The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-08-26
Louisiana Moss.

Louisiana Moss.
As the best qualities and the LARGEST
quantities are found in cypress swamps,
and generally on the tallest trees. unless
the moss clinging to these be detached
and thrown to the ground by wind
storms, the usual and easiest method is
to fell the trees. when all the moss can
with facility and rapidity be removed.
When first gathered from the tree. il is
of light grayish or lead color, and in
that condition not observation-disclosures
fore not shipped. Before this can be
done, it is made to undergo a rottinp or
curing process, by which what is known
and termed the bark OF the moss fiber
is removed. This process requires from
thirty to forty days and is effected bv
depositing the green moss in wet
bitches or trenches, where flow of
water over and through the moss is
secured. Subsequently, when the bark
has beer, removed and the moss has as
sumed a black, glossy color, it is ex-
posed to the sun, thoroughly dried,
then baled and shipped to New Orleans,
where other treatment awaits it,
1t must be understood that there are
grades and classifcations in moss, as in
other articles of commerce, and that
they are adopted and recognized as
standards of type in the market and by
the trade. These classifcations are four
in number, ranging from No. to No.
4, the latter being the highest type.
When moss reaches New Orleans, it is
sent to the factory, where it is INHALED
and picked, so as TO separate the various
types which may be in one bale, and
after cullng and immersion in baths.
where it is thoroughly cleansed, it is
exposed to air and sun to be dried.
After passing through the picking, wash
ing and drying process, it is then passed
through the moss gin, each quality or
type separately, and thus baled. when it
is ready for shipment. At this stage
the classifications are again changed.
The former, No. to No 4, applying to
moss as it reaches the city. while after
undergoing the several processes at the
factory it becomes known as wash No. |
to No. 3, the No. being technically.
known as vegetable hair, the highest
grade of which sells at the rate of 12k
cents per pound.
There are at present in New Orleans
three of these factories or moss cleaning
establishments, each handling and ma
nipulating daily fifty to sixty bales of
the article, and a total during the year
OF thirty to forty thousand bales. They
employ together about one hundred la
borerS, male and female, paying weekly
wages ranging from five to ten dollars.
There is no reason whatever why the
receipts at New Orleans should not be
one hundred thousand bales. With that
increase there would be no glat, as the
demand will keep step with the increase
and development of the industries which
utilize and absorb it. The swamps and
forests OF Louisiana can furnish any sup
ply for general ons to come. One par
ish alone, that of Lafourche, is capable
of an annual yield of twenty thousand
bales If the proper energy and labor be
applied. .0' l."b -l'i.-
1t is estimated that an active and
able-bodied man, in Il chosen locality,
can gather daily of green moss what
will make when cured and dried one
hundred pounds, worth at current prices
from three to four dollars, according to
type; which, after deductions for bail
ing, freight, ETC., will yield, a return of
two and one-half to three dollars for
each days work. With these induce
ments, and the additional one that little
or no capital is needed, there is no rea-
son why during the idle months pre-
ceding the contemplating season all
hands, particularly in parishes which
suffered most and longestfrom the over
flow, should not turn out in force and
set themselves to moss gathering. The
sWamDS are full of the material and the
overflow has contributed to cure (and
that is the best of curing) all the moss
which was on the ground. All that is
to be done is to gather and dry it.
What can thus be collected and sent to
market will contribute somewhat to
make good the losses sustained from in
undation, and will 90 far toward pay
ing for the cotton bagging and other
fall necessities of the farm and planta-
ton. M o. Picdy1tlle.
A Hazardous Undertaking.