14 BULLETIN 50, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
following statements contained in a letter dated June 26, 1912, from 
Hiram TV. Mitchell, a homesteader near Knik: 
The following figures snowing 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 $800 
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 Mr. 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 bam $4,000 
Eggs 2, 000 
Lard 1. 500 
Potatoes. 12 tons at $70 840 
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. 
