178 REPORT ON, THE INTRODUCTION OF 



small sleighs or so-called pulkhas. The reindeer can run on the surface of deep 

 snow where no horse could travel, and he drags the sleigh with a speed that far 

 surpasses that of the horse. I can manufacture pulkhas; these are almost of the 

 shape of small jolly boats; the reindeer can carry a load of 200 pounds during 

 summer excursions. I am also able to make the fixtures adjusted to the reindeer 

 for supporting the loads they carry. The cows are not used for work; they have 

 enough to do with bringing up the young calves, and besides, their milk is used for 

 domestic purposes. The milk is like sweet cream and tastes like cream. The cheese 

 prepared of this milk is excellent as food, and is used as medicine for colds, gan- 

 grene, and colics. It is important to have well-trained reindeer or Lapland dogs. 

 It is indeed impossible to get along without their assistance, but they must be 

 trained not to bite the reindeer. The herds should be watched by day and night 

 and protected against the wolves and thieves, or wild reindeer that are roaming 

 about on their tracts; the latter would make the herds unmanageable. To prevent 

 the domesticated reindeer from mixing with the wild reindeer, one should fasten 

 small and large bells on collars that fit the neck of the animals. The collars are 

 made of either wood, copper, or brass. This is an excellent means of keeping the 

 wild and domesticated reindeer apart, as the latter are afraid of the bells. In the 

 Avinter the herding is connected with greater difficulties, on account of the wolves 

 that are more greedy, and perhaps the thieves are likewise more greedy. In order 

 to be sure of a sufficient amount of food for the reindeer during the winter season, 

 one should 'explore the regions during the summer and find out where the largest 

 amount of moss is growing, and where the most frequent f> eding places are located. 



The reindeer shovel the snow away with their horns to get to the food, but some- 

 times the snow is covered with a hard crust of ice which they are unable to break, 

 and the herdsmen are obliged to drive the herds into thick forests and find trees 

 that are overgrown with moss; these are cut down for the animals to feed on. The 

 herdsmen at times shovel the deepest layers of snow away when they are sure of 

 finding sufficient and suitable food underneath. The sick reindeer must be attended 

 to and doctored. The herdsmen should make their clothes of reindeer skins for the 

 winter sea-on, even their shoes and gloves; clothes made of reindeer skin are both 

 warm and light. Skees and staffs with large rings at the lower end of the staffs are 

 likewise requisite. I understand how to make skees and staffs and how to prepare the 

 skins. I can help myself in all directions and understand how to throw the lassoes 

 and catch the reindeer. 



I do not mean to say that the Government should engage men with my experience ; 

 however that my experience would be of the greatest importance in the service of 

 reindeer management. I add to say that I can build log houses and make the har- 

 ness for the reindeer, reins, etc. 



I remain, very respectfully, yours, 



Peder Olaifson, 

 Paradise Post-Office, Cache County, Utah. 



Calumet, Mich., March 14, 1S94. 

 Honored Sir: In reply to your letter of February 22, I send you following infor- 

 mation on the breeding and management of tamed reindeer in our country; that is 

 to say, of reindeer whose ears have been marked. The marks are not burned into 

 the ears, hut they are cut and each mark is entered into a book and checks are given 

 to the respective owners. The herders mark the calves when they are 1 to 2 years 

 old, preferably when 1 year old. The calves follow the mother cows until they are 

 about 2 years old. The herds are driven together once a year and counted, and in 

 case there are found some animals without a mark they are picked out to be sold; 

 i.e., if the herdsman is uncertain about their right owners. The counting is done 



