128 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



I)ack to the slod, either between or on one side of the liind l(>g.s. In the wake of the legs this 

 trace is protected with some soft fur, or the skin will be worn through with the constant 

 chafing. Generally there is a single line made fast to the left side of the halter, and with this 

 the animal is guided and held in check. 



In Lapland, as in Alaska, there is seldom more than one animal 

 hitched to a sled. 



SLEDS. 



There are two forms of sleds used in Alaska. One is called a " pulka." 

 It is a style which has been used in La])land for centuries. It is about 

 7 feet long and 2 feet broad, pointed in front and square in the back, 

 and generally rounded underneath so as to greatly resemble a boat. 

 It has the desirable merits that it pulls easily and does not sink into 

 soft snow. The front half is covered with deerskin stretched over 

 bows. In this receptacle the baggage of the traveler is placed. A 

 partition in the sled makes it a closed box. Access is had through a 

 square hole in the top closed by a tight-fitting lid. In the back half of 

 the sled is an upholstered low seat with back rest. It takes much 

 experience to keep the seat, as the sled rolls from side to side. The 

 other form of the sled is like the dog sled, or hand sled, in common 

 use. It varies very much, as it is largely homemade; it is 9 feet long 

 and 2 feet wide, built of thin slats to make it as light as possible, and 

 inclosed by a railing about a foot high. 



PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION OF DEER. 



The object in introducing the deer is to familiarize the Eskimos 

 with their use and to induce them to breed and to handle them. To 

 this end the following plan has been adopted: The Teller reindeer 

 station has been made the headquarters for the Government herd. 

 A general superintendent and the other necessary employees have 

 been stationed here. A number of expert Lapp reindeer men have 

 been employed, who have the handling of the deer and also act as 

 teachers to the Eskimos. The most intelligent young men from the 

 various villages along the coast have been selected as apprentices to 

 learn the art of breeding reindeer. They enter into an agreement to 

 remain from two to five years or until, in the judgment of the super- 

 intendent, they have acquired sufficient skill to handle a herd. 

 Meanwhile they are given rations and clothing and get a nominal 

 pay in deer. If they show a lack of interest or are too dull to learn 

 they are dismissed. When capable to handle them the Government 

 will lend them a few deer, from which they can have the increase, 

 but must return within five years the original number loaned. This 

 gives them a nucleus for a herd. The Government also lends herds 

 to mission stations on the same conditions. According to Doctor 

 Jackson's report for 1902 there were then 60 individual owners ot 



