MEAT FROM ALASKA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16416, 9 January 1919, Page 5

MEAT FROM ALASKA.

THE REINDEER HERDS. ; In another year •or two Alaskan reindeer meat will bo coining into tho mnrlcet, says an American paper. Alaska's present reindeer herds number 200,(XX) head, and they ordinarily double in number every three vears. About 10 per cent, annuahy are surplus males that can be marketed without impairing the future 6uppiy. A shipload of the meat reached Seattle last summer from Nome, and it found ready favour m the market. The deer, fattened on the Northern grass and mosses; were in prime condition, and averaged about 150 pounds dressed. Tho Federal Government put the Northern Esquimau in the way of financial .independence when it started him .in reindeer breeding 20 years ago. The natives now. control the majority of tho herds, and private capital is also being attracted to the business. In the years to come it should be one of Alaska's important industries. . Inspired by the example of America, Canada is now encouraging reindeer breeding in its North-west territories, and on the Crown lands of the Western provinces. An Indian company has racently applied for and been granted a permit for the use of certain territorial grazing lands for 37: years. Private capital is invited to , invest in the industry, which is regarded as an important feature of j Canada's future development. The Western ranges long ago ceased to furnish any important source of beef supply in the United States, due to the settlement of these districts by farmers and the utilising of the ranges for growing crops. Canada.and Alaska have vast tracts of land suitable for the reindeer industry s but too far north for cattle to do well. In this situation reindeer ranches promise profitable earnings, as well as some relief to the public in market prices. " . I j I