^ecSe^n  '       Sponges.  589 
Turkish  bath  (Exhibit  No.  21)  are  found  in  shallow  water  and  are 
numerous  in  variety,,  quality  varying  according  to  depth  at  which 
they  are  found.  They  are  chiefly  bleached,  only  the  finest  selected 
being  used  in  their  natural  color. 
The  question  of  propagating  sponges  has  been  discussed  both  as 
regards  Florida  and  Mediterranean  sponges,  and  the  idea  is  believed 
to  be  feasible.  The  method  is  as  follows :  Sponges  cut  into  small 
pieces  will  live  and  grow  if  properly  attached  in  suitable  water 
(clear  and  free  from  impurities).  They  can  be  cut  on  a  moistened 
board  with  a  knife  or  a  fine  saw.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  ex- 
press the  soft  matter.  The  preferred  size  of  the  cuttings  is  about  1 
inch  broad  and  similar  in  height.  The  outer  skin  should  be  re- 
tained as  far  as  practicable.  In  cutting,  the  lines  of  the  circulating 
canals  should  probably  be  considered,  although  pieces  cut  without 
any  reference  to  the  direction  of  the  canals  have  lived  and  grown. 
Exposure  is  not  injurious,  unless  exposed  too  long  or  in  very  warm 
weather.  The  clippings  must  then  be  made  fast,  care  must  be 
taken  to  use  material  that  is  not  injurious  to  the  sponge  and  will 
not  distort  its  growth.  They  must  be  fastened  on  the  bottom  in  an 
upright  position  that  can  be  maintained,  and  not  smothered  by 
mud,  sand  or  sediment.  The  use  of  bamboo  pegs  seems  to  have 
given  much  satisfaction  and  good  results  attained  in  as  short  a  time 
as  a  year. 
Owing  to  the  great  advance  in  the  cost  of  sponges  during  the 
last  few  years,  due  to  the  scarcity  and  the  results  of  overfishing  and 
increased  demand,  of  which  the  European  market  has  been  a  factor, 
the  packers  in  Florida  have  resorted  to  loading  sponges  to  keep 
down  the  price,  so  as  to  appear  to  continue  asking  the  former 
prices,  whereas  in  reality,  the  cost  is  20  to  35  per  cent,  higher. 
There  are  several  methods  of  accomplishing  this,  such  as  injecting 
into  the  sponge  sand  and  marble-dust ;  also  by  washing  the  sponges 
in  a  salt  solution  and  by  injecting  glucose  and  heavy  syrups.  In  fact, 
so  heavy  do  they  endeavor  to  load  them  that  it  is  a  wonder  that 
the  Government  did  not  contract  for  loaded  sponges  for  their  can- 
non in  its  late  war  with  Spain.  Dealers  now  offering  pure  sponges 
free  from  sand  and  foreign  matter  are  practically  ridiculed  by  re- 
tailers, when  quoting  $1  and  $1.50  per  pound  higher  than  their 
competitors  offering  loaded  sponges,  though  they  are  offering  the 
better  and  cheaper  article  and  not  likely  to  scratch  or  spoil  a  highly 
