YAK EXPERIMENT
DESCRIBED BY
C. C. GEORGESON
NATIONALLY KNOWN AGRONO
MIST OF ALASKA RELATES
EXPERIMENT PROBLEMS
After Yak for Many Years
Nucleus of Herd Well Under Way At
Fairbanks Station—Wants a
Hardy Breed of Cattle.
One oi' the most interesting of ex
periments which has been carried on
the last few years, by Dr. C. C.
Georgeson, director of Alaska Ex
perimental stations, is that of cross
breeding the Yak and Galloway dairy
stock, according to the agronomist
who recently paid Sewrard a briel
visit. As a result of the experiments
to date the station at Fairbanks has
three hybreds, sired by the Yak
bull out of Galloway cows. An in
teresting story concerns this experi
ment, Dr. Georgeson stated to the
Seward Gateway.
Yak Habitat High Elevation
People have asked Dr. Georgeson
of what good are the Yak. He had
studied the Yak for many years. To
those who might not know anything
about the animal, the Yak has its
natural habitat in high elevations, or
altitudes, in Asia, where they roam
wild. They are found at altitudes
from 10,000 to 16,000 feet and they
do not voluntarily go below 10,000
feet, it is stated. The Yak loves the
cold climate. And nature has pro
tected them with an extreme heavy
coat of hair, hanging down similar
to a skirt. This serves to protect
the vital parts of the animal from
the ground or snow.
Attempts Purchase Yak.
The thought occured to Dr. George
son that probably he could produce
a breed of cattle as hardy as the
moose yet with all the qualities of
a domestic bovine. The Yak is a do
mesticated animal as w-eli as wild.
Alaska has n immense tract of land
suitable for cattle raising, Dr. George
son said, and especially north of the
Arctic Circle. Why not develop this
breed of animals so that the im
mense pasture be utilized? With
that end in view he got in touch
with a firm in England who made it
a business importing and exporting
Yak. They offered to supply him
with two and three-year old Yak at
$250 each, laid down in Baltimore,
but after applying to the bureau for
funds for the purchase Dr. Georgeson
was not able to secure the money,
the bureau chief stating the idea was
visionary. Shortly after the w-orld
war came on and many Yak were
killed, the meat being supplied to the
British army. Following the war
the English firm gave up importing
Yak, but in the meantime, Dr. George
son, who had never given up hope
of procuring Yak for his Alaska ex
periments, was informed there was
a herd in Canada. Upon inquiry, he
learned they wrere two bulls and
four female Yak, all pure bred stock
n the herd. So he went to Banff,
Canada, wrhere the herd was, and
spoke to the superintendent. This
man took him out to the park and
showed him the herd which num
bered 21 head of all ages. The sup
erintendent, it is stated, told Dr.
Georgeson that the Yak were of
no good purpose excepting for show
purposes, and promised the doctor
that he would permit him to take
nine head, but at the same time ask
ed him if he was going to start an
Alaskan zoo. Dr. Georgeson “explain
ed his plans quite freely, in fact
as he states the case, much too free
ly writh the result it evidently start
ed the superintendent to thinking
along the same lines.
Corresponded with Russia.
During this period, Dr. Georgeson
had been in correspondence with peo
ple in Russia who informed him the
hybreds between the Yak and com
mon stock were much sought after,
that they brought a higher price and
were better in every wray. Dr. Geor
geson explained to the superintend
ent that he wanted to establish a
breed in Alaska as hardy as the
moose. So in due time application
was made to Ottowa for the nine
Yak but no reply was received. La
ter on, he was told that assistance
would be rendered him in procuring
the Yak. Months went by and still
no reply or action of any kind. Fin
ally a letter Avas received in which
the news was contained that Dr.
Georgeson’s “thunder” had been tak
en and that the suggested experi
ments as he had propounded to the
Canadian superintendent, were being
carried out by him.
Exchange of Yak For Bears.
Dr. Georgeson applied again to the
Dominion government and in reply
the suggestion was made that in
exchange for a pair of Kodiak bears
a mile and female Yak would be turn
ed over to him. As this was beyond
his jurisdiction, this exchange wTas
not made. However, later a two
year-old bull and a heffer was sent
to him from Canada, which he plac
ed on the Fairbanks station. The
female could not conceive and later
died. While left the bull on his
hands. A pair of Galloway cows
were sent to the station but the bull
Yak would have nothing to do with
them until some months later when
he served them. From these matings
three hybreds, now at the station,
are the result.
After constant effort, Dr. George
son secured two additional female
Yak, proven breeders. The two calves
produced from these Yak, one a bull
are now two years old and quite big.
A heffer calf has been produced from
one of these new ones, making at the
present time at the station, two Yak
bulls, one Yak cow and one Yak
heffer calf, to show for the breed
ing accomplished to date.
Canadians Successful.
Dr. Georgeson said that the Cana
dian experiments has been very suc
cessful, in the matter of cross breed
ing, and from knowiedge secured
from that source has been of great
assistance to him with the Alaska
problem.
' With reference to the Kodiak sta
tion, the w7ork accomplished and
what the future plans will be in to
morrow’s issue of the Gateway, will
appear the ooncluding article obtain
ed from Dr. Georgeson while he was
a visitor in town last week.
ALASKA TEACHERS
HOLD INSTITUTE
IN CAPITAL CITY
FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING HELD
AT JUNEAU SEPT. 2-4 BY
LARGE NUMBER.
The Fourth Annual Teachers In
stitute which was held this year at
Juneau from September 2-4, inclusive,
with the Alaska Educational Associa
tion holding its annual meeting on
Sept. 5, held great interest to the
large number attending, according
to Seward arrivals on the steamer
Northwestern last week. Many of
the school teachers who came north
on the vessel would have liked to re
main for the entire session but ow
ing to the grade and high schools of
Seward, Fairbanks, Anchorage and
other towns, opening today, Tuesday,
Sept. 8, time did not permit.
It is believed that about 150 teach
ers wTere in attendance. Arrange
ments were made -with the various
steamship companies to grant rates
and schedules were consulted prior
to determining the date set for the
institute. As in the past, teachers
attending the institute were allowed
salary for the week at the regular
rate in their teaching contracts.
Among the institute lecturers en
gaged were Dr. D. E. Phillips, head
of the department of Psychology, at
University of Colorado, Denver; Dr.
Fred C. Ayer, professor of education
at University of Washington, and
director of the department of re
search of the Seattle public schools;
Dr. C. T. Williams, assistant pro
fessor of education, University of
Washington.
Much preparation for the reception
and entertainment of the teachers
were made by the committee appoint
ed on housing and reception, which
committee consisted of R. E. Robert
son, of the Chamber of Commerce;
%
Mrs. J. H. Dunn, Parent-Teacher As
sociation, and W. K. Kellar, superin
tendent of schools.
September 1, the opening day of
the Institute, a suitable program and
dance was held during the evening.
A trip was also made thru the Alas
ka-Juneau Mill and auto trips to the
surrounding localities and beauty
spots.
GOVERNOR PARKS
LEAVES SEWARD
FOR INTERIOR
PAYS VISIT TO SEWARD FISH
HATCHERY—DISPLAYS KEEN
INTEREST AT PROGRESS
Governor George A. Parks depart
ed for Anchorage yesterday morning
where he will spend two days in con
ference with Noel W. Smith, general
manager of the Alaska Railroad, on
matters of an official nature, fol
lowing which he will depart for Fair
banks on Thursday’s train, arriving
in the Interior town the following
day. He plans returning to the
coast via the Richardson highway,
thence south from Cordova to the
Capital City.
Sunday, accompanied by H. E. Ells
worth, member of the Territorial
Fish Board, Governor Parks paid a
visit to the Sewrard fish hatchery.
The Governor, Mr. Ellsworth and
Mr. Starr, the latter superintendent
of the hatchery, discussed matters rel
ative to the work and also, of a ram
for supplying a greater amount of
w'ater for the hatchery. The Gov
ernor displayed much Interest in the
methods employed in ridding the
adjacent feeding ponds of the many
trout now in the pools. He was
later taken down to the end of Grouse
lake where a fish trap has been in
stalled and initiated into the mys
teries of catching large trout with
out the means of hook and line. The
Governor had his kodak along, se
cured a number of photographs of
the hatchery and like.
REDONDO BRINGS
ANOTHER LARGE
LOAD OF FISH
• The steamer Redondo of the Alaska
Steamship Company arrived in port
early yesterday morning from the
westward and until early this morning
was engaged in transferring approx
imately 1100 tons of fish products to
the Northwestern which departed for
the south. Upon taking on about 400
tons of general cargo for distribution
to westward ports of call th® Redondo
will depart, which will probably be
late this evening or tomorrow morn
ing. Incomplete arrivals on the ves
sel were as follows:
From Red Fox Bay—R. Totham, S.
Cameron.
Halibut Cove—C. W. Harrington.
Seldovia—W. H. Stratton, H. H.
Courtney, A. J. Nelson, J. A. Smith,
Mrs. L. Smith, Milo Hurlburt, R, J.
Davis, L. G. Rothstrom, Miss M. Mal
colm, Paul Murrer, Gus Gelles, Avia
tor Merrill.
Kukuk Bay—G. W. Mitchell, C. O.
Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Heisler.
Tutka Bay—L. Holton.
POPULAR SEWARD
COUPLE ARE
MARRIED SUNDAY
MISS HAZEL MATHEWS AND MR.
W. C. ERWIN ARE QUIETLY
MARRIED SUNDAY MORN
A quiet but lovely wedding was sol
emnized early Sunday morning when
Miss Hazel Mathews became the bride
of Mr. W. C. Erwin, Rev. R. V. B. Dun
lap officiating at the ceremony which
took place in the apartments of the
newly married couple in the Arcade
building. Miss Hoffman played the
wedding march, Miss Ruth Eccles
acted as bridesmaid and Mr. Henry
Frost was best !nan.
Miss Mathews taught school in
Seward last year and has just re
turned from the states, arriving on
the steamer Northwestern Saturday.
Mr. Erwin is the popular superinten
dent of the local Standard Oil plant.
Attending the wedding were Mr. and
Mrs. Elwyn Swetmann, Mrs. Eccles,
Mrs. O. A. Johansen, Miss Hoffman,
Miss Minnie E. Rousch, Miss Eccles,
and the Messrs. E. C. Johnson, Earl
L. Sweek and Henry Frost.
Many ducks and geese are reported
in the flats about Turnagain Arm.
SALLY OF OUR ALLEY IS
ASSESSED $75 AND COSTS
(Prom Stroller’s Weekly)
Officers raided the City Baths
Cigar Store on Lower Front Street
Wednesday night and found a small
Quantity of that which rears up on
its hind legs and standeth aright in
the glass—to-wit, stark naked moon
shine. The proprietor, Sally Launtie,
was arrested and when she pleaded
guilty before United States Commis
sioner Paine yesterday forenoon she
was fined $75 and costs.
Joe Brown, also of Juneau, a Mex
ican, cultivated a red plush jag Wed
nesday night and -when arrested he
had a bottle of 40-rod on his hip. He
was arraigned before Commissioner
Paine yesterday morning and imme
diately thereafter started a ten-days’
session of nose checker plying in
the courthouse basement.
Urbach’s for Shoes.
229-tf
MANY FISHERMEN DROWN IN
TYPHOON IN PHILIPPINES
MANILA, P. I., Sept. 8 (JP)~Five
survivors who drifted in on a sailboat
after battling with a gale for several
days, reported 35 more fishermen
drowned in a typhoon in the Sua sea
near Palawan island.
George Colwell, accompanied by his
wife and children, were visitors in
town over Sunday.
Gas Launch
KENAI
FISHING AND HUNTING
PARTIES CARRIED DOWN
LAKE KENAI FOR THE
DAY OR TRIP. TELE
PHONE ARRANGEMENTS
TO MILE TWENTY
Louis Bell, owner
Cal M. Brosius
Stockholm Tar,
Hyd. Lime,
Plate Glass,
Colors,
Chimney Brick,
Varnish,
Corner Bead,
Mirrors,
Medusa,
White Atlas,
Keens,
Metal Lath,
Cedar, Oak, Maple,
Arch Brick,
Fire Clay,
Plaster Paris,
Hickory, Iron Bark,
Beaver Board,
Gal. Cor. Iron,
Pulleys,
Flooring,
Fir, Spruce, Maple,
Ceiling,
Rustic,
Roof Pitch,
BB1. Lime, Paints.
Glass Cutting,
Terps, Oils,
Fibered Plaster,
Stains, Putty,
Corner Lath,
Belting, Cement
Doors,
Windows,
Lumber,
Fir Lath,
Fire Brick,
Spruce Finish,
Mouldings,
Z-Lath,
Plaster Board,
Mahogany,
Roof Paper,
Building Paper,
Asbestos Paper,
Shingles,
Sash Rail,
Fir Finish,
LIBBY-OWENS WINDOW GLASS, Single and Doable Strength,
Standard Oil Preducts, Rubber Matting, White Sand,
ASBESTOS STRIP SHINGLES, HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS,
METAL BASEMENT SASH AND FRAMES,
Sidewalk Coal Hole Covers Sidewalk Walk Lights, Etc.
CALM. BROSIUS
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Nails, fifty varieties, Automobile Glass,
Glass, Locks, Hinges,
r
C. M. BJ
CAL M. BROSIUS
Builders’ Supplies
When things Look
BLACK Phone the
Seward Steam Laundry
Telephone Main 148
HOTEL ANCHORAGE
F. L REED, Proprietor
Rooms with Bath. Sample Rooms in Connection
Strictly Modern
Steam Heat
Prices Reasonable
Good Service
HOT AND COLD WATER IN EVERY ROOM
Bus meets all trains and boats
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA