Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-01-27
ALL ABOUT SPONGES.
where and How These Queer AMI
mails Live and Grow.


The facts concerning it are interest
and instructive. and show some strange
features in the lower forms Of animal
life.
A New York Telegram reporter visi-
ted well-known importer OF sponges
exclusively and obtained from HIM the
necessary information regarding the
manufacture Of sponges, the extent OF
the industry, and many other points
about them not generally known. lie
said:
Il can not tell YOU wnen the sponge
was first used in this world, but 1t has
been known ever since the Christian
era began. Amer can spOnges were
first used in this city by the old Dutch
settlers, and the Greeks introduced the
Mediterranean sponges here tn rty-liYe
years ago by hawking them about The
streets, since which time the trade has
grown into millions of dollars annually.
and the industry is an important one.
"ls the sponge of vegetable or ami
NAL growth? asked the reporter.
IAN exhaustive scent tic discussion
IN this city "A few years ago resulted IN
tho cOnclus on that the sponge IS OF
an NAL growth. in its original state, OF
the lowest type. and resembles the
Glow fish in its appearance. 1t is first
taken from the water with apu'py flesh
on. aud it is laid ON the shore aud GOV
cred with rushes until the sun burns
the flesh off, Then it is Graded in
salt water The bleaching IS done by
the use Of magnate of potash, and af-
terward the sponge is placed in oXalic
and muriatic acids, next washed n salt
water, and finally tinged or colored
with soIut on of common washing
soda
where and how are they first OBJ
Ia ned?'
con the Florida Keys IN this country,
around the islands of The West Indies
and in the Med terranean sea- prnci-
paly IN he Greek and Turkish archip'
elagoes The natives dive for them,
sometimes in forty fathom9 Of water.
where the iiaest cup sponges are found.
These divers ARE very shOrt-llved, and
in five or six years become deaf. bin
and rheumat C. unless eaten by sharks,
~ $ sometimes the case. The nat YES
run the own vessels. II 5 untrue
that the sponge dealers own and man
age the fleets of small craft used ii
T sponge fishing. as Is generally claimed.
! for it is a notorious fact that the native
, divers. after getting their vessels well
, prov stoned, will not work, bat vii
laz " fool about until their suppl e.
have exhausted, when the will hsl
/ until good cargo is Obtained. ant
then dispose OF it on the outer islands
Every vessel is manned bv from five {,
six men. who live on fruit and drink
wine, and are very fond OF the society
of Women"
"What are the different grades o
sponges?
, "Our Florida sea coast supplies tn
r Sleeps WOO, velvet, grass, aud rec
J.
, Sleeps wool, but it is not as strong a
the Florida article, though much Xix,
1 it and with larger pores. and also the
grass, velvet, reef and wire sponges
but the latter is not sold to use; tn
Mediterranean sponges. called the Tur k
ish bath sponge in TN country and thu
O honeycomb in Europe. They ar
l brought here in the natural state anC
T bleeched We also receive from tn
!. same source the silk. surgeons. larg
/ cup, eve cup, toilet and Zamock
j sponges. The dealers in New York
' London. Hamburg and Trieste do the
blccching"
e ''llas any attempt been made t
:. grow spongos in this vicinity2"
e 'In 1880 it was tried at Bowery Ba
i beech. on Long Island. but proved
o failure"
II Where do you receive the fine,
: sponges from?"
: The Greek archipolago-tho Gu
o sponges.
w lldA 0lb liV ~ iiN pau iii"i MUS.
a New York for all grades, and Lon
II don, Hamburg and Trieste for Turk :
g goods. Nassau has an exchange f.
j. the sponge trade. and. in fact. it is IT,
o principal business OF that place.
: This city there are \ importing house
y and the aggregate value OF their tr ad
I 5 from 81 600, 900 to IS, 900 900 annu
: ally. There are five or six jobbers be
$ sides who buy IN the market
J. What are the prices Of the d Gcren
grades.
Flor da sheeps wool sell from 81. I
to 81 by the bail of from 20 to ~
- pounds; velvet IS from 20 cents to ST.
per pound 10y tho bale; gras, is fror
35 TO 80 cents n pound by the bale. an
reef from 81. 80 to $50 by the balc
:, OF the foreign sponges the Nassau pre-
:. duct Is sold for 80 per cent. less tina
; the Florida goods. There is duty {