The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-10-02

(COntinued rom Page One, {" demonstrated for the first time that grain would mature in the Yukon Valley north of latitude 65 degrees north. The work at Fair banks was initiated in 1905.
 AS the work progressed it was found that the climate at Copper Center was unfavorable for matur- ing grain with any certainty and this station was therefore aban- doned. The Kenai' station was closed in 1908 chiefly because the building of the Alaska Central Railway centered development of Cooks Inlet along it's route. AZ though the work at Rampant from an agricultural standpoint was en- tirely satisfactory, and valuable re- suits were obtained in grain hy- bridization, this station was closed in 1924 A livestock breeding station was started at Kodiak in 1907. This station was closed in the spring of 1881 for lack of funds. @
 The Matanuska Station, at which the experimental work for Alaska is now centered, was begun in 1917. This station has grown in size and importance until it now represents the major activity of the Alaska Experimental Station. The Fairbanks station was trans ferred to the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines this spring. The agricultural experiment. station work for the interior is new consolidated at Matanuska. and for Southeast Alaska, at Sitka. Obtain Good Results ,.,,
 During this time the Alaska Sta-' tions have been in operation sorne, noteworthy results have been ob- tained. At Rampant the grain in veStigations started with the i'm portation of early maturing varie- ties from Siberia and other north ern countries. These small kerneled early grains were crossed with the larger and later varieties and hy~l brids produced which it is expected will in time prove to be standard grains for this Territory. At Fair banks cultural experiments carried out for a long term of yeafs dem Ij onstrated the practicability of suc-l cessful farming in Alaska
 At Kodiak Galloway cattle proved' that they were able to maintain themselves on the native range without extra feeding except for several weeks each winter when. the weather is unfavorahle At. thIs sta- ton an experiment was undertaken to cross the Galloway with the Holstein- Friesian to develop a har- dy dairy breed for Alaska. These dairy cattle are now at Matanliska and are proving themselves to be an ideal type for these northern sections, both in milk production and hardness. Experiments have been carried on for some years in crossing the yak with the Gallo ways with view of producing hardy beef breed for Alaska. This work has been handicapped for lack of sufficient numbers of pure bred yak, but it is hoped that a special appropriations will be made by Congress for the purpose of importing a herd of pure bred Yak.
 The hybrid strawberries produced at Sitka by crossing domestic va- rieties with the wild native spe- cies are now grown in nearly every part of Alaska where gardens are maintained.
 The foregoing are some of the results of the work of the Alaska Experiment. Stations. The benefits will ultimately accrue to the peo- pie of Alaska who make their homes in the Territory. Detailed statements of experiments have been published in annual reports and bulletins. / ~. Some of Pioneers
 In this brief historical review mention should be made of some of the men that pioneered the work. Tt was difficult to make rapid progress In agriculture in the years immediately following 1898 when the nam interest of the inhabi- tauts .w4s centered on bonanza mining. However. pr. Georgeson persisted in going ahead in the face of adverse criticism and un- told difficulties but he lived to see some q his labor bear fruit. The agricultural future of Alaska 1 Is assured, say all who have been connected with 1t. It awaits only the passing of. time to become a substantla1 reality. Even under the nrasent AS1vAfse conditions the agri-