The record-union., 1891-08-27

carried out, and the conclusion has been
reached that sponges can be cultivated
with profit, though considerable outlay
at the beginning is required.
The first trials were made at Key West,
and the method of procedure was as fol-
lows: The sponges were all raised from
cuttings planted in localities not entirely
suited to their best development; there
fore, they did not flourish as well as they
might have done under better condi-
tIonS. These cuttings were fastened to
the bottom in water two and half feet
deep by means of wires running through
them, and were allowed to remain there
undisturbed for six months before they
We're removed. AS four months elapsed
before they recovered from the injuries
inflicted III the cutting, which removes
the outer ''skin" along the edges of the
section, their actual growth during two
months only could be noticed.
Each OF these cuttings was originally
two and half inches in hight; one was
planted in an inlet in which there was
little current, and increased but little in
size; the others We're placed in tide-ways,
and grew to from four to six times their
bulk.
FOREIGN EXPERIMENTS.
The report of the results of expert
ments in the artificial propagation of
sponges in the Adriatic Sea, carried on
Dy MI DuccicL, contains SO many SuS-
gestions which might be of use in con-
Quoting like experiments on the Florida
reefs that some of the most. important
have found place in this article.
These experiments confirmed the opin-
ion expressed by Professor O. Schmidt
in his article on the sponges of the Adri-
attic, that if perfectly fresh sponge is
cut into suitable pieces, and if these
pieces, properly protected, are again
n1p1I tho fhnU will and
finally develop into complete sponges."
The most favorable season for raising
SpongeS from cuttings is the winter. Ii
is fact, however, that the growth Of the
sponge and of the new portions increases
more slowly in winter than in summer,
but extreme heat is liable to endanger
the health of the sponge because Of its
tendency to rot. In winter Il sponge may
remain on dry land for several hours,
while in summer it will often die in few
moments, particularly if it has been in
juTed in the cutting and is not kept con-
Stantly wet with sea water.
The localities best adapted to sponge
growth are bays, III which the waves are
not too Strong-an entirely smooth sur
face is not prelerable-witha a rocky bot
tom covered with sea weeds and exposed
to a gentle current. The mouths of
streams and rivers and Of subterranean
springs should be avoided.
HINTS FOR SPONGE GROWERS.
The most favorable way of gathering
sponges for cuttings is to bring them up
with their base, since they are frequently
injured i'll the operation Of tearing them
from their base. The sponges selected
need not be the perfect specimens which
have commercial value, but the ILL
shaped ones which are worthless in trade,
but well suited to the purposes to which
thew are 10 be dGVelODed
Sponges, as they are gathered, should
not be placed in vessel to remain there
till cut, lest they become injured by
pressing against each other, or by violent
shaking. a better eXpedient is provided
IN hanging them on wooden pegs in the
inside OF box held in tow by the fish
ing boat.
If the season is very cold one, sponges
can be prepared for raising as soon as
they reach the place in which the process
is to be carried on; if the temperature is
high it will be well to delay awhile to see
il there be any indication of putrefaction,
which can be detected in the dark color
and the softening of the affected parts.
| The cutting should be done with sharp
knife, or with a blade resembling a fine
saw, which is not liable to injury from
the sand and other foreign bodies in
closed in the SpOnges. The cuttings
should have as much as possible of the
outer skin left intact, and must be i'm
mediately fastened to their new base of
wood or stone. 1t is affirmed that dur
ing calm, lasting tWenty-four conSecu-
tive hours, cuttings simply strewn upon
a rocky bottom, will take firm hold and
grow.
The most characteristic tendency of cut
tings is to grow round, and this develop
ment will be greatly facilitated by string
ing them on pegs, i'll an apparatus de-
signed to protect them from the excess of
| light and from the mud and sand Of the
bottom OF the bay. This apparatus, as
prepared by Mr.. Buccich, consists Of two
boards, one forming the bottom, the other
the lid. These boards are kept in parallel
positions and separated from each other
by TWO props, between which stone can
be laid for ballast. On the outer side of
the lid is handle. Both boards are
pierced with holes about four inches
apart, and into these are stuck pegs. to
each of which three pieces of sponge are
fastened. AS soon as the apparatus is
filled, it should be let down into the
water, if the temperature is high, while
III winter delay will not prove iniuri-
Gus.
TINE REQUIRED FOR MATURE GROWTH.
Cuttings attain fair size in five wears.
but matured sponges, fit for merchandise,
require seven years for their complete
grow III. l. uG IllOSl jdNOTdDIG time 1Or
sponge fishing is from May or June till
the last of August, for during that time
the water is generally smoother and
clearer than at any other period. 1t some
times happens that the most favorable
conditions appear in the winter, and fish
ing can be conducted with great success,
rs sponges are thought to average larger
during that season than in the summer.
Formerly, sponges were only gathered
in shallow water, and it was con-
sequently easy to detect them with the un-
aided eye, but since it has been ascer-
tanned that the most valuable specimens
grow in water from twenty to thirty-tive
feet deep, their position cannot be deter
mined without the aid of the sponge
glass. This glass consists Of a wooden
bucket with plain glass set into the bot
tom, for use in viewing the bottom of the
sea. The inside Of the bucket is painted
a dark color. In using a sponge-glass it
is usually dipped below the level of the
sea to avoid the motion of the water. The
head is then thrust down into it as far as
is convenient and necessary, and in this
way objects on the sea bottom can be
readily distinguished.
| CATCHING, BLEACHING AND SHIPPING.
Sheepswool spongeS arc the most diff
| cult TO detach from their bases, and vel
! low sponges the easiest of those grown in