The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-09-14
W17.zzzy 1ZIERJ ~ W0RY

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, of the localities in Japan famous for
large yields of pearls Directly after his return
there he began experimenting his newly ac-
quired idea. At first it seemed almost like pur-
suing fleeing 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 DIR. Kishinoue. At the end of four
years OF hard work, disappointment and renewed
efforts, some results obtained which seemed
to promise success. In 1886 things had SO far
progressed that the experimental stage was a
thing OF the past and the enterprise was put on
commercial basis. patent for the new method
was obtained from the government and the cult
walton of the pearl-oyster on an extensive scale
was begun at the Island of Tatokujma, in the
Bay OF Ago. At the end of 1899 the firsr, though
small. crop of pearls was harvested AMI placed
on the market
The methods practised at the pearloyster farm
follows:
Every year during the months of July and
August. small pieces Of rock and stone ara placed
in spot where the larvae of the pear. 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. II left there during the winter SO together
with the rocks to which they are 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
OF round pieces of nacre which are to serve as
the nuclei of pearls. The shells are then mt
PACK into the sea and left undsturhed for at least
four years more. At the end of that time, they
are taken out and 1t is found that the aniroa,
has invested the inserted nucleus with ,nanv Low.
ers OF nacre and has in fact produced pearl.
large part of the submarine work such an rho
uanspianting OF the oysters, spreading them ont
on the beds, taking them of the sea or putting
.nen back there is done by women divers This
is universal In the Ago Bay and many other parts
OF Japan There has been belief from time i'm.
memorial that women work better and longer
under water than men, the the women divers of
Use are often mentioned in classic literature
lnese women divers are trained from very
early age. and they seem to have Inherited through
many generations special aptitude for the water
me. II Is said that they are able to save enough
money BY the time they are of age to paw for their
wedding expenses.
The oysters secured while under water ~.
dropped Into wooden bucket of moderate size
"nicn is connected to the diver by means OF a
rope attached to her waist. The average dive
occupies rather less than minute In that tfms
several mousks being cropped
days work consists of from four to six
hours In which time 500 oysters can easily ma
ss.nered at depth of two to six fathoms. On
coming up and preparing for another plunge the
over takes deep and quick breath which mr..
ouces shrfh whistling sound. When so or NOR,
are working together this peculiar noise is a.
most incessant .
As a considerable part of their life is spent..n
the sea, the prolonged exposure to water AID
sunsnine makes their skins very dark and their
hair reddish ''e-'
The water is fairly cold and II s. nac.ssar,. g.
the women divers to go ashore several times ,,,r
ing their work to warm themselves by 1rp
lney are very healthy but the severe n,ture
OF their occupation causes them to age nrsma.
eule'E Ineir skin becomes rough and cuarse