Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-08-30
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learned from him many facts concerning pearl
formation and the natural history Of the pearl
oyster.
Mikimoto's home was Toba in the province of
Shima, one of the localities in Japan famous for
large Yields of pearls Directly after his return
there he began experimenting on his. newly &C
ouired idea At first 1t seemed almost like pur-
suing feeting shadow and HE friends laughed
at him for throwing his money into the sea-.
He however, persisted, trying all sort of expert
ments and changing his methods from time to
time, relying on suggestions and advice from Prof
Mitsukuri and DR.. Kishnoue At the end OF four
years of hard work, disappointment and renewed
efforts, results were obtained which seemed
to promise success. In 1896 things had 30 far
progressed that the experimental stage
thing of the past and the enterprise was put on
a commercial basis. patent for the new method
was obtained from the government, and the Guilt
walton of the pearl-oyster an extensive scale
was begun at the Island of Tatokujima, in the
Bay of Ago. At the end of 1899 the first, though
small, crop of pearls was harvested and placed
the market.
The methods practsed at the pearLoyster farm
follows:
Every year during the months OF July and
August small pieces of rock and stone are placed
in a spot where the larvae of the pearloysters
have been found to be most abundant Soon
small oyster-spat are found attached to them AS
this takes place in the shallow waters of not
than few fathoms they would die from
cold If left there during the winter, SO together
with the rocks to which they anchored they
are removed to deeper waters and carefully laid
out in the beds prepared for them Here they lie
until they reach their third year, when they are
taken out of the sea- and undergo an operation
which leads to pearl formation This consists
chiefly in introducing into them the small pearls
or round pieces of nacre which are to serve as
the nuclei OF pearls. The shells are then nut
back into the and left undsturbed for at least
mo fho and oP
are taken out, and it is found that the animal
has invested the inserted nucleus with many lay
ers of nacre and has in fact produced pearl
large part of the submarine work. such as the
transplanting of the oysters spreading them ont
on the BEDS taking them out of the sea or putting
them back there is done by women divers This
Is universal In the Ago Bay and many other parts
OF Japan There has been a belief from time i'm
memorial that women can work better and longer
under water than men, the the women divers of
lse are often mentioned In classic literature
These women divers trained from a very
early age, and they to have Inherited through
many generations special aptitude for the water
life. 1t is said that they are able to save enough
money by the time they of age to pay for their
wedding expenses.
The oysters secured while under water are
dropped into wooden bucket of moderate size
which Is connected to the diver by means of
rope attached to her waist The average dive
occupies rather less than a minute In that TINA
several mollusks being cropped
A days work consists of from four IN six
hours, In which time 500 oysters can easily ba
gathered at a depth Of two to six fathons On
coming up and preparing for another plunge. the
olver takes deep and quick breath which nro
duces shrill whistling sound When so or No..
are working together this peculiar noise is ii.
most incessant.
AS considerable part of their life is spent in
the sea, the prolonged exposure to water and
sunshine makes their skins very dark and tbe,r
hair reddish.
Inc water Is fairiy cold and 1t is necessary for
the women divers to go ashore several times au-
ing their work to warm themselves by a FIRE
They are very healthy but the severe nature
of their occupation causes them to age nrama
turely Their skin becomes rough and coars.
and their hair bright red