INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 109 



back of Port Clarence offered pound for pound for hauling .supplies to 

 Council City, two days' journey. At that time iiour was selling- at 

 Cape Prince of Wales for 20 cents per pound, and at Anvil City for 

 50 cents per pound. 



Driving the herd to Point Barrow was a valualjle experience to our 

 herders, but the loan of their herd has meant a financial loss to them 

 of at least $3,000. 



No deer have been l)utchcred for meat. As the supply of seal and 

 walrus meat and fish has been much less this year than usual, our 

 herders were compelled to subsist, at times, on flour, molasses, and tea, 

 a very unsatisfactory diet. 



Since travel is increasing in this part of the continent, allow me to 

 suggest that next summer you make some experiments with pneumatic 

 tire reindeer carts and wagons. At present pack deer are practically 

 the only beasts of l^urden that can bo used inland during the summer 

 months. Carts and wagons would have many advantages over packs. 

 Deermen — Siberians, Laplanders, and Eskimos — imaccustomed to accept 

 anything new, will, no doubt, ridicule such an innovation. But we 

 feel confident that a vehicle built somewhat after the inclosed plan 

 would prove an entire success, and it is hoped that the Department will 

 make the small expenditure necessary to give it a fair trial. 

 Very respectfully, 



W. T. Lopp. 



Dr. Sheldon Jackson, 



General Agent for Ediucatlon in Alasha. 



Suggest ion.s for iiidking tiro rxperiiiwntdl rrindrer nrrtx. 



Construct two carts so that they can l)e combined into a four-wheeled wajjon. 

 Make each of them strong enough to carry 300 pounds, and as light as possible. 

 Hickory wheels, with pneumatic tires, 3 or 4 inches in diameter — toughest made. 



Inches. 



Ivength of axles between wheels 34 



Diameter of wheels, first cart 34 



Diameter of wheels, second cart 38 



Bed for first cart, about 30 by 38 by 10 ijiches. 



Bed for second cart, about 30 by 42 by 10 inches. 



Two pairs shafts, about 50 inches long (clear of bed) , 24 inches wide at one end 

 pnd 14 at the other. 



One tongue about 50 inches long. 



Extra tires and packages of hickory for changes and repairs. 



