The Ralston Independent (Ralston, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Friday, September 6, 1912 Page: 2 of 8
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PLAPIi CULTURE
IN JAPAN ^
A MONO the many wonder# of tbe orient
there la none more Interesting than
culture pearls
These gems of the sea should not be
COUfOUBdCd «lth the so-called artificial
pearl, for they are true pearls In every
sense of the word. The pearl-bearing
oyster Is made to produce pearls by a
aclcntlPc proceaa In four years.
In early times people had all kinds
of ridiculous and extravagant Ideas
sbout the way In which pearls were
Even so learned a man as Pliny be-
lieved that they were drops of dew, which, falling
Into the gaping mouth of the molluac, were trans-
formed by the animal's power, Into pearls.
From Ariel's song In "Tempeat":
proftm'rd
5
From a Young Girl.
I have been reading your column
quite awhile and now 1 come to you
J for help. I am a girl fifteen years old,
and would like you to tell me how
should I treat a boy who likes me
much, and I don't care anythlug for
htm.
Ia It proper for a girl to kiss a
young boy that Is older than Bhe,
after he has been ofT for three years?
Do you think I write well.—From an
Interested Reader.
| You have a difficult task, but If the
boy has any sense at all, after you
have declined his invitations several
times he will see that you do not care
for his attention. I do not think you
need ktos the young man even if he
has been absent a long time. He is
not a relative, and has no reason to
j claim kiBses. Your writing may be
greatly Improved by careful practice;
It Is not good for one of your age.
'rAroxu"jc%AiiD, rxfjm&fom p&ua, dvmom
Hut doth suffer a sea change
Into something rich and t range.
We see that In Shakespeare'a time men had
peculiar notlona about the wonders wrought by
the aulmals of the sea. Again, In Moore's poem,
"l'erl and the Pearl," we find:
And precious the tear as that ratn from the sky
Which turns Into pearls as It falls In the sea.
Aellan thought that pearls were produced by
lightning flashing Into the open sheik.
Turning from these fantastic, though interest-
ing, theories let us glance at the modern ex-
planations of the formation of these beautiful
products of nature.
You have, no doubt, often seen shells of
molluBcs lined with a smooth anr Iridescent coat-
ing, which is called nacre or mother of-pearl.
This coating, like the rest of the shell, Is pro-
duced by the animal, and Is made up mostly of
carbonnte of lime and an organic matrix which
usually presents a laminated texture. You must
have noticed that the color and brtlllancy of this
layer differ In various species of shells. For
Instance, tn the ordinary oyster it Is of a lustre
less white, and In a kind of shell called abalone
or ear shell (Hallotls), the nacre Is of a green-
lBh blue tinge, changing to purple as you turn It
in your hnml. In another kind, known as the
black-llpped-shell, (Maigarltifera), the mother-of-
pearl Is of a greenish black color. In the shells
of the true pearl-oysters the nacre Is of a clear,
delicate white, which haB the sheen of floss silk
faintly tinted with azure, exhibiting a beautiful
play of color—a quality which makes these shells
of great value In commerce.
Now It often happens that foreign substances,
Huch as sand grains, microscopic organisms of
various kinds, parasitic worms, crabs, or some-
times even small Ashes become Introduced by ac-
cident or otherwise inside the shell or Into the
tissues of the mollusc's soft body In such cases,
the animal sometimes begins to deposit a part of
the material which goes to form the nacreous
layer of the shell around or over these foreign
objects and ns new material is added year after
year in the form of layers these concretions
which may Ht first he very tiny grow to be of
a considerable size. And when this takes place
In a shell with specially beautiful nacre such as
that of the pearl-oyster, the result may be an ob-
ject of great beauty, prized from ancient times as
a priceless Jewel. In this strange way, pearls,
the handsomest products of nature are produced.
Such being their origin, pearls may be formed
In any kind of mollusc, blbalved or spiral. And
just as the nacre of different kinds of shells dif-
fers, so the pearls themselves vary according to
the shell, which produces them. Thus the pearls
of the common oyster, the scallop and the giant
clam, are milky white and not very bright, while
those of the sea mussel are usually black.
Perhaps you have noticed that pearls are of
many different shapes, some round, some pear
ehaped, some egg-shaped and some of all manner
of fantastic shapes. The round, pear-shaped and
egg-shaped ones are known as oriental or virgin
pearls, while those of Irregular shapes are called
baroque pearls. These are sometimes found In
the shapes of fishes, birds wings, or creeping
worms. The seed pearls, which are generally
use for medicinal purposes by the Chinese, are
always very small and usually found together
In numbers
Sometimes two pearls
will be found Joined to-
gether by the nacreous
substance, thus forming
what Is known as
"twin pearls."
All of these kinds of
pearls are called free
pearls, because they
are found In the tissues
of the animal's body
and are not Joined to
the shell.
In the same way Ihat
twin pearls are joined
together it sometimes
happens that pearls are found attached to the In-
ner surface of the shell. This position Inter-
feres with the symmetry of the pearl so that
when it is taken out of the shell it Is flat on one
side, making what Is known as a "perle bouton."
The attached pearls are not always of Inferior
quality but are often highly valued. The world-
renowned "Southern Cross," which was valued at
£10,000 by the company to which It belonged, was
found at Cossack, Western Australia, attached to
the central part of the Inside of a shell.
When once the nature of pearls was understood.
It was but natural that many experiments were
made to produce the precious objects at will. In
fact, much attention has been paid to this very
problem by scientific men, and they are still at
work upon it.
It is well known that Linnaeus, the father of
natural history, claimed that pearls could be pro-
cured by piercing holes In the shell of an oyster
with a fine auger, making a small wound, and
afterwards '"parking" the oysters for many years.
Hut his suggestions do not seem to have been
clearly understood and no one has been able to
pursue his method successfully. The Chinese, as
Is well known, have been specially successful In
raising pearls by Inserting grains of clay between
the shell and the thin outer membrane which
covers the soft body of the freshwater mussel,
but the best of these are of very Inferior quality,
and are valuable merely as curios.
At the International Fisheries exhibition, held
In Berlin In 1880, some pearls were shown which
had been cultivated In Oermany From looking
at these one could see that the plain relief might
be covered with nacreous substance, but the re
suit was of little value. Mr. Saville Kent, late
naturalist to the government of Queensland and
to that of Western Australia, undertook the Bame
experiment with the large pearl-oyster, and a
gentleman on Thursday Island tried Inserting a
shot through a hole In the shell
The most Important of such experiments are
probably those of Dr. Louts Boutan of Paris, who
succeeded some seven years ago in producing
pearls In the abalone shell. The public was nat-
urally greatly Interested, and the newspapers In
Europe and America applauded his success and
called it a great discovery.
It may perhaps come as a surprise to many that
before Dr. Boutan's attempts, n very extensive
and successful system of pearl-oyster cultivation
had been carried on in Japan by a Mr. Mlklmoto,
and "culture pearls" had not only been produced,
but placed regularly on the market Even at the
present day, It may be claimed, that this Is the
only pearl-oyster farm In the world which under-
takes the extensive cultivation of the precious
mollusc and produces "culture pearls" on a com-
mercial scale An account of the successful enter-
prise may, therefore, be not wholly devoid of in-
terest
At the Third National Industrial exhibition,
held In Tokyo In 1890, Mr. Mlklmoto exhibited In
the aquarium of fisheries section some living
specimens of the pearl-oyster. This made him ac-
quainted with Dr Mltsukuri, professor of zoology
at the Imperial university, who first suggested to
him the possibility of cultivating pearl-oysters
and of making them produce pearls by the use of
proper stimuli. Being deeply Interested In the
subject, Mlklmoto went afterwards to the marine
biological station of the Imperial university at
Vlsakl, whete the professor was teaching, and
wofflsr UKtftf wv&c cro- 6 O
learned from him many facts concerning pearl
formation and the natural history of the pearl
oyster.
Miklmoto's home was Toba In the province of
Shima, one of the localities In Japan famous for
large yleldB of pearls. Directly after his return
there he began experimenting on his newly ac-
quired Idea. At first it Beemed almost like pur-
suing a fleeting shadow and hie friends laughed
at him for "throwing his money Into the sea."
He. however, persisted, trying all sort of experi-
ments and changing his methods from time to
time, relying on suggestions and advice from Prof.
Mltsukuri and Dr. Kishlnoue. At the end of four
years of hard work, disappointment and renewed
efforts, some results were obtained which seemed
to promise success. In 1896 things had so far
progressed that the experimental stage was a
thing of the past and the enterprise was put on
a commercial basis. A patent for the new method
was obtained from the government, and the culti-
vation of the pearl-oyster on an extensive scale
was begun at the Island of Tatokujlma, in the
Bay of Ago. At the end of 1899 the first, though
small, crop of pearls was harvested and placed
on the market.
The methods practised at the pearl-oyster farm
are as follows:
Every year during the months of July and
August, small pieces of rock and stone are placed
In a spot where the larvae of the pearloystera
have been found to be most abundant. Soon
small oyster-Bpat are found attached to them. As
this takes place In the shallow waters of not
more than a few fathoms, they would die from
cold. If left there during the winter, so together
with the rocks to which they are anchored they
are removed to deeper waters and carefully laid
out In the beds prepared for them. Here they He,
until they reach their third year, when they are
taken out of the sea, and undergo an operation
which leads to pearl formation. This consists
chiefly in Introducing Into them the small pearls
or round pieces of nacre which are to serve as
the nuclei of pearls. The shells are then put
back Into the sea and left undisturbed for at least
four years more At the end of that time, they
are taken out, and It is found that the animal
has Invested the Inserted nucleus with many lay-
ers of nacre and has In fact produced a pearl.
A large part of the submarine work, such as the
transplanting of the oysters, spreading them out
on the beds, taking them out of the sea or putting
them back there Is done by women divers. This
is universal in the Ago Bay and many other parts
of Japan. There haB been a belief from time Im-
memorial that women can work better and longer
under water than men, the the women divers of
lse are often mentioned In classic literature.
These women divers are trained from a very
early age, and they seem to have Inherited through
many generations a special aptitude for the water
life. It is said that they ere able to save enough
money by the time they are of age to pay for their
wedding expenses.
The oysters secured while under water are
dropped Into a wooden bucket of moderate size,
which Is connected to the diver by means of a
rope attached to her waist. The average dive
occupies rather less than a minute. In that time
several mollusks being cropped.
A day's work consists of from four to six
hours, in which time 600 oysters can easily be
gathered at a depth of two to six fathoms. On
coming up and preparing for another plunge, the
diver takes a deep and quick breath which pro-
duces a shrill whistling sound. When 50 or more
are working together this peculiar noise la al-
most Incessant.
Aa a considerable part of their life is spent tn
the sea, the prolonged exposure to water and
sunshine makes their sklna very dark and their
hair reddish.
The water Is fairly cold and It Is necessary for
the women dlvera to go ashore several times dur>
log their work to warm themselves by a Are.
They are very healthy, but the severe nature
of their occupation causes them to age prema-
turely Their skin becomes rough and coarae
and their hair bright red.
Written Wedding Invltatlona.
In writing a wedding invitation to
the few guests who are to witness a
ceremony to be performed at home, is
the same form observed as those en
graved, or are Informal notes sent?—
Perplexed.
Do not try to copy the formal style,
but write an Individual note to each
guest. One of the prettiest home wed
dings I know of was where the bride
wrote little missives something like
this: "Dick and I are to be married
on Saturday at noon, and it will add
greatly to our happiness if you wit-
ness the ceremony. Hoping to have
you with us, cordially your, etc."
The Proper Thing to Do.
This may seem a most trivial and
even foolish state of mind to be In,
but I believe you will be kind enough
to aid me. For many long years I was
barred from all social pleasures by a
eeries of illnesses. Now that I am
well and can again enter Bociety, 1
find I am too self-conscious to enjoy
a single moment. I do not know what
to Bay or how to act. What Bhall 1
do? Can you give me any set phrases
to learn or repeat on all occasions?
Anything you suggest I will be grate-
ful for.—Will.
In the first place, endeavor to for-
get yourself. This will only be accom-
plished by degrees, for you have been
so accustomed to thinking of yourself
and your surroundings. If possible,
become engaged In Bome active work
for others. When you enter a room
do not let the thought come, "what
do they think of me." but "what can
I see or do or say to make tbe other
'fellow* comfortable and happy?" You
will find this habit will grow. too. and
you will soon be perfectly at ease.
Reply to "Mary."
Your questions do not belong in our
department, so I cannot take space to
reply. Sorry.
The Proper Calling Cards.
Please Inform me which is the prop-
er way for a wife to have her calling
cards printed. Should the husband's
Initials bo used, his full Christian
name (if a long one), or the wife's
Christian name? Should the name be
printed or written?—Nell.
A visiting card should bear the hus-
band's full name or his first name and
middle Initial, and they should be writ-
ten If you cannot afford to have them
engraved, not printed.
. From a Fall Hostess.
I want to give a party In the fall
and want to invite Bome boys and
glrlB from the country. As it will not
be a house party, do I have to invite
them to stay with me—especially the
boys. Hoping to see this In print at
your very earliest convenience.—An
Interested Header.
It Is not necessary for you to ask
the boys to be house guests; they
Bhould look out for themselves at a
hotel. Of course, girls could not go
to a public place unchaperoned.
MADAME MERRI.
New Material.
A new material that is being used
I for suits and gowns and even for
handsome coats is of cotton texture,
I but has such a beautiful chamolB fin-
ish that It places the fabric among
those of more aristocratic fiber. The
cloth comes in Hue, lavender, tan,
brown and biscuit color, and because
It will wash Instead of requiring a
dry cleaner ia moat practical aa well
as sightly.
M
Invitations for October wedding*
are beginning to fly, and bo also are
letters to beauty specialists. They
are mostly from engaged girls and
bridesmaids, pretty pleas for "balms,"
or pastes, or advice. Two of the fu-
ture brides complain of being "worn
out" and pale and nervous—that Is,
two who write to me, and here are
patients for that cheapest of medicine
and that most rewarding of beauty
moves—common sense.
Being engaged is in itself a thrilling
experience, trying to the nerves, tem-
per and mere muscles, if the girl does
much running around, and If Bhe stays
at home, and Is entirely occupied with
the Bubject of Jack or John and her
own importance, she Ib apt to get not
only pale, but .extremely below par In
physical fitness. Love is the most con-
suming emotion of which the human
heart is capable, and too much occu-
pation with the subject Is far from
sensible now when two people expect
to Join their destinies so soon for all
time. Therefore, as a first specific to-
ward the relief of that "tired feeling,"
and as a cure for Indifferent complex-
ions, I would advise the bride to-be to
have more long walks with her
"young man" and fewer Indoor confer-
ences. Fresh air Is the skin's great-
est reviver and the exercise freshens
the blood, tones up muscles and brings
Joy to the heart; but since young peo-
ple always want to drink cold things
summer afternoons and nights, I must
warn the bride who wants a flawless
complexion on her wedding day to
Bteer clear of the ice cream sodas ta-
ken so often during the rambles with
the beloved one and with girl friends.
Buttermilk, as I have said many
times, used internally and enternally.
Is very beautifying to the skin, and
sometimes an entire buttermilk diet
Is needed for toning up the stomach
after purging or a bilious attack. Mo-
lasses of the thick, dark kind la con-
sidered to have a distinct beauty val-
ue when eaten with coarse bread, and
so are the fresh fruits, particularly
oranges, grapefruit, grapes and pine-
apple. A dally salad of freah green
stuff aids the digestion, and bo Is a
help in the banishing of pimples and
the saKowness due to coarse eating
or neglect of the bowels
Weddings coming in October entail
a good deal more anxiety about the
whiteness of the skin than do those
of the springtime, for vacations have
Just ended and many glrla return to
town disfigured to the alarming point
Ith sunburn and freckles. For tho
dispersal of these blights massage la
needed, but it must follow a hot face
bath or a good face steam and be
done with a bleaching cream. The
cream containing cucumber, lettuce or
Iris are all whitening In their effect,
but much of the success with their
use comes with the massage The
rubbing gets down to the seat of
thlnga. the pores opening and allow-
ing the unguent used to penetrate be-
low the flrBt layer of skin.
A cucumber milk, which is almost
a specific for redness, roughness and
sunburn, and which is very helpful
In the banishment of freckleB, Is made
In this manner:
Oil of sweot iltnondi 4 ounces
Fresh cucumber Juice .....•••....10 ounces
Essence of cucumbers 3 ounces
White castlle soap, powdered H ounce
Tincture of Benzoin 2-S dram
The cucumber Juice is obtained by
boiling the vegetables in a very little
water. Slice them thin, skin and all.
and let them cook slowly till soft and
mushy; strain twice through cloth.
Tho essence Is made by putting an
ounce and a half of the cucumber
Juice Into the same quantity of high-
proof alcohol. Put the essence and
the soap In quite a large bottle, as
the mixture requires much shaking.
After a few hours the soap will be
dissolved, when It is time to add the
cucumber Juice; shake the bottle till
these ingredients are thoroughly mix-
ed ; then pour out Into a crockery bowl
and add the oil and benzoin, stirring
constantly until there Is a creamy
liquid. Put the emulsion Into smaW
bottles, cork tightly and keep In the
dark. Always shake the bottle before
using the emulsion.
This milk can be employed Instead
of the cream for the massage and at
the same time it will act aa an excel-
lent cleanser.
ti
Dry 8hampoo.
Most women are familiar with the
dry sRampoo done with talcum powder
rubbed into the scalp. Hair bruahea
may alao be cleaned thla way. Dry
cleaning bruahea may bo done either
with talcum powder or with flour. Rub
the powder thoroughly Into the brla-
tiea and then ahake It oue. Tbe brush
will be clean and stiff
Comfortable Style.
The transparent gulmpe with long
sleeves furnishes a very comfortable
way out of wearing long gloves with
the short sleeved frock of silk or
heavy linen.
Most often, perhaps, It 1b In chiffon
or net or other sheer stuff echoing the
color of the frock, but one sees It, too,
In sheer white or cream lingerie ma-
terial associated with a jumper
blouse of darker coloring.
Polish Tan Shoea Before Wearing.
A dealer told me to always polish
tan shoes before they were worn. It
Is almoat Impossible to remove apott
from them, unless they are polished
before they are worn, thus filling up
the pores of the leather.—McCall'a.
Magazine.
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Bryant, T. E. The Ralston Independent (Ralston, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Friday, September 6, 1912, newspaper, September 6, 1912; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc162873/m1/2/?rotate=270: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.