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THE PEARL
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matic methods will prevent waste and the destruction of the beds.
The
English Colonial governments of India are doing much in this direction.
By keeping experts upon the ground, they have learned how to fish
without destroying the beds, and to fish when it is possible for the
oysters to contain pearls. Strict supervision and protection of the
beds result in more frequent fishings and greater returns to both the
government and the fishermen.
This
example is being followed, and pearl fisheries are gradually coming
either under governmental supervision or into the hands of
concessionaires, whose large investment makes the preservation of the
beds a business necessity, whether they fish mainly for pearls or
shells.
The
best pearls and the largest number are found usually in mature shells
which are distorted ; it has been stated as a possibility, that in the
future some of the new rays will be used in fisheries where the pearl
is the main object of the fisher, to ascertain if the oyster contains
any before destroying it. M. Dubois of Lyons
252
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