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Show THIS AMBER INDUSTRY Tho busInoijB Qf obtaining' amber from the ocean has been for a long time a state monopoly In Prussia. Tho chief center of the industry is in tho province of eastern Prussia. Tho gathering of tho amber goes on throughout the yoar, but it is most profitable at tho time of tho equinoctial equinoc-tial storms, when the winds and the wavos throw it ashore. After a storm the fisherman drag the beach. They deposit the haul upon the strand, where the women and chlldern pick out the pieces of amber from among the soaweeds. Tho pieces aro assorted assort-ed according to size, color, and form. Tho value of a pioco of amber Is on-hancod on-hancod whon It bears the impressions impres-sions of plant or animal substances. Tho prices of tho pieces vary from about 13 cents to 75 cents, but may roach to $100 or more. The price per pound runs from about $1.25 to $7.50. A very large piece sometimes attains the wolght of sixteen or seven-toon seven-toon ounces. The color is most commonly com-monly tho familiar yellow, but it may bo reddish brown or emerald green or creamy color, and some pieces are quite white. Tho total yield Is valued val-ued at $1,500,000 a yoar. |