FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY. 89 
an investigation was undertaken in 1916 in order to obtain the salient 
facts. 
The work was taken up along two lines—first, to ascertain the 
extent of the deposits on the islands and, second, to ascertain the 
commercial value of the bones. It was not practicable to undertake 
field work for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of bones 
until late in the summer. Various areas were examined in a system- 
atic manner, but the season’s work was completed so late that a 
full report could not be completed before the departure of the last 
vessel leaving the islands in the year. A preliminary report received 
by the office indicated that on the fields which were examined there 
are about 6,000 tons of bones and that other fields not examined 
would also prove to be productive of material. A considerable 
quantity of bones was also collected and forwarded to Seattle on 
the supply ship. Portions of this consignment were subsequently 
forwarded to various persons and firms who were interested in the 
matter and desired to have an opportunity to examine and analyze 
the material. An analysis of a quantity of the bones by the Bureau 
of Soils, Department of Agriculture, showed that they contained 
from 24.85 to 25.26 per cent of phosphoric acid and from 4.57 to 
4.80 per cent of nitrogen. 
When the commercial killing of seals is again resumed the surplus 
carcasses will be available as a source of fertilizer material and possibly 
of other products. Use is made of waste meat and bones in the 
preparation of food products for domestic farm animals, and the 
possibility of utilizing seal carcasses for these products should receive 
careful consideration. It has been estimated roughly that the amount 
of raw material available will be about 50 pounds per seal. 
Seal throats—The natives of the Pribilofs are accustomed to utiliz- 
ing to a limited extent the tough, leathery throats of the fur seals in 
the manufacture of cardcases and other small articles, chiefly for sale 
as souvenirs. In 1915 and 1916 efforts were made by the Bureau 
to determine whether a product could not be made from these throats 
which would meet with a steady demand in some industry. Quan- 
tities of the throats were secured at the islands and steps were taken 
to bring the subject to the attention of various firms which might 
be interested in experimenting with the material. A few samples 
were tanned by the Helburn Leather Co., Salem, Mass. The quality 
of the product was satisfactory, but the expense of tanning the throats, 
due to their small size, made it questionable whether they could 
be marketed in competition with other products. However, the 
Bureau has not suspended its efforts, and it is hoped that sooner or 
later some one will find an economic use for what remains otherwise 
largely a waste product. 
