The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-04-02

In a report from Colombo, Consul %.
A. Creeyey says that Of the worlds
great fisheries none can compare eth
er in point Of antiquity or in the con-
tinuity OF their prosecution with the
pearl fisheries OF Ceylon, which he
thus describes:
The pearl banks Of Ceylon date back
to the sixth century before Christ. It
is recorded that Yijaya, the first Sing
halese king OF Ceylon, In the year $50
b. c., presented his father-in-law, the
Pandyan king of Madura, "a gift OF
pearls" thus indicating a settled fish
cry for pearls on the coast of his do
minion prior to the historic date.
A former Ceylon marine biologist
states that no statistics exist Of the
revenue from pearl fisheries under
Portuguese rule, while under the Dutch
from 1865 to 1886, the government pro-
ceeds varied from $1,000 to $4,000 an
nually. England took control in 1876,
and two years later the revenue went
up to $4,000. The fluctuations, how
ever, were heavy, the income from
pearls dropping in 1915 to less than
$4,000. In 1904 the government re-
ceived from this source sS45,310 in
1905, 1897, 6s3, and in 1906, s446,064
The biologist says further:
From 1909 the fishery, although re.
ceiying more intelligent and careful
attention than ever before, and in spite
Of better appliances and the aid af-
forded by more reliable charts, did
not until recent years show the Inn
proyement that was expected In spite
of every care on the part Of the inspec-
tors, long series Of recurring failures
took place, cycles Of good years alter
mating with long cycles OF blank years
Finally, in 1900, after a continued fall
ure of the fishery for ten years, the
governor of Ceylon decided again to
appeal to science for aid and two
scientists arrived in Ceylon In 1902 to
carry out investigations on the spot
Even at this recent date no exact
data exists, Nothing was known Of the
habits of the pearl oyster; the causes
of its erratic appearances and disap-
pearanoes we're obscure, and the origin
OF Ceylon pearls had never received
satisfactory study. The influence OF
varying conditions of environment
were quite unknown. Even the ques-
ton of whether the sexes were separ-
ate or united in each individual was
open. Today nearly all these problems
have been solved, and the results
published by the Royal Society.
We know now the chief causes which
have prevented annual fisheries, and
the general life history of the pearl
oyster has been worked out in detail.
AS consequence, measures can now
be taken to counteract many OF the adj
verse influences at work and to de-
crease the number of naturally barren
years. To attain such results large
expenditure and complete reorganiza-
ton Of the methods and system was
however necessary The Ceylon gov
eminent was unwilling to face this,
and accordingly decided to revert to
the lease system recommended one
hundred and sixty years ago by the
most capable governor which the Meth
erlands ever gave to Ceylon. The fish
cry of 1906 was the last under old au-
spices; the fishery is now leased to
the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers,
Limited, for a term Of twenty years
from the beginning Of 1906, under con-
ditions which bind the lessees to carry
out a great cultural program and cost
" permanent improvements. The
rental to be paid is $4,000 rupees
(S1O0,573) per annum.
Marichchikaddi has, during recent
years, succeeded Silvatturai, and will
probably become the permanent fishing
camp, because its location affords cas-
Ter access to the Cheval and Periya
paars. and is the only suitable place
for fishing the Muttuvarnuttu paar. In
December it Is waste, given over to
couple Of hundred poverty stricken
villagers and herds of wild or half
wild bunaloes in January work be-
gins. and by February the miracle is
wrought. Day after day vessels OF
many descriptions arrive from India
and Colombo, discriminating motley
crowd of pearl merchants, oyster buy
ers. divers. traders and coolies by the
hundreds. BY the magic Of the cad.
Jam and of bitter necessity a town
arises, and within week this pear
metropolis OF the world has popula-
ton Of 10000 to 5O,0O0-a city inhabit-
ed BY workers only. A thoughtful
government has already established 81
ample police force, a sanitary corps
hospitals with a trained medical stat
ready for every emergency, minis
tracy postal and photographic services
custom-house, and harbor masters
Office. The main street IS an opei
III ,,,.,,, 81, fare IA feet broad. with shop