64 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



were prepared. Approximately 500 feet of trench about 6 feet in 

 depth was dug, in which the 4-inch pipe was laid from the tanks down 

 to the center of the village. The work in the coming season will be 

 continued by the erection of the storage tanks and the laying of 

 lateral-supply pipes on the various streets of the village. 



The general plan, which is being developed along lines suggested 

 by A. Chris toff ersen, is to pump water to the large tanks on the hill 

 and thence distribute it by gravity through the village. The source 

 of the supply will be dejpendent upon the results of well-drilling oper- 

 ations to be conducted in cooperation with the Navy Department. 

 If artesian water is not thus secured, it is planned to continue the pipe 

 line to a series of wells on the flat near the village, or possibly to ice- 

 house pond, about 6,000 feet distant. 



In 1920 an attempt was made by the Navy Department to drill an 

 artesian well but without success, owing to inadequate equipment. 

 In 1921 the work was again undertaken, the bureau bearing part of 

 the expense. Two attempts were made, one about half a mile from 

 the village and the other on the hill adjacent to the village. Both 

 projects failed, because the available casmg was exhausted and other 

 aifficulties were encountered which could not be overcome with the 

 equipment at hand. It is felt that the chances for success in 1922 

 are much better because of the experience in the preceding seasons 

 and improved facilities. The expense is to be borne jointly by the 

 Navy Department and the bureau. The former is interested because 

 of the desirability of improving the water supply at the radio station. 



BY-PRODUCTS PLANT. 



The by-products plant on St. Paul Island began operations on 

 June 27 and closed August 14, 1921. The output during this period 

 was 1,270 gallons ''A" oil, 3,030 gallons "B" oil, 921 gallons press 

 oil, 50 gallons of foots, and 76 sacks containing 8,759 pounds of fer- 

 tilizer meal. The plant, however, was not operated to its full capac- 

 ity. There were shipped to Seattle on the U. S. S. Saturn 128 sacks 

 oi meal held over from 1920 and 74 sacks of meal made in 1921 ; also, 

 47 barrels of oil for the Fouke Fur Co., St. Louis, were forwarded. 

 In addition, five barrels of oil were shipped on the Coast Guard cutter 

 Unalga to the Fouke Fur Co. Fifty gallons of oil foots were sent 

 to St. George Island for the experimental feeding of foxes. The meal 

 was disposed of in Seattle at tne rate of $17.50 per ton, or a total of 

 $139.13. The proceeds were covered into the Umted States Treasury. 



IMPROVED SEALING METHODS. 



In the summer of 1921 experiments were undertaken and sub- 

 sequently developed along practical lines which have resulted in what 

 are regarded as notable improvements in the method of taking fur- 

 seal s£ns. In the past the pelts have been removed by the native 

 workmen in the ordinary manner of skinning animals. Notwithstand- 

 ing the utmost care even by the most skilled workmen, cuts or flays 

 would occasionally result on the underside of the pelt. This naturally 

 lessened the value of the skin when finally made ready for market. In 

 1921, however, a method was developed of removing the pelts, so 

 that it was necessary to use the knife only to slit the skin along the 



