GRADING SYSTEMS 



Grading by the demerit system proposed here differs somewhat 

 from the system of grading presently used by the trade. The following 

 gives a general description of each system. 



Present System of Grading 



The techniques now used in the 

 trade for the inspection of sponges 

 are entirely qualitative and sensory. 

 That is, the grader does not add or 

 subtract numerical values for good or 

 bad qualities of a particular sponge. 

 The sensory tests include the use of 

 sight, feeling and smell. 



The sponges are sorted into the 

 types described in the preceding sec- 

 tion, dropped sidewise through holes 

 graduated in steps of one-half inch 

 to determine the maximum diameters, 

 sorted into "forms" and "cuts," and 

 then inspected to determine into which 

 one of four grades they should be 

 classified — No. 1, 2, 3, or k» A 

 grade No. 5 has been used, and the 

 number grades have been subdivided into 

 A's, B's and Specials, but these ad- 

 ditional subdivisions are reported to be unnecessary complications de- 

 signed to produce a higher price than that which the sponges ordinarily 

 would yield, 



"Forms" are those sponges that are most perfect, especially in 

 shape, with a spherical shape being the one most desired, 



"Cuts" literally may have been cut from larger sponges, or they 

 may be sponges that have been distorted in other ways by the clipping 

 out of a diseased or torn spot or by the irregular growth due to the 

 presence of another sponge or of a rock, shell, seaweed or crab. A 

 crab hole is a dished spot or actual hole caused by some form of marine 

 life. Grass sponges usually are sold as "cuts" because the demand is 

 low for the vase shape that is the natural pattern of growth of the 

 Grass sponges, 



"Rollers" are seen occasionally. If a sponge has grown without 

 being attached permanently to a rock or similar support, it becomes a 

 roller with the ocean current. This movement across the bottom of the 

 ocean causes it to accumulate dirt and to acquire a tough outer skin. 

 Accordingly, it is classified into a much lower grade. 



Figure 8, — Hudson Grass 



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