Gilpin observer., 1912-08-29
WoVAEzW QzyERJ AT W0RK

learned from him many facts concerning pearl
formation and the natural history Of the pearl
oyster.
Mikimotos 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 his newly
quired 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 suggestions and advice from Prof.
Mtsukuri and DR.. Kishinoue. At the end of four
years OF hard work, disappointment and renewed
efforts. some results were obtained which seemed
to promise success. In 1896 things had far
progressed that the experimental stage was
thing of the past and the enterprise put on
a commercial basis. A patent for the new method
was obtained from the government. and the cuti
walton of the pearl-oyster 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 pearl-oyster farm
as follows
Every year during the months of July and
August. small pieces OF rock and stone are placed
in spot where the larvae OF the pearl-oysters
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
more than few fathoms they would die from
cold, If left there during the winter, so together
Win tne TOCkS 10 Wnlcn 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 sea and left undsturbed for at least
four years more. At the end of that time thew
are taken out and it is found that the animal
m tod fhn fy,C4
ers oil nacre and has in fact produced a pearl
large part of the submarine work. such as the
trahsplanting OF the oysters, spreading them out
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 lonaer
uhder water than men, the the women divers of
lse are often mentioned in classic literature.
lhese women divers are trained from a very
early age. and they seem to have inherited through
many many generations special aptitude for the water
ne 1t is said that they able to save enough
money by the time they OF age to nav for their
wedding expenses.
The oysters secured while under water are
dropped into a wooden bucket of moderate sjza
"hich is connected to the diver by means of
rope attached to her waist The ayerape dive
occupies rather less than minute In that TINA
several mollusks being cropped
days work consists of from four to six
hours, In which time 500 oysters can easily be
gathered at depth of two to six fathoms On
coming up and preparing for another plunge. the
diver takes deep and quick breath which pro
duces shrill whistling sound. When so or more
are working together this peculiar noise is al.
most incessant.
AS considerable part of their life ia spent in
the sea. the prolonged exposure to water and
sunshine makes their skins very dark and their
hair reddish
The water Is fairly cold and It is necessary for
,ne women dlvers to go ashore several times dur.
Ing their work to warm themselves bv n Arc
They are very healthy. but the severe naturs
OF their occupation them to age premn.
turey. Their skin becomes rough and coarse
and their hair bright red.