11 



As noted, we have cxtondtHl this cooperation by the distribn- 

 tion of selected fruit trees and fruit bushes. Only a limited number 

 of tree> were ayailable last year, so only a fe^y \vere sent to each per- 

 M)M, and \vc were unable to fill all the applications receiyed; but it 

 is planned to continue and extend this work. It is of yital importance 

 to ascertain which yarieties. if any, of the tree fruits can be success- 

 fully "jrown in Alaska, and it is likewise important to stock the Ter- 

 ritoi-y with fruit trees, if any are found which will mature fruit. The 

 apple is at once the most important and the most likely fruit to ma- 

 ture. This is therefore giyen chief attention. The varieties under 

 experiment are enumerated in the notes (page 27). 



METEOROLOGICAL M'ORK. 



The cooperation with the United States Weather Bureau in col- 

 lecting meteorological data has been continued during the past year. 

 The Weather Bureau supplies the instruments required for yoluntary 

 observer's stations. They consist of a maximum and a minimum 

 thermometer and a rain gauge. The special agent establishes the 

 stations wherever it is thought desirable one should be located, pro- 

 vided a reliable i)ermanent resident can be found to undertake the 

 work, which is Avholly without compensation. Monthly reports from 

 all these stations are sent to the special agent at Sitka, who conducts 

 the correspondence and issues supplies as needed. It is a most im- 

 portant Avork and should be continued for a long j^eriod of years, but 

 it involves considerable office work. 



COPPER CENTER STATION. 



The work of this station is devoted chiefly to grain growing. 

 About 40 acres in all have been cleared, and the past season this area 

 was divided into about 200 pkts and cropped mainly to grain, but 

 also to grasses and vegetables. Only a small percentage of the grain 

 matured this year. Early frost is the bugbear of this station. This 

 is the third year since ^vork was begun here. In 1903 the first frost 

 occurred August 27. At that date nearly all the grain had matured, 

 so the outlook was quite encouraging. In 1904 the first killing frost 

 occurred August 17. At that time only the earliest varieties had 

 matured. But this year a severe killing frost occurred August 14, 

 before any but the very earliest sowings of the earliest varieties had ma- 

 tured. Owing to the fact that we have but one team and only one 

 man employed the period of seeding necessarily extends over some 

 three weeks, the past year from May 9 until the close of the month. 

 Now^, it is found that the varieties sown before May 15 have matured, 

 at least in part, whereas those sown later than that date were totally 

 killed by frost and had to be cut for hay. In no case did a variety 



