Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-04
STRANGE LABRADOR
LIFE IS DESCRIBED
Quaint Hunting and Fishing
Methods Used-Industries
Being Created.

The recent burning of Sir Wilfred
Grenfell's first hospital at Battle Har-
Dor, Labrador, recalls how his social
work has helped alter the human geog-
raphy of Labrador, creating new indus
tries for natives and encouraging ex-
plorations which have revealed scenic
beauties and potential water power
sites.
Labrador is strange land of many
contrasts" says a bulletin of the Ma
tional Geographic Society. Because of
its barren, forbidden shores sailors call
1t the Land of Naked Rocks yet, in
land Labrador Is green with vegetation.
Virgin spruce, a potential source of
pulpwood and home brew, all kinds OF
berry bushes, scrub trees, moss and
many Northern varieties of wild flowers
cover the interior, while familiar gar
den vegetables are grown in sheltered
mission gardens.
Highest Mountain on Atlantic Seaboard.
Parts of the coast are low-lying
granite islands and headlandS, but, in
other places, gray mountains, the high
est on the north Atlantic seaboard, rise
precipitously from the oceanss depths
to 1000 feet
while existence in Labrador is a
lifelong battle, its inhabitants enjoy
certain advantages. For instance, fat
salmon and trout swim into nets tied
TO private wharveS, virtually to ones
mont door. Spruce grouse sit on boughS
OF mr. trees and allow quiet Eskimos to
sup up from behind and drop moses
over their heads, thereby saving time,
trouble and ammunition for all hands
Partr1dges and hares are plentiful
NATIVES sneak up on the former and
with snap of their dog whips flick off
the birds heads. individuals have been
known to bag 500 in one hunt by this
economical method.
Ducks Fly Regular Routes.
migrating ducks ny regular routes,
Following indentations Of the coast, not
caring TO strike OF across wide bays
Dy dead reckoning. Hunters. knowing
this, plant themselves with their dogs
In primitive blinds and drop the ducks
as they ny past close inshore, using all
KINDS OF ancient firearms Bears make
good eating and taste like venison.
Deer are numerous and their worst
enemy Is not the wolf, as one might
suppose, but q species of fiv whose
maggot bores into their beautiful bodies
SKINS which make soft, warm Clothing
ana moccaSins show 100 to 1000 tiny
IoleS mace by this insect. Wild ber-
ries. such as the cranberry. remain on
the bushes all Winter and are often
picked after Spring thaws. It is said
tnat the snow sweetens the red fruit.
During the Summer months the
deep, hordlike harbors are dotted with
Newfoundland fishing vessels over for
the coz season. So poor are some of
these fisher folk that whole families. in
Guiding mother and daughter in-law.
often man the boats. The recent per-
fecting of a new method for quick
mo " L., IL
rador industry by allowing shipment to
the United States of fresh fish from
this 1ar-oh country. Hitherto the fish
could only be used to make fertilizer.
Seals Caught in Nets.
While sealing is not SO important
an industry TO Labrador as it Is to
Newfoundland, many are taken OF its
coast. In the waters near certain head
lands the seals are caught and drowned
In ordinary nets, for they swim along
close to the rocky shores much as mi
grating birds do in the air. Many
Labradorians in the early Spring hunt
seals from large ships which follow the
whipping herds out to the ice pack.
To save the ships many weeks of USE
less search, airplanes are often en-
ployed for spotting the herds.
although no part of Labrador Is
sledges are the sole means of trans
portation for three-quarters of the year,
excluding, Of course, ones own snow
shoes. During the Summer months the
sea becomes the arterial highway and
power dorteS the motor vehicles of
more temperate regions. Gasoline may
well be considered the natives chief
item Of expense.
Natives Take Up New Industries.
''Sir Wilfred is aided in his welfare
work among the Scotch Irish and Eng
lish colonists and fisher folk by Ameri-
can college men and women who,
guided by altruistic motives, give their
services during the Summer holidays.
These workers, with the help of trained
teachers. have taught the people new
methods for increasing their income
and thereby have helped them alleviate
some of the hardships of living In this
Arctic country. No finer hooked rugs
are made anywhere than in Labrador.
Discarded silk stockings with runs are
ct premium here for incorporation
as rags in the rugs. Toy making, weav-
ing and ivory carving with walrus and
narwhal tllSks as the medium are some
Of the most lucrative trades.
Battle Harbor came into news prom