172 REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 



eible to remain at one place with the reindeer, who, in fact, are moving constantly 

 from place to place in search for food, while the herdsmen have to follow them with 

 their tents, made of strong material, that can be taken down and folded up when- 

 ever the reindeer commence their wanderings. They must be watched very care- 

 fully at all times, both summer and winter. During the latter season it is frequently 

 necessary to shovel the snow away that covers the moss, and this is done principally 

 in the woods. During the spring especial care is taken with the cows who calve, it 

 beino- important and desirable that the herds increase in number. The young bucks, 

 if needed, must be castrated, and all unruly animals of the herds must be looked 

 after and tamed, so that they do no harm to others in the flock. There is, indeed, so 

 much constant watching required and so many things to be done that one could 

 write a whole book on the subject. But of what use is this to me, since the places 

 have been filled, for which I am truly sorry, as I anxiously wished to obtain a posi- 

 tion in that line? The milk and cheese of the reindeer are most excellent and 

 splendid for all lung diseases and other ailments. It is, indeed, the best food obtain- 

 able from any domesticated animals, and drives away many diseases from the body, 

 for which reason the Laplanders, who livo on it entirely, are so strong and robust, 

 although they live a very hard life and are subjected to the cold climate of the far 

 north, which we natives nevertheless dearly love. 



At any time in the future I shall be happy to accept a place as herdsman, because 

 I understand the profession so thoroughly and have been used to it. 



Very respectfully, yours, 



A. N. Lithner. 



Sturgeon Lake, Minn., March 2, 1894. 

 Dr. Sheldon Jackson, 



General Agent: 



Your honored letter is on hand and has been considered. In reference to your 

 question on reindeer breeding and management in the Swedish Lapmarken, I wish 

 to say that on one side, if I touch upon all the minute details, much can be mentioned, 

 and on the other side I may say that the reindeer take care of themselves if they are 

 led to places where there is a sufficient amount of food. For the winter season the 

 Laplander moves, as a rule, from the highlands to the vicinity of wooded regions 

 and the reindeer roam about in scattered flocks without any special supervision; 

 but the herdsmen must keep track of the whereabouts of the herds. It is harder to 

 keep them in order after the bucks have been separated from the cows, as the former 

 are at times very unruly. In the spring the herds are brought back to the highlands, 

 and after the cows have had calves and the calves are advanced the herds should 

 he driven together once a day, best into stables, to be milked; this can easily be 

 done with the assistance of some well-trained dogs. Without these clever animals 

 it would be impossible to keep the herds together for any length of time, especially 

 when they are attacked by wolves and become separated. The wolves have been 

 much more ravenous and savage; they are partly an unknown breed and believed 

 to bo Siberian wolves, which may be the case, but I doubt it. Furthermore, the 

 reindeer have to be castrated, which is not without danger. The principal point to 

 be observed is to find tracts that answer for the feeding places of the reindeer 

 and that produce food enough to last the whole winter, namely, lichen and white 

 moss, besides not being infested with carnivorous animals. The herdsman should 

 have a soundhead and be trustworthy and quick on his feet; he often has to go along 

 i inn' without food, if on hunting expeditions, and be satisfied with uncomfortable 

 quarters for the night, etc. 



It does not belong to the question, yet I can not help mentioning that it is a won- 

 derful sight to see, especially in summer time, when the reindeer herds climb up the 

 highland tracts by the thousands; there is one jingling aud creaking sound in the 

 air and the whole mouutain seems to be moving. One reindeer field after the othei 



