The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-12-06
THE SPONGE TRADE.
A New York Dealer Tells WlleY o and How
He Obtains His Goods.


He Obtains His Goods.
1.-THE only place in this country
where sponges are to be obtained is of
the Florida Keys" said a 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 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 arc a lazy set of men,
and after they get their vessels we'll
provisioned will not work until their
supply is exhausted. Then they will
work until they obtain a good cargo,
and then dispose of it on the outer
islands. Six to eight men go on each
vessel. They live on fruit, drink vino
and banker after the society of females"
els the sponge of animal growth?"
"That's tho question which, after an
exhaustive scientific discussion in this
city some years ago, resulted in tho
conclusion that it is. In it's original
state the sponge resembles the blow-fsh
in its appearance. When it is first taken
from the water it has pulpy flesh, and
it is laid on the shore and covered with
rushes until the rays of the sun burn
the flesh off. Then it is put in shallow
water and 'cradled.'
''What are the different grades OF
Bponges, and whence do they Gomez"
''Sheep's wool, grass, velvet and reel
sponges can be obtained on the Florida
sea-coast. Sleeps wool also come,
from Nassau, but it is not as good al
the Florida article. 1t 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.
It 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 a 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. The sponge 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.''
Il suppose there are no tricks in the
,trade?''
20, yes, there are. The sponge can
be easily doctored. Common grass
sponges are frequently bleached and
put ON the market as Turkish goods.
So neat is the work that even druggists
can not detect the difference. IN y
World.