ALASKA STATIONS. 21 



cultivation at this station, the greater part of which was sown to 

 oats and cut for hay. Under the special appropriation for the intro- 

 duction of live stock 11 head of Galloway cattle were purchased, 7 of 

 them being- sent to the Kenai ^Station and the others placed in charge 

 of Mr. C. P. Coe, on "Wood Island. The addition to the Kenai herd 

 of cattle brought the total up to IT head, all of which are reported 

 as beino- in o-ood condition. The introduction of the Galloways 

 was attended with success, and the animals proved docile, quicklj^ 

 recovered from the effects of their long voyage, and when last re- 

 ported were in excellent condition on the forage found in the native 

 pastures. There seems to be no doubt of their adaptability to 

 Alaskan conditions. xV small dairy outfit has been supplied to this 

 station, and butter of excellent quality was made, although the cows 

 producing it were those purchased from settlers and are not to be 

 considered as first-class dairy animals. The experiments Avith cattle 

 thus far have shown that dairying and cattle raising are possible and 

 practicable in this part of Alaska, so far as pasturage is concerned. 

 There are here and there extensive tracts of pasture land, although 

 the areas that could be mowed are limited to patches of from 5 to 40 

 acres. Experiments at the station show that besides the possibility of 

 growing grain hay, a number of grasses are apparently well adapted 

 to this part of Alaska. Among those most promising are the native 

 l)lue top, a native bunch grass, tall fescue, timothy, meadow foxtail, 

 smooth brome grass, and white and alsike clover. Blue grass also 

 does well in some localities, and experiments are now being carried 

 on with a number of native species of grasses that are thought prom- 

 ising. ^^"ith the construction of the railroad from Seward toward 

 the Tanana country, the west side of the Kenai Peninsula will become 

 even less accessible than it is now, and the advisability of moving 

 the animals to some other location will have to be given consideration. 



A station site was located last year in the Tanana River Valley 

 between Chena and Fairbanks, and it is expected that some work 

 will l)e inaugurated there the coming season. The Tanana Valley 

 contains large areas of land so situated as to be adapted to cultiva- 

 tion, and from reports of limited experiments it is believed that this 

 region is capable of considerable agricultural development. 



The Alaska stations, as in the past, have cooperated with many 

 residents in various parts of the country, and flattering reports of 

 success have been received. Through the courtesy of the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry garden seeds were supplied to about 2,000 addresses. 

 This courtesy is highly appreciated, as in many cases this is the only 

 source from which seeds may be secured, and the distribution should 

 be continued as heretofore. The assistance of the" Bureau in securing 

 varieties of seeds and plants from high latitudes in Europe and else- 

 where is gratefully acknowledged. 



