44 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



The new dip net is one of the most effective and 

 profitable appliances. 



It is now used in the Peoria district, but is not in com- 

 mon use in any other part of the State, or other States. 



It will probably be used in many other places when its 

 merits become better known by the pearl hunters. 



Shells along the Illinois River are usually worth $12.00 

 to $15.00 per ton, although they have been known to 

 reach the $20.00 mark. 



The shells from the Mississippi River are better for 

 button material and the price generally ranges from 

 $23.00 to $30.00 a ton at the Illinois towns near the 

 Iowa button factories. 



Where shells are plentiful, pearl hunters can make 

 good wages in Illinois by gathering the shells. 



Indiana has a good record as a pearl State, but its 

 rivers have been so thoroughly worked that the yield of 

 both shells and pearls is much less than it was a few 

 years ago. 



The Wabash arid Ohio Rivers and other smaller 

 streams have produced large quantities of the finest 

 pearls and slugs. The shells from many localities are 

 also very good. Like most of the older pearl rivers, the 

 rivers need a rest in many places. 



Indiana will probably always be one of our best pearl 

 States. 



Indian Territory has also had some "pearl fevers,'' 

 during which some very beautiful pearls were found in 

 Boggy and Kiamichi Rivers. 



Iowa is one of the oldest pearl States and has the dis- 



