The National tribune., 1906-03-08

be increased to a ton. The great diff
culties encountered in the use of horse
sled freighting outfits are that great
labor is required in choosing and
breaking trail. the horse is easily in
jured by extreme cold and must have
careful attention. and the amount of
forage required for the distance trav-
eled is enormous. These disadvantages
are compensated for only by the large
size of the load hauled. In point of
speed, especially over unbroken trails
through deep snow. the horse is not in
the same class with the dog team.
The Reindeer.
The Introduction of domestic rein
deer into Alaska has given that coun-
try new and useful animal which is
already becoming a source of comfort
and employment for the native Indians,
whose condition in every way is de-
plorable. By them these animals will
have some usefulness as beasts of bur
den, but for anyone to maintain that
they are, or will become, an important
adjunct to the transportation facilities
of the country is misleading. They
have been tried for various kinds of
work during a period of several years,
and have been unreliable and inefficient
i'll comparison with horses or dogs. If
driven through a country where moss
can be found for them to feed upon
they can at least carry their own bod
les. and in that way become source
of meat supply that may, as has been
demonstrated in some notable in
stances, perform an invaluable service
in the saving of human life.
Peculiarly fitted for Arctic travel. re-
liable and faithful in his work. and de-
votedly attached to the hand that feeds
him and the voice which commands
him by entreaties or by curses, the dog
plays part in Alaskan life that is in
dispensable, and for which there is no
substitute. Alaska is not behind the
times in up-to-date methods and ap-
pliances. Her camps are lighted by
electricity and her mines are worked
approved type, yet the United States
mail is carried from one end to the
other by dog teams.
Dog Teams.
While men in the freighting business
use horses and mules largely, the in
dividual miners and others do not at
tempt to maintain these animals, but
have dog teams with which they do all
of the small hauling for their estab-
lishments. Wood for fuel is delivered
from the mountain side to the cabin
door; frequent trips are made to the
nearest trading store for provisions, for
the mail. and for the society of fellow
men, and excursions to distant camps
end prospecting trips into the hills arc
II ade almost exclusively by dog team.
The United States military telegraph
system, operated by the Signal Corps OF
the Army, maintains a dog team at
each of the stations along its !, 400
miles of land lines. These teams are
used by the repairmen in going out OH
the line to repair breaks. They carry,
BESIDES tools and materials, small
tent. stove. bedding and food for men
and dogs, so that they can take care of
themselves IL kept out for several days.
A few years ago different breeds OF
dogs were used in different sections,
but increased travel has brought into
service all of the dogs TO be had in the
country and hundreds in addition that
Eave been brought from the outside.
The native malamuteS, huskieS and
dogs from the Mackenzie and Peel
Rivers are more hardy and last longer
in service than the outside dogs. New
foundlands, st. Bernards, settlers and
shepherd dogs are superior in intelli-
gence, but they are lacking in endur-
ance, require more careful feeding, and
their feet are easily frost-bitten, which
renders them useless for the time be-
ing.
In the region of Norton Sound it is
the custom to hitch dogs in pairs with
a leader in front, a team usually con-
sisting of seven or nine dogs. The In
dian pattern harness is used, and the
sled is of the basket type, about 10 feet
long, with a track 20 inches wide and
capable of carrying from 400 to 600
pounds. This method of hitching is
practicable only where the trail Is wide,
as along the shore ice.
In the interior the Indians use bask
ct seds, but with a track about four