FUR-FARMING IN CANADA 95 
“From the end of the steel to Athabaska Landing, something over 
fifty miles, the deer were conveyed in waggons and were then loaded on 
scows for the trip down to Fort Smith. This turned out to be the most 
difficult part of the trip. The scows were hard to manage and a great 
deal of ice was encountered which hindered progress. In the end it 
was found impossible to get as far as Fort Smith, and it was decided to 
remain at a point seventy miles from the fort, where reindeer moss 
was plentiful, until such time as the deer could be driven to their 
destination, or until the spring, when they could be conveyed down the 
river. The herd was kept here very comfortably until the spring, and 
on the 20th May, 1912, reached Fort Smith, the total loss of deer en 
route being nineteen. 
“The herd wintered satisfactorily and were in good condition in 
the spring. The chief herde: had selected a suitable place for them west 
of Fort Smith on a point jutting out into a lake lying south of Great 
Slave Lake. There is plenty of reindeer moss in this locality and it 
seemed in every way suitable for the keeping of the heid. However, the 
flies became so troublesome to the herd in the summer that they stam- 
peded and, at last reports, had not all been gathered together again. 
“A new range for the deer has been selected on a large island in 
Great Slave lake and it is the intention to move the remainder of the 
herd there this spring. 
“Considering the difficulties of transportation, the shipment was 
taken through with comparatively small loss; but the success of the herd 
is not fully assured until it is certain that they can be controlled and 
prevented from stampeding at the time when the flies are most active. 
If matters go satisfactorily with them for another year, it may be advis- 
able to consider increasing the number by a further shipment.” 
MOOSE 
The European moose was formerly under domestication and proved 
valuable for transportation purposes in the cold northern countries. It 
is on record that it once hauled a sleigh 234 miles in one day. For 
divers reasons—the chief one being that exiles used it to effect their 
escape—it became unlawful to maintain the moose in captivity in some 
countries. Probably it would have developed into a valuable do- 
mestic animal for northern latitudes had this prohibition not been 
imposed. It is possible also, that the Canadian moose, which is of 
greater size and strength, could be developed into a domestic 
animal of value. Several cases are recorded of its being suc- 
cessfully used for draught purposes, in the first generation from the 
wild state. It is but just to add, however, that the moose has not yet 
been bred in captivity. 
