Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-06
Oldest Pearl Fisheries
in Island of Ceylon.

)
in Island of Ceylon. gov eminent
These pearl fisheries have been in opera
ton at least 2.5OO years. In recent years
between three and four hundred vessels
have been employed during the fishing
season. extending from February to May.
As many as 81 10000 pearl oysters have
been taken at Ceylon during single
season. This included yield of 100000
oysters on several days and 5.O00, O00
upon one day. This last constitutes the
highest record. The prices at which Cey
ION pearl oysters are bought from the
divers range from $40 to $1CO per thou
sand. according to their size and quality.
The pearl divers of Ceylon are con-
sdered the most slillful in the world,
and their achievements have been ex-
plotted for centuries In reality their
dangers are less than those risked by
pearl divers in some other parts of the
world. because the man-eating sharks,
which infest some oyster banks are sell
dom if ever seen at Ceylon. The diver
is let down from the boat by his helper.
He usually remains in the water from
sixty to ninety seconds, although occa-
sionally one will be able to stand it from
two to four minutes. When under water
he clutches up whatever shells he can
reach and places them in a basket.
1t is diIncult to extract pearls from
pearl gathering includes permitting the
oyster to decompose before taking out
the pearls. This method is repulsive
enough to disgust any fair wearer of the
jewels II she could once watch them
being prepared for her. The oysters are
piled in a dugout canoe and covered with
mating for from seven to ten days BY
this time little remains Of the oyster but
slime and shells and pearls. The canoe
is flooded to the brim and the washing
process begins. This requires the utmost
vigilance from those having charge, for
pearl thieves are the most ingenious in
the world. The washers are not permit
ted even to remove their hands from the
water excepting to drop the shells which
are taken out first The water is then
drained off and the sediment dried
Afterward it is carefully slfted and sort
ed to secure the jewels.
According to the latest reports. the pearl
resources of Ceylon have been SO abused
by the greed of the divers In recent
years that they are becoming almost as
nearly exhausted as were the American
seal resources in Alaska The English
government has under consideration
some restrictions and also the replanting
Of certain area of the oyster banks
each year.
The newest development in the pearl
industry is the application of the N-ray
10 the oyster
Ex-Ray Is Used to discov
in Hunting Pearls. !, contains :
pearl. This process is not yet in general
use, but may revolutionize the pearl in
dustry OF the future. The discovery was
made by a professor at the University of
Iyons, who presented the Linnean So
ciety Of Lyons with a collection of radio
graphs of pearl oysters and mussels.
An American electrical engineer, seeing
these photographs, conceived the posi-
bility of hunting pearls by X-ray. and
opened a curious establishment at Ipan-
tiva, a pearl-producing island. The pearl
mollusks are grouped in cases having
capacity of 100. They are passed before
Photograph at the rate of 100000 per
hour If a large pearl is found the oys-
ter Is opened at once. If small pearl
is shown the oyster is put out Ito nurse
for another year. If no pearls are indi-
Gated the oyster is put into the reserve
bank in the sea.
Although the Ceylon pearls are the best
known In the world. other centers are
yielding rich harvests of these gems.
About 200 years ago pearls We're dls-
covered in Torres strait. between North
Australia and New Guinea. The Dutch
government controls these pearls but
has granted fishing concessions to an
Australian company. The industry Is
carried on here differently from Ceylon.
Two classes of divers are employed. the
Malay and the Japanese. The Malays
dive without clothing and the japanese
have a sort of diving uniform. including
q straw helmet There is great danger
here from the man-eating sharks which
infest the waters, their yawning jaws
always ready for the unfortunate diver.
In addition to the natural pearls, great
fortunes recently have been MADE, es-
peciaIIy in Japan, by cultured pearls.
This Industry began in 1896 as a result
of some experiments made In China. The
process is now we'll established and oper-
ated extensively The largest cultural
banks are located along the shore of the
Bay Of Ago. They are operated by
special grant of the Japanese govern
ment. The sea area covers twenty mine
nautical miles, and millions Of pearls
have been secured from 1t. The process
consists Of placing small stones and rocks
where the oyster larvae are most apun-
dant during the months Of July and Au-
gust. Tiny oysters are soon found at
tached to them. The stones are taken up
and placed in deep water for three years.
Then the oysters are removed from the
sea and opened. A tiny piece OF nacre
a pearl shell, is placed in the mouth OF
each. The shells are then returned TO the
water for at least four years. Ine result
is the development of some exceedingly
fine pearls Most Of the marine work In
this japanese pearl culture IS done py
women. who look most picturesque III
their diving suits of pure white.