Ársrit Skógræktarfélags Íslands - 15.12.1946, Síða 51

BÁKON BJARNASON:
A trip to Alaska in the fall of 1945
A brief summary by Hjörtur Halldórsson
In August last summer, I took a tríp to Alaska on behalf of The
Iceland Forest Service, for the purpose of acquainting myself with the
forests and collecting seeds around Prince William Sound and on
the Kenai peninsula, where the climate and other natural conditions
are similar to what they are in Iceland. Furthermore, I was greatly
interested in establishing personal contact with several men there,
with whom I have corresponded during the past eight years.
During my first week in Alaska I stayed in Juneau, where I was
able to get all necessary information concerning the country and its
vegetation. Almost everything of interest written about Alaska was
to be found in the library of the U. S. Forest Service in Juneau — even
the report given by the Icelandic Alaska Expedition to the President
of the United States in 1875. There I had the opportunity to make
the personal acquaintance of the men with whom I had previously
corresponded. It goes without saying that it gave me great pleasure
to meet them.
There I met the Regional Forester, Mr. B. Frank Heintzleman,
a man whose work shows the highest skill and efficiency, and also
the excellent Assistant Regional Foresters, Mr. Charles G. Burdick
and Mr. Charles H. Forward. The Administrative officer, Mr. Harry
Sperling, spent much of his precious time with me, rendering me
most valuable assistance.
In previous years my closest contacts had been with Mr. Wellman
Holbrook, who had recently retired because of old age. Nevertheless,
I met him several times and enjoyed his good humor and continued
vitality.
Besides I met several other men who work in the U. S. Forest
Service, such as the Regional Engineer, Mr. A. E. Glover, the Regional
Fiscal Agent, Mr. L. E. Iversen, the Rangers, Mr. John H. Brillhart,
iUr. Alva Blackerby and many others. These people welcomed me
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