70 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



chklia from mussels that usually thrive in such lakes, 

 ponds or streams. By using this plan, many more bodies 

 of water could be added to the mussel resources of our 

 country. 



Perhaps the National Government or some of the 

 States will think pearl farming is of sufficient impor- 

 tance to justify a slight expense and effort in investiga- 

 tion and experiment. By selecting favorable locations 

 for pearl farming in various rivers, and by careful scien- 

 tific management, it is probable that valuable pearls of 

 many fancy colors may be produced. Such an investiga- 

 tion would require a number of years as it would be nec- 

 essary to artificially cultivate various kinds of mussels 

 under many different conditions, and would also probably 

 involve the artificial propagation of various kinds of 'par- 

 asites that have been known to furnish the nuclei of 

 pearls, and a study of methods of infecting the mussels 

 with these parasites in the most successful manner. 



A good exhibit of valuable culture pearls and a booklet 

 describing the methods used in the artificial production 

 of the pearls would do much toward stimulating an in- 

 terest in this untilled field of endeavor which should 

 yield a large profit to labor, science and capitol. 



Another thing would be very desirable. There is a 

 need for a mussel that will mature quickly and that will 

 be tender and suitable for food, and have pearly white 

 shells that are valuable for button material without much 

 waste, and that is a good pearl producer. 



This is requiring a good many things from one variety 

 of unio and possibly such a variety can never be devel- 



