194 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



FIXED QUOTA NOT DESIRABLE. 



With this fact once determined, the rate of the herd's increase is known, and also 

 the size of the quota that can safely be taken. From any given birth rate, then, the 

 quota of the third year following can be very definitely determined. It will probably 

 never be wise to again fix a hard and fast quota, but a maximum and minimum limit 

 within close range can be fixed, and this should serve the purposes of the lessees as 

 well as of the Government. 



THE PROPORTION OF MALES NEEDED. 



The second problem of importance, namely, the proportion of males needed on 

 the rookeries, is perhaps more easily determined. It will, however, be well to verify 

 it by continued observations and experiments. The investigations of the past two 

 seasons show clearly that with the present breeding herd of 130,000 cows 4,500 adult 

 bulls is a number entirely adequate, even though twice that number are ready and 

 willing to do service. But the mere fact that the rookeries are so evidently 

 overstocked with bulls makes it desirable that this subject should be further studied 

 before final judgment is taken. 



The importance of the second problem, however, does not lie in its solution, but in 

 its practical application. Knowing the proportion of males necessary for breeding 

 purposes and the proportion of males which survive to killable age, the practical 

 question is, how to see that the necessary reserve is set aside each year to replenish 

 the breeding stock as it deteriorates through old age and other causes. 



MINOR PROBLEMS. 



We have mentioned these two important problems which directly concern the 

 taking of the product of the herd. They are absolutely essential. There are other 

 questions of a minor nature, such as the more definite determination of the movements 

 of the seals, and their ages. There is also an important work to be done in the 

 improvement of the breeding grounds, their extension, their drainage, and the purging 

 of places infested with the parasitic worm. 



THE HERD SHOULD BE PLACED IN CHARGE OF A NATURALIST. 



It is not necessary to go into greater detail. We have probably said enough to 

 make clear the wisdom of the one important recommendation which the present 

 commission strongly urges upon the Government at this time. This is the placing of 

 its fur-seal herd permanently in charge of a competent naturalist and practical man 

 of affairs, whose business it shall be to visit the islands each year in the breeding 

 season and to study the condition of the herd and ways for its improvement; to 

 determine the size of the quota which shall be taken, and supervise its taking; in 

 short, to make the needs, possibilities, and limitations of the fur-seal herd his life 

 study. By such a course the Government can hope to have at hand at all times that 

 expert advice and assistance that have been so signally lacking in the past and 

 which are so essential to the proper administration of its future interests. 



This superintendent of the herd should not take the place of the present agents, 

 but should be an additional officer, and his duties should lie wholly with the herd. 

 The agents, as at present appointed, should continue to deal Avith the natives and 



