REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. LIX 



lar operations, such as tobacco curing. It is coming to be more clearly 

 recognized that the field operations in agriculture or horticulture, con- 

 ducted on the station farm, need to be supplemented by similar work 

 in a considerable number of localities in order to be of general useful- 

 ness to the State. In experiments with orchard fruits it is often better 

 for the station to make arrangements to work orchards already estab- 

 lished. Special investigations of difi'erent kinds must be carried on 

 away from the station in order to be of any use. By going into dif- 

 ferent localities, as the needs of its work demand, the station can make 

 itself more useful to the State as a whole. Without doubt cooperative 

 experiments need to be very carefully planned and thoroughly super- 

 vised to be successfully conducted, and their success depends on their 

 quality rather than on their number. It is encouraging to observe that 

 more careful attention is being given to this important matter by sta- 

 tion ofiicers, and it is believed that this work may be made much more 

 economical and useful than the permanent substations as ordinarily 

 managed. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS IN ALASKA. 



Having received authority from Congress to establish and maintain 

 agricultural experiment stations in Alaska, as well as to investigate 

 the agricultural resources and capabilities of that Territory, I have 

 endeavored to put this enterprise on a more permanent basis. Head- 

 quarters having been established at Sitka, as the capital of the Terri- 

 tory, the construction of a building for office and laboratory purposes 

 has been undertaken. The lower story of this building has been so 

 far completed that it is now in use. A few acres of land have also 

 been cleared at Sitka on the station reservation. A station has been 

 established at Kenai, Cook Inlet, and during the past summer reserva- 

 tions of land for station purposes have been made at several points in 

 the valley of the Yukon River. The experiments thus far made have 

 consisted largeh' in growing different varieties of cereals, forage 

 plants, flax, and vegetables. Experiments in making and storing- 

 silage and in making hay from native grasses have been tried to a 

 limited extent. The correction of the acidity of new land with lime 

 has been successfully tried. Much information regarding agricultural 

 conditions in different parts of Alaska has been obtained through cir- 

 culars of inquirv and the visits of our agents to different localities. 

 Seeds have been distributed in a number of different regions and 

 reports have in many instances been received of the first trials with 

 these seeds. Sufficient evidence has been obtained to show definitel}^ 

 that a considerable variet}^ of vegetables can be successfully grown in 

 different parts of Alaska. It has also been shown that in southeastern 

 Alaska and in Cook Inlet oats, barley, buckwheat, and spring wheat 

 will mature with careful culture and that the failure of many attempts 



