86 REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 



of visiting natives. Daring the past winter many natives came here 

 from a distance, mainly for the purpose of seeing - the deer, and they 

 were quartered upon the natives of our village, thus becoming a bur- 

 den by crowding into their houses and eating up their food. If a house 

 for this purpose could be built, there would be no excuse for strangers 

 to crowd in on these people. It would serve as a place for them to 

 spend their time while here, and give them no excuse for intruding upon 

 the employes of the station. During last winter the men and women 

 working for us, on account of our limited room, had to work in an apart- 

 ment that was frequently crowded with outsiders, and it very much 

 interfered with their work. 



One of the most important articles for tlie use of the station would 

 be a portable bellows, anvil, and blacksmith tools. The frost in the 

 ground dulls tools quickly, and shovels, spades, crowbars, and picks 

 often need sharpening. Sled runners of iron or steel could be made 

 and a thousand uses of this character could be found, besides their 

 being a valuable instructor for the natives. 



There should be a good supply of skins, both reindeer and seal, kept 

 constantly on hand. Repairs are continually needed and for a dozen 

 persons a large number are necessary to last through the winter, which 

 may be said to continue for nine months in the year. 



Our experience of the past year has demonstrated the importance of 

 this matter. As all reindeer skins come from the Siberian side, and 

 none can be procured except from the Cape Prince of Wales natives, 

 after the summer has closed, the natives at that place have a monopoly 

 of the business. They know very well that the demand for an article 

 always regulates its price and take advantage of it. 



Last fall, when traveling was really dangerous, [ was obliged to 

 make a trip by canoe to the cape to purchase skins, and had my boat 

 completely smashed to pieces on the trip. 



Sheds and a corral should also be built for the accommodation of sick 

 or injured deer, and as a shelter for lawns born during severe weather. 

 Next winter it is the intention to have the herd range a few miles from 

 the station and the herders live in tents near the deer, coming to the 

 station only when necessary to obtain supplies. As spring approaches 

 they will be moved gradually toward the station, and about the time the 

 young are born they will be near enough to be cared for, if necessary. 



If the transportation of deer from the other side should assume such 

 magnitude as to make time valuable, a landing could be made 50 miles 

 west of the station and from there they could be driven in. There is an 

 excellent beach at that point, and in calm weather they could be landed 

 there as easily as at the station. But this is a matter that must be left 

 to the officer in charge of* the ship that does the transporting, who, 

 of course, will better understand what to do in the matter. 



I have referred to the brand adopted for the use of the station iu 

 another place in my report. Steps should be taken soon to give notice 



