FRESH-WATER PEARLS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 7

FRESH-WATER PEARLS.

PLANTING THE AMERICAN CROP Plans are being carried out by the United. States Bureau of Fisheries to assure a supply of pearls in years to come. A large crop planted this year will be available about 1928. The extent of the industry is surprising, declares the "New York Times." A special study of the subject is being carried on in a laboratory at Fairview, lowa, which is serving to develop the industry. " r ~"~ . The finest fresh water pearls are found in the shells of mussels gathered in the Mississippi Biver and its tributaries. Upward of 500 varieties of mussels are found in these waters. In the Government laboratories testa are carried on by growing many varieties of mussels under various conditions. The best foods and the varieties of fish upon which they live are determined, and the pearl industry is thus reduced to an exact science. Pearls are grown larger and of a finer quality than formerly. A pearl worth 10,000 dollars has been found in the Arkansas River, and others have been discovered weighing up to seventy grains, measuring almost an inch in circumference. The fresh water pearl is rapidly propagated artificially.,. Just two years ago the Government established rescue stations for fish on a large scale in the Mississippi basin. When tha waters recede in this region large quantities of fish are left stranded in ponds and pools, often at a considerable distance from the river, It is the work of the rescue stations to remove these fish to flowing water before they die. Many are infected with the spawn of mussels before being released. Since all mussels are parasites and often live on the fins of • fish, the opportunity for increasing the mussel crop is unique. The mussels in turn supply the greater part of the fresh water pearls found in America. The industry which has grown up in this region is valued at about 10,000,000 dollars. Some forty varieties of mussel shells are of commercial value apart from the pearls found in them. The various by-products are so important that a tariff now protects them. Incidentally, the shells are used for making novelties, jewellery, chicken feed, road material, and composition marble. Fresh water pearl fishing is a picturesque industry. The fishers usually establish camp 3 along the streams where the mussels are found. Most of the fishers lead a migratory life. The mussels lie half embedded in the bottoms of the streams, with the rear end of their shells gaping open against the current. If a hook is inserted in this opening the shell at once closes.' The fishing is done with a great number of blunt hooks. attached to long lines. The shellers established in the camps open the shells with a knife. The mussels are then carefully cooked, without subjecting them to a temperature which could injure the pearl that may lurk inside. Dealers in pearls and [ shells are stationed in many of th* , river towns, constantly on the lookout i for bargains. When news of a find of t valuable, pearls goes abroad there is , usually a rush to buy. When a par ; ticularly rich find of pearls is mad-.-i there is a rush of other fishers to thv ; spot, much as gold diggers are attracted by news of paying ore.