REPORT ON AGRICULTl KAL IXVEST1(;AT10NS IN 



ALASKA, 11)05. 



WEATHER CONDITIONS. 



In Alaska the weather is the controlling fai-tor whieh determines 

 the degree of success attainable in agriculture. During the season of 

 1905 the weather was favorable to agricultural operations in the coast 

 region. The months of July and August were bright and warm, and 

 the gardens throughout (hat region were quite successful. Tn the 

 interior, on the other hand, conditions were somewhat less favorable. 

 The spring was late. raw. and overcast. Seeding was therefore late 

 and early growth was slow. In July and early August the weather 

 was favorable, but duriug the middle and latter part of August the 

 Aveather was rainy anil overcast, which retarded the ripening of the 

 crops. Conditions w^ere not uniform throughout the interior. In the 

 Yukon and Tanana valleys the settlers complained of too much rain 

 and not enough sunshine. In the Copper River Valley there was not 

 enough rain, and killing frosts began in the latter region as early as 

 August 14. Light frosts occurred in the Yukon Valley on several 

 days the latter part of August, but no killing frosts destructive to 

 hardy plants occurred until September. Hence the grain crops 

 matured at the Rampart Station, although they were late, while only 

 a small percentage matured in the Copper River Valley because of an 

 early killing frost. 



SUMMARY OF THE SEASON'S WORK. 

 SITKA STATION. 



It was explained in last year's report that the w^ork of the Sitka 

 Station would in the future be devoted chiefly to horticulture. In 

 conformity to this plan two lines of work w^ere undertaken which it 

 seemed most important to prosecute: (1) The introduction, propaga- 

 tion, and testing of fruit trees and fruit bushes, with a view to 

 ascertaining what sorts, if any, can be successfully cultivated in 

 Alaska; and (2) the testing of varieties of vegetables best suited to 

 the climate and the soil in various parts of the Territory. 



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