

DOMESTICATION OF RUMINATING MAMMALS 321 



would bring it into universal use. The Eskimo is very well 

 adapted to the work of herder or teamster, and is thus 

 becoming an important agent in the development of the 

 country. 



In order to fit the natives to become the helpers of the 

 white man in the development of Alaska, the United States 

 Government, through the Bureau of Education, established 

 a number of reindeer stations for the training of the young 

 men in the raising, care, and management of reindeer as an 

 industrial branch of the public-school system of central and 

 northern Alaska. Bright young men were selected and 

 placed in these schools as apprentices for a period of five 

 years, under skilful Finn or Lapp instructors, who drilled 

 them in the business. Reindeer herds were allotted to the 

 various mission stations, and a skilled herder was furnished 

 for the purpose of instruction. It was found that it was 

 more economical to instruct the young Eskimos through the 

 mission-station rather than the government herds. 



The following is a summary of the rules and regulations 

 regarding the United States reindeer service in Alaska: 



The supervision of the reindeer herds and stations in 

 Alaska shall be included in the duties of the district super- 

 intendents of schools for natives in Alaska. These herds 

 and stations are to be inspected at least once a year, and 

 quarterly in the case of stations easily accessible. It is the 

 duty of the district superintendent to see that all regulations 

 regarding the service, distribution of reindeer to apprentices 

 and herders, contracts and all other business are carried out, 

 and monthly reports are to be submitted to the commissioner 

 of education. 



A local superintendent shall have immediate supervision 

 of each herd of reindeer and oversight of the apprentices, 

 herders, and reindeer herd. He is required to superintend 

 the annual marking of the reindeer, and to see that they are 

 marked correctly according to ownership. The local super- 

 intendent may butcher each year not to exceed two male 



