4?iJ.>^4-^'* 



Figure 9,--Cutting sponges for cultivation. A 2-year-old sponge has been cut from its base, bottom left, and 

 the top part divided into quarters. One of the quarters has been attached to a rock, while another is being 

 threaded on a string of dry palmetto leaf in preparation for tying to a rock. 



3. Harvesting of the sponges is a simple and 

 controlled operation, the sponges being 

 taken up only when an order has to be 

 filled. The remaining sponges continue to 

 grow. 



4. If the sponges were cut from the rock 

 base rather than pulled or torn off, the 

 remaining base would act as a fresh 

 cutting and the operation of harvesting 

 and planting is thus accomplished at the 

 same time (fig. 9). 



5. Growing sponges by cultivation also 

 offers the advantage of some control over 

 quality, size, and shape through the 

 proper selection of the growth area and 

 the growth period. It might be possible to 

 increase quality and value by selecting 

 only the best sponges for cultivation. 



6. The heavy concentration of sponges in the 

 cultivation area would result in produc- 

 tion of large numbers of eggs and larvae. 

 If the plantatidVi were in the region of 

 good natural sponging ground where the 

 bottom was suitable for attachment of the 

 larvae, large numbers of naturally grow- 

 ing sponges could be expected to set with- 

 in a 2- or 3-mile radius of the plantation. 

 The harvesting of these sponges would 

 add to the total returns. 



The major disadvantages encountered in any 

 attempt at sponge cultivation would be: 



1. The lengthy process of selection of a 

 growing area which would assure the 

 development of a good grade of sponge 

 in the shortest possible time. This might 

 require the use of a series of test areas. 



21 



