Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-07-16
Pearl Fishing in Vermont,

The pcarl-producing, fresh-water
clam, or mussel, is found in some West
ern streams, though fow pearls have
yet been discoveredin them. IL seems
that fresh water pearls are found most
abundantly in tho Winooski river in
Vermont, not far from its source, and
In IFS small tributaries. Within a few
years much attention has been given
to hunting them, and vast quantities
Of tho molluscs have been destroyed
by the merciless pearl-hunters, yet
they are still found in great numbers.
Pearls are moro frequently found in
clans that live on stony or gravelly
bottoms, as a grain OF sand or some
small foreign substance that has en-
tered the shell forms the nucleus around
which the layers of pearl are made,
taking an unknown number of years
to form even small pearl. Some
times thoy are taken from river beds
of clay and mud. 1t is said clans
must be seven years old before they
begin to form pearl.
The claims move slowly from place
to place, crawling edgewisc, leaving a
groovc.like track. The small end of
the clam sticks in the bottom OF the
stream with the large end out and
open, out Of this portion of the ami
NAL protrudes, but at the least dis
turbance withdraws, and the shell
closes so tight it can not DO opened
without being cut at both ends.-
When open, the pearl if any, is at
once seen in the small end, imbedded
in the "flap."
The instruments necessary for "pearl-
bunting" as it is commonly calico, ARE
an iron rod, nattend at one end, with
barbs cut in il TO draw out the clans,
handled basket to carry them in, a
stout knife to open the shells, and a
box Of fine cotton in which to put the
pearls.
Sometimes the fisherman wears high
rubber boots, oitener he wades into
the river with baro feet and his
breeches rolled high, with his basket
on arm and spcarin hand. lie thrusts
his spear into any open shell he may
SEQ on the bottom, which Immediately
closes, when be pulls it out, puts it in
his basket, and looks for another
When satisfied with the number ho
has got, he carries them TO the bank,
where he sits down and opens them.
Inexperienced hunter can usually tell
before opening if there is pearl in
side, as only the deformed shells con-
tain one. Often thousands of shells
are opened and the inmates destroyed
without obtaining single pearl Of
value. Sometimes browDish ones, lus-
terlcss, and of no value are found
The white and rose colored ones alone
have the beautiful light and desirable
lustre.
Probably more depends upon luck
than skill. G. ii. Stevens, Esq ol
East Montepelier, is one of the most
successful pearl fishers Of that region
and the one who some years ago found
the largest pearl that has been dis
covered in the United States. lie
says; "Tbe largest pearl found was
in two feet Of water where il ran
swift. 1t was in the first shell took
out, and / could see tho place close tc
it where some one else had taken out
another. The pearl is | of an inch in
diameter, round as ball, and Of fine
lustre. 1t is now owned by q gentle
man in New York, who values il
among the thousands 1t was nearly
in the middle of the clam by tho hinge
the only one / ever heard of being
found there"
For successful hunting still day il
necessary, as small ripple on deeT
water will hide the clans. In shal
low water it is not so important.
Upon such day, during pearl
fever" it IL not uncommon TO see mum
bers of men and boys, and sometimes
women, standing in the Winoosk
gathering the clams, or seated on Tho
bank opening them. In warm weatb
or sometimes, such numbers Of clam'
are destroyed that the air is tainted
with their decay for long distance.
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