ALASKA EXl'ERIMENT STATIONS. 375 



I was raised ami where the popnlatitm would tliink tlieiiwelves very fortunate if 

 they could i)ro(lure such crops as will grow here. The rich native grasses growing 

 spontaneously wherever the sun gets to the soil, and the ahundance of wild fruits to 

 be had here would of itself l)e inducement enough to entice immigration to this 

 country. This fall I have picked 15 galUms of the little berry known here as the 

 low-hush cranberrv, but which 1 think is called whortleberry in English ("Lingon" 

 in Swedish), and the i>reserves of which are infinitely superior to any drie<l or 

 canned fruit in the market. ]My potiitoes grew up to September 24, when the vines 

 were cut down by the frost. Part of my cabbage is out in the garden yet, October 

 22, 1902, and I believe this sea.son is about the same as the previous years, at least 

 since 1X97, when I came here. 



.1. LavHon, Sunrise, Cook laid.— I am sending you samples of the grain raised this 

 sea.son (1903). Tin' barley was harvesle<l in the latter part of August and the other 

 kinds a month later. The rye and wheat you sent me were planted August 29. 

 It is up and looks fine. My vegetiibles have grown better this year than ever before. 

 (I'l. XIII, fig. 1.) I have as fine a lot of potatoes, turnips, beets, ruta-bagas, parsnips, 

 and carrots as you will see anywhere. My crop of early cabluiges and cauliflowers is 

 sold off. Some of my cabbages weighed up to 12 pounds. I am reiusonably certain 

 that rye, wheat, barley, and oats, also the various grasses, can be grown to perfection 

 as soon as the seeds shall have become sufficiently ax'climated. The first frost occurred 

 here Septem1)er 23, and j^otato vines were killed September 27. 



G. M. I'nhner, Knik, Cook //////.— The seeds I did not use myself were distributed 

 among the natives, and some of them raised quite a number of potatoes, turnips, and 

 beets. Of course the ground is new yet and there is no fertilizer here, so the yield 

 is small, but it is a help to them. 



My own garden was not as good as last year, as I was away during June and most 

 of July. Of the seeds I planted, cabbage, kale, cress, lettuce, and cauliflower did 

 well. Turnips and ruta-bagas were a partial success, due only to lack of attention. 

 Beets came up and all went to seed. Parsnii)S and carrots did not come up. Rad- 

 ishes grew linely, but there is a white Avorm here that eats into the roots and stops 

 the growth. The top appears to grow all right, but the root will be only about as 

 large as a large l>ean, and the worm will be inside. 



<1. Roll, Hope Citi/, Cook Iiili't. — I am sending you samples by this mail of IJurt 

 Extra Early oats, Manshury barley, K(Muanow Spring wheat. Silver Hull buckwheat, 

 and Broad Wind.«or ])eans. The above-named cereals were planted May 17 in new 

 soil. It waa rather dry at the time they were planted, therefore they made a very 

 poor start, and it continued so until July 3, and we have had very little rain from 

 then up to the i»resent time. Last year the grain we had was much better; more 

 matured than the samples we send you by this mail. 



The WiiKlsor l)eans planted May 31 were in blossom by July 10. We also planted 

 Improved ( Jolden Wa.x beiuis on May 31. They were in bloom by July 10, and were 

 eatable by August 13. This is the first year we have had good marketable 

 string l)eans, and jtotatoes are larger and better than any year heretofore. Onions 

 liave never been a success. .\11 other veg«'fablcs, such as cabbage, cauliflower, tur- 

 nips, ruta-baga«, beets, cuxrrots, parsnii)S, ra<lishes, lettuce, and peas<lo well, just as 

 well as in any part of the United States. ( IM. XIII, fig. 2.) 



I), ir. llnrinj, Tijonek. — This is my third season at Tyonek. Last year I was suc- 

 cessful with all kinds of garden vegetables. This sea«on was late, frost remaining in 

 the ground until May 20. (hi May 20 I jilantetl lettuce, radishes, onions, pai-snips, 

 beets, carrots, ruta-bagas, an<l i>eas, and on May 28 potatoes. White Dutch turnii)8,' 

 sown May 2S, were ready for the table July 20. I had peas ready for the table this year 

 August 2"). Cabltage is also ready for the table at this date, September 0; beets also. 

 Early pe^w do the best. Of the turnips tried Wliile !»iit(h is the In-st. rurjtle Top 

 lettuce has the largest heads. Uhubarb does well, tiie largest I ever saw was raised 



