The Alaska citizen., 1915-01-11
FA|RBANKSAN
 TELLS ABOUT
 ALASKA CROPS
MRS. GOODFEIlOW EXPLAINS CONDITIONS HERE TO
 OUTSIDERS.

Mrs. Howard D. Goodfellow, wh, with her husband left Fairbanks on one of the last boats last fal for the Outside, gave this sectiol big boost in a letter she wrot. previous to the recent election to th, cortland Oregon, Journal, as follows SALEM, Ore, Oct. 23. To tho Editor of Tie Journal am closely following the campaign of Senator ueorge Chamberlain for reelection and only regret l have not a vote to cast for him.
 The last five years I have spent at Fairbanks, Alaska. and when read the interviews from United states Marshal l.. T. Erwin anC representative Dan Driscoll of Fair Ianks in Journals of recent date, felt they had not said half enough ir praise of our wonderful northern country. for which Senator Chamber lain has accomplished so much.
 The trouble with interior Alaska so far, has been inadequate trans portation. The Panama valley is only some 300 miles inland from Valdez or Cordova. One must travel 1,50( niles on slow river boats in sum mer months to reach this wonderful
 alley, or by stage route in winter One can readily see the necessity of a railroad The expense of bring. ing in cattle for beef is enormous as it takes from Is to 21 days to make this trip from Seattle to Fair- banks. The cattle have to be well led and the cost of hay ranges from $50 to $75 per ton for native Alaska nay or oat hay grown in Alaska. Baled Outside hay costs usually 790 per ton and oats in the neigh borhood of $100 per ton.
 GARDENS DESCRIBED.
 Two tons per acre of oat hay can be raised and seven tons pei acre of fine potatoes on unfertilized and, in many places in the Panama alley Native potatoes bring from five to eight cents per pound This alley has the finest gardens in the world, producing celery. cabbages, beets, lettuce, rhubarb radishes, on ions, ,turnips, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, spinach and rutabagas. These grow rapidly and are far more tender than those grown in countries where the growing season is longer. Fhe flower gardens are a wonder to tourists. From early spring till the frosts come the country is covered with green intermingled with wild roses, bluebells, goldenrod, larkspur. pinks and numerous other wild flow CTS Berries grow abundantly. Song ii iTJE +, -I md game animals are countless.
 CLIMATE GOOD
 Alaska also has most delightful Innate. What it needs is people who will be content to make their lOmes there, to cultivate the soil and aake agriculture the backbone of the country, With the completion of the railroad from the coast to the Tana. aa valley people can better afford to make the trip and will feel more contented to stay and build homes when they know a few days trip will take them to the coast, where ocean vessels will be awaiting them, instead of taking weeks to make the rivers
 This is what Senator Chamberlain has worked so faithfully for and with this betterment, Oregon can join in the commerce this develop ment is sure to bring.
 For over 40 years it has been take out" of the country. Now, thanks to men like Senator Chamber lain, President Wilson and James Wickersf am, Alaska is to be help ed out" and brought out" and shown to the world, not as an ice bound country fit only for the trap per, prospector and natives, but as great empire in itself, capable of supporting thousands of people.
 VISTA B. GOODFELLOW