Agricultural Research in Alaska— Irwin 5 



instances blights as high as 30% of the florets. Research on this 

 problem is being accomplished in various areas where this 

 deficiency is evident. 



Since potatoes are possibly the foremost cash crop of the 

 Alaska farmer, potato breeding, culture and storage investiga- 

 tions have been given intensive study by the horticultural de- 

 partment. In 1949, 7225 new seedling varieties were planted 

 in individual hills. Twelve hundred of the most promising 

 seedling hills were retained and planted in rod row nurseries 

 this year. The highest yield of any variety of potatoes was 

 obtained from one of these seedlings. A number of standard 

 varieties of potatoes were given fertilizer application tests, dur- 

 ing the past three years, at both the Matanuska and Fairbanks 

 Stations. Tests of the dry matter content of tubers of each 

 variety were conducted by the specific gravity salt bath method. 



Introductions of many vegetable varieties are being tested 

 for quality, yield and adaptation to market requirements. 

 Vegetable breeding work is now in its initial stage. Prepara- 

 tion of information on recommended vegetable varieties is now 

 in progress. 



Tree and bush fruit tests are in progress on an extensive 

 scale. Location and method of planting, fertilizer applications, 

 windbreaks and soil type planting are among the techniques 

 being used. The chief characteristics being sought are 

 winter hardiness, disease resistance, quality and yielding ability. 

 Annual and perennial flowers and ornamentals are being tested 

 extensively. Greenhouse work on an extensive scale will begin 

 as soon as the research greenhouse at the Palmer station is 

 completed. 



Research work in animal industry is confined principally to 

 dairy breeding and production, to projects on poultry and on 

 feeding and management of fur bearing animals. Dairying is 

 one of the most stable and economically sound farm enterprises 

 in Alaska. The price of Grade A raw milk, $10 to $11 per 

 hundred pounds, at 4% butterfat, is attractive. Therefore, the 

 number of Grade A dairies is increasing steadily in the Mata- 



