FUR SEALS AND OTHER LIFE, PRIBILOF ISLANDS, 1914. I27 



cance of these self-evident facts before us, it seems plain that the chances of success 

 attending the introduction of any animals intended to prove of benefit to the foxes are 

 very small. The various species .which have been introduced and those which have 

 been recommended for introduction are discussed beyond. 



DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



Horses and mules. — Draft animals, usually mules, have been used for many years on 

 St. Paul to haul supphes from the landings to the warehouses, and for transportation to 

 and from the more distant seal rookeries. The animals find abundant pasturage during 

 five or six months of the year and are fed for the remainder of the year on imported 

 food. 



It is believed that if the work were undertaken in a systematic way that a sufficient 

 quantity of hay and ensilage could be put up annually to support the small herds of 

 domestic stock during the winter. A coarse beach grass {Elymus mollis) is very 

 abundant and grows luxuriantly. Unsuccessful attempts to make ensilage of this 

 grass are reported, but since it is successfully put up on Kodiak Island at a cost of less 

 than $1 per ton " there seems to be no reason why the process should not be successful 

 on the Pribilofs if properly managed. It is practically certain also that hay can be 

 made from some of the grasses which grow abundantly in certain localities. It must be 

 conceded that favorable weather can not be depended on. Even in the best hay regions, 

 however, periods of rainy weather often occur, but with proper management most of 

 the crop can usually be saved. Directions for the proper care of hay under unfavorable 

 weather conditions are given in Bull. 3 of the Alaska Experiment Stations, 1907. 

 Although the conditions on the Pribilofs are perhaps less favorable than at Fort Kenai, 

 to which place this bulletin refers, the drying properties of the air, when precipitation is 

 not actually occurring, are very marked, and it is confidently believed that hay in 

 moderate quantities can be made on the islands. 



The animals appear to withstand well the peculiar climate of the islands. They are 

 indispensable since they furnish the only means of transportation at present available. 



Cattle. — A few cattle have been maintained on each island for many years, furnishing 

 a supply of milk and occasionally beef for the tables of the employees. Like the horses 

 and mules, the cattle have to be housed and fed during a large part of the year. All 

 things considered, they do very well, but there is little doubt that the effectiveness of 

 the herds would be increased if a breed were selected with reference to fitness for the 

 peculiar climatic conditions. Instances of animals living for several years on the islands 

 without care are on record, and while it is not desirable to adopt this method of treat- 

 ment, it is plain that a greater measure of efficiency could be secured from a breed 

 especially adapted to the rigorous climate. 



Sheep. — Small flocks of sheep, usually composed mainly of ewes, have been brought 

 to the islands from time to time, but no attempt has been made to keep up the supply 

 by breeding, although it is likely that this would be successful if a hardy race were 

 selected. On one or two occasions sheep which have strayed away in the fall have 

 survived the winter. This argues remarkable ability to withstand the severe winter 

 conditions, and suggests that if a breed were selected with this factor in mind the herds 

 might be kept up with less care than is now necessary. The question of attempting 



o Ana. Rept. Alaska Agric. Exp. Stations for 1907, p. 61, 190S. 



