The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-07-08

up the salt deposited by the ocean
waters. The LappS have saying
that mosquitoes make the best herd
ers in summer time"
It is believed however, that II salt
can be supplied in sufficient quantity
inland, and If the deer can be taken
to the hills, where land breezes will
serve the same purpose as the sea
winds in blowing away the mosqui.
toes, The animals can be persuaded
to overcome their inbred instinct for
seaside excursion In summer.
Eskmos Own Most Of Them.
Eskimos own approximately 70 per
cent Of all the deer in Alaska, and
the bureau Of education has been
much handicapped by the smallness
of the $1,000 annual appropriation
granted in recent years TO care for
the industry, instruct herders, and
administer general supervision over
herds which cover stretch Of ter.
ritory more than a thousand miles IN
extent.
OF late years the industry has been
taken up by number Of white men
as a private enterprise. No objection
to their entering the reindeer field
has been raised on the part of gov
ernment officials. as the development
af CtrteiHa mo rl-n.o rafnAanr rfoaaf
skins, and by-products will thereby
be promoted; but in order TO pro-
tect the Eskimo, a rule has been es-
tablished that female deer may not
be purchased from the natives.
A number OF Lapps, originally en-
ployed by the government to teach the
Eskimos the occupation OF herding,
were permitted to borrow not to eX-
ceed 100 deer each. In FIVE years
they were TO return a like number,
keeping the increase. From one such
loan in 1901 count of 800 was made
in 1908. During that year 500 animals
were equally divided into two herds,
one of which now numbers not less
than 10000
The meat Of the dear is not "gamy"
and yet there is a suggestion of ven
ison in its flavor. 1t has been aptly
described as having the juiciness Of
beef and the dellcacy and tenderness
Of yenison. The animal is butchered
by modern methods after which the
carcass Is frozen with the hide on
and shipped 10 distributing points in
the states, principally Seattle and
Minneapolis. There 1t is kept in cold
storage until sold for food.
Female deer are seldom killed. OF
the males a certain number are set
aside for breeding purposes and the
rest are fattened Us steers. The av.
erage life Of deer Is about 10 years,
but steers are butchered when three
years old.
Came Of the Arctic Region.
The reindeer has been called the
camel Of the Ear North. 1t serves as
a beast OF burden, and Is to the no
mad of the north what the camel Ia
10 the nomad Of the southern desert.
Like unto Its southern brother" that
Elves on It's hump" the reindeer
draws on It's supply Of fat In times
OF want For long-distance travel the
Eskimo prefers the reindeer TO dogs,
as the former Gnds It's own feed; not
so the dogs,
Surprising records have been made
10 long.dlstance travel and also in
speed tests. Indeed, for short dis
tances the deer can ouuun the dog
or horse.
The usual rate of travel on long
distance excursions should be from
- 10 80 miles a day, II the welfare
OF the deer is considered Even then
the deer eau only be employed con.
tnuously IN that fashion for Is to
IL days. While travelling Ii has no
chance TO Craze When compelled TO
DO this ut night 10 loses sleep. In
consequence the store of fat which
encascs It's body and furnishes re-
serve food and strength becomes ex.
hausted
The Eskimo never prods or crowds
the deer after IL indicates It's desire
10 quit the journey. He unharnesses
il and leaves Il TO Hnd It's way back
to It's herd which 1t usually succeeds
10 doing. II It does not succeed In
this. 1t is likely 10 join another herd.
The ownership Of reindeer is indi.
Gated by ear.markS. BY marking the
ears the reindeer OF the various herds
are distinguished, and annually there
is a general reassignment Of animals
to their owners.