Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-12-31
ARTIFICIAL SPONGE CULTURE.
Proposition to Increase the supply
Greatly.

Proposition tn Increase the supply
Greatly.
Several causes have recently combin-
ed to reduce the supply OF sponges in
the American market, says the New
YORK Tribune. The paralysis of all in
dustry in Cuba in consequence OF the
civil war now prevailing there is one
OF them. The West Indies. Bahamas
and Florida are the principal centers of
production in this part of the world.
Reckless fishing which threatens to ex-
terminate the sponges, much rs SINH
lar proceedings do the seals off the
coast OF Alaska is another factor in the
situation. These facts lend peculiar
interest to the proposition lately made
to the United States government,
through its consular agent at Mitylene,
~ Greek named Charalampos Choir
phios, to establish the business of ar
tincially cultivating sponges some
where on the Florida coast, II he can
get concession. A great deal has been
done In the past under the auspices of
the national and state fishery commits
lakes and rivers with trout. bass, shad
and salmon, with small fry Matched and
nurtured under human management.
Artificial means, too, have much to do
with culture of the oyster and the
maintenance of the supply OF that BIZ
valve. But the reasonableness OF the
project of Mr.. Chorphios does not rest
alone fhaco M re o.
ical experts in Washington are said to
have shown confidence in it's practical
bility. They say that by taking prop
er measures the Florida sponge fisher
les could be brought to a high state of
productiveness in few years. The
men already engaged in the industry
might not, however, relish this inter-
ference In behalf OF the public. The
tough soft, elastic, fibrous moss which
Is to be had at the druggists, under the
name of sponge, is really the skeleton
which once supported a whole colony
of jelly-like creatures which have built
up that structure These propagate, ma
turally, in two ways, by means OF
spores or eggs and by the formation OF
buds which eventually split off from
the mature polyp. The scientific sponge
culturist proceeds on a plan which util-
ICES both of those methods, but Is like Q
common practice in horticulture. He
simply cuts up the tenement house Ql
a colony into a number Of pieces. EN-
ploying a sharp knife or razor for the
purpose and conducting the operation
while the pulpy mass is still under
water. He is also careful to leave ;
portion of the original outer surface OF
each fragment. Each bit may then b.
loaded with a small stone or other sink
er to take 1t to the bottom again. A
few of these sections fail to revive; bu
the great majority, after an interval o
two or three months begin to thrive ant
eventually grow to considerable size
There are hundreds of distinct spe
cies of sponges, but scarcely dOzcl
are suited to mans use. 1t Is asserte,
that those which are obtained from
Mediterranean waters are the finest i,
the world; yet the delicate sheep
| wool" and velvet sponges OF Floridi
! are wonders OF softness and beauty
| And If system of artificial culture
should come into vogue these choic
varieties could be produced almost n
| abundantly as the coarser grades ar
| now.