New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-07
Farming Under the Sen.

The fact is not generally known, even in
these parts, the business having been con-
Quoted IN quiet manner, that within three
hours ride OF Boston large and profitable
business has been carried on, ever since
lSl9 along the sea shore, and which ia moth
ing more nor less than farming under the
sea. Six miles south of Minot's Light-that
tall pharos that stands out in the sea.
rocked as cradle on a hidden reckon the
southern side of Massachusetts bay, the
shore suddenly changes its direction and
turns away from the southwest to a little
west OF south just at the turn is Scituate
harbor, and behind the harbor is the Quaint
little village of Scituate, still suggestive Of
Old Colony times and customs. 1t was
here that the "oid oaken bucket'
hung in its well. The summer tourist over
looks this place, with it's dismantled light
mouse, Its breezy cliffs and noble views of
land and sea. Everywhere upon the coast
| OF Eastern New England may be found.
about ten feet below low water mark, the
llchen known as carrageen-the "Irish
moss" OF commerce. 1t may be torn from
the sunken rocks anywhere, and vet this
little seaport Of Scituate is almost the only
place In the country where it is gathered
and cured. This village is the great centre
OF the moss business in this country, and
the entire Union draws its supplies from
those beaches Long rakes are used in
filling this marine farm, and IL does NOT
take long to fill the many dories that await
the iichen, torn from its salty, rocky bed.
lows and dull dark reds, CLEAN and plisten
IN the sunlight. Airy fronds, too delicate
70 grow IN the open air, they spread their
lace Ii Ike shapes under the soft water. far
down in the quiet, below the foam and roar
OF the sea: Every moss-covered rock. every
long irond OF kelp, every cluster and eroya
OF yellow rock weed and green patch Of sea
nj ~,
renected light, while the lordly lobster. q
sort OF a green dragon, crawling backward
ana trailing his arm behind him. darts ont
from between the groves Of kelp, as the
cruel rake is drawn across the fruit. and
WIN staring yellow ieyes in his hideous
an intrusion from above and swims off
WIN rolling motion, through the schools
VI jelly hshes, whose gorgeous globes are
raolant with every tint OF the rainbow
Every rock and boulder is covered witt
moss. The husbands and fathers gather tho
moss from the sea. the wives and daughters
prepare lt for market by peculiar vet aim.
pie process. Soak it in water and r. vii
melt away to jelly. Boil it with milk. and
a delicious, white and creamy blancm.noa
rs Is inc result But this messing ia a hard
me-. It's wet and cold in the boat the
SAND 81 OF the beach is hot and burning. and
M 1ne Washing tubs are hard On the back.
:, nT o aioss business at Scituate was started
M lo49 by resident of the place. At that
. . the demand for the article was limited
put 1t has now increased to an annual
ee, +" nno OF 10000 barrels, and brings
Sr rovuv INTO ITO the town, which sum is shared
ny some l3O families. Its CONSUMPTION in
.ne manufacture of lager beer is verv
large, and the entire beer interest in the
country draws its supplies from Scituate
p'eaches, as the importation from Ireland
ia nas almost ceased. 1t is we'll known that
lne moss, as an article of food is called
1 pea Moss Farine."-Corresponde San
francisco CoL