MATANUSKA VALLEY POTENTIAL IS 40 TIMES PRESENT OUTPUT—' T7.A. ROOKIE
"Mill development of the lends in the Mat inuskn Valley would increase the agricultural
output of that faming section by 40 times.says U.A. Reekie of the United St.tcs
Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Sorvico.
Mr. Rockie, has recently oompletcd the first comprehensive survey ever mado of land
conditions in the Matanuska Valley. Many people of the Valley will remember Mi*. Reekie
who was hero before tho war and ior.de an extensive survey of the Valley. Ho has com
piled a comprehensive report of that survey and it is now rondy for distribution.
Conies of it should reach tho Valley one of these days and will be available to tho"o
who wish to read them. Tho Valley Settlor received notice a few weeks ago that copies
were being mailed to this office for distribution.
Mr. Reekie has this to soy about the Valley: "Arguments against in ultimately large
agricultural settlement in the Matanuska Valley do not appear to stand up. It is be
lieved that farming can'become a !#ajor activity in this and other potential areas of
the Territory of Alaska. Hie opportunities arc hero, although the limitations in land
and climate should be carefully studied by prospective farmers."
The'amount of tillable land in the Matanuska area -..as sot at 59,000' acre s, whilo about
156,000 acres ms surveyed as usable for pasture and hay production. Some soils of the
Valley arc deep and fertile rhile others arc so shallow over gravel that tillage is
either difficult or impossible. Some land is too ret for tillage.
A nuch wider area of lr.nd could bo used for pasture and hay production if plant spocics
were developed to withstand the 'hazards of the winter season. Most of tho pasture and
hay stands nor: arc replanted each year. (Tho hazards of perennial plants he describes
as: "Soils are "glaciered" over during the winter months. This heavy coating of ice
in winter which commonly blankets tho valley, frequently smothers perennial crops such
as grnssos and legumes.",)
The survey contains specific recommendations for the betterment of farming conditions
end increasing tho agricultural income of Matanuska residents.
Cclonit** might further supplement their farm income by use of the valleys and slopes
in' the adjoining m-uhtains for pasture! land. It was estimated that approximately
20,000 cattle and 60,000 sheep could be safely supported on this outride pasture about’
four months each yoari The potential capacity of the valley*s land is more than enough,
the survery explained,.to food that amount of livestock tho rest of the year.
TRY OUR ICECREAM CAKES,
. MADE BY , ORDER
9 BIRTHDAY S-A NN I VSRSARI E S'
1 E D D I N G S-S OCIAL GATHERINGS
ICECKEAM )M BULK
•IN A LARGE VARIETY OF
FLAVORS
BUTTERSCOTCH
ORANGE PINEAPPLE
APRICOT P I, NE APPLE
HAWAIIAN DELIGHT
maple nut
RASPBERRY
VANILLA
CHOCOLATE