Seward daily gateway., 1927-08-20

AGRICULTURE IN CENTRAL ALASKA Earmng and gardening in the Sustna valley and in the valleys of Kenai peninsula, including the great plateau on the western side of the Kena peninsula between Cook Inlet and the Knik mountains, have pro- gressed far enough many small patches widely scatter ed since the building of the Alaska Railroad to demon strate what be done large scale on eve1square mile of those extensive areas.
 With certainty there are 10000 acres the Kenai peninsula and 30000O0 in the Susna valley to say nothing of equal amount in the Tanana valley, which have possibilities for growing every kind of vegetables berries rye oats barley and the harder wheats more a. bundanty and of better quality by acre, than the northern states of the United States
 If that statement should too sweeping, the before the eyes of every and woman who will visit the hundreds of little farms and gardens in and around Seward Seldova, Kenai Hope, Sunrise, Anchor age, MatanuSka WaSa Iakeetna, and scores Ot other places in those valleys
 What is produced on one acre can be produced the adjoining under the conditions, the adjon ing hundreds of acres, thousands acres.
 The long summers and the long hours Of daylight III these attitudes produce with rapty and luxuriance of growth that not surpassed in any State of the Union When comes it is here in bound and the danger of killing frosts past unlike the conditions that crops in many of the agricultural States.
 The agricultural possibilities m central Alaska were very Interestingly presented in talk by John E. Baaine to the Seward Chamber of Commerce the occasion of the reception to Governor Parks few days ago. MT. Baane knows Alaska and every part of Alaska and ry possibility in Alaska thoroughly than any other in out of the Territory and he is widely recog nized as the best authority on Alaska.
 Many people, Mr. Ballaine pointed out, large patches like the country west of Was covered with gee pole spruce which they hastily conclude must be worth less for growing any kind of vegetables But he gave m stances to prove just the contrary.
 For example he recently visited with old friend, Mr. Dorwn fox farmer at Montana 209 miles north of Seward the Alaska Railroad the general part of the Susitna valley.
 MT. Dorwin took up homestead there five years ago for the raising of foxes what appeared to bel worthless land covered with six inches of and growth of sunted spruce but with 10 15 feet of good soil underneath He spaded about of the garden turning the under The second year he spaded it again The third year he spaded 1t we'll and planted it i> garden The had partially decomposed and the gar den medium.
 The fourth year Mr. Dorwin spaded it for the fourth time, when the moss had completely routed forming fine mulch for the soil It grew a wonderful garden
 This year, the fifth Mr. Dorwins garden and berry bushes loaded with all varieties of berries of the show places of any part of Alaska No farm in the Unit ed States presents more thrifty and wholesome appear ance. No garden in Washington, Oregon California is better than this truly wonderful garden
 But 1t is not alone in vegetables and berries that the soil and climate of central Alaska produce abundany MT. Balaine emphasized The 5OOOOO0 acres of tiabe lands Tn the valleys of the Kena peninsula and in the S stna valley after preparation such MT. Dorwn gave to his garden tract and does produce rye oat barley and the hardy varieties of wheat in quality and quantity the equal of any other section.
 But these attitudes of Alaska particularly suited for re Mr. Ballane pointed out. It is here that rye thrves in it's native and best environment It grows rapid W and natures within 60 days from planting It is equal makes the staple flour for bread for 10OOOOOOO people, in northern EurOpe The 100000 acres in tho Kanai