87 



wluMi it (Iocs not. The air is at times filled witli pnrticlcs of snow oarried aldiiR 

 by a stroiii: wind aiul drifting: in all directions. 



Our gardens have done lairly well. We had a lair crop of good potatoes and 

 exceptionally fine cauliflower. Kluibarb. kale, turnips, caldtage. carrots, ruta- 

 bagas, and radishes did fairly well. 



Mr. Hock had planted some rye; it grew to a normal height. Imt the seed did 

 not mature; it turned black. Peas stood in bloom for a long time; they formed 

 pods." but the peas did not ripen. We keep two cows, a oalf. and a horse. We 

 have In places a luxuriant growth of nutritious grasses, and our stock can sup- 

 port itself during tlie suiiinier. Our supply of hay was cut after the hrst frost 

 bad set in. 



In July we tried a new incubator sent us from IMiiladelphia. Mr. Rock put 

 in ."»() eggs, of which number IT were hatched. It was rathei- late in the seasou, 

 inucli wet weather followed, and only lour of flie chicks survived. A few of our 

 liens began to lay a])out the middle of November. 



I came here on the last day of May. Shortly afterwards 1 began rultivating 



a small piece of land and had the sr.tisfaction of raising a g 1 crop of radishes. 



kale, and a fairly good supply of fine turnii»s. 



Last summer we made a trip up the Wood Kiver to the lakes and were de- 

 lighted at the beautiful scenery and luxuriant character of the vegetation. It 

 is a magnificent timber region, in sharp contrast with the treeless region of the 

 lower Xushagak. This lake country will make an excellent grazing country for 

 reindeer. 



Elizabeth ScJncdh. Jesse Lee Home, J iidliisha. .1 /«.<?/,•«. — Your package of seed 

 came to-day. reminding me that I had not as yet given you any of my experi- 

 ence with last year's (1904) seed. Last spring was very late and the sununer 

 was cool. I started cabbage in tin cans in March, transplanting them in the 

 latter part of May, and succeeded in having some small heads ready for the 

 table late in September. We have had such nice lettuce and greens. The beets 

 not growing very large, we used the tops for greens. They were nicer than 

 spinach. We started some rhubarb in the hotbed last year and it grew to 2 

 feet. We transplanted it into the garden this year and inclosed it in boxes. 

 I was afraid it would spoil, as we tried transplanting it before, but the boxes 

 preserved it from its enemies and it was well manured with chicken manui-e. 



I can not tell how the children enjoyed the turnips and ruta-bagas from their 

 gardens and what a blessing and health-preserving benefit our garden is to our 

 flock. 



We have also used much of the flower seed. Sweet peas, sweet alyssum, 

 stocks, and many other flowers make ovir home more beautiful and give their 

 .ioy and gladness. 



Alexander Friecloliii. Afoiinak. Alaska. — I have sown the seeds I received 

 from you as follows : 



Cauliflower and cabba.ge were planted in the box April 14. 1004. transplanted 

 to open ground June 2. I planted turnips, onion sets, and sowed cabbage, kale, 

 celery, radishes, and salsify in open ground on May 11, and transplanted kale 

 and cabbage on June 2. I sowed Romanow wheat, Swedish Select oats, and 

 Manchuria barley, all imported seeds, on May 12. I sowed flowers, ruta-bagas, 

 peas, and cauliflower on May 12 and transplanted the cauliflower June 2. I 

 planted potatoes May .17 and 27. Onions (Extra Early Brown Spanish), beets 

 (Crimson Globe), carrots (Scarlet Horn), ruta-baga (Champion), turnip 

 (White Strap-leaf), parsnip (Early Round), parsley (Early Curled), and 

 radish (French Brealcfast), were all sown on May 21. Lettuce and dill w^ere 

 sowed May 29. The result was unsatisfactory this year. The potatoes were 



