AGRICULTURAL
Agriculture has been carried on
in the Cook inlet region practically
since the Russian occupation of the
territory, but on a very limited
scale. The only agricultural com
munity remaining from that time Is
the town of Ninelchek on Cook in
let, at which place farming and
dairying is carried on by the inhab
itants sufficient for their local
needs. The real agricultural devel
opment of Cook inlet and the coun
try tributary to the government rail
road dates back for a period of
about six years, at which time small
areas of ground were cleared in the
vicinity of the town of Knik and
vegetables raised for the local mar
ket. The pioneers in this field were
J. J. O'Brien, Hiram Mitchell,
Chas. Ulankey and a few others.
On account of the limited market
for their produce, these pioneer
farmers had to devote a considera
ble part of their time to other pur
suits in order to earn a living and it
is just within the last few years that
they have been able to devote their
entire time to their farming and are
now beginning to get returns for
their years of waiting. Knik was
the logical place for the beginning
of this industry as it was the sup
ply point for the different mining
centers in the Matanuska, Willlow
creek and Susitna countries. The
prospectors going up the Matanuska
river noticed the luxuriant growth
of the vegetation in that country
and during their summer prospect
ing planted such vegetables as rad
ishes, turnips, lettuce and other
root crops and were amply repaid
for their trouble as the Matanuska
valley is now regarded as not only
the best coal bearing country in
Alaska, if not in the United States,
but also as one of the best agricul
tural valleys In the northwest, the
report of Messrs. Rice and Bennett,
two experts sent by Secretary Lane
to investigate the agricultural pos
sibilities along the different propos
ed government railroad lines, say
in part, as follows, concerning the
Matanuska valley and adjacent sec
tios:
“The agricultural lands are large
ly occupied by the Knik soils, which
have well-established drainage, even
in localities far removed from
streams. All of these lands are
gravelly in the substratum, and, on
that account, possess internal or
downward drainage, as nearly per
fect as It is possible. No ditching
is necessary here, except to give an
outlet to the lower depressions.”
The Knik soils mentioned are soils
which derive their name from the
Knik section and are considered the
best soils in Alaska.
The real settlement of the Mata
nuska valley for farming has been
under way for only about three
years, although several farmers had
located prior to that time, among,
them being George Nylen, Tex Cobb,
A. G. Swanson, Peter Murray and a
few old timers at the coal fields,
among whom is Ed. O’Brien, the
caretaker at Chicaloon camp, who
prides himself on having the best
truck garden in the valley and all
visitors who partake freely of his
hospitality readily agree with him.
During the last three years about
four hundred people have settled on
homesteads In the vicinity of the
government railroad, most of them
taking up land in the Matanuska
valley and quite a few of the farms
are now' taking on the look of
farms in the “states,” especially
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Wilkes, the Furniture Man
Office: Opposite Hotel Parsons
since some of the settlers have been
bringing in pigs and cows, in addi
tion tff their work animals. Captain
Olson, an old time Alaskan, but
who for several years had been
farming in the state of Washington,
brought his complete movable outfit
from his Washington ranch to the
Matanuska valley about two years
ago, among the live stock brought
being about 12 head of registered
cattle and several brood sows. The
captain reports everything favorable
and if any one expresses any doubt,
the genial captain is in position to
“show them,” as his stock is in as
good condition and the increase is as
great as when he was in the state
of Washington. With the opening
of the coal fields and the employ
ment of thousands of men in their
development, the live stock and
dairying industry in the Matanuska
valley will develop rapidly in order
to supply the market that will be
created, as the experimental stage
has passed.
The agricultural lands nf Alaska
have been kept back by the people
in the states believing that Alaska
was nothing but a glacier and snow
field, hut when a person sees the
souvenir cards sent, even by well
meaning people to their friends hack
in the states, he can readily appre
ciate how they were educated to
such a belief, but since the tourist
has been coming to Alaska and since
the people of Alaska have explained
the true situation to outsiders the
belief is gradually changing and
now people instead of sending in
quiries as to where their best gla
cier scenes may be obtained, inquire
where the best agricultural and
stock raising lands are located.
Concerning the growing season in
this part of Alaska for crops, the
report above referred to says: “The
average growing season la-ds from
about the middle of May to the first
of September. . . . The usual
growing season is as long as that
over portions of the northern part
of the United States, but the condi
tions are more favorable in this
more northern section (meaning the
Cook inlet, Susitna and Matanuska
section) for the reason that the ac
tual periods of plant growth is
greatly increased by the more hours
of sunlight.”
Among the successful crops grown
in this section are grains of all
kinds, including wheat, flax, which
was grown in an experimental way
by Peter Murray; potatoes, radishes,
carrots, turnips and all other kinds
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of root crops that can be grown in
the northern part of the United
States. Mr. J. J. O’Brien raised
some fine sugar beets last year at
his ranch on Irish Cove about one
mile north of the town of Knik and
it is not improbable that the Alas
kan sugar beet will in a few years
be a big factor in fixing the price of
sugar for all of the United States,
as it is a well settled fact that root
crops can be as successfully raised
in Alaska as in any place in the
world and the Matanuska valley be
ing the best agricultural land in
Alaska should furnish the greater
portion of such crops.
The government is establishing an
experimental stafion at Matanuska
Junction to aid the farmers in hand
ling the different crops and soils
and it will be just as easy for a Ma
tanuska farmer to have his interests
looked after by a government expert
as it will be for a farmer in any
of the most progressive states. The
government has made a wise selec
tion in choqeing Mr. W. D. Snod
grass for this important work. Mr.
Snodgrass is a man of exceptional
ability and has spent considerable
time in Alaska in his chosen work,
having been in charge of the gov
ernment station at Kodiak for some
years past.
James J. Hill, whose death was
recently reported by the press, and
who built more railroads than any
other man in the northern part ot'
the i'nited States, built the greater
portion ot his roads to supply the
needs of the farmers and his judg
ment has been shown to have been
of the best. A country that is cov
ered with productive lands is the
greatest asset that a community can
have, and when the great coal fields
of the Matanuska and the gold
fields of the Susitna and Willow
Creek are also at our doors, it is
hard to see how any person can be
pessimistic about the future of this
section of Alaska.
A letter expresses your individu
ality. The paper you use is of the
greatest importance, a letter writ
ten on good paper is a compliment
to your friend. The best corre
spondence paper and cards at Z. J. >
Loussae’s Drug store. 4th and D
Sts. 6-14-21 !
Singer Sewing Machines sold on
easy terms. C. B. Wark, manufac
facturer’s agent. 6-13tf
Anchorage Realty Company after '
June 15th will be located in new of-1
flee on corner of Third avenue and
E street. 6 12 tf
Don’t worry about missing that
boat if we handle your baggage. We
meet them all. day or night, and will
call in time. City Express. Joe
Sponard, proprietor. 6-S-Gt ;
Singer Sewing Machines sold on
easy terms. C. B. Wark, tnanufac
facturer’s agent. 6-Utf
Fresh green gooers at Sanitary
Market, one block west of postoftice.
Augustine & Kyer's famous Can
dies—tlie Victoria Chocolates—and
Butter Crisp—are the most delicious !
candies made. Once tried—always ;
used. Z. J. Loussae's Drug Store, I
agents.' 4th and 1) Sts. 6-14-it •
City Express car license, No. 9.
ri-S-6t
Choicest Groceries
At Olilsson's
On Fifth, Bet. I and K.
Ladies—Fresh green goods at
Sanitary Market ,one block west of
pr stoflice.
We lire ii|> to our motto.
“CLEANING AS IT SHOULD
BE DONE."
Garment cleaning in all
its branches.
Blanton & Murry
1 Block from 1*. O. 5 th and G sts. |
^Mlllllllllllllllllllllllllllltlllllillllllllillllllllllllltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll^
| Bank of Seward |
S Established 1905 =E
| Depository tor j
| Territorial Funds j
35 =r
| Seward, - Alaska |
^//jlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillUlllltllllillllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllV^
Home-Made Sausage
All kinds made Every Day from
the Best Meats.
U. S. Govt. Inspected
Once Tasted None Wasted
Hams, Bacon, cured and smoked
right here.
Wholesale Retail
Alaska Packing Company
On Fifth Near C
G. W. PALMER
KNIK, ALASKA
Some of Our Specialties:
Wellman Canned Goods
Tip Top Eggs
Red Clover Butter
Sperry's Flour
Marshfield Cheese
Also a Full Line of
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Headquarters for Surveyors,
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Full Line of Clothing, Hats and Shoes
THE FAIRBANKS CORNER
CORNER FOURTH AND B.
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Carry a Complete Line of
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
McDougal, Alaska
Eastern trips by Western People
ARE MADE WITH THE GREATEST COMFORT
-via
Great Northern R’y
To St. Paul, Chicago and the East
To Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis and the South
THROUGH STANDARD AND TOURIST SLEEPERS, DINING AND
COMPARTMENT OUsERVATION CARS.
To Portland and California by Rail and Ocean
Steamships “Great Northern and “Northern Pacific”
Complete Information from Local Steamship Agents, or
A 8. DAUTRICK, Traveling Freight and Passenger Agent,
Room 18, Valentine Knilding. Juneau.
T. J. Moore, City Passenger Agu Senond and Columbia, Seattle