. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. REINDEER REINDEER 591 The reindeer occupies a zone wholly outside that in which agriculture is possible. It lives on lichen and herbage peculiar to the region where no agri- cultural plants will grow. It does not thrive in the warmer regions where agriculture is practicable, and it cannot live on the kind of forage we feed to cattle and horses. But it is by far the most useful animal under domestication for the region north of the agricultural belt. It is a means of transmuting a vast amount of otherwise useless vegetation into f
. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. REINDEER REINDEER 591 The reindeer occupies a zone wholly outside that in which agriculture is possible. It lives on lichen and herbage peculiar to the region where no agri- cultural plants will grow. It does not thrive in the warmer regions where agriculture is practicable, and it cannot live on the kind of forage we feed to cattle and horses. But it is by far the most useful animal under domestication for the region north of the agricultural belt. It is a means of transmuting a vast amount of otherwise useless vegetation into forms that can be utilized" by man for food and shelter. Training. Training for the sled begins at the age of three years, and the stoutest males and geldings are selected. The lessons begin by lassoing the se- lected animals. The poor beasts are much scared and jump about in frantic efforts to escape. When quieted, they are led about for some time, or tied to a post to accustom them to confinement. They are then released, to have the lesson repeated day by day until they are tame enough to be harnessed, and in the same manner accustomed to draw light loads. This takes a long time and persistent work. There are several methods of harnessing them. The most primitive and least humane consists in putting a raw-hide strap about the neck, and to this attach a single trace, which is either drawn between the legs, or simply stretched along the side of the animal, and fastened to the sled. An improved harness used in Alaska consists of a col- lar and a pair of light hames, from which a short trace goes back on each side to the ends of a swingle- tree, suspended under the body by a strap over the back. From the center of this, a single trace goes back to the sled, either between, or on one side of the hind-leg. This trace is covered with fur, to prevent it chafing the legs. A single line is fastened to the left side of the halter, and with this the animal is guided and held in check
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbaileylh, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookyear1922
