20 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



amoniit of I'liiii dui-ing the growing season. "While the growth was 

 heavier, the wet season prolonged the growing period and most of the 

 grain was destroyed by frost the latter part of August. Nearly all 

 the frosted grain Avas cut for hay, the yield ranging from one-half to 

 2 tons of hay per acre. The surplus hay was sold at an average of 

 $200 per ton. On many of the plats of oats, barley, rye, etc., a few 

 heads were matured, and these have been saved for seeding purposes 

 in the hope that earlier maturing varieties may be developed. 

 Among the forage plants alsike clover, timothy, and smooth brome 

 grass seem promising. Tall fescue and one of the western wheat 

 grasses {Andropyron tenerum) made excellent growth throughout 

 the season, and it is believed that they will prove adapted to their 

 surroundings. The effect of cultivation of the soil and the use of 

 fertilizers was well show^n in the improved stand and heavier yields 

 where fertilizers were used. The gardens, not only at the station 

 but also throughout the Copper River Valley generally, were unusu- 

 all}'' good the past season. The experience with potatoes at the Cop- 

 l^er Center Station was truly remarkable. Several small plats were. 

 Avell fertilized with stable manure and planted to several varieties of 

 potatoes. The crop was dug Sei^tember 8 and the yield was at the 

 rate of more than 400 bushels per acre, 98 per cent of which were 

 smooth, marketable potatoes. 



The experiments at Copper Center Station during the past season 

 have fully demonstrated the practicability of producing grain hay 

 and raising potatoes at a considerable profit. At present practically 

 all winter feed must be hauled from tide water, 110 miles away, and 

 it is shown that seeding oats at the rate of 2 or 3 bushels per acre Avill 

 produce a good crop of hay. 



At Rampart Station grain, both fall and spring sown, matured, 

 although the station is fully loO miles farther north than Copjier 

 Center. Every year since the station Avas established in the Yukon 

 ValleA^ grain has matured. The past season three varieties of Avinter 

 r^^e and one of Avheat surviA^ed the Avinter and matured their crop. 

 Of the s]^ring-soAvn grains three A'arieties of barley, two of oats, and 

 one of l)uclcwheat Avere matured. As sit the other stations, plant 

 breeding Avork is being carrieil on, and the earliest maturing heads 

 of CA'ery variety of cereal are selected for further planting. A nuni- 

 bei- of plats have been seeded to grasses as a test of their adaptabilHy. 

 SeA'eral A'arieties liaA^e grown well during the jjast season and made 

 a good stand. As the snoAvfall is usually suHicient for winter pro- 

 tection, it is probable that some may be established and prove adapted 

 to extensive sowing in the ^'iikoii \"alley. 



At the Kenai Station the work is now devoted wholly to animal 

 husbandry and to the growing of feed for liv(> stock, testing grasses 

 and other forage plants, and dairying. There are 26 acres under 



