The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-01
PRACTICAL STUDY or GREEN
LAND.

Scientific circles in Denmark are just
now much interested in a project for start
ing biological station in Danish Greenland
not only to promote scientific interests, but
also TO acquire practical knowledge that
will benefit the ten thousand natives who
are earning their living there The plan
was suggested by Morten F. Porsild, a
botanlst. who visited Greenland In 1898
and 1902 and was much impressed with
the large number Of questions q practical
and economic importance still unanswered
Many OF these problems have a direct bear
ing upon the well being Of the inhabitants;
and that none of them has been thoroughly
worked out he attributes 10 the lack Of
instruments and books available for in
vesugators and. above all to the brief period
in the year when Investigations are carried
on and the failure to extend these studies
over years and to coordinate all the results
at some centre maintained for the purpose.
The plan he formulated was laid this
winter before the Danish Parliament. which
voted last week the sum required to estab
lish the station at Godhavn. on the Island
Of Disco, and 10 support it with an annual
subvention. The station will be built and
equipped during the coming summer
Mr.. Porsild says that the native popu-
lation. all OF whom have a considerable
admixture Of European blood in their
veins, have lost to some extent the skill
by which their barbarous fathers we're able
TO eStort q fairly comfortable existence
even from very unfavorable conditions,
They need to know all that science can dis
cover for them and teach them as to methods
Of turning TO the best account their slender
resources The chase Of sea animals in
Esquimau kayaks is no longer 20 pros
porous as IL once was: yet visitors are i'm
pressed with the fact that there arc sources
OF well being which are wholly untouched.
He would have the biological station
maintain experiment gardens to study the
influence Of light and temperature upon
plants and the artificial aid that may be
given them in order to increase the useful
ness Of plants to the natives. Some useful
plants now foreign to Greenland may
be proftably introduced when conditions
under which they may be brought to ma
turity are supplied. The station woule
also study the development Of meadows
stocked with nutritious Greenland grasses
for the nourshment of cattle and horses.
A few cattle have been kept there success
fully, and the development Of the industry
would add much to the comfort OF the peo-
pie. No reason Is known why the raising
of the valuable blue fox, an industry that
is beginning to develop in Alaska, should
not be successfully introduced in south
Greenland The station would study this
question. The reindeer thrives in his
wild state In Greenland; why should he not
be domestlcated and made a source OF
wealth as in Siberia and Alaska? Why
cannot fisheries be developed along the
coast?
These are only few OF the practical
questions which according to Mr.. Porslld
should be eIhausuvely studied at this per-
manent station; and in addition there are
many purely scientific questions to engage
part Of it's activity, and in this respect
the station and independent Investigators
may be very helpful TO one another in ways
which Mr.. Porsild enumorates There il
little doubt that the project will be heartily
approved by all who are interested in the
welfare Of the Greenanders and in the
solution Of problems to which the polar
regions hold the key