The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-01

the outer layers must be peeled off to
reach the pearly surface. Some very fine
pearls have been Of this kind, but 1t re-
quires great care and skill to get the pearl
out Of the hard and often thick casing
successfully, and the most careful and
expert work Is not always rewarded, as
the inner part Is sometimes valueless.
A pearl, whatever the kind, means not
only an accident to the clam, but one that
has been successfully overcome. Judging
from an experiment made by an old Mis-
stssippi river clammer, who has for years
been studying clans and their ways, at
least 80 per cent of these accidents are
fatal Having read of the Chinese method
Of introducing grains Of sand into the
shells OF oysters to induce them to make
pearls, he tried a similar experiment with
CLANS. In a small, shallow arm Of the
river, near where this man was camping,
was q hshed-out clam bed. Taking fifty
CLAIMS, he inserted in the shell Of each a
grain OF sand, and placed them in this old
bed. Forty six Of the number died, but
the remaining four pearled over the sand
grains and seemed to be in as good con-
dition as II nothing had happened It Is
quite possible, however that If the sand
had entered the shells in a more natural
way, and the CLAIMS had remained un-
disturbed in the bed from which they
were taken, the fatality might have been
less.
When clam is pearling over a. sub
stance, the tendency Is to make it round
Were 1t otherwise there would be no per-
feet pearls, as no particle Is a complete
orb when 1t enters a shell and becomes
the basis Of a pearl. A pearl that, when
rolled on a level glass surface-which Is
| the crucial test Of its shape-does not
show the slightest inequality is a valu-
able pearl, providing its color and 1uster
are good, Many pearls found by the Mis-
! sissippt river clammers, not perfectly
| round, yet In other respects fine, COM
mand good prices, as they can be set to
conceal slight defects Of shape. The
colors Of Mississippi river pearls vary
from white and a delicate roseate pink to
dark shade Of heliotrope. Some of them
have an iridescence which is unusual in
| pearls and Is most attractive. @
| AS the gamester believes that luck
however long deferred will at last be his
each clammer confidently expects to find
a big and perfect pearl. Such are occa-
sionally found on the Upper Mississippi
A few years ago a pink pearl was taken
from a clam bed at Red Wing, MINI.
that was sold to dealer for s., 200. The
dealer disposed of It at a round profit
and later it went to Europe and, 1t L.
said. is now among the jewels Of an Eng
lish duchess. Few such pearls are found
| but even q few are enough to inspire en-.
clanlmers; and it is not altogether a hope
deferred, as, during a summer, most Of
them find number Of good pearls.
| It is said by those who live In house.
boats and make clam-fishing regular
business, that, as in gambling, there Il
4 the beginners luck" It Is also stated
that when a man who has the pearl fe
YER" begins to get discouraged, and L
about to give up his quest, he invarfabl,
4 finds a good If not great pearl
teacher Of languages in school locate,
Y NEAR a large clam bed, where several val
liable pearls have been found, has 70
La number Of years had this pearl fever
In the early dawn. and as long as he cal
see after his school work is done, he /
out on the river fishing. or on the shor
boiling and sorting CLAIMS. 1t is relate
Z that, when he grows discouraged and Of
tiers his outfit for sale, he invariably find
a pearl worth $25 or more, and again h
becomes enthusiastic, and with renewe
zeal seeks the uncertain favor Of the gam
bler's deity.
q "A camp Of clam fishers, wherever it