculture throughout an enormous
area in Alaska is possible, 1t must be
remembered thai "as yet strictly pi'
oneer conditions obtain, that settle
ment Is largely confined to communi-
ties in the vicinity of mining camps,
that much OF the country is inacces-
sible owing to the absence Of roads
and railroads.
Every indication is that agricul
turai development must be gradual,
must grow with the construction OF
highways and railways, with the de-
velopment Of mining industries and ac-
companying increase Of population.
IL large numbers, without sufficient
capital, should stampede to these
lands with the idea of Immediately es-
tablishing profitable farms for them.
selves 1t is believed that there would
be only disappointment for many. A
careful study of the conditions before
undertaking farming operations here
ia therefore urgently advised. The
prospects of success for farming de-
pend, so far as sale of surplus pro-
ducts is concerned, upon finding lo-
cal market among population at
tracted by mining resources and fish
cries. In other words, these regions
OF Alaska will probably not for some
time export agricultural products, at
least not on an important scale, EX-
portation of such products must await
the building of a system Of railways
and highways and probably, also, the
establishment Of cheaper transporta.
ton"
The report deals with three general
areas, the Cook Inlet-Susitna region,
the Yukon-Tanana region, and the Cop
per river regions.
Cook lnlet.Susitna Region.
The most important IS the Cook In.
iet.Susitna region, the agricultural
lands OF which are comprised, says
the report in the plainlike country
and adjacent bench lands bordering
Cook Inlet from Kachemak bay north
ward and extending up the Susitna
and Matanuska valleys. The unfa.
vorable climate and topography Of the
surrounding mountainous country re.
stricts the farming possibilities to this
low country, the approximate area Of
which is 5000 square miles. At least
one-third OF this area, amounting to
little more than a million and quar-
ter acres (1,296,000 acres, the lowest
estimate), consists Of arabic land pos
sessing topographic and drainage char.
acteristics and chemical and physical
properties quite favorable to farming,
About one-half Of this good land occurs
in the SusitDa and Mstanuska valleys -
The climate and soil make possible
the establishment of an important ag'