The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-05-18
eBy LA PLACE BosTWIck)

have been growing for probably
q hundred years. The root for
nation of these trees leaves the
base of the trunk and forms heavy
waving ribbons several feet in
height, with sharp, knife-like edg-
es at the top.
There is one thing which occurs
on the island that should be stop
ped pronto The trapping and
killing of the wonderful birds. In
times gone by, there were thou
sands of feathered songsters and
beautiful tropic and semi tropic
birds. Children and older people
of the lower classes have trapped
and offered them for sale to
strangers and tourists, who some
times buy them with sob in
their throat and tears in their
eyes) simply for chance to free
them again. The day is gone
when people who really think care
to hold wild birds captive. Tour
lists and strangers from other parts
of the country often say What
"a pity" This atrocity seems to
be the only blot on an otherwise
almost perfect community.
There is very large pineapple
cannery at Key West, the s'ripes"
being brought from Cuba. They
are of the variety knawn as
Smooth Cayenne and are of such
exceeding sweetness that no sugar
is needed.
For whites and blacks there are
separate bathing beaches. Also,
it is possible to wade, at low tide,
for half mile out over the
"banks" in water that is from two
to four feet in depth and clear as
glass. The bottom is a Marine
Garden covered with growths of
queer formations and colors.
Among these marvellous creations
of Nature, exotic little fishes are
seen swimming in and out-deli-
cate, exquisite little fish of many
shapes and of every hue. Among
them are Angelfish minnows, and
grotesque creatures that few
could name. (NoteW While wad-
ing in this manner, the writer en-
countered an sight foot sawfish.
He stood perfectly still while Mr..
Fish moved slowly past at a dis
lance Of ten feet away. As the
only armor worn by said writer
was a bathing suit, truce was de-
clared and no attack made by
either.) In places, the bottom
Is simply covered with different
varieties Of sponge. There is one
kind known as the basket sponge
It grows quite large and is very
concave. It is much used locally
for hanging baskets for ferns and
other plants. The sponge holds
the moisture and the plants do re-
markably well.) They are both
unique and practical. They could
be shipped in great numbers and
someone might make a fine BUSH
ness out Of It. No one has.
Found Near Reefs
The larger fish and shells are
usually found out near the reefs
together with tremendous corals
(some Of them in celors.l In
the clear glass-like water, seafans,
plumes. etc., move slowly to and
fro. Colors-white, pink, black,
blue, red and purple. Sailfish,
swordfish, Jewish, sawfish tarpon,
etc., gro to most unbelievable six-
es while they play in the warm wa
tiers at the edge Of the mighty Gulf
Stream. On Sept. 10th. 1892, a
giant Snnfish was hoisted up to
the floor OF Thompson's Dock at
Key West. It tipped the scales
at 1905 pounds. Queer sen mon
STEERS are not uncommon and II not
too large, the big aquariums want
them. There Is a strange, ell-like
creature called a moray which
has a vicious disposition. It's fine
set of knife-like teeth might cause
any dentist to turn pale. They are
considered q delicacy in different
parts of the world and are eaten
by some Of the Cuban populaA
ton. Among ether things OF in-
terest along the reefs are the
herds Of Oonch which move from
place TO place. The facts that
they grow in sizes mp to Is pounds
In weight and are the shades and
beautiful pink Conch, Strombus
giRas, II one of the natural pearl
bearers" "WildH or accidental
pearls with a real. value Of sew
erai Thousands Of dollars are some
times found. Most Of the Conch
pearls are Or an exquisite pink
and have an understandable silky
sheen possessed By no other pearls
on earth. One was sold In Lon
don FOR sf0,OoU and few months
ago one brought $500. The To-
cal pearl man says that around
Conch pearls can be grown in