developing_writing

CHAPTER SEVEN
ENORMOUS CABBAGES SHOW THE
EFFECT OF LONG ALASKAN DAYS
(Fairbanks) Last Saturday at the
Tanana Valley Fair, Oscar Lindstrom
won first prize for a sixtypound
cabbage. Lindstrom grows
the cabbages in Alaska, just outside
the city of Fairbanks.
Lindstrom says, “I don’t have
any secrets for growing big cabbages.
They always grow big. The
land along the Tanana River is
good, and the weather is warm
here.”
Many people think
that Alaska is always
cold, but it isn’t. Ocean
winds bring warm air to
the outer parts, so they
are mild. The inside part
of the state has cold
winters (­23 to ­34°C),
but summers can be
hot. The temperature is
usually between 7 and
24°C near Fairbanks.
Winter comes early, so the
growing season is short. The
ground freezes in October, and
winter lasts until May. Lindstrom
has only 89 growing days, but that
is enough. In summer the days are
long, and nights are short. Each
night is only a few hours long, so
Lindstrom’s cabbages receive a lot
of sunlight. They grow without
stopping.
People at the fair talk about the
cabbages every year: “Big cabbages!”
“Enormous cabbages!”
“Enormous, delicious, leafy green
cabbages.”
Alaskans may grow more vegetables
in the future, but now good
land is limited. Mountains cover
the land, or trees grow on it. Most
of the state’s food comes from the
outside, so prices are high. Alaskans
work hard, and they like their
wild state. Alaska is still new, so
many young Americans are moving
there. The state’s motto is:
“North to the Future.”
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