National Geographic July 1909

The Tallest Tree That Grows
Eucalyptus, imported to California from Australia, can grow 150 feet higher than even the American sequoia. Its timber is easily worked and resists warping, and one type resists attack by ship worms and borers.
Marking the Alaskan Boundary
The chief of party of the United States Alaskan Boundary Survey explains how disputes have been resolved over the limits of the territory we bought from Russia in 1867. With increasing settlement, greater precision has become essential.
Charting a Coast- Line of 26, 000 Miles
In a rough outline, the U. S. coastline is 4, 700 miles long, but precisely measuring all the ins and outs, the figure comes to an amazing 26, 376 miles. For nautical and other purposes, it is vital that an exact coastal survey be conducted.
The Economic Evolution of Alaska
Indiscriminate hunting has decreased the population of fur- bearing animals, but fishing in Alaska is still booming. There are also reserves of copper, coal, tin, and – – although its retrieval is not currently cost- effective – – petroleum.
Our Pacific Northwest
From rainy woodlands to desert, from high mountains to prairies, with cheap land and moderate temperatures, Washington and Oregon are growing more rapidly than any other region of the country.
Agricultural Capacity of Alaska: What Population Can the Territory Support?
Alaska has enough farming potential to make it self- supporting. It can grow the same hardy vegetables that grow in comparable latitudes in Europe, and with an estimated 100, 000 square miles still available for culture and pasture, the territory could s
The Big Game of Alaska
Caribou, moose, and elk; grizzly, brown and polar bears; mountain sheep, fur seals, and walrus: They’ re all abundant in Alaska today, but it would be a mistake to think that they will last forever without legislation and public determination.
The Monarchs of Alaska
If it had no other virtue, Seward’s Folly would still be justified as a territory of great scenic grandeur, says the author. Indeed, with an increase in railways and raods, tourism can only expand.
Magnetic Observations in Alaska
Along with charting the coast and surveying the interior, magnetic studies of Alaska proceed apace – – an important element for the success of future navigation.
Some Giant Fishes of the Seas
Every season yields a fresh crop of sea- serpent stories, the author says, but upon investigation the creatures, though monstrous in size, turn out to be well- known animals.
Notes on the Eucalyptus Tree from the United States Forest Service
More than a hundred varieties have been introduced to subtropical areas of the United States, including the fast- growing, disease- resistant bluegum.