The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-23
Need Authorized Entry

All they need they say is authorized
entry to the frozen and untenanted plains
of the north and permission from the
Russian empire to draw fro mthe over
stocked Siberian herds. Given these, they
predict that sub-Arctic Canada and
Alaska will become the meat productive
animal ranges of the future. May not
the western cowpuncher, already disap-
pearing from the stage be replaced by
the deerboy of the north, and a new
frontier life spring up, rich in character
and color?
Conrad Stem, a we'll known Alaskan
trader and sea captain, was responsible
for the idea of bringing domesticated rein
deer into Alaska from across Behring
straits. There have been no importations
of reindeer from Siberia since 1902, at
which time the Russian government put
a temporary embargo upon their export
on account of the demoralizing effect the
irregular trade is said to have on ST.
berian natives From the total number
of 1880 animals imported the herd has
grown until the government is now in
possession of 10000 head. valued at $1,000,-
COO, and fully 900 has been realized
from slaughtered animals. The report
states conservatively that there will be
600 deer in the natural increase of
25 years. All too few, when it is granted
that the reindeer moss pastures of Alaska
creatures.
What Canadas possibilities are can be
guessed when it is pointed out that be-
tween the American boundary and Hud-
son bay, in the region north of the
Reindeer mountains. are 100000 square
miles of pasture bearing reindeer moss.
1t would bear sustenance to 5O00O 600
reindeer, according to Captain Stem.
That number plus the estimated number
which Alaska could support would put
the total at 60, 600, ,000-or roughly the num-
ber of cattle on farms and ranges in the
United States as accorded in the last
census. Of sheep and swine there were
about an equal number-something over
5OOOO,0cO OF goats there We're fewer than
100000. By means of which approxima-
tions it may be readily seen what a rela-
tive important place the reindeer may
be destined to take in our animal hus-
handry.
From an economic point of view his
strongest claim lies in the fact that he
can be nourished upon areas of the
earth's surface unsuitable for every other
species.
To get down to the personal equation
of the animal. AS is generally known,
he never eats grass. Reindeer moss
Is his staple of diet The plant grows
in abundance in the Arctic and sub
Arctic zones of each hemisphere and
it grows the better for being grazed.
Captain Stem has this to say of the ami
NAL he knows as do few Americans:
Reindeer are the most easily herded
animals in the world. There is less
trouble in taking care of them than to
sheep. few herders with some
trained dogs can look after thousands
of them. The deer will sustain them
selves and find their own feed winter
and summer. They are able to locate
the moss pastures under several feet
of snow. They will never stampede in
a blizzard, but will keep on feeding,
advancing slowly head to the wind
The herder however. must be watch
full and protect them from the wolves
In the fawning season 1t Is necessary
that they be driven to pastures shell
tered by hills and ridges SO as to shield
the fawns from the piercing spring
billiards.
AS for the flesh of the reindeer, all
are agreed that it is nourshing and
palatable. In 1911 the first shipment
of reindeer meat entered this country
1t consisted of 125 carcasses purchased
by a cold storage company in Nome
Alaska, from Eskimo herders. In Se-