828 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



the lot at a price that would not exceed 8 or 12 cents per pound. A few of the small velvet 

 sponges are obtained and sold for a high price. 



As the buyers of sponges require them to be very dry when buying by the pound, and as they 

 are not always landed in that condition, a price per bunch is sometimes agreed upon. The 

 bunches weigh from one-half to one pound each, and the price varies considerably, depending 

 upon the quality, size, and success in cleaning and bleaching. It is the buyer's intention to 

 obtain a pound of sponges in this way for less than when buying by the pound. There is supposed 

 to be a difference of about 10 cents per pound in favor of the buyer when sold by the bunch, in 

 the case of the best qualities. Several thousand dollars were paid out weekly for sponges in 1879. 

 Twenty-two thousand dollars cash were paid for sponges during two weeks in June of that year, 

 and the sponge trade of Key West from January 1 to March 1, 1879, amounted to $76,500. 



The dealers of both Apalachicola and Key West buy for wholesale firms of New York and 

 receive a commission as compensation. They are kept informed of the state of the New York 

 market, and make their bids accordingly. The packing-houses are roomy and dry buildings, where 

 large quantities of sponges can be hung up and kept dry. As soon as a lot of them is taken 

 in, they are put through a process called " liming," that is to say, they are dipped in a weak solu- 

 tion of lime and sea-water, after which they are hung up out of doors to dry. Then they are 

 stored away in the loft until needed. 



The "liming" gives sponges a bright yellow color which adds to their value, but when uot 

 properly done, as by the excessive use of lime, the tissues are injured and the sponges become 

 rotten and worthless. There is no doubt that even a little lime injures a sponge, and any con- 

 siderable quantity adds greatly to its weight. 



They are not " limed " at Apalachicola because the fresh water of that vicinity has a bad 

 effect upon them ; consequently it is not uncommon that quantities from that place are reshipped 

 from New York to Key West simply to be u limed." As soon as " limed" they are laid out to dry, 

 and they must be thoroughly dried, for if left together damp they soon become ruined. Long 

 spells of rainy weather sometimes cause the dealer to lose thousands of dollars' worth of sponges, 

 for they become damp, turn red, and finally decay; but now some of the dealers have lofts, or 

 upper stories to their houses, where sponges can be hung up and kept dry in all weather. For 

 convenience in handling, the sponges are strung in bunches; otherwise such large quantities could 

 not be managed as they are. 



After this process is completed sponges are trimmed, sorted, and packed. Preparatory to 

 being trimmed, boys beat them with mallets so as to remove all particles of stone, shells, or other 

 hard substances that would dull the shears. The trimming is done with sheep-shears, and all the 

 uneven parts and ragged edges are cut off. After this an experienced man sorts out each variety 

 and quality, weighing them in large crockery-crates in lots of 100 or 120 pounds each. These lots 

 are then placed under a hydraulic press and formed into compact bales, measuring about 30 inches 

 long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches thick, which are covered with bagging and corded securely. 

 In this form they go to the wholesale dealers of the country. The " trimmings " of the sponges 

 are saved, and when a sufficient quantity has accumulated, are baled up in the same manner as 

 the others, and shipped to New York to be used in upholstery work. 



The sponge trade has steadily increased since it was first started, and at present constitutes a 

 large business. During 1879, not as much was done as in 1878, because of the unusually boisterous 

 winter, and the so-called poisoned water, which destroyed a great many sponges about the " reefs" 

 which the reef fleet would have brought in ; 1880 was also considered a poor year, as the total 



