346 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



At the Fairbanks station conditions for crop production were 

 very unfavorable, a cold spring being followed by a severe drought. 

 Even under these adverse conditions, more than 1,200 bushels of 

 spring wheat, oats, and barley was secured. Average yields of over 

 12 bushels per acre were obtained for spring wheat, the seed for 

 which was obtained in 1914 from a Siberian experiment station. 

 Other varieties yielded from 12 to 15 bushels per acre, and yields of 

 38 to 54 bushels of oats per acre are reported. Most of the grains 

 grown are from pedigree strains developed at the Rampart station. 

 In an attempt to grow leguminous plants for forage and green 

 manure, it has been found that red clover, which winterkills badly, 

 can be successfully grown as an annual crop when seeded early in 

 May. Potatoes continue to be the principal money crop of the 

 Tanana Valley, and the station reports yields of 92 to 162 bushels 

 per acre. 



The Eampart station is continuing its plant-breeding work with 

 great success. A number of early maturing grains have been de- 

 veloped which have become well established. All the alfalfas were 

 winterkilled in 1918, except those derived from Medicago falcata 

 and some of the hybrids produced at the station. The Rampart 

 Station and that at Fairbanks are making especial efforts to pro- 

 duce seed for Alaskan use, and in addition to grains, seed of peas, 

 turnip, etc., were grown in considerable quantity for 1918 planting. 



The work of the Kodiak station continued as formerly. The herd 

 of cattle, which was found to be infected with tuberculosis in 1916, 

 has been divided, the reacting animals having been removed to 

 Kalsin Bay, where an attempt is being made to build up a sound 

 herd. The station is badly in need of better barns which can be 

 kept in a more sanitary condition. 



The Matanuska station is being developed, a small area having 

 been prepared for cropping and the necessary buildings and fences 

 having been erected. About 12 acres was planted in 1918 to grain 

 crops, potatoes, and vegetables. 



During the past year cooperative work with settlers was undertaken 

 on a larger scale than ever before. Especial attention was given to 

 ^the Matanuska Valley and the region around Knik and Anchorage. 

 Personal visits were made to many ranches, and a half ton of 

 seed grain was distributed with directions for planting. A number 

 of the cooperators reported upon their trials, and in many instances 

 grain was matured and saved for seed. In the spring of 1918 more 

 than 4| tons of seed grain, as well as a large amount of nursery stock 

 and vegetable seeds, were distributed among the homesteaders of 

 this region, man}^ of whom are wholly ignorant of how to care for 

 such crops, though most of them are eager to make trials under the 

 station's direction. A farmers' cooperative association was organ- 

 ized in the Matanuska Valley, and most of the settlers have already 

 joined it. Similar work in the Tanana Valley is contemplated. 



HAWAII STATION. 



The work of the Hawaii station during the year was confined to 

 problems connected with the production and utilization of food crops, 

 many of the more technical projects having been held fn abeyance 

 while every effort was made to develop new industries and to famil- 



