UTILIZATION OK SEAWEEDS IN THE UNITED STATES. 



171 



Great care has to be exercised in the curing to prevent the rain from spoiling 

 the crop, and when a storm is impending the moss is hastily raked in piles and cov- 

 ered with canvas. Should it chance to get wet in the last week of its curing, it is 



practically ruined. 



The moss is sent to market in barrels holding 100 pounds, and the first of the 

 crop is usually shipped in August. The product has a wide distribution in the United 

 Slate- and Canada, a part of it going to druggists and grocers, hut much the larger 

 part to brewers and firms handling brewers' supplies. The wholesale price was 4 to 

 44 cents per pound in 1902, and 5 to 5£ cents in 1903. 



From information regarding this business recently gathered by the Bureau of 

 Fisheries, it is seen that 136 men were employed in gathering this plant in 1902; the 

 boats, rakes, and shore property used were valued at over $12,000; and the quantity 

 of dried alga? sold was 740,000 pounds, with a market value of $33,3<M). In 1898 the 

 output was 770,000 pounds, valued at $24,825. 



Statistics of the Irish moss industry of New England for 1902. 



Irish moss of excellent quality is now placed on the market in 1-pound and half- 

 pound boxes, selling at retail for 45 cents and 25 cents, respectively: it is intended 

 chiefly for making blanc mange, and is used as follows: Soak half a cup of dry moss 

 in cold water for five minutes, tie in a cheese-cloth bag, place in a double boiler with 

 a quart of milk and cook for half an hour; add half a teaspoonful of salt or less, 



according to taste, strain, flavor with a teasp lful of lemon or vanilla extract if 



desired, and pour into a mold or small cups, which have been wet with cold water: 

 titter hardening, eat with sugar and cream. To make a demulcent, for coughs, place 

 moss in cold water and heat gently until the Liquid is of a sirupy consistency, then 

 strain and add sugar and lemon juice to suit taste. 



Other uses to which it litis been put are the making of jellies and puddings, the 

 clarifying' of beers and the sizing of fabrics. 



VEGETABLE ISINGLASS FROM GELIDIUM CORNEUM. 



The identical species of alga from which the Japanese prepare their >- kanten," 

 or vegetable isinglass, grows in abundance on our Pacific coast, and is also found at 

 various places between Florida and Maine. Other species (G. coulteri, G. cartUcu- 

 gineum) exist on the coast of California and about the Philippine Islands. The high 

 price of this product and the large consumption of it and fish isinglass in the United 

 States warrant the belief that a profitable business could be established. 



