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 defined, 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 10 
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 Yukon region, Mr. Dali 
(Alaska and its Resources, p. 433) says that it varies 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 
