ALASKA EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 273 



BUCKWHEAT. 



On June 6 two small plats, were sown with buckwheat. Plat No. 1 

 to seed from Maine, and No. 2 to a Russian variety. The Maine seeds 

 sprouted quickly and produced a good stand of thrifty plants, which 

 had reached a height of 16 inches and was beginning to bloom on July 

 20. July 26 an average stalk was 22 inches high. Plants were killed 

 to the ground by the frost of July 31. The Russian variety did not 

 start readily and the stand was poor, but the stalks were vigorous and 

 made a rapid growth. July 17 a few stalks were in bloom, and average 

 stalks were 20 inches in height. July 26 average stalks were 28 inches 

 high, with the grain forming. Killed to the ground by the frost 

 July 31. 



POTATOES. 



A small quantity of seed potatoes grown at Rampart, last year, was 

 obtained, placed in a shallow box, partly covered with sand, and 

 exposed to the light May 1. At the same time a few pounds of out- 

 side potatoes were obtained and these were treated in like manner. 

 Both lots were planted May 23. The soil was rather wet and stiff for 

 planting at this time, and the weather continued cold and damp for 

 some time afterwards. The first potato leaf showed through the soil 

 June 16. From that time on growth was rapid. July 15, stalks from 

 native seed showed blossoms, while the other variety bloomed June 24. 

 Frost of July 31 killed the stalks to the ground. Native seed had at 

 this date produced potatoes as large as an egg^ while outside seed pro- 

 duced only very small potatoes. 



SETTLEMENTS ALONG THE YUKON. 



It may be interesting to name the leading settlements along the 

 river and the approximate distances between them, in order to give 

 some idea of the extent of the territory. The distances here given 

 are only approximate and may vary somewhat in either direction. 



Eagle City, which is the first town in American territory, is 106 

 miles from Dawson. It is beautifully located on high ground in a bend 

 of the river near Eagle Mountain, which is an imposing mass of 

 granite rising to a height of about 2,000 feet. This town will undoubt- 

 edly be an important one, especially if the projected railroad through 

 the interior should terminate here. It lies on the margin of a large 

 tract of land sufficiently level to be brought under culture. There is 

 a permanent population of some hundreds of people, and Fort Egbert, 

 which is garrisoned with about two hundred soldiers, is located here. 



From Eagle to Circle City is a distance of about 175 miles. This 



town is located in the border of the "Flats," and the region of the 



immediate neighborhood is treeless. It is likewise a town which is 



destined to be permanent. It has come into prominence because it is 



H. Doc. 334 18 



