10 



fuel and rock were tried. In one case a foundation of logs 12 feet 

 long was laid on the ground ; on this another layer of logs Avas laid 

 crosswise, and on top of this 2 or 3 feet of roots and stumps. A 

 layer of lime rock, broken in sizes of 6 or 7 inches in diameter, was 

 piled on top 1 foot thick. Then the pile was built up Avith alternate 

 layers of fuel and lime rock until it was 12 feet high. Slabs (the 

 outer cuts from logs), obtained from a local saAvmill, were nailed 

 outside the Avhole pile and the chinks between these closed Avitli sod 

 to exclude the inrush of cold air so far as j^ossible. The top of the 

 pile was also covered with sod, and to secure a good draft a flue was 

 built in the center by placing old barrels, with the bottoms knocked 

 out, on top of each other as the pile Avas built up. When all Avas 

 ready a can of loAA-est grade kerosene obtainable was poured oA'er the 

 AAdiole and the fire started. The result was a success, as stated, to the 

 extent of burning rather more than 50 per cent of the limestone. 



In the other case a pit 12 feet in diameter was dug 6 f eef deep, and 

 the fuel and rock AA^ere piled in alternate layers as before. Here die 

 slabs were not needed. The earth excluded the air more effectiA'ely 

 than the slabs did. The results AA^ere practically the same. Settlers 

 who haA'C conA'enient access to a ledge of limestone can burn lime in 

 this AA'ay. More AA^ould be burned at the station but for Iaao circum- 

 stances. One is that the launch is disabled, so that the limestone can 

 not be hauled, and the other is a fall in the price of lime on Puget 

 Sound, by Avhich it can be laid doAvn at the station at $1.67 per barrel 

 of 200 pounds, all charges paid. At this rate there AA'ill be little if 

 anything saved b}' burning the lime, Avhen all the items of quarrying, 

 hauling, and cutting and transporting the fuel, etc., are counted. 



COOPERATION AVITII SETTI.ERS. 



As in former years, the station has enlisted the cooperation of the 

 settlers throughout the Territory in the testing of varieties of vege- 

 tables, by the distribution of seeds for their use. Seeds are sent to 

 those AAdio desire them Avith the understanding that at the end of the 

 season they are to Avrite a detailed report of the results obtained. 

 Very many of them neglect this duty ; others, however, do write inter- 

 esting and valuable reports, some of AA'hich are published under the 

 head of " Reports from the seed distribution." The object is tAvo- 

 fold — first, to ascertain as far as possible what varieties of vege- 

 tables are best suited to certain regions, and, second, to ameliorate 

 the conditions of life among the settlers and prospectors by helping 

 them to raise gardens. 



In this connection aa'c desire to give grateful acknoAA'ledgment to 

 the chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Dr. B. T. GalloAvay. and to 

 Mr. A. J. Pieters, in charge of seed and plant introduction and dis- 

 tribution, AA'ho haA'e furnished the seed for this puri^ose. 



