3. It was recommended that the terra "middle range" be dropped. 

 This term has no definite meaning in fathoms, it is impossible to certi- 

 fy and is an unnecessary limitation, since some snonges in this approxi- 

 mate U-9 fathom area are not sufficiently firm, while some sponges from 

 other depths often are of as good or better quality. In other words, 

 sponges are graded now by more significant qualities than the areas from 

 which they are taken. The acceptance of the new term "inshore type" 

 eliminates the need for the exclusive term "middle range." 



U. Much discussion took place as to the significance of "Rock 

 Island" and other area designations. Although it was agreed that grad- 

 ing is done now by more significant quality designations than by areas, 

 it was felt that the term "Rock Island Sheepswool" has become an un- 

 official trademark of a desireable type of sponge and should be retained 

 in entirety. 



5. The "inshore type," mentioned above was recommended for in- 

 clusion in the grading standards. In general this is a type found at 

 all depths and easily recognized by its shagginess and looser structure. 

 This is believed to be due to a faster rate of growth, which is common 

 to but not limited to areas near the mouths of streams. 



6. Also discussed were the Cuban natural sponges. Until more 

 than one type of these become commercially available and significant , 

 a more specific designation cannot be made than that under 



Type nil. 



7. Also recommended, in view of the admitted difficulties encoun- 

 tered in writing a non-controversial description of grading, is the hiring 

 by the Government of men competent in grading. A Government employee in 

 Tarpon Springs to certify shipments would be the simplest solution. 



8. After much discussion of the complications involved in carry- 

 ing out this last recommendation, the members of the Exchange listened 

 to Dr. Bennett's description of the scientific tests that he was making 

 and decided that these should answer the purpose. Dr. Bennett reminded 

 them that such tests of absorption, cleanliness, abrasion resistance, 

 resiliency, etc., would have to be accompanied by some descriptive 

 matter, might have to be run in a reasonably equipped laboratory, would 

 have to be run on a fairly large sampling of any one lot, and might not 

 group the sponges in exactly the same grade classes as the presently 

 accepted sensory tests numbers. Also, he pointed out that recommenda- 

 tions from himself and from the Exchange could not constitute a first 

 draft of new grading standards, but would be of definite assistance to 

 the Government in setting up these standards for their own purchasing 

 agents and for only the Government at present. 



9. After comparison of the weight-size relationships that existed 

 before World War II, during the war, and in the present voluntary well- 

 washed standards accepted by most of the industry, it was recommended 

 that Federal Specification C-S-631b, Paragraph 1-3 be recommended for 

 universal acceptance, and that the then superfluous columns of "Number 

 of Sponges per pound" be eliminated from the Specifications. It was 



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