302 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



possess the most promise for Alaskan conditions. The unusual 

 weather had a marked effect on the fruit trees, and nearly all varieties 

 of apples grown at the station promise to produce fruit this season. 

 The cooperative work with settlers is being extended, and in addition 

 to the distribution of seeds the Sitka station sent out 4,400 fruit trees 

 and fruit bushes to 126 addresses in different parts of the Territory. 

 In addition, large numbers of small plants, cuttings, etc., were dis- 

 tributed. A number of plant diseases made their appearance in the 

 nursery during 1915, but they readily yielded to control by spraying. 



The general conditions at the Rampart station were similar to those 

 at Sitka. Seeding was finished earlier than usual and the early 

 growth of crops of all kinds began favorably. The later develop- 

 ment was retarded somewhat, though no serious injury followed the 

 drought. Grain of all kinds, including several varieties of spring 

 wheat, matured, and winter rye produced a good crop. Winter wheat 

 ripened, but the stand was poor, owing to winterkilling. The yellow- 

 flowered Siberian alfalfa {Medicago falcata)^ Trifolium lupinaster^ 

 and Vicia cracca matured fine crops and produced abundant seed. 

 A marked variation in the seedlings of some of these forage plants 

 has been noticed and advantage is being taken of this to secure more 

 vigorous, hardier, and more productive strains of these important 

 plants. The hybridization work with cereals and alfalfa has been 

 extended beyond what was previously possible, by reason of the 

 presence of an assistant at this station. 



The work at the Fairbanks station suffered considerably by reason 

 of the drought, and only partial successes are reported for all crops. 

 Hay crops were light and the straw of grain crops was short, but on 

 the north slopes of bench land good returns are reported for grain 

 and potatoes. A considerable planting of Petrowsld turnips was 

 made for seed purposes and a light crop of seed for distribution was 

 secured. This variety continues to be one of the most valuable for 

 Alaskan conditions through its immunity to attacks of the root 

 maggot. 



At the Kodiak station, where forage production for the live stock 

 is being given special consideration, the dry summer severely cur- 

 tailed the growth of pasture, hay, and silage crops. The dry weather, 

 accompanied with high winds, interfered with the pasture renewal 

 experiments, as the light volcanic ash was blown away, leaving the 

 roots of the plants bare. The live stock has done well and there has 

 been a normal increase of both cattle and sheep. Considerable 

 trouble has been experienced on account of the brown bears, more 

 than one-half the sheep and several of the cattle having been killed 

 during the past year. This necessitates constant herding during the 

 day and strong inclosures for night protection. 



With the announcement of the route for the railroad from Seward 

 to Fairbanks a rapid influx of settlers into this region followed. 

 As the climate and soils of the Matanuska and Seward Valleys differ 

 materially from those at the several stations already established, it 

 was believed desirable to provide for the establishment of an experi- 

 ment station in this region. A scientist who has been connected with 

 the Alaska stations made an agricultural survey of the region and 

 selected a tract of 240 acres as a site for an experiment station near 

 the junction of the Matanuska Branch with the main line of the rail- 



