Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-03
Reindeer for Alaska.

When DR.. Sheldon jackson, general
| agent of the bureau of education for
Alaska, returns to this country. II is ex-
/ pected that he will have some interesting
| reindeer into the most northern territory
| of the United States. He is now in Alas
ka, and his next report from that region
| is awaited with interest The develop
ment of the gold fields will make an i'm
mense demand for beast of burden and
the reindeer has been shown to be better
adapted for such service in cold regions
than any other animal besides giving
food for the inhabitants
Congress has appropriated $500 to be
used in introducing reindeer into Alaska
and it is expected that large appropra-
ton Will be asked to continue the work.
Reindeer are now being bred in Alaska
but DIR. Jackson considers that method
too slow as means of getting apparent
stock. lie wants to have a station es-
tablished. so that 1000 or 5000 head can be
purchased from Siberian herders and do
mesticated in the territory. If the exper-
lments prove successful, DIR. Jackson be-
1eVes that the value of reindeer in Alas
ka VIII reach sum that will rival the
value OF the gold fields. He finds that in
Norway and Sweden the northern prov
inces. known as Lapland, contain an area
OF l4,WO square miles. in which there are
a6s head of reindeer. This gives an
average of twenty-three reindeer to the
square mile. Applying this ratio to the
100000 square miles of Arctic and SUBJ
Arctic Alaska land he regards the gen
eral character of the country as warrant
ing such a comparson). he calculates
that Alaska is capable of sustaining g.,
2Oo"w head of reindeer, which. at valu-
alton of 50 each (the price in Sweden).
VIII be worth SIS, 00 600. In Lapland there =
IS an average of thirty-two head of rein !
deer TO each person among reindeer
Lapps. Applying the same average to
Alaska, the s.200o00 head of reindeer will
support population of $500 living like
the I-apps in Lapland.
Not only will the introduction of REIN
deer in Alaska provide food for the half
iamlsned EsquimauX and for the gold
miners, besides giving them a means Of
transportation better than dogs but rein
deer steaks may become known as y
great delicacy in all the markets Of
EUROPE with smoked reindeer hams at
Suppiles the grocery stores of Northern
Europe with smoked reindeer hams at
~ cents pound. smoked tongues at 10
cents each. dried hides at sl.25G$L15.
tanned hides at S2dS3 each, and 220V9
carcasses to the butcher shops. in addi-
.ioil TO what Is consumed by the Lapps
themselves. Fresh reindeer meat Is con-
sidered a great delicacy: Russia exports
II frozen in carloads to Germany. The
Norwegian Preserving Company uses
large quantities of it for canning.
Dr jackson argued that. on the same
basls as the Lapps are doing business In
reindeer meat and hides Alaska with its
for 8. 200. 900 head of reindeer can
supply the markets of America with 3d.
Nv carcasses of venison annually toEeth.
er with tons of delicious hams and
and the finest leather. Dr.. Jack
son will press this matter upon the Amer
can people when he returns from Alaska,
oeileving that an industry worth from
So, 100000 to S100.000,000 can be built up
where none now exists