REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ClII 



suits (about 10,000,000). The publications of the experiment stations 

 are sent to about 500,000 farmers. A great need of our educational 

 system is, therefore, wider dissemination of the results of agricultural 

 study and research among* those now actually engaged in farming. 



I recommend that an appropriation of $6,000 be made by Congress 

 to enable the Office of Experiment Stations to aid the farmers' insti- 

 tutes during the fiscal year 1904. 



Experiment Stations in Alaska. 



Agricultural experiment stations were maintained during the fiscal 

 year 1902 at Sitka, Kenai, and Kampart. The experimental work has 

 included the growing of cereals and vegetables, methods of reclama- 

 tion, drainage, and fertilization of land, and the curing and ensiling of 

 forage crops. In all these lines successful results were obtained, and 

 much information which will be of use to persons attempting agricul- 

 ture in Alaska was acquired. The survey of different portions of 

 Alaska with reference to their agricultural possibilities was continued. 

 The special agent in charge made a journey through a large portion of 

 the Yukon River Valley. A reconnoissance of the Copper River 

 regions and portions of the Fortjnnile country and the Tanana River 

 Valle}' was made during September, 1901, by the assistant who had 

 been in charge of the station work at Rampart. He estimated that in 

 the region covered by his journey there was some 2,000,000 acres of 

 land suitable for farming and pasture. Grass grew abundantlj- and 

 luxuriantly in large regions. 



The distribution of seed of hard}^ varieties of vegetables, cereals, 

 and grasses has been continued and extended, seed for use the present 

 season having been sent to some 750 addresses. Many reports of 

 trials of seed previously sent have been received, and in this way 

 much useful information has been secured. It is evident that the 

 efforts made by the Department to aid the residents of Alaska in their 

 agricultural work by distributing improved varieties of seeds have 

 produced beneficial results. Not onlj^ has this been of advantage to 

 the white population, but the natives also are learning to cultivate 

 gardens, and it is reliabl}^ reported that there is a large increase in the 

 number of natives who attempt to cultivate small patches of ground. 



The equipment of the stations in Alaska has been increased by the 

 erection of a barn, cottage, and small blacksmith shop at Sitka and 

 the completion of a small station building at Kenai. During the 

 present year a beginning will be made of establishing a nursery of 

 hardy fruits at Sitka. Only a limited amount of work in this line can 

 be done until a horticulturist is added to the station staff. It is also 

 planned to secure a small flock of Angora goats, with a view to ascer- 

 taining whether these animals can be successfully reared in the coast 

 region of southern Alaska. The plants naturally growing in this 



