The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-12-01
THE SPONGE TRADE
A New York Dealer Tells Where and How
lie Obtnins His Gnods.

A New York Dealer Tells Where and How
lie Obtains His Goods.
The only place in this country
where sponges are to be obtained is of
the Florida Keys said big New York
dealer. They are also found among
the islands Of the West Indies and in
the Mediterranean Sea. They also
abound in the Greek and Turkish archi-
pelagoes. The natives dive for them,
and sometimes they go down in from
thirty to forty fathoms Of water. The
divers live only a short time, and after
five or six years become blind or deaf
that is, if they are not eaten by the nu-
merous sharks that abound in these
waters. They are a lazy set Of men,
and after they get their vessels well
prOvisioned will not work until their
supply is exhausted. TIN they will
work until they obtain good cargo.
and then dispose of it on the outer
islands. Six to eight men go on each
vessel. They live on fruit, drink wine
and banker after the society Of females"
'ls the sponge of animal growth?"
CHATS the question which, after an
exhaustive scientific discussion in this
city some years ago, resulted in the
conclusion that it is. In its original
state the sponge resembles the blow-lish
in its appearance. When it is first taken
from the water it has pulpy flesh, and
If iG laid ~, tho how, .,,,1 ,,,-l,,l ,,-;Al.
rushes until the rays OF the sun burn
the flesh off. Then it is put in shallow
water and Graded. -
"What are the different grades Of
sponges, and whence do they Gomez"
"Sheep's wool, grass, velvet and reof
spongcs can be obtained on the Florida
sea-coast. Sheep wool also comes
from Nassau, but it is not as good as
the Florida article. II has large pores.
The grass, velvet, reef and wire
sponges can also be obtained at Nassau,
The wire sponge is not sold for use.
The Mediterranean sponge is known as
the Turkish bath sponge in this coun-
try and as the honeycomb in Europe.
1t is brought TO this market after under
going the process above described, and
bleached here. The bleaching is done
by the use Of manganate of potash.
After this is applied the sponge is
placed in cleansing acids, washed in
salt water, and finally colored to the
desired tint by Il solution of common
washing soda. From Nassau we also
receive the silk, surgeons large cup,
eye-cup, toilet and Zamoca sponges."
"What are the finest sponges, and
where to they come from?"
''They are known as cup-sponges,
and we get them from the Greek archi-
pelagO The sponges used in hospitals
are the small surgeon and abdominal,
and they are rapidly being done away
with, absorption cotton being their sub
stitute. Thesponge now made for medi-
cal use is called a sponge-tent. 1t is
made OF reef-sponge, and is used for
cleaning out wounds and also in OBJ
stetrical cases, The sponge is an arti-
Gle none Of which goes to waste The
clippings are used for filling mattresses,
and are also used by rail engineers for
packing journal boxes"
81 suppose there are no tricks in the
trade?"
80, yes, there are. The sponge can
be easily doctored. Common grass
sponges are frequently bIeached and
put on the market as Turkish goods.
So neat is the work that even druggists
can not detect the difference. ~ Y
| World.