Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-31
pEeeorrY eeAcH MosssRs.

A New England Industry That Provides 4
the Housewife with Blame Mango.
Fair old Scituate boasts an industry |
in which, II ina no other, il is the lead |
ing town in the country, II has. as
none OF its more wealthy sister towns /
have. its moss From the rocks that !
carpet its harbor and make its shores
feared by the sailor is gathered an in
come every year that may not be
prineely, but is still large enough to
compensate the town for the lack Of
noisy, smoky factories and strong
smelling wharveS
When the moss gathering industry
began in Scituate no one knows Prob
ably the value Of the moss was first
discovered by accident by some fisher
mans wife. The gathering and Curing
of moss for food began in Ireland many
years ago. II was used principally by
the people of the south Of Ireland. near
the seaeoast. Many people have made
the claim that they introduced the in,
duStry in this country, but even the
oldest inhabitants Of Scituate are In
doubt as TO who was the first.
The particular locality where the
business is carried on Is called Peg
gotty Beach" Little Peggotty village
IS punched here. and here the moSSers
and their families ply their trade.
There is no loafing Everybody is ex.
pected 70 do his share of the labor.
While the father is ont in his boat rob
bling the sea TO put bread in his family's
mouth and blanc mango and jelly into
the mouths OF mankind. the wives and
daughters are wading along the rocks
near the shore filling their aprons with
the smaller pieces Of the moss
The boys are at the same time raking
and turning the patches Of moss that
are laid out in regular lots in front OF
each creel house The veteran moss
er" is on the beach at sunrise. There
IS much to do before the tide will
answer. and he must watch the tides.
With garden rake he levels of a patch
on the gravcled beach. always being
careful not 10 leave a footprint. Then
he carries the moss that his wife and
daughters have washed out the night
before and spreads it on the smooth
spots. II is of many colors. from the
maroon. purple black to a delicate vel
low, according to the washings and
bleachings il has received.
A low tide in the morning and a
westerly breeze-not winds what
the men pray for. Out by the rocks Of
Third Cliff the double spirits and dories
were already stationed. and men were
standing up in the boat poking around
in the water with long poles In order
to get a nearer view the reporter hired
, typical small boy to take him out in
his dory.
How do you know when you are
, over mossy was asked Of man whom
+, the guide called father"
, 'Oh. can see it" was the answer.
The uninitiated could not distinguish
!, one rock from another at the bottom,
but the experience Of years flor some Of
these people have been here az many as
thirty years. makes their sight wonder,
fully keen.
The rake used in scraping the rocks
i has a handle fifteen feet long fitted into
a heavy iron head The teeth are sci
:, very close together and are SHARP
a pointed. Over the back part OF TIL,
] head there is a guard that keeps tht
:, load from falling back into the water
4 As much as two pounds Of moss can b,
: torn of the rocks at one shove Of tn,
rake. A good days work for one mar
is l25 pounds Of moss. The cargo vel
dom falls below seventy pounds
Ie Should the mOSser lose run OF rocl
$. which offers good yield. and til,
IT ruffied waters interfere with his tindinI
IT II, bottle Of oil is brought into requi
\. sition and little Of it is thrown ON tn
is water to quiet the ripples
st The moss gatherers are met on tn
d beach by the young folks. aud '.creels
" holding barrel each OF the weed ar
Ie filled to the brim Mt tile boats, aud Il |
), then spread to dry ON the beach. T.
Ie bleach the moss TO the desired colo
,e eight washings must be made; 1t
st housed. when perfectly dry, in til
slIanties. Cor Boston Globe.