DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 123 



can be accomplished through the introduction of domesticated reindeer 

 and by teaching Eskimo boys and young men the best method of tak- 

 ing care of them. 



Again, thousauds of miles of the southern coast of Alaska, owing to 

 the " Japan current," has a temperate climate, and it is probable that 

 some fruits and vegetables could be grown with success, but no intelli- 

 gent experiment has been made to test the agricultural capabilities of 

 the country. 



Until quite a recent period the European population were fur-trading 

 Russians. They were followed by fur-trading Americans, and more 

 recently by the gold seekers. No one expected to remain long in the 

 country, and there has been no incentive to carry forward intelligent 

 experiments in agriculture. 



Ac early as my first report to the Commissioner of Education (1885) ? 

 I called attention to the fact that there was a very wide diversity of 

 views concerning the agricultural and horticultural capabilities of 

 Alaska, and, necessarily,very great ignorance; that no system a tic effort, 

 intelligently prosecuted, had ever been made to ascertain what could 

 or what could not be raised to advantage; that it was of very great 

 importance, both to the people of Alaska and the country at large, 

 that careful experiments should be made, extending over a term of years, 

 to ascertain the vegetables, grains, grasses, berries, apples, plums, trees, 

 flowers, etc., best adapted to the country; the best methods of cultivat- 

 ing, gathering, and curing the same; tree-planting and grafting of 

 fruit trees; the development of the wild cranberry; cattle, hog, and 

 poultry-raising; butter and cheese-making, etc. 



The acts of Congress relating to the agricultural schools above men- 

 tioned require the assent of the legislature of the State or Territory 

 in order that their provisions may become available. 



But as Alaska has no legislature, and on that account Congress has 

 devolved upon the Secretary of the Interior the duty of establishing 

 and conducting schools and making the rules for their government, I 

 would respectfully and earnestly recommend that you apply to him for 

 the establishment of an agricultural school as contemplated by the acts 

 above cited. 



And if it be decided that he has not the power to do so, then ask 

 Congress for legislation empowering the Secretary of the Interior to 

 extend the benefits of said acts over Alaska. 

 Very truly, yours, 



Sheldon Jackson, 

 U. 8. General Agent of Education for Alaska. 



Hon. W. T. Harris, LL. D., 



Commissioner of Education* 



