The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-05-25
CayoHueso---Key West
(Bv IA PLACE BOsTWICK)
(Continued from last Thursday

| lCOntlnued from last lnurSday1
When the writer was a little
boy and attended school, the small
geography from which he endeav-
ored to CLEAN a few facts, mem
toned that "Key West was mainly
built upon the clippings of an inn
mense sponge industry. lThe
same little book showed a picture
of the Everglades as an immense
watersoaked forest with tremen-
dous trees festooned with snakes
The fact is that Key West is built
upon a solid rock foundation and
while it has always had great
sponging industry, the clippings
must be looked for at the ware
houses. Many varieties grow in the
waters at and near Key West. In
places the bottom Il fairly paved
with them. Sheepswool is the var
iety most sought for. Sizes are
sometimes very large and prices
usually good. Professional "spong-
ers' own their own sponge boats
and there is fleet Of about one
hundred. They slowly drift over
the sponging grounds. By the
use of waterglass the ''sponger"
who lies upon his stomach and uses
hooks attached to a long pole, may
bring them up from the bottom.
They are cleaned, strung on cord,
and sold by the bunch or string.
to professional buyers. A few
years ago, Chas. w. Chase, ST.,
conceived the idea that sponge
could be grown Intentionally. He
had cement disks made with metal
strips in the center. To these were
attached pieces carefully cut from
healthy sponge. They were scat
tered at distance of about three
feet apart over the bottom of a
nice bay, in water from 3 to 6 feet
in depth. 1t was found that if the
conditions were proper that they
would grow and make fine sponges
within a reasonable time. They
grow better if there is some surge.
However, Florida spongers and
fishermen do not believe in prop
erty owners fencing off miles of
perfectly good bays. They be-
lieve that "If God,d wanted fences
in the ocean, He'd likely PUTIN
there"
Even Temperatures
In the Key West district, the
fluctuati, in temperature is so.
slight TIL feaths are usually from
old age accident, There il no
deleterio effect from wet feet or
damp clio - a person may pc
drenched he skin and allow the
clothes tdFdfy on the body with no
harmful results.
Passenger ships are met by ma
tive divers. both white and black,
who dive for the coins thrown in
the water by tourists and others.
Some Of these men and boys are
good singers and while floating
will sing in unison. After div
ing for a coin, it is placed in the
mouth and there several Of these
divers who can float and sing with
ease while half dozen coins lie
in the mouth. Among the "old
timers are willie" and Skin
ner" who are experts of remark
able ability. The former is white
and Skinner is black. Their SWIM
ming and singing act would be a
winner in Madison Square Gar
den. These men sometimes go
out to the reefs and dive for
Conch which boys peddle about the
town at 'three for two bits"
Conch is very healthy article of
diet giving great vitality. In taste
they are somewhat similar to lob
stcr, shrimp or crab, but a trifle
too sweet. Therefore, lime juice
is used in its preparation. Fisher
men and some others sometimes
eat them raw lbut civilized ?
people have been known to eat
raw oysters.l
Hurricane Season
There IS a regular season for
what are called West Indian Hnr-
ricanes. They are said to have
origin in ''the Doldrums" and Al
MOST NEVER occur out Of sea-
son, and seldom during the season,
which is September and October.
On account Of the prevailing winds
their course is usually north or
northwest, Occasionally one forms
in the western Caribbean and
moves north thru the Yucatan
channel. Reports Of their location.
intensity, speed and direction come
In for several days before the
storm is felt. From Texas to the
Rermndas the following holds
good. A hurricane IL great wheel
of wind. usually from three 20 six
hundred miles IN diameter. which
moves very slowly along on its hub.
or axis. Outside this wheel
Is ''the quiet before the storm
the outer edge 81 the wheel Il
merely = gentle breeze but as II
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