DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 169 



that I have not liveil in Lapland but in the northern part of Norway, where I met a 

 great number of Laplanders, besides the Norwegian Laplanders, who possessed large 

 herds of reindeer, which they partly cared for themselves and partly hired men to 

 take charge of them. 



During the first part of May one has to be very careful and painstaking with the 

 animals on account of the cows, which then have calves. One has to keep them sep- 

 arated from the bucks for about one to two weeks, because the bucks are always 

 angry with the young calves, and 10 out of 30 arc frequently killed by the bucks. 

 After the calves are three to four weeks old the grown-up animals will Buffer them 

 very well. I know that the Laplanders used to watch by turns — some at daytime 

 and others at night. 



The small calves must be looked after and gathered together every day by tho 

 herders, in case they survive twenty-four hours after their birth, but the bucks should 

 always be kept out of sight or they may kill the herders, especially if these have lost 

 their dogs and are by themselves. 



During the milking of the cows the herders should be very gentle and good to 

 them; if not, the animals will kick them in revenge, and the man who receives a 

 well-aimed kick may be crippled for lifetime. 



The reindeer are by nature good-natured; nevertheless they do not favor men very 

 much, especially if they are treated with stubbornness. For milking one must be 

 provided with a lasso, or a rope about 20 yards in length, to the cud of which is 

 fastened a wooden hoop; this is thrown with skillful hand over the horns of the 

 animal to be milked, which maneuver has to be repeated Avith all cows. However, 

 one is obliged to have reindeer dogs for assistance; they are, indeed, indispensable, 

 and 4 men Avith 4 to 6 dogs can easily take care of a flock of reindeer from 500 to 

 600 in number. 



The details mentioned above I have myself experienced. I could tell you much 

 more, but fearing that you do not understand my writing sufficiently perhaps, I 

 Avill refrain at present. 



I should feel greatly obliged to you in case you could procure me some kind of a 

 position; if not in Alaska, somewhere else. You may belie\ r e that it is no easy mat- 

 ter to take charge of reindeer. 

 Very respectfully, I am, 



John Nilsox. 



Braxdox, Minx., February 2S, 1S94. 

 Dr. Sheldox Jacksox: 



Your letter has been receiA'ed and considered. I see that the GoA r ernment has 

 engaged the reindeer herders for Alaska, but ne\ r ertheless you Avish to knoAV hoAV 

 reindeer are managed in Lapland, and I will give you a brief description in the fol- 

 lowing: 



In the first instance the reindeer superintendent ought to be a good man; secondly, 

 the reindeer pasture should be a good mountainous tract with sufficient wild grow- 

 ing moss and fine grass, a certain species on which the reindeer feed. The reindeer 

 prefer the cold regions during the summer, aud then it is necessary to haA'e good 

 herders, but more so during the spring season when the cows calve ; these have to 

 be Avatched by night and day during that period. Good dogs are indispensable, but 

 they are not used A'ery much as Ion;; as the calves are young. The bucks must be 

 separated from the cows and calves, and careful watch should be kept from April 

 15 to the end of May. If the herd is a small one, they may be driA'en into an inclo- 

 sure for the night. The reindeer are A r ery restless during the pairing season, harvest 

 time, and they separate into many flocks. The month of August is the best for 

 shearing the animals which need it, and all the calves should then be marked. The 

 Wolves are the Avorst enemies of the Laplanders, and also the lynx is very dangerous, 



