The Alaska daily empire., 1923-08-14
Alaska's Greatest Value Is in Forests.
Seattle Tim eg.)


 Alaska ultimately feed all it's people, but it's greatest wealth in soil products lies in the vast forests which contain many million cords of pulp making wood, Secretary of Agriculture Henry C.. Territory.
 The National Forests. Secretary Wallace esti- mates, contain at least 1000 cords of paper making woods chiefly spruce and hemlock Under a lloforestaton program which has been mapped out. the Secretary believes, the supple will be mex haustibe and sufficient to produce pulp for 100000 now consumed in the United States Alaskas paper making industry day it is confidently predicted will be extensive that of Sweden and Norway and permanent as it is in those countries
 The pulp timber blocked is close the coast and there are numerous deep water harbors which will simplify the landing of plant materials and machinery and tho ultimate shipping of the finished product
 Water power abounds in the pulp forest disrtics, Forest Service engineers have found, according to Secretary Wallace. In eight years fory-four power sites with potential capacity of 900 horsepower have been located. The cost of development is said to range from $40 to $110 horsepower with $60 as the average
 A total of 100000 acres of forest land has been blocked out for pulp making purposes the timber on four areas, each capable of supplying pulp mills of 100 to 200 tons daily capacity has been advertised for sale There is nearly five billion board feet of timber in these areas
 Secretary Wallace has been mpressed with the fertility of Alaska soil and firmly believes the Ter ritory eventually will raise enough food to supports
 
 to go north now he says the market for prod uce Is limited Farming, in the larger aspects, the head or tho Department of Agriculture points out IS stlll Tn the experimental stage
 In his visits to Government experimental stations secretary Wallace said, he learned of many instances where his department be more helpful in deve- opment work than it has been in the past par ticuiary in the growing of grain crops He does not contemplate any immediate changes in admin lsuatlon methods however. he said.
 Alaskas early agricultural devclopment it is kolnted cut, depends in large measure on the suc- ce or the fisheries conservation program and exten- sioh or mining operations, which would result in ihcfea easing the market for farm produce Permanent advancement, MT. Wallace believes can come only under economic pressure and cannot be forced" "
 virtually all of the grain grown in Alaska is in me Tanana Valley of which Fairbanks is the center Ahd where there is Hour mill which can grind all ne ne wheat raised This mill has been and will con- hue 10 be big fact in the development of cereal 'iols according to Secretary Wallace.
 Mahy or the farmers in Alaska today are former p.otpectors, number unmarried, the Secretary oi Asriculture believes, the majority of them would cIsaKe their farms for gold fields at any time thoush ne predicts the development of a perman ent population
 some or thel difficulties the Northland's farmers "oe' MT "aila ace has found, the cost of clear ns iahu' esu mated at approximately $15O an acre n many piaces; short growing season, compensat ed o III some measure by long hours of daylight: early i"ses' wnlch did considerable damage last year ma lack of nearby markets.