gotten around this difficulty very nicely by using twisted wire clothesline 

 which costs about $10 for a thousand feet. This "cable" is good for only 

 one season, or if a great deal of dredging is done, only a part of a season. 

 There are two types of this twisted wire clothesline, one of which has a 

 string down the middle, also called cash line. This is much more flexible 

 than the other, but will not last as long. It is best to keep the cable oiled 

 with heavy oil or grease. 



Needless to say, a windlass or winch is necessary if cable is used. If 

 your boat is large enough, connect the winch to the motor. If not, crank 

 it by hand. 



Types of Dredges. Dredges can either be very elaborate or very simple. 

 It is possible to make a dredge that will work, from a five gallon oil can or a 

 piece of iron sewer pipe. These are not as practical as others but can be 

 used in a pinch. Every person who has done very much dredging has his 

 own ideas as to the best type of dredge. Probably the most universally used 

 type consists of a rectangular iron frame with flanging (not very much) 

 cutting edges and iron bridles which are tied together. A fine- meshed 

 fishing net is sewn to the iron frame and a heavy canvas sheath over the 

 net. The end of the net is tied shut instead of sewed, so that the material 

 can be removed from the back. 



We have had better luck, however, with a triangular dredge and 

 metal net. These are made with two triangular iron frames connected with 

 iron bars at the apices and a copper screen for a net protected with Y^ 

 inch hardware cloth. The advantage of this dredge is that the maximum 

 cutting edge is always on the bottom and when it is brought up, the 

 material can be screened before removing it from the dredge instead of 

 after it has been hauled into the boat and dumped. 



Probably the most efficient cheap dredge consists of a triangular, cir- 

 cular, or rectangular frame with fish net or hardware cloth for a bag. A 

 dredge such as this can be made for less than a dollar. 



While the dredge can be considered the standard implement for ob- 

 taining marine life from the bottom of the ocean, various other gear, such 

 as trawls and tangles, can be used with success. While there are many 

 different types of trawls, I will only describe a simple beam type that I have 

 used with good results. It consists, briefly, of two iron runners connected 

 to a wooden beam. The size depends on the power of the boat that is used 

 to pull it. A long net is fastened to the beam and the rear end of the run- 

 ners. The amount of sag to the lead line which drags on the bottom is very 

 important. If it is too little, it digs too much, while if it h too much, it rolls 

 over the material. The right amount must be determined with experience. 

 In addition to a few lead sinkers along the lead line a heavier weight at 

 each end of the line on the runners will help the net for protection and 

 the end tied shut and not sewed to facilitate removal of the havil. 



The trawl is used on a sand or mud bottom and is used to cover large 

 areas. It only picks up the larger shells, etc., and lets all the little things 

 go through or under. 



(22) 



