CIVILIAN SUCCEDS WITH PLANTS
Invariably, in nearly any Ion ; con
versation heard around here, the talk
sooner or later will get around to
trees and plant growth—or the lack of
it. Such is Adak’s predicament that
even the dogs and the far-spaced Adak
trees have found their way into a sort
of home-grown joke.
This lack of vegetation is general
ly taken for granted, and most are
willing to shrug and forgot about it.
But there is one man here who isn* t
* content to see plant life only in pic
W turee "of magazines brought onto the
island. He is Leonard Calfee, the man
who runs Adak’s greenhouse. He came to
Adak from California, bringing with Mm
an interest that would seem to have no
outlet on Addk. However, Calfee, a ci
vilian employee, met a Navy Chief 18
months ago who shared his interest in
'rowing things. Together they began to
attempt to solve the Adak problem.
When the chief was transferred,
he left behind a greenhouse and a very
enthusiastic Mr. Calfee, ' who' gladly
continued to work and experiment.
He did all the work himself in his
wn time, working after hours and on
^ weekends, and as a result planes were
produced totally unknown to Adak*s
climate before. Hoses, and gladiolas,
tea plants from Honolulu, Begonias and
ether plants began to thrive under his
care. His h me and that of others blos
somed with the newly grown greenery.
Last year, while living with his
family on Norpac Hill, he did whatwas
considered . impossible here. He was
successful enough to raise a. vegetable
garden, which was probably the only
me ever attempted, or only successful
"■ne ever on Adak. "The big problem was
the wind," he says. "And the soil isn't
too good." With proper care and pa
tience though, he over came this.There
vere tomatoes, radishes, onions and
ether foods; and his garden grew des—
cite the efforts of climate and con
dition.
Mr. Calfee' likes to share his plants.
Each female newly-arrival on the ;sland
recieves a plant or flower sift from him
and the plants are free to anyone wanting
them. 1lowers from his greenhouse are us
ed at dinners and parties given here, .and
it was flowers grown by Mr, Calfee that
graced 'the Admiral’s table during his re
c ont visit. Open Saturday aft erno ons from
one until three, he invites anyone to
come down and browse- around the green
house located on the end of building 1470
public works.
^'he love for green plants doesn't run
in the Calfee family, but Mr. .... Calfee
shares his green thumb with his daughter,
Connie, 11, who appears to be fast cat-—
ching up with her father's interest. She
has done some experiments of her own while
here. She has raised philadandrums and
tried growing sweet potatoe plants. When
not working with, those or in school or
&usy elsewhere, she helps her father with
the greenhouse* ,... ,
Although donating his spare time to
his hobby of .plant raising, Mr. Calfee is
assisted by several. clubs on the island
which donate seeds and planters and assi
stance needed badly for success. Among
these are the Navy Wives club, Civilian
Wives club and. CIO Auxiliary, Officer's
Wives club and many others; a group who
realize that Adak, after all, is not as
barren as one might think.
THE EDITOR
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