The Alaska daily empire., 1921-08-12
SECRETARY FALL
 HAS PLANS FOR
 HELPING ALASKA
Steady Substantial Growth Needed for Developing
 Natural Resources.
Continued From Page Two.)

the output or the Alaskan coal mines nor do they take in nearly $5000.- 900 worth of silver that has been re- covered incidental to gold and copper mining nearly $700,000,000 worth in tin and lead valued at more than 1875 000 The coal fields of the Ter ritory are vast in extent and form one of the great fuel reserves of this nation, some of the coal equaling the famous Pocahontas of the Virginia and West Virginia fields. There is oil in Alaska too, how much or how little we do not know, but we do know that oil of a high quality is now being produced in limited quan titles in the Far North of the pc ninsula.
 "Then, of course. there are the wonderful forests of Alaska, with, we hope, future that is bright for the wood pulp and paper industries. Al ready there are a number of pulp mill propositions before the depart ment. When we. recall the troubles of the newspapers of the last few years due to the pulp and paper problem in this country and in Can ada, we can appreciate what the pulp and paper possibilities of Alaska mean to the United States. Then, of course, there are the lumber possi bilities that form another item of no mean proportions. Some of the greatest fir and spruce forests in the world are to be found in Alaska, and 99 per cent of these forests are still in their virgin state.
 From an agricultural standpoint the Alaskan problem should be most carefully approached It has been estimated that of the total area of the Territory of a little more than 590,000 square miles that probably 100000 square miles are capable of agricultural development. The prin- cipal areas where it is believed that agriculture may be conducted are in the valleys of the Yukon and Tana- ma Rivers, in the Interior of the country; the valleys of the Susitna and Matanuska. which go into the interior from Cook Inlet Z. the west ern part of the Copper River and its tributaries.
 Farming In Alaska
 Grit and perseverance are prime essentials in the makeup of those who would become farmers in Alaska. Reports to the department are to the effect that the men best suited to make Alaska farm land are small farmers and farm laborers, who are have the physique and stamina to stand the climatic conditions that must be met. Agricultural experi- ments have been going on for many years under the direction of the ex perts of the department of agricul- being really wonderful In some parts they grow vegetables. cabbages, turnips, potatoes and carrots, that in size make some of the samples dis playedl in our home markets look like midget varieties Wheat and rye of the winter varieties can be successfully grown in those inter. for sections where the snowfall is sufficiently deep to protect the grain from the extreme temperatures. Oats and barley have also been sue cessfully grown in parts of the in terior, while hay is made every year from. native grasses and grains sown for that purpose.
 "The agricultural future of Alaska is, however, speaking broadly and with that conservatism that should be the keynote of all Alaskan prof ects. still matter largely of experi- mentat4on, although results already attained have. as I have pointed out, proved very successful in a great many instances. Also in some parts Iof Alaska fine cattle and hogs are raised, though up to the present not in imposing numbers. This is an other interesting feature of the prob lem that is worthy of careful study and experimentation and it will not be neglected
 Alaska Fisheries
 "The fisheries of Alaska are, of course, a story in themselves, and it is a story that has often been told. so there is no occasion to dwell at length on this Alaskan industry. The salmon and other fish products Of r-1 ss-. "a. |