The Nome nugget., 1921-03-05
MARVELLOUS GROWTH OF HERD OF REINDEER IN PAST WILL
 BE SURPASSED, SAYS NELSON

If a herd of 1.2S0 reindeer in the process of IS years shows a natural increase to 2OO.OOO head, in addition to some 100000 that have been killed, what will be the natural increase of 100000 reindeer?" asks Dr. F.. W. Nelson. The answer .o his question. he Siid. win give some idea as to the size of she future reindeer industry of Alaska.
 Dr. Nelson. says the Juneau Elm pire. is concluding visit that has lasted nearly all summer. during which time he has covered a wide portion of the Territory investigating much of the work of .he Biological survey of which he is the head. The most important feature of his work reindeer industry which he declares is shortly to become important and will not only furnish mea. for Alaska hut which will add materially to AL aiska's export trade to the States.
 The history of the raising of re.n- deer in Alaska. from Its inception to the present time has been little short of marvellous. according to Dr. Nell son. Some 2S years ago the first of these animals were brought from Siberia to Alaska. In the ten years following this number was increased to 1,2S0. From this comparatively small beginning without addition from outside sources. there has come into being in Alaska. herds estimated today to number 100000 animals. In addition there has been killed. ac- cordfnG to those engaged in the in dustry. some 100000 reindeer. making the total of the natural increase ap- Iroximately 300.0O0. 'It staggers the inlgina tion," said Dr. Nelson, ''to figure what the natural increase of the present herd will be during the next ten or twenty years"
 A number of problems which have arisen in connection with the growth of the industry are being studied by experts of the Biological Survey. said Dr. Nelson. The three main ones are: Elimination of disea,se and para sites: establishment of definite graz ing areas in suitable sections: and increasing the natural vigor of the reindeer. All of these. he said. are being given close attention and he is confident that solution will, he forthcoming at an early date.
 A laboratory has been established at Unalai1leet in the Seward Penin- suia region. fully equipped for tfe study of reindeer diseases and para sites which attack the herds. It is lin charge of two experts of the Bio- logical Survey who will remain there the year around and keep in close touch with the men engaged in the industry. cooperating with them as we'll as making independent investiga- lions. The eauipmen. for the insti- tatiom was brought Forth last spring by Dr. Nelson.
 The size of the herds on tlne Sew ard Peninsula makes it imperative that there be an early allotment of grazing lands for individual owners according to Dr. Nelson. For this purpose. one of the Surveys eKper- fenced men was brought into the country thfs year. He has had years of work in connection with allotment of grazing lands in reserves in West ern States. and it is believed that the same system as used thero will be eventually adopted in Alaska. There is said to be unlimited areas for sum- mer grazing but the question of se- curing winter forage for tho animals is considered serious. The reindeer feed on a moss which they dig from heneath the snow. This mass is slow growing and requires years to renew itself after it has been fed over by the big herds. Systematic feeding with definite allotment 1t is believed, will solve the difficulty.
 Owners of small herdS apco,.ntar