LXX REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE . 



Georgeson reports that while he was at the Holy Cross Mission during 

 the second week in August, 1901, u the mission was supplied from its 

 own garden with new potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and other vege- 

 tables." At Sitka the experiments with cereals, forage crops, and 

 vegetables were continued, and a considerable number of varieties 

 were successfully grown. A log silo was also built there and filled 

 with native grasses during the latter part of September, 1900, of which 

 Professor Georgeson says: u The experiment was an entire success. 

 Our work oxen were fed exclusively on silage from November 10 to 

 May 1, and only when they were worked were they fed grain in addi- 

 tion. They ate the silage with relish throughout and were maintained 

 in good condition. There was no greater loss of silage by waste than 

 always occurs in preserving green forage." 



At Kenai experiments with cereals and vegetables have been con- 

 tinued, with considerable success. Fall-seeded wheat survived the 

 winter of 1900-1901 in fair condition, and spring-seeded oats, barley, 

 buckwheat, flax, and wheat looked very promising early in September, 

 1901. A small plat of red clover sowed in the spring of 1900 wintered 

 over well and made a good growth during the summer. The greater 

 portion of the grain sown last spring at this station was from grain 

 previously grown there, showing that grain can be matured and prop- 

 agated in that region. Besides the experimental work at Sitka, Kenai, 

 and Rampart, seeds have been distributed to over 400 persons living 

 in different parts of Alaska, and a considerable number of reports 

 have been received from seeds grown there during the season of 1900. 

 There is a considerable increase in the demand for seeds, now that it is 

 known that they are being distributed through the station. Not only 

 are vegetables, cereals, and forage plants asked for, but there is a 

 considerable demand for flower seeds. There seems to be a great 

 desire on the part of a certain class of settlers in Alaska to cultivate 

 flowers, which are more than ordinarily prized in a region where the 

 general conditions of life are so comparatively hard. 



WORK OF THE STATIONS AT SITKA AND KENAI, ALASKA. 



During the summer of 1901 the assistant director, Dr. E. W. Allen, 

 of the Office of Experiment Stations, made a tour of inspection to the 

 stations at Sitka and Kenai, and also made inquiries regarding the 

 agricultural possibilities of the coast region of Alaska. The following 

 extracts are taken from his report: 



The impression which I gained from this Alaskan trip was that not only is quite 

 a wide range of gardening and some measure of agriculture possible, as has been 

 shown by the Congressional reports of our experiments there, but that a gratifying 

 amount of educational and demonstration work has been done among the people, 

 which is already productive of good results. A number of private residences about 

 Sitka show what can be accomplished by well-directed industry in beautifying them 

 and in maintaining creditable home gardens. Many of the natives plant gardens of 



