Pearls and Pearling

the long version

Pearls and Pearling was written by Herbert Harvey Vertrees, of Pittsfield, Illinois, who left his work as a salesman to hunt for pearls on the Illinois River. Vertrees studied the art of finding freshwater pearls in the mussels of American waters, learned the history of the pearl and pearl hunting, and all about the mussels he sought. This excellent work describes the many different species of mussels, methods and tools needed for pearling, and how to extract, care for and sell pearls. ADVERTISEMENT, FUR-FISH-GAME, April 1916: PEARLS AND PEARLING - An absorbing book on a fascinating subject. Pearl hunting, "clamming," or "pearling", as it is variously called, is fascinating work. "Pearls and Pearling" is a new book by a practical pearl hunter. It describes fresh water clams; tells how and where to find them; how to make and use a crow foot dredge; about the dip net and its use; other methods of pearl fishing; how to open the shells and find the pearls; tells why trappers and hunters make good pearl hunters; about the care, value and sale of pearls; how to improve imperfect pearls, and everything else that a pearl hunter wants to know. Valuable pearls have been found in the rivers of AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI, the New England States and the Eastern Provinces of Canada. Every trapper, hunter, fisherman and outdoor man who lives near a river which contains fresh water clams ought to have a copy of this book. - Fur News, New York