Owing to the formation of the coast, seaweed is present in great
quantities along the shores of Prince Edward Island, in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The high tide leaves a long stretch of
territory between high and low water mark, where it grows. As a
fodder it is eaten by oxen, sheep, and deer in winter, and when
boiled with a small quantity of meal added it makes a desirable
food for hogs.
From seaweed, when reduced to ashes, are gained some of the most
beneficent preparations in use to-day. Some of these are iodin,
bromin, hydriodic acid, iodides of sodium, mercury, potassium,
magnesium, and calcium. From it are extracted coloring matters,
volatile oil, and its ingredients are used in photography. It
is further employed as coverings for flasks, in the packing of
glass, china, and other brittle wares, for packing furniture,
stuffing pillows and mattresses, and in upholstering. The claim
is made that furniture stuffed with seaweed is kept free of
moths and other insects, owing to its salty flavor.
This weed is one of the best non-conductors of heat and finds
use in thermotics, especially in the insulation of refrigerators
and in refrigerating plants. It is also used between walls and
floors to prevent the transmission of sound.
As the demand for this article is getting more active, large
quantities are being gathered by farmers and fishermen along the
shores of Prince Edward Island, dried, and prepared for shipment
to the United States. (Text.)--_Harper’s Weekly._
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