The Nome nugget., 1920-07-31
NOTED GOVERNMENT
 OFFICIAL VISITS NOME

Dr Edward K. Nelson. chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture and a not cd authority on pathological and bio logical subjects. arrived in Nome on the Victoria enroute to Unalakleet and in terior points. pr. Nelson is in Alaska in connection with the new govern ment project aimed at developing the reindeer resources of the country and also to further the work of his depart ment in the protection of Alaska's fur hearing animals and game birds. The proposal first mentioned includes the establishment at Unalakleet of q sta tion for investigating and assisting the growth of the reindeer industry. The station will be in charge of two ex- perts on grazing and live stock culture which will undertake the solution of the numerous problems and ifficulties now confronting the industry.
 Every phase of the industry will be carefully studied with view to inn proving the stock. and assisting the growers to better understanding of the habits and characteristics of the deer. One of the experts will devote himself to the study of the food qual- itles of the moss and other herbage upon which the animals subsist and <1 .Aas. ods for combating the physical dis orders from which they suffer. Dr. Nelson expresses the view that great deal can he accomplished toward in creasing the size of the local stock by methods similar to those employed with such marked success in the West ern cattle country. pr. Nelson also forsees the future need of government regulation and allotment of the graz ing grounds of the territory and. por- tion of the work of the station will be directed to studying the problem.
 These activities. pr. Nelson says. are in no way indicative of q larger government control than exists at present. The general administration of the government deer herds will re- main vested in the Bureau of Educa- tion, as heretofore. As stated, the work of the Biological Survey will be primarily directed to scientific re- search aimed at improving the stock and obtaining increased understudy of methods of feeding, preventing disease etc. The government is fully cogni- zant of the immense potential value If the industry. he says. and will exert it's best efforts through his department to facilitate it's development.
 From Nome. Dr. Nelson will go to Unalakleet and later expects to pro ceed up the Yukon as far as Fairbanks in connection with the work of his de- partment. in which is now vested the protection of fur bearing animals and game under the provisions of a re. cent congressional enactment trans- fering these duties from the Depart ment of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture.
 pr. Nelson is no stranger in Alas ka. having visited the territory many years ago in connection with scientific work. One of the earliest works on the bird life of the Territory is from his pen, the data therefor having been obtained largely in the St Michael dis trict during the period from 1877 to 1881. The result of his investigations as embodied in this volume form a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the natural history of Alaska.
 Mir Palmer and his assistant, Mir. Johnson late of the Forest Service have charge of grazing and pasturage pro- blems relative to reindeer and will travel over the Seward Peninsula next winter to gather data. pr. Hadwin will be stationed at he native village of Unnlakleet on the coast of Norton Sound, sixty miles from St Michael. where a permanent station will he es- tablished.
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