whalebone: its production and utilization. 11 



As previously noted, the bone from the back or upper edge of the 

 slab is of lower grade than the grain bone. There is relatively little 

 shell on it, and also a complete absence of the fibrous condition noted 

 in the middle of the grain bone. If cut parallel with the surface of 

 the slab in the manner already described, it is extremely liable to 

 warp, curl up, and split, and would sell very low, from 75 cents to $2 

 per pound. In recent j^ears it has been customary in working up the 

 backs to cut them at right angles with the surface of the slab instead 

 of parallel therewith ; or, as the cutters express it, they are cut " edge- 

 ways instead of sideways." This reduces. the tendency to warp and 

 split, due largely to the verj^ small quantity of shell on the edges of 

 the strips. This portion of the slab is not suitable for dress bone, 

 and is cut up into corset bone as already described. When cut 

 edgcAvays it sells for $5 or $G per pound. 



There is a small demand for grain bone in the form of slender 

 round pieces about 1 millimeter in diameter and from 25 to 40 inches 

 long. Some j'ears ago large quantities of these, in lengths of -25 to 

 28 inches, were used in men's felt hats, being placed under the sweat 

 bands to impart stiffness to the brim. Those 27 inches long, the 

 average length, weigh 4 ounces to the gross. The demand for these 

 at present is very small. Small quantities of slender strips in lengths 

 of 36 to 40 inches are purchased by silk spinners, who use them as 

 turning sticks in their spinning work. These pieces are also em- 

 ployed to a small extent for winding on ornamental sword hilts; 

 this use, however, is more popular in Japan than in this country. 



In the various processes of splitting and cutting there is consider- 

 able fiber left over in pieces not sufficienth^ large for use in corset 

 bone. These are commonly split in bristle sizes and used in the man- 

 ufacture of coarse stiff brushes. They appear to be especially suited 

 for flue brushes. The usual selling price of these bristles is about $1 

 per pound. 



The shavings of membranous tissue resulting from scraping the 

 shell bone are commonly sold to upholsterers at 15 or 20 cents per 

 pound. This product is considerable in working Northwest bone; 

 but as Arctic bone constitutes the greater part of that used nowadays, 

 the quantity of shavings produced is very small. They are especially 

 sought after for bedding material. 



A^^len whalebone was cheaper, canes made from this material were 

 somewhat popular, and a few are made even at present. The Arctic 

 whalebone is rarely thick enough for this purpose, and usually the 

 back portion of the Northwest bone is employed. Sometimes after 

 the shai^ing these canes are steamed, twisted, and then set by dipping 

 them into cold water, so that they will retain the twisted shape. The 

 Northwest bone is also sometimes used for making " bare-bone " 

 whips — that is, whips made entirely of whalebone and without 

 wrapping. 



