XII, D, 4 Scale: Sea Products of Mindanao and Stdu 197 



the sponges were sorted into grade and sizes, thoroughly dried, 

 baled into sacks, and stored until shipped. 



This method has the advantage that the sponges are allowed 

 to remain in the water only a short time after being gathered 

 and so are not rotted as is often the case when sponges are 

 placed in corrals. The elephant's-ear sponges were treated in the 

 same manner, but were not pounded and so required less time 

 to clean. 



The common method of cleaning sponges — a necessary one 

 where great quantities of sponges are handled — is as follows: 

 The sponges are gathered and placed upright on shore until 

 dead — from a few hours to a day usually being required. They 

 are then placed in a bamboo corral, which is built in shallow 

 v/ater. The corral should have a bottom of bamboo, boards, or 

 rocks to keep the sponges off the ground. The sides should be of 

 stakes, wire net, or bamboo, so that the water can circulate 

 freely over the sponges. The attendant must go over the sponges 

 continually, squeezing out the dead matter and cleaning them. 

 Some spongers leave the sponges in this corral two or three days, 

 but I am convinced that this is too long and rots the tissues. 

 The sponges should be cleaned as soon as possible. If they 

 remain but a few hours in the water, so much the better for the 

 sponges; in fact, the fragile reef and grass sponges should be 

 washed out at once. If these instructions are followed, a more 

 durable quality of grass sponge will result. When clean the 

 sponges should be beaten with a smooth, rounded club, and all 

 shell, coral, and sand should be removed. They should then be 

 trimmed, sorted, graded, and thoroughly dried, after which they 

 may be packed and shipped. Sponges should at all times be 

 kept off the ground; otherwise they rot. They also heat and 

 rot if left uncleaned in a boat for several days. A bo^at working 

 more than one day distant from the corrals should follow the 

 Greek method of curing on ship board. If sponges are left in 

 water or are exposed to rain, they turn red or bright yellow and 

 rot. Lack of care in handling and cleaning has gone far toward 

 spoiling the American market for Philippine sponges, as can 

 be seen by the following letter from a large wholesale house in 

 Chicago ; 



The small silk sponge which is very close grain and soft is taken from 

 water which is so shallow that the sponge falls to pieces when being 

 bleached and is practically of no value. We also have something which 

 looks like a Sheepswool sponge but it is not properly cleaned, the sponge 

 life still remains in the sponge making it heavy. Now, if your people would 



