AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND
CLIMATEJ)F ALASKA
The annual booklet issued by Prof.
C. C. Georgeson, of the United States
experimental stations In Alaska Is at
hand, and It gives a great deal of
Important Information about Alaska
for the benefit of the prospective set
tlers.
The Matanuska section tributary to
the new government railroad Is cov
ered In detail and Is Illustrated with
some excellent farming scenes.
Prof. Georgeson frankly states In
his report that Alaska Is no paradise
for farmers, and that there are nu
merous handicaps to be encountered,
and that the first cost of getting the
soil ready for producing crops Is
rather heavy. The contents of the
book are classified as follows:
Coast Region; Interior Climate; Ag
ricultural Areas; Character of the
Land; The Soil; Where to locate;
How to Obtain a Farm; Transporta
tion; The Chance for Work and Wages
Paid; Cost of Living; What Crops
Can be Grown; Live Stock; The
Brown Bear; General Information;
Publication; Judicial Divisions; Land
Districts; National Forests; Telegraph
and Cable Lines; Railroads; Schools;
Game Laws; Fisheries; The Matanus
ka Valley; Problems Confronting
Karly Settlers In the Matanuska Val
ley.
He says In the report:
"Nearly all the agricultural land
In the territory is located In the In
terior, and the principal areas are
found In the Yukon valley, the Tana
na valley, the Kuskokwtm valley, the
Susltna valley and the Copper river
valley.
“There Is another considerable
body of agricultural land north of
the Tanana river, between Tanana and
Fortymlle, and more particularly along
the south fork of the Fortymlle river,
tt has been estimated to contain 750.
000 acres. This will probably prove
to be one of the most productive re
gions In Alaska when developed. This
large area has, as yet, no transporta
tion facilities worthy the name. The
Bates rapids In the Tanana river, some
distance beyond Fairbanks, are of
such a nature that only small and verv
powerful boats can pass them; and
flue chiefly to this cause, there are
only few boats that pass the upper
Tanana.
“The west half of the Kena peninsu
la has also a considerable area of ag
ricultural land, but aside from this
there Is comparatively little In the
ooaBt region, and what land there is
that can be readily made available for
cultivation Is located In hundreds of
tittle valleys at the head of bays and
inlets and In pockets of the mountains.
It does not form large areas such as
are found in the valleys of the interior.
"Surveys of these agricultural lands
have been begun, but until they are
finished there will be no accurate
knowledge with regard to the amount
of land that can be utilized for agri
cultural purposes. It has been estl-'
mated that in the whole territory
there are about 100,000 square miles
which can be made available for till
ing and for grazing purposes. The ag
ricultural area of Alaska is, therefore,
as large as the combined areas of the
States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Del
aware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Mas
sachusetts, Vermont and New Hamp
shire, and It should be capable of sup
porting a population nearly equal to
that supported by the agricultural pro
ducts of those states, for considerable
areas, comprising mountains, lakes and
waste land, found in those states and
unsuited to production are included
in this comnarative estimate.
“It must not be understood that
Alaska has this urea available for
cultivation. The estimate Includes
much land, perhaps 50,000 square
miles in all, which have little value
except for grazing purposes. Alaska
Is a hilly country and only the gentler
slopes of these hills are arable. It
should also be stated that there are
no prairies In Alaska such as char
acterize the Middle West. Practically
every foot of soil haB to be cleared
before It can be put under cultivation.
In the coast region, as far west as
Cook Inlet, there is a heavy growth of
timber, and ordinarily such timber
land is too expensive to clear at this
stage of development. A century
hence the settler may encroach upon
the forest In this region. West of
Cook Inlet there is comparatively lit
tle timber, but one the other hand,
there is a wealth of small bushes and
grasB, and this region will therefore
be chiefly suited to stock raising.
"The Interior valleys are covered
with timber and bushes, but of a much
higher growth than are found In the
coast region. Clearing is, therefore,
easier. In the interior the principal
timber is the black spruce, cottonwood
and 'on the hillsides birch, the spruce
very largely predominating.
"The settler must fix this fact In
his mind, that wherever he goes be
must clear the land of a more or less
j
heavy growth of timber and bushes
before it can be made ready for cul
tivation.
THE SOIL.
"The Boil ia rich in places where
land has been built up by Rilt depos
its. Taking Alaska soils as a whole,
they must be classed as rather poor
from a crop producing standpoint. C,eo
loglcally speaking, Alaska is a young
country. The ice cap, which at one
time covered the continent ns fat
south as Ohio remained In theso nor
thern latitudes perhaps thousands of
years after it had disappeared from
the more southern latitudes. Rem
nants of this ice cap still remain in
the glaciers and on the ice-covered
mountains which traverse the terri
tory in various mountain chains. That
portion which Is now free from ice,
including the agricultural areas, has
heretofore not had time to develop a
soil by the growing up and decay of
vegetation, as has been the case in
the states.
"In many places gravel is found near
the surface, where it was deposited
by the torrents created by melting
snow. This is the case, for instance,
throughout large regions of the Cop
per river valley, and while a foot or
two of soil can produce agricultural
crops, such shallow soils are not in
herently rich and must be fertilized to
maintain their productivity.
“Another drawback to shallow soils
is that they drain too rapidly. The \
rainfall in the interior is light, and j
the gravelly subsoil drains off the
rainfall so quickly that crops fre
quently suffer from dry weather. This
has been found true particularly in
the Copper river valley. Of course
this condition can be remedied by ir
WHERE TO LOCATE.
‘‘Nearly all Inquiries for informa
tion about Alaska want to be adver
tised as to the 'best' place to locate.
This is a difficult question to answer.
In fact, there is no such thing as
'best' place. There are several desir
able regions, and the home seeker
will have to choose for himself that
which he prefers.
"Undoubtedly the Matanuska valley
and the region tributary to the pro
jected railway from Seward to Fair
banks will be settled first by reason
.
of the improved transportation facili
ties. The region about Fairbanks has
already been settled by many home
steaders who were attracted there by
the local market afforded for their
produce by the towns and mining j
camps.
“The whole stretch of the Tanana
valley, at least from Fairbanks to
the junction of the river with the
Yukon, affords fair transportation fa
cilities during the summer. The same
holds true of agricultural land on the (
Yukon. During four months of the |
year there are fair facilities for the i
transportation of produce up and down
the river. Railways have a very de
cided advantage over river navigation
in that they can be operated through
out the year, and such transportation
will, undoubtedly, be a spur to settle
ment.
"The Copper River & Northwestern
railway affords transportation to the
Copper river valley and the Chitina
valley. The latter has some good ag
ricultural land.
“Transportation and markets are
the main determining factors in the
settlement of any given region. The
prospective homesteader should also
consider the advantages to be gained
by locating near other homesteaders,
because every settlement will in time
be provided with stores, churches,
schools and other Indispensable fea
tures of community life.”
•-:o:
A soldier by the name of Blythe ab
stracted a 45-calibre army revolver
from the fort at Nome and sold it to
a Russian. Both were arrested, but
the Russian was permited to go when
Fflythe confessed to having taken the
weapon.
-:o: — ■—
Old papers 10 cents a bundle —
Times office.
CORDOVA
The seaport through which all the copper and gold
ore deposits of interior Alaska must pass to reach the
markets of the world.
The largest salmon canning center in Southwestern
Alaska, with five salmon canneries in operation.
The natural outlet for the coal of the Bering river
coal fields; where the copper ore of the interior and of
Prince William Sound points will be reduced when the
coal is made available.
The nearest practicable harbor to the oil fields of
Katalla.
The seat of the only clam canning industry in
Alaska.
Cordova has no indebtedness, and the lowest tax rate
of any city in the territory.
CORDOVA
Has the best harbor north of Puget Sound; ideally
created topographically for a naval station.
«
Has more natural beauty in its location and sur
roundings than any other city in Alaska.
Has doubled its population the past year through an
influx of permanent residents, brought here by the estab
lishment of new industries.
» . >
. " . The Leading Hotel of Alaska
** WINDSOR I
\ m hotel:
CORDOVA, ALASKA
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Hf4tf4tM»»M4MM»44444<MMM4444M»H4tm»4»»444
I Alaskan Hotel!
THE HOUSE OF COMFORT
I -—
THE BEST EQUIPPED HOTEL
IN ALASKA I
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Hot and Cold Water, Electric Bells, Electric
Lights, Steam Heat, Suites With Bath.
Bar in Connection |
ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Proprlteorw ART CLONINGER %
| CORDOVA, .... ALASKA |
Has a modern, broad-gague railroad tapping the rich
copper deposits of the Kotsina-Chitina copper belt.
Has the largest dock in Alaska, taxed to its capacity
to handle the millions of pounds of copper and thousands
of cases of canned fish being shipped from here monthly.
Has seven passenger and six freight steamships
making regular trips between it and Puget Sound points,
besides numerous tramp vessels.
Has the best lighted streets in Alaska, lined with
modern business blocks.
Has two navy wireless stations, one of which is equal
in power to any in the United States, and cable connection
with Seattle.
Has every line of business and profession well repre
t i
sented.
Has a $10,000 school building, where high school
grades are taught; four churches, four modern hotels,
good restaurants, telephone, electric lights, waterworks
and sewers.
Has splendid facilities for the sportsman; wild fowl
and game fish are abundant, while a short trip on the
railroad brings the hunter within easy reach' of bear,
mountain goat and sheep, moose and caribou.
Has for the sightseer and tourist the greatest natu
ral wonders in the world, the Childs and Miles glaciers.
Cordova today is on a more permanent basis than
any other city in Alaska; is assured of continued prosper
ity and a steady growth, due to the progressive develop
ment which its natural resources are now undergoing.
When the coal of the Bering river fields, now but 25
miles from the present railroad, becomes available, smelt
I |
ers will be erected here, and Cordova will become the
Butte of the North.
For more particular information regarding the in
dustries and resources of Cordova and vicinity, the oppor
tunity for investment and employment here, and descrip
tive literature, write
\
Cordova Chamber of Commerce
Cordova, Alaska
FOR SALE
COPPER PROPERTY
EXCELLENT SHOWING.
Near Beataon Mine. Latouctae.
Close to tidewater. An excellent
opportunity for man with liLle money
to make large profit. Price and terms
reasonable. Apply
PETER CANAVARA,
Latouche, Alaska.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦«♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•
4 t
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I Northern |
\
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|| For the Best Brands of 4
WINES,. |
I; LIQUORS ;
AND
CIGARS |
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, , " * 4
♦ • Call at the
:: POPULAR CORNER i
l< First Avenue and C Street *
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;♦♦♦♦♦4♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦«
The I
MINT
Thoa. Davis, Prop.
STRAIGHT WHISKEY*
IMPORTED WINE*
KEY WEST CIGARS
BONDED GOOD8
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
First Bank Cordova |
CAPITAL 8TOCK *25,000
- !ii. |
4% On Time Deposits
: — ■r i
We Sell Travellers’ Checks \
Gold Dust Bought at Highest Market Prices
DESPOSITORY FOR TERRITORIAL FUNDS. |
MiMiiiMiiW)^tiiMiiMi'iinMaiif<<iiiniinHni)rrnrrnniniii>nrinrmnn(rrir(mrmrrm^’'jwwrnH^ittmmnfflwi<wrft‘v
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#— . —■■■■■. ■■■.-I ' ■ II I. ■"»
Sixty Steam Heated Rooms Eletric Lighted
Hot and Cold Water in Every Room
With or Without Bath.
Cordova House
H. C. ROSS, Proprietor.
Headquarters for Railroad and Mining Men
Satisfaction Guranteed
Rates Reasonable
The Lang Stove, born in Alaska.
Is the Stove for Alaskans.
Body made of Armco Rust-Resist
ing Iron.
Polished Cooking Surface.
Will hob! fire overnight with wood
or coal.
Will burn green wood.
Ask your dealer for a Lang Stove.
If be cannot supply you write us.
Our line is complete from the
smallest camp stove to the larg
est hotel range.
Any sourdough will tell you about the
Lang Stove, They all know It.
F. S. LANG MFC. CO.
SEATTLE, WN.
For Your Drugs Phone 94.
We Deliver.
Northern Drug Co.
Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records.
Victor Victrolas and records.
* Drop in Our Music Room and Hear the Latest
Records.
MAIL ORDERS GIVEN PROMPT ATTENTION.
I Foos Gas Engines
4 to 5GO Horse Power
si §;
General Electric Motors
Roebling Tramways
I Pelton Water Wheels |
Chicago Oil Engines and Compressors
Regal Boat Engines I
| Harmon Machinery Co Inc |
Oxy-Acetylene Welding.
CORDOVA, ALASKA
:X-x-xx-xx**x-x-x-x$*x<*»x-x<<<:^:&-^&:$$j^^$S(SSfc^3S^^%^i:S::i^W:$8%^
| NORTHERN MEAT MARKET |
WHOLESALE AMO RETAIL DEALERS IN
| Fresh Beef, Pork, Veal, Mutton |
| and Provisions |
jg Particular Attention and Prompt Service Qlven to orders from
MINING CAMPS, ROADHOUSES AND
INTERIOR POINTS
SMITH & QLASBRENNEB Props. |