20 



sowed peas of the earliest I had last year and planted them side by side with 

 the same kind I had sent nie hy a seedsman in Wisconsin with the result that 

 my home-srown seed produced peas fit for use at least five days earlier than the 

 other. So also with potatoes : I jxot larger and earlier ones from my own seed. 

 Now. as to the tinaneial side : I sui)pose you wish to know the prices my crops 

 brought, and I quote as follows : (.'aulitiower, 40 cents per pound ; cabbage, 25 

 cents per pound ; celery. 50 cents per bunch. These held good for the season's 

 crop, but the others fluctuated. Potatoes, 22 cents per pound, and at the end 

 of the season 9 cents per pound ; beets, 30 to 10 cents per pound ; parsnips, 20 

 to 18 cents per pound; peas, 25 to 20 cents per pound; turnips. 20 to 8 cents 

 per pound ; ruta-bagas, 15 to 10 cents per pound. As to squash, tomatoes, and 

 cucundters, the cucumbers did fairly well, but I can improve the crop by a 

 different method of planting and caring for them. The scpiasli did not do as 

 well as the first year's crop l)ecause the season was unfavorable, the latter part 

 especially being too wet and cold. I had a few squashes. Corn connnenced 

 to fill out. but did not mature for the same cause. The tomatoes grew too 

 strong in branches. I had quite a number of small green tomatoes. They did 

 nothing but blossom until I trimmed the tops, then fruit commenced to form. 

 People took them for potato tops. I will prune severely iu future. I am 

 satisfied I can raise them here. 



WORK WITH LIVE STOCK. 



It is recommended that the small appropriation Tvhich Congress 

 has allowed for experiments with live stock be used to purchase 

 cattle and sheep adapted to the climate of Alaska. The Galloway 

 and the West Highland cattle are the hardiest breeds in this country. 

 As many head of one of these, or of both of them, as can be purchased 

 and transported to Alaska with the available funds should be pro- 

 cured. What is needed is a general-purpose animal — one which 

 makes good beef and which can at the same time be used for the 

 dairy. The (lalloways are the most numerously represented, and can 

 be purchased for less than the West Higlilanders. It is therefore 

 proposed to select Galloway cows with good milking qualities — for, 

 although they are essentially beef cattle, there are some good milking 

 families among them — and, with these cows as a foundation, develop 

 a hardy, all-purpose strain, suited to Alaska conditions. 



If the appropriation will permit, it will also be highly desirable to 

 purchase a few head of West Highland cattle. This is a purely beef 

 breed, suited to the rigorous climate and noted for their rustling 

 qualities. Cattle of that class will be of the highest value to Alaska 

 in time to come. 



The introduction of hardy sheep is almost equally important, and 

 a portion of the appropriation should be used for this purpose. The 

 Blackfaced Scotch breed, and the Danish breed, which has for long 

 periods of years been bred in Iceland, should be [)urchased if they 

 can be procured in this country. These are among the hardiest 

 sheep, and it is safe to say that they will do better in Alaska than any 

 so far tried here. 



