ALASKA. 



39 



to the loth, and the potatoes are planted in May, coming up and growing 

 freely until October, when they are harvested. This growth of potatoes, fairly 

 established and well derined, presents the only firm and tangible evidence of 

 agricultural capacity within the limits of Alaska. The turnip grows and flour- 

 ishes wherever the potato succeeds. 



Mr. Petroff says, in conclusion, that although Alaska will not 

 support any considerable number of people as agriculturists, it is 

 apparent that the existence of those who live in the Territory can 

 be improved by better attention to the development of the 

 resources latent in the soil in certain localities. The people are 

 disinclined to labor in this direction, preferring the profits of hunt- 

 ing. It will be found that points located by the Russians eighty 

 years ago as most suitable for gardening are the best to-day. 



Captain Beardslee, United States Navy, speaking of the agricul- 

 tural conditions in the vicinity of Sitka, says (Reports on Affairs 

 in Alaska, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 71, Forty-seventh Congress, first 

 session, p. 125) : 



Whether it be due to the change of climate through the clearing away of 

 many acres of forest or to improved methods I can not say, but for several 

 years past excellent vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbages, etc., have been 

 raised yearly in the neighborhood of Sitka and Wrangel. Near Sitka there 

 are a large number of plots under cultivation. I have seen, two seasons in 

 succession, lettuce of several varieties, cabbages a yard across before they began 

 to head, and 8 to 10 inches in diameter headed; cauliflower weighing from lo 

 to 15 pounds, early rose and peachblow potatoes ranging from 3 to 30 ounces 

 each, and each hill yielding over half a bucket full; turnips of very large size, 

 and cress, radishes, etc., in profusion; green pease of excellent quality, and beds 

 bordered by gooseberries and currant bushes, producing loads of fruit. My 

 lettuce bed kept me supplied from June to September. 



As to the character of the country in the Yuk jn region, ]\Ir. Dall 

 (Alaska and its Resources, p. 433) says that it '-^aries from rolling 

 and somewhat rocky hills to broad and marshy plains, extending 

 for miles on either side of the river. The underlying rocks in 

 great part are Azoic, being conglomerate, syenite- and quartzite. 

 The south shore of Norton Sound and portions of the Kadiak 



