The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-08-28
AGRICULTURAL
POSSIBILITIES
In Alaska Reconnaissance Soil Survey
of Territory. To Map Soils Suit
able fer Crops.

~OsS 49,
A reconnaissance soil survey Of
vast area in Alaska to investigate the
agricultural possibilities of that ter
ritory has recently been made, and
the results of this work will shortly
be published in a report by the bureau
of soils of the United States depart
ment of agriculture. The report COM
prises 202 pages and contains 38 page
plates and maps. 1t describes the
climate, soils, crops, and other condi-
lions bearing upon the possibilities
of agricultural development in Alaska.
and In addition discusses such inch
dental subjects as settlement, natural
resources, photography, drainage.
means of communication, and com
parison of Alaska with parts of Sibe-
ria and Finland.
The report says in part:
saThe existence Of a vast mountain
Gus area along the southern coast of
Alaska, with numerous lofty, snow
covered peaks and huge glaciers, nee
essarily unfit for human habitation, is
apt to give one unfamiliar with the
complexities of the topography and
climate of the country as whole the
impression that Alaska Is region of
inhospitable mountains, glaciers, and
snow, without farming possibilities
In measure this is true, for there
are In the territory immense areas OF
rugged mountains, including the lofti-
est peaks upon the North American
continent, and great wastes of snow
clad and precipitous land, wide
stretches of bleak tundra and noun
tain skirting the Arctic ocean, innum-
cradle bodies of water-soaked Muskeg,
and many glaciers Of almost incredi-
HE magnitude Nevertheless there
are millions of acres of relatively low,
smooth land and gentle slopes In va
1ious parts of the country which are
geographically and climatically suit
ed to farming. That this is true Is not
a matter of conjecture, for many val
liable food products both for man and
animal are now being successfully
grown. Farming IN a region so far
north may seem astonishing until one
is acquainted with the eqdable sum-
mer climate, the long hours Of sum-
mer daylight, and the good quality of
the soil"
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 that "as yet strictly pion-
Ger conditions obtain, that settlement
is largely confined to communities in
the vicinity of mining camps, that
much of the country is inaccessible
owing to the absence Of roads and
railroads, and that home markets are
restricted by the present small Dopu-
, lation."
every indication is that agricultur-
al development must be gradual, must
grow with the construction of high
ways and railways, with the develop
ment of mining industries and accom-
panying increase of population. If
large numbers, without sufficient CAPT
tai, should stampede to those lands
with the idea of Immediately estab-
lishlishing profitable farms for them
selves, it is believed that there would
be only disappointment for many. A
careful study of the conditions be-
fore undertaking farming operations
here is therefore urgently advised.
The prospects of success for farming
depend, so far as sale of sulphur
products is concerned, upon finding
local market among population
attracted by mining resources and
fisheries. In other, words these re-
gions of Alaska will probably not for
some time export agricultural pro-
ducts, at least not on an important
scale. Expectation of such products
must await the building Of system
OF railways and highways and prob
ably, also, the establishment Of
cheaper transportation"
The report deals with three gener-
al areas, the Cook Inlet-Susitna re-
gion, the Yukon-Tanana region, and
the Copper River regions.