128 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



as to the exact location of the snags, or "hang-tips," as 

 they are often called. 



Winds are a great hindrance to the use of the crow- 

 foot dredge, especially where the mussel beds are very 

 narrow and difficult to follow. Winds that blow parallel 

 to the course of the rivers are not very troublesome, but 

 the cross winds are very troublesome and it is often nec- 

 essary to quit work until the wind ceases. 



Another difficulty on some rivers is the steam-boat 

 waves. It is usually a good plan to take the mussel 

 boat to the shore and stand on the bank until the large 

 boat goes by. It is disagreeable and sometimes danger- 

 ous to remain in a mussel boat when the waves are high. 

 The rocking of the boat causes the lines and hooks to 

 swing in all directions and often strike one in the face 

 or catch in the clothing. It is best to avoid all such 

 dangers. 



When the outfit is not in use, the large hauling rope 

 should be taken out of the bottom of the boat and 

 stretched over the bars so it will dry. The ropes last 

 longer when they have proper care. 



There is another way in which the crow-foot dredge 

 is sometimes used. There are some lakes in which there 

 is no current and it would be impossible to use the mussel 

 boats as they are used on the rivers. In such lakes the 

 windlass dredge is sometimes used to a good advantage. 

 A windlass similar to a well windlass, only larger, is built 

 upon a large boat, and the boat should be anchored at the 

 lower end of the mussel bed. The dredge bar is attached 

 to the windlass by a long rope. Then a small boat takes 



