National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-11-01
Florida Sponge Fishing.

The returns of the Florida sponge-tish
cries amount to from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty thousand pounds
annually, furnishes employment to many
men and boats. The sponge is gathered
by means of a long pole, with two and
sometimes three hooks upon the end.
This is thrust down into the sponge,
which can be distinctly seen in the clear
water at the depth of thirty feet. As the
fisherman must see the sponge, he can
successfully work only in clear and
smooth water. They obviate the rough.
ness by throwing upon the surface oil
made from the sharks that abound in
these waters, or by contriyance made
of pane OF glass set into box or
bucket this they place on the surface
and use as a spy glass. The large schoon-
ers come to anchor and send out small
boats to fish, but when the wind is not too
strong, the smaller crafts sail around,
with man on the fore-part on the look
out for the sponge; they also have their
small boats. The sponge, after it is gath
cred, is allowed to remain in the sun for
two or three days to die. The gelatinous
matter that is in them decays, and they
are very offensive at this stage. They
are then placed in pens (made by driving
poles into the water near the shore, to
wash there they remain week, and
are then ready to be bleached in the sun,
cut into shape, and baled for the market.
There are five kinds gathered in these
waters. The most valuable is called the
shee, s-wool, for which the fishermen
get one dollar pound when cleaned and
dry. Then there are the boat and yellow
sponges. OF the former not much is
found. For these they get twenty-five
cents a pound. Besides these there is
the glove sponge, which ranks about the
same as the common grass sponge, which
only brings them ten cents a pound.
Hearth and Home
Disastrous HARVEST IN SCOTLAND
The harvest OF Scotland is, according to
the Scotsman, the most disastrous that
has been known since the year 1916, when
what were known as the Meal Riots took
place. The heavy and continued fall Of
rain during the second week OF September
drenched the sheaves aud cut grain
through and through, which is in many
cases an irreparable mischief. good
many samples of oats and wheat, MS well
as of barley have been shown in Edin
burgh Corn Exchange during the first
three weeks; hut, when compared with
grain of the 1871 crop, they exhibit an
astonishing and deplorable deterioration,
but even that does not show tho full dam
age done to the crop, because all the
grains that had seriously sprouted had
been taken ont of the samples by means
of screens and riddles. The worst fears
regarding the potato crop have been real
lied and an illustration of the extent OF
the failure of the crop is given. In ordln-
ary years stout man with three assist
ants 1.-TWO women and boy, could easily
raise and weigh ready for market eight
bolls or thirty-two cwt., potatoes every
day. For the last fortnight 1t has taken
very active man and three assistants to
one and a-hali bolls, or six cwt., OF sound,
and three bolls, or twelve cwt. of diseased
potatoe. per day, All this is bad news
for the winter.
Drying PuupKINs 5. - We have tried all
modes of driving. but no plan is equal. we
think. to this Take the ripe pumpkins,
pare, cut into small pieces, stew soft,
mash and strain through cullender, as II
for making pies. Spread this pulp on
plates in LAYERS not quite an inch thick !;
| drv it down in the stove oven, keep at SO
low n temperature as not to scorch it.
In about a day it will become dry and
crisp. The sheets thus made can be
stored away in a dry place, and they are
always ready for use for pies or sauce.
Soak the pieccs over night in a little
milk. and they will return to nice pulp,
az delicious as the fresh pumpkin-we
think much more so. The quick drying
after cooking prevents any portion from
slightly souring, as it is always the case
when the uncooked pieces are dried the
flavor is much better preserved, and after
cooking is saved. This plan is qnite as
little trouble as the old mode, to say
nothing of the superiority in the quality
of the material obtained. Try it and you
will not return to the old method, We are
sure, and you will also become a great
lover of pumpkin pie all the year round.
TlIR TgASsIT OF NENus.-For the pur-
pose of doing justice to the transit of
Venus. which is to take place in December,
1874, England is preparing eight hello
Photographic apparatuses on the model
of that at Kew. Russia has three Of the
same model, and has ordered fourth !;
G., rmany also will have four; Portugal
one. Those of the United States will be
of A different make, and those used bv
the French will be constructed according
to the plan of the late NJ. Delaunary.