14 BULLETIN 50, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ACRICULTURE. 



following statements contained in a letter dated June 26, 1912, from 

 Hiram TT. Mitchell, a homesteader near Knik: 



The following figures showing last season's agricultural productions in the 

 Knik neighborhood are based on estimates, but I think they are accurate: 



Potatoes, 8 tons, at $100 per ton $S00 



Cabbage, 2\ tons 250 



Rutabagas, beets, carrots, turnips, etc.. 2 tons 200 



Other products in small gardens, about 100 



Oat and barley hay, 3 tons, at $75 per ton as compared with 



outside hay 225 



Native hay, 50 tons, some used by producer and some sold, 

 generally valued at $40 per ton, but compared with out- 

 side hay at $25 1.250 



Total 2, 825 



The present price for potatoes and garden truck is 5 cents per pound. 

 In connection with the foregoing figures, the following estimates are made 

 by Mi-. O. G. Herning and myself as to farm products that are shipped in by 

 the merchants and which might have been produced here : 



Pork, bacon, and ham $4. 000 



Eggs 2,000 



Lard 1, 500 



Potatoes, 12 tons at $70__ S40 



Butter 2. 000 



Milk, evaporated 1. 200 



Same class of goods brought in by mining companies, esti- 

 mated 5, 000 



Pressed hay, 200 tons at $60 1,200 



Oats for horses 8. 000 



Total 25, 740 



These estimates are based on what the goods cost the storekeeper and 

 miners delivered at Knik. Adding the value of the products grown by the 

 homesteader, $2,825. we have a total of $28,565. 



It shows that there was a market here for nearly or quite $30,000 worth 

 of farm products, all of which might have been grown here. In short, it means 

 that 30 homesteaders could each have sold $1,000 worth of produce for home 

 consumption. Of course, to have secured these $30,000 it would have been nec- 

 essary to have had horses, cows, hogs, hens, and tools. There is not at present 

 a cow or hog here and only 40 or 50 hens in this whole big region. There is not 

 a real farm here. * * * 



There is no doubt that oats and barley will grow well here, both for hay and 

 grain, and I don't see why we can not produce meat, pork, beef, and mutton 

 for this country and to send to Seattle, too. Here is a great big country from 

 the mouth of the Matanuska River clear across to the Susitna, partly sur- 

 veyed. If cleaned up and settled on, I believe the stream of bacon, beef, eggs. 

 milk, butter, etc.. could be turned around and made to flow to the "outside" 

 instead of from there here. Farm machinery can be used here. With brains, 

 grit, and perseverance, farmers can do as well here as elsewhere, and they are 

 needed. 



