336 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



GARDENING A FAILURE AT POINT BARROW. 



Eagle, Alaska, July 25, 1901. 

 Dear Sir: I tried some of the seeds sent me to Point Barrow, but all results were 

 negative. The plants grew, filled the windows with a beautiful foliage, blossomed, 

 and died; at no period was anything edible apparent. 



It is impossible to plant outside, as on the evening of the hottest day it is apt to be 

 below freezing. 



However, if more seeds are sent, I will do my best to raise something. We did not 

 try anything but radishes and lettuce, and the latter never appeared at all. 

 I am on my way in after a year on the outside. 

 Sincerely, yours, 



(Rev.) H. R. Marsh. 

 Prof. C. C. Georgeson, Sitka, Alaska. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS. 



During the past year, as heretofore, hardy garden seeds, a few 

 flower seeds, and some early maturing grains have been distributed to 

 persons residing in the Territory who either had made application for 

 them or who seemed likely to take an interest in their culture. This 

 seed distribution may be regarded as legitimate experimental work. 

 The recipients become cooperators with the experiment stations, and 

 frequently their experience is valuable, in that it may point to a 

 general truth. Moreover, this distribution of seeds stimulates the 

 development of agriculture. Many people who would not have made 

 gardens or attempted to raise crops except for the timely arrival of 

 seeds have been- induced to do so, and their example has influenced 

 others to apply for seeds and to attempt the growing of vegetables or 

 grains. The result is that there are gardens in hundreds of places where 

 there otherwise would not have been any. Brief directions on their 

 culture are sent out with the seeds for the benefit of those who have 

 had no experience in that line, and correspondence on the subject of 

 the cultivation of crops of every kind has been solicited and is promptly 

 attended to. 



The foregoing letters are samples of the reports which are received at 

 the station bearing on this subject. This distribution of seed has also 

 had the effect of encouraging the natives to engage in gardening. It is 

 true that as yet results are but limited, but we are casting bread upon 

 the waters, and we shall see results later on. The Indian, as a rule, has 

 a good stock of hard common sense. When he sees that by cultiva- 

 ting a little patch of ground he can raise a few bushels of potatoes or 

 turnips or anything else which will help him to eke out an existence, 

 he is, as a rule, not averse to trying the experiment. The Indian is not 

 an enterprising character, and probably but few of them will ever 

 become farmers in the proper sense of the word, but his food suppty 

 in most parts of Alaska is gradually diminishing, and he is aware of 

 this. Many settlers, as well as some of the missionaries, have expresed 

 the view that the Indian must either take to the cultivation of the 

 ground in order that the products of the soil may help him to obtain 



