'21 



It is proposod. it" the nocessarv iiioncv is :ippi'()i)riatiHl for this 

 purpose, to seli>ct from twi'iity-tivo to fifty head of shoop. either of 

 the Bhickfaced Scotch breed or Icehind sheep, or both. When ani- 

 mals of this character are introchiced tliev shouhl be bi-ed |)rimarily 

 with a view to deveh)}) those qualities which are of hrst ini[)ortance 

 to meet Alaska conditions, namely, hai'diness and usefulness for 

 general domestic purposes. In the view of the writer." the offspring 

 m excess of that required for the experiment stations should be sold 

 to settlers in Alaska for breeding purposes. They would thus aid 

 in stocking the Territory with cattle Avhich the ordinary pioneer 

 could not ati'ord to introduce. Congress has appropriated something 

 over $1200,000 for the introduction of reindeer in Alaska, a measure 

 which in itself is very connnendal)le and highly beneficial to the 

 Territory, but may it not be assumed that cattle and sheep would be 

 of equal value? 



It would l)e greatly to the advantage of the Territory if an appro- 

 priation of $10,000 Avere made for the establishment of a live-stock 

 station on Kodiak Island, such station to be stocked with cattle and 

 sheep of the above-named breeds. Kodiak is mentioned as the most 

 desirable place for such a station because it afi'ords abundant pastur- 

 age, and a breeding station could be maintained there at less cost 

 than elsewhere in the Territory. Some buildings would be needed, 

 but this item would not be costly. Hardy stock coidd run out nearly 

 the year round, and one competent man would be all the labor needed. 

 Kodiak is, moreover, accessible at all times. Boats touch here regu- 

 larly, and stock could be shipped to all ports on the coast and from 

 there to interior points with equal ease. If there were sufficient 

 natural pasturage at Sitka, this point would be chosen in preference, 

 because the headquarters for the station work are located there; but 

 the natural pasturage is lacking. Neither can the Kenai Station be 

 chosen, for the reasons set forth below. 



SITUATION AT KENAI. 



The economic conditions on the Kenai Peninsula, particularly as 

 regards transportation, are undergoing an important change. The 

 Alaska Central Railway is building from the new town of Sew^ard, 

 at the head of Resurrection Bay, and will run across the neck of the 

 peninsula to the towais of Hope and Sunrise, and on northward 

 around the head of Knik Arm and through the valley of the Sushitna 

 to the gold fields on the Tanana (PI. III). This railroad will doubt- 

 less carry the traffic destined for the interior and for the northern 

 part of the peninsula, and when completed as far as Sunrise, wdiich 

 will be during the next few months, the traffic on Cook Inlet, wdiich 

 has been chiefly maintained on account of the settlers at Turn-Again 

 Arm, will undoubtedly cease, either in part or altogether. This will 



