hay phen, | ag cape hg hyo et tg, apna A he i A NOH RUPEE thes ENN, ar arty Ee DE Her Ge ie fo ody Mit A ba Mactan « beets ee re Maal whe De Ay aha Vent ahs Mat wae te spl HUW Ne ABE GM SAN whet Pe eek he A welt Ne PO Darah ® th AS tara Se Ia restr Iv 3 INN Neve a WN ty PMMA Aw of ee WSO! Repeat an HA, Oe SF fah oye Hee oe Ot wire? dale Sond G—Leoe OD.’ Nan Bah OK, Armory, eer) em Sr meray tees ah ate te = ~ ws a 7 ea eeceas Sat ne aM Sey Et ee FL 2 Bot etd Satectghe tat IN Dede eS, hate hee - i eS ee ae Sa at. Ran Ponte hente Mate ee ete ey MidheMg hte Heaton etn ean eer. Eee Tete Fete eth hel tote ae ent teste that en Ne ee es Nae ny eet Meet ‘aA j me ft ‘ te Ne N vay i ‘ ae iy l i i yf a. ‘i Kea A ae nth . me “AD mi Ls) ae asin ; $, si auf vl ’ Mi , 1 ny ee sae ~ » FSET Gh) LO PI A il” os Nis Oe ee ver aah) Las a ry aa ae ds ee ; aa . : eo : = Cy fi ; ed ie j ot , : a 7 aa ae? a " 7 . 4 Ah ie ; ; ; J Ph i oe oF oy wy . i a oe ; Ory eS i “0 ONE Mi BSiD) ian Ar h | 7 , hs . i cai i > ee: uid y 1 Ay an iT 7 a : : bik me he , he i a ag * o PB ve } As 2 os MW i “a iL) Ti ae lng pi A al ~~ wi PS ieee Wit te . a vie ar me / ; ‘i fy ce a rw : j a a | tale Wh ‘ et aN pha he Ch Tee % : ie aa a va a A : ee ah AC Al - c ‘ ae) eA biaviiti 4 tari ape ed 7 7 os 7 > UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES. SS ON aaah Pay REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR Wed hy A.—INQUIRY INTO THE DECREASE OF FOOD-FISHES. B.—THE PROPAGATION OF FOOD-FISHES IN THE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1879. on ee os ‘ be OTH . eur aud y Pere D cia eh ‘i ' ; r * WS vy hs ff kee 1 a th : ae ene at i) Pes é - is iy . d es a a 3 - ; a 79 ng ry hl ‘ | j ver j ant 1 at ; 7 > 7 : i*. bi on \o pe weer THBP EATS Wek CHEMIE - AA OPEL EIT vtee J : osm HOM GRE QVE-OOOT tO. CONTRA 1rOnt uf ae \; osttesrneit ny SUT ATR GET MAT TO eccaha ae ie ahi j A aN. > x 4 | on ie etm — sO LICR ADL) DHURVIE ‘ona MA “yw LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, TRANSMITTING His report for the year 1876-77. Marcu 27, 1878.—Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. UNITED STATES CoMMISSION, FISH AND FISHERIES, Washington, March 18, 1878. GENTLEMEN: In compliance with the order of Congress I have the honor to transmit herewith my report for the year 1876~77 , as United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, embracing, first, the result of inquiries into the condition of the fisheries of the sea-coast and lakes of the United States; and, second, the history of the measures. taken for the introduction of useful food-fishes into its waters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SPENCER F. BAIRD, Commissioner. Hon. Wm. A. WHEELER, President United States Senate, and Hon. 8. J. RANDALL, ' Speaker of the House of Representatives, ’ : ‘ a ’ ' * ‘ j , ‘7 . * v ’ I Z “ff * ‘ . i ‘ hk ’ ‘ s © { r > . : . 4 x ™ ‘ . ‘4 ‘ . . . ‘ . + CONTENTS. IL—REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. A.—GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. Page 1, INTRODUCTORY REMARKGS <5 55.55.5566 sccsccccccscucccce omens cece ee scenes ccensseucces ot wecccccs dl fi Number of reports heretofore published ....... 2.0.22 .ceeeecenwcc scenes ccceescecesecnee “ener Cr *1 Period of the year covered by each report... 2.0... cccescccnencccnccn sens ccce ens ccccccesccecces *1 pEmire COVER DY; tHe Present TOPOTU ccs. scessqqtdavases stead cecedevucudddececdassucenedasuaaeee *] Gradual and great increase in the labors of the Commission .......--....---------+----------00 *y Labor involved; increase'of appropriations -.-. 2.22.22. occ ce ees ce esac sce cccncnccescccescens *1 Increased interest and co-operation in the Work ....---.... 0-2-2 --0eee cece eee e eee ceee ne ceccce *1 PASRISiANOS LC HALOe! On ULVISLONS = esse eee sen oo ew aaee aes aoe eee Ac ect eit Dispatch of agents.-.-----.......--------.--5-- sceees cress gocescdeessscs sidaoocr venccene= ait Co-operation of individuals.........-.--.------------------- a eencere sabes on dedamseees ee gl Departure tor Halifax esses essa ---aoebereeneeneneaneereaeeee peenanceeeas esas aeenes sc Saeeeeee UL Part faken in the Meewngs.-------~--eeeseereeeainetes ee seneeenee see eeemerts *16 Methods of other nations illustrated by apparatus imported ...........-.----.---+-----.----- *16 Proposed improved fishery exhibit in Washington .....-- PSOne DSc ae oes seo orSssessesss te *16 Value of information: published in Norway. <-c.-<=- 2. oscteet ele caecete nce secsece ee seeecneee *16 History of Loffoden Island fisheries ..-.....--...-.-.------------ su pAbuonadccotticdacoacc+ ap tlG Observations by Sars on Loffoden fisheries ............ Sb Sano GocebesbeSocttc ssesc co cosaete solv Sea-fisheries of (Norway, -222.-~ tese-nasenecienoncehomceacsececmsenceselstenemee hee aeetenne il if Geographical distribution of Gadde: == ca ec nasser ee eee ias nesses aloes eee eee #17, Hirst five years of Emden herring-fshery)-----. 2-2-0. -cenemisse seen asenaceseneeeeeeeenes calf Oa-fiSHELIES OL SO WeOCN <— eene serena seer nancer esa cte semana ene see eee see eee ion li ®: ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS 2ol2s0c) hock. sees on b ese eee ee Le eee ee eee ee vale Observations with the Casella-Miller thermometer, by Commander L. A. Beardslee.--....-.--. “17 F.—THE PROPAGATION OF FOOD-FISHES. 10° GENERAL ‘CONSIDERATIONS -.02<<0-5-5-ssonecceces ose esCaee ce seen seas c ease senate eee eee *18 Unreasonable expectations in regard to results of fish-culture..........---------------------- *18 Time required for,determination as to SUCCESS: <.-c6 mc on~- <2 oe see enees <== eee reese ence *18 Some causes of.error or fallacy------s.c- oes eee eee ee ae eee ae eee eee *18 State commissions acting im 1871 <2. 2.2.2 s.ce sec cncseneeoecceceseecmeeticescencen ae eren ee anes *19 State commissions in 1877 .:....-2c.sccesceccn scene cecnssdemensenocsseaeeien esate seme eaeette *19 Amonuntiof work done by them! +. csco-sscs- a. sec aeee ee meee een ee ekate asco ee eee *19 Lake States especially noteworthy ........-.-------se-------0- soconanaadtes Fdoseses ones e cee eee oe a emias SSS eons See eee eae eerie 612 BB: Report for 187. .sni-cjes cise snes aeetomecior eee eee ea nee tee see eens ial oe tele dete eters 630 CS) Report for 1872 joan < nacre -ckosee sates mts ole eee fo are ean are et era are te ete ite a teeta teat 635 1D; Report for 1873) ces sce eaeerisees ee le l= me ee See tele ee eae eae ee teeta tate teeta 643-662 VI. G. 0, Sars. REPORT MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OF INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SALT-WATER FISHERIES OF NORWAY DURING THE YEARS 1874~77. By Prof. G.O. Sars. Translated from the Norwegian by H. Jacobson........----.--------------------- 663 I. Report for I874,55 2-2 sos. ee eee ok eels ato eva ose insiess lees sae seat ns eee eeettete 663 Li. Report for A8Th esse ass as ates sser esse ee eae onene hone eco eeatecemacensaenta 667 A. The mackerel fisheries of our Southern and Western coasts .....-.------.-------- 667 B. The lobster and the lobster fisheries on our Southern and Western coasts ...-..--. 674 C. On drag-net fishing on the coast from Nevlunghaven to Tonsbergfiord ..... ..-...- 680 Ii. Extracts from Prof. G. O. Sars’ report on the Norwegian Atlantic expedition of 1876.. 681 Ate ZOOLOPICRODSELVAbIONS ao -e eee eeeese = =n ae ee eee cesar sate sae eae ae eee te 681 B. Investigation’ of the salt-water MSheries. 226.005 snicnee << --m= lines ee = easier 687 N. Preliminary report on the zoélogical observations made during the second Nor- wepian polar expedition Of 18iil eaessees ster teas seeser sees eee eee 692 Y. Report on the practical and scientific investigation of the salt-water fisheries, made during the second Norwegian polar expedition of 1877 ...--..----------- 698-706 VU. Mi. Friele. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FISHERIES OF NORWAY IN 1877. By M.Friele. Trans- lated from the French by J. Paul Wilson..-...-...--.----------+0- Red Smodascaegsececnoate 707 A. Introductions: <2 .ccdscssc0n seemcee seco cle e Ieee eee ee ae ee ee ee eee ee 707 B. The cod fishery... 5-2-2 2-<<-=cacencoeneeaacecn noseeeeeee neon s ee seees eee ewe aioe eae 707 1. Apparatus used in the cod fishery......--..--. -c----c-eoceneeecenenact scenes eee 710 2, he daily fishing... -20--ss-cueeenbaeneeconee sae eines sooth Be ppecdsacosaccs 713 8. Quality, ofthe cod... =... .c=-bcceseopwenucciesee seen nase aes cele cnee pe amine eee em 715 4,. Preparation.of'; ho Coa «ax smeoseesee esas cote eae nies e nee ne ieee Una ences 716 5. Preparation. of 4.1001), ..<%aedeq-deseeesee ck cae cee mene nee an= oem lace ea heer 717 Bs R06 aaa ain o's ose: ,5)-5)5 oinre's nye dime Sree ee ee ee eae ae ctetn ooo owe ote ee ete 718 7. Other species of the genus Gadus ......--.-------- ee aee Seema near seer wieees - 718 8.)-Lhe cod-fish trad6......cc.ecsasehenee Bate meh wo enicsiad onieuin ee emataaet cee Se oceo,. ie?) CONTENTS. XI VII. Wf. Friele. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FISHERIES OF NORWAY IN 1877—Continued. Page. CHLbe erm MOsMEr yn. ks se. tovewpeviewdrt dead cee dosueveduatsneasases cuveandsceses ees. 723 Loan CISD MT ONT Se coaieas lam oniemes eames e wend. dwapideawisuccse sn aasesee tees 723 Av MUO SNOAU MELLIN ar N OLGIAN OG eawwe ane blen dav escosndurandels aetWebpedsdenedsss ae 728 Bee DOO SDN Met NOUN 2: cinecias as )hwidands oman weak de 5 Sewanee ase ree a0s aah mdan ae des. aces 729 ie Le DUSUn MO NSNGNY a aaa aicaadscidas decease seas damancnce sa Cmeaensanscssietaedaasan = 730 HE. The mackerel fishery .............----.-.---- Wise ed ansedw an tunmeiene nana = ate wn daitel a 731 Deon pAtAbua and MEGHOOs INC. accestnaces'ccctancenacdadaeeemedwassdcasaesencdwe 731 2. Preparation of the mackerel, and the trade .......--...2..ecscencnccenenescennne 733 115 HUG be fab C1) 8 ae Hsp eC EES COC COCEHCEEDSICE OH POC ECE ECEM EEE Lo) nionccet Hoe Pheeeer 733 Go ulenwiale ishonvgenacmenteaccncnussscnensaccnadaserswd css acs ce aeanameatetaacecdee tae 735 Ein he seulshonyrestnsasete Mose ccsaceerrsaacatudatrderecee sc ece sete Mee meee ee cu eo oe 735 des Dhersslmonyfsheryesssascccescesscaseceseese nee eee ped diate cles te se cany seep eens ome 736 J.| Miscellaneous fisheries: Sis 22 s\st4 SLU ELS ALE ee ee wend Lote sae ee ok 736 K. Value of the principal products of the Norway fisheries..............-.....-.------- 737 1 Value at,;places) of exportscciwcss< ene coe semabiyesns eapaws'e’s se Rea teipetee ae atmiete oale 737 a. Value at the fisheries: ...\.\5.. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. *31 by the Commission, and distributed to appropriate waters, where, it is hoped, their presence will be indicated at the proper time. Station on the Connecticut River.—The old station, on the Connecticut River, atsSouth Hadley Falls, became the scene of the labors of the Commission after closing on the Susquehanna, the furniture and other equipment being loaded on a freight-car and taken directly through to their destination. A house in the vicinity of the fishery was hired for the accommodation of the party, and the first fishing commenced on the night of the 26th of June. The operations were continued here until the 4th of August, eggs being taken nearly every night, the entire num- ber amounting to something over three millions. As this station was within the jurisdiction of the State of Massachu- setts, it was necessary to obtain permission from its commissioners to carry on operations, which was obligingly granted on the condition that they might nominate some one to be present during the season, to see that the regulations of the State were fully carried out. Mr. Charles G. Atkins was selected for this work, and had the superintendence of a certain portion, under the general direction of Mr. Milner, who had charge of the whole. Here floating boxes were used entirely, and some of the difficulties referred to on a previous page, were experienced, especially in the inter- ference of a raft of logs floating down the river over the spawning- ground. For the purpose of studying the physiological condition of the eggs and young while.in the hatching-boxes, the services of Mr. H. J. Rice of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, were secured. This gentle- man had been employed previously at Havre de Grace during the opera- tions of the United States Fish Commission, and an account of his results has already been published in the general report of the Maryland Fish Commission. Mr. Atkins, too, made a great many interesting ob- servations in regard to the hatching of eggs, &e. The number of eggs procurable at South Hadley Falls not being so great as desired, Mr. Frank N. Clark was sent to Windsor Locks in Connecticut, to a station where it was said spawning shad were to be obtained in abundance, but the season was so far advanced that he did not consider it expedient to commence any work there. There is good reason to believe, however, that it will repay the effort if undertaken at the proper time. A pee statement, by Mr. Milner, of the shad-hatching operations during the year will se found in the Appendix, including an account of the precise disposition made of the fish from the several stations. The Pacific Salmon. The Columbia River or Clackamas Station—A remarkable deficiency in the yield of salmon in the Clackamas River in 1876 aroused the per- sons employed in the canning trade on the river to use all practicable measures of relief. A company, entitled the Oregon and Washington ga REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Fish Propagating Company, was incorporated for this purpose, with Mr. John Adair, jr., as president, Joseph G. Megler, secretary, and Henry ——,, treasurer. The capital stock was placed at $30,000 in 600 shares. At the request of the officers of this company, warmly indorsed by Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, I instructed Mr. Livingston Stone to an- ticipate the time of his usual visit to the McCloud River, and to proceed to the Columbia for the purpose of starting the enterprise. Accord- ingly, he reached Portland on the 11th of June, and had a consultation with the directors of the company. A visit by Mr. Stone, the year before, for a similar purpose, resulted in his choice of the Clackamas as the most suitable spot; but as this was not at the time satisfactory to the company, five weeks were spent in carefully examining all the local- ities along theriver. It was found, however, that some objection applied to every other possible station. Thus the waters of the des Chutes, though abounding in salmon, could not be prepared for hatching pur- poses. Others bad no fish, and others still were too distant and inacces- sible. The Indian troubles prevented any recourse to the nearer waters of the Salmon River, or to the tributaries of the Upper Columbia. One objection to the Clackamas was that fish found there were not believed to be the genuine Chenook salmon, but on finding that this was a mistake, and that the desired variety was actually the fish occur- ring there, it was finally concluded to fix upon the Clackamas, and Mr. Stone was authorized, on the 5th of July, by the treasurer to select it as the location. He accordingly located the hatching-station on the south bank of the Clackamas, just above the mouth of Clear Creek. The plans having been completed, their execution was placed in the hands of Mr. Waldo Hubbard, an employé of the Fish Commission, who carried them out with great promptness and efficiency, and, although encounter- ing some unexpected difficulties, the hatching-house was finished with a capacity for a million eggs. Various obstacles presented themselves from time to time, but finally 200,000 eges were secured and placed in temporary boxes. Unfortu- nately, however, a sudden rise in the river carried away the rack across the Clackamas, the Indian trap used for a corral to confine the fish, and finally the eggs placed in the boxes. Vigorous efforts, however, suc- ceeded in retrieving this disaster in part, but it was not until the 25th day of September that everything was completed and in working order. Other preparations, however, had to be made for the purpose of pro- tecting the buildings and apparatus from the sudden rise of the river; and for this a large boom was built which it is hoped will answer the purpose. The total number of young salmon hatched out during the season was about one million, a portion of the eggs having been transferred from the McCloud River. Mr. Stone found that the number of nets stretched across the river constituted a very great impediment to the ascent of the fish, making REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. *33 it probable that unless this could be prohibited by law it would be useless to attempt artificial propagation. It is now understood that a law has been passed which will give the relief; and the predominant interest being in favor of protection, it is likely it will be duly exercised. A full report by Mr. Stone, of his work on the Clackamas, will be found in the Appendix. The McCloud River Station—The success of the operations on the McCloud River during the year 1877 was equal to the average of that of the preceding years, although prosecuted under some especial embarrass- ments. de ae-s enclose onal ess Sedo ciaencascsseaessenstesas SN OUTCER OF UIT OTINGNLON «= secicinie noneiee sa meelsececaiceasisonmiaan aint aa swale asn aeicase cia asm ae 7. Materials in “he archives of the United States Fish Gontininaion Ee eee eee 8. Personal observations and the aid of individuals................2..--20-eeeeee------ 9. Responses to the circular. (See also Appendices B and N) .....-.-- PER RCC ance 10. Published accounts of the species. (See also Appendixes C and D)..........-...--. 11. The coilections in the United States National Museum. eh also Appendix E).... 4. Sources of error which have been shunned .....2.0cecc vacances snce scenes cceccesccncscccccene < 12. The difficulty of obtaining exact information .........-- Bee One POLO COCALO CON OL IEF Hoe Ere UdIGEs | an Oi SIPersublONS) scecceicce = ae eesede mesic aente sens eneenicm= enn sem asem ss 14. Inaccuracies of observation and statement SEcTION B.—THE NAMES OF THE MENHADEN D5 PODULEP NOMES 220.4 che a ao. temtamie wtaewerenss es erates Sawaccinw decent beet cate deousewacace oes 415; local names! andinsageseesce-tcecs sete ate sao ees aac snelamanicio nin lone «pls epenelemet ces 16. The geographical distribution of popular names ....-----.-.---.-------.---+--22---- 17. A table showing the geographical distribution of the popular names of the men- . haden 18. Discrepancies in these names .............--..--.------------ goSnbosapeceeseocee cas 19. The name of ‘‘menhaden’”’ claimed to be the preforable one........---...----------- 20. Trade names of the menhaden and their liability to mislead ..-......-.......--- eons 21. Origin of the popular names of the menhaden ...-.-.....-..-...--.-------------- Scee Smee OOM fn er ON NAGON: ae seis a oe aac an ce mans nla cp seer enceciines cee ee ke sectaaiiseiaee sais 23. ‘‘ Hard-head” and ‘‘ bony-fish”’ DAR OW MILO-RBN 2 Some eco neccdsedmemacccesccniesewclecals ss aaweescsoeecutacesasebsceccame Ove MOSSDONKER osasiccnceccecwecssaces cu scesesaccnostomsl a secicedonss cen sso tao nsones 26. ‘‘Alewife” and “ oldwife” 27. “Bug fish” LHe clslowic iaBiee siawie alee clolemeleltajetis ctewjcnciaweye saaten ceesk sleeeemedai ees eccmeae Qo Mat-back. and. ’vellow-tall?’ 2. canes anbe cblececlo cam aeces ones see sisioece peeemeeiacecc= 29. The conflict of names among the American representatives of the herring family-.. Gi ZOULDGICRUNOMES: wea ccen eae sas cch ase ccamlevsseecadewesecuc scence t es coss cus esos uh Seenaceess 30. Latrobe’s description of Clupea tyrannus and the reasons for adopting this specific name. (See also Appendix E and Plate II) ..........--.22..--2-0-seececenen een : 31. Mitchill’s description of Clupea menhaden. (See also Appendix E)..... Soocessrs S06 32. Rafinesque’s Clupea neglecta 355, DOLENAD'S! GlLUMER GUID) cas Scie ae saice osc cecins caceioe chek nowswiceaue dn cacdes seneereenenns 34, Mitchill’s Olupea sadina and Gronow’s Olupea carolinensis......---- a eeeee Sacedescc Soe BPEDOOTTL DAI OIVUS cia = a cnisaienenjoeeseccisajeamectwupica ce se amaicjaaceaeeicnae codes teaeeece 36. Agassiz’s Clupanodon aureus into ONY NSN) Ole MECHA aac cis eee als ee yee cs cease Seeee oat ease oto peer lan 38. The generic relations of the species and Gill’s genus Brevoortia. (See also Appen- ix Gee hase ce te cene wcite seis sae em oaiceclee eh eeeietion tec em en eke see eeae aeeeenee mics 39. Revision of the American species of menhaden ..-.....-.....-----.----+----------- SECTION C.—A DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF BREVOORTIA WITH ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL, NOTES 0 a0 ics Goss seneineno pictaums te winekuas cess seaekeatdesees ae eR LOCI CTUCESCT VOCHONG soe eee cea cen rears ne tence wen eae Cee Seca e ci ean ee ween aeeebeeeasenes 40; -prevoortia trannies (Latrobe), Goodes. <= c 71 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Vv Page. SecTION D.—GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND THE MOVEMENTS OF THE scHooLS—Continued. 14. The movements of the schools of mendhaden—Continued. 94, Differences in the swimming movements of tho menhaden end the mackerel.....-.. 7 95, Birda'attracted by the schools of fish... ...00,c2s.- eee see eee ee eee ae eee cite ns Jeeien a 719 fUa A puUNnGgance on tne; coast of Meine). oc 2 oo. non ace erccats soe eame mobi laa alemee oa sobs 19 105, Abundance on the coast of New Bompshire ca. soejcjemenincacjemisieea'sowisen ness ines dasbo 81 106. Abundance on the coast of Massachusetts. ...... 22-0 cscnnce ces cencesnnce cnnccnnens 81 10%. A bondance onthe coast of Rhode sland oo 5 on sncqncmcenancweniaccee ne canpens’ scuny se 84 108. A‘bundance on the coast of Connecticut... .-- <2. eee nc cee e ene wcn en sons ceccescsadeane 85 AUS. eA bundanceon the cosstOly News YOLK cescnssl- os sso n= samen sinciccs sacl> cesce esas emese 87 110. Review of the success of the fisheries in New England since 1865, by Mr. D. T. @hurehie.eeaacsacsissass SBEPSCOS Gabe Coane Geode EMS See cone SHEE ot ericHesaesaccscae 88 111. Review of the success of the fisheries in Long Island Sound since 1870, by Mr. (GRAHE® Vie MID oe ts og SANS ORGS Soe DHE Se CaS Caos Conse Signi V ASS AtSSsbsccee 88 112. Abundance on the coast of New Jersey ..--. 2-2 ose cece wenn nn cen eens nnscnncenae 90 its. Abundanceion the coast of Delaware’. -2-- 2. --. 2 - ces cennne meme de cece cecccuesusanns 90 114. Abundance on the coast of Maryland and Virginia.........-....----------.----- aoe 90 dD. eA bound IHeES On tbe COast OL eNOLtM CALOUNA) +s .snccec cans welennsmeadwasneiqs sean saaain 5 91 THs AN See ERAGE) TA TANG BAB Gas deca clne Cen acS EES EE BA eCR Cbd AB aE ebAEnoEnbSenocennde ase 92 117. Summation of evidence as to increase or decrease ....--.-.----------------00-------- 92 LG MPA DUEL TUCENUTe, ULE) LULL UUNG yan xiointsaraninte eis wii ate iale tn eae aie siciniole og/= cian a metetainiaepiw's aan aaa aimee cies 93 Higielrohabiity, Of tatune) CeCL@RSO) esa) tomiee tee eteaa= e = -e/ 4 otelekinislel en enacen anie sae 93 Section I’.—FooD OF THE MENHADEN ...-- Jsigasbasiensce cass salecisconae ce tans seals cle areas fete aa 93 TO) TOQUE) SES EEOC OS EEN CERO EO SEER EA BESS EOS SB OSSOICSS SSE BOCEC EE SeAUE Oc Ce DAS SEne CSE So enoscne 93 119. Fishermen’s ideas about the food of the menhaden .......-....---.---.------.------- 93 120. Fishermen’s ideas about the manner of feeding...............---.-00---enceenscece- 93 i2l seh xoMINnaONS Ol, SLOMACD-CONTENUS = 20. ne saso so ceclina sence aes sacscinaaswedsicnsecesics 94 ie einerenGes) tron PNEl OXaMINd WONSS (<5 selena = erie ecne cian neleanineeeaenanenana 94 123. Professor Verrill’s opinion as to the nutritive properties of Lottom-mud...........-.. 94 124. Explanation of the evolutions of tho menhaden schuols ...-.-....--..----..--------- 95 125. Character uf their food affecting the value of the fish for use for bait.......-...-.-. - 95 SHETION) G.— REPRODUCTION OF) THE, MENEHADEN 6 oc n(02 002m <5 =e ceinialcieinlaciesice'meomn cn aie nlaiaseaedeeteas 95 POM bILOMP ANOLE DOT ONUS hn prin a pnlais els aael oa hols ot cco das csics celse eae eee et ooo eee nice ence culee aac eaeawaea « 101 139. The crustacean parasite Oymothoa preegustator.....-------------eeceee cee e nee e ne eees 101 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. SecTIoN H.—THE ENEMIES AND FATALITIES OF THE MENHADEN—Continued. 25. Parasites of the menhaden—Continued. 140. Inferences to be drawn from the presence of these parasites..-.-...... eee nies =isteatels 103 121 Other parasites--.2-6ee=/-- senate ea aaa R ee eee aeee ated dene see be eeeeeee = ateee saute = 104 Os PEredaccous Joes Of the Menhaden-----pecae = weemencee ee see eles oencineeee eo see=seeinacie ans 104 142, The destructiveness of whales and dolphins....... 2-2-2. .2ncee cee e ween ne cones ceccene 104 443: The destructiveness Ofy sharks 5 .2.22-oecates eu cee eae seme utecsseeeceseuere Sootitews 105 144: "The destructivenessjof ‘othorfishes\?--2.- oe see eee. eeence nate sleet aes cebeeeeter. 105 $45."Ravaces of the bluefish'and!the bonito te sccnee es eee seeee eee ol ont eceee cee 106 146: "Che menhaden driven upon the shores(5--.---scec cscs ce so oc cee teceeaeceteeeasens 107 147. Captain Spindel’s account of the ravages of the bluefish ...........-.....-2--------. 108 148. Professor Baird’s estimate of the destructiveness of the bluefish.--.......------.... 108 149. An estimate of the number of menbaden annually consumed by predaceous fish.--. 109 150: Lhe placeiof the menhaden:in natures... 2 on-state cme ceenn cence ecm se csesmereee 109 21; “Mom ana the jishertes een. See bh ae Sateen see neice ion ones Re dincbs sen cbee cement eetetats seletee 110 151. Former allusions to the influence of the fisheries.......-...--..--------------------- 110 db2sPropability-ortuture decrease--nt eee eemel enacts soniecle Seaeiae cece acme ene enee eens e ee 110 fos. eUhe allesod desirnchiveness of fishing sens ses -ecacesscec serene see seeme seer eee seeiee 110 i54°;Commoents upon these /allegations)-- 225 -.aseccacsasscieelten se eters nee eeese eon lil 155. Professor Hind's unwarranted statements. ..-..----- 22... ccc seen ee nce ee ene coccenae 112 156. The agitation in Maine concerning productive legislation ......-..-..-.- Sascchsasoac 112 SECTION (5 — THE MENHADEN) FISHERINS: co:02- cee se ces view nec ccaee casivaccecs csmepioces sm ecincesetseee 113 PB LeLOCHIION OF MRE LSU OIONOUMMS = aniojeelseimne mnie aa ee nicest amie ois aiaisio of e aioe slo a ninealoe elem 113 Add. ISilA DUGIONIOL Lhe miShiNPOTOUNGS \wiesec a2 onecmcseaicmice acacia cele maine ses ciaae caer eee 113 BOs EL NO MSO PICU DING ta ttrteteyeie ein ale saint wise cies nine cee wiatasintee tine elelsioaiace's cinjele elstemietere tetas te ie tees 113 158. ceastand present: methods contrasted. 22.2 scence sorsicecnecnoriccsemsceeenecmaneenpete 113 159.) Dithenlty.experienced in obtaining statistics .--- =... —- ..-- penn ese ree 114 ASO eRISHEriCSs In MAINO sacar csewece eee ce ects siewicieeer ee cies nese cinieinceemelem celamiseineeleeeete 114 i615 Hisheriesiin: Massachnsethss.ccs.-- on eal-e cal miees eee ace sas ere snes eee esac eee eee 115 i162 Vhisheriesan dRhodeulslands f.o- 45 cee gee wes tem sens sia cincicssmewoccsic cee Cee tee a aeaeeem 115 163; Hisheries iniConnecticuts:.2- 4 jo -es 3352526 ec ceclonm Sain oncneeinteoe nic ceeee neta eeer eee 116 164. Hishenies am sNie wy OF koe soemeieetemee creases neie em eerie ee eee meres ee) eee 116 165. Fisheries in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland .....-..--.----- 0-00 ------0e--= 116 166, Hisheries/in' Virginia and North Carolina 2.2.2 2 - nee nee cn se eceee eee eeeeaeeeemee 117 1G isheriesiin the Soudhsvcce scicee sowie oaideseeoce cco serle at eee een aeeinne melee eee eer avy, BD; AM DATOS OF \CRDTUME =, caimictterets easels wissen es tee eee ees e neme eee ease caer eiscere eine 117 168; Lhe purse-SOMeES sc se cwistsciae see sews emer cemce clearer ecpenlc ciscels ume r sens ciccmceim stems 117 109; JPho.seine-boatsaeo-eets esee ees = seco eee seseiemereeeececeace ee sc oseee eee Eeee 120 170: Dhe sailing-vessels:) "(See also Appendix dl) ic oe cele Sete sete aimee nce cin rien etme site 122 Adi. SDhe steamers! aah eciersmae ote sees teeminie =lsine es smlels(e\s imine sie elewltee mine ween se cece eee 123 SL NCETLAUUTEQUITEMENTS Of (DUNSE-SEUNE IISA oie wan aio ela = mi [oie eine wimninlels ceiei= lei elaminiele acter 123 172s, Pecnliaritiesio£ purse-seinemishing:-<-o50 -njesit cose saint aspen sso nes eee eee 123 iid. Lhe bestitime.of day for using the purse-Seine so-.c = eae ceane se eoeemaeeeaeeeeeenees 124 B2, Descriptions of fishing’ scenes 255-28 a sss = cine aan sb scene ass sees sapee sears cane frcreee 124 17a) Hishine injsouthern New Hneland =e seas opiseee eerie es aaiene 180 250, Oil-yieldlof southern fishin. 20. occsccw ee noc esesbe sews ape necocaca semis scccasamameciame 183 256. Comparative oil-yield in different localities....---- -.--.2-0--e-cn0 same een ese epas- 183 45. St tistics of the manufacture of. Ot) ANG) QUAN: -0 = rma cana scones oneness sere rnine neniniaie em ates 184 So1,veharnsifor the statoot Maines. 2 nels. tet ccacase cinciocie Wcsaee coisas seem anata ocieeee 184 2oe7 BOLUINS FOr bbe, UNIbCAIStAbOSS <= ceice meee oe eee ete oa eee ee eee 187 259. Comparative yield of oil from the menhaden and whale fisheries ..-.-..------------- 190 260. Comparative yield of nitrogen from the menhaden-factories and from the imports of bird-Puano ss. sos s cs se antes sas etsseciactene teenies cme cease celseneivlene oes eases cee 191 261. The associations of oil and guano manufacturers. (See also Appendices Land M).. 191 46. Thewses of menhaden ot! and the oil market: .<.0-0 encocecavene enciensenceneenaceses-ss-minee 191 262 Che wses\of menhaden’ Oil >. ass ances sole wee ea cee ines mois sel ieineiane eee eee 191 263. Ehe markets for menhadenOuls «ccc «cosets ele aeeieelinae oe (eens eee oie ee eee 192 264 Theprades Of: GU. on ae emia eee eae = tae aiales seein else Bae he aioloie eet eee 192 265. The prices/of oil. (Seealso Appendix K). =~. .2 12 seo soe cen ae ep sek eee eee eee 192 266. Reviews of the market for individual years. ..-......- (6d) ganas sole cine sin nie ee en eee 193 Section N.—MENUADEN AND OTHER FISH, AND THEIR PRODUCTS, AS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE.— By W. 0. Atwater. (See also Appendix QO), .. .. 2. S.njteec nnn neaseenme sem eneenese 194 267.sIntroductory note...¢- 2. 2\5-o- = o-niscemeeseeee screenees 205 275. Further experience in Maine. Messrs. Hinckley, Kenniston, Smith, and Captain Collins... - -... dooce Soceana cine snoeayscsen seen a seceneSececcos Se eset ce eee ene ee Eee 205 276: Other, testimony 4- ss.cceass ce tees ces thos cece ne eens sane nase ohn ER net ce ee Eee 208 49° The manufacture of fish MANUres canna te onteejnicGcases ee ee eee ees ate ne tees Bee US 277. Early attempts at manufacture in Carseancn. bial anie ia oie ao elais)-te Cininigi ciao eal eee 208 278. The De Molon process in Europe and in America .......-.------ 2 --------seneneee-e- 208 2S) Harly manufacture in Rhode Island 02.225 jcomsciemmeme soaciee see eae eee ee eee 209 Peo. Manufacture in Canada <. 2. si2. -- comnn de cote macemusgesaenndsbiccedeaaepeeedeeseemene 210 23); Monufactnre of cancerine, in New Jersey, -<.-.<0\.+2-- 45-6 sees dee eee ee eee ae 210 Qeewarly manufacture in Maine 2.0! .sccceseccescccesslsecosslen sn aenen seen ene mee aee naee 210 Ono emarly manufacture iN Wrance.. -. 6-6. .c+ sess cosa Mepeeet ee eee ees poeesne eee 213 285. Other European manufactures of fish manures. .-... .--000e0cone coeenennnenencenceen 213 See he Norw eran Tah-OU9N0 (25 acscckecekcucescices seas sce e Ree Eeee ae Eee eee 214 287. Manufacture of glue and removal of oil in preparation of fish PUAaNOS <2 cence sees 217 288. Success of fish-guano as a fertilizer in Europe ...........-----20-2 ee-e-e-ee----2eee- 218 289. The manufacture of fish fertilizers in the United States...........--...------------- 218 290. Kinds of fertilizers mado from fish refuse ...... 2.6.25 -oc-moeecenen possess scien -iness 219 291. 1 ish-guano; methods of mannfacture and needs of improvement; statements of Professor GOessmann. « - a6 s30'e ties ms ois oh acs conte aisiaeieke Se O EER ER EE eee ee eee 223 292. Statement of Mr. Maddocks; manufacture in Maine .......----.---+-eeeeenseeneeees 2R4 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Tx 2 Page. SECTION N.—MENHADEN AND OTHER FISH, AND THEIR PRODUCTS, AS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE— Continued, 49. The manufacture of fish manures—Continued. DOUBMULOUNBLG A DLE I PLOCEMS upaa ni das owes ~aieN av.sumnine tetsedagabsmndtonsdduebtaadoace seeps 224 MUAMNA CaMmSGONS. PYOCORS secigevcaehascvenctacnad.sudasvanaeene endian ay onessnew anes aadsipmss 225 295. Immense waste of fisb at present. Possibilities of future manufacture ............ 226 Rone Acllunlated ish and“ Wish and potash salts”: c.citcwcocrevieast ov caddsaccwedcnteuos 226 297. Manufacture of ammoniated superphosphates. ...--.---- 2. .s-s0ccccnwc scecssncsewns 227 50. Chemical composition of menhaden and other fish and of fish manures ....-..-------------- 228 298. Analyses of whole mcnhaden ond of flesh aud bones of whale .............-----.--- 228 ed we AL VEOS ION MIS MULOY CLLLZOLS) on ce eels ele we aitaicia ommem. dae ccie: (owin belen es miem te auiebe ealsenm cea 229 300. Waste from faulty manufacture and use of fish fertilizers ......................-.--- 230 51. The use of jish fertilizers in agriculture ...-....--2------------ Sia Wao G cicinla'wn'd Onta datea nee eee 230 “ible Wolasrcsiay tera bisecting oy Ve esosyqssan ose ee Ce Or noo TORRE eer arieerrcmocec 230 SO MURRGUUIAL IN eTeCIeNts Oly PlaN btOOCs< os. cnicn cinemas aaremt« t= eiesiecesn sr atand toseeeenes 231 Ure MISO DOL SOUSIDVsCKODS a avacetanake suk aaaaeeas sae see teen o SoseC Ape nOD DO (Aer DHSS O RODE MDettbcdr ot bce -moeoneareromcae. 7. 3- 410 26. Statement of Alonzo Y. lane! Hyannis, Mass., February 18, 1874, and January 1, UVB eS Hae SCORE BES ag cote Sao Son SocP RU CrOMn EE oscrcs -ococ. 265 Vcore 412 27. Statement of William S. Allen, Nantucket, Mass., January, 1875...........-.--------- 413 28. Statement of R. C. Kenney, Nantucket, Mass., January 21, 1874...........--.-------- 414 29, Statement of C. B. Marchant, collector of customs, Edgartown, Mass., January 13, LISTIN aReaniesodenOeUe bce BORD - bnGSCCDO eee nbodc OSd> Can Inne Oe JSR E OTe POC E ce mi: meter 416 30. Statement of Jason Luce & Co., North Tisbury, Mass., January 6, 1875 ..........---. 417 31. Statement of Gallup, Morgan & Co., Groton, Conn., December 28, 1877 ....-...---.... 417 32. Statement of Luce Brothers, East Lyme, December 4, 1877 ....-..--------------.---- 418 33. Statement of Daniel T. Church, Tiverton, R. I...........-..-----.---.- eater reco 418 34. Statement of E. T. De Blois, Portsmouth, R. I., November 26, TSH (adenas = cecoseor see 425 35. Statement of H. D. Ball, New Shoreham, R. I., January 11, 1875 ............-.--.---. 425 36. Statement of Henry W. Clark, keeper of Southeast light-house, Block Island, R. I February 6, 1875. ..... .--2 22-2 222 - eee ne ne ne nn ene eee eee ene n en eee eens 425 37. Statement of J. S. Crandall, Watch Hill, R. I., February 20, 1874, and January 1, GTS) pe6asdebnckobosdabocdb sone specu essed eccuEt on 2 soDee soncber best rorolccnnar soeec ces 427 38. Statement of William H. Potter, Mystic River, Conn., January 27, 1874.............. 428 39. Statement of John Washington, Mystic, Conn., December 30, 1874.........-.--.-----. 430 40. Statement of Leander Wilcox, Mystic Bridge, Conn., January 15, 1875 ....--...-..--- 431 41. Statement of Samuel C. Beebe, Cornfield Point light-vessel No. 12, Saybrook, Conn., JT Ay Gy LENG 32 She Assbe cen dscns debeue scbonSnoeond on coe QU qdesaserecneenosscee. 4005 432 42. Statement of R. E. Ingham, Saybrook light-house, Saybrook, Conn., March 17, 1874.. 433 43. Statement of J. L. Stokes, Westbrook, Conn., February 25, 1875 ....-...--.---------- 435 44. Statement of F. Lillingston, Stratford, Conn . ...--...-.-..-.--.---22. ee-200---------- 435 45. Statement of B. Lillingston, Stratford, Conn., February 23, 1874.......--.--.-------- 437 46. Statement of George W. Miles, Milford, Conn., January 17, 1874 ....-...-.--..--..--- 437 47. Statement of W. S. Havens, Sag Harbor, N. Y., January 1, 1875..-..... ......--..-.- 441 48. Statement of J. Norrison Raynor, agent of Sterling Company, Greenport, December DON Bie tem. win seve Saad ainiae croc de se ais a cicjetalee =\njaryaicticraia create aioe e Soles eee mne een ace 443 49. Statement of Hawkins Brothers, Jamesport, N. Y., February 25, 1875 .........--.-..- 443 50. Statement of Benjamin H. Sisson, Greenport, R. I., January 29, 1874...-........-..-- 445 51. Statement of David G. Vail, River Head, Long Island, March 20, 1875 ......--.....-. 447 52. Statement of Joseph Whaley, Point Judith light, Point Judith, R. I., December 28, HE dae seem nee ere tee ee iieniere aa aeicls sine oy ome osieia ieee Siete mses ea areola) Sint eee eee 449 53. Statement of A. G. Wolf, Absecom light, Atlantic City, N. J., March 6, 1874......... 450 54. Statement of Albert Morris, Somers Point, N. J., January 12, 1875 .............-.---- 451 55. Statement of D. E. Foster, Cape May light-house, N. J., February 15, 1875 ........... 453 56. Statement of A. A. Owens, Philadelphia, Pa., March 31, 1875.............-.-.-------- 453 57. Statement of James H. Bell, Mispillion River, Delaware Bay, January 23, 1875.....-. 454 58. Statement of Benjamin Tice, Maurice River light, January 11, 1875 ...........-...-.. 457 59. Statement of Joseph B. Benson, Bombay Hook, Del., January 18, 1875 ...........---- 457 60. Statement of Hance Lawson, Crisfield, Md., January 22, 1874............-....--.---- 458 61. Statement of Isaac D. Robbins, Hog Is!and, February 21, 1874 ........-.....--------- 460 62. Statement of J. L. Anderton, Apateague Is!and, Va., January 12, 1875.......-.--.--- 460 63. Statement of G. Henry Seldon, Kinsale, Westmoreland County, Va., August, 1874... 461 64. Statement of Henry Richirdson, Cape Henry, February 9, 1874 .........--.---------- 464 65. Statement of C. G. Manning, Edenton, N. C., January 6, 1875 ........-.-.------------ 465 66. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C., April 15, 1874.......-..-..--. 465 67. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C., January 20, 1875....-...----- 470 68. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C., January 25, 1875..-.--.------ 471 69. Statement of Wallace R. Jennett, Cape Hatteras, N. C., February 26, 1874-........--. 474 70. Statement of A. C. Davis, Beaufort, N. C., February 14, 1874, and January 27, 1875... 475 71. Statement of W.°T. Hatsel, Body’s Island, N. C., March 4, 1874, and February 23,1875. 477 72. Statement of W. A. Harn, Morris Island, S. C., January 21, 1875.............--------- 4738 78. Statement of Patrick Conner, Daufuskie Island light, S. C., March 15, 1875...--...--. 478 74, Statement of George Gage, Beaufort, S. C., January 20, 1874 .........-----------+---- 479 75. Statement of Joseph Shepard, Saint Mary’s, Ga., March 30, 1874, and January 29,1875. 479 76. Statement of J. F. Hall, Brunswick, Ga., April 11, 1876 ............-..-2----02-+-ce-ee 481 XII TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. APPENDIX N.—Statements of correspondents—Continued. 77. Statement of Capt. David Kemps, Yellow Bluffs, Fla., February 10, 1875............-- 481 73. Statement of Charles Koch, Jacksonville, Fla., January 15, 1874 ........-...--.-.----- 482 79. Statement of D. P. Kane, Matagorda, Texas, March 1, 1874...... 02.00. .c0eccneencccnnn 483 APPENDIX O.—Miscellaneous items regarding the use of fish for manure.........--.--..--------- 483 1. The earliest printed account of the use of menhaden for a fertilizer, being an extract fromanvarticle by HarallHommediene0leesecececesecscee scnecseseceeeecee eee ees 483 2. Letter from C. A. Goessman on the agricultural value of Siena fertilizers. ....... 485 3. A description of tho factory of the Pacific Guano Company at Wood's Holl, Mass.... 487 4~ Che Cumberland! BoneiCompaniy Si works: <-2-- .no-cce eee asc s ceca chee eee 491 5. Dhe Quinnipiac Hertilizer' Company SiwOvkSe -cricc. 2c cease nciesecice ccc ce eae se ene Tene 492 6; "The CrowelltMoanntfacturing Companys. o.2cn ce =< sees cece ssa ceceee es. scar eaeeeets 493 7. Method of calculating costs of valuable ingredients of fertilizers. By W.O. Atwater. 495 8) omprovedimethodsof dryine fish-sera pee. cae. cee neciems a wiecemise cic see eee eee 502 APPENDIX P.—Exports of menhaden oil, from the port of New York, from January, 1875, to July, Sn G Semen a emis Naenatselemineatsls cies cst cel eee ciae aos ansosaecosssecdssbGioseesecon ses 503 APPENDIX Q:—Supplementary works, September 22, 1678. .-...--.------ -e--ten- wenewe vane eennees 506 1. An early allusion to the ‘‘ fat-back”’ on the Southern coast ...-.....---.----- s seneeee 506 QeDepartureilof thelschoolsin thew sss cces. caces sees ce werie-coeeascseca=scr cee 506 Se Rhe spawning eroundsiof the! menhadenh. same seemine nisehlese mee = eiesisececeltaae eee 507 4. Menhaden fishing on a Long Island steamer. By Ernest Ingersoll .........-...-.--- 508 5, Lhe manutactureiot sardines from menhaden:.- 2 222 2s. ween eee een ee =oricenees 512 6. Small oil-trying in Maine, 1860......--... sap (ee weseselaedseees fasadedeetees seeeeees sere 513 7%. The use of fish for manure by the early colonists of Massachusetts ..-..-...--..----- 514 8. A fish fertilizer company in Boston, 1860.........-...-. noBaoSUoUUEbRGosDSoSSaadcsapecs 514 IDE) aT ON CSE 1) PAE Secsego good nas055 Con gORS bce e Gobo Sampo dO COSCURH CO COSAROSOOSSHe0- 515 Alphaboeticaliindex: toaccccsacesscscccacee ese ceamecmecemsena scnsscsineenceeeteet ceases IG) [.—THE NATURAL AND ECONOMICAL HISTORY OF THE AMER- ICAN MENHADEN. By G. BROWN GOODE. A—INTRODUCTION. 1.—OBJECT OF THE MEMOIR. Previous memoirs in this series. 1. In the first report of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries,* was commenced the publication of a series of memoirs upon the im- portant fishes of the United States. Professor Baird inaugurated the work with two treatises from his own pen with the following titles: J. THE Soup. Stenotomus argyrops, (Linn.) Gill.t II. THE BLUEFISH. Pomatomus saltatrix, (Linn.) Gill.t The present memoir is the third of this series. The work of prepar- ing it was assigned to me in September, 1874. Ihave tried to make it exhaustive, including everything known about the subject, and statistics up to January 1, 1878. There are still, however, many questions which r need further study, for the subject is not at all well understood. I send the manuscript to the printer with reluctance, hoping at some time to resume the study of the many unsolved problems. The commercial importance of the menhaden. 2. The menhaden has grown greatly in favor within a comparatively short time. Twenty-five years ago, and before, it was thought to be of very small value. A few millions were taken every year in Massachu- setts Bay, Long Island Sound, and the bays of New Jersey. A small portion of these were used for bait; a few barrels were occasionally salted in Massachusetts to be exported to the West Indies. Large quantities were plowed into the soil of the farms along the shores, stimu- lating the crops for a time, but in the end filling the soil with oil, parch- ing it, and making it unfit for tillage. Since that time manifold uses have been discovered. As a bait-fish, this is found to excel all others. For many years much the greater share of all our mackerel have been caught by its aid, while our cod and halibut fleet use it, rather than * United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries. | —— | Part t. | —— | Report | on the | Condition of the Sea Fisheries | of the | South Coast of New England | in | 1871 and 1872. | By | Spencer F. Baird, | Commissioner. | —— | With supplementary papers. | —— | Washington: | Government Printing Office. | 1873. 8vo., pp. xlvii, 852, 40 plates, 2 maps. tOp. cit., pp. 228-235. $ Op. cit., pp. 235-252. LF 2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. any other fish, when it can be procured. The Dominion mackerel fleet buy it in quantity, and its value has been thought an important element in framing treaties between our government and that of Great Britain. As a food resource it is found to have great possibilities. Many hun- dreds of barrels are sold, salted, in the West Indies, while thousands of barrels are salted down every year for domestic use by families living near the shore. In many sections the fresh fish are sold in the market. Within five years has sprung up an important new industry, which consists in packing these fish in oil, after the manner of sardines, for home and foreign consumption. The discovery made by Mr. Good- ale, that from these fish may be extracted, for the cost of carefully boil- ing them, a substance possessing all the properties of Liebig’s “ extract of beef,” opens up a vast field for future development. As a food for domestic animals, in the shape of “ fish meal,” there seems also to be a broad opening. Asa source of oil the menhaden is more important than any other marine animal: its annual yield usually exceeds that of the whale (from American fisheries) by about 200,000 gallons, in 1874 not falling far short of the aggregate of all the whale, seal, and cod oil made in America. The refuse of the oil-factories supplies a material of much value for manures: as a base for nitrogen it enters largely into the composition of most of the manufactured fertilizers. The amount of ‘‘ammonia” derived from this source in 1875 was estimated to be equivalent to that contained in 60,000,000 pounds of guano from Peru, the gold value of which would not be far from $1,920,000. In 1876 the yield of the menhaden fishery was more than twice that of any other carried on by the fishermen of the United States. In the value of its products it was surpassed only by the cod and mackerel fisheries.* _ Imperfect information regarding the species. 3. At the time of beginning the investigation, the results of which are partially detailed in this memoir, comparatively little was known about the menhaden. The species had been described or referred to in most of the books on the ichthyology of North America, and in * The following table of estimates shows in a general way the relative values of the fisheries in 1876: ‘ ‘ Yield in ! Fisheries. pounds. Value. Menhaden fishery .---..--. 2-2. + coe n wenn nnn ene wn nena nnn seen nee ~ =o. 462, 000, C00 $1, 657, 790 @od fishery: -- - 2.5.2 =< oc e pee ewe een weno ne seen es 215, 000, 000 4, 825, 540 Mackerel fishery.-.----..---.---------------- 49, 000, 000 2, 375, 262 Fisheries of the great lakes (1872) 32, 250, 000 1, 600, 000 Salmon fishery of Columbia River 30, 000, 000 2, 500, 000 PENTRU SA OLY 2 ee ciat ec cein ae ciel= meisisins icin nsien|e = cin nln\el e's = me n\p iain (s(o(mrnieim teeta 22, 000, 000 1, 546, 240 Shad fishery (estimate) ---.. 2-2-2 22a. enn ee renee wenn ew nec ene eene nn sean 20, 000, 000 1, 000, 000 EOS EGUICTEN Ge Set Bocete SSCS: ICSD ECSU OREO UR ESer MSOC REE CSO DERBdn Amos cig ccc 7, 760, 000 504, 400 IGS) ER LBIAY Se 4530 c0eb So ee see ASR EP De nac SSO E And ISabon Saciee 7, 068, 000 424, 000 Pay be MSN as Gh RRR eacoeehe oo DOBSEC MG BECr ROO e Cnr CSB OEOpoSBEeise ocd ceseinc 1, 500, 000 165, 000 Metihiey AU ny oo Oe Ae ee CODCE OED EEO Ione nt Cob SEC ore Err Maerarcise is. = cnc 2, 200, 000 143, 000 Squeteague fishery. ...------ ---- 22 --- nee cen e eee nnn een een ns teen ee ease 1, 800, 000 138, 200 Flounders fishery...--..---------- SARA cb R a damoadenadecodssecstaaomienice 1, 827, 000 109, 620 Herring fishery (partly in British waters) ......-..------.-----.+--------- 27, 933, 500 507, 977 Wihale Ashbery peers tee pele ela ate (2 wm winieiniele cin ala in nele nn mia ml mines |n nm mm mime = mieten eto ele alee nel 2, 850, 000 Oyster fishery .--...-ccc seen ne cnn n nes pan cme wee cnewne cenn ne seme es ene emccen|en nes n arena aan 25, 000, 000 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 3 some of the general ichthyological treatises. Mitchill, Storer, and Dekay had given imperfect figures. Allusions were made to its economical value by some of the books mentioned, and in agricultural and statis- tical works occasional reference had been made to its importance as a manure. Up to the present day the reports of the Commissioner of Agriculture have barely referred to the existence of this source of fer- tilizing material. Many persons engaged in fishing or manufacturing had a comprehensive knowledge of some parts of its history, but these had never been written or printed. There was no adequate account of this fish accessible to the student. Recognizing the necessity of supply- ing this need, the Commissioner of Fisheries chose this species as the next to be studied. 2.—MEANS USED TO GATHER INFORMATION. 4. A circular was issued, December 20, 1873, requesting information upon many points in the history of the menhaden, and propounding fifty-eight questions for the guidance of those disposed to aid in the investigation.* This was distributed to manufacturers, fishermen, and all known to be interested in the fisheries. Through the courtesy of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Light-House Board it was also sent to all coliectors of customs and light-house keepers on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. A second edition of this circular was issued in 1874. 5. Personal letters have been addressed to nearly all the intelligent respondents to the circular, and to many others, asking information upon uncertain points. 6. The attention of the marine branch of the Fish Commission has for four seasons been especially directed to the menhaden, especially with a view to learning about its food and its habits of spawning. 3.—SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 7. At the beginning of this work Professor Baird gave me five or six pages of closely-written manuscript containing his own observations made during five or six summers on the coast of New England. These have been of the greatest importance, and my own work has been little more than that of expanding and carrying out the suggestions there made. I have also made use of notes made by Professors Smith and Verrill, and by Mr. Vinal N. Edwards, and the testimony taken by Pro- fessor Baird, in 1872. , Personal observations and aid of individuals. 8. While with the Commission at Eastport, Me.,in 1572; Portland, Me., in 1873; at Noank, Conn., in 1874; at Wood’s Holl, Mass., in 1875; and at Salem, Mass., and Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1877, I used every oppor: tunity to study this fish. I have also had opportunities of observing it at the mouth of the Saint John’s River, Florida; in the Potomac, at sev- * This circular is reproduced in Appendix A. 4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, eral of the fisheries; at Greenport, N. Y., and Provincetown, Mass. In October, 1877, I visited Mr. H. L. Dudley, at his works on Pine Island, Connecticut, and there had an excellent opportunity of observing the operations of an oil and guano factory. A similar opportunity was afforded me by the officers of the Pacific Guano Company at Wood’s Hoil. Here I was enabled, by the aid of Mr. Herbert Gill, stenographer, to obtain very full statistics. In addition to the circulars, over two hundred personal letters have been written. In almost every case full and satisfactory replies were received. The following gentlemen have been particularly obliging :— Mr. H. L. Dudley, Secretary of United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association, New Haven, Conn.; Mr. D. T. Church, Tiverton, R. I; Prof. C. A. Goessman, Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass.; Mr. E. H. Jenkins, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Conn.; Hon. S. L. Goodale, Saco, Me.; Mr. E. G. Blackford, New York City ; Mr. Barnet Phillips, New York City; Mr. W. O. Alli- son and Mr. Jasper Pryer, New York City. I am also under obligation to Prof. W. O. Atwater, of Wesleyan Uni- versity, who has written the portion relating to agriculture; to Mr. H. L. Dudley, for advice and criticism; and to Mr. Herbert A. Gill of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. William Jameson, and Mr. Walter P. Stoddard, of Wesleyan University, for aidin preparing the manuscripts for the press. My associate, Dr. T. H. Bean, has worked with me in studying the specific characters of the two species of Brevoortia. The drawings are by Mr. J. H. Emerton, of Salem, and Mr. H. L. Todd, of Washington. Electrotypes have been obtained from the ‘ American Agriculturist,” from George W. Miles & Co., the American Sardine Com- pany, and the Pacific Guano Company. Responses to the circular of inquiry. 9. The circular of inquiry elicited responses from the correspondents named below, in Appendix B, most of which were carefully prepared, and in many cases give the results of years of observation. In Appendix N will be found these responses in full. Published accounts of the species. 10. In discussing the history of the name and classification of the Brevoortia tyrannus and its allies, allusion is made to various books, and so incidentally under other heads. In Appendix C will be founda complete bibliography of the subject, containing about one hundred and forty citations. Many of these authorities have been quoted in the text. Some of the most important descriptions have been reproduced in Appendix D. Most of the work on this report was done in the winter of 1874~’75. Since that time two pamphlets have been published, containing very valuable contributions to the knowledge of the menhaden. From these HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 5 I have derived much information and have quoted freely. The first was the report of Messrs. Boardman and Atkins.* The most recent contribution is that prepared by Mr. Luther Maddocks, under the au- spices of the Maine association.t This is a most interesting little essay, especially valuable for the complete statistics of fisheries and manufac- tures in Maine, and the account of the relations of the fisheries to the fishermen, the shore population, and the property of the adjoining towns, The collections of the United States National Museum. 11. The collections of the Fish Commission, deposited in the National Museum, contain over one hundred bottles of menhaden in alcohol, including probably over one thousand specimens, from many localities, with photographs and casts. ~~. 2 --- ono n oene | ew ee o Length of mandible -.-... 6.2... eenne eon ne =e eee]... -. Distance from snout to center of orbit......----}........ Dorsal: Distance from snout! << ses soence von =e eae aalelllelata sical: BAe nab oot DL dll ease 49 ID SEIN One Eee ESAs ee Shan anno hoEsbaeo sdose250|lsanccean 19) Wee ste Vid censor 174 Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal.......-.---]..-..... AL Ae es ei3 S3P keoeoeer 354 End of dorsal to end of anal .....-.--.2e---0-00-)eeeee ee. Ob Ge Seesee 24 | See cee 25 Length of longest ray ...-.-.- ne. cneenee--se---|senecnn. 12a jpoeoosie 11 Sees 124 Length of last ray..-.....---. ----.2-----~-<+---|.---5--- DP Eeeeedde UO Neessisct 63 Anal: WAShance LKOM | SHOW eer - cess sasoeas ere demsie|| Sasser 83 sade 12: deo oso ee 72 IDB Oe HERS) Go oogecdkicesrceasc docs sbesseece lasonseac et eee coe sc 14R eee 154 Origin of anal to origin of dorsal .....-6 2-502.) ..----<- 39) jpascretan SRY alleen A se 36 Mens ihiot LONSCSH VAY cw ante samecle cents = i) eiaiesioa 64, | so42-.22¢ BY Neetee ss 62 Length of last. HE NaS Saco One - OU Gp 22 CD COtmEOsseerollosoopeor by | pasecaae ge epane ne 44 Caudal: Mength of middle rays <<< 6.2.6. so ec ode ceecceeen|ocn----. De llgsieise ote 4h os stesns 53 Length of external rays, superior. --.--.--..---.]........ PAT lb Sosobe 04a | carters 20 GeV Co Bes ea5cseoou|4oseocies Pips | oeassetoc 23) all see eee 23 Pectoral: DISTANCO ALON) SHOUD we atsisinricac ees mels ein wefelaeteri=||sisinieie ate SOb teem 32 yi |ese see 30 Distance of tip irom snout.............--..---..|.....--- ART Se etanietale 48 Soeteee 46 1b) tfc 1B eae Sep one SS oeSer EEeCO emer es oeccedca macs acc UE sssomco Lie aeeeen 18 Length of longest axillary appendage..--...-.- |.--..--. iN Ue oopbdaul pecdosbel|esocnosa|lscosscce Ventral: DIR TON i EM OUI esate poe bor Se acorodeaso0Re,) be eeppee JOG) T4 1) Oe Se eo hS= Moen aeocHeeor orden moose Origin of ventral to end of dorsal. . ORS eee ae eee se ele eam celle & bininlcis'e PANTY ae se eee ese eet aintale no elalew ccteiidia mnie nisin Nuwber of scales in lateral line ...--......- 4 a Ga ee Se EA) OY), oss sciea |e ao ote | eet ee aaa HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. Table of measurements—Continued. 23 * Broken. Current number of specimen ............-....0226-- 20,666 b. 18,049 b. 1,696 a. ok ESPs ee ee $| Wood's Holl. Rett Sane | Tae ae eee Miliim.} 100ths. |} Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. Fat PICeINOMeM MUN so dtactctcss aeacnen ds tddant as sae e ns sa 1S2a|ReeeR oes 140' |S ta AGA S..e Body : SELOR TES NOW D Gee e alee ae ee teaawiae ecsteice's a sialold aielfiaimiaiel=! STR | (etatetn tetera GIT) ee aes 17 Distance from snout to center of orbit.......--.|.------- TDs ole HS DALI Cee See IBIS : Saint John’s Saint John’s [EOI sy os ccs es ae eee ot {| West Florida, | S37e oon | Rives a Millim.} 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. Anal: (7-inch.) IDisfAance strom) SROM bee eee eee = eee tas | eee aetna eee 68) jesse 72 eneth Ofpase sis eer cerecetecis selene seat -nioten| Seah emea ce pease a4] eee mee 16.1) S hee 16 Origin. of analtovoriginvof dorsal: 2.2 << == =.= | mel seein.) see tee SBi altace 324 lbprta hero Moeevesinimiy --4- 29) 2 soqgnscdeeceboes o<|[pascesaellSsesacSs[becsen:- 6h ees 6 IG a AGH HEN Sos = SS poqces boos ao see sabe 66| |busoscmo||seaoucad|psecoda. 92) cae 64 Caudal: BGAN? aN ses gages ba eon pS seSeessO os Hesss5ns| 4eac5s5qleaoaes ss oy teases by Men Pshiol OxvOLnal LAYS SUPCLIOL «a2 cin - cece) stom eeemee| ease ae |i Allee las cmc 20 ANGST OL: oe siseciomc e's ei seisereisael | weeree se | eet 23° Peepeeee 24 Pectoral: WP sian eet ROMSHOMb eases cee om aoles sister e)| aes ial seine er aeieeterere Si a Eee 32 Distance of tip from snout Ci ester 50 IPSS Gee ss osodeb ao ssod esas Sao cecorm booseecb os bh6 Sil 19/" Jacemer 18 Length of longest axillary appendage .-... Seem asiemical beset coaletacee 12. 2222 Ventral : IDIStANCOArom SNOW pee mene emis clee select ta ete iseteel seein eerie Ag teetanetes 48 IEG, 2 meg otosscadenuadesosen nopecdnedcsades Ilsstocsde|lotausese|Aostnase We elebocaes 9 Onizinio£ ventral to\endiof dorsal-~-- Sse sea |s ee al emcee ems CRE sebaese 30 IDGHEA Aeros esecigs sassoo ssoene ceoes cossodbncbatos 5: Ov nessctrsee Q10 eee a 18'or 19). seece= PAST A ae tetsetate tole ae ciate en See einen aerate sie ae enti ais 2 allleesemies Pe hee ei, PA id eee Current number of specimen .........----.--------- 19,044. 18,049 a. 19,468. : Saint John’s Saint John’s Ae ersiBe Docallity -----, -----2-2no 2a conn ne cone noeernnc enn eee ; River, Fla. River, Fla. Virginia. Millim.} 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. Libre ive ionis) [OE Son 4o5 posto ebandbooSonconcsscesselos AUP SecceGor TO ae seeicing odd peseeae Body: Greatest height: -.----.--------ss-<--- p ee enaoee 32 MeasnmheiohGor taller a-ceateoa eaten nee meee ee 9 Length of caudal peduncle. ........--....-..---- 9 Head: Greatestilengthen pees ssa cence nee seqabae 32% Distance from snout to nape........---.-------- 203 Greatestiwid tht steer eneerices see ee eeeerisosee 12 Width of interorbital area---------2---5----.2.. if Length of snout from perp. from center of orbit 10 iLenpthrot operculum): .. -:escs---.-s-e ee ese ac toe 9 Thenpihor maadllany eee. see seen see ae 14 Hencih of mandibles salen se ecice= == eee ae te 18 Distance from snout to center of orbit.-.--...-- 11 Dorsal: Histance’ from! BROWb sees sess sisee is = eee eel a Pee eae 49) Pooh. 49) 0/ SS o-eees Bites Mmeneth Of DUG). 5s sce Sean ee ease eae wecioes ciel pienees Glee es a iy fie) esas 184 Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal....-.-. .--|........ Soa teen eee 35 *|'oeeeres 34 Hndaior dorsalito, endiotjanals.s-n. asses nee emeelee neces QW oace be PE bet ccgs- 23 Ween pul ror longest Taya: tc veces we aoe tee eee |e eeee ee 1 eee es 12k |e eee ee 11 ene Gh Of IASt LAY sa- 1s see ws hone ce cease SPER seemeee (il BASe sce 63: |s2 Se seee 5+ Anal: ispance {rom iSNout).-.~ ~s2o-\soc ns oe ae eles ea MALIN Da rere 3 A ea ee ei 72 MSH PT OMPAIG 2 cs oss cosecicee eee ly (ira eae ae al a Pegeserce 14} Origin of anal to origin of dorsal ra} Vi) ene Shoe eaeeeee 33 enecth of longest Tay. 5 c= ee acecsec eee es tl ae eee i Gelb Perse ose 54 ene iMOmlagh Tay <---> sccm cada qeeeee ease ee ercoe eee pl ae cn PE Se 6 Caudal: Weng pmotmiddle Trays: 2-0 see --se see elas |Seeee at Guiieaascan Oa || Reecoec 4 Length of\external rays; Superior: <2. 2. cso ese |o5 2252 c6| = sensed oc eece 25, easton eeeeeetce INTOPLON. ce ciseesa eens | sees 23°, |eanseeae Of et Remi = 24 Pectoral: WISP ANCOMUOM SHOU Das cs ce soe sania tein een an te leeeee SO Ghee acre 30 |e 32 Distance of tip fromisnout.--. 2. ss-6.---ceeese=|eneoau == c Cl ee ee 45 ice eees 49 ISHED 52 S-chosas se ccsenn essed seooeoacbessdsedpcosogas 16. sees TW ee b 5 18 enpthiof longest axillary, appendage... o.oo en ee oc seme = clean al we niee siminl| See 12 Ventral: IDIGLANCeMLOMMSHOUL sain eee = ae ose oe nie se eae ¢ (ee 50. sce 51 T(E ok S386 S55 S55 soso otodoeeO Case oOs Ion saccade OU eretetate toners cE Wesco ee 9 Origin of ventral to end of dorsal........--..---].------- Sari heeea tas 34a" 5. eee 30 ID EE Se soc acl cee oc se aC ID oe Bad eran anos asoeate 10 Pees 1g |e 19 oes ee JE ASE ABB ee cnc cnanone- eae ceen Ue easonD asad Seon Dl ee sees QU |eeecces O1', | |eereees HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN Table of measurements—Continued. MENHADEN. | Current number of specimen ..-...-------...----- ; 14,846 a. 14,846 d. ea ne Z TOGBIItY: fool's san iewiewie bn anderen stsewieneccnaccens Noank. Noank. Rio Janeiro. Millim.| 100tlis. | Millim.} 100ths. | Millim.} 100ths. Extreme length....... 2.22.2 sencee cennee cece ee------ Lith |? a= bases 106, b Sees 236) (em sane Body: GARG URGES Ge ecnggbo 250 HOOD DO DOCOBE Mena al FS.cnerc owt Teseweas 4s ceca ct, 35 ead: REPRE SUPE PUN sree a mae crete naldac a\a)n)eln'm oa'a cen adece Sea e BO ECCLES Se Ben EEE EEE OL Ce aSaeee LOY We seoeetes Pal) Ml poenors: ED A teeters 3 Current number of specimen...-...---......----.--- B. aurea, A. B. aurea, B. Aver- ‘ M.C.Z. Thayer | M.C.Z. Thayer | age. COGENT soso esmoce sand coder see eeaser ey escenerEeS Sambaia. Exp. |Sambaia. Exp. Millim. | 100ths. | Millim. | 100ths. | 100ths. UGURRING MOU tesa scn .o Seen stesso cei de coca aoe GAs). 3555-502" ASAE | See rere coe yetetle Body: Greauenmhehiges sence use eccor sas sence es salads sat uetas BTM Fe deci £e 34 35 Head: Greatestalongthe eodon sce adem asthe etek cette ceetes|ae be tone th OBiles Stas t oe: 29 28 WIShAnceUuromM SNOUL TO NAPEs . a -memm- oc cetneces|acecceees. GW reese sates 22 21 Length of snout from perp. from center of orbit.|.......--. Qh Sates 10 092 Meno imo maxtary 222g. se sate tec en eae |e Byeeeees 5S il as Bee A 14 13 HAET OU OMm ANGIDIGteet case secee etc te oeae ote Se Suc ee ee iy ||, ese EY 17 15 Dorsal: BISiaNCe trom SNOUb- sssecaeece oe see Cee ssee~ 25 AS 52 BREA 48 49% Length of longest ray 1 ee oe: 10 102 MOSH UNOU ISHTAR cca ssaccanstesae~sscocecees es. FD) Seca ee teas 5 043 Anal: DIN hauCe LOMB BNO ta * Proceedings Halifax Commission, 1877, Appendix L, p. 334. t Which sailed for the Bay of St. Lawrence August 5, 1875 (absent 2 months and 28 days), arrived at Gloucester November 2, 1875, stocking $1,771.83, or 224 barrels of mess mackerel. $ Ibid., p. 354. 152 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES The Connecticut method of icing batt. 213. A peculiar method of preserving the unsalted menhaden is made use of on board of the Connecticut halibut-catchers. The fish, after being very carefully cleaned and eviscerated, are packed with pounded ice in bins holding about 125 cubic feet (about 5 feet in each dimension). A ground-layet of ice-blocks 12 inches thick is first laid, then a tier of fish consisting of two layers and about 4 inches thick, then a layer of 4 inches of pounded ice, and so on until the bin is filled, after which its sides are packed with pounded ice and covered with canvas. Seven to ten thousand fish are thus stowed in one bin. The stowing having been completed, the fish and ice freeze together in a solid mass, which is left untouched until the fishing-banks are reached. Their supply of bait being thus secured, the vessels are never obliged to make harbor in search of a new supply. They often catch their fare upon La Have or Brown’s Bank, and return home without having an- chored. The bait is good for three weeks. Captain Ashby assures me that he has used it on the thirty-third day. The Cape Ann method of icing bait. 214. On board the Gloucester vessels the menhaden are not eviscer- ated, nor are they packed with so much care; consequently they never last more than three weeks. Since twenty-four hours or more are usu- ally occupied on both outward and home voyages, there is only a short time left for which the supply of bait can be counted upon. If by any means this time could be doubled, an important advantage would be acquired. Vessels would often be able to complete their fares on the eastern banks without going to Newfoundland for bait. Does the Con- necticut method fulfill this requirement ? Captain Hurlbert, one of the most experienced fishermen of Gloucester, says no. He claims that neither cod nor halibut will bite well at a fish which has had its blood removed. He says that a half-decayed fish, with the blood still in it, is better bait than a perfectly sweet one kept by cleaning it. He says, still further, that Gloucester fishermen formerly followed this method, but that it was abandoned many years ago, as early as 1866. The comparative value of various methods of icing. 215. The comparative value of the different methods of preserving bait was discussed by Professor Baird in his testimony before the Hali- fax Commission, which is quoted : ‘Question. Now will youstate what observation you have made respect ing the method of preserving fresh bait from the start all the voyage through ?—Answer. As a general rule it is now preserved either by salting or freezing. Of course they keep it as long as it will remain without spoiling, and when you have to carry it beyond that time either ice it or salt it. Salting, of course, isa very simple process, but it alters HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 153 materially the texture and taste to such a degree that fish or other bait that under certain circumstances is highly prized by the fish is looked upon with a great deal of indifference when salted. Now, there are Special methods of preserving the fish or bait by some chemical prepar- ation, which preserves the fish without giving the saline taste. There are preparations by means of which oysters or clams or fish can be kept in solutions for six months without getting any appreciable taste, and without involving the slightest degree of deterioration or destruction. One process submitted to the group of judges, of whom I was chairman, was exhibited by an experimenter, who placed a jar of oysters in our room prepared in that way. I think about the 1st of August those were placed in our room, and they were kept there until the middle of Sep- tember, for six weeks during the hottest portion of the Centennial sum- mer, and that was hot enough. At the end of that time we mustered up courage to pass judgment upon this preparation, and we tasted these oysters and could not find them affected. We would have preferred absolutely fresh oysters, but there was nothing repugnant to the sensi- bilities, and I believe we consumed the entire jar. And we gave the exhibitor, without any question, an award for an admirable new method. That man is now using that process on a very large scale in New York for the preservation of fish of all kinds, and he claims he can keep them any length of time and allow them to be used as fresh fish quite easily. I don’t suppose any fisherman ever thought of using any preservative except salt. “Q. That is entirely experimental?—A. It is experimental, but it promises very well. Now, borax is one of the substances that will pre- serve animal matter a great deal better than salt, and without changing the texture. Acetic acid is another preparation, or citric acid will keep fish a long time without any change of the quality, and by soaking it in fresh water for a little while the slightly acidulated taste will be removed. I don’t believe a cod will know the difference between a clam preserved in that way and a fresh clam. “Q. Now, about ice. We know a good deal has been done in the way of preserving bait in ice. How far has that got?—A. It is a very crude and clumsy contrivance. They generally break up the ice into pieces about the size of pebble stones, or larger; then simply stratify the bait or fish with this ice, layer and layer about, until you fill up a certain depth or distance. The result is that if the bait can be kept two weeks in that method it is doing very well. They generally get a period of preservability of two weeks. The ice is continually melting and continually saturating the bait or fish with water, and a very slow process of decomposition or disorganization goes on until the fish be- comes musty, flabby, and tasteless, unfit for the food of man or beast. “Q, Well, there is a newer method of preservation, is there not 7—A, There is a better method than using ice. The method described by the Noank witness, by using what is equivalent to snow, allows the water 154 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. to run off or to be sucked up as by a sponge. The mass being porous prevents the fish from becoming musty. But the coming methods of preserving bait are what is called the dry-air process and the hard-freez- ing process. In the dry-air process you have your ice in large solid cakes in the upper part of the refrigerator and your substance to be preserved in the bottom. By a particular mode of adjusting the con- nection between the upper chamber and the lower there is a constant circulation of air, by means of which all the moisture of the air is con- tinually being condensed on the ice, leaving that which envelopes the bait or fish perfectly dry. Fish or any other animal substance will keep almost indefinitely in perfectly dry air about 40° or 45°, which can be attained very readily by means of this dry-air apparatus. I had an instance of that in the case of a refrigerator filled with peaches, grapes, salmon, a leg of mutton, and some beefsteaks, with a great variety of other substances. At the end of four months in midsummer, in the Agricultural Building, these were in a perfectly sound and prepossess- ing condition. No one would have hesitated one moment to eat the beefsteaks, and one might be very glad of the chance at times to have it cooked. ‘This refrigerator has been used between San Francisco and New York, and between Chicago and New York, where the trip has occupied a week or ten days, and they are now used on a very large seale, tons upon tons of grapes and pears being sent from San Francisco by this means. I had a cargo of fish-eggs brought from California to Chicago in a perfect condition. Another method is the hard-frozen process. You use a freezing mixture of salt and ice powdered fine, this mixture producing a temperature of twenty degrees above zero, which can be kept up just as long as occasion requires by keeping up the sup- ply of ice and salt. ““Q. How big is the refrigerator ?—A. There is no limit to the size that may be used. They are made of enormous size for the purpose of preserving salmon, and in New York they keep all kinds of fish. I have been in and seen a cord of codfish, a cord of salmon, a cord of Spanish mackerel, and other fish piled up just like cord-wood, dry, hard, and firm, and retaining its qualities for an indefinite time. *Q@. Well, can fish or animals be kept for an unlimited period if fro- zen in that way ?—A. You may keep fish or animals hard dried frozen for a thousand years or ten thousand years perfectly well, and be as- sured there will be no change. ““(@. Have geologists or paleontologists satisfied themselves of that by actual cases of the preservation of animal substances for a long period ? —A. Yes; we have perfectly satisfactory evidence of that. About fifty years ago the carcass of a mammoth, frozen, was washed out from the gravel of the river Lena, I think, one of the rivers of Siberia, and was in such perfect preservation that the flesh was served as food for the dogs of the natives for over six months. Mr. Adams, a St. Petersburg merchant, came along on a trading expedition, and found it nearly con- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 155 sumed, and bought what was left of it for the St. Petersburg Academy of Science—the skeleton and some portion of the flesh—which were pre- served first in salt and afterwards in alcohol. Well, we know the pe- riod of time that must have elapsed since the mammoth lived in the arc- tic circle must be very long. We kuow we can talk with perfect safety of ten thousand years. The geological estimate of it is anywhere from fifty to a hundred thousand years; we cannot tell. There is no unit of measure; we know it must have been some hundreds of thousands, and probably it would have remained in the same condition as much longer. **@. Now, to come to a practical question, is this a mere matter of theory or of possible use? For instance, could this method be adapted to the preservation of bait for three or four months if necessary ?—A. The only question of course is as to the extent. There is no question at all that bait of any kind can be kept indefinitely by that process. I do not think there would be the slightest difficulty in building a refrig- erator on any ordinary fishing-vessel, cod or halibut, or other fishing- vessel, that should keep with perfect ease all the bait necessary for a long voyage. I have made some inquiries as to the amount of ice, and I am informed by Mr. Blackford, of New York, whois one of the largest op- erators of this mode, that to keep a room ten feet each way, or a thous- sand cubic feet, at a temperature of 20° above zero would require about 2,000 pounds of ice and two bushels of salt per week. With that he thinks it could be done without any difficulty. Well, an ordinary ves- sel would require about seventy-five barrels of bait, an ordinary trawl- ing vessel. That would occupy a bulk something less than 600 feet, so that probably four and a half tons of ice a month would keep that fish. And it must be remembered that his estimate was for keeping fish in midsummer in New York. The fishing-vessels would require a smaller expenditure of ice, as these vessels would be surrounded by a colder temperature. A stock of ten to twenty tons would, in all proba- bility, be amply sufficient both to replace the waste by melting and to preserve the bait.”* 39.—CONFLICTS BETWEEN BAIT FISHERMEN AND OTHERS. Harly feuds. 216. Some jealousy has naturally arisen at times between the bait- fishermen and the manufacturers, as is shown by the following extract from Professor Johnston’s “‘ History of the Towns of Bristol and Bremen, in the State of Maine.” A special branch of the fishing business has of late been undertaken quite largely here (in Bristol), as at other places on the New England coast, called the “porgey fishery.” The fish are taken in seines, usually several miles from the coast, and are used for the oil they produce, and for manure. * Proceedings Halifax Commission, Appendix L, p. 497. 156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. These fish, the common menhaden of the coast, have been caught for use as bait in the cod-fishery from the earliest times; and at first the new branch of industry, in which such immense quantities are con- sumed, was viewed by the old fishermen with no little suspicion, as likely to interfere with the important and older branch of the fishing business by depriving them of bait. Some riots were at least threat- ened, and one oil factory was actually destroyed, as was believed, by the old fishermen, or at their instigation ; but the opposition has ceased, and the general opinion seems to be that it is best to foster such an extensive branch of business, giving profitable employment for a part of the season, aS this does, to so many men, even though it may be attended by some disadvantages, which in the end may prove more imaginary than real.* The present aspects of the conflict in Maine. O17. In 1877 and 1878 a determined effort was made by the Maine line- fishermen to secure the passage of a legislative act forbidding the use of seines near the shores. Their claim was that the present methods employed in the fishery interfered with their legitimate privilege of catching menhaden for bait, and that their tendency was to drive away all other fishes as well, and to destroy the fisheries. To this movement the manufacturers made strenuous opposition, claiming that the menhaden fishery is practically inexhaustible; that the habits of the species have not been changed by the fishery, and that so far from making it difficult to obtain bait the large fishery made it easier, capturing it in great masses and selling it to the fishermen in any desired quantity cheaper than they could obtain it for themselves. Mr. Maddock’s report, which has frequently been mentioned, was prepared at the wish of the Maine manufacturers as an argument to be presented to the legislature on their behalf. All the questions involved have been elsewhere discussed. It seems very unlikely that any legislature will at present interfere with so extensive an interest as that of the menhaden oil manufacturers. f 40.—MENHADEN BAIT AS AN ARTICLE OF COMMERCE, AND THE CON- SIDERATION OF ITS VALUE BY THE HALIFAX COMMISSION OF 1877. The export of bait to the Dominion. 218. In the section relating to the value of the menhaden as a bait- fish (paragraphs 186-190), allusion was made to its extensive exporta- tion for use in the fisheries of the Dominion of Canada. The evidence of several witnesses was quoted to prove that meuha-i * A History of the Towns of Bristol and Bremen in the State of Maine, including the Pemaquid Settlement. By John Johnston, LL. D., a native of Bristol, and Professor Emeritus of Natural Science in the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and Cor. Mem. of the Maine Historical Society. Albany, N. Y. Joel Munsell. 1873. 8vo. pp. 524. p. 460. + See paragraph 156. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 157 den bait was preferred to any other kind by the provincial fishermen. I am told that a considerable number of the vessels of the New England fleet fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are accustomed to carry par- tial cargoes of salted menhaden to sell in the Straits of Canso. I have been unable to obtain any satisfactory statistics of this exporting trade. This is doubtless due to the fact that every mackerel vessel carries twenty barrels or more of salt slivered fish, and there being no law re- quiring their entry in the custom-house or for reporting sales after the return of the vessel, no one has the data upon which to found an esti- mate. More than 5,000 barrels of slivered menhaden, worth more than $30,000, were probably carried to Dominion waters during the past sea- son. Many vessels doubtless expended all the bait which they carried; many others sold their surplusage to the provincial mackerelmen. I should hardly venture to estimate the amount of these sales at more than $8,000 or $10,000, and very possibly they are even less extensive. The claim of the English Government. 219. The subject of the alleged trade in menhaden bait was referred to frequently in the course of the proceedings of the Halifax Commis- sion of 1877. The subject was first introduced by the English counsel in the ‘‘ Case of Her Majesty’s Government,” * as follows: “The question of bait must now be considered, as some importance may, perhaps, be attached by the United States to the supposed advan- tages derived in this respect by British subjects. It might appear at first sight that the privilege of resorting to the inshores of the Eastern States to procure bait for mackerel-fishing was of practical use. Men- haden are said to be found only in the United States waters, and are used extensively in the mackerel-fishing, which is often successfully pursued with this description of bait, especially by its use for feeding and attract- ing the shoals. It is, however, by no means indispensable; other fish- baits, plentiful in British waters, are quite as successfully used in this particular kind of fishing business, and very generally in other branches, both of deep-sea and inshore fishing, as, for example, fresh herrings, ale- Wives, capelin, sapdlaunce, smelts, squids, clams, and other small fishes caught chiefly witu seines close inshore. British fishermen can thus find sufficient bait at home, and can purchase from American dealers any quantities they require much cheaper than by making voyages to United States waters in order to catch it for themselves. It is a remarkable fact that for six years past American fishermen have bought from Canadians more herring bait alone than all the menhaden bait imported into Canada during the same period. The menhaden bait itself can also be bred and restored to places in the Bay of Fundy, on the western coast of Nova Scotia, where it existed up to the time of its local exter- mination.” * Proceedings of the Halifax Commission, Appendix A, p. 28. 158 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. . And again: “It is notorious that the supply both of food and bait fishes has become alarmingly scarce along the United States coast. At Gloucester alone some thirty vessels are engaged during about six months in each year catching menhaden for bait. They sell about $100,000 worth annually, and, by catching them immoderately in nets and wears for supplying bait and to furnish the oil mills, they are rapidly exterminating them. The Massachusetts Fishery Commis- sioners, in their report for 1872, state that ‘it takes many hands working in many ways to catch bait enough for our fishing fleet, which may easily be understood when it is remembered that each George’s man takes fifteen or twenty barrels for a trip, and that each mackereler lays in from 7d to 120 barrels, or even more than that.’ One of the principal modes for the capture of bait and other fishes on the New England coast is by fixed traps or pounds on the shore, By means of these, herrings, alewives, and menhaden are caught as bait for the sea-fishery, besides merchantable fish for the markets, and the coarser kinds for the supply of the oil factories. There are upward of sixty of these factories ° now in operation on the New England coast. The capital invested in them approaches $3,000,000. They employ 1,197 men, 383 sailing ves- sels, and 29 steamers, besides numerous other boats. The fish mate- rial which they consume yearly is enormous, computed at about 1,191,100 barrels, requiring whole fishes to the number of about 300,000,000. These modes of fishing for menhaden and other bait are, furthermore, such as to preclude strangers from participating in them without exceed- ing the terms of the treaty; and even without this difficulty it must be apparent that such extensive native enterprises would bar the competi- tion and suffice to ensure the virtual exclusion of foreigners.” The reply of the agent of the United States. 220. In the “Answer on behalf of the United States of America to the case of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government,” * Judge Foster, states: ‘Off the American coast are found exclusively the menhaden or porgies, by far the best bait for mackerel.” This is well stated by Sir John MacDonald (in a debate in the Domin- ion Parliament, May 3, 1872), who says: ‘“‘ It is also true that, in American waters, the favorite bait to catch the mackerel is found, and it is so much the favorite bait that one fishing vessel having this bait on board would draw a whole school of mackerel in the very face of vessels having an inferior bait. Now, the value of the privilege of entering American waters for catching that bait is very great. If Canadian fishermen were excluded from American waters by any combination among American fishermen or by any act of Congress, they would be deprived of getting a single ounce of the bait. American fishermen might combine for that object, or a law might be passed by Congress forbidding the exportation of menhaden ; but, by the provision * Proceedings of the Halifax Commission, Appendix B, pp. 18, 19. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 159 made in the treaty, Canadian fishermen are allowed to enter into Ameri- can waters to procure the bait, and the consequence of that is, that no such combination can exist, and Canadians can purchase the bait, and be able to fish on equal terms with the Americans.” These statements were based upon the Canadian official reports pre- viously published, which say : “ For mackerel, the Americans use ‘pogies’ and clams, chopped fine, as bait. The ‘pogies’ are found only on the coast of the United States, and, when imported into the Dominion, cost about $6 per barrel. “ The bait with which the Americans are supplied is far superior to any which can be secured in this country, to which may be attributed in @ great measure the success of the Americans previously to the recent restrictions, although even now the local fishermen complain that they have no chance while an American schooner is fishing near them.”* ‘¢Phe menhaden fishery has within ten years grown into an immense business. Formerly they were taken only for bait, and were either ground in hand-mills, for mackerel, or used in what is called “slivers” for codfish bait. There is now a large fleet of steamers and sailing-ves- sels engaged in this fishery. Large factories have been erected on shore for extracting the oil. As these fish are not valuable until they are fat, which is in August and September, they are not much taken in their spawning time; and they will not therefore be exterminated. They are caught solely with seines, near the shore, their food being a kind of ma- rine seed which floats upon the waters; consequently they will not take the hook. This fishery is one of the most profitable of all the fisheries, the oil being used for tanning and currying, extensively at home, and being exported in large quantities. The refuse of the fish, after being pressed, is used for manufacturing guano or fish phosphate, and is very valuable as a fertilizer. This fishery is purely an American fishery, no menhaden ever being found north of the coast of Maine. It is entirely an inshore fishery, the fish being taken within two miles from the shore.” The reply of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government. 221. The “ Reply on behalf of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government to the Answer of the United States of America” responds: “The Answer (pp. 18 and 19) lays much stress on the importance to Canadian fishermen of the menhaden bait-fishery on the coast of the New England States. The menhaden is here represented to be the best bait for mackerel, and is said to inhabit exclusively the American coast. An entirely fictitious value has been attached to this fishery. British fishermen do not frequent United States waters for the purpose of catch- ing bait of any kind, or for any other purposes connected with fishing, consequently the privilege of entering those waters to catch menhaden is of no practical value. Any bait of that description which they may require may be purchased as an article of commerce. * Annual report of the Department of Marine and Fisheries for the year ending June, 1870, pp. 312, 342. 160 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ‘* There are not now, nor have there ever been, treaty stipulations to prevent British fishermen from entering American waters to buy bait, if they prefer to do so. As a matter of fact, whatever menhaden bait British fishermen use is either purchased from American dealers or from Canadian traders, who import and keep it for sale like any other mer- chandise. Neference is made in the Answer to the possible contingency of legislation prohibiting the export or sale of menhaden-bait, the im- plied consequence being a serious disadvantage to Canadian fishermen’ in prosecuting the mackerel fishery. It would, in such contingency, be necessary to use other baits equally good, or resort to some other method of fishing, such as that described at page 10, enabling the fishermen to dispense with bait. Moreover, it is well known that menhaden are now caught in the open sea, many miles distant from the American coast. The Answer asserts, at page 19, that ‘ it is entirely an inshore fishery.’ It can be proved that menhaden are chiefly caught off shore, frequently ‘out of sight of land.’ ” Mr. 8. L. Boardman, of Augusta, Me., in an interesting report to the State Board of Agriculture, of which he is secretary, published in 1875, at page 60, says: ** Parties engaged in taking menhaden now go off ten or twenty miles from shore, whereas they formerly fished near the coast, and they now find the best and ‘ most profitable fishing at that distance.’ This fish is included among the shore fishes described by Prof. S. F. Baird as having suffered ‘an alarming decrease’ along the inshores of the United States, owing partly to excessive fishing throughout their spawning time in order to supply the oil-factories.” Chapter 5 of the Answer deals with ‘the specific benefits which the treaty directs the Commission to regard in its comparison and adjust- ment of equivalents.” The admission of Britsh subjects to United States fishing grounds has been dealt with at length in the third chapter of the Case. There is nothing in the Answer on this subject calling for any reply excepting the statement at page 20, that Dominion fishermen ‘““have in the United States waters to-day over 30 vessels equipped for seining, which in company with the American fleet are sweeping the shores of New England.” Leaving out of question the ‘American fleet,” which has nothing whatever to do with the matter, the correct- ness of the statement is directly challenged in so far as it implies that these 30 vessels or any of them are British bottoms, owned by Dominion fishermen; and the United States is hereby called upon to produce evi- dence in its support. Tteferences in the testimony and affidavits. 222. In the testimony and affidavits presented by the United States counsel,* referred to in the biography of the menhaden appended to this memoir and quoted to some extent in paragraphs 188-189, are many * Proceedings of the Halifax Commission, Appendices L and M. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 161 allusions to the value of menhaden bait. In the series of statistical tables filed* is given a statement, prepared by the writer, of the annual product of the menhaden fisheries. In the speeches of counsel during the session of the Commission very little attention was paid to the menhaden. Mr. Dane’s remarks in his argument. 223. Mr. Dana remarked in his closing argument: f .“ We need not catch our mackerel bait any more than our cod bait, within the three-mile limit. On the contrary the best mackerel bait in the world is the menhaden, which we bring from New England. All admit that. The British witnesses say they would use it, were it not that it is too costly. They have to buy it from American vessels, and they betake themselves to an inferior kind of bait when they cannot afford to buy the best from us.” 224. Few comments are needed upon these statements. (1) While other fish than the menhaden may be used as bait, the lat- ter is preferred by mackerel fishermen generally. (See quotations from affidavits of Nova Scotian fishermen quoted above, 186-190, and the depositions of numerous American fishermen before the Commission referred to in the Bibliography of the Species, Appendix C.) (2) For the period of six years past, referred to in the comparison of the sales of menhaden bait and herring bait, the mackerel fisheries in Canadian waters have been far below their usual importance, and there has been no large demand for menhaden bait. The bank cod-fishery has been as successful as usual and the demand for herring bait undi- minished. Moreover a large proportion of the frozen herring exported to the United States are consumed as food, not as bait. (3) The claim that the menhaden are being rapidly exterminated is discussed above in paragraphs 151-156. (4) The criticism by the British counsel of the statement that men- haden are not taken at a distance from the shore is well sustained. (5) The very extraordinary statement that menhaden can be bred and restored to their former haunts in the waters of Nova Scotia may be met by the statement that there is no evidence that the species was ever other than an accidental visitor to those waters, that none have been seen there for the past twenty-five years, that the present eastern limit of the geographical range of the species is forty or fifty miles west of— M.—THE MANUFACTURE OF OIL AND GUANO. 41.—A HISTORY OF THE OIL MANUFACTURE. The claims of Maine to the discovery of menhaden oil. 225. The manufacture of menhaden oil has been prosecuted for a few years only. Several individuals claim the honor of having been first to * Ibid., Appendix O. t Appendix J, p. 78. ya, 162 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. discover its value. About the year 1850 Mrs. John Bartlett, of Blue Hill, near Mount Desert, Me., while boiling some fish for her chickens noticed a thin scum of oil upon the surface of the water. Some of this she bottled, and when on a visit to Boston soon after carried samples to Mr. E. B. Phillips, one of the leading oil merchants of that city, who en- couraged her to bring more. The following year the Bartlett family industriously plied their gill-nets and sent to market thirteen barrels of oil, for which they were paid at the rate of $11 per barrel, in all $143.* Mr. Phillips gave them further encouragement, furnishing nets and large kettles, which they set up out of doors in brick frames, for trying out the fish. It was thought that much oil was thrown away with the refuse fish or scrap, and the idea of pressing this scrap was suggested. This was at first accomplished by pressing it in a common iron kettle with a heavy cover and a long beam for a lever; afterward by placing it under the weight of heavy rocks, in barrels and tubs perforated with auger holes. Mr. Phillips subsequently fitted out some fifty parties on the coast of Maine with presses of the model known as the ‘‘ screw and lever press.” The claims of Connecticut and New York. 226. Others claim to have manufactured oil about the same time.t It is said that as early as 1850 or 1852 there was an establishment for the manufacture of white-fish oil near old Fort Hale, New Haven Har- bor. Iam informed that Elisha Morgan, of Poquannock Bridge, Conn., made oil from bovy fish previous to the year 1850. He owned seines with which he caught fish to be spread upon land fresh. When he could not sell all his fish to the farmers he extracted their oil by boiling them. Whether the value of the article and the methods of manufacture were first brought to notice in Maine or not, the people of that State were slow to improve their opportunities and the trade first assumed its importance on the shores of Long Island Sound. Whether the fish- erman’s wife of Blue Hill is the sole discoverer of the properties of men- haden oil is not evident; perhaps the facts were also known to others. At any rate the tradition of the Bartlett family is not current on Long Island. In the year 1850, according to Captain Sisson, D. D. Wells and * As this account is somewhat different from those hitherto published, I give the story in the words of Mr. E. B. Phillips himself: “In about 1850 I was in the fish-oil business in Boston. An elderly lady by the name of Bartlett, from Blue Hill, Me., came into my store with a sample of oil, which she had skimmed from the kettle in boiling menhaden for her hens. She told me that the fish were abundant all summer near the shore, and I promised $11 per barrel for aJl she could produce. Her husband and sons made thirteen barrels the first year, and the following year one hundred barrels.” t'The manufacture of oil and of artificial guano from fishes has long been practiced in France, where the fish called Merlan (Gadus merlangus) is employed for the purpose, yielding 14 to 2 per cent. of oil. In France the fish cake remaining after the extrac- tion of oil is dried at asteam heat and is then ground fine and packed in air-tight casks for sale as manure. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, 163 his son Henry E. Wells started the first factory in the vicinity of Green- port, using steam for making oil and scrap. ‘At that time there were some few pots (whalemen’s try-pots)used by other parties in boiling the fish in water and making a very imperfect oil and scrap, but were not very successful. The first oil made by D. D. Wells & Son was very black, impure, full of fleshy matter, and had a very offensive smell. It did not come much into use, and fora long time the profits of the business were small; but by persistent effort in perfecting machinery the qual- ity of the oil was so much improved as to come into general use for certain purposes, such as painting, tanning, manufacture of rope, and adulterating other oils. The scrap was also very much improved by grinding and drying, pulverizing, &c., so that during the war the business was quite remunerative. At that time quite a number of factories were established and for a time the business was somewhat overdone, which caused some to abandon it altogether, and others to consolidate; and at the present time there are ten factories in operation, doing a fair business, giving employment to a large number of people and bringing up a hardy race of boatmen and sailors.” Professor Baird, visiting this region in 1857, wrote: ‘Quite recently several establishments have been erected on Long Island for the man- ufacture of oil from the moss-bunker. The fish, as brought in, are chopped up and boiled, and the oil skimmed off ; a heavy pressure on the residuum expresses the remaining oil, and what is left is still useful as amanure. The oil finds a ready market. It has been estimated that a single fish will furnish enough oil to saturate a surface of paper eigh- teen inches square.” * Notwithstanding the fact that the coast of Maine was adapted for much more profitable prosecution of the oil manufacture, nothing of im- portance was done there until 1865. The trade grew rapidly for about four years, but has not augmented considerably since 1870. Twenty factories were built in a short period, fourteen of which are still in operation, though several have failed from the too sudden expansion of their business. As has been seen, the only points at which the trade has any statistical importance are within a limited area on the coast of Maine, on Narragansett Bay, and on Long Island Sound. At other points, one or two factories absorb the whole business; they are but half worked, and many of them have been abandoned. I am informed that efforts are being made to establish factories on Cape Cod and on the coast of South Carolina. Great improvement has been made in the processes of refining and clarifying the oil, and the clear, yellow, nearly odorless substance now produced is vastly different from the article manufactured in early days. The process of extracting oil by steam was patented in 1852 or 1893 by Wm. D. Hall, of Wallingford, Conn., the originator of the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company. Mr. Hall was engaged in bone-boiling and tallow- * Fishes of the New Jersey Coast, 1855, p. 33. 164 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. rendering at Wallingford ; he had a load of white-fish carted to his fac- tory from Branford, 16 miles distant. At night, after his men had left the factory, he cleaned out his tallow tanks, steamed his fish, and ex- tracted the oil; his experiment was satisfactory and the process was immediately patented. The priority of his discovery is challenged by Mr. D. D. Wells, of Greenport, who claims to have used the process for some years previous to this time. After securing his patents, Mr. Hall visited numerous “pot works,” which had by this time been established, for the purpose of introducing his new methods. At this time he also secured a patent for the process of drying fish scraps upon platforms by solar heat. The inception of the oil business in Maine. 227. The first factory in Maine was built by a company from Rhode Island, in 1864, at Blue Hill, and the next by another company from Rhode Island, at Bristol, on John’s Bay, the same season. Operations being successful, home parties in Booth Bay, Bristol, Bremen, and South- port went into the business. In the spring of 1866 eleven factories were built, all using steam. This may be regarded as the beginning of the industry in Maine on a scale at all in ratio with its capabilities. Erection of factories in Maine. 228. The following table, taken from Mr. Maddock’s pamphlet, gives the dates at which the factories of the several firms named were built, and the cost of the same. The titles of some have since been changed by incorporation with others, change of ownership, &c. Of the eleven factories specified before as built in 1866, one has been burned, and two absorbed by now existing corporations. Date of building of factories in Maine. ‘ Cost of build- Names. eee Where. ings and F equipment. Goal bccllOIMeS See aataton issn ene esieyaisite aia 1866 pas pay Sosdodcdoscssoosc0s0s9ec+ $15, 000 Gallup, Morgan & Co........-..-...--.----- UST) [oe senc WO) S552 sso scdpeecse soceassss 15, 000 BOLE OW \WOLKS 2s 2 nes .sos-nce > anise /scince == UGIa Waseesc fo Lewone Seliccicomeemamaere es 30, 000 Kenniston: Cobbié Co -cisise--cesesctseeeee TS67) ae cces’e Gopceses duces eR a ea Se 15, 000 White Wine Brook Company.....-.--..-... HED ilbeiseo- OSB SSA Eotae Sascesasesadcke- 12, 000 Maddocka WACtorys. 22a. qaSeeroeee-seeee 1866 | Southport (now Booth Bay)..----- 25, 000 ELISEO MOM NOLS cose ncecccpaceaeceseiecsee 1866 Bremen ere tase: hadesece 10, 000 AUporiiaray (6c1Co.. 22.5 i: ee tots. Sa 1870 12, 000 RoundseandiCompany c-.-cssce-osencueneee 1866 15, 000 iebrphtman &iSons...c-. sil. ss:0 cee 1866 15, 000 Pemaquid WDLERiar eS ate cones neon bimeceeer 1869 15, 000 Jos. Church & Co. Works..........---.----- 1871 40, 000 HONG SslANG WOLKS:\.acesicusecdeccaccwrace 1873 6, 000 Brown’s Cove Works 1874 10, 000 Tuthill, French & Co. --| 1868 10, 000 Wells) Cow i2t. 12: eae ..| 1864 12, 000 Fowler, Foote & Co.... = safe 1874 2, 000 South Saint George Factory....-..-...----. 1876 1, 500 PROUD REE a eae emietinecav ean esces clcnccenleCenneee 260, 500 The original investment of $260,500 has been increased, as shown by the report for 1877, to $1,033,612. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 165 42.—_THE LOCATIONS OF THE OIL FACTORIES. Factories in Maine. 229. The oil and guano factories are located chiefly on the coasts of Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Long Island, at the localities already designated as being most frequented by large schools of men- haden. In 1877 there were on the coast of Maine fourteen establishments of sufficient importance to be represented in the Maine Uil and Guano As- sociation, all but two of them in good financial standing. Iam indebted to Messrs. Church, Pryer and Maddocks for the detailed list given below, including those not now in operation. There are, besides, several small factories of no great statistical importance. On Muscongus Sound, near Round Pond, are six factories owned by THE BRISTOL OL WORKS, with two presses; ALBERT GRAY & Co., with two presses; JOSEPH CHURCH & Co., with four presses; the RounD PonD O11 CoMPANY, not now in operation ; LEONARD BRIGHT- MAN & Co., now bankrupt; the BRown’s CovE ComPANY (not operated in 1877), and the Loup’s ISLAND O1L CoMPANy. On John’s Bay, Liniken’s Bay, and in that vicinity are ten, owned by the PEMAQUID OIL CoMPANY, with three presses; WELLS & Co., with two presses ; TUTHILL, FRENCH & Co., with two presses; FOWLER, Foote & Co.; the SUFFOLK O1L CoMPANY, with two presses; GALLUP & HOLMES, with two presses; GALLUP, MorGAN & Oo., with two presses; KENNISTON, CoBB & Co., with two presses (not now in opera- tion); LutarER Mappocks; the WuITE WINE Brook CoMPANY. There is also a factory at Brooklin owned by RoBERT A. FRIEND, and the SOUTH SAINT GEORGE OIL WoRKS, at South Saint George. The GEORGE W. MILES ComMPANY, of Milford, Conn., have for several years operated their ship, the Alabama, with two presses, in John’s Bay. There have also been within a few years factories at Blue Hill, owned by Conary & Co.; in Brooklin, owned by G. ALLEN & Co.; in Brook- ville, owned by E. C. Cuatro & Co.; in Belfast, owned by J. C. Con- DON and by J.C. Mayo. The first is known to be abandoned, and no returns have been received from the others since 1873. A considerable amount of oil is also tried out by individuals who carry on a small business of this description in connection with other occupations. The amount thus produced in 1874 was estimated by Mr. Hben B. Phillips at from 50,000 to 75,000 gallons. Factories in Massachusetts. 230. In Massachusetts there are no important factories; the CAPE Cop OIL WoRKS, at Provincetown, and the NortTH AMERICAN OIL WORKS, at Wellfleet, try out a small quantity of menhaden Oil annually, but this is merely ae denies their chief source of supply being bodies of stranded blackfish and porpoises. 166 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. A small quantity of oil is tried out by the fishermen on Cape Cod, chiefly, perhaps, from the refuse remaining after the fish have been ‘¢ slivered” for bait. Near Wood’s Holl, Mass., is the factory of the PAcIFIC GUANO Com- PANY, which at the time of its establishment in 1863 was engaged largely in the fisheries and oil pressing, but has now discontinued this branch of the business. At Dartmouth is the factory of ERSKINE PIERCE, and at Fall River that of Jos T. WILSoN, which is referred to below in the Narragansett Bay list. Factories in Rhode Island. 231. In Narragansett Bay are thirteen factories, specified in the fol- lowing list kindly furnished by Mr. Church: THE ATLANTIC OIL AND GUANO COMPANY, operating 3 presses. Jos T. WiLson & Co., at Fall River, Mass., operating 3 presses. Wm. J. BRIGHTMAN & Co., at Tiverton, R. I., operating 2 presses. IsAAc Brown & Co., at Tiverton, operating 2 presses, good condition. CHARLES Cook, at Tiverton Four Corners, operating 2 presses. AMASSA SIMMONS, at Tiverton Four Corners, operating 1 press. IsAAc G. WHITE, at Tiverton Four Corners, operating 2 presses. BENJ. MANCHESTER, at Tiverton Four Corners, operating 1 press. ANTHONY MANCHESTER, at Tiverton, operating 1 press. Otis H. Aumy & Co., at Tiverton Four Corners, operating 1 press. NARRAGANSETT OIL AND GUANO COMPANY, operating 2 presses. JAMES MANCHESTER, at Tiverton, operating 1 press. THOMAS I. GRAY, operating 2 presses. Mr. Pryer gives the names of the following manufacturers not in- cluded in Mr. Church’s list. Some of them are doubtless concerned in the titled companies already mentioned : JOHN SOUTHWORTH, Portsmouth, R. I. W. H. H. HowLanp, Portsmouth, R. I. WILCOX MANCHESTER, Tiverton Four Corners, R. I. Rhode Island has no factories west of Narragansett Bay. Factories in Connecticut. 232. Another group of factories is located between the eastern bound- ary of Connecticut and the Connecticut River. In 1877 these were five in number, as follows: GURDON S. ALLYN & Co., on Mason’s Island, between Stonington and Noank, running three gangs. LEANDER WILCOX & Co. (formerly J. GREEN & Co.), on Mint Head, also east of Noank, running two gangs. WALEY & Co., at Poquonnock Bridge, east of the Thames River, running one gang. QUINNIPIAC FERTILIZER COMPANY, on Pine Island, Groton, at the mouth of the Thames River, running four gangs. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 167 LucE BROTHERS, at Niantic. Several other factories were formerly operated in this vicinity, namely, the QUIAMBOG OIL CoMPANY, on Noyes Neck (one gang), burnt down in 1876; the GARDNER OIL ComPpANY and REUBEN CHAPMAN’S WORKS on Mason’s Island (one gang), abandoned. Luce Brothers, of Niantic, formerly had a floating factory built on the hull of the old railway ferry-boat “Union.” In 1876 a new factory was built by them and the floating factory was abandoned. West of the Connecticut River the factories are not numerous. I learn the names of the following companies: SaLtT IsLAND OrL COMPANY, at Westbrook, owned by J. L. Stokes and others, not now running. J. H. BrsHop, at Madison. FOWLER & COLBURN, at Guilford. E. R. KEvSEY, at Branford, supplied by weir fisheries. WELCHW’S Pornt O1L CoMPANY, at Milford. TuHE GEORGE W. MILES Co., at Milford, owning a factory on the shore and a floating factory, the “Alabama,” built upon the hull of an old man-of- war. This is usually operated on the coast of Maine and is referred to in the list of Maine factories. In 1878 it is the intention of Mr. Miles to work it on the coast of New Jersey. Factories in New York. 233. At the eastern end of Long Island is another cluster of oil works. The following list was furnished by Capt. Benjamin H. Sisson in 1873: D. D. WELLS AND SONS. HAWKINS BROTHERS. H. Corwin & Co. FiToiaw & HORTON. BENJAMIN PAYNE, GREEN & Co. B. C. CARTWRIGHT & Co. VAIL, BENJAMIN & Co. . THE STERLING Co. Also two floating factories the “Falcon,” 2,500 tons, Capt. Geo. F’. Tut- hill; the Ranger,” 1,500 tons, Capt. F. Frank Price. Many have since been established and in Mr. Pryers’ list (Appendix H) the following manufacturing firms are enumerated, fifteen in num- ber: W. Y. Fitmran & Co., at Napeague (Amagansett). GREEN BROTHERS, at Amagansett. JOSEPH D. PARSONS, at Springs. G. H. PAYNE, at Deep Hole, Easthampton. HAWKINS BROTHERS, at Shelter Island. B. C. CARTWRIGHT, at Sheiter Island. Henry EE. WELLS, at Greenport. GEORGE F. TUTHILL, at Greenport. 168 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. T. I’. PRIcE, at Greenport. J. NORRISON RAYNOR, at Greenport. W. H. H. GLOVER, at Southold. G. H. CLARK, at East Marion. W. W. WARNER, at Good Ground. W. C. Raynor, at Westhampton. NELSON BURNETT, at Southampton. On the Great South Bay are four factories: J. S. HAVENS, at Patchogue. STH, GREEN & Co., at Sayville. SmitH & YARRINGTON, at Sayville. SoutH Bay O1L ComMPANy, at Sayville. On the south shore of Long Island, at Barren Island, a few miles east. of the entrance to New York Harbor, at the mouth of Jamaica Bay, are four factories, owned by— SEAMAN JONES & Co. HAWKINS BROTHERS. FRANK SWIFT.* BARREN ISLAND MANUFACTURING COMPANY. In these four factories, according to Mr. Seaman Jones, about $200,000 capital is invested, half of it on shore and half in “sailing rigs.” Factories in New Jersey. 234. In 1873 there were said to be one or two oil factories in Southern New Jersey, at Somers Point and Little and Great Egg Harbors. The fisheries in this vicinity are not vigorously prosecuted, and in 1873 the factory at Atlantic City had already been deserted. Mr. Miles informs me that he proposes to operate his floating factory, the Alabama, in New Jersey waters during the coming season of 1878. According to Mr. Pryer the following factories were in existence in LSTT: GRIFFIN & VAIL, at Port Monmouth. Carr. C. DouGHTY, at Somers Point. Morris & FIFIELD, at Somers Point. JAMES HE. OTs, at Tuckerton. ¥¢ Cyrus N. Smirq, at Tuckerton. Factories on Chesapeake Bay. 235. I am informed by Mr. H. L. Dudley that there are four factories in the Chesapeake Bay between Norfolk and Baltimore. I have not learned the names and locations of all these establishments. One, ‘THE VIRGINIA OIL AND GUANO CoMPANY,” of which Mr. O. E. Maltby, of Norfolk, is president and Mr. Dudley agent, is located at New Point Comfort. A second is owned by WiLLIAM D. HALL, of Willenbeck, * Better known by the name of its former owner, Mr. Koon. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 169 Lancaster County, Va., who was formerly connected with the Quinni- piac Fertilizer Company. A third was the MANOKIN Or, Works, owned in 1873 by CROCKETT & Co., and a fourth on Tangier Island, owned in 1873 by Forp, AVERY & Co. The Manokin Works are said to be in Pocomoke Bay. A factory was operated near Norfolk in 1872 by Mr. Fitzgerald, but this has since been destroyed by fire. F. H. HARKER has a factory at Hampton, Va. Factories on the southern coast. 236. South of Cape Henry there are no factories now in operation. Mr. W. F. Hatch, keeper of Body’s Island light, North Carolina, gave the names of the following factories in that vicinity which had at that time already been abandoned : EXCELSIOR WORKS (cost: $30,000). CuurcH & Co. (cost $5,000). ADAMS & Co. (cost $5,000). There is still another abandoned factory near Beaufort, N. C. At Charleston, S. C., are the works of the Pacific Guano Company, which consumes immense quantities of menhaden scrap. Thisis however brought from the water by the vessels which carry on their return trip a supply of South Carolina phosphates for the other factory owned by the company, at Wood’s Holl, Mass. A company in Charleston has a charter for establishing a menhaden fishery at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.—(C. C. Leslie.) 43.—METHODS OF OIL MANUFACTURE. The principles involved. 237. The manufacture of menhaden oil is simple in the extreme, con sisting of three processes: boiling the fish, pressing, and clarifying the expressed oil. The apparatus absolutely needful is correspondingly free from complication, consisting, for the first process, of a cooking ves: sel; for the second, a press, and for the third a shallow vat or tank. These were used twenty-five years ago by Mrs. Bartlett, the manufact- urer of the first menhaden oil, who produced an article little inferior to the best now in the market. Very few patents for improved methods of manufacture have been granted: Mr. W. D. Hall’s patent for steam- rendering is the most important. The principal changes have been in the introduction of labor-saving appliances, which enable manufactur- ers to carry on their business with the smallest possible force of work- men. Steam is of course an important auxiliary in handling the fish and in working the presses, and is also used to great advantage in heating the cooking-tanks, as well as for pumping the water and oil. The hydraulic press has replaced the old fashioned screw-press in most of the larger cstablishments, and the size, shape, and arrangement of the bleaching vats, as well as the methods of drawing and pumping the oil from one to the other, have been perfected. 170 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. . Processes employed in manufacture. 238. The process of oil-making at the larger works is essentially as fol- lows: The fish are conveyed to the upper story of the factory on wooden tram\ways in cars containing about twenty barrels each, and are dumped into large reservoirs from which the cooking-tanks are replenished from time to time, or are emptied directly into the cooking-tanks, which are filled to the depth of six inches with sea-water. From fifty to seventy- five barrels are placed in each cooking-tank, and then steam is turned on and they are boiled for half an hour or more. In this way about two- thirds of the oil is separated ; the remainder is expressed by means of the hydraulic presses, under a pressure of 50 to 150 tons or less; the fish hav- ing been placed in circular curbs of half-inch iron, perforated with holes an eighth of an inch in diameter, each curb having a capacity of three to ten barrels. The oil mixed with water is now run into the “ drawing- off tanks” while it is still hot, and is passed through several of them, the water separating and sinking to the bottom. The oil is now drawn off into a “ settling-tank” of four or five thousand gallons capacity, where it remains a few hours to allow impurities to sink to the bottom. Finally, it is pumped into “* bleaching-tanks” (of which Judson, Tarr & Co. have five, each containing four thousand gallons), where it becomes clearer and whiter in the rays of the sun, and after one or two weeks’ exposure is ready for shipment. Processes employed in refining. 239. Boardman & Atkins make the following statements about proc- esses of refining: ‘‘ The oil and water running together into the receivers, separate, by the oil rising to the top, whence it can be drawn or skimmed off. Great pains must be taken to separate the oil from the water before the impu- rities contained in the latter begin to ferment, for if this happens the quality of the oil suffers much. Moreover, in what appears at first to be pure oil there is a variable amount of finely divided fleshy substance that must be allowed to settle, as it will after a while, and the clarified oil drawn off before putrefaction sets in. In order to effect the separa- tion, the oil is commonly passed through a number of settling-vats, and a portion of the impurities deposited in each, and finally before barreling, the oil is, if practicable, exposed some hours to the sunlight in a broad, shallow tank. If all these processes are successfully carried through, the oil is light-colored, sweet, and of prime quality; but if it is exposed at any time to the influence of putrefying animal matter, it becomes dark and ‘strong.’ The very strongest of oil is made from the ‘ gurry’ or set- tlings of the oil, after fermentation, by steaming or boiling it over. ‘Tt naturally happens that every manufacturer makes several grades of oil, of very different quality, of which the best is very sweet, fine oil, bringing ten cents a gallon more than a strong article. Notwithstand- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, 17% ing this fact, it is said to be the common practice of dealers to pour all grades into the same vat, and this has led manufacturers to take less pains to keep them separate. “Tt is a curious fact that oil made from early fish is not so good as that made later. It is called ‘ weak,’ and brings in market five cents per gallon less.” * Gurry oil is sold for one-third less than the other grades. Perhaps the most satisfactory way of indicating the processes now in use will be to describe three or four of the principal factories in detail. The factory of The George W. Miles Company. 240. The factory of The George W. Miles Company at Milford, Conn., illustrated in Plate XXV, is said to have been the first one built after the model now universally followed, with the cooking-tanks and oil- presses upon the second floor of the building. When the fishing fleet comes in, the fish are hoisted from the holds of the vessels into cars, in which they are carried over an inclined tram- way tothe upper story of the factory building. Here they are turned into tanks, twenty thousand fish in each, and cooked by steam-power. Then the water is drawn off and the cooked fish are placed in perforated iron curbs, which are so arranged upon railways that they can be pushed under a hydraulic press. Each curb-load of fish is subjected to a press- ure of sixty or seventy tons, by which the greater part of the oil is ex- tracted. The scrap is then dropped into the cellar below. The ship ‘‘Alabama” is owned by the same firm. It is used as an oil factory, and is usually more productive than the stationary works owned by the same firm. It is illustrated in Plate XXX. For several seasons it has been taken to Maine during the fishing season, where it is usually stationed near South Bristol. It is the intention of the owners to take it to the coast of New Jersey for the season of 1878. The factory of Judson Tarr & Co. 241. Messrs. Judson Tarr & Co., of Rockport, Mass., kindly furnished the following account of their factory in Pemaquid (Bristol), Me., as it was in 1873: ‘¢ The size of the main factory is 30 by 40 feet, with 16-foot posts; the building is two stories high, the upper story being used for cooking and pressing the fish, the lower as an oil-room and for storing fish-serap. The engine-house adjoining the factory measures 20 feet by 30, with 10 foot posts, and contains three horizontal boilers each of sixty-five horse power. In the upper story of the factory are eleven round wooden cooking-tanks 12 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep; each tank has steam- pipes in its bottom, perforated with small holes to allow the escape of the steam; there are also three hydraulic presses, each with pressure of one hundred and fifty tons, and a small engine of ten-horse power. * Op. Cit., p. 27. 172 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Connected with the factory are two wharves, the longer 150 by 50 feet in dimensions, the shorter 40 by 80. At the end of the long wharf is placed, on posts 10 feet high, a tank capable of containing 4,000 barrels of menhaden. This tank is sometimes completely filled when all the steamers have discharged their loads after a successful day’s fishing. On the wharf is an engine of twelve-horse power connected with three drums, all or either of which may be used; when in full blast one thou- sand barrels can be transferred from the steamers to the tank in an hour, the process being precisely similar to that of unloading coal from barges. Also, on the premises of the company, are a main scrap-house, 100 feet by 60, with 15-foot posts, and blacksmith’s, cooper’s, and carpenter’s shops, as well as a boarding-house and stable, all used in connection with the business. The amount invested in buildings and machinery is between $75,000 and $80,000, and in steamers and fishing gear, such as seines, small boats, &c., is about $60,000 additional. The utmost capacity of the factory is 2,000 barrels per diem. About thirty-five men are employed at the factory. The factory of Joseph Church & Co. 242. The Muscongus Oil Works, on Muscongus Point, Maine, the largest in the United States, were visited by Professor Baird in Sep- tember, 1873. These works were erected in 1872, and are carried on by Joseph Church & Co., of Tiverton, R. I.* The main building is 161 feet long and 40 feet wide. The lower portion is the receptacle of the chum, where about 1,800 tons were in store on the 25th of September, three cargoes of about 190 tons each having been sent away during the year. The establishment is larger than any other in the United States, and is well appointed in every particular, capable of working up more than 3,000 barrels of fish in a day. About forty-five men were employed at these works, and about 5,500 tierces of 40 gallons of oil each had been manufactured during the year. These works are now much more ex- tensive, employing during the past season (1874) seventy fishermen and seventy factory hands, with four steamers and three sailing-vessels. They have invested in buildings and machinery $65,000, and in fishing gear $55,000. During the season 138,000 barrels or about thirty-four millions of menhaden were caught; 200 barrels were sold for bait, and of the remaining 136,000 barrels they manufactured 450,000 gallons (11,250 tierces) of oil and 4,000 tons of chum or guano. Lhe factory of Kenniston, Cobb & Co. 243. The establishment of Kenniston, Cobb & Co. is selected for de- scription by Boardman and Atkins, who state that though not one of the largest, it is generally conceded to be a model of convenience and efficiency. * Illustrated in Plate X XIX. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 173 “The main floor of the factory stands a considerable height above the water. Here are all the steam tanks and the press, and in an adjoining building is the boiler and the principal engine. The tanks are of wood, 8 feet square and 4 feet deep, with a capacity of fifty-one barrels, with a board platform on which the fish rest, 4 inches above the bottom. Into the space between the platform and the bottom the steam is intro- duced. There are tanks arranged in two rows, between which runs the track leading from the landing. Another track passes by all the tanks and leads to the press. On this track run several cylindrical curbs made of wood and iron. The press is hydraulic, and is worked by steam. On a lower level than the steam tanks are series of receptacles for the oil and water, that are brought to them by conductors leading from the tanks and press. Under the main floor is the scrap-house, into which the scrap is dumped through a scuttle in the floor. The track that runs between the rows of tanks leads down a steep incline to the landing, where there is another engine, and an elevator to take the fish out of the boats. The elevator delivers the fish into a hopper that holds fifty barrels, and from this they are drawn into a car that holds seventeen barrels, so that the unloading of the boat may go on without intermission while the car is carrying its load up to the tanks. The car is drawn up by the engine on the landing, and dumps its load into either of the tanks at pleasure. ‘‘ Preparation for the fish is made by filling the tank a foot deep with water and steaming it until hot. The fish are at first steamed hard from forty to sixty minutes, then punched and broken up. After sim- mering for five hours longer the free water and oil are drawn off, and then, if possible, the broken fish stand draining and cooling for several hours. At last they are pitched into the curbs, run under the press, and subjected to a pressure which is gradually brought up to seventy- five tons. This wrings out all the water and oil that it is practicable to extract, and the cheese is now dropped into the scrap-house to remain until the following autumn or winter.”* The factory at Napeague, N. Y. 244, In the American Agriculturist for December, 1868, p. 452, was published a description of the factory at the entrance to Napeague Har- bor, near Montauk Point. In Plates XX VI and X XVII are reproduced the illustrations of the factory and its interior arrangements. The fol- lowing description of the factory was published at the same time: ‘ oF ee eee ee Sybiid be peasy 7,000 00 Westbrook Oil Company ee see sass ae aree Lk Bah ey aes 1, 000 00 Eleven factories in Gardiner’s Bay, N. Y.....-..-..---25 310, 000 00 The total amount here specified is $1,857,500. It should be noted that several companies are not reported. Organization of the fishing gangs. - 247, “In the early days of the business,” says Mr. Dudley, “the manu- facturers did not own the fishing-vessels, nor were they interested pecu- niarily in the fishery; they bought the fish from independent fishermen. This method was found unsatisfactory ; the fishermen sold to the high- est bidder, and the supply was uncertain. Of late years the company owns the vessels which supply it with fish. The crew work upon shares, as in other fisheries. In the settlement, at the end of the season, a sail- ing-vessel, with seine and gear, draws one-third of the net proceeds; a steamer, one-half; the remainder is divided by the crew, the captain receiving an ordinary share, in addition to which he is paid a salary by the company, either fixed or proportionate to the success of the season’s work. Itis not uncommon for a successful captain to receive a “ bonus” of $500, or sometimes $1,000. In settling the season’s account, the total catch is paid for at a rate proportionate to the yield of oil. In 1876, the Quinuipiac Fertilizer Company paid $1.25 per thousand. The company usually advances pay to the men to the extent of $1 a thousand, and at the end of the season a final settlement is made. The crew ofa sailing- vessel willaverage form $35 to $75 a month; the crew of a steamer some- what more.” Advantages claimed for floating factories. 248. Floating factories are in use chiefly on Long Island Sound; in whose protected waters they operate to great advantage. They are now going out of use on account of the introduction of steamers. They are usually built upon the hull of some old vessel, and are towed from point to point, gathering the fish from the smacks and working them up into oil and guano asthey move. Some of them are fitted up with machinery for very extensive manufacture. Two important objects are attained by the owners of floating factories: the objection to their business arising from the offensive odor is to a considerable extent removed; by follow- ing the movements of the fish time and expense are saved, for by bring- ing the factory to the fish they obviate the necessity of having a fleet of lighters to carry the fish to the factory, which might often require two or three days. There are five of these factories; one owned at Mil- ford, Conn., and four at Greenport, N. Y. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENIIADEN. 177 Mr. Goodale’s improved method. 249. I quote from Mr. Maddocks’s excellent little report the following account of an improved process devised by Mr. Goodale: ‘“ As now generally managed, the scrap remains in large heaps until shipped, in autumn or winter, to the points of manufacture into, or in- corporation with, superphosphate. In this time a portion of the oil and water leaks away, so as to leave about 10 to 15 per cent. of the former, and 48 to 53 per cent. of the latter. The elimination of the water is an advantage, but the specified per cent. of oil is lost; and a portion of nitrogen is also lost, resulting from the partial decomposition of the mass, the formation and escape of ammonia. It were better, if practi- cable, to drive off the water at once upon withdrawal from the press, so as to prevent the loss in question. ‘“What has hitherto prevented the driving off of the water imme- diately by artificial heat has been the presence of so much od, together with the gelatinous or gluey matter which is developed during the cook- ing, chiefly from the skins and bones. These render the process of dry- ing the scrap a very difficult and tedious one, so much so that compara- tively little has been put into market in that desirable form. The recent discovery of an easy and simple process for removing the larger part of the oil, and also at the same time the gelatinous hinderance to drying, gives promise of a speedy change in this respect. ‘‘ While pursuing investigations relative to utilizing the menhaden as a source of concentrated food, before referred to, Mr. S. L. Goodale, well known as a chemist as well as for his eminent services to the State as secretary of the board of agriculture, found, by thoroughly washing the scrap as it came from the press, with sufficient hot water and agita- tion, that the oil globules were liberated from their entanglements in the fleshy tissues, and also from the creamy mixture with the gluey matter into which they were forced by the pressing, so that the greater part of it could be readily recovered by draining and re-pressing; and also that after such washing the scrap would bear heavier pressure than at first without ‘squirting.’ By this easy process the oil product is largely increased, the scrap is left free from the gluey hinderance to drying, and saeae less water to be dried out. ‘‘T¢ may appear strange that so simple a method should not have ek discovered sooner, but such is the fact. Work had been done on both sides of it.. Re-pressing had been tried, using extra strong curbs, with very powerful pressure, but it failed to give satisfactory results. Re- cooking had been resorted to, which resulted in injury to the oil, and in the development of an additional amount of the gelatinous matter. It is now seen that a simple thorough washing in hot water accomplishes the desired end with neither of these objectionable results. Scrap made by this process last August (1877), and dried in the open air, was lately analyzed at the agricultural experiment station of Connecticut, and the statement of the director, Prof. 8. W. Johnson, of New Haven, shows 12 F 178 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. the proportion of moisture to be reduced to 11.45 per cent., or about one- fifth that contained in the scrap fresh from the press, and the proportion of oil to 4.65 per cent., thus proving that the content of oil in the washed scrap as it came from the press (before drying it) had been reduced to less than 24 per cent. According to these figures, the proportion of oil hitherto lost is, by the new process, reduced from an average of, say, 15 per cent. of the weight of the scrap as it commonly issues from the press, to about 2 per cent.; the balance, say, 12 or 13 per cent., is saved. Let it be assumed, however, that only 10 per cent. can be realized in prac- tice, and that the annual outturn of scrap from the factories of the Maine Association is only 40,000,000 pounds. This would give an an- nual saving of 4,000,000 pounds of oil, or 533,000 galions, worth at cur- rent prices at market for 1877, 40 cents per gallon, $213,200.” Proposed chemical methods. 250. Other methods of extracting the oil from fish scrap have been proposed, but their adaptability is not yet so certainly proved as to war- rant their adoption by manufacturers. The proposed plans involve the use of the fumes of benzine, or bisul- phide of carbon, which are brought into contact with the fish in air-tight chambers. The oil is absorbed by these substances, and collects in tanks in the floors of the chambers. Any surplus of benzine or bisulphide of carbon which may remain in the oil is expelled by distillation. The naphtha process for extracting the oil, remarks Mr. Maddocks, consists in subjecting the scrap, in an inclined iron cylinder, to the action of vapors of naphtha, which combine with the oil, and the latter in a state of solution filters away at the lower end of the cylinder. The naphtha is then recovered by evaporation. The process is slow, costly, and dangerous. Proposed mechanical methods. 251. It has been suggested that a recently invented filter-press, the invention of Mr. John Bowing, is well adapted for the extraction of oil from the menhaden and the formation of the residue into cakes. It is probably too small for the extended operations of manufacturers, but may be very serviceable for the use of refiners. Mr. C. B. Norton, 25 Astor House, N. Y., is the American agent. 44._-VALUE OF FISH FOR MANUFACTURING PURPOSES. Prices of fish at different seasons. 252. The price of fresh menhaden cannot be definitely stated, since it varies from week to week with the abundance and fatness of the fish and the needs of individual manufacturers. Many factories rely entirely upon their own “ gangs” for their sup- plies; some others buy the fish of the vessels engaged in the trade, HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 179 though this practice is less common than it formerly was. Still every factory buys fish in greater or less quantity, and the answers to ques- tion 47 of the circular are important in exhibiting the variations in abundance at different points on the coast. Perhaps it may not be amiss to quote fully from the letters, it being quite impossible to tabulate the facts. Mr. William H. Sargent, of Castine, Me., says: ‘For four years past the average price has been 65 cents per round barrel.* Jason Luce & Co., of Menemsha Bight, estimate that menhaden average from 225 to 240 in a barrel.t In the report of the committee on statistics from the United States Association for the meeting of 1875, the estimate was put at three barrels to the thousand fish, or 333 fish to the barrel. Captain Tuthill estimates 22 cubic inches to each fish, Captain Sisson 21, making three and one-half barrels to the thousand. In Long Island Sound the fish are sold by the thousand; farther east, always by the barrel. Mr. Condon, of Belfast, estimates the price for 1873 at 60 cents; Mr. G. B. Kenniston, of Booth Bay, at 75 cents, stating that in previous years the price has ranged from 50 cents to $1.25. Mr. B. F. Bright- man says that in 1872 and 1873 the average has been 65 cents, but that when oil was high they have brought $1. Mr. J. Washburn, of Port- land, estimates the price at $1 for 1873; during the war, much higher. Mr. Eben B. Phillips estimates the price at from 60 to 70 cents in 1873, 56 in 1874, and about 60 in previous years. Fall fish, for trying, bring 40 to 50 cents in Wellfleet, Mass., according to Mr. Dill. At Nantucket, according to Mr. Reuben C. Kenny, the fish are worth from 50 to 75 cents as taken from the nets; only about half are used in the manu- facture of oil. Mr. Church gives the average price on Narragansett Bay at 40 cents, and to this correspond very nearly the estimates of the southern shore of Cape Cod and the Vineyard Sound, which find market for their men- haden at the Narragansett factories. Captain Crandall, of Watch Hill, R. 1., thinks $2 to the thousand a fair estimate for 1873 and 1874. Captain Beebe, of Niantic, Conn., agrees with this, giving $2.50 for previous years. Mr. R. E. Ingham, of Saybrook, says $1.25 to $2. Mr. Miles says that in 1873 the prices ranged from $1 to $2.50, according to the yield of oil. Mr. F. Lilling- ton, of Shatford, puts it, for 1875, at from $1.50 to $2. Captain Sisson, of Greenport, says that in 1873 the price was $2.25; in previous years, $1.75; in 1874 the price was lower. Collector Havens, of Sag Harbor, *A “yound barrel ” is a barrel of undressed fish, and weighs about 200 pounds. The number of fish in a barrel necessarily varies with their size. Estimates range from 180 to 280; but that made by Mr. Fairchild, at the meeting of the “ United States Men- haden Oil and Guano Association,” in 1874, is perhaps fair, putting four barrels to a thousand fish, or 250 fish to a barrel. + Report United States Commission Fish and Fisheries, 1871-72, p. 35. 180 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. N. Y., estimates it at 30 cents per barrel. In the vicinity of Atlantic City, N. J., M. A. G. Wolf gives the price at $1.25 to the thousand; and Mr. Albert Morris, of Somers Point, at 39 cents per barrel (about $1.50 to the thousand). Mr. Hance Lawson, of Cresfield, Md., states that the Chesapeake factories pay 15 cents per bushel.* Mr. Dudley says that in 1877 the average price in the Chesapeake was 50 cents a thousand. Prices proportionate to amount of oil contained in fish. 253. These prices are simply those paid for fish used in the manufac- ture of oil and guano, the prices of those sold for bait or food being given under other heads. No satisfactory conclusions can be drawn from these statements, except the very general one that the fish are more valuable on the eastern than on the southern coast of New En- gland; in Maine bringing from $2.40 to $3.20 to the thousand; on Long Island Sound, $1 to $2.25. As the expense of capture is necessarily as great in Southern as in Northern waters, we must seek the reason of the difference in price either in the methods of manufacture, the abun- dance of the fish, or in the intrinsic value of the fish for the purposes of the manufacturer. Oil yield of Northern fish. 254. On the first arrival of the schools in Northern water the fish are thin and do not yield a large quantity of oil; but they rapidly gain un- til the time of their departure in fall, so that the late fishing is by far the most profitable. It is the general opinion of fishermen that North- ern fish yield a larger proportionate amount of oil than Southern. Mr. Sargent, of Castine, Me., says that three quarts of oil to the bar- rel is the smallest yield he has ever known from the first school, and six gallons the most from the last school. When the fish are very poor, about the 1st of June, it takes 250 to make one gallon of oil; when poor, in July, 200; when fat, in August, 150; when very fat, in October, 100. About one ton of scrap is obtained in making three barrels of oil. Mr. Condon states that when the fish arrive in the spring they will produce but one gallon to the barrel, while in October the yield is four or five gallons; the average for the season being three gallons. Mr. Friend states that the least yield, in June, is two quarts to the barrel; the greatest, in August, four gallons. Mr. Kenniston states that May fish yield three pints to the barrel; October fish, six gallons and one-half. These are no doubt intended as the extreme figures. The average yield is two and one-half gallons to the barrel, an estimate in which Mr. Brightman concurs, though placing the lowest at three quarts; the highest, in August and September, at four gallons. He estimates the yield of a ton of scrap at thirty to forty gallons, according to the season. Judson Tarr & Co. put the early fish at less than a gallon, the Septem- ber fish at four gallons to the barrel. Mr. Babson thinks that the early * About 50 cents per barrel, or $2 to the thousand. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN., 181 fish yield about a gallon, the last four gallons ; an estimate in which he is confirmed by Mr. E. B. Phillips. Mr. Erskine Pierce, of Dartmouth, Mass., states that in 1877 the av- erage yield at his factory was 14 gallons to the barrel. According to Mr. Church, the fish are fattest generally in the fall, though after a warm winter he bas known them after first arrival to yield 24 gallons. After a cold winter the opposite is true; and he has seen them so poor in the summer that out of one hundred barrels of fish not a pint of oil could be extracted. The first 18,000 barrels taken by Church & Co., on the coast of Maine, in 1873, did not make over 14,000 gallons of oil (about three quarts to the barrel). On Narragan- sett Bay, in 1873, the yield was 14 gallons less than on the coast of Maine; on Long Island Sound, half a gallon. Mr. Reuben Chapman informed me that at his factory, on Mason’s Island, opposite Noank, Conn., the yield of early fish was sometimes as low as a gallon to the thousand, later in the season reaching fourteen or even eighteen gallons; which would be equivalent to five or six gal- lons to the barrel. Mr. Maddocks, writing of the Maine fish, states: “The yield of oil sometimes doubles, per head, in thirty days after their coming. The fish taken on the coast of Maine yield a considerably larger supply of oil than those taken at points farther south, around Long Island, off the Jersey shore, &c. The amount of oil per barrel of fish is there about one gallon, against two and a half here, for the whole season in each case.” And again: “The amount of oil realized varies from one gallon per barrel of fish early in the season to four or five gallons in September. The scrap contains, on the average, as it comes from the press, 55 to 60 per cent. of its weight in water, and sometimes more. This is, of course, worthless for fertilizing purposes. It also contains from 12 to 20 per cent. of fat or oil, which is equally worthless for manure.” Mr. Dudley considers that the first taken in Long Island Sound yield, on an average, about 4 gallons to the thousand. At Pine Island it is somewhat greater; one season averaged 33, another 64. In 1877 the average to June 12 was 5 gallons; to November 1, 3 gallons. On No- vember 1 the fat fish made their appearance, and the average has since doubtless greatly increased. There is usually an increase in the yield of oil after July 1, but since 1874 this has not been the case in Southern New England. Mr. Dudley has cooked fish which would not yield a quart of oil to the thousand. Again, in November, the yield has been 18 gallons. It is the opinion of Mr. Dudley that dark oil only is yielded by fish taken in brackish water; light oil by those taken outside. The George W. Miles Company, of Milford, states that the largest amount made by them in one factory in any one year was in 1871, when they produced 100,000 in about fifty working days; the largest quantity in the shortest time was 21,000 gallons in seventy-two hours, or 7,000 182 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. gallons to each day of twenty-four hours. In 1872 they produced 60,000 gallons, and in 1873 105,000 gallons in their two factories, one factory not operating all the time on account of a pending lawsuit. According to Capt. J. L. Stokes of the Salt Island Oil Company, the average yield of oil is four gallons to the thousand, 9,000 fish making a ton of scrap. Captain Beebe and Mr. Ingham put the highest for the region about the mouth of the Connecticut River at eight gallons, or peihaps three gallons or less to the barrel. Mr. Miles writes: “All depends upon the quality of the fish, whether fat or poor. In July, August, and September we only get fish that come into the Sound to feed, and they fatten after they get here. If they are poor, we have the largest catch in June and July; if they are increas- ing in fat or yield of oil, we cannot capture them successfully until Au- gust and September. The fat fish in the Sound are usually wild and hard to take until late, perhaps owing to the fact that their food is plenty and low in the water. When the season is unusually dry, the fish are sure to be fat; but in a wet season they are found to be below the average in yield of oil. After the fish get here, if their food is plenty, they grow fat very fast. In the past season (1873), in May and June, one million of fish would make only 800 gallons; in August, the yield was from 8 to 10 gallons per thousand, and in September, 10 to 12.” At Greenport, in 1873, the average yield, on Captain Sisson’s estimate, was 84 gallons to the thousand; the smallest yield, half a gallon in spring and late fall; the greatest, 22, in September and October; 8,000 fish make a ton of green scrap. Mr. Havens puts the lowest yield at one quart, to the barrel, the highest at 4 gallons, an estimate much below Captain Sisson’s, which would make over 6 gallons to the barrel. Hawkins Bros. estimate the lowest yield at one gallon to the barrel in midsummer, and 44 in October and November, putting the average quantity of fish to the gallon at one-third of a barrel on Gardiner’s Bay, one-half at Barren Island, and 85 gallons to a ton of scrap on Gardiner’s Bay, 57 at the island. At Atlantic City, N. J., according to Mr. A. G. Wolf, the average yield is 4 gallons to the thousand, the greatest in November, 11; a ton of scrap corresponding to 40 gallons of oil. ; On Great Egg Harbor, states Mr. Morris, July fish yield one quart of oil to the barrel; those of October and November yielding 4 gallons. A gallon of oil is the average to each barrel of fish, and 45 gallons to a ton of scrap. The yield to each barrel of fish was thus estimated by Rhode Island manufacturers in 1877: Joseph Church & Co. and W. H. H. Howland, 1 gallon; Charles Cook, Job T. Wilson, Isaac G. White, and James Manchester, 14 gallons; Isaac Brown & Co., 1,5; and William J. Brightman, 14. Connecticut manufacturers are estimated as follows: The George W. Miles Company, 23 gallons to the thousand; Leander Wilcox & Co., 3 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 183 gallons; G.S, Allyn & Co., 34 gallons; Waley & Co. and Luce Brothers, 3$ gallons; the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company, 34 gallons; J. H. Bishop, 3s gallons; and Fowler & Colburn, 3? gallons. New York manufacturers are estimated as follows: The Barren Island Manufacturing Company, G. H. Clark, W. Y. Fithian & Co., 24 gallons to the thousand; Smith & Yarington, 23 gallons; S. Jones & Co., 44 gallons; eleven factories in Gardiner’s Bay, 3 gallons. New Jersey manufacturers are estimated as follows: Morris & Fifield, 2 gallons to the thousand; James H. Otis, Griffen & Vail, Cyrus H. Smith, 24 gallons. Maine manufacturers in 1877 were reported as follows: Albert Gray & Co., 1} gallons to the barrel; Gallup, Morgan & Co., 2-9~ gallons; Fowler. Foot & Co., 21 gallons; Suffolk Oil Company, 24 gallons; R. A. Friend, 24 eaten: Gallup & Holmes, 24 gallons; Loud’s Island Company, 2? gallons. M. Maddocks declares that on the coast of Maine “one hundred and ninety-five pounds of fish make a barrel. One barrel yields about two and a half gallons of oil or eighteen and three-quarter pounds. One barrel yields about eighty pounds of chum or scrap.” Oil yield of Southern fish. 255. Mr. Kenniston makes the following statement: ‘Corresponding with the successive appearance of the menhaden from South to North there isa progressiveimprovement in size and fatness. When they arrive in Chesapeake Bay, in the spring, they are thin and lean, and appear to be sluggish and stupid, so that they are easily caught—can almost be taken out by the hand along the shore, which many of them follow closely. Between Virginia and Maine the increase in weight is thought to be one-third. In the fall the increase still continues, but the order of it is reversed, the fish appearing to grow larger the farther South they go, and on reaching Virginia again are twice as heavy as in the spring, and have so gained in strength, swiftness, andy wariness that they are very hard to catch.”* Mr. Dudley tells me that from his experience sof two years he knows that the first runs of fish in the Chesapeake are fat. This is in March and April. Mr. A. C. Davis states that the June fish at Beaufort yield from 2 to 1 gallon, those in October and November 4 to 5 gallons. Mr. W. F. Hatsel, of Body’s Island, states that the average yield is 14 gallons to the barrel, 75 gallons to the ton of scrap. Comparison of yield in different localities. 256. These statements indicate in a general way that the yield of North- ern is greater than that of Southern fish, though the disparity is not so * Boardman and Atkins, op. cit., p. 6. 184 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. greatinthelatter part of the season. Mr. Davis’ estimate for Beaufort is, however, not much below the average of the coast south of Maine, and it is quite possible that the apparent disparity of the yield on the Southern coast (of which we are not really entitled to judge with the meager re- turns before us) would be in part explained by differences in the modes of manufacture. Florida menhaden are many of them very fat in the winter season, and there is no apparent reason why the manufacture of _ oil and guano may not be successfully carried on on our Southern coast. The official returns of manufacturers may add some additional facts in reference to the yield of fish in oil and guano and the comparative advantages of location. The following table and statement, quoted from Mr. Maddocks, give a comparative view of the manufacture as carried on by the Maine As- sociation and by all the rest of the United States for the year 1876, the latest for-which the data are at hand for the whole country. Tons crude . No. of | No. of No. of Totalcapi-| Barrels Gallons oil Locality. men. | vessels. | steamers. tal. fish used. | manutactured. SRL GEETI. Other States.-.-| 1, 629 Q91 3 | $1, 767, 000 226, 885 848, 727 29, 831 Mainemeee ss. 1, 129 29 43 933, 000 709, 000 2, 143, 273 Q1, 414 The most striking fact brought out in the comparison is that Maine realized, from 46 per cent. of the fish, 71 per cent. of the oil. To this it may be added that from the use of $983,000 capital Maine turned out a total product of $1,071,449 value, whereas the rest of the country realized $637,600 from $1,767,000. 45. STATISTICS OF THE MANUFACTURE OF OIL AND GUANO. Returns for the State of Maine. 257. The number of gallons of oil produced at the factories of the Maine Association during the past five years is as given below: Memes Ys Cee CRIA Dalen Uae 20 2 ee alae 1, 204, 055 RR Gl teak 30" NIM Nach an roa ta atari 1, 931, 037 i HERE RR SANE iad AR Malis) he RES 1, 514, 881 LTE AREA ROR S.' a yet eee 2, 143, 273 1 =) EA ee DUD 1: seo ee: ROMANS Ma. 1, 166, 213 <6) sratiaiel da ates Eee Woe eae Cee eyes ree» 7, 959, 459 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 185 Table showing average number of vessels employed in fisheries of Maine Association. Name. L. Brightman & Sons Judson, Tarr & Co Albert Gray & Co Jos. Church & Co Gallup, Morgan & Co W.A. Wells & Co Gallup & Holmes............ Kenniston, Cobb & Co Atlantic Oil Company ......-. Round Pond Oil Works .-.-..- Bristol Oil Works Suffolk Oil Works Loud’s Island Oil Works .--. R. A. Friend Mathie Gow ee. sj eee ees ais J.G. Nickerson & Co Jolin Hastings: .s6de8: seus. Fowler & Foote George W. Miles & Co Job ‘I. Wilson Pemaquid Oil Company....-. Brown’s Cove Oil Company... Maddocks’ Oil Works.. .-.---- South Saint George Oil Works Address, 1873. Ime ROnunG PonG, Me. ....60ctsene 5 Pemaqnid) Me ........2c0c08. 2 Round Pond, Me............. 1 Sell Sa REI ele ta er Sia Shera wtoiteid whe 2 | East Boothbay, Me..-......... 3 South Bristol, Me............ 2 East Boothbay, Me........... 3 Boothbay, Me................ 4 p of2: ile hs ee 6 ROundME On, Mec 5. ince. 3 sae as Tee tee lettettetacs ox cca |pemwda aa) Pete TUR ee cay fehl rela at cients eto 5 ideas do Ngee bee een, ere 2 Boothbay, Meolijis de Lab ae eke South Saint George, Me..-....|.--..--. 1874, 1875. 1877. 1876. BN vas bhdeet gofeeseee 2 2 eae Shey eras awed iy 2 loners ans 3 1 3 2 Table showing amount of capital employed by manufacturers of Maine Association. Name. Address. 1873. 1874. L. Brightman & Sons ........ Round Pond,.Me..~ 66.05 4 -= - Bine vols Mie co sen es cer culteseceee lees stece Pemaquid Oil Company..---- Pemaquid, MG eo alsa A =, - | RE Sete Sea ee Sele cl laseen oe Brown’s Cove Oil Company -.-| Round Pond, Me..-..--...--.|.--..--]--------|--2--4-. Maddocks’ Oil Works....---. Boothbay, Me.. eer 8) Seed oboe South Saint George Oil Works South Saint Geor 20, “Me 1875. | 1876. | 1877. 390, 000 |$110,000| $90, 000 50,000 | 45,000 | 55, 090 145, 000 |155, 000 | 200, 000 31,000 | 35,000 | 44, 612 40,000 | 40,000 | 60, 000 50,000 | 54,000 | 70, 000 25,000 | 25,000 | 25, 000 140, 000 |135, 000 |.....- a 20,000 | 12,000 | 21, 000 22, 000 | 16,000 | 35, 000 ne 80,000 | 45, 000 8,000 | 8,000} 25,000 28,000 | 38,000 | 42, 000 90; 000; |... cece eee 93° DOO! |e ven eealek eee 36, 000 | 48,000 | 42, 000 57,000 | 57,000 | 59, 000 24,000) J 5/2 2 eee 110, 000 | 100, 000 15,000 | 23, 000 woe was | Sank netenhl 1SOS008 37, 000 Table showing average number of tons of crude guano produced by the manufacturers of Maine Association. Name. Address. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. L. Brightman & Sons ......-.. Round Pond, Me.........-..- 1,500 | 2,600} 2,500] 1,450 ]........ J udson, Tar &. CO ~ -iohl| cimteeleR ee eno Atlantic Oil Company ..-..-.-..|--.--- GO Fle tctonscan ese Neos 1 3 6 Gils eewetere Round Pond Oil Works..-.... Round: Pond) Me... -<-. a3 Sees sell sete aie | stale Oe ace ee eee BTIALOMOT WOKS Sos cic os o2cc|aeo- as COR as6 we waes = ace eeees 2 2 1 1 3 UMSLOMIWIOLKS)<--ccnsc=|ioee ns GOK. -beasces cat cosine een 1 | see noeee 2 2 Loud’s Island Oil Works.....|.-..-- CO fic a sinlojacianin dicwcieie'e coe of nasal metal secre merrell eae eer ee cies 1 PACING oe ce iep em nos cede 125 gore) <0 NY (; eR a Ue eb SoM ocae| ator cac MUU Obie oc amie in ais ~inine South Bristol, Mo... - 2... .| seeeeaselaeeeeeee 1 2 3 J.G. Nickerson & Co ........ Hodedon’s Mills, Me 252.0. <2) seeseenl eeerenee Bb Sooeea)| paescacs JOD AL. WiSON: .n---fene sos cn, Blue} Hill) Me)..26. 2 cc... ds. eee eee Diane al ee hate Pemaquid Oil Company...... Pemaqnid, Me). << ceicisc cite oc :| eran oe eee teria aier 4 5 Brown’s Cove Oil Company ..| Round Pond, Me.............|..-...-.|--------|- Pee 6He| Josopede|esacs 500 JOUMCH ASIN OR. so ose ee sis sias||ecn CO ein ae cte ae me Gictcie waciciem dl cope note eretl tetera ee tell aretetat ate reeall ose ra penitent Fowler & Foote.......--.---- South Bristet, Me 1 2 2 George Wi Niles Gc COm eee en| sees POO pews aa enacieccecccccabeloenacenleee 2 2 2 Maddocks’ Oil Works.....-.. Booth aay 1 (CREE EE PREee eentcise| bm Aiscssa|tcodsqucl|sastoas: 6 South Saint George Oil Works} South Saint George, Me......|.....--.|.------.|---.----|-------- 2 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 187 Table showing aggregate number of men employed in fisheries of Maine Association. Name. ‘Address, 1873, | 1874. | 1875. | 1876. | 1877. L. Brightman & Sons .....--. Round Pond, Me.........caes 80 80 96 60 (*) Judson, Tarr & Co.......-.-- MOMAQUIC, WO oscneucccnsade 60 BO ce Hees Ute ee be wend ts Se Albert, ‘Gray OAL OT ESE serc 3 ~ onnaeond, Me. .....sccsncs 15 24 40 50 50 Jos, Church & Co. ........0..|-.-06+ OO eA Cae ee 60 70 100 120 140 Gallup, Morgan & Co.....-... East Boothbay, Me..-.......-. 2 27 37 135 28 W. A. Wells & Co............ South Bristol, Me..........-.. 25 20 32 30 40 Gallup & Holmes ..---..-.--- East Boothbay, MGstsnctee chs 36 50 150 40 60 Kenniston, Cobb & Co....... Boothbay, Me..............-. 40 50 50 50 (*) Atlantic Oil Company .......]....-. Olpmitesecsotatsmct coset oes 60 60 60 UA eee Ame Round Pond Oil Works.....- RognoOrONG, Me. ..2-fsi.ces. 30 30 30 40 50 PBI OU VW OLKS once oe cece =ae ese Oesctecswasecannc wrap ee 20 20 30 30 40 Sutolk Oil Works! 5.2....ccc0.|aue- ee ETO saan), srrrers- Ave § LOUIpIvy) UT SOLLOJORJ W9A0LT “MUMOA MIN scloceinrinns = ce e> == A TBOCULOG 1) sf OL be AN “T25* TANG IOD ZW LapMoyyp Se - Stoaae eae) SOTLTAL “AN 03.1004) OUT, See eee eee es Kos: OX “UW “iT 190 k#EPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The following table shows the aggregate statistics for the United States for a period of five years: Table showing statistics of the manufacture of menhaden oil and guano in the United States in the years 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877, {Compiled from the Annual Reports of the United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association. ] Number of factories in operation.....-.. 62 64 60 64 56 Number of sail-vessels employed .......-. 383 283 304 320 270 Number of steam-vessels employed....-. 20 25 39 46 §3 Number of men employed is fisheries -.. 1, 109 OUT oo stash ees ecececcee se Cee eer teeeee Number of men employed in factories - .- 1,197 BGT Boaacosecboc |poppue cic cen |fads c6 6esnc- Total number of men employed ........- 2, 306 2, 438 2, 633 2, 758 2, 631 Amount of capital invested ............- $2, 388, 000 | $2, 500, 000 | $2, 650, 000 | $2,750,006 | $2, 047, 612 Number of fish taken -..-..-.-...-.-.--. 397, 700, 000 |492, 878, 000 |563, 327, 000 |512, 450, 000 | 587, 624, 125 Number of fish taken (estimated in bar- MON) Se ene mete cece cc coe ueeee misees 1,193,100 | 1,478,634 | 1; 877, 767 | *1, 535, 885 1, 958, 747 Number of gallons of oil made .----..... 2,214,800 | 3,372,837] 2,681,487 | 2,992, 000 2, 426, 589 Number of tons of guano made.......--- 36, 299 50, 976 53, 625 51, 245 55, 444 Number of gallons of oil held by manu- facturers at the end of the year ....-.- 484, 520 648, 000 125, 000 264, 000 94, 000 Number of tons of guano held by manu- facturers at the end of the year . ah 2, 700 5, 200 1, 850 7, 2% 2, 840 Value of oil, ati37 cents. <2. .2-.-i--..568- $819, 476 | $1, 247, 950 992,140 | $1, 107, 040 $997, 838 Malnerof onano; atigll.. cc. ecce see cn cd $399, 199 $560, 736 ay 875 $503, 695 $609, 884 Total value of manufactured products---.} $1, 218, 675 | $1, 808, 686 | $1, 582, 015 | $1,670,735 | $1, 607, 722 *The Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter for January 9, 1877, gives this as 1,708,166. A comparison of the yield of the whale and other fisheries. 259. In 1875, the total amount of sperm oil from the American whale fisheries was 1,000,951 gallons; of other whale oil, 1,414,186 gallons; in all, 2,505,137 gallons. The amount of menhaden oil for the same year was 2,618,487 gallons, an excess of 176,350 gallons. In 1874, the amount of menhaden oil was 3,372,837 gallons, exceeding that of whale oil by 1,115.597 gallons. In 1876, 2,990,000 gallons of menhaden oil were made, and in 1877, 2,426,000, For the year ending June 30, 1877, the production of eave oil was 2,140,047 gallons, and for the year 1877, 2,151,765 gallons. In the * Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter” for January 14, 1874 (page 4), the following peremene is made: “Tt is asserted that while the amount of oil produced is equal to that derived from the whale fisheries in this country, the menhaden interest is ahead of the whale, for though the menhaden oil sells at a less price per gallon, for every barrel of oil made there is three-quarters of a ton of scrap, which readily commands $15 per ton at the factory.” This is not true. In 1874, for instance, the value of the sperm oil alone was $1,250,987; that of other oils from the whale fishery, $775,919. Total value of oils from the whales, $2,026,906; the value of the total products of the whale fishery, $2,291,896. By way of further comparison, the cod and seal-oil fishery of New- foundland and Labrador may be instanced. The latest figures at hand show the product of the seal-oil fishery to be 1,500,000 gallons, and of the cod-oil fishery 900,000. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 191 Comparison of yield of nitrogen from Guano Islands. 260. The refuse products of the oil-factories, together with the fish used in a crude state for manure, are estimated to have yielded in 1875 over 10,000,000 pounds of ammonia in the best possible organic forms, This quantity of ammonia is equivalent to at least 60,000,000 pouuds of Chincha Island guano, formerly imported from Peru, the gold value of which would be not far from $1,920,000, In addition to ammonia, the phosphate of lime derived from this source and convertible into agricultural products amounted to nearly 1,430,000 pounds, which is the equivalent of nearly 60,000,000 pounds of Peru- vian guano. Associations of oil and guano mauufacturers. 261. The Association of the Menhaden Oil and Guano Manufacturers of Maine was formed in the year 1870. The objects were such as are usually sought by organizations of the sort—harimony of action on points affecting the common welfare of the business, social acquaintance, and the communication of information as to imprcved processes, etc. The annual meeting is held the second Tuesday in January of each year. The United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association was organized in 1873. The annual reports of these societies are given in full in Appen- dix L. 46. THE USES OF MENHADEN OIL AND THE OIL MARKET. The uses of menhaden oil. 262. The uses of menhaden oil are manifold. It is chiefly employed as a substitute for the more costly and popular oils and to adulterate them. It is sold largely to tanneries for currying leather. Afterethe hide has been “dressed,” ¢. ¢., after its coarser fleshy parts have been pared off, the oil, mixed with tallow, is applied. This is technically called “stuffing,” and results in qualifying any residue of alkali left from the “liming” process, and in filling the pores, and softening the leather. Mr. L. C. d’Homergue states that this oil is largely used in the tan- neries of Russia. A considerable quantity is used as a burning oil in coal-mines to fill the small lamps, one of which is fastened to the cap of each miner. It is then mixed with paraffine or some of the heavier oils. Some is also sold to be used in the manufacture of rope. A small quantity is used annually for lubricating purposes, but, on account of its gummy nature, it is not much in favor among machinists.* It is used in adulterating linseed oil, and is also sold as a substitute, its cheapness and durability *Mr. Isaac Bow, of Springfield, Mass., devoted several years to experimenting, with a view to the preparation of a good lubricating oil from menhaden oil, but his success was not satisfactory. 192 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. rendering it especially valuable for rough outside work and for painting ships. Mixed with other oils it is found to be very serviceable for the painting of interiors, and its use is attended with decided economy, its price being about one-half that of the best linseed oil. Some of the most pure is said to be put into the market as olive oil. Most of that which is exported is used in the manufacture of soap and for smearing sheep after they have been sheared to keep off ticds. Mr. L. C. ’ Homergue states in the Manufacturer and Builder that a bright fish oil, cut with some alcohol and mixed with paint, forms a far more lasting covering than linseed oil. The “Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter” for October 21, 1874, implies that much of the whale oil now sold is really menhaden oil. ‘It is well known that the chief uses for menhaden oil is for currying leather, but with the low prices ruling of late and the scarcity of whale-oil it has. found new channels, and very much of the whale-oil sold probably consists of two-thirds or more of menhaden, for it comes when crude nearly as handsome as any whale, and in appearance when bleached is. quite equal. It is reported as a fact about the street that one concern alone sells more ‘winter-bleached whale-oil’ than is caught of crude, and they do not by any means get all the erude.” The markets. 263. The principal market for menhaden oil isin Boston and New York; some is also sold in New Bedford, and considerable quantities. are shipped to London, Liverpool, and Havre direct. Grades of oil. 264. Several grades are recognized. The “Oil, Paint, and Drug Re- porter” usually quotes under the heads of “ select light strained,” ‘select light,” ‘choice brown,” and ‘inferior to dark,” and “ gurry.” The prices of oil. 265. The highest price ever obtained for menhaden oil was $1.40 a. gallon—this was a war price. In Appendix K is givena table showing the current weekly prices of the different grades of oil in the New York market for a period of nearly seven years. This has been compiled from the ‘ Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter,” complete files of which I have been enabled to consult through the courtesy of the editor, Mr. W. O. Allison. This table includes all reliable information regarding the prices cur- rent of menhader oil, and its valueis enhanced by the addition of a weekly commentary upon the causes of fluctuation in price and the state of the market, also compiled from the “ Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter.” Since the interest in the causes of rise and fall of price is of merely commer- cial interest, it does not seem to be necessary in this place to. discuss the: subject in detail. See Appendix K. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 193 Table showing highest and lowest prices of menhaden oil for the years 1871 to 1877. 2 | Z at zB Bs : wg a Years. a 2 me 3 2 5 g S aS} ot Ps & a Sk ° 2 r) a B I 4 oe 3 ir) a =| 5 Le] & 5) = Qn oO - o 7) ~ 77) i 1871 53 to55 | 50 to 524) 474 to 50 35 to 40 | 60 to 624).......-- cok caeantlbandadey do oleh Clotk Fhe teoaees 404 to 41 | 394 to 40 | 35 to38 20't0:25, | 58). to 60! |.i<040 ciec lane se ous leeameme emo 1972 ; 624 to 65 | 60 to 623) 55 to574} 45 to50 | 60 to65 | 64 to66 |........-.]....--...- Een ee. 40 to 423) 40 to4l | 36 to38 2d LOW, | 08, TOl6Dd: |) 45) TODO: | cas cen oeoelemeaatee > 1873 ; 60 to62 | 59 to60 | 52 to5s8 ABGOSON 8s... mca: SD tO S74|... 5. 5cnealeadede eed a come ie ti ue Dee UC UMUC san sae TED mel Ils omic! cwiaiain = lew a.pmiwinia wiai|\v em nla a/n'du's| can cwels met ema eee 1974 ; 45000 41s) 40 20 46) 42840408 Nes - 2 n- | on ecinnse|osensncen. S24 TOSS le oc adse eda eae weentawens BOE tail ts CO ea| UME SA ness o-oo menus: |-acaw-- 0] 40- C04 [-cdeseene 1875 ; ADO aia) 2d (LOASEI OS) LOAO [rset s Soi) esse ese cccblean. 49 to50 55 to 56 ae ha. Tae ry SE UOOORNOLs LOOSE NCO! OOO lone ciesincic: llsenintwevicldn|icedarnicme. | OS TO 44 to45 1876 48 T0000) 46) 240 ao Mi bOI—" ILem et eeboles lecdacdadecl sec -bocecs 50 to52 55 to 60 FP pres tp a heel es 226 tO.33, || 324: to 33: | 34 tos) 2. on. n ee eee cleamennsm--| 40 to4t 45 to47 1877 467 10147) | 45% 100/46) | 40) TO Ae os. ceclitec|anctlcemacsincccsccene 48 to 50 53 to 54 Syerit ph ean as ; SSe tse |odu.tOes a0 tOoe) |ceaccsoss-laccccsesuslocccenenes| oo to40 423 to 45 Reviews of the markets. 266. in January, 1874, the manufacturers composing the “‘ United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association ” had on hand 484,520 gallons of oil, or about 21 per cent. of the amount manufactured in 1873; in Janu- ary, 1875, 648,000 gallons, or about 19 per cent.; in January, 1876, 125,000, or over 4 per cent.; in January, 1877, 264,000, or over 8 per cent.; and in January, 1878, 94,000, or over 4 per cent. These figures seem to indicate that the demand for oil quite keeps pace with the sup- ply. The following editorial on the value of menhaden oil appeared in the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter, October 21, 1874: ‘Prices for menhaden oil have ruled very low this year, and if has probably been relatively the cheapest grease in market. This fact, together with a poor run of fish part of the season, caused several of the weakest of the manufacturers to close their works, and the natural re- sult has been less than an average season’s production, except in Maine. The Maine season ended some time since, and the fall catch of the other States, which is usually the best, has thus far been comparatively noth- ing, and as it will soon close cannot be improved much. To-day we should estimate the stock in the hands of fishermen as fully one quar- ter less than last year, and with one exception the dealers in this city are almost without stock. “The entire failure of the Arctic whaling-fleet, the high price of all other grease, and the advance in the price of Newfoundland cod oil point to advanced prices for menhaden. We said early in the season that menhaden oil was cheap at 40 cents, and it ought not to have gone below that price. At the present time some parties talk of 50 cents as the point the market will reach, but we hope that manufacturers will not hold for such high prices; this would be as much too high as 35 cents was too low, and as soon as you get an article above its real value some- thing takes its place and you cannot get it into the same channels until it becomes so low that it is forced back.” 13 F 194 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. N.—MENHADEN AND OTHER FISH AND THEIR PRODUCTS AS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE. By W. O. ATWATER. Introductory note. 267. Mr. Goode has placed in my hands a number of documents, manuscripts, and letters concerning the use of fish, and particularly menhaden, as fertilizers, with a request for a statement of the more important facts and principles that have to do with the application of these materials to the improvement of agriculture. The time allowed for this work is, unfortunately, so short as to forbid anything more than a hasty putting together of the data immediately at hand, in the form of a brief review of the history and a still more in- complete outline of the results of scientific investigation and practical experience concerning the preparation, properties, and uses of fish as a fertilizer and as food for stock. I hope that this may serve to explain the chief practical bearings of the subject, to show its importance, and lead to its more thorough investigation hereafter. The employment of fish products in agriculture offers a singularly forcible illustration of the slowness with which the worth of some of the most valuable materials is recognized, and of the need of scientific inves- tigation and experiment to aid practical skill in utilizing them most profitably. The loss to the agriculture of our country at large, and particularly our sea-board States, from the waste of fish that might be utilized, the wrong manufacture of the materials that are saved, the export of the best products to Europe, the uneconomical use as fertilizers of what we save and keep at home, and from the almost entire neglect to devote the products to their most profitable purpose, feeding stock and enrich- ing the manure of the farm, if it were capable of accurate estimate, could not fall short of some millions of dollars annually. This is due mainly to the fact that the principles that underlie the right economiz- ing of fish are not generally understood, and, for that matter, are not yet fully learned. It is only lately that science has joined with prac- tice in studying and improving the manufacture and use of fish prod- ucts for agricultural purposes. The best work in investigation has been done in Europe; its results come to us but tardily. Manufactur- ers hesitate to apply and farmers are still slower to use them. LEvery- thing that brings new knowledge or extends the understanding of what is known must, then, be most valuable. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 195 47. MENHADEN AND OTHER FISH IN A FRESH STATE USED AS A FER- TILIZER. Use among the Indians and early colonists. 268. Professor Trumbu!l tells us that the Indian names of Brevoortia, “ menhaden ” and “ poghaden” (pogy), mean ‘ fertilizer,” that which manures, and that the Indians were accustomed to employ this species, with others of the herring tribe (aumsfog and munnawhateaig), mostly the alewife (Pomolobus pseudoharengus), in enriching their corn-fields. Thomas Morton wrote in 1632, of Virginia: ‘‘ There is a fish (by some called shadds, by some allizes) that at the spring of the yeare passe up the rivers to spawn in the ponds, & are taken in such multitudes in every river that hath a pond at the end that the inhabitants doung their grounds with them. You may see in one township a hundred acres to- gether, set with these fish, every acre taking 1,000 of them, & an acre thus dressed will produce and yeald so much corne as 3 acres without fish; & (least any Virginea man would inferre hereupon that the ground of New England is barren, because they use no fish in setting their corne, I desire them to be remembered, the cause is plaine in Virginea) they have it not tosett. But this practice is onely for the Indian maize (which must be set by hands), not for English grain: & this is, therefore, a commodity there.” * This passage is very interesting, showing the use of fish fertilizers in Virginia two hundred and fifty years ago or more, and, from what is known of the habits of the herring family in Virginia rivers and the persistency of local names, there can be little doubt that many menha- den were used among the fertilizing fish, though ‘‘shadds and allizes” doubtless includes the shad (Alosa sapidissima), the mattowocca (Pomo- lobus mediocris), the alewife (Pomolobus pseudoharengus), and the thread- herring (Dorosoma cepedianum), all of which are common in spring in the Potomac and other rivers which empty into Chesapeake Bay. In Governor Bradford’s *“‘ History of Plimoth Plantation” an account is given of the early agricultural experiences of the Plymouth colonists. In April, 1621, at the close of the first long dreary winter, ‘ they (as many as were able) began to plant their corne, in which service Squanto (an Indian) stood them in great stead, showing them both y® manner how to set it and after how todress & tend it. Also he tould them, ax- cepte they got fish & set with it (in these old grounds) it would come to nothing; and he showed them y* in y® midle of Aprill, they should have store enough come up y® brooke by which they begane to build, and taught them how to take it.” t *New England Canaan; or New Canaan, containing an abstract of New England. Composed in three Bookes. * * Written by Thomas, of Clifford’s Inn, Gent. Upon ten Yeers knowledge & Experiment of the Country. Printed by Charles Green, 1632. Force’s Historical Tracts, Vol. II, 43 t Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., III, 4th series, 1856, p. 100. 196 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. An allusion to the practice of the Indians in this respect may be found in George Mourt’s “ Relation or Journal of the beginning and Proceed- ings of the English Plantation settled at Plimoth, in New England, by certain English Adventurers both Merchants and others.” * * #* ‘‘ London, 1622”: ** We set the last spring some twenty acres of Indian corn, and sowed some six acres of barley and peas, and, according to the manner of Indians, we manured our ground with herrings, or rather shads, which we have in great abundance and take with great ease at our doors. Our corn did prove well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and our barley indifferent good.”* * * %* Again, in Edward Johnson’s ‘‘ Wonder- working Providence of Sion’s Saviour in New England, Being a Relation of the firste planting in New England in the yeere 1628, London, 1654,” written in 1652, the author says: ‘‘ But the Lord is pleased to provide for them [the colonists] great store of fish in the spring-time, especially alewives, about the bignesse of a herring. Many thousands of these they used to put under their Indian corne, which they plant in Hills five foot asunder ; and assuredly when the Lord created this corne, hee had a speciall eye to supply these his peoples wants with it, for ordinarily five or six grains doth produce six hundred.”} Use at the beginning of the present century and later. 269. Menhaden do not appear to have been much used by agricultur- ists of Cape Cod in the beginning of this century, though the old record shows that the horse-shoe crab and sea-weed were extensively applied. In 1792 the Hon. Ezra L’Hommedieu, of New York, published a paper in the New York Agricultural Transactions { which gives somewhat more accurate data and directions concerning the use of fish as a fertilizer. He says: ‘“* Experiments made by using the fish called menhaden or mosbankers as a manure have succeeded beyond all expectation. * * * In dunging corn in the holes, put two in a hill on any kind of soil where corn will grow, and you will have a good crop.” He recommends them as a top-dressing for grass. “Put them ona piece of poor loamy land, at the distance of fifteen inches from each other, * * * and by their putrefaction they so enrich the land that you may mow about two tons per acre.” But he adds, very wisely, ‘‘ how long this manure will last has not yet been determined.” He gives, in his quaintly interesting way, an account of *‘an experiment made the last summer by one of my near neighbors, Mr. Tuthill, in raising vegetables with this fish manure,” which is worth citing as an illustration of the curious combinations of truth and error, which, in their lack of definite knowledge of the laws of plant-growth and the action of manures, the theorizers of that time invented. eG Sa * Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., 2d series, IX, 1832, p. 60. t Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., 2d series, III, 1816, 158, {See Appendix O. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 197 “About the first of June he [Mr. Tuthill] carted near half an ox-cart load of those fish on twenty feet square of poor, light land, being loam mixed with sand. The fish he spread as equally as he could by throw- ing them out of the cart; being exposed to the weather, they were soon consumed. He then raked off the bones, to prevent their hurting the feet of the children who might go into the garden, and ploughed up the piece and planted it with cucumbers and a few cabbages. The season was extremely dry, and but few cucumbers grew in the neighborhood except what grew on this small piece, and here the production exceeded anything that had before been known. By his own computation and that of his neighbors, this twenty feet square of ground produced more than forty bushels of cucumbers, besides some fine cabbages. I meas- ured the ground myself, and have no doubt of the quantity adjudged to have grown on the same.” Mr. L’Hommedieu’s theoretical explanation of this is clear and simple. The fish ‘enrich the land by their putrefaction.”. When this process has ceased he questions whether much more good can be expected from them, and doubts if they will make a lasting manure; nor does he find any fault with his neighbor for raking away the bones instead of covering them with earth to prevent their pricking his children’s bare feet. In the decomposition a good deal of “ effluvia” is evolved, which is evidently absorbed by the leaves of the plants, and contributes to their growth. But “by putting these fish on the land for manure, ex- posed to the air until they are consumed, there can be no doubt that a considerable part of the manure is lost by the effluvia which passes off the putrefied substance, as is evident from the next experiment.” This was made by ‘“ Mr. Joseph Glover, a farmer in Suffolk County,” who had evidently learned the art of composting fish with earth, and prac- ticed it in a way which some farmers nowadays might improve their ways by imitating. ‘‘ He first carts earth and makes a bed of such circumference as will admit of being nine inches thick ; he then puts on one load of fish, then covers this load with four loads of common earth, but if he can get rich dirt he covers it with six loads, and in that manner makes of fish and earth a heap of about thirty loads. The whole mass soon becomes im- pregnated and turns black. By experience he finds that fifteen ox-cart loads of this manure is a sufficient dressing for one acre of his poor land, which produces him thirty bushels of the best wheat by the acre.” Now it happened that Mr. Glover made a heap of fish and earth ‘in the manner above related near a fence where a field of wheat was grow- ing on the opposite side. The wheat near the heap soon changed its colour, grew luxuriant, and at harvest yielded near double the quantity to the other parts of the field.” The improvement in the wheat near the heap, Mr. L’Hommedieu thinks, must be due to the “‘effluvia arising from the putrefaction of the fish and absorbed by the leaves of the wheat.” 198 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. President Dwight, of Yale College, visiting Eastern Long Island in 1804, speaks with much approval of the menhaden as a fertilizer, and thus describes the introduction of its use: “Their agriculture has, within a few years, been greatly improved. For a considerable period before the date of this journey the land had become generally impoverished by a careless husbandry, in which the soil was only exhausted, and no attempts were made to renew its strength. * * * Within this period the inhabitants, with a laudable spirit of enterprise, have set themselves to collect manure wherever it could be found. Not content with what they could make and find on their own farms and shores, they have sent their vessels up the Hudson and loaded them with the residuum of potash manufactories, gleaned the streets of New York, and have imported various kinds of manure from New Haven, New London, and even from Hartford. In addition to all this, they have swept the Sound, and covered their fields with the immense shoals of white-fish with which, in the beginning of summer, its waters are replenished. No manure is so cheap as this, where the fish abound; none is so rich, and few are so lasting. Its effects on veg- etation are prodigious. Lands which heretofore have scarcely yielded ten bushels of wheat by the acre, are said, when dressed with white-fish, to have yielded forty. The number caught is almost incredible. It is here said, and that by persons of very fair reputation, that 150,000 have been taken at a single draught. Such, upon the whole, have been their numbers, and such the ease with which they have been obtained, that lands in the neighborhood of productive fisheries are declared to have risen, within afew years, to three, four, and, in some cases, to six times their former value.” * Elsewhere he speaks with equal favor of its use in Connecticut, re- marking that it is remarkably favorable to vegetation of every kind, which is the object either of agriculture or horticulture : ‘¢ Within the last twenty years the inhabitants of this [Branford] and other townships along the coast have employed for the purposes of manure the white-fish, a species of herring remarkably fat and so full of bones that it cannot conveniently be eaten. In the months of June and July these fish frequent the Sound in shoals, and are caught with seines in immense multitudes. Ten thousand are considered as a rich dressing for an acre. No manure fertilizes ground in an equal degree; and none seems more universally favorable to the productions of the climate. Wheat, particularly, grows under its influence in the most prolific manner, and is peculiarly safe from blasting. * * * * * * * ‘‘ The following is a strong instance of the fertility of land manured with white-fish: Mr. David Dibble, of Killingworth, from 53 acres of land dressed with this manure, had in the year 1812, 2444 bushels of rye, * Dwight’s Travels, III, 1822, p.305. Journey to Long Island, 1804, Letter II. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, 199 almost 45 bushels to an acre; the most exuberant crop of this grain which I have known in New England.” * In 1819, Rev. D. D. Field spoke of the use of fish as manure as follows: ‘‘The most efficacious manure in the vicinity of the Sound consists of the white-fish which visit the shores in numerous numbers in June and the first part of July. These began to be used for manure in Middlesex in 1801 and 1802. They are carried as soon as taken and spread upon the land and plowed in; or are thrown into heaps, mixed and covered with earth or turf and suffered to pulverize ; and are then spread upon the ground as suits the convenience of the farmers. In either mode the effect even on dry and poor land is wonderful, and though it was at first apprehended by many that after two or three crops they would leave the land poorer than they found it, experience has hitherto proved this apprehension to be groundless. * * * * * * * ‘Hight thousand are requisite to dress an acre. They have been sold lately for a dollar and a half per thousand.” f Dr. DeKay in the Natural History of New York, 1842, says: ‘“‘ The use of this fish as a manure is well known in the counties of Suffolk, Kings and Queens, where it is a source of great wealth to the farmer who lives upon the sea coast. They are used in various ways: For Indian corn, two or three are thrown on a bill; for wheat, they are thrown broadcast on the field and plowed under, although it is not un- common to put them in layers alternately with common mold, and when decomposed spread it like any other compost. Its effects in renovating old grass fields, when spread over with these fish at the rate of about two thousand to the acre, are very remarkable.” In 1853, Mr. Ker B. Hamilton, governor of Newfoundland, in a “Dispatch to the Dake of Newcastle” on “the Refuse of the Cod Fishery of Newfoundland as convertible into a Portable Manure,” says: ‘Tn this island the manure universally applied to the soil is fish, con- sisting of the superabundant herrings and caplins in the process of decomposition, and generally without any earthy admixture; and the heads, bones, and entrails of codfish, after having been decomposed and formed intoa compost with clay or peat-bog earth. Thismanure * * * when applied to the thin, gravelly, unpromising soil (on the Island of Newfoundland) yields crops of grass and potatoes which, in growth and productiveness cannot be surpassed elsewhere.” ¢ Messrs. Boardman and Atkins, in their excellent report on “ The Men- haden and Herring Fisheries of Maine,” § to which we shall have frequent * Dwight’s Travels, III, 1822, p. 513, 514, 516. t A | Statistical Account | of the | County of Middlesex, | in | Connecticut. | =| By David D. Field. | = | Published by the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, | Middletown, Conn. | Printed by Clark & Lyman. | -... | April, 1819. 8 vo, p. 153. t Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc., Ist ser., XIV, 1853, p. 393. § Agriculture of Maine, 1875-6, page 1. 200 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. occasion to refer, say: ‘“ More than thirty years ago, before fish oil had becomea marketable commodity, the farmers of our eastern coast [Maine} were in the habit of using the fish whole in different forms. Insomecases, two or three fish were put in a hill for corn, and covered before the corn was planted ; in others they were covered by being thrown into the furrow as the land was being plowed, while in instances less frequent they were made into a compost and applied as a top-dressing. These were the ruder forms of using fish as a fertilizer, and generally practiced before the manufacture of oil and the consequent accumulation of fish scrap.” A method similar to the above was formerly in use among the farmers of New Jersey. Prof. George H. Cook, in his report on the geology of that State, says the practice there was to plow a furrow alongside the rows of corn, deposit the fish, and then turn the furrow back again, covering them. In this way the farmers carried their corn through to maturity, and good crops were gathered from the poorest and lightest soils in the State. A Massachusetts correspondent of the ‘‘ Country Gen- tleman” (vol. 5, page 152) says the application of fish compost ‘appears. to ameliorate the effects of drouth.” Use at the present day. 270. Mr. Goode states: ‘“‘ even at this day the fish are often applied to the soil in a crude state, though the manufactured fertilizers are su- perseding it in most localities. Gov. Caleb Lyon tells me that two or three times every summer Staten Island is visited by smacks loaded with menhaden, which are quickly bought up by the farmers. In plant- ing corn, they put two or three fish in each hill, and so with potatoes ; when they plant potatoes in rows, a continuous line of menhaden is. placed in the bottom of the furrow, head to tail. In 1871, according to Mr. J. M. K. Southwick, many menhaden were sold for manure in Rhode Island at 30 cents a barrel. During the five years previous he had sold about 75 barrels for this purpose.” Until very lately it has been, certainly, and for aught I know is still, the custom of farmers on the Connecticut coast to use whole fish as a top-dressing. 48. FISH SCRAP AS MANURE. The inception of its use.-—LExperience in Maine. 271. As a result of the profitable utilization of fish for the manufacture of oil, the use of the whole fish as a fertilizer has gradually and almost entirely ceased, and given place to the refuse from which the oil has been expressed or otherwise extracted. This is known in its crude state as ‘“‘fisb scrap,” ‘ fish pomace,” or “chum,” and when more care- fully prepared, as “dry fish,” “dry ground fish,” and “fish guano.” Still farmers have been slow to avail themselves of this more concen- trated material. Messrs. Boardman and Atkins, in the report referred to, say: HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 201 “‘Tts use in Maine even in this way, notwithstanding the results were almost always satisfactory, except in some instances where it was used in too large quantities, did not seem to extend to any great extent back into the interior; and even along the coast where farmers could get the scrap for the hauling, not half of them made any use of it. When the business of extracting oil from menhaden was first engaged in along the coast of Hancock County, and especially in Union River Bay, the works were situated on shipboard, and the scrap was thrown overboard into the bay. The result of this was to drive out all the deep-water fish, as mackerel, cod, &c., and this was continued for many years. On the first establishment of oil works at Bluehill Falls and other places the scrap was given away, and farmers could get a scow-load any time they wished. It issaid that the farmers in the town of Brook- lin first utilized the scrap by applying it to the land, and during days when no catch of menhaden would give work at the factories, the men would cart the scrap away and spread it as atop dressing on grass lands. It was used green from the press, and on the sandy soil of that town its good effects were most marked. Afterwards, it began to be composted with muck or with fine loam, and was applied to potatoes and grass with excellent results. As a top dressing to mowing fields it was spread on after haying, and in this way was generally used fresh. Too large an application/was found to induce too rapid a growth of grass and to cause it to rust, and it also gave a fishy flavor to the hay, not relished by cattle ; but these matters were gradually learned from expe- rience in its use, and as gradually mastered and overcome. Asits value became known its price advanced, and for several years, from about 1858 to 1864, it went up to $6.00 per ton.” Experience in Connecticut.—Mr. Clift. 272. At a meeting of the Connecticut Board of Agriculture in Decem- ber, 1873, Rev. Wm. Clift, of Mystic Bridge, gave a lecture on ‘Marine Manures.”* This was followed by a discussion, in which a number of the best farmers of the State took part, and is interesting, as showing what the practical experience of men who have used fish scrap as ration- ally as intelligent farmers do anywhere, says of its uses and value. Mr. Clift said: . ‘Along the shores [of the Long Island Sound] where I have lived for the last twenty-five or thirty years, very large quantities of white-fish, or menhaden, are taken for the purpose of making oil. Formerly they were taken simply for the purpose of making manures, and were caught in very large quantities all along our shore and over on Long Island, in large seines, which were generally owned by companies composed of farmers. These fish were carted by the farmers quite long distances, spread broadcast over their fields, and left to putrefy in the open air, and then along in the fall they would be plowed in for rye and for other * Report of Conn. Board of Agriculture, 1873, p. 197. 202 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. crops. This, of course, was a very wasteful process, as a large part of the ammonia which the decaying fish furnished went off into the air; still, it was a very valuable manure used even in that way. Not only were white-fish taken, but very large quantities of sharks, and some valuable food-fishes were oftentimes taken in connection with these fish, which were caught expressly for manure. Latterly the oil has become exceedingly valuable, so that the companies now take the fish for the purpose of procuring the oil, and the refuse, what remains after the oil has been expressed, is sold for manure. I suppose about forty millions of white-fish are taken annually along the shore of Fisher’s Island, in the sound, between New London and Stonington, a distance of not more than ten miles, probably, and there are some six or eight companies that have been organized for the purpose of taking these fish. These companies are quite prosperous, and a source of quite large income, not only to those who are engaged in fishing, but to other people. They make a market for the wood of the farmers in all that region. It is quite a common thing for the farmers to exchange their wood for this fish scrap. About two cords of wood, delivered on the shore, will buy a ton of this fish scrap. * * * Sometimes they get it in season for the farm [spring?] crops or turnips, and always in season for the rye crop in the fall. The price is from $13 to $16 per ton. * * * A great deal of it goes up the Connecticut River. The tobacco raisers know the value of fish scrap, and it is sent quite a distance into the country. * * * ‘The farmers all along the coast use the fish scrap in what is called a ‘fish pie’ The scrap is drawn to the farm, a few furrows are turned up near where they want to use the fish scrap the next year, a layer of scrap is put over these furrows, then a layer of sods and so on, forming a compost heap four or five feet high. Probably eight or ten times as much earth as scrap is used, in bulk or weight. After it has lain a few weeks in this condition, it is forked or shoveled over, so that it is all intimately mixed, and the scrap very nearly absorbed by the soil, and in that condition it is fit either to be spread upon the ground for rye or for corn crop the next season. It is also - used in connection with stable manure. The scrap is carted into the yard where the stable and yard manure is heaped up, and mixed with that; it adds very greatly to the value of yard manure. They will put, perhaps, one ton of the scrap to ten tons or more of yard manure; and then, after it has remained two or three weeks, it is carted off for top- dressing for corn or potatoes, or the ordinary crops of the farm. I have used fish scrap for the last three years on the rye crop, and find it exceedingly beneficial and economical. The soil where I use it is a gravelly loam, very well underdrained, but it has been pretty well exhausted by long cropping. I spread about half a ton of this manure to the acre, and get a very satisfactory yield of rye from this light dress- ing. It costs me about seven or eight dollars an acre for the manure, and I get in return for it about fifteen bushels of rye to the acre, and HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 203 nearly a ton of straw. The straw sells with us for about twenty dollars a ton, and rye is worth from ninety cents to a dollar a bushel; so that for a very small expenditure for manure I get very satisfactory crops of rye. * * * A year ago last summer I used a ton of fish scrap on half an acre of land. It was nothing but gravel. There was hardly any vegetable matter; none but what had grown out of the gravel, and, perhaps, a little washed from the surrounding land. I did not pay any- thing for the land; the owner did not consider it worth anything. I got a glorious crop of corn, cabbages, and potatoes on that little piece of land, by the use of a ton of fish scrap.” With regard to the value of green and dried scrap and the loss in drying, Mr. Clift says: ‘CAs it comes from the press, after all the oil has been pressed out of it that can be gotten out by the strongest hydraulic pressure, there is still a great deal of moisture in it—40 or 50 per cent. As it lies on the platform under cover, there is, of course, a constant loss of moisture, but there is also a loss of ammonia, which is very valuable, so that I am not able to say whether the fish-scrap is any more valuable after it has lain a month or two in the house than when it first comes from the press. I think I should prefer to take it as it comes from the press. I think the ammonia which is lost is worth more than will be gained by the evaporation of the water. Fish-scrap, at $12 to $15 per ton, is the cheapest manure we can buy. It is the only commercial fertilizer I have bought for the last six or eight years. I do not invest in superphos- phates or bone-dust. I would invest in the latter if I could get a pure article, but when it is half plaster of Paris I do not know whatI am buy- ing. But this article, when it comes from the factory, is generally fish scrap and nothing else. It always produces just about the same result. You can depend upon it. If you apply one or two tons to the acre, you know what you will gain by its use if it is properly put into the soil and you have a fair season. I think it is a perfectly secure investment for the farmer to make.” Experience of Mr. Hall and Mr. Loveland. 273. Some of the discussion which followed is worthy of note. Mr. Hall, of Wallingford, remarked: ‘¢ My experience in regard to fish-scrap is that when it comes from the press it is about 65 per cent. water. Now if that is worth $12 to $15 a ton to carry back ten or twenty miles into the country, when you come to add the freight and the inconvenience of handling it to the freight, I should consider the dried the cheapest. Ihave used a great many tons myself, and I have always used ‘the dry as the most economical. I have been so situated I could have either, but I preferred the dry; and as Mr. Clift has said, by analysis, it was a cheap manure at the prices at which it was sold.” Mr. Clift replied: ‘Mr. Hall means a different thing by dried fish guano, from what some gentlemen do by ‘dried fish.’ He 204 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. means the article spread upon a platform, and made as dry as it can be in that way. What is termed ‘ dried fish’ is another thing. It will take from two to two and a half tons of fresh fish to make a ton of dry, and after that has lain in a tight building for some time, it will take two tons of that to make a ton of the dry guano. When the green manure is spread out and immediately dried in the sun, there is no loss of ammo- nia, but when it is kept in a pile, of course putrefaction begins, and as it advances there is loss of ammonia. There is no considerable loss of ammonia by drying in thesun and ofcourse the dry manure, finely ground, is very much more valuable than that which is dried in a heap where there is a great loss of ammonia.” Mr. Loveland said of his experience with fish-scrap : ‘“‘T would say that I have had considerable experience with fish-scrap, having used it for the last eight or ten years. I bought it as itis pre- pared by the companies at Milford, where it is produced as a superphos- phate, and sold at the rate of $45 a ton. I have used it with Bradley’s superphosphate, with Coe’s and with Wilson’s on tobacco and other crops, and wherever [have used it in connection with these high-priced manures, I have found that the fish manure was fully equal to them; it bore up its crop as well as any of the commercial fertilizers in the market. I have bought it in the green state mostly, in bags and barrels, and it has cost me about $23 a ton to get it up to the north part of the State. I have not used this fish-scrap much by spreading it upon lands in its raw state, nor by putting it into the hill, as they do in Lyme, and on the coast, in raising potatoes and the like. I have seen some instances in our town where it has been spread upon the ground in a raw state, and then the tobacco set, and the effect has been to stop the growth of the tobacco. It has been too powerful in that condition for the tobacco to grow upon it; and where it has been used in that way, I have never seen half a crop of tobacco. My method has been to compost it, invariably, and I be- lieve that is the true method of using such a fertilizer as that. Itisa fertilizer having all the elements of an organized body. It contains all of the fish that we desire ; the oil that has been taken out we hold to be of no use in agriculture. Coming to us in the green state from the fac- tory, it has not lost any of its ammonia to speak of, and in that state it must bea perfect manure, because there is no adulteration in it. In com- posting it, I have used muck, treated with lime and salt—abont four . cart-loads of muck to four or five hundred pounds of the fish, building up a large pile of it, in that proportion, which, after a while, begins to heat, and the whole mass is leavened and brought into oneness of con- dition. The fish-scrap fertilizes the whole mass with its elements, and it may then be spread upon natural grass-land or cultivated ground, and will invariably produce a very fine crop. It never has failed with me to produce a good crop, and where I have manured grounds in that way and seeded them down, I have got good crops of grass for years in suc- cession afterwards.” HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 205 Statements by Professor Cook, of New Jersey. 274. Prof. G. H. Cook, of New Jersey, in his report as secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, writes:* “The supply of material for fish guano is almost unlimited in this State, and it only needs capital and skill to build up a business of great importance to the State and profit to the manufacturer. On the coasts of Long Island and of Maine, where the business has been carried on for the oil which could be got from the fish, the residuum has been sold at various prices, from $15 to $30 a ton, and has been a very popular fertilizer with those who have used it. It is sought for by the manufac- turers of superphosphate of lime, to mix with their product, and there can be no doubt that it is very beneficial in such a mixture, giving quick- ness to its action, while the superphosphate would add to the duration of efficiency. When this source of manure is properly worked, it can be made to supply all the guano needed in the State.” Professor Cook says, also :t ‘* While the most common mode of using these fish is in the hill or furrow for corn, they are often employed ina compost with barn-yard manure and a little lime. Those who have tried such a mixture say that ait is superior to any guano in the market. When applied on corn the crop is considered as certain. Some farmers mix them with muck and apply the compost upon wheat. This fertilizer is wonderfully rapid in its ef- fects, showing changes in the growth of a crop in a few days after it has been applied. But it is not a lasting manure. Ina year or two this stimulating effect is gone, and a second application is necessary. For producing quick results it is so efficient that all farmers who have tried it unite in testifying to its value.” Further experience in Maine.—Messrs. Hinkley, Kenniston, Smith, and Collins. 275. On pages 47 to 55 of the report of Messrs. Boardman and Atkins, referred to, are some “ Practical Notes on the Use of Fish Scrap as a Fer- tilizer,” which contain a number of items of experience of Maine farmers worth quoting: ‘Hon. J. T. Hinkley of Bluehill, in a private letter, writes: ‘I have never used but itin one way. I mix it with fine dirt or sand, and use it as atop dressing on grass-land. : Qo S "sa a 3 2) a = = Bas a a a s) q Ay wi. || deren Dry ground fish: Per ct.| Per ct.| Per ct.| Per ct.| Per ct.| Per ct. | Per ct. Ground fish, G. W. Miles... me 10| 18,74] 61.82] 19.44 7. 65 8. 06 9. 78 6.71 Fish guano, G. W. Miles.-........-- 28] 21.96 | 50.99 | 27.05 8. 66 6. 07 (eet) [peta Charles Island guano, G. W. Miles. . 80 8.63 | 71.79} 19.41 7.74 Foy Gl lea Mier Sil | tee kt PAllvmis Sertiizer . <6 o-Socacecsc ao Pe ee eS o|ee See 16. 37 6.17 8.80] 10.68 6.35 PAllymistervilizer! s.-escce ose e see 185 6234. |" Wiss} 22535 7.90 7.88 9. 56 7.33 Dry ground fish, Quinnipiac Ferti- NZS COMLPANY = 2522 -< ees ses eo: LOO" “14264: |o-2-- oc. 22. 23 6. 67 7. 50 9511 7. 68 Dry ground fish, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizeri Company: 262) sees ses ose hse 140] 10.85] 68.40] 20.75 7.21 7. 38 SOM Aedes Dry ground fish, Quinnipiac Ferti- liger'Company ~ 28 2sso--- ssece 172 | 13.45] 63.97] 22.58 7.55 7. 96 9 66 6. 63 Dry ground fish, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizer, Company, ~--.2<------s+ce-ce 203 Boa Poaccece 20. 41 8.11 8.25 | 10.00 8.94 Acidulated fish, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizer'Company -:----.025.0--ccen- 922 | 36.53] 39.89] 23.58) *7.09 4.11 45991 Ee eee Dried fish scrap: “Dry fish,” Green Brothers........ 179} 11.04] 64,01 | 24.95 | 10.51 8.60} 10.44 3. 93 erie fishy ut = 2 2. Ssh Ho. 3 S- Sc 182 OST |e 19. 92 7,10 &.13 9286) |--< scnc son cesemniceiaeericeeiceee es 39 S567) | SLONG4 5) en eee ANS OOUALO'S i PLOCOSS wes =< comin s clneiin ce emi we ele a elses eine ee 41} 11.45] 10.24] 11.56 4. 64 | Waste from faulty manufacture and use of fish fertilizers. 300. An enormous loss results to our agriculture from the waste of fish that might be saved, from faulty manufacture of fish into fertilizers, from wrong use of the fertilizers when made, and from the exportation of the best products to Europe, where their value is better understood. This loss will be prevented in proportion as the nature and uses of fish manures are learned. 51. THE USE OF FISH FERTILIZERS IN AGRICULTURE. Chemistry of plant nutrition. 301. Not only farmers and merchants, but many manufacturers as well, have a very poor understanding of what constitutes the value of fish as fertilizers, and how they may be most economically utilized. It will be well, therefore, to consider briefly some of the principles that decide the value and usefulness of fertilizers in general, and of fish products in particular. Fish manures, like other commercial fertilizers, are valuable because they supply plant-food which crops need and soils fail to furnish. Their main value depends upon their content of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. These are the most valuable and costly ingredients of commercial fertilizers. Plants, like auimals, require food for life and growth. A part of the food of plants is supplied from the atmosphere, the remainder is de- rived irom the soil. No ordinary cultivated plant can thrive without a sufficient supply of each of a number of substances needed for its food. With an abundance of all of these in forms in which the plant can use them, and with other circumstances favorable, the plant will flourish and the yield be large. But if the available supply of any one of them HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 231 be too small, a light yield is inevitable. For instance, potash is an essen- tial ingredient of tne food of plants. If all the other conditions for a profitable crop of corn or potatoes, or other plants, are fulfilled in the soil, except that potash is deficient, the crop will inevitably fail. But if the potash be supplied the yield will be abundant. The chief use of fertilizers is to supply the plant-food which the soil lacks. Vegetable and animal substances, and manures and soils as well, con- tain, besides water, two kinds of materials, the so-called organic matter and the mineral matter or ash. The organic matter consists chiefly of the four chemical elements, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. We do not need to trouble our- selves about the first three of these in fertilizers, because they are sup- plied to the plant in abundance by the atmosphere and the soil through the leaves and through the roots. But the nitrogen is an important ingredient of fertilizers. It is, in its pure state, a gas, and makes up about four-fifths of the air. Combined with hydrogen it forms ammonia; combined with oxygen it is known as nitric acid. In these and other combinations it occurs in minute quanti- ties in the atmosphere, and in considerable quantities in soils and manures. Plants are unable to make use of the pure nitrogen of the air, though some, if not all, absorb a very little combined nitrogen from the atmos- phere. By far the largest part of the nitrogen of plants is absorbed from the soil through the roots. From the facts that nitrogen is avail- able to plants only in certain combinaticas, that it is slow to form and easily leaves these compounds, that it readily escapes from manures and soils into the air, and is leached away by water, it is one of the most commonly deficient and hence the most costly ingredients of the food of plants. - The mineral matter or ash of plants is defived entirely from the soil. It consists of several ingredients, known as potash, soda, lime, magnesia, iron, silica, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, and chlorine. Essential ingredients of plant-food. 302. The results of a vast amount of this sort of experimenting prove that no agricultural plant can attain full growth without a sufficient sup- ply, through its roots, from the soil, of potash, lime, magnesia, iron, phos- phoric acid, sulphuric acid, and some compound of nitrogen. Besides these, chlorine, and perhaps silica, are sometimes, if not always, indispensa- ble, though in very small proportions, to complete development. If any one of these essential ingredients be lacking the plant will suffer in growth and development. Exhaustion of soil by various crops. 303. Crops take from the soil, then, the materials needful for their growth; and these are rightly called “plant-food.” Some soils yield large crops many years in succession without manuring. They do this 232 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. because they contain large stores of the ingredients of plant-food, as potash, lime, nitrogen, &c., and because these are furnished in available forms, so that the plant can readily use them. As a rule, after cropping for some time, the point is reached where the natural resupply of plant- food is insufficient to produce large crops. In other words, in the so-called “poor,” “worn-out,” or “exhausted” soils, the natural strength is insufficient for profitable production. In order to know what fertilizers to use on such soils we must know what ingredients of plant-food are deficient, and what manures will best supply them. An idea of the essential ingredients of plant-food removed from the soil in cropping may be obtained from the table below, which is calculated from the extensive tables of analyses of plants by Wolff. Materials removed from the soil by various crops. i>} [~] -—— - 4 Seem 4 2 Crops. ES | es S Ss a a Real ee Ml al Sy £ = RB Ay a a ey A RYE. Pounds.|Pounds.|Pounds.| Pounds.| Pounds. Pounds. Grain, 25 bushels—1,400 pounds. .......---.-.--..--. 0.3 11.8 0.7 2.9 7.8 24.6 Sing SHE en ese So das dapebebeds sesbous 3.8 7533 12,2 3.9 ese. 14.0 PE SGAL SS: ot ot LG EAA SicticosatORe sar 4.1 19.1 12,9 6.8 Sond 38. 6 OATS. ee Wk (ad ek ae Grain, 30 bushels — 960 pounds ......-.----.--------- 0.4 6.0 1.0 1.8 4.2 18. 4 Pura, 2,000 pounds S229) site cee eee wei ee lel > 2.6 3.8 7.2 3.2 17.8 11.2 Riptal. eee wey alo Ab Maes 3 9 a2} 5.0] 220] 296 WHEAT. pel BL A SEED One hg nee) Grain, 20 bushels = 1,200 pounds .......-...---.---.. 0.1 9.5 0.7 2.4 6.4 25.0 Simei Ae HUG Uy nhins Cy ss SB So ca absaceae seasons 3.3 6.6 8.1 3333 18.9 14.4 Total sa o |[nnceln © nleimielnieinic: 910. cicin'a.plsin slo'> tela on Sinisie/aia eAoge se[dues oe1q1 Jo esBIOAY 16'T 66° G9 °L GEG PE Vtaleeoekt aeraciebes os i he Ee oe re EO PE er ee a6 cc 'G 68 °S 91 '8 tet a SVAL tail ps $294 at pakew sb be od DO pe Coe eee PARE peminey a eae mal § OF ee | eames “") POL If ‘b TOE |°-7° Auvdmop surzyt}10,7 ovrdraumy ‘eyeqydsoyd snousSoaqia oqujos 90 lag |°79 lag |"q04aq | 79 lag | 70 Lag *‘penut}Tw0)—SaLVHdSOHdYadAS SNONTYVOULIN ‘GidVW OIHOHdsSOHd GNV NAVOULIN i =u R n 1A 1A ° 5 o i ° ee c Pace eed | wets ble y & |Peo| So | B g io | = 8 © 5 ¥ 2 7a 2.8 5 *STRMOPVU SUZ NAT ‘OT QVICA W “plow ortoydsoyg *SUDVINGOUTA ‘ponurju0gj—suszyyual pmouauuoo fo spueypa.bur savnjna fo punod uad 81800 pun sabpjueo.ag 243 HISTORY OF TFHE AMERICAN MENHADEN. le} WMSOWSooOSHSSSr Oornearrrrsons ie) ee ee ee ee @ ON ‘ouens UeIAnIOg -° casece 133 “===""==-g0qory ‘ouvns uviIAnieg “-- 9A0q® so]/duIvs OM} FO OSvIOAY oOsecSo cewns Seeeeeeen ens -Qey Oe Fee Sao Ger ee oe pee ee ae eee hae oe sisi heise 22 DOT OOM: ~soreres""""" GA0qe So[duIvs OM} Jo OSBIOAW L ILS 0S “b 6L°S AST ee ee ee ee ee ee ed oe es ie fe Od L oo cc 'P L8°¢ OS ee ee ee et ae eee see ise OS iRO Poa Omran) € 8h 9 OTS BP O8e wii eee Tiptascr ctor teressceccesccsecccceress GA0QS 8B SO[CUIVE JY SIO Jo OSBIOAY ¢ ‘ I b GES a] PAD ccs. Sal Page at O0I6P BGG Ps — borg. 8 : ’ ' ’ , a) s re SAMAHAADSOH Breistrcara chee) 20) ee | h ILS 88 °L TG) wal pe oe: ee ee ee 8 ee ea ae ae igen ie gees | aC 65°C ¢0°9 6G ‘L PO sao eee ee een aes as aOGE 9 LG'S OL ‘L AED a gs a gnarl RR we = gs Gira ie gt he I ICY Gf ’ . . . ' ' te) ior) el =) a o nm u TST Fe Salt toll oll Sle ole 5] al an - So bal — Ney oo -= BAWMMOD ononuns ” 244 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Of the above figures it may be remarked: 1. The articles are of the higher grades. The poorer articles with which the markets are infested are not taken into account. The nitrog- enous superphosphates, for instance, were among the best of about fifty samples from which the selections were made. 2. The costs of the ingredients vary widely in the different articles. This is illustrated by the following figures, which represent average market-rates: Costs per pound in cents. Fertilizers.* Phosphoric acid. Nitrogen. |= a base, ENTDALOOL BOGE Soa sawcacccee cde de sccsneitddcemsnet 94 to :25))| J... ccc dow sel oseuee ees ee [eae eee Sulphate OMaMMOnis eecsacisessccweedaccescecererce= Oo Ne oy bh | Reaaaes aces os eHeiemctelloe esas dcosoc DIMGMDIOOE Se asec cen once ac etesicseeteseweceweseeeoee TS 8 escionn ee cact| (secoracaescne| Heacood= see PHBODDHOSPALOK = =~ ce) dates os ySare fe ce mity seemisinieniet ip He S26 eleigadapaciaehlocee see ee Rem Corn, hay, potatoes, in fact vegetables generally, contain nearly the same list of ingredients as wheat, but in different proportions. The same is true of animal foods. Meat and milk consist of similar ingre- dients. For our present purpose we have to consider only the organic substance. Now notice in the table above that there is a distinction between two classes of ingredients of this organic substance of wheat. The gluten and fibrin contain nitrogen, while the sugar, starch, fiber, fat, &c., con- tain no nitrogen. This distinction between the nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous food ingredients is a fundamental one in economical cattle feeding. Albumen, found pure in the white of an egg, is a representative of several kinds of substances, which consist chiefly of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. To these nitrogenous materials we apply the general name, albuminoids. The albuminoids are found in all animals and plants. Muscle or lean meat, casein (curd) of milk, fibrin of blood, gluten, albumen, and fibrin of plants, are examples. Clover, beans, pease, oil-cake, are rich in albuminoids. Again, there are other animal and vegetable materials that consist | of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, simply. These are called carbohy- t drates and fats. Starch, sugar, gum, and cellulose or fiber are carbohy- drates. The oily and fatty matters of plants as well as butter, tallow, &e., are fats. Potatoes, sugar-beets, fodder-corn, and straw are rich in carbohydrates and poor in albuminoids. The distinctions between the ingredients of the animal tissues and HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 253 products are similar. Lean meat or muscle and the casein (curd) of milk, like the albumen of the egg, are albuminoid substances and con- tain nitrogen. The fat of the body and the fat (butter) in the milk, like the oils and fats of plants, contain no nitrogen. The ingredients of the body are built up from those of the food. The nitrogenous materials, muscle, connective tissue, skin, &c., are formed from albuminoids. The carbohydrates and fats of the food, which have no nitrogen, cannot be transformed into nitrogenous tissues of the body. To form the fats, both the fats and albuminoids of the food contribute. A large part of the fat meat stored in the body and of the butter given off with the milk is made and must be made of the albuminoids of the food. Just what work the carbohydrates do in the animal economy is not yet fully settled. They certainly cannot make flesh, and probably do but little at most to make fat. They act as fuel to keep up the animal heat, and doubtless contribute to the generation of muscular force. Just how much of the heat and force produced in the body comes from the consumption of albuminoids, how much from carbohydrates, and how much from fats is still an unsettled problem. The animal has been compared to a machine. It is, however, a machine that must be kept running whether it produces anything or not. A horse, or cow, or sheep needs food even at rest in the stall. The machine is peculiar also in that it is wearing out continually and very rapidly, and consumes its own material for both fuel and repairs. The tissues of the body are all the while being used up and rebuilt. In the process of using up, heat and force are produced. The animal consumes food to make its flesh and fat and to give it warmth and strength, but it gets warmth and strength from the consumption of its own flesh and fat at the same time. Now to make up for the continued wasting away of tissues and to maintain the supply of heat, food is necessary. But for this purpose but little of albuminoids is required. Carbohydrates will serve for fuel to keep the body warm. The horse or sheep at rest will get on with comparatively little nitrogen. Maintenance fodder may be poor in albuminoids if it furnish carbohydrates in plenty. Stock may be kept in the barn and even wintered on poor hay, cornstalks, and straw. But when prodnction is required the case is very different. To make lean meat the animal must have albuminoids. Fat meat may be pro- duced from the fat of the food, if there be enough, but practically a large part of the fat must come from albuminoids. The casein and fat (butter) of the milk likewise come from the albuminoids of the food, and for work also more or less of albuminoids are used. The growing colt or lamb, the working horse or ox, the milch cow and the fattening sheep or swine or steer must all have rich food and food rich in nitro- gen. The nitrogenous ingredients, the albuminoids of the food, are its most important constituents. They may take the place of the carbo- 254 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. hydrates and fats to considerable extent, but their peculiar work must all be done by themselves. Such is the concurrent testimony of a vast amount of experimenting. Again, of the whole ration consumed only a portion is digested and used to supply the animal’s wants; the rest is voided as excrement, and valuable only for manure. It is important, then, that as much should be digested as possible. The value of the food will depend upon the amount the animal digests from it. Economy in feeding requires, then, that the greatest amount of food be digested, and that this digested material contain sufficient albumi- noids. An excessive proportion of albuminoids is, however, uneconomical. The albuminoids are the costliest parts of the foods. No more should be used than necessary. Proper proportions of digestible albuminoids, carbobydrates, and fats in the food are the chief requisites of economical feeding. Digestion of foods by animals, as tested by European experiments. 316. The digestibility of different foods and food mixtures by dif- erent animals under varying circumstances has been tested by a very large number of: experiments in the German experiment stations. The method consists in feeding animals with rations of known amount and composition, carefully collecting, weighing, and analyzing the excre- ments, the undigested portion, and subtracting the latter from the former. The following examples will serve for illustration : In the stables of the station at Weende, under the direction of Pro- fessor Henneberg, two full-grown oxen were fed during one period of about two weeks with oat straw, during another period with bean straw, a third with clover hay, a fourth with meadow hay, and so on. During some of these periods a small amount of bean meal was added. The ration was at all times such as to keep the animals in fair and uniform condition. Careful weighings and analyses were made of fodder and excrement, that is to say, of the total and the undigested materi&l, and from these the digestibility of the food was calculated. For instance, in one of the experiments of this series the ox consumed daily 16.9 pounds of meadow hay, or what is called here “ English grasses.” Consisting of— F § Organie!dty| as There was contained in— her . | substance. Albumin- Cradeiver \Otherearbo- oids. ‘| hydrates. Se a Lbs. Ibs. Lbs. Lbs. 16.9 pounds of meadow hay .........-......-.---..-.- 14, 27 2.12 3. 80 6. 48 PIXCYEMOENYTLONI SAMO 6250). ttsce ce tose ae ae decas ose 2 6. 33 Aire 1. 63 2. 06 There was then digested ...............2c20--2--0-0-- 7.94 1.135 2.17 4, 42 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 255 In another experiment the daily ration consisted of 17.87 pounds of oat straw, and 1.82 pounds bean meal. Consisting of— . 4 Organic dry There was contained in— e J substance. : | Albumin-|,,, _ |Otherearbo- oids. Crude a hydrates. Lbs Lbs Lbs Tbs. 17.87 pounds of oat-straw ....--..-..---2.----+---00-- 14. 27 1.12 6. 41 6. 74 Oi DIA WAS CID CSLOG «0 ceseciacetemce-asne deinen «pecan - 7.10 . 98 3. 64 2. 88 The first digestion experiments were made some twenty years ago by Henneberg and Stohman, in the experiment station at Weende in Han- over. Their example has been followed in other places. Four years ago the number of digestion experiments amounted to over one thousand, and they have been increasing rapidly in numbers every year since then. These experimenis, each one of which has been conducted with an amount of labor and exactness never equaled by a single experi- ment in this country, bave led to many very interesting and weighty results. What is essential to economy in feeding.—Albuminoids and carbohydrates. 317. The following are among the most important for our present purpose: 1st. Poor foods, like marsh-hay, late-cut hay, straw, cornstalks, and chaff, contain good percentages of digestible material. Their low feeding value is due, not to their lack of nutritive substance, but to its poverty in nitrogen. By adding to them concentrated foods rich in nitrogen, like oil-cake, cotton-seed, bean and pea meal, or nitrogenous animal mat- ters, such as meat scrap and fish, rations are made equal in every respect to the best grass, young-cut hay, or grain. 2d. The digestion of foods, particularly of mixed rations, depends upon the proportions of its constituents. With too little nitrogen the digestion is incomplete. Adding concentrated foods rich in nitrogen to coarse foods promotes digestion. Excess of carbohydrates decreases it. Oil-cake, meat scrap, or fish added to poor hay or straw secures the most complete digestion of the whole ration. But if potatoes or other starchy food are used in considerable quantity the less of the coarse food will be digested. There is still another principle of great importance to be noted. Well-manured plants are much richer in albuminoids than poorly man- ured. Bountiful fertilizing not only increases the quantity of the crop but improves its quality also. The farmer who keeps his land in good condition gets larger yields; the produce contains more digestible substance for his stock, and the nutritive material is richer in the most valuable ingredients of all, the albuminoids. 256 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Composition and valuations of various food materials.—German tables, 318. Fuller details and tables illustrating the principles here presented, may be found ina series of articles on science applied to farming, in the “American Agriculturist” for 1874~’76, and in a lecture on “ The Re- sults of Late European Experiments on the Feeding of Cattle,” in the report of the Connecticut Board of Agriculture for 1874. pee $s § oe 6 “a WlockNo. 1 ained 5". peesssssssese cee 48 “| Block No. 2 gainediJs..-2):-.25--ascenee ee 474‘ Fed with corn—weighing, January 15, 313pounds.| On fish—weighing, January 15, 3164 pounds. Gained 48 pounds, or 154 per cent. Gained 474 pounds, or 15,4, per cent. That is to say, the corn-fed flock gained 48 pounds, and the fis)-fed flock 474 pounds during the sixteen weeks of the experiment. Professor Farrington has courteously favored me with some further, but as yet unpublished, details of his experiments. The fish scrap from herring was unground and some of the fragments were rather coarse. It was hard to get the sheep to eat much of the fish, though they gradually learned to like it better. This accounts for the very small quantity consumed. A second trial similar to the above was made the succeeding winter, and with like results, except that the sheep ate rather more of the fish. In one case a flock of four consumed 28 pounds in four weeks, which is equivalent to 4 ounces per head per day, while in the above series they averaged only about 2 ounces per head per day. The meal was regu- lated by the amount of fish consumed. The quantities of both were thus extremely small. It is to be noted, however, that the sheep had “ all the good hay they would eat.” The fish was distasteful, and they took very little. If they had received a fixed quantity of staw, cornstalks, or poor hay, instead of good hay ad libitum, they could doubtless have been got to eat more fish, and would probably have learned to like it. Mr. Wilder, of Pembroke, whose statements were quoted above, and who furnished the scrap for Professor Farrington’s experiments, ‘ keeps about one hundred sheep * * * on threshed straw with one-half pound per day to each sheep of dried fish pomace * *, for which the sheep are more eager than they are for grain * * *, and they come out in the spring much better than when fed on good English hay with corn.” Professor Farrington agrees with me in the opinion, indeed the experi- ence of farmers who have fed fish successfully leaves room for no other, and the European experimenters quoted below say the same thing, that sheep, swine, and probably neat cattle, can be taught to eat fish, and when once wonted to it will take it with excellent relish. A dry, well-prepared, and finely-ground product, such as may be made by the Goodale or other processes, would doubtless keep better, be more free from offensive odor and taste, and worth much more for feeding than the ordinary scrap. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 263 European experiments on digestion and nutritive value of fish, meat-scrap, ete. 324, The need and value of nitrogenous foods for food mixtures, ex- plained and attested by science and confirmed by experience in Europe, has led to diligent seeking, careful trial, and rational use of available foods from every source. Of late a great deal of attention has been paid to animal products. The flesh meal left from the preparation of ‘ Liebig’s Meat Extract” in South America, the dried blood of slaughter-houses, and fish guano have all been tested and found extremely valuable. The scope of the present article precludes details of the experiments on the digestibility and nutritive value of animal foods for stock; I therefore reserve them for a future occasion, and note briefly here some of the main results. The following are among the experiments of this sort reported in the years 1876 and 1877. The original accounts are in “ Die landwirth- schaftlichen Versuchs-Stationen,” the “ Journal fiir Landwirthschaft,” and the ‘ Landwirthschaftliche Jahrbiicher” for those years: Experimenters. Heperinent Animals. Food. I. Wolff, and associates -....-. Hohenheim ...}| Swine...}| South American flesh meal and potatoes. IL Wolff and associates ......]..-.. donna eee do ....] Flesh meal, pea meal, potatoes, and starch. POT NWWaldti ee asceae cms eeser Kuschen.....- Sheep.-. | Blood meal, flesh meal, and barley straw. Ve WHLG eames ceiactelnsaie Gorn case oe Swine...| Blood meal, pease, and potatoes. V. Weiske, and associates ....| Proskau .-..-.. Sheep. ..| Fish guano. VI. Kellner, and associates ....] Hohenheim ...|... do ....] Fish guano, Lucern hay, and oatmeal. The general plan of each of these experiments was to feed the animals during different periods of two or three weeks each with different foods and mixtures, and to note, by careful weighings and analyses of foods and excrements, the amounts digested. The most prominent of the questions has been the comparative digestibility and nutritive value of vegetabie and animal albuminoids. As a general result the albuminoids and fats of meat, blood, and fish are found to be as digestible or more so than those of the most concentrated vegetable foods. In I, Wolff found swine to digest from albuminoids 92 parts and fats 97 parts out of every 100 parts of each in the flesh meal, and concludes that flesh meal is an easily digested and intensely nutritious food. In II, Wolff found that the albuminoids in pease and fleshmeal had essentially the same effect. From III, Wildt found some difficulty in getting sheep to eat the blood and flesh. He says that potatoes and roots will help to make the flesh and blood palatable, and thinks that these may be used with profit to supply albumin oids to herbivorous animals. From IV, Wildt concludes that animal albuminoids may serve just as well as vegetable for supplying nitrogen to foods poor in albuminoids. From V and VI, Weiske and Kellner conclude that fish guano, like meat and blood, may be fed with profit to herbivorous animals. In Kell- ner’s experiment two two-year old wethers were fed during the first period with Lucern hay. During the second part the hay was replaced by 264 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. oatmeal, and during the third Norwegian fish guano was added to the ration of the second period. At first the animals did not like the fish, but on mixing it well with the oatmeal they accepted it more readily. At the close of the experiment they had got to liking the guano so much as to eat it greedily with no admixture of other foods. They digested on average of two experiments 90 per cent. of the albuminoids and 76 per cent. of the fat of the guano. Concerning the nitrogenous matter of the bone, Kellner made the same observation as has been previously noted, namely, that it was quite rapidly digestible. It is particularly worthy of remark that the Norwegian fish guano which was used in this experi- ment had 9.44 per cent. nitrogen and no less than 15.77 per cent. phos- phoric acid, and only 2.11 per cent. fat. That is, it had more bone than our fish guano. This is because it is made not of the whole fish, but of the refuse heads, entrails, and bones. The most of the fat had been removed by the steaming process used in preparation of the guano. General conclusions concerning fish as food for domestic animals. 325. On the whole, then, these experiments bear unanimous and con- vincing testimony in favor of the easy digestibility and high nutritive value of animal foods in general and of fish guano in particular when fed to sheep and swine. How far they could be made profitable for other herbivorous animals than sheep has not yet been tested. In the nature of the case there is no reason why they should not be as nutritious for neat cattle as for sheep. As Voit has justly observed, all mammals are at one period of their lives, when living upon milk, carnivorous. Lateinvestigations have shown very clearly that even plants are positively nourished by animal foods. The very interesting experiments of Mr. Francis Darwin with the round-leaved sundew demonstrate concluslvely that plants may thrive on a meat diet. In short, we have every reason, from practical experience, from actual experiment, and from what we know of the nature of the case, to believe that the immense amount of animal waste produced in this country from our slaughter-houses, and especially from our fisheries, can be utilized with the greatest ease and profit to supply the most pressing need of a most important part of our agriculture, nitrogenous food for stock. We have seen that farmers in New England and in Europe have found fish good for their stock, that occasionally one like Mr. Wilder has hit upon a rational way of using it to piece out and improve the poorer products of their farms, and that patient research has explained why it is useful and how it may be made more so. This is one of the countless cases where practical men have worked their way in the dark by the tortuous path of experience to the same results to which scientific investigation leads. But here as ever the results when found need the light of science to explain the facts and make it possible to apply them most profitably. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 265 53. SUMMARY. Fish as manure. 326. The following is a brief recapitulation of the main points urged in this article: 1. The value of fish as manure is due mainly to its nitrogen and phos- phorie acid. 2. Taking into account composition, quality, and price, fish manures furnish these ingredients more cheaply than any other class of fertilizers in the market except Peravian guanos. 3. The crops most benefited by fish manures are those which need considerable nitrogen and phosphoric acid, but are not especially helped by mineral manures alone. Such are grass, grain, and corn. The same is generally true of potatoes and garden vegetables, and sometimes of roots. Leguminous crops, like clover, beans, and pease, are more bene. fited by mineral manures, and get little good from the nitrogen of the fish. 4, Fish manures are quick and stimulating in their action. Their force is soon spent and they often leave the soil in worse condition than be- fore they were applied. This is, however, no argument against their value. The remedy for such cases is to apply other materials, as ashes, lime, potash salts, dung, muck, ete., with them. 5. The proper soils for fish manures are those which are deficient in nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and in which the stimulating effect of the decomposition of fish may render other materials available for plant food. Soils that have been treated repeatedly with fish, guano, phos- phates, and bone are often overstocked with these ingredients and deficient in potash. Many soils are originally poor in potash. To apply fish on such soils and omit the lacking elements is to lose both fertilizer and crop. The deficiencies of a given soil are best told by actual trial, with different manures and crops. 6. The general usefulness of fish manures will be increased by adding to them phosphoric acid, in the form of bone or superphosphates, and potash in German potash salts. Fine steamed bone, that can be bought for $32 to $45 per ton, or ‘* plain” superphosphates, made from South Carolina or Canada phosphates, and sold at $30 to $32 per ton, are economical sources of phosphoric acid. The “50 per cent. muriate,” sold at about $40 per ton, is one of the cheapest grades of potash salts. Of the “ammoniated” superphosphates, a very few of the best brands are sold at cheaper rates than it would cost the farmer to make them. But instead of buying medium and inferior articles, farmers will do better to buy the materials and mix them at home. 7. The best form of fish manures is the dry-ground fish guano freed from oil. The water and oil add weight and bulk without increasing value. The coarse fish-scrap cannot be thoroughly spread, is not easily diffused by the water in the soil, is reached by few roots, and becomes slowly 266 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. available to the roots that find it. But the fine dry fish is easily spread, is diffused by rain, is thus made accessible to a large number of roots, and can be absorbed by them when they reach it. 8. The ingredients of fish may be made more available for plant-food and their value for manure increased by— a. Fermentation with urine. b. Composting with muck, earth, ashes, lime, bone, potash salts, and farm-refuse of all sorts. ce. Feeding to stock, thus putting it through a process similar to that by which Peruvian guano has been formed. In this way it can be used to enrich the manure made on the farm, and thus made one of the best aids to successful farming. Fish as food for stock. 9. The chief defect of our fodder materials as a whole is their lack of nitrogen. From poor manuring our crops are not only small in quantity, but poor in quality. They lack nitrogen. This is true of our forage crops in general, and of poor hay, straw, and corn-stalks in particular. What our farming most wants, to make stock-feeding profitable, manure plenty and rich, and crops large and nutritious, is nitrogen. 10. One of the cheapest, most useful, and best forms in which this can be furnished is in fish products. These have been found very profitable for feeding in Europe. Our fish guanos are better than the European for this purpose, because they have more flesh and less bone. The loss to our agriculture from waste of fish.—The evil. 11. Millions of pounds of fish not fit for human food are allowed every year to escape from nets into the sea, which, if saved and rightly uti- lized, would be worth untold sums for fertilizers and feeding materials. 12. Of the fish saved and used for fertilizers, a large portion is ill- prepared. 13. A large part of that which is well made is exported to Europe, where its value is better understood, and its use is more rational and profitable. 14. A great deal of the fish manure that gets into farmers’ hands, be it well or ill prepared, is wasted by wrong application, and by use where it does not fit the needs of crop and soil. 15. A still greater loss comes from the neglect to use fish as food for domestic animals. 16. The total loss to our agriculture from all these sources is not capable of accurate computation, but amounts certainly to hundreds of thousands, and doubtless millions of dollars annually. The remedy. 17. As the main source of the evil is ignorance, the chief reliance for cure must be in better understanding of the facts and the ways to im- prove. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 267 18. The needed knowledge can be gained from two sources. The re- sults of European experience and experimenting will be one; experi- ments and investigations of our own products in our own laboratories, fields, and stables, another. The knowledge once obtained and set forth in detailed reports will, in the natural course of things, be condensed and diffused through the agricultural press, and applied by manufac- turers and farmers, to the great benefit of all. 19. The compilation of results of foreign work can be made by refer- ence to the numerous German, French, and English scientific and agri- cultural journals through which the original memoirs are scattered. 20. The investigations would be properly divided into those on fish as manure and those on fish as food for animals. 21. The experiments on fish as manures would probably be made— 1. In the laboratory, and consist of: a, analyses of fish products ; b, investigations on their changes in composition and action in the soil. 2. In the field, and consist of rationally planned and carefully conducted trials with different fertilizing materials, including fish manures, on different soils and with different crops, in order to obtain specific answers to specific questions whose solution is important. 22. 'The experiments on fish as food for stock should be made— 1. On farms, by feeding out fish with ordinary foods in simple ways, as was done by Professor Farrington at the Maine State College. 2. In stables fitted up for trials with simultaneous laboratory work, on the plan of the European experiments, above described. The object of these trials would be to determine the digestibility and nutritive effect of the materials employed. The urgent need of popular instruction. 327. Here is a case where men with the best intentions in the world, fishermen, manufacturers, and farmers, are suffering the waste of thou- sands, and even millions of dollars’ worth of material, bitterly needed to supply the wants of worn-out soils and make bread and meat for hungry men. The first step toward stopping this must be the getting of in- formation. In Europe, governments, agricultural schools, societies, and experiment stations would, in fact do, grapple the questions, and with the best talent, aided by the best appliances that ingenuity, enthusiasm, and money can procure, work at them until they are solved. But here, we shall not get the needed knowledge until some educational in- stitution, experiment station, or other agency, takes hold of the work with a will and put it through. 268 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. APPENDIX A. CIRCULAR RELATING TO “STATISTICS OF THE MENHADEN FISHERY.” OFFICE UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, Washington, D. C. Among the most important of the marine fishes of the coast of the United States is the species known as the Mossbunker about Long Island and New Jersey; bony-fish and menhaden on the south coast of New England; and pogy (not porgy) on the eastern coast; elsewhere as the bug-fish, yellow-tail, &c., and by naturalists as Brevoortia menhaden. Generally considered unfit for food, it is principally captured for bait or for its oil, and for the scrap or refuse left after the oil is squeezed out by means of the hydraulic press. It is considered very desirable to obtain as full an account as possi- ble of the habits, migrations, &c., of this fish, as well as complete sta- tistics of its capture and uses. I therefore beg leave to call attention to the following queries, and to request answers to as many as practi- cable. It is not necessary to repeat the queries, a reference to the num- ber affixed to the question being sufficient. Replies should be made on foolscap paper, if equally convenient, and written on one side only of the page. The information thus obtained will be embodied in a report to Con- gress, in which full credit will be given to all contributors. SPENCER F. BAIRD, Commissioner. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, December 20, 1873. A.—NAME. 1. By what name is this species known in your vicinity? B.—ABUNDANCE. 2. How does this fish compare in abundance with others found in your vicinity? 3. Has it diminished or increased in numbers within the last ten years? 4, What was the number of barrels taken in 1873 by any or all estab- lishments in your vicinity—naming them, if possible? Give the same facts for any other year. 5. Does the extensive capture affect their abundance ? C.—MIGRATION AND MOVEMENTS. 6. When are the fish first seen or known to come near the coast, and when does the main body arrive; are the first the largest; are there more schools or runs than one coming in, and at what intervals? HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 269 7. Do the schools of fish swim high or low, and is their arrival known otherwise than by their capture—that is, do they make a ripple on the water; do they attract birds, &c.? 8. By what route do these fish come in to the coast, and what the sub- sequent movements ? 9. Is the appearance of the fish on the coast regular and certain, or do they ever fail for one or more seasons at a time, and then return in greater abundance ; if so, to what cause is this assigned ? 10. Does the use of nets, seines, &c., used in catching them, tend to scare them farther from the shore, their usual feeding grounds ? 11. What is the relation On their movements to the ebb and flow of the tide ? 12. What are the favorite localities of these fish ? 13. What depth of water is preferred by these fish, and how low do they swim ? 14. Does the temperature of the water appear to affect them ? 15. Do these fish come on to the breeding grounds before they are mature, and do you find the one or two year old fish with the oldest ? 16. Are young fish ever seen on the coast; if so, when, and of what size? 17. When do the fish leave the coast, and is this done by degrees or in a body ? 18. By what route do they leave the coast ? 19. Where do they spend the winter season ? D.—Foop. 20. What is the nature of their food ? E.—REPRODUCTION. 21. Where do these fish spawn and when ? 22. Can you give any account of the process, whether males and females go in pairs, or one female and two males; whether ne sexes are mixed indiscriminately, etc. ? 23. Is the water whitened or colored by the milt of the males ? 24. What temperature of water is most favorable for spawning ? 25. At what depth of water are the eggs laid, if on or near the bot- tom ? 26. Do the eggs, when spawned, sink to the bottom and become at- tached to stones, grass, &c., or do they float in the water until hatched ? 27. When are the eggs hatched, and in what period of time after being laid? 28. Are the young of this fish found in abundance and in what locali- ties ? 29. Is the spawn ever found to run from the fish when handled after capture ? 270 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. F.—ENEMIES AND FATALITIES. 50. What enemies interfere with or destroy the spawn or the young fish ; do the parent fish devour them ? 31. Are crabs, worms, lampreys, or other living animals found attached to the outside, or on the gills, or in the mouth, especially the roof of the mouin ? 32. To what extent do they suffer from the attacks of other fish or other animals—as sharks, blue-fish, porpoises, &c. ? 33. Has any epidemic or other disease ever been noticed among them, such as to cause their sickness or death in greater or less numbers ? G.—CAPTURE. 34, What kind of nets are used in the capture of this fish ? 35. What are the dimensions (leugth and depth) of the nets used ? 36. What kind of vessels are employed and what is the tonnage ? 37. What is the number of men required for the management of ves- sel and nets ? 38. What part of each day is employed in fishing ? 39. Are the fish taken more on one tide than another ? 40. Does the wind have an effect on them ? 41. What is the number of vessels employed in your vicinity and what is the aggregate number of their crews? H.—ECONOMICAL VALUE AND APPLICATION. 42, What disposition is made of the fish caught; whether used on the spot or sent elsewhere; and, if so, where? 43. What oil factories are there in your neighborhood and by whom owned ? 44, Whatis the gross quantity of oil manufactured in a year at each factory ? 45, What is the productive capacity for oil-manufacture of each fac- tory in each year? 46. What is the description and cost of machinery used in trying-out oil in each factory ? 47. What prices were paid per barrel for fish in 1873 and what in previous years ? 48. What is the average quantity of fish required to produce a gallon of oil? 49. What quantity of oil can be obtained from one ton of scrap? 50. What is the least amount of oil per barrel of fish and when is it least ? 51. What is the greatest amount of oil per barrel and when is it greatest ? 52. Do the Northern fish yield more than Southern ? 53. What is the history of the oil-manufacture on this coast? HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 271 54. Where is the principal market for the oil? 55. Where is the principal market for the scrap ? 56. What use is made of the oil? 57. What is the range of prices paid for the oil in 1873 and what in previous years ? 58. Is it probable that the catch of fish (menhaden), however prac- ticed, tends to diminish them? 59. Name of correspondent. 60. Residence. 61. Date of communication. APPENDIX B. LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS FROM WHOM CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. Contributions have been received from the following persons: J. Matthew Jones, esq., F. L. 8., Halifax, N.S. William H. Sargent, collector of customs, Castine, Me. Robert A. Friend, oil manufacturer, Brooklin, Me. J. C. Condon, oil manufacturer, Belfast, Me. Charles G. Atkins, Bucksport, Me. Marshall Davis, deputy collector of customs, Belfast, Me. John Grant, keeper of Matinicus Rock Light Station, Me. Mrs. B. Humphrey, keeper of Manhegin Island Light-House, Me. Alden H. Jordan, keeper of Baker’s Island Light-House, Me. William S. Sartell, keeper of Pemaquid Light Station, Me. James A. Hall, collector of customs, Waldoborough, Me. Benjamin F. Brightman, Round Pond, Me. Luther Maddocks, oil manufacturer, Feasinay Me., secretary Maine Menhaden Oil and Guano Association. G. B. Kenniston, oil manufacturer, Boothbay, Me. Thomas Day, keeper of Seguin Light, Parker’s Head, Me. J. Washburne, jr., collector of customs, Portland, Me. Hon. 8. L. Goodale, Saco, Me. Washington Oliver, keeper of Pond Island Light, Me. Chandler Martin, keeper of Whale’s Back Light, N. H. Judson Tarr & Co., oil manufacturers, Rockport, Mass. F. J. Babson, collector of customs, Gloucester, Mass. Cyrus Story, Gloucester, Mass. Capt. Robert H. Hurlbut, Gloucester, Mass. Unknown contributor, Gloucester, Mass. Simeon Dodge, collector of customs, Marblehead, Mass. Eben B. Phillips, oil dealer, Boston, Mass. W. Stowe, American Net and Twine Company, Boston, Mass. 272 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Will:am Atwood, keeper of Duxbury Pier Light-House, Plymouth, Mass. Thomas Loring, collector of customs, Plymouth, Mass. Heman S. Dill, keeper of Billingsgate Island Light-House, Wellfleet, Mass. David F. Loring, keeper Highland Light-Station, North Truro, Mass. Capt. N. E. Atwood, Provincetown, Mass. Capt. Josiah Hardy, 2d, keeper of Chatham Light-House, Mass. Philip Smith, North Eastham, Mass. William S. Allen, keeper, Great Point Light, Nantucket, Mass. Reuben C. Kenney, Nantucket, Mass. T. C. Defriez, collector of customs, Nantucket, Mass. Alonzo F. Lothrop, keeper of Hyannus Light-House, Mass. C. B. Marchant, collector of customs, Edgartown, Mass. Jason Luce & Co., pound fishermen, North Tisbury, Mass. Capt. J. B. Edwards, Light-House Buoy Station, Wood’s Holl, Mass. E. F. Crowell, Wood’s Hole, Mass. Capt. Thomas Hinckley, jr., Wood’s Holl, Mass. Prof. C. A. Goessmann, Amherst, Mass. Daniel T. Church, oil manufacturer, Tiverton, R. I. Joseph Whaley, keeper of Point Judith Light, R. I. E. T. De Blois, Portsmouth, R. I. H. O. Ball, New Shoreham, R. I. Joshua T. Dodge, Block Island, R. I. Henry W. Clark, keeper of South East Light-House, Block Island, R. I. Capt. Jared S. Crandall, keeper of Watch Hill Light, R I. Gallup, Morgan & Co., Groton, Conn. Capt. John Washington, fisherman, Mystic River, Conn. Capt. William H. Potter, fisherman, Mystic River, Conn. Luce Brothers, East Lyme, Conn. Capt. Leander Wilcox, fisherman, Mystic Bridge, Conn. Capt. Samuel G. Beebe, keeper of Cornfield Point Light-Vessel, Say- brook, Conn. Richard E. Ingham, keeper of Saybrook Light-House, Conn. Prof. J. Hammond Trumbull, Hartford, Conn. George W. Burke, M. D., deputy collector of customs, Middletown, Conn. Capt. J. L. Stokes, oil manufacturer, Westbrook, Conn. George W. Miles, oil manufacturer, Milford, Conn. KE. H. Jenkins, New Haven, Conn. H. L. Dudley, secretary U. S. Menhaden Oil and Guano Assciation, New Haven, Conn. F. Lillingston, Stratford, Conn. B. Lillingston, Stratford Point Light-House, Conn. W.S. Havens, collector of customs, Sag Harbor, N. Y. Capt. Joseph D. Parsons, Springs, N. Y. Capt. B. H. Sisson, United States Coast Survey, Greenport, N. Y. David F. Vail, oil manufacturer, Riverhead, N. Y. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 273 Hawkins Brothers, oil manufacturers, Jamesport, N. Y. Seaman Jones, New York City. W. O. Allison, editor Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter, New York City. Jasper Pryer, New York City. E. G. Blackford, fish dealer, New York City. J. Norrison Raynor, agent for Sterling & Co., Greenport, N. Y. Barnet Phillips, New York Times, New York City. Louis C. @Homergue, Brooklyn, N. Y. F. F. Beals, secretary American Sardine Company, New York City and Port Monmouth, N. J. D. E. Foster, keeper of Cape May Light-House, N. J. A. G. Wolf, keeper of Absecom Light-House, Atlantic City, N. J. Capt. John D. Sanders, Leedsville, N. J. Albert Morris, Somers Point, N. J. A. A. Owens, Philadelphia, Pa. Joseph B. Benson, Bombay Hook, Del. James H. Bell, keeper Mispillion River Light-House, Delaware Bay. Benjamin Tice, keeper of Maurice River Light-House. Isaac D. Robbins, keeper of Hog Island Light. Hance Lawson, collector of customs, Crisfield, Md. Dr. H. C. Yarrow, U.S. A., Washington, D. C. J. L. Anderton, Apateague Island, Accomac County, Va. G. Henry Selden, Kinsale, Westmoreland County, Va. Henry Richardson, keeper of Cape Henry Light-House, Va. Charles G. Manning, collector of customs, Edenton, N. C. A. W. Simpson, jr., assistant keeper Cape Hatteras Light, N. C. Wallace R. Jennett, Cape Hatteras, N. C. A. C. Davis, collector of customs, Beaufort, N. C. William F’. Hatsel, keeper of Body’s Island Light-House, N. C. Patrick Conner, keeper of Daufuskie Island, S. C., Range Beacons. George Gage, collector of customs, Beaufort, S. C. W. A. Ham, keeper of Range Beacons Light-House, Morris Island, S. ©. H. W. Reed, keeper of Tyler Light, Savannah River, Ga. J. I’. Hall, Brunswick, Ga. Joseph Shepard, collector of customs, Saint Mary’s, Ga. Francis C. Goode, Arlington Bluffs, Saint John’s River, Fla. Capt. David Kemps, Yellow Bluffs, Saint John’s River, Fla. Dr. Charles Koch, Jacksonville, Fla. Charles Dougherty, New Smyrna, Fla. S. H. Wilkinson, keeper of Cat Island Light-House, Miss. Silas Stearns, Pensacola, Fla. D. P. Kane, keeper Matagorda Light-House, Tex. The communications of Messrs. F. J. Babson, E. B. Phillips, Josiah Hardy, David 'T. Church, W. 8S. Havens, B. H. Sisson, James H. Bell, A. W. Simpson, jr., A. C. Davis, and David Kemps have been particu- larly valuable as furnishing data concerning habits and migrations; 18 F 274 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. those of Judson Tarr & Co., J. C. Condon, R. A. Friend, G. B. Ken- niston, G. W. Miles, and Hawkins Brothers in the statistics of manufac- tures; that of Mr. I’. J. Babson. in the statistics of the bait fisheries, and that of Mr. I. F. Beals in relation to the sardine manufactures. Thanks are due to Melton & Co., of Jacksonville, Fla., for specimens of fish from the Saint John’s River. APPENDIX C. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LITERATURE RELATING TO THE MENHADEN. BREVOORTIA TYRANNUS (Latrobe) Goode. Clupea tyrannus, LATROBE, Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, vol. v, 1802, p. 77, plate 1 (four figures). Brevoortia tyrannus, GOODE, Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 1878, p. 5. Clupea dura levi mystax (Hard Head), BELKNAP, History of New Hampshire, 2d ed., 1813, vol. iii, p. 133. (Name only.) Clupea menhaden, MITCHILL, Transactions of the Literary and Philo- sophical Society of New York, vol. i, 1815, p. 453, pl. v, fig. 7. Cook, Geology of the County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, 1857, p. 113. GUNTHER, Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum, vol. vii, 1868, p. 436. WHITEAVES, Notes on the Marine Fisheries, and particularly on the Oyster Beds of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in Sixth Annual Report Department of Marine and Fisheries, 1874, p. 195. Alosa menhaden, RICHARDSON, Fauna Boreali Americana, 1836, p. 229. STORER, Report on the Icthyology and Herpetology of Massa- chusetts, 1839, p. 117; Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, new series, ii, 1846, p. 459; Synopsis of the Fishes of Nerth America, 1846, p. 207; Mem. Amer. Acad., new series, vi, 1858, p. 386; History of the Fishes of Massachusetts, 1867, p. 158, pl. xxvi, fig. 4, and (?) in Appleton’s New American Cyclo- pedia. DEKAyY, Zoology of New York, or the New York Fauna, part iv, Fishes, 1842, p. 259, pl. xxi, fig. 60. AYRES, Enumeration of the Fishes from Brookhaven, Long Island. < Boston Journal of Natural History, vol. iv, 1844, p. 275. PERLEY, Descriptive Catalogue [in part] of the Fishes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Reports on the Sea and River Fisheries of New Brunswick (2d ed.), 1852, p. 208. BAIRD, Report to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on Fishes of the New Jersey Coast, as observed in the Summer HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 275 of 1854. < Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1854, p. 347, and repaged edition, June, 1855, p. 83; Geol- ogy of the County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, 1857, p. 147. GILL, On the Fishes of New York, in Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1856, p. 266. Cook, op. cit., l. ¢. Alausa menhaden, VALENCIENNES in Cuvier and Valenciennes’ Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. xx, 1843, p. 424. Brevoortia menhaden, GILL, Catalogue of the Fishes of the East Coast of North America, 1861, p. 55; Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1861, p. 37 (diagnosis of genus); Canadian Naturalist, 1867, p. 260, and in Baird’s Report on the Sea Fisheries of the South Coast of New England, 1873, p. 826. STEINDACHNER, in Sixth Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries (Massachusetts), for the year ending January ba help BAIRD, List of Fishes collected at Wood’s Hole, in Report on the Sea Fishes of the South Coast of New England, 1873, p. 826, and elsewhere in same report, p. 136. VERRILL, On the Food and Habits of some of our Marine Fishes, in American Naturalist, v, 1871, p. 398; Lists of Species found in the Stomachs of Fishes, in Baird’s report sup. cit., 1873, p. 520. VERRILL, SMITH and HARGER, Catalogue of the Marine In- vertebrate Animals of the Southern Coast of New England, and Adjacent Waters, in Baird’s report sup. cit., 1873, p. 578 (lernzean parasite). WHITEAVES, I. ¢. BOARDMAN and Atkins, The Menhaden and Herring Fisheries of Maine, 1875. GooDE, Catalogue of the Collection to illustrate the Animal Resources of the United States, 1876, p. 63. UHLER & LUGGER, List of the Fishes of Maryland, in the Re- port of the Commissioners of Fisheries of Maryland, 1876 (first edition), p. 156; (second edition), p. 133. Hind, The Effect of the Fishery Clauses of the Treaty of Wash- ington on the Fisheries and Fishermen of British North America, 1877, p. 73. YARROW, Notes on the Natural History of Fort Macon, N. C., and Vicinity (No. 3), Fishes, in Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1877, p. 215. Alosa sadina, MITCHELL, op. cit., p. 457. DEKAY, op. cit., p. 263, pl. xl, fig. 129. Alausa shadina, VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 426. 276 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Clupea neglecta, RAFINESQUE, Second Decade of New North American Fishes, in American Monthly Magazine, vol. ii, 1818, p. 206. Clupanodon aureus, SPIx, Selecta Genera et Species Piscium, Brazil, 1829, p. 52, tab. xxi. Alosa aurea, VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 427. Clupea aurea, GUNTHER, op. cit., p. 437. Clupea Carolinensis, GRONOW, Catalogue of Fish collected and described by Lawrence Theodore Gronow, now in the British Museum (ed. GRAY), 1854, p. 40. “Fish Guano,” HALLIDAY, S. B., in Country Gentleman, vol. vi, p. 250. S. W. JoHNSON, Ibid. vol. viii, p. 43. Cook, op. cit. “ Menhaden Fisheries and their Products, A new source of Commercial Industry.” By Louis C. D’HOMERGUE, 3g ~ 3 “IOJUTL MA ‘cm ny “QL8T ‘Zequieydag P98 98 PF 98 9°98 6L 1 €8 G ‘BL Does | ae sae tS kee ace ‘gso.M Aoxy GLB G ‘88 € "88 6 SB (6 GL) 6 08 [62 (Sapo) Ell eerace ce os BL CTS OR a G‘LL €8 (9 “LL) GL P19 6°L9 ¢ ‘09 SoS ho lig too ke aaa BY qeuavavg F'E8 (9 “¢8) €°u8 P6L Fed 8% €‘b9 1 kd 0h fl (ian ae eae ae O'S ‘doysop1eGH 6 BL £08 € 18 €°cL 6°69 Lith 6°19 Fee ie = pcan tt ors ok O'N ‘doysurmyt A (8 pL) C’RL Tigi (2 ad) Pees sacle ee sews] sooner fi ons «ee]eececeecesseces ON ‘AV ET AYO 1-08 | Teh | FFs | 9°62 ip LBA a R=) ah juste et 2 BA ‘LOFTON 8°6L €'8L T $8 TLL 9 GS is 24) ¢ ‘1s OP oe ae eel PIN ‘o1omity eg 6 °OL GGL GGL T ‘89 €°P TS 9°68 ONE Gi | faa tee hg es ae * K'N ‘WIOX MON 8 IL € "EL €L G69 6 OF 89S T ‘OF oh ae udO0*) ‘MOpuo'T MAN SIL PCL ToL p19 G EP € GS GtP € bE Ssvyl TOH 8,pooM GG 6°89 1°99 6°9¢ (1°68) | (@°Lb) | (188) GORGE yon a a 3 iG OARS L ‘OF ‘0S GLE L’GP PSE PRE § “GE CGE S|) a ae OW ‘jodysvg C2) = oS C2) Bele |e ee lee ee lee ae ie ie as el 2 ES = 5 a oo D an aa fo ” es & ae ba ee 2) rx Le g (oa) be =f ® # ae a * 2 = “HOTJCAIOSGO JO OBA ae | 3 Be 2 Meek 5 5 73 0a “TeuIMANG “sulddg “wd ¢ yp aasnpour “zreQT ‘haonugay of ‘OLET ‘younyy ‘sainjyouadua) sovfuns fo 91Qv,—] XIAVI, ‘YIST ‘T HOUVI GNV ‘oIST ‘T HOUVI NAAMIAG GUGCOIONI UVAA AHL NOMA SALVIS GALINA FHL JO ISVOO OILINVILV AHL NO SENIOd NIVINRO XOX AYALVUAMWAL AO SNVAW ATHINOW DNIMOHS SATIVE ‘HA XIGNUdd V 292 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. eerie 8 eS ———————Eee—— 8 °LL 169 | 9°89 | GGL | G99 | G08 | 9°EL 18 18 | L°S8 | ¢°c38 98 | 9°S8 9L | €°G8 (Ot le. (OLN RES Meta oe ae et Ge ORS ON Sayed ee Sete pT via ‘3so A oxy 9 GL Gec | 1°AG | G'9S | EIS | G°GL | G89 | G'SL | 8 C8 | 8°98] Gr Me coa: ESPON sLv Cbs c6 708. MO cee I aURrOe [ae ir aeinut 12 1a cce Fe pice ncaa eee “BLY “oT [Auosyoe pas Q°LF | € TS | GLE | 8h | CON ee eee eS LL | LR | 8°9OL | L“1L | 609 | 8°99 | 8°6S eee St ar SO HU SEALS 9°99 6h | 62S | GBF | L Sk | 9°69 | 6 09 Lo 18 | GER | GPR GONE SORRINLGHON RCS BEa | MGECO al ems Ca | aeseaneamngs 2 cael cael nannin ce nenn tN Retin i nea 0's ‘W0qSo[1B qc) 6 °F9 RPP | GBP er | ler | 6°99 | TLS | 99 | BLL | 2°84 | G08 | TTB CHER GOHILCSTE: |wLGl Oi MokGCel un eck at aa Senha 1c aol oye in rn ees ON ‘Wop OTL AA ieee | Rede ee eee Leite temper cal [ope | Sse =in\|[~J=!=2aL="=)}[=iatel= = lflerel ately | cherabmis ol mimimtniml= [ieinhmmi=ini| lace lnisiell isis iesc = cl roils Sie esece --- ON “yey Sq L‘8S 6°88 | 6: Sb | 9°LE | POS | L6G | b'SS | BGS | 1°99 | LBL | ELL | £08 L‘BL | G°LG | F°L9 | 69S SOP means y eae: Lak Cedar bee a eee eae BA *SLO}ION panace ce |---|] TSE | 6 FE] SOS | F'0G | 82g | GOL | SLL | LBL | O88 | BOL | BTS | F'E9 | LOS | E° BE het aes JON ME COLTS UTS 6°8P Q'0f | TSE | 1°86] FSS | GES | L‘9h | GS | € F9 | 6°69 ZL | 6'OL | 8°99 | L ‘OP | G'0S | G6E XA'N ‘140% MON GGS 6°SE | 6 TE rE 6& | L°LS | 9°0G | E°LS | €°S9 GOR eeE EGE tea KB StOul Fr Gee MOLORIELNCR \\ RLOH bak tac a eerie eter 8 ea unos) ‘dopmo'T AGN 2 0¢ |e 1E| 1s | 66s | LSS | 4°99 | 91h | G'9G | €'99 | FOL) OIL | | ‘pL | G°S9 | 9 GP | GTS | 6 GP SSVI ‘TIOH §,POOM CG 'br 8 GE £€ | SOE cg | b 6h | & Fr | 8'RP | & SS | 6 LS | £09 | F 6S FS | L’8é PP jell lWekegel Penner = cinemas some geo gry ee STL (paenstod 2 £€ | G66 TE 68 | 9'8F | 6 SF | 8°6P | T'0S | SSP BEEGRCRL GIR TS Oe KGEe PUCGNl b ee ce ee arp Re fo ee oT “odysvgy 4 wn ale ne © =} es = ae e 8 Q be ze Py a ie EB Le S ploge| = B oO |mAp| 4 ng ust = wa a =) be ee 5 = eb eee Se z B Isa] ¢ Silicon eg seas - ae Wace at feat i eee ele [at ol rer muted meet BRS) Ph see el ee atiscaba toy pe |e Pelee) 2 |. eae ieee les | fol e | el -aalca | 2 2] & eae os eB = a * iS 5 e 2 a z zt 3 a ‘ 3 UONVATOSgO JO 90R[ STS IS i Sy re Fea 3 | S53 : OR E $ g “LOOT AA “Tony ‘wd g aarsnjour ‘2287 ‘Rapnugay 07 ‘OLST ‘YouO AT saungouaduay moy0g fo 2QVL—TI STAVL 293 MENHADEN., HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PSL | £69 | 689 | 8SL | £°99 | 8°08 | 6 'EL | B18 | E28 98 | 6°S8 | 6°98 | 1°98 | SLL | LSB | LBL | GGL |" - 7” i pentane tn cree Shae ees SS ba {80M Moxy 6€L | G°c¢ | 88g | S'9¢ TS | G°GL | L°L9 | 9°GL | 6 G8 L8 | S°L8 | €'88 Sh US BRB TAT ay) |e eee ees Mie ie a Ke Se Lh "77" 77" BIL ol[tAuosyoe ¢ ae 8 LP | SIS | b 8h | GbR |-°-- 8 eG | [8 | GLL | 8B | SLL | BIL | 1°19 x9! | £09 | Dimac iro) ‘qeuueaRy. €°¢g GF | GCS | G'Bb | O'OF | S'F9 | 8°09 | L“G9 18 | €°€8 | 6°68 | 1°38 | 6°6L C9] 9S LAU Neots | ei denge eee ae tee ghee eerie Oar @) $ uo}so[1vq 1 F9 T'Sh | & 6P | 6G | 8h | L°99 | 92S | Z'S9 | SLL | 8'BL | B08 | G18 | T'SL | 1°99 | STL | B‘19 ON, MOVGULONL AA ceaes Re eaeilameconn| 20 bog ee meet eemmemliemmes ness p02 295 0 |= FTE mE ase aii gcler pec tema sieo (memes niareel| aemaine eng etn paeNe sn mmaee cae ema sana nares Tee a tae TST hOc aise cOr lah IGEsebeOb nO LOG ey sOS Neo eG 180x091 aL) |sLrok leek eGscen| Gk iLL | OcL9) |esLGa|( Gop less2sse seme cece REE ob RL oats oe 1aAX “S[[OJL0 NT BeGire| Go be foo soe: T GE | 6 HE | 96S | 90S | GLC | 9'0L | G'BL | BSL | 9'E8 | GOL | LTS | G9 | 80S | OTH |-- 77 t Se er Se a ee NE ew Sh A OTT ESE U6F | 808 | GCE | 186 | €CE| SHS | SOF) Lee | F FO | FOL | GGL I GIL | boLO ERs S0S || BOG aIUEES os ar oop at paces ine yiaw One RaS wege SRrets AN AI0X MON TGS Becmees cb uGlSo OioGs | hana (10S [1G 2G.) G9)|GnGOn| LeGel @uOualenco) eh SP (nL Gal Psbpall Gelelluse conse enses soos iacR el AV soaks Renaratt ce ea mu0) EQUATE MON 6 ‘OF GIs} € 16 | S60 | 288 | eS | 8-Ly | S'9G |" - =" TL GL | 9 FL | 699 | 6'GP | 6 TS GPE | RONEGN Ips eng sic eet anne ae Cae aN gapoinge Martel SSByl lO 8,pooM GCP 6 CE | FEE | SOF | LEE OS | 9 Fh | S'6h | G'9S | G09 | TsO CO erase Oe Ber tO SPs SRE | OCR aa ieee cep ericheie cn al na ace eg ne ea a oN ADEA AEE 8°OF | SE | G6 | G TE | G’6E | L‘8F OF | 6 GF | € 0S | 19h | 9 6h | SOF | L Th | TSE | Tse | TSS | Se |=" 757 t- aka Es Soe RR ken ag NTT oN “aodysegr i | q =) Soa soe. a O| b x x c>) > = Sisws| © |B | gs lez] | S| Sibel elele lee] Fis | & A |ROR!] & | ® |Rokl 3 © e |oge | 9 ‘4 ed os oe es 2: 3 o|ixgsi s 2 B |e-ds| 6 of sealers crea eater a ae eee | + & 5 BB 5 =z gr I aa | os Q mo | wr D = me,|] & 3 ss 3 5 =e - o = =I = = ® b= Pe! Fo 4 m | 3 col § ee |p hetca| ake 2 BD Paves | Se al (eee mq | SB) om B a SB} = tee hs Sala) = eal) . > “MOIYVALOSGO JO OBLT og re = RR a i = > | & | Se) § Az oo} Soa) = | Spl 2 A | Pe “oa FI 3 *109UT AA ‘Tomgny “zemioIng “Suridg ‘asnjour ‘7 pey ‘hupnagay 02 ‘QL ‘youwpy ‘wojj09 pun sovfins fo saunyossduay uno fo 9/QUL— II WIav J, 2994 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. EL a oted|aee Sale G64 ei Goeceel bree ee ersol Poeisea arc ser) ) osrcinc | (ce bonel Brmcrsrs) imeoety (eroricr)| Homer icral Vato bec Ch to E seo BCI) aa a CIC ICI epi ‘980A, Lox Se po eee Sie aero) IO CICISITY Paleo) aici terion fort ie ic iy (out 4 fore tr CH oC a ry aC PCIE ICH PIM Cee ICO pI IE Cd St SIE AC A Ta HT at PT ht AT pS Soins SS riche oe es oo eee Re | RAO S Oe Te as metallia ate ete ioe, ale wie |e ace Bel Sse ees ee eee (ieee fees) (eee es eed ire reed eee a ASEISSC CIO R SISOS STOO SO SAG II ISI IOS O30 3 sO Soames Cara, aiken Geeesc||o oe Sec) seeoce fae cece) soeeno| Seeoee| seeese| Reese |Seeoee||a>bcrc)|soneee|eeeeo| jrecead eers.)}Se6.ccq|/Soccem| fe icad core Aerob oo bn omic oS ISS SSCS ISSO SIGS O'S ‘WoysepAVyO netine:|paccecfeseocadll see ac] scecd||Semeos||se esc) ommen patsortSoecCo| Gore 6s se Sct! ood lS oionob KO a | GCC o. | aCe oO IIS ISIS SSS SS ORS SO oe ON ‘WOpS aM AL §ecnae|ee eccu|fsse Ges looped 4 seSecdlaeremc tS Nees! eerie) Serie lesen kc ae | lenrcted Oem jane. tn lem Ccon! RCC oo | (SoG OS OC eno OO OE ei ie ECO OCISIG ON ‘eer Aqgisyp seecee|eeeeee Collec palee cOmRGcEce|| scOMleecOL [ia Rus| mGke MEGS INGSCL fro Wars a |eD iOS" | ease c|aas ccieee meters oer ney geo eens 2c Tg meta ues ACA ORLON 2 SS scl eAoa] Pace cy LORE ey (IS ICobIay [Oa Sers) ber eeeiot IC sewmesid Po etirirg mera) beeen HC ne (OIC ICI WICC OT AC aa ICCA Wa UE NACH os CHE IGM tN a Hadar hd CM UM Naw aot ott RE SS I rv ‘eIOULIy [eg SSS g‘ee | eee | 6°LS | €-ZF GGn|GOs20) |lcweaee CY [ESOC Lia) Yap POOR SORTING) Tf Ro Se I sae Gig Soe aaa ce cea ama een og CE eI *28sE0|/eaocne Cp Cal eCuC ra |RORSGR KONOHA = LiGGe|ecHe0: [NGHOON emma RC @LO Inc uCO)| |(esrnan |e MOMPE | | eereedl (eyes eet Cons en EMmaimner fra 7 ua) cares < CUOOROPUOT Aen Seo Soe lorie Cd | mai OER GL Al aeaeee PO SOM LALO GsOLe| ze Os O NEO. | ce nes | mee a] CFs hee ee |r le nea aa ei Serene eerie eyo eee SSC TOM 8. DOO AN Saimisie linen mms gee | cor | 61S | ecb | 61S | L’8S | 92S TOM EGHL GrInSE Ss (gates = ao ecas CEL Yee petra neni nema etra aaa cass eset ee ar yea OWN DOB Oe wah ia hae FaeaTes Is} cym a] RCIA 2S CEL Ih 4 C0 al Ea] tl PSI y ei ate) 2 Peat (ea ee Are tafe ea aa ee ce ae a ca! 6 OT oy ™ cy 4 woe] ©) 2 | SF losel | S| SER Ele] glee] Bile] eB On) & | ¢ $ |Ro'ul 2 3 ¢ 18k) § | B| ee] a 5 | 8 oO ~ a a wot Ss ) Ep ot alt = 4S ey c +] - i | eu | Fa une =a F<) = oO B mo @ & _ fo) co ar ~ ae) 5 4 a Spy tee re) ao jf oe a ar @ us ~ oo = cc) 4 - ® ® ik ® oe) ar = = - ~! ~ oO 4B] a so| = Qin |g] 2 : gee |e ae > 3 *MNOTYBAIONGO JO 0B =n eae ¢ o & : b= ql 6 Ee: Bel ” | Sra] 3 | She a *IOYUT A TONY “IOMIUUNG “sutidg ‘ausnpour ‘Q2QT ‘Re humnaqag 02 ‘LLQT ‘Youn ‘woz,09 pup aonfuns fo saangosadmuar upau fo 9)QV,— AT ATAVI, HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 295 APPENDIX G, A TABLE SHOWING COMPARATIVE AMOUNTS OF MENHADEN, MACKEREL, SHAD, ALE- WIVES INSPECTED IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, MASSACHUSETTS INSPECTIONS. Years, Shad. Alewives. | Menhaden. | Mackerel. Barrels. Barrels. Barrels. Barrels. 4, 5514 3, 642% 7, 8574 4, 069 3, 416 8, 5334 4, 5184 4, 9514 8, 2264 7, 6384 3, 7864 9, 305 1, 085 1, 306 7, 6294 7, 287 3, 024 8, 825 6, 5244 2, 524 12, 5524 5, 8894 7, 148 17, 401 4,971 1, 155 5, 881 1, 9084 904 3, 7564 673 103 1, 339 1, 7703 | 2, 306 16, 0594 1,593 3, 945 31, 269 1, 440 4, 238 37, 362 9984 | 4, 512 46, 348 792% 4, 6403 100, 101 4764 1, 338 115, 641 6422 | 5a4 111, 0093 2, 1554 237 160, 2944 3, 9674 365 145, 006 4, 037 987 191, 6504 3,653 | 697 254, 3843 2,938 | 224 158, 7403 1, 864 164 190, 3044 2, 731 358 237, 3243 3, 437 236 225, 9773 3,030 | 97 308, 4634 3,036 | 1, 147 383, 5484 De 300 222, 452 2, 266 420 222, 9524 4, 3153 | 1, 008 252, E794 5, 6853 | 1, 443 194, 8003 4,979 | 1, 488 174, 4103 1, 182 461 13x, 1574 604 1, 164 110, 7404 2, 769 10, 823 74, 2684 1,474 | 1, 427 50, 4913 2, 840 2, 138 5d, 537 7, 196 566 75, 543 5, 554 854 64, 451 6,308 | 476 86, 3314 4,714 272 202, 3024 2, 6264 585 179, 311 3, 843 132 251, 9174 1, 8992 137 300, 1303 D152 78 208, 950 1, 629 137 242, 572 PR icPlalleee Sar 5 oe 329, 2442 1, 604 107 198, 120 Te BRO\) Seer cere 133, 3404 1645. eae Gee 135, 3493 DT CAN ae eee Soeee 211, 9563 2, 7403 63 214, 312 2, 497 203 168, 705% O48 5e (be ee eentee 131, 60255, Q, 4994 600 99, 7154 1, 604 360 235, 6853 Sitter eeee 194, 2238 8213 250 260, 8647 589 425 306, 912.3. St, al fs eerie see 274, 3573 511 630 256, 7964 592 62 | 231, 696% 3423 250 210, 3143; ONS a eee Sa ERE SS 180, 05623 ye a ee ee ge ia 234, 2102 652 450 318, 5212 56 229 259, 4163 ZO Wi (ee ea aera 181, 9562, 550! |p nee caacecee 185, 7483 303 260 258, 37918 OBOE | cet -ce sees 130, 06222 3883 9 225, 94237 3572 52 105, 0972 296 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, APPENDIX H. LIST OF MANUFACTURERS OF MENHADEN OIL AND GUANO, 1877. (The following table was furnished by Mr. Jasper Pryer.] Name of manufacturer. G.S. Allyn & Co O. H. Almy & Co. (E. J. Corey, agent)...... Barren Island Manufacturing Company. . William J. Brightman & Co JE: Bishops. sen nsesreneeeeee ome te BLIStol Ow WiOLks: acon sese wane essere seus Brown’s Cove Company.........--.------- Isaac Brown & Co Nelson Burnett Cape Cod Oil Works (J. Cook) B.C. & Cartwright Joseph Church & Co G. H. Clark Ohanlen Opo Kee ac. 2 -eesee ec cce os GS ee eee jas aeskess CLONES Meets aise te tales fet craiecioc iste sete AQ: $044 (40) tO [iis ao .ie wan) ie nee sicin'si<'| eye canoes | ae ee OctoborWlar aioe a. Sadudacassanaodase 40 to 41 40) Wine wis ceo c] Seicete eieocicil male cee eee | eee eee A Ag <5 re] 3 | & cite. cl een ce Er Date. a Re aastes = 5 =) | “= +E oO | ~ [S) = Se afianas 2a D A | eI 5) WM Oo Lol mM Cents per | Cents per| Cents per | Cents per gallon. | gailon. gallon. 40 | 373 36 to 37 | 31 to 32 | 30 to 32 | 33 | 374 40 | | 40 DECOM EI ede ee bes va cele ewinwis's cig tone cidwoc biome babel eene 40 to 424) 40 | IDYECEINY 7B) Ee Ee Oe ae eee eT -icrais See osteoma sacs 40 to 423) 40 1874, | DANUANV Al we emeae stcseisae newic a 2 oe mie = binlcie cision cain aaa ome eee 40 to 424, 40 | AMMAR PL Aseme ese iete i ea soe te ec clotiel dale aelncee ae ene Une e a eemencnaee lnawseak See DAWMARY 21ers parece toes sce ccclecebcctineececueaceeseaseace 45 SADUALY IDs ose cn see mae ros ccwiccie ces clnceeecceiciuncuesdcueeneeenee 44 to 45 44 | 4 MeDMARy Ache cknteaece nec suse ceaccaas siecle sn eticccumsinnscmeek 45 to 474! 45. ARe COra ol ee cere HSDMMAL Vda sesto nents seas Se winciciotle nist cmseceuaaeoeneeree 45 to 474/ 45 to 46 | 424 to 45 |.......... Hebriarys 1 Ore nsec e as eiee ae itaek ce east cc meeltnade'es cco eres Th eee doar 42% ito'45,\|- eee LAGI) Pr Oh ear Bea Se set es aE SEER ae emit A, 5s LOATH (Maas eate 142% to 45 |S. oes Marohiah. 2h. cle ceeeee rece GOAT a eee ane 423 to 45 | 524 to 85 Marohy DL. dex uh dee costo ate nee eee teas ccan duet mein dee ccmeee COM Peebilartssc 424 to 55 | 52% to 55 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 301 Prices current of menhaden oil—Continued. wes | = £ : eye 5 oe) a: z = CLs | > os D of =“? =) od ate, = —.= = Pe he 2 +e 5 sa =) of tS i v ou = ~ a ms a = na 7) Oo taal Cents per | Oents per Cents per | Oents per gallon. | gallon. gallon. | gallon. 42% to 45 | 52} to 55 [...-...--.] 40 to 42 43° to 45 |'52% to 55 |.......--. 40 to 42 43 to 45 | 524 to 55 42 to 43 40 to 42 41 to 42 | 523 to 55 | 40 to 41 38 to 40 41 to 42 50 AY Nc ree 41 to 42 50 41 |... 41 to 42 50 41. |... oe-e eee 1g vant: OMe to fats eel (gees b= 40) GO).425 48! 050) |! niais.~ 5 = =:01 1) os eee 40 TO 41 46)" LOVE Ile nmiauiarwietas' lye ch senate AQ CONE 468 GO 4d eocmonse a See eeey 40 BG) | cssime coo a tell y wee Sere Stieto. Sok 44.6 Colao |e ae ser oem a pbO-39 44) “to45) [occas wae Seas) 35 to 37 | 42 to 43 35 32 to 34 37 to 39 | 43 to 45 | 37 34 to 36 36 to 37 | 42 to 43 | 36 34 to 36 35 to 36 | 41 to 4z | 35 32 to 34 * 36 | 41 to 42 | 35 32 to 34 August 12 36 |40 to 42 | 35 to353] 32 to 34 August 19 36 |40 to 42/35. to 354} 32 to 34 Aucust 26 36 |40 to42 1/35 to 353] 32 to 34 pe) QUT) A) PEE EE Oe SISO E Door Her Con Ooee CSO cnCCoee : 36 |40 to 42 | 35 to353} 32 to 34 Saleen aio) Sew oar cence cusepeo borane ce -Obbose DO NOsenaa 36 to 37/40 to42/35 to3 4) 32 to34 SEyEiG Lee U7 PRS Po ce coe s beet cence Leet che LOCOCE Sse a ScodedO Set 36 to37|}40 to 42/35 to 353] 32 to 34 SUN e VSS =e Pe ees son Cae CONE ror EE Ocme Ose oQUMeSDese 36 to 37 | 40 to 42/35 to353} 32 to 34 Daptenem sas 'via ss \sfaa cares tl MOSH UO LOOM | cistetnetetstet= 46 to 50 32 Re scit August HDA SS JASE OC ES OOS RIE CDS eor eee moar sa hin NSB In lads aoaaena 46 to50 6 ih esr Ai PATE EIS DEO mite ae we cisisiain eieiato)alaie deuce nm Sw'clk a a(epoie biel ail Oth Ol lometete totes 45 to47 BP eoecoriae sc AUT ONS eee eee iaatals el naialais is ola alsinjeia:sin\clniaejeinje violesinele siciaomaraniee 45 BQ) | Sastre PATONG Diet emia test eteip enc nals oie n/=/a! m/e fol oin'ela\niaralalo isin eterno 40 45 BP eeccocnans PHPbOM PEM Ores see eer eo nsie pele alee le’eil= = = 6 o/s oleieleeeinia 40 45 33) | aden se siya renmleeyy ey oe Ca Ak sace oc adecoepepppooeocraenie 40 45 Oo | seme melee BEPLEMDOTI OD peter ee eiaereteinie en einieieisislal=in’sicie /eleisioise mt fale 40 45 33) See eae eee September 27 40 45 33) |i wsneseieee October ae oer ecm eietncw cle olereictes)a'<)ots = iar wlewcinisie 40 COM Pes mayet! We a censoks eto wenn jaca ajo eaiaei ris etm alae oles oe lalate : 44 47 | 36 to37 35 OCLODEIIS fas cece ioe sein aintateiels ms aletwietalsinie/ataiate ls mieletela(=i= 46 to48 | 48 to50! 338 to40! 35 to36 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. Prices current of menhaden oil—Continued. + a. a, 2S a Date. ° a 748 a R L | Cents per , Cents per , Cents per | 1876. gallon. gallon. gallon. QIGEODRI eotmeecic tics te sats c ccc kee cccced aceasta ces 42 to45 | 46 to48 | 48 to50 PP OMEMIM ORT LW St) ccc ciclajwcta 9 she ameicir'e nisiete BA ea 42 to43 | 45 to46 | 48 to50 IIDVONINC ME cece ccverecans caccaccteeeeoereae 40 to42 | 45 to46 | 48 to50 INO meNmuORAl Dei ad 28 AS: 2 ab cre wale cide cdubolng ewe beg 40 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 REEL na c cctece cc ccecitcrces ccc ceca eames 40 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 NOB RIRIAD OOD. act Cli S. tke fceiae cia tdd dean's cinedin’ 40 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 IBCPINOOIO hee co laiaccccc couse suctena nme uneewe cee 40 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 ECOG LE es cree mite daeadea cbapeddued-uee Ueaant 41 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 MS COMDe ta emt sia siclenelea aaa si einen emieinsln alewie ate mints 41 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 Mecam bemeiaes tant wet eb mecldccecidcdiawies astearse sey 41 to42.| 45 to46 | 50 to52 ; 1877 AIST Os acer COSCO RO ORES a Gr SOBER OCCA CED EAT a a mmee 41 to42 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 JG rye eaae ences Otte ne ® ORE nE Ce a ae E ae 42 to43 | 45 to46 | 50 to52 SUCMIY IPERIIN TE eget etorata ani anet sreltjatciainie asic ajetels(eiciciaici stile. <'5 42 to45 | 46 to48 52 January 24 42 to45 | 46 to 48 | 52 | January 31 41 to45 | 46 to 48 52 February 7 42 todd | 46 to48 52 February 14 40 to43 | 45 to 46 52 February 21 40 to 42h) 44 to45 | 50 to52 LABS (GIP Sees See es ee a re 40 to 423) 414 to 45 | 50 to52 NOE ER OAT ae = Gee ae a eR EI SE REI LS mes St oe 1 to 42 | 424 to 44 | 48 to50 i to 42 | 42 to43 | 47 to49 to 42 | 42 to43 | 47 to49 to 42 | 42 to4d3 | 47 to 49 to41 | 42 to43 47 to48 to 41 | 42 to43 | 47 to 48 $to40 | 42 to 43 | 45 to 473) 5 to3e2 | 41 to42 | 42+ to 45 38 42 | 43 to 46 | 33 42 | 43 to 46 38 42 | 45 to 46 374 42 | 45 to46 k to374 42 | 45 to 46 to 35 42 | 45 to 46 to 35 42 | 45 to 46 to 35 | 38 to40 | 45 to 46 to 35 | 38 to40 | 49 to46 to 34 | 38 to40 | 45 to 46 to 34 | 38 to40 | 45 to 46 to 34 | 38 to40 | 45 to 46 to 34 | 38 to40 | 45 to 46 to 34-; 38 to40 | 45 to 46 34 | 38 to40 | 45 to46 364, 38 to40 | 45 to 46 364) 38 to40 | 45 to 46 NERDS HEE IS 5% SE ee ote Sat i ere pm apa ee 38 | 40 to42 | 47 to 48 September 5.......... Baa = ede is 2) SRE ees Mera 38 | 40 to42 | 47 to48 Syne aye NO Be ee Ne eee een eee 42 to45 | 44 to46 | 49 to50 Starr ety ori ae ae ee aE eR Be a et ea 45 | 44 to46 | 50 to52 DSLET EV Fe nd CYS O° Tatars IS ene ee er Se RIOR Eg 45 | 46 to47 | 51 to52 GTO LI Ses tales ee eee eee: ee UES NOTE 45 | 46 to47 | 52 to53 BECCLO DOTELO a an cere aston Sots Mente sais ice moe eaaied 45 | 46 to47 | 52 to53 “GICAL AYeTe NG (ee eS lie i Ain ee aR ier Ne gt Bs Ete 45 | 46 to47 | 52 to53 (De5WaY Gye 9. WEES Se A a ere a Be ane 45 to46 | 47 to48 | 52 to53 COSTES Gil ne a es tet Te a og Vee oer eS Raye Ta 45 to4d6 | 47 to48 | 52 to053 INO Wem Derg pe oe esi. een ed oe ee 45 to46 | 47 to48 | 52 053 IGM OTE Gint sb Aeee ge se Reape Sue aan, SEE ace 45 | 47 to48 | 52 to54 OOTY SRE ee ee ee ee ed ae 45 | 47 to48 | 52 to54 INO MEMND OAS Meee cee ec coaden ce cut cee cee te cee 45 | 47 to48 | 52 tod4 TGCS ETE ss see ee EES Net as 45 | 47 to48 | 53 to54 BUCCOULD TRL Oren et ee rn ies bare ens Sait ee ae 46 | 48 to50 | 53 to54 DEGRA ALR 558 te oe wt oh ge Ee 46 to47 | 48 to50 | 524 to 534 VECEMPOn aby eee ee ee oe eer ien) Se eene | 46 to47 | 48 to50 | 524 to 533 1878. TATE PS ee oe ae ae See» renee 46 to47 | 48 to50 | 523 to 534 303 a ° z - 5 Er Cs) i — os °o - = A SS) iH Cents per | Oents per gallon. | gallon. 38 to40| 35 to 36 40 36 38 to 40 36 38 to 40 36 38 to 40 36 38 to 40 36 38 to 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 | 34 to36 40 | 34 to36 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 40 to4l | 34 to36 40 to4l 34 to 36 40 to4l 34 to 36 40 34 to 36 38 to 39 34 to35 38 to 39 34 to35 38 to39 34 t035 38 to39 34 to 35 38 to39 34 to 35 35 to 36 32 to 34 33 to34| 30 to32 34 to36| 30 to32 36 to 37 32 to 34 36 to 37 32 to34 36 to 37 32 to34 36 32 to 34 34 32 to 34 34 | 32 to34 34 32 to34 34 32 to 34 32 30 to32 323} 30 to32 324| 30 to32 324! 30 to32 324) 30 to32 334] 30 to32 36 to 35 34 to35 35 to 36 34 to35 35 to 36 34 to 35 35 to 36 34 to 35 38 to40 | 35 to3R 42 tod4 40 to42 42 tod4 40 to42 44 40 to42 44 40 to 42 44 40 to42 44 40 to 42 44 40 to42 44 40 to 42 44 40 to 42 44 to44?} 40 to42 44 to441! 40 to 42 44 to444) 40 to 42 45 to454| 40 to42 45 to46 40 to42 45 to 46 40 to 42 45 to46 | 40 to 42 ———————— 304 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CURRENT WEEKLY REPORTS OF THE MENHADEN OIL MARKET FROM 1871-1878. [Compiled from “Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter,” of yey York, W. O. Allison, editor. } is7i. OCTOBER 18. Menhaden with many small lots arriving during the latter part of last week reacted from the advanced prices, and some sales were made at a decline of fully le. per gallon; the close is, we think, rather more steady, with most of the arrivals bought up. Sales are 68 bbls. prime white, at 414c.; 112 bbls.,at 41¢.; 90 bbls., at 403¢. ; 110 bbls., at 40c.; 61 bbls. light, at 41¢c.; 125 bbls., on p. t.; 150 bbls. fair, at 39¢.; 50 prime, at 405c.; 12 bbls. common, at 30c.; 30 bbls. Gurry, at 20 @ 25c.; and 50 bbls. re-pressed choice, at 45 @ 48c.; also 7,000 lbs. foots for export, at 43c., and 300 tons of guano, at $15, delivered. OcTOBER 25, 1871. Menhaden has been scarce all the week; there has been a demand for more than could be obtained; 250 bbls. sold at the close for export at 41c., and in lots, 300 bbls. for home use, at 41 @ 414e. for choice light, and 39 @ 40c. for choice brown. NOVEMBER 1. Menhaden has been in rather light demand, and with free receipts of choice new fall made prices lower at the close, with several lots offering on the market. The sales are 280 bbls. on private terms; 50 bbls. selected light last week at 42c.; 101 bbls. choice, at 404c.; 98 do. at 405c.; 25 bbls. brown, at 39$c.; and a mixed lot of 30 bbls., at 39c. NOVEMBER 8. Menhaden has been in steady, fair demand during the past week, and the close is very much higher and somewhat unsettled ; 45c. is bid choice. Thesales during the past week are as follows: 378 bbls. prime, at 40c.; 150 bbls. good, at 39Se. ; 200 bbls. choice, at 403c.; 100 bbls. to arrive, at 41c.; 150 bbls. at the factory, at 40c.; 75 bbls. for export, at 41c.; 200 bbls., at 41$c.; and 113 bbls., at 404c.; and 250 bbls. pressed on private terms. NOVEMBER 15. Menhaden has been fairly active and more excited than any other kind on our list; prices have advanced, and at the close the tendency is apparently upward, though we hear of one lot of choice offered for sale at 50e. Sales are 150 bbls., at 474¢.; 100 bbls., at 50c.; 190 bbls., at 50c.; 25 bbls. on private terms, and 151 bbls. on private terms. NOVEMBER 22. Menhaden has continued to move freely, and prices have still further advanced. If a party wants to buy, 523c. is the lowest price for a good lot. At the close 100 bbls. on dock were offered at this price, without a ~ HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 305 buyer, and will be put in store—50c. was bid. All the sales, however, of prime lots made this week have been at this price. We notice sales of 25 bbls. inferior at 474c.; 200 bbls. last week, at 50c. or less; 60 bbls. choice, at 524c.; 100gbbls., at 524c; 120 bbls., at 524c.; 50 bbls. choice, at 524c., and 100 bbls., at 524c. Pressed menhaden meets with a good demand; 50 bbls. sold at 60c. Jobbing lots can be sold easily at this price. NOVEMBER 29. Menhaden has been more active and rules very strong; at the close 52kc. has been refused, but we hear of no lots from first hands having brought more. The sales of crude are 185 bbls, at 524c¢.; 200 bbls., at 52c.; 38 bbls., 27 bbls., 22 bbls., and 25 bbls., at 52$c.; also, 25 bbls. at higher price, not given. Pressed is generally quoted at 60c., though some parties are still offering for less. DECEMBER 6. Menhaden has ruled quiet the past week. We know of no actual sale from first hands at more than 524c., though an outside party is said to have paid 53c.; some of the largest holders are not offering their stock at the present. The sales are in all 250 bbls. on spot at 524c. and 114 bbls. to arrive at same price. Pressed is held higher, though some parties who had some before the advance are underselling the regular trade. DECEMBER 13. Menhaden is very firm. There are few parties willing to sell at less than 55e. A sale was rumored to-day at 54¢., but we know of no par- ties willing to pay more than 524c.; 100 bbls. sold here at this price, and in Boston 10,000 gallons, for export, at 524c., and 100 bbls. for home use, at 53de. DECEMBER 20. Menhaden has been very quiet during the past week; dealers are taking all lots that are offering cheap, and prices remain steady, though no full lots of choice have reached our highest quotations. The only sales we hear of are 120 bbls. at 524 @ 53c¢.,and 77 bbls. on private terms below the market. DECEMBER 27. Menhaden has been very quiet; those who hold stock look for full prices, but buyers will not pay the advance for full lots. We hear of no sales. There is a report that some of the menhaden exported is on the way to this market again. We were informed by a party having a large lot in the English market that if it did not improve in price there, he would have his shipped back to this market again; if the oil is on shipboard, this can be done at a smail profit, taking the markets as they are quoted at present. 1872. JANUARY 3. Menhaden has improved in tone again; buyers have been forced to pay the prices demanded by holders, and the tendency is again upward. 20 F 306 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. We hear of a sale of 108 bbls. prime light at 55c., and 50 bbls. not sweet at 524c. There isa good demand for pressed, and the choicest is held at higher prices, with full sales. We note 75 bbls. sold at 65c., 20 bbls. brown at 60c., and a small lot at 58c. JANUARY 10. Menhaden oil meets with very little demand; the ideas of holders are above those of buyers, and we have no business to report; there are ru- mors but no actual sales of full lots that we can learn of. The demand for pressed fish is fair; 25 bbls. brown sold at 60c., and 25 bbls. light at 63e. JANUARY 17. Menhaden rules quiet; to sell freely lower prices would have to be accepted, but to buy full prices would have to be paid. No sales of lots are reported. JANUARY 24, Menhaden rules about steady, though if forced on the market would not command the highest quotation. The feeling is, however, that the stock is small and all will be needed. We hear of the sale of 50 bbls. prime, at 55c., and 112 bbls. Southern, part dark, at 52c. cash. There is a fair demand for strained and 25 bbls. are reported sold at 63c. JANUARY 13. Menhaden is steady in prices, the only large lot held, 600 bbls., was at New Bedford, which has been sold to a manufacturer there at a price equal to 55c., delivered in this city, the lot of Southern reported in our last has been rejected; at the close to-day we hear of the sale of 120 bbls. on private terms. Strained sells in a small way, if choice, at 65c., in full lots at 60 @ 624c., and brown 60c. in a small way. FEBRUARY 7. Menhaden is held confidently, but there is not much doing. We hear of no full lots having changed hands. FEBRUARY 14. Menhaden is quiet and there are no sales making; we have only heard during the past week of a few lots, perhaps in all 50 bbls., that changed hands at 55c. The stock is pretty firmly held by a few parties. Pressed oil is in fair demand and firm. FEBRUARY 21. Menhaden is dull to buy; the market is firm, but to sell it is weak, though at a decline of 24 @ 5c. the whole market might be cleared of stock; no sale of lots for a week. FEBRUARY 28. Menhaden has ruled quiet during the past week, and as there have been no sales for some time past, the feeling has been hardly so firm; 100 bbls. choice sold at 54c., the other kinds have met with no sales since our last. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 307 Marcin 6. Menhaden has been quiet for along time past, and holders appear more anxious to sell. We hear that sales have been made of 300 bbls. prime, on private terms, though understood to be below 54c. MARCH 13. Menhaden bas been quiet; the dealers are doing very little, and will not buy unless at a decline from former prices. The sales are 120 bbls. light at53e. We note the arrival of the first lot of the oil returned from the other side, some 8,000 galls; there are about 42,000 galls. more on the way. Pressed fish oil meets with a slow sale. MARCH 20. Menhaden has moved a little more freely, but the sellers have been forced to accept lower prices ; the close is, however, considered more firm, as the Boston combination may have some effect on this market. The only sale we hear of is a lot of 150 bbls. prime, at 52c. cash. There is a little better demand for pressed, and we note 30 bbls. sold at 605c., and 50 bbls. at 60c. MARCH 27. Menhaden has been bought quite largely during the past week, which has had the effect of advancing prices; the sales are about 550 bbls., at 54 @ 55e., the latter for choice light, though at the close the highest price is said to have been bid for brown. Pressed meets with a fair sale; 2,500 gallons sold at 59 @ 61c., the lowest price for inferior, and 1,500 gallons choice winter at 64c. APRIL 3. Menhaden oil remains firm, and 58c. would be low for nice oil; some lots might be obtained at 55c., but it would be off in color. The com- bination is having some effect, and how long it will last is more than can be predicted. APRIL 10. Menhaden is scarce; there was too much shipped, which has left the market bare. Handsome is held at 60c. APRIL 17. Meuhaden is firmer, and with the failure of the seal-fishery all grades of fish-oil will be in demand at advanced rates; 60c. for clean, hand- some parcels might be obtained, and some ask an advance on this price. APRIL 24. -Menhaden is quiet but firm; the principal holder asks 65c., bat some others are quoting 62c. There have been no sales, but in New Bedford 400 bbls. sold to go to Boston, at 60c. May 1. Menhaden remains scarce & firm, 60 @ 62c. for handsome. There was too much shipped. May 8. Menhaden, as reported at the date of our last, is weak. We reported the market “less buoyant” last week and quoted choice at 60 @ 62e. in 308 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. our prices current. We have been accused “bearing” the market on that occasion, but we think our accuser could not have been posted, for the very choicest lots in market were offered the day of our issue at 60c., and not being able to get that price, asked for a bid of 59c. We have heard of no sales. May 15. Menhaden is quiet, and the feeling is easy ; holders do not force sales, but are open for offers; buyers are generally very backward. The sales reported are 150 bbls. in New Bedford, and 40 bbls. here at 60c., though other choice lots are offered freely at this price. There have been sales of pressed at 62c. May 22. Menhaden is unsettled and lower. No one quotes higher than 57$e., and no one will bid 55c. There is considerable offering. We hear of no sales of lots since our last. May 29. Menhaden oil of the new catch is arriving more freely, and prices are lower at the close, with buyers holding off. There have been sales of 150 bbls. new at about 50c., but at the close we do not think that more than 47$c. could be obtained ; thus far the oil we have seen is of very good quality, and not inferior, as some parties anticipated it would be. JUNE 5. Menhaden oil is lower; the receipts are quite free, and the tendency of prices have been steadily downward; the quality coming to this mar- ket has been very good for the first part of the season. The sales are 50 bbls. at 47c. ; 43 bbls. at 45¢., prompt cash; 60 bbls. at 45c. ; 45 bbls. at 444c., and 50 bbls. at 44c., at which the market closes not very strong; inferior was offered and refused at 40ce. JUNE 12. Menhaden oil; nothing has been done in Maine as yet. JUNE 19. Menhaden, following our last, was in active request for Boston ae- count, and, to some extent, for shipment, which took about all the sur- plus offerings and checked the downward tendency, and a firm tone now prevails. The fishermen are holding back as much as possible, and toward the close the run of fish is falling off. They also say that at 40ce. per gallon, delivered in this market, there is no margin for making oil. The sales are 200 bbls. at 38c.; 600 bbls. at 39 @ 40c.; 200 bbls. at 40ce. ; 48 bbls. at 40 @ 404c., and 75 bbls. taken to account at 40e. JUNE 26. Menbudeun has been less plenty this week than last, and receivers have been able to get an advance on prime lots of 1 cent per gallon, and the close is steady at 41 cents. From Maine we hear that fish are very searce, and that the Boston trade are likely to draw on this market for their supply for some time yet; besides, the fishermen, we believe, entered last fall into an arrangement not to sell below 60c. till the 15th of July. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 309 JULY 3. Menhaden has suddenly become scarce, and with some dealers short; the price has advanced as rapidly again as it declined. At the close we hear of one lot, about 45 bbls. light, offering, on which 47¢. is said to have been bid and refused; the holder asks 48c. If any lots should be offered, this price could not be obtained, as shippers cannot pay more than 41c. We learn from Maine that the fish are more abundant, but do not yield largely. JULY 10. The market for menhaden has ruled quite irregular since our last; the arrivals at the close, however, are more free and prices are lower, but more uniform. There have been some lots taken for shipment, and the low prices ruling a short time ago will hardly again be reached. The sales are 142 bbls. prime at 43c.; 200 bbls. at 413c¢.; and 450 bbls., part for shipment, on private terms, though some at considerably above the prices obtained for the above lots. There is a fair trade for pressed at 48c. JULY 17. The market for menhaden at the close is firm, owing to light arrivals this week. The trade talk a small catch, and say prices will probably rule higher. Last week there were sales of 200 bbls. at 434c. for prime and 42¢. for inferior, and 70 bbls. prime light at 44 @ 45c. The demand for strained is fair. JULY 24. Menhaden has been in rather moderate supply during the past week, and prices rule firm. At the close the advices from the fishermen are that they are catching more fish, and the yield is good. We note sales of 65 bbls. choice light at 43 ¢., and 50 bbls. brown at 40c. JULY 31. There has been more activity in menhaden than any other kind of oil on our list. The amount coming forward is small, and barely enough to supply the wants of the trade, causing prices again to advance. Heretofore the yield of the fish has been very small, but at the close to- day we hear that the run has suddenly become fat, and above an ordi- nary yield is now obtained. The sales are 104 bbls. choice brown at 46c.; 50 bbls. do. at 46c.; 40 bbis. racked at 46c.; 20 bbls. gurry at 25c.; 25 bbls. strictly winter pressed at 55c.; and a rumor, which, however, was not confirmed, of a lot of choice crude at 47c. AUGUST 7. Menhaden this week has been in better supply, and is quoted very much lower at the close. The catch is better and the yield fair for this season of the year; receipts since our last have been about 200 bbls., which sold at from 43c. for nice brown to 46c. for choice light; at the close we hear that a lot of 400 bbls. prime brown was offered, to arrive, at 43c. 310 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERI®S. AUGUST 14. The market for menhaden has been quiet, and with dealers less anxious to buy; the close is easy at about 43c. for light brown. The high prices for freights will not allow of any shipping business at present ruling quotations. The sales reported for the week are 417 bbls. at 43 @ 44c, including a resale of 75 bbls. at the outside price; 200 bbls. to arrive at 42c., and a lot of 250 bbls. choice light in New Bedford some time since, not before reported, at 45c. AUGUST 21. Menhaden at the moment is scarce; there are orders here at 43c., but there is no stock to fill them; considerable lots are reported on the way, and this keeps prices from advancing materially, though we may quote at least le. better as the outside price. AUGUST 28. Menhaden oil remains as last reported. Prices are above views of buyers, but the manufacturers will not yield, and the result is that the oil will pass into parties’ hands that will make advances on the oil. This locks the oil for the present. SEPTEMBER 4. Mevhaden has not been plenty since our last, and a rather firmer tone is reported at the close. We hear of the arrival of a lot of 275 bbls. and of about 750 bbls. more on the way. The sales are 400 bbls., part to arrive, at 44c. for choice light, and 75 bbls., at 43c. for brown, and 40c. for inferior. The fishermen report a fair catch, and we hear that the yield is increasing both here and in Maine. . ; SEPTEMBER 11. Menhaden is firm at the close, with moderate offerings. Last week the receipts were full, but were readily taken at steady prices. This week there have been no arrivals, and the tone firmer; probably 45e. could be obtained for a choice lot The sales reported since our last are 500 bbls., at 44e.; 75 bbls., at 44e.; 168 bbls., at 434 @ 44e.; 90 choice and 70 do., at 44$e. SEPTEMBER 18. Menhaden rules firm, with a small amount arriving; sales 250 bbls. fair brown, at 44c.; 115 bbls. on private terms; 36 bbls. choice light, at 47c., and 100 choice tanked, at 48¢.; also a rumor of 1,000 in New Bed- ford, at 50c. SEPTEMBER 25. Menhaden has advanced since our last about 4c. per gallon, owing to the small supply offering on the market. Sales have been made of 150 bbls., at 49 @ 50c. for light brown and choice; 38 bbls. brown, at 49¢e.; 30 bbls. and 50 bbis., at 50c¢., at which the market closes strong, with exporters willing to pay this price. OCTOBER 2. Menhaden oil has not arrived freely, and the price is rather stronger. Since our last, sales have been made of 150 bbls., at 50c., and to-day a HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. $14 cargo arrived, and about 350 bbls. sold, at 50c., as it run, and a lot of 39 bbls. brown, at 50c., which is the price for any kind of good oil. OCTOBER 9. Menhaden has been quite active, and rules very firm; sales are 80 bbls. prime at 50c.; 82 bbls. at 52¢c.; 170 bbls. at 503c.; 150 bbls., to arrive, at 50 @ 503c.; and 425 bbls. on private terms. Most of the above lots were very choice light oils. OCTOBER 16. Menhadeu has not come in so freely, still there is rather more offering, and buyers are holding off, and some report the market lower. There is some Maine offering, but we know of 48c. having been refused for it. We cnly note the sales during the week of 100 bbls. prime light at 50c., and 150 bbls. fair brown at 45c. The fall catch is reported better. OCTOBER 23. Menhaden rules steady for light oil, and all that has come forward has been taken at 50c.; we note sales of 159 bbls. at this price; 100 bbls. Maine oil at 524c. ; 100 bbls. do. at 534c.; 100 bbls. pressed at 55c., and 30 bbls. do. at 57e. OCTOBER 30. Menhaden is a little easier, though in good demand; sales are 189 bbls. prime at 49¢.; 150 bbls. at 49c. ; 100 bbls. at 50c., thirty days; 100 bbls. at 50c., cash ; and 55 bbls. at 50c. cash. NOVEMBER 6. Menhaden has ruled quiet but firm, with but few lots arriving. The only sales since our last are 100 bbls. at 50c. and 90 bbls at 49e. NOVEMBER 15. Menhaden is not arriving freely, and the market is very strong, with all the good oil that is offered taken at 49c., though most holders ask 50c. Sales are 278 bbls. at 49e. NOVEMBER 20. Menhaden is higher, with sales at an advance; the market is, how- ever, somewhat unsettled. The stock in Boston, about 8,000 bbls., was burnt. Sales 280 bbls. and 100 bbls. on p. t., and last week 75 bbls. at 504c. NOVEMBER 27. Menhaden oil has been actively dealt in, closing firm at an advance. The sales and resales have been fully 2,000 bbls. from 51e. up to 55c., which latter price is said to have been bid at the close for light oil and refused. DECEMBER 4. Menhaden has continued firm and is quiet. The stock is now pretty well out of first hands. Sales of 140 bbls. at 44c., and 600 bbls. at 55c. DECEMBER l1I. Menhaden is quiet and a little unsettled; the supply in first hands very light, but jobbers report trade very dull, and a full supply on hand. 312 REPORT OF COMMISSION! R OF FISH AND FISHERIES. DECEMBER 18. Menhaden has been quiet, owing to small offerings; sales are 30 bbls. prime light at 56c., and 70 bbls. on private terms. DECEMBER 25. Menhaden quiet but steady, with a small supply. 1873. JANUARY 1. Menhaden quiet, with only small sales making. JANUARY 8. Menhaden is firmer, and other oils used by tanners have also ad- vanced. JANUARY 15. Menhaden oil rules quiet, and with a small stock very firm in price. We note sales of 120 bbls. from store, reported at 56ce. JANUARY 22. Menhaden is quiet but very firm; no sales making. JANUARY 29. ‘“Menhaden oil: some sales have been made at 57 to 58.” (Boston oil-market reports.) , FEBRUARY 5. Menhaden rules firm, though somewhat nominal, owing to the very small stock. FEBRUARY 12. Menhaden oil was active last week, and sales were made of 1,750 bbls. Maine oil, all reported at 60c. FEBRUARY 19. Menhaden oil is in small supply in first hands, but dealers hold a pretty fair stock. FEBRUARY 26. Menhaden is held very firmly, as there is a very small stock here. Brown oil will bring about as much as light, owing to the small supply. MARCH 5. Menhaden is firm, but very quiet; no sales reported. MARCH 12. Menhaden is firm, but not active; 100 bbls. Maine oil sold at 60c. MARcH 19. Menhaden oil rules quiet; there are some lots offering, to arrive, at 60c., for Maine catch. MARCH 206. Menhaden oil has ruled dull since our last offering at 60c. for Maine. oil. APRIL 2. Menhaden oil rules quiet, but is held higher; no sales making. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. ole APRIL 9, Menhaden oil rules dull, and lots are pressing for sale; 60c. is asked, but a full lot could not be placed except at a much lower price; we have not a single transaction to note. APRIL 16. Menhaden is held at 60c., and not offered at less; but buyers would not buy any lots at anywhere near this price. APRIL 23. Menhaden oil nominal; no sales making. APRIL 30. Menhaden oil is easier, offering at 574c. in lots for Maine catch. Sales are 300 bbls.; closing sale at this price. May 7. Menhaden oil is lower owing to the near approach of the fishing sea- son, and sales have been made of 155 bbls., at 55¢.; 25 bbls., at 56c.; and in Boston, 30 bbls., at 56c., and 80 bbls., at 57e. May 14. Menhaden oil is somewhat nominal, about all in the market having gone into second hands. Jobbers are said to have a smaller supply than usual at this season of the year, and the feeling may be considered a little stronger at the close, owing to the backwardness of the catch. There has been one small lot of inferior now in market from Florida, which has been sold at 50c. The Long Island fishermen report fish scarce and yielding only about one gallon per thousand. If the weather continues fine a few small lots may be expected next week, but not in sufficient quantities to supply the demand for some time. The prospect as to future prices is that the market, without any disturbing influences and a usual catch, will rule at about 424c. The sales reported since our last are 500 bbls. prime Maine, at 55c., 50 bbls. ordinary, at 57c., and 11 bbls. inferior new Southern, at 50c. May 21. Menhaden oil has been in fair demand; it is said that the dealers have a small stock on hand. New oil has not yet arrived, but is daily expected. We note sales of 204 bbls. ordinary, at 55c., and 30 bbls. select, at 56c. From Boston reports we have: **Menhaden oil remains quiet. Sales have been made at 55 and some lots of dark oil have sold at 50. As the season is approaching when new oil will soon make its appearance, those holding old oil are anxious to dispose of their stocks, and under such circumstances sales have been made below market value.” MAY 28. Menhaden oil rules firm and in small supply. There is said to be no oil in first hands, while usually there is a good deal carried over. New has not made its appearance, but is daily expected. Since our last there has been but one sale, a lot of 110 bbls. at 55e. JUNE 4. New menhaden oil is arriving feebly, and the quality not being very choice, prices are lower. The sales are 25 bbls. at 52c.: 25 bbls. at 314 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 5le.; and 27 bbls.on private terms. The fishermen report plenty fish but a small yield of oil. Boston, June 2d, reports say: ‘‘ Menhaden oil remaining quiet; most of the old oil has been sold at 52 @ 53. The prospect for this season’s catch can only be judged by the preparations made for doing the business, all of which are being carried forward on an extensive sale.” JUNE 11. New wenhaden has come to hand very slowly, and the market has not declined materially since our last report. We would quote 51@ 53c., with sales of 50 bbls. choice at 52c., aud 50 bbls at 51@ 52c. Jobbing sales at 53c. JUNE 18. Menhaden oil comes to hand very slowly, the fish being scarce and yielding only about 14 gallons per thousand; prices remain firm, with sales of 100 bbls. at 5le. for choice brown, and 52¢e. for select light; there is but little dark oil coming in and would bring 50c. JUNE 25. Menhaden is still in light supply and is consequently held firmly ; the fish yield rather poorly but are more plenty and are growing fatter. Sales are 75 bbls. light, 25 bbls do.; 11 bbls. do., at 5l¢e., and 20 bbls. brown at 50c. Boston reports, June 23, 1873, say: ‘¢Menhaden oil of this season’s catch has not yet made its appearance, and report says that there are plenty of fish on the coast of Maine, but the yield of oil very small; but with good weather the fish will soon be in good condition. Prospect is that we shall not want for menhaden this season.” JULY 2. Menhaden oil is about 1c. lower at the close, though receipts are not large. We note sales of 150 bbls. at 50c., 51c. for choice, and 20 bbls. inferior at 48ce. JULY 9. Menhaden is now coming in wore freely and has fallen off in value ; last week sale was made of 300 bbls. at 50 @ 51c.; but yesterday and to-day 150 bbls. were sold at 45 @ 47e. JULY 16. Menhaden oil has up to last week come to hand very sparingly, and the price was held up till toward the close at 45c.; but with more lots pressing in, sales were made of 52 bbls. at 45c.; 33 bbls. at 434¢., and this week 300 bbls. at 424c., at which price the market closed. JULY 23. Menhaden oil has not come in freely, but buyers are holding off, as the market for their product is dull, and in consequence the price is easier ; last week a lot of 50 bbls. sold at 42, but yesterday 38 bbls. sold at 41, and to-day 50 bbls. at 41c., at which the market seems to be steady, as 40c. has been bid and refused, though should receipts be large a further decline may be looked for. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 315 JULY 30. Menhaden oil rules steady at 40c., with not much coming in. The in- creased facilities which the fishermen have this season have been of little account thus far, the oil made being less than at the same time last year; still the fish yield fairly, and if they were abundant the pro- duction weuld be very large. Dealers have bought very sparingly, as their trade has been small, and the price has steadily declined since the new oil made its appearance. Exporters could afford to pay the present price if freights were not so unusually high, and with lower freight-rates a good demand may be looked for from this source. How much the large seal catch will interfere with a market for this oil is not known yet, but should the catch of menhaden be large, oil would have to sell at such a price as would be paid by a foreign market. At what price our home dealers would be willing to stock up it is difficult to tell, they having different views as to future prices; but at the present all buy only sufficient to supply their present wants. Sales are 300 bbls. at 40@ ‘Ale., the highest price last week. AUGUST 6. Menhaden oil has not come in very freely; all told, perhaps 400 lbs. for the week, 200 of which sold for home use on private terms, and the bal- ance shipped. The price remains steady at 40 @ 41c., and there is a difference of opinion as to whether the oil is held back or whether the factories are making but little; most of the trade are of the former opinion. Boston reports, Aug. 4, says: ‘‘Menhaden oil: some sales have been made at 45c¢ for small lots, but the Maine manufacturers are firm and intend putting their price at 50c.,and holding. Reports are conflicting in rela- tion to the catch; do not think from all accounts that there will be as much oil as last year.” — AUGUST 13. Menhaden oil has not arrived freely, and is, consequently, a trifle firmer; the catch of fish is unusually small and the yield is only one and a half gallons per thousand. There have been sales here of 600 bbls. at 40 @ 414c. as to quality, the market closing pretty strong at 41c. for nice oil. The Boston market is higher. Boston reports, Aug. 11, say: ** Menhaden oil: there has been a sale of 500 bbls. at 45c., and the manu- facturers have agreed to hold price at 50. Most of the Maine oil is being shipped to New Bedford, and parties make advances, which satisfies the manufacturers. By this means they will keep oil up to 50c.” AUGUST 20. Menhaden oil is firmer, owing to small arrivals and a light stock in the hands of jobbers. Thecombination in the East also has a tendency to stiffen prices here. The fish are now reported very fat, yielding 10 to 12 gallons per thousand, but the catch is small. Sales 250 bbls. at 4l4c. At the close there is none offering on spot, and one lot to arrive 316 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. is held as high as 45c., but this may be considered an extreme price; probably 424c. is a fair quotation for choice oil. AUGUST 27, Menhaden has sustained the advance of last week and rules very firm. There is not much coming in, and jobbers carry small stocks, but a better supply may come in at any moment; and, in consequence, jobbers will not buy more at. present rates than they require for immediate wants. Sales are 30 bbls. nice brown at 45c.; 50 bbls. choice light at 45c., and 150 bbls. on private terms, supposed to have been about 45c., at which the market closes. SEPTEMBER 3. Menhaden oil is very firm, with a small supply coming forward. All lots are taken as fast as they arrive. Sales are 65 barrels at 45c.; 40 barrels inferior on private terms; 31 barrels prime at 45c.; 25 barrels at 45 cents, and 35 bbls. to arrive at 45c. Boston reports, Aug. 25: ‘¢Menhaden oil remains firm, and sales of 300 barrels have been made at 48, and it is doubtful if any can be bad now less than combination price, 50 cents. The weather has been very unfavorable for 10 days past, and the catch very light. The amount of oil taken this season only amounts to about 6,500 barrels, and the expense has been much greater this season, as the fish are some twenty miles away. The quality of the oil taken is very choice.” Sep. lst: ‘‘Menhaden: a sale of 700 bbls. prime Maine has been made at 48c. To-day a meeting is to be held, and price of manufactures will be put at 50 to 52c., and some say 55c. The catch for the past ten days has been very light. Some manu- facturers are holding at 55c. Should two thousand bbls. be shipped, it would advance oil to 50c. firm. Five hundred bbls. are going this week from here to Liverpool, and I hear of other lots to follow.” SEPTEMBER 10. Menhaden has been more plenty the past week, but is taken freely on arrival at firm prices, the jobbers being short supplied and having a good demand for their kinds from consumers. The sales are 495 bbls. at 45c. cash from dock, and would probably bring 46c. in shipping order ; but we cannot expect any export demand at present prices for oil, unless freights and exchange should very much favor shippers. There have been two lots sent from this market this season—one of 190 bbls. on order and one of 100 bbls. on account of a factory. The season thus far has been an unsatisfactory one for those who usually supply this market, and should the fall catch not prove better, we will have to look to Maine for a supply for this market. The fall season is, however, often the best, the fish being usually very fat, and if they catch enough fish may make up for all deficiencies ; the fall catch last year was small, however. Boston reports, Sep. 8: ‘*Menhaden continues firm. The manufactur- ers hold at 50c., but I do not know of any sales at that price; 48c. is the HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 317 highest that any large lots have been sold for. The catch is reported light for the past week. SEPTEMBER 17. Menhaden oil is firm and wanted, meeting with a ready sale at 45ce. for nice brown or light oil. The fall catch cannot be determined yet, but we hear that the fish are said to be wild and do not school; a few weeks, however, will determine the fall catch. Saleshere: 95 bbls. light oil at 45¢.; 50 bbls. brown at 45c.; 35 bbls. light at 45c¢.; 40 bbls. at 45e. SEPTEMBER 24. Menhaden oil bas arrived slowly, and is still firm in price; but with the present uncertain state of the money market and foreign exchange a reaction may take place, as anywhere near present rates there could be nothing done for export. The arrivals and sales have been 30 bbls. at 47¢c.; 120 bbls. at 45¢.; 25 bbls. at 45¢.; and 22 bbls. at 45c., which price is not to be obtained at the close, and 400 bbls. have gone into store. Jobbers of curriers’ oils report rather less doing this week. Boston re- ports, Sep. 22: ‘‘ Menhaden oil is held firm at 48 to 50, but no sales have been made over 48. The exportations still continue; 500 bbls. go to Liverpool this week.” OCTOBER 1. Menhaden oil is dull and nominal; there have been fewer arrivals, all of which bave, however, gone into store, as there are no buyers at more than 42c¢., while holders still ask 45c., though would probably shade this price for a cash offer. Boston reports, Sep. 29: ‘‘ Menhaden oil: sales of several lots of 300 to 500 bbls. at 47 to 48c. and holders are now very firm. The catch for the past fifteen days has been better and fish fatter. CCTOBER 8. Menhaden oil is not coming forward, and the lots in store have not been sold. The market is nominally as quoted in our list. Sales of 21 barrels on private terms and a report of 75 bbls. for export at 42c¢., but we were not able to verify the report. OCTOBER 15. Menhaden oil is uot coming in very freely, but the continued dull state of the market has caused a decline in prices, and at the close 40e. is the best price to be obtained. The home trade are not in the market at all. The sales are, 50 bbls. at 42c.; 56 bbls supposed to be at 414c.; and 350 bbls. at 40 ¢., all prime lots, the latter for export. We learn that the Maine fisbermen have closed their factories for the season. OCTOBER 22. Menhaden oil is very dull and not coming forward; only 22 bbls. have arrived, which sold at 40c. OCTOBER 29. Menhaden oil has not arrived freely, but with little or no demand the price has fallen off, and sales have been made of 46 bbls. at 38c., with more offering at the close at same price and buyers bidding 35c. This 318 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. evening we hear that 100 bbls. sold at 374$c. and 100 bbls. on private terms. NOVEMBER 5B. Menhaden oil is very duil, and with none coming in we have no fur- ther sales to report ; a lot on the way is offering at 37c. NOVEMBER 12. Menhaden oil is lower, but the lots that arrived recently have been generally stored, and there is nothing offering at the close at less than 35¢., though a prime lot was offered at 33c. on dock, without finding a buyer. A small lot of Southern oil of inferior yuality sold at 30c. NOVEMBER 19. Mendahen oil is not lower than we quoted last week, but there is not much doing ; jobbers are buying very sparingly, and there is not, as yet, much demand for shipment, but while the present demand from jobbers does not warrant stocking up, the unusually low price may induce them to anticipate their wants. There have been sales of 10,000 gallons for export at 32¢., and 200 bbls. for home use at 33c. Boston reports, Nov. 17: ‘‘ Menhaden oil is held above the views of buyers. It is difficult to give the quotation in the absence of any sales of importance ; last sale was about 38 for 250 bbls.” NOVEMBER 26. Meahaden oil is quiet, but with no lots coming in the price is rather more steady, with sales of 100 bbls. light at 33c.; most holders ask 35c. from store. Brwon oil not being plenty this season will bring about as much as light. Boston reports, Nov. 24: Menhaden oil held above the views of buyers. It would be difficult to get an offer of more than 37 to o8e., and most of the holders will sell Jess than 42 to 40c. DECEMBER 3. Menhaden oil has become very much firmer, all the lots pressing for sale having been taken; holders ask 40c. The last sale was 150 bbls. prime light at 35c.; previously there was a sale of 100 bbls. at 34éc., promptcash. It is difficult to give an exact quotation, but the probability is that no great quantity could be bought under 40c. Any action taken by the Maine fishermen, who meet in Boston to-day, may have some in- fluence. Boston reports, Dec. 1: ‘‘ Menhaden oil: the difference between the buyers and sellers still exists, and as curriers are not running on full time, not much oil changeshands. The manufacturers meet in this city Tuesday, December 2. Some agreement may be adopted in relation to prices for oil on hand and also that to be made the coming season, DECEMBER 10. Menhaden oil has advanced, closing firm at the asking price of last week, with considerable sales making. There are free buyers at prices HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 319 a shade below the asking rates, but holders are not shading 40c. on any lot; and most of them ask 45c. The Eastern manufacturers have com- bined at 45c., and this lends strength to our market. While the amount of oil held back by the manufacturers is thought to be considerable, and the demand from dealers been small, still there is a feeling that prices are low and likely to advance. Tbe sales are 510 bbls. on spot, at 40c. Boston reports, Dec. 8th: ‘*Menhaden is firmer and sales have been made of about 1,500 bbls. at 40 @ 41c.; it is now held at 43 @ 45e. The meeting of the oil manufacturers last Tuesday resuited in holding oil at 45, which they seem determined to carry out. There is to be another meeting next January in New York for the purpose of effecting a union with the Long Island and New Jersey associations, and mak- ing a uniform price among the different cities.” DECEMBER 17. Menhaden oil has been more active, and 325 bbls. sold on spot here at 40c., and 800 bbls. to arrive on private terms. Boston reports, Dec. 15: ‘Menhaden remains firm, and sales have been made at 40c. for several hundred bbls. which have been floating about the market. When these lots are closed out it will be difficult to buy under 45¢., a price at which itis held. «10 6\6.0 » « aigie terme aie 264, 000 Number of gallons ‘oil held by manufacturers January 9, SS ee Re eee teeta teil eect) acne bw Soa wig err ara 86, 000 PR MUOUMEALOSS UNAM IMM Cia a alera disldaldeieca sice tess 06 c 178, 000 TSS EEL UR SRE AS ip) i RR, Re P08 7, 275 Number of tons guano held by manufacturers J anuary 2; DOSS aps pe ge I aL LC A 1, 640 AMOUnL less! than in: 1877 ......i52) tea aeases sete = 5, 635 After the report had been accepted and committee discharged, the secretary pro tempore read a paper from Dr. Maylert on the subject of scrap-drying. Remarks upon the same subject were also made by Pro- fessor D’Homergue. Prof. S. L. Goodale then addressed the association upon his method of extracting or liberating the oil from fish scrap. A general discussion then took place upon the subject of scrap-drying, and the several new methods proposed to accomplish the object. Much attention is being given to this important matter, and the amount of scrap dried the past season was probably double that of any former year, and as the demand is increasing each year, and the saving in ammonia in the dried mate- rial is so large an item, it is hoped that some simple, inexpensive method will soon be found for accomplishing the desired results. The meeting of the association was quite fully attended, and the most interesting yet held. The statistics gathered are believed to be the most accurate of any yet obtained. The stocks on hand, of both oil and guano, are very small. The outlook for the coming season is quite favorable, and better prices will doubtless be obtained than for the past few years. Ammo- niacal matter is scarce, and in demand at good prices. H. L. DUDLEY, Secretary. 368 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. \ ee ee c96 006 00& 009 OCF 008 c19 OLF 0OL 0389 OUT OgL 0038 004 ‘ GL Ye a 3 ‘T Al ‘aprur ouens epi jo suoy, CCO ‘FOG ‘T | 126% LIP 6th | 6G LT ge ees 000 ‘see 00S ‘BL 000 ‘06 eee | S000EE Or 0 b 03 | 000 ‘F 00¢ 000 ‘0G 009 000 ‘TF ST it ¢ 09 000 ‘0g 000 ‘S% OOOKGGES alka as “""*! 000 G3 Cy G 0 te 000 ‘At 000 ‘OL C&G ‘EF Rae 00¢ ‘9T GT 0 g 0g 000 ‘P 000 ‘GE 000 ‘0&T 00g 000 ‘er £G if 9 09 000 ‘E& 000% 008 ‘es LGE 000 ‘8 IL 0 p OF 000 ‘ST 000 ‘@L 000 ‘cr OOF 000 ‘ST Or 0 & 9g 000 ‘OT 000 ‘ar 000 ‘69 063 £16 % cl T rd cB 000 ‘0% 000 ‘L 000 ‘¢¢ 00S 000 ‘%% 6 0 £ 1G 000 ‘2 000 ‘GT OOO0GGs Wo --"| 000 ‘98 og i G 09 000 ‘09 00 ‘09 000 ‘OL 00T 090 ‘ce LT i I GT 000 ‘PT 000 ‘FL 000 ‘SLT 00% 000 ‘19 ka P 3g 09 000 ‘09 000 ‘0g 000 ‘GET 00T 000 ‘GP 0g € ¢ 08 000 ‘09$ 000 ‘oe A A HA b> ‘A 1A A 2 a = the ne S| =I =I ¢ a 8 S a=) a8 38 5 5 cS] = > o mo gs Bs = ot ais ¥ s Ne me) ale BS 5 5 Ba 3 ‘s BS Be. Be ner, 8, eo Se, 7 2 49 So Ro 4e a 4 Sb eo. Ls ft} ~ oe oO ta Qo Ss of 45 mo 77] a S Po) a 2 ° ma © =] ©, g Zz oo ao oe e ” 8 a & Bo ° wD > | ‘pojsoAurejrdeo Jo JunoUry = Fr tac) tan 5 Serer eee rer S[vjOy, a ae ee ANE ‘puog puaudoy ‘STO AL TO puvysy 8, puoT ee ae ee See ee ee eee RIN ‘Avquyoog: qseq ‘SyIOA\ TIO HLOHUS et eas OTT ‘puog punoy ‘siwog yz UvMQyoNg "T ‘ssorppe oo1yo-ysod puv someyy ‘ANIVIN AO ALVIS AHL | 1 | QT wah ay, sof "todas ponUUDY 98.047 ‘W XIGNUddV NI SUANALOVAANVI ONVOAYD GNV TIO NHCVHNAW AO NOLLVIDOSSVY WHEL 4O SLAYOdAH TVONNV 369 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. ‘eprar ouens opnio Jo Buoy, TRG ‘OT L€0° 168 a. 000 ‘7 000 °bF 000 “E8 000 ‘ZL 000 ‘L8 000 “E6T SOL ‘PS O00 TL 000 “C6 $9 8k 000 ‘O0SF C99 ‘ec 000 ‘00% 000 ‘O9G ‘apear [10 JO BUOT[VD JO JaqULN NT } 00% “g1vq 1OF pros Sy JO S[otaeg JO seq mn Ny ahh C61 198 ‘1z9 000 ‘8 000 ‘CT 000 ‘6G 000 ‘Ge 000 “LG 000 ‘9 68E 86 000 ‘6% 000 ‘08 BLP ‘63 000 ‘SET 000 ‘9F 000 ‘29 000 ‘38 “‘SHIOA JB WOH? GSY jO S]ataRq JO Joaquin yy ch bor ia! GL oT “SYIOM Je WOUL jo Jaqunu esR1iAy G o GE “‘B1OTIBOYS JO LOQUIN NT ‘00p T LE I ~ o CD ra rt 39 GU GY SIG OS “S[OSS9A JO IOqMaN Ty 86 Ons ‘ce 006 ‘Le 19S 00S ‘068 000 ‘Te it 00S ‘t 000 ‘8 0% 000 ‘8 000 ‘¢ 0g 000 ‘OF 000 “G3 0% 000 ‘I 000 8 08 000‘ 000 ‘ST 09 000 ‘09 000 ‘OF 0g 000 ‘ST 000 ‘ST 0g 000 ‘OT 000 ‘GT 0% 000 ‘Ge 000 ‘OL Lo 000 ‘61 000 ‘¢ OL 000 ‘6g 000 ‘69 bG 000 ‘ce 000 ‘0% 0g 000 ‘09 000 ‘09 03 000 ‘09$ 000 ‘oes P 2 92 5 *pefoy dare TOWMLIYsY JO 1aquinyy ‘payseaur[vpideo Jo yunouy "PZQ1 uodau ponuw puoday seas ai> mcs ricns > =p mm ein Ciba nisl isis ipa mires Ten OORBONOLT, eee eee ee eee ee ee ee *->* s7eq0g, “77 OW ‘prog panoyy ‘sy. 10A\ 10 purys} ‘S sete ate on “Avq YIO0K 4ST ‘SIO AL TIO WOU Se Soe Coma a) oy ‘puog punoy ‘SHIO AY TIO [OMIA “ON ‘puog punoy ‘83: OMA [10 paod punoey OW ‘Avqyjoog ‘vuedu0(9 Le) Ore yy *- OW ‘Kequyjoog “OD Y CQoH *GOJSIUO yy OER ARCA O DR OR CRO Stari Pisin -"- OTT ‘Auqypoog. jeu ‘sompoR ay dnyypes) Cores tortetectssssesess cesses ORL [OUST YING *0D 27 STO A\ “VAL i ceeee ape wronsiwiciasie(cs Seo OTN ‘Avquyoog gseq “OO y uvSu0py ‘duyuy FILES) POI, OW ‘paod punoy “op y qounyy ydosoy Sess wsceweenennecen ooo 9 -Or ‘noo PUNO, “00 » Away) 40q | ¥ sisjeis.0\¢ ‘OW ‘pinbeuteg * ‘OD ® aIBy, ‘Tospup ete Rpt pe pict a ek pepper lidinping deg * ff ‘plod puoyy ‘U0S 2» uRBnyysiig BIE ‘ssarppt oogyo-ysod puv someyr $e 14 F ~~ € REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 370 CO ea rea 9ST ‘OIF O0T | Feastnee es C6E ‘GT 188 ‘PIS ‘T 0S | 000 ‘8% 000 000 ‘OFT oss 000 ‘Sr 008 000 ‘OL 089 'T 000 ‘S&L 00¢ ‘& 000 ‘0% OOF | 000 ‘08 910 'T LTO ‘SL ols 000 ‘9L 0g8 000 ‘TL OSP 00F ‘9¢ PIL 969 ‘9G 006 000 ‘98 OOF 000 ‘28 CLE ‘T O86 ‘FLT 00 8h ‘BF 00S ‘F 000 ‘9FF 3 a a S| 3 = o oom ete ee 2g BS o 8 Bug & re =} i=} i) Q 5 g | | | “areq LoF Plos FST | jo sjo1ieqg Jo Jaqmnyy neaipenTAs SL8T ? 016 ‘ET ee eee ae fi Se ee ee ee ee ee ey eee ewe bape eee 69 Goa al ae sec 016 | 00S ‘16 000 ‘18 Tun ‘ce9 | eLe Ie 98 TLL 000 ‘G8h 000 ‘L68 00F ‘OT ro (yma ieee Or 000 ‘0% 000 ‘b 000 ‘9g sere) pate | Cae eae 09 000 ‘08 000 ‘09 000 ‘SL 9T peace og 000 ‘s 000 ‘ST 000 ‘FG 06 I (3 0g 000 ‘FT 000 ‘8 000 ‘26 of $ T OF 000 ‘6% 000 ‘Se 000 ‘€8 cP P g 96 000\‘09 000 ‘08 008 ‘BI 6 : 3 0% 000 ‘F 000 “F CES ‘6B LE 3 LE 000 ‘03 000 ‘IT 000 ‘8 LI fe I ce 000 ‘Og 090 ‘OT 000 ‘&% cl 3 z 0S 000 ‘ee 000 ‘S% 000 ‘9 aT I 3 oF 000 ‘81 000 ‘81 EBE ‘TS CL, = alpacas c og 000 ‘OL 000 ‘ST 000 ‘ee se 3 0g 000 ‘ve 000 ‘06 000 ‘FL Bee oles ss ; of 000 ‘8 000 ‘eT 029 ‘eb I g G 08 000 ‘0G 000 ‘OF £29 ‘91 IL I i 0G 000 ‘9 000 ‘GT 000 ‘8ST | 08 S re OO 000 ‘v9$ 000 ‘cag bk by b by paela | | eee) 2 aa} g5 B B 5 e st ot = =) ~ o =e © ten 5Q s er BY 8 5 BA 8 ‘s Bo aes =e & Ee : i @ . ee og e a | oP ie no 5 D al -¥ 5 & 2s ® = i} B® ° a : B ‘poysoaur [vjidvo Joyunomy Pe Pr = LOTOL PONUUD PLT, BORIC OSE COSC TORCIOC IO OOC ROOST oC FRADE CRT SCOR Gor ACIS AT Ine => S[UJOL eh IIRC Ko > Sipe ao AL ‘UH oni ‘WOSITAL WE dor on ‘Avqqjood ‘Nuvduog [IQ our w acess Pass ses Auvduoy 1M puog punoyy smpsad a iaassase sore Rese N sige Auvduoy) LO [O9stagy FUSS ont puog punoy “oD y Avi WoqLy OW ‘puog punoy ‘wos z= uvUyYysug "7 “OTL ‘puog punoyy ‘Auvdutoy, [LO PULIST &,puoryT SR SSieIV ASS thslsIS SES OW ‘SITUA § mopspoH ‘uesopy duyyes enisioslarseinelaists weer ee tee eee eres “== OT ‘LOISlIg, YING “OY F STAAL coceee scicionisisissciciai=scel= seer OTaTOns hia INOg “od 29 SOTUN “AN 9.9.1004) settee eee sccress Binnie mis Seiasne OTT ‘LOIS qynos ‘JOO WY TOT MOT O| eesietal tae cereale CCE ICI IY VICI N Coie ‘Avq LOOT ‘Qq09 FW UOJTULLO Ay Rese sencey *-" oT ‘STN 8 opspoyy ‘sampoy 3 dnyesy on ‘puod punoy ‘ssuyseyy ugqor *-- OTT ‘SITUA 8 Tops poH “OO ® WOSIEHOIN “HL OW ‘Os WING “oD a= TLE, BOS ae teteseresseessss"> ony ‘noo punoy “OD xy qounyO qdesor ‘sROIppB CoMjo-ysod PUB SOIR NT = 371 OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, HISTORY 610% GEE ‘89 FIP ‘IS ELS ‘ERIS See==----1 Qn ‘ag CLT 900 ‘CT 000 ‘% . ER oce 006 ‘%8 008 | 009 08 099 | 000 ‘GL OCF ‘T 009 ‘OFT Ces 000 ‘G8 0fs ‘T cece ‘CET O0T 'T R10 ‘111 000°T 000 ‘28 Tol ‘T OOL ‘bar 008 ‘T 000 ‘G&L StS 000 ‘68 6S 'T 000 ‘681 000 ‘9 000 ‘009 5 =| oo image = 2.8 28 He eq D> Oo = 72 "8 oe z 5 =) 2 3 =) ° Lac) See eee ee a he) “* CLRT W101) 88077 oa! '% eee eee wee L es rc EL er es See OGG Che pce er OL Ceaaealess =n MOOOKOR 000 ‘te Peeters oo ar “" GLET 1900 Urey) CEP 'B 000 ‘GOL | 63 &h ILE 8cL 000 ‘eee 000 ‘18k seriall ia eee oo ata eet cn Ser Ah eH CRF eke see 000 ‘EL Re Peres ra 03 090 ‘F 000 ‘F tort eesscessccecersecsencss* on ‘puog punoy ‘Auvdo10/ purjsy s,pno7] 000 ‘T 900 ‘¢ g pan secrhGT 0g 000 ‘¢ 000 ‘OT Po ay eS OiNS = Se ee 5 “7777 OW ‘puog punoy ‘Aueduoy PAOD) S UMOLEL 5 Fees GOO! 09% i isse sees [ts “Ob og 000 ‘09 000 ‘0S soretececrresssss-e7y ‘prnbeae ‘Aardmoy) 10, prubemot 008 PLP'bT | & I LT 0g 000 ‘OT 000 ‘sT Sesh isaee OW, ‘Avg qW00g "0 29 10H ‘uojstuUE Spore ak $16 ‘9% & fe CSI 0s 000 ‘OF ODDO = a SIs a a ae nat chet “OW ‘Avg Wyoog 4eegy AmVd ctoD TIO ILQBUS ecocz, |S I SI 08 000 ‘8 000 ‘8 TASTE ASE oW ‘puog punoy ‘Kuavda1o0H [10 Toys MET 000 ‘%% Tralee cl OF 000 ‘F (IU) iecame a Mn lagen cone eee ay ec oe oN ‘puog punoy ‘Aneduto‘) TO puocg punoy 000 ‘SF j F OF 09 000 ‘09 000 ‘os Trrrrre set OW ‘puod punoy ‘Tos 2% WU OL at 0S “9% g b PL 8g 000 ‘08 000 ‘xT * OWT {10SIAE IMO “O/) 3p 0400 T “19[M OT 006 ‘OF 5 el tS 81 OF 000 ‘96 000 ‘RT -" oT ‘Avg, YOO, 9SBGT ‘soullOH oY Sores a & cI cg 000 ‘c% QHOSO ii >: lee eee ene ea "irri ony ‘Avg yyoog 9seor “oD 27 Uvssopy ‘duqleD OND ORE shane @ SI or 000 ‘0g ODOM OT s--- = “|Past eS usesesstes eee Teele: "OW ‘LOWMA YIMOG “OD 7 STAM APU tenes lee cG 0% CB 000 ‘as (Yi Ne ieee (seats OG Se rege oe "777" OT [OUST Te {INOS “OD % BS9TLIT "AA 054097) 000 ‘cr I g 0g 0s 000 ‘of 000 ‘ST : SeGS CSG SSIS 25s Seen cay TOW ‘puog punogy “od 2 Avary q.40q| 7 096 ‘L% I rc PI 0g 000 38 000 ‘OT sopeereccceccsocccssr= "OW [OIG MNOS “OH 27 TUL A ‘oO EG Gia l Sceacatoal nO ce 09 000 ‘en 000 ‘09 ; gesic cee See Te eee ‘Avg 100g ‘Auwd top) WO oLuBlhy 000 ‘103 | z L 0g 08T 000 ce 000 ‘oR$ Ty el torssseresseens-O1y ‘puog punoy “oD 2 YoInyy qdosos A ! A A ty ic>] as mB B B ae B a ms Fis lasBibie is a eee ee ee % 5 ae adel S 5 B® Ba © = =o g ° ° ° ro) Wo ix : te Saag ra lcs ra al | eae “ssorppe aoyjo-ysod puv SatLL Ny oo mS 4 D 46 “A th hy a B e g 5 Be a s2 &, Bios lhe bai +2 by a g = 5 aes ° Le 3 ° @ |*pojsoAuryezidvo joqunouy bac! Lear) - Lec) =] | } | "9191 “Quodan ponUUD YLNOgT REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 372 ‘desos Surfap 0} posuvyo ssoutsnq ‘ poyvaodo yony 4 ee ee SSS SS eee “MOsvaS SIT} poyrarodo JON x tote emee nena ele cnn ene cnsfene wane con seca cecns cannmccnaccnnccesnsccnasccasesconrns Q7G7 TOIT SSOT a i a a Ra a a la a eg ae ge ee YOY fal Ce Me og ) tee steseecsess OTT ‘951004 JUILG TIINOG ‘SYIOA [IM 9s1004H YuUIVG WINoY Paw cirisinnini= cin. @egiriri-ineieielaie ricwieci= sci 2-=i- (QTR ONSIIge COW a, UR p Lie oy "77>" OW ‘[OISME WINOG “OD 2 STTIAL sisie iene ise mieniceicisenecncrecr ners! OW ACq-YIOog. 0%) arqqon -cOIstmuaSy seeceroncecnorseseceercsse- lon ‘nuog punoy ‘Auvduroy 0a0p 8, WMOIT reece scrsserereroress-s2-"--97T TOISTIG YINOG “0D 7 SOTLA “AA 001004) oy ‘Avg yjoog yseq ‘Aurduop [tO yjoyUs “OW ‘[OIsA_ WQNOY “OH zw o}00R “OTAO.T on jneicininie\e\ninicininicir cininicinineiviricie > >)esinciai- Ona [ORO SIOAN [IDLE aod Teonceecreresescsccscccsceress sor Avg G00, ‘SH1IO A IO SHOOpps]L tregresccrecesececcrscseses OT ‘HUOg punoy ‘SZ10A\ [IO PUeIS]T §,pno'yT seensreccicererrnrsicnn ricco: "ORr fOpsiig UNOS 0”) 3 Moueaye [[CqgU “OW ‘puog panoy ‘sy10 A, [IO puog punoy corermececenminciencsocrerssccs =< OW puog Puno ya sTIOM TO [Osu coottercsececerccoccsesesccony ‘Kugq qyoog yseq “on » uvdaoyy ‘dapper -e--="* oy ‘Aeg YOOg yseoy ‘sampoTT z= duypery ---- 9] ‘paog panoyy “0p = ABI BAIOq Ly Sis sisnis]cinieleiee ce ecneciriceeeh aceon puog PUNO 04) a Gomi o Tdesor 8hL FP 090 ‘LL6 Sees COBPLGT ih poor ORs 1g Repairs nsvinrisicie si") (pgpig fs ge ee CSS SG gare aal cre Sh OORm NE GIB ‘8G 999 ‘OT €1G‘99T‘T | S6L ‘OT 8h LOL 008 ‘9 G18 ‘GSP Splb cei taisieia:s he cisiaie pints sie sun ei sininis Pen Risener Peon Sek OT GCE re rae le 000 ‘IT 000 ‘9% SSS ea space cinin's eae sins gig 2S) “0009 000 ‘Of GIS § IIIT (1) 000 ‘cr 000 ‘ST Y 2 = 3 ipa: 2/2 ecisieis iol} aisie sisi='ciol ies =F OOO OT 000 ‘ct eee w ene ee ee ee ee ee weesaetee weeew ee 000 ‘8 000 ‘CT GUL 000 ‘cr 000 ‘t 000 ‘0% cI rd 000 ‘FE 000 ‘cz ObL 000 ‘1S 006 ‘T 006 ‘2% aI j 000 ‘ct 000 ‘og REDE SSR SRO R CRESS SE GOS GLB ‘6S OFS Teh ‘LT €L rd 000 ‘F% 000 ‘8T 006 ‘T 000 ‘OST 806 ‘T TS0 ‘69 0g ¢ 000 ‘og 000 ‘0S 009 ‘1 (00 ‘SLT 00S ‘T 019 TG 06 9 000 ‘OL 000 ‘09 OLB 089 ‘CL besa Snst 009 ‘6 ra T 000 ‘8 000 ‘6L 008 000 ‘¢9 LE3 ‘6 OLT ‘LB SI € 000 ‘ee 000 ‘OT oc 00¢ ‘8 bie ne A 0Cc6 Che se Be 000 ‘9 000 ‘GL ; * : 009 005 ‘Eg 00% 004 ‘23 GT g eicsiciniciale 000 ‘0% 000 ‘ST O0L 038 ‘LP OST 092 ‘63 cI G erie ae 008 “ce GI8 ‘BT 005 ‘T 000 ‘TST OOL LEB ‘1G 0% p BEEOIE (I!) 000 ‘0S 000 ‘0% 008 | 000 ‘bf 00g 000 ‘Lé 08 p 0S 000 ‘OF 000 ‘ST Se C0) a T8L ‘Gue OOL 000 ‘G8T | 09 8 OPT 000 ‘Oa1$ 000 ‘Og$ ise 1A tA iA > IZ, 1A A re) ra 3 S me Oe 4 2 = 2 @, & B =} oS a= ge 5 =| 5 a ot ° ° el ae 25 oe = a os ° 4 E q Be ar BS = E Be * ie : “‘sSerpps soTyo-ysod pe sstueNy oS, 209 aiken eo 42 2 Sep = = aes o fs a ai 5 S fn ae re on 25 me © a : y 5 2 2, g 2 zs B ©, " -- > a er by Gi : g wa Bini ieee a 2 B 2 ch w 2 2 a @ poe}sordi [eyideo jo Janowy *LLQT ‘qtodat gonuun Yasir HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN,. BYE. APPENDIX N., STATEMENTS OF CORRESPONDENTS. These statements are given in the words of the correspondents, being answers to the circular reproduced in Appendix A. The numbers of the answers correspond to those of the questions in the cireular. All the statements included in this appendix have been reviewed in the main report. The commission does not necessarily indorse them. 1, Statement of W. H. Sargent, Castine, Me., January 26 and December 28, 1874, 1. Menhaden and pogy, interchangeably. 2. Most abundant. 3. Not so numerous in creeks, coves, inlets, &c., but on the coast, out- side of small bodies, it is not decreased. 4, Friend & Co., 25,000 barrels; Allen & Co., 15,000; others, 85,000. In the years from 1865 to 1868, some years 500,000 barrels were taken. 5. It does; especially around and near shores. 6. About the 25th of May. Main body arrives about the middle of June. The last are largest and fattest, usually. Usually two principal schools; the first large school, June 15; the last, September 1 to 10. 7. Swim high. Always make their arrival known by their ripple. 8. Come from the south, between Cape Cod and Cape Sable. Usually first seen just outside of headlands; and as they come into bays, rivers, &c., the main body breaks up. 9. Their appearance is certain. More abundant some seasons. Some seasons they are abundant on the coast of Massachusetts and scarce on the coast of Maine. No two give reasons alike. 10. Undoubtedly catching by any method tends to frighten them; but running refuse water and other refuse from the fish does more harm. 11. They follow the tide in and out creeks, coves, &e. 12. They seem to prefer the still waters of our bays, coves, &c. 13. They are a surface fish, but are sometimes caught thirty feet below. 14. I judge that it does, as they go south on the approach of cold weather. 15. The fish of the same school are uniform in size; some schools larger than others. 16. I have never seen them or heard of them. 17. They usually leave in October. I have known them plenty in November, but not often. I think they leave mostly together; some schools linger. 18. Outside route. General course south. 19. Have no established opinion. 374 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 20. They seldom take bait; very small fish are found in them. °°, Cannot; I think they are mixed indiscriminately. 32. Large quantities are devoured by sharks, horse-mackerel, whales, porpoises, and other fish of prey. 34 and 35. Gill-nets and seines. Gill-nets are from 30 to 80 feet long, and from 7 to 10 feet deep; seines are from 50 to 100 fathoms in length, and 5 to 15 fathoms deep. 36. All kinds and sizes. Seine-boats are uniform in size and build; they have no deck. About 35 feet long and 15 feet beam. 37. Two men can manage nets; a seine requires from 10 to 15. 38. When fish are plenty, nothing but darkness interrupts. 39. They are not, except in shoal-water places, where they are taken at high tide. 40, They ‘‘ school” best in calm weather; consequently more easily taken. 41. I should judge there were 75 vessels of all sizes employed, and from four to five hundred men and boys. Very many who live on the shores fish with nets, tending their nets with small boats, hardly going out of sight of their homes for the season. 492, Nearly all are pressed for the oil; many are used for fish-bait; mostly shipped to Boston. ' 43, There are two or three factories owned by Rhode Island and New York parties, not worked so much now as formerly. R. A. Friend & Co., of Brooklin, are the largest resident manufacturers, but there are about one hundred smaller or private concerns who carry on the busi- ness in connection with other business. 44, The aggregate, 1,625 barrels. Friend, about 700 barrels ; Chatto, 350 barrels. 46. Large factories, steam; smaller ones, the common bed-screw. 47. Slivered, they are worth, put up, about $6 per barrel; in 1863 they were worth $4; prices vary with the quantity. 48. When poor, July, 200; very poor, 1st June, 250; fat, August, 150; very fat, October, 100. 49, About one ton of scrap is obtained in making three barrels of oil. 50. Three quarts is the least I ever knew; from the first school. 51. Six gallons is the most I ever knew; from the last school. Be. Les. 53. The first oil made in this region was made by a man named Bart- - lett, residing on an island in the town of Bluehill, Hancock County, Maine. About the year 1837 he sent a small phial-full to Boston to have it tested. Meeting with encouragement, he commenced in a small way to manufacture by setting a common iron kettle over a fire, filling the kettle with fish, and with a strong cover under a heavy beam, ‘cider- press” fashion, pressing the oil into a vat. From that time the manu- facture increased fast in this section. For about twenty years gill-nets were used exclusively for taking the fish. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 375 54. Boston. 55. Much is used by farmers in the vicinity of its manufacture, but a larger quantity is shipped to Boston, New York, and Baltimore. 56. Generally, I think, for lubricating purposes. 57. In 1873 and four previous vears, from 35 to 46 cents a gallon. In 1862, $1.40 a gallon. 58. It is certain that they have diminished on this coast. 2. Statement of J. C. Condon, Belfast, Me. Communicated by Marshall Davis, deputy collector, Belfast, Me. Your circular, addressed to this office, making inquiries relative to a species of fish found here and called by us pogy, was duly received, and I have the honor to return to you the following answers to your ques- tions, the most of which I will here state were obtained from Mr. J. C. Condon, of this place, who for some years has been engaged to some extent in catching the fish and manufacturing the pogy oil. . Your first question Lhave:already answered. We call them pogy. . The fish are quite abundant here. . Their numbers have diminished. . Two thousand barrels of fish in this (Castine) district. . It does not appear to, here. 6. The first of June are first seen; most abundant the last of June and into July; come in schools. The second school usually comes ten days later than the first, and the fish are larger, the first being the younger fish. 7. They swim near the surface and make a ripple on the water. 8. They follow the coast from the south. 9. They come every year, but some years later than others. 10. Much fishing with nets would frighten them farther from the shore. 11. Will school out with the ebb, and in with flood. 12. Inside schools come up into the bays near the shore and outside schools play from Portland to Mount Desert. Inside schools are younger and smaller fish. 13. The depth of water makes no difference, as they swim near the surface. 14. They seek warmer water in fall and winter. 15. They breed south and do not reach here until two or three years old. 16. No fish are found here younger than two or three years. 17. They leave in Ogtober and November in a body. 18. Follow the coast southerly. 19, On the southern coast. Ct fm GC bo 376 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 20. The most that is found in them that seems to be their food, is a small seedlike-looking substance called by fisherman brit. . They spawn in southern waters, it is supposed. . They go in schools, and not in pairs. . We cannot answer that here. . We presume warmer than the water here. . In shallow water it is supposed. 31. A sort of spider is found on the back of the fish, near the fin, the spider having a tail that looks like moss. 32. Whales live on them and sharks and bluefish devour them. 33. Never have known anything like disease appear among them. 34. They are caught with seines and nets. 35. The seines are 150 fathoms long and 20 fathoms deep. Nets 20 fathoms long and 4 deep. 36. The vessels used in taking them are sail-vessels of 50 tons burden, and small steamboats of 100 tons. 37. Ten men are wanted for one vessel, and one seine. 38. They fish all day. 39. They are taken equally well on flood or ebb tide. 40. The wind has no perceivable effect upon them. 41. There are, in this district, about 25 vessels, with 5 men to each. 42, The fish are caught here for oil and mackerel bait. 43. There are two small oil-factories here, one owned by J. C. Condon (of whom I get this information) and one by J. C. Mayo. 44, Condon makes 50 barrels and Mayo 25 per year. 45 and 46. Their factories could produce much more. 47. Sixty cents per barrel of 200 pounds of fish. 48. One barrel fish will make (ordinarily) three gallons of oil. 49, One ton of scrap will make 30 gallons oil. 50. The first fish that come in the spring will produce but one gallon oil to a barrel of fish. 51. In October a barrel of fish will produce from 4 to 5 gallons oil. 52. The northern fish yield four times as much oil as southern. 53. About twenty years ago, a woman living at Buck’s Harbor, in Brooksville, was frying some of the fish to eat, and observing how very full of oil they were, suggested to her husband that it would pay to try them out for the oil, and he having an eye to interest, tried the experi- ment, by using their washboiler to try them and their tub for a press. In this way they made one barrel of oil, carried it to Boston and sold it to a Mr. Eben Philips, an old oil-dealer, who at once saw money in the enterprise, and so furnished these people with nets, kettles, and a press for their next year’s business, the product of which was eight barrels of oil. After that, others seeing their prosperity, went into the business, which from that has grown to its present amount. 54, The oil is marketed mostly in Boston. _— bo rad bo bo bh bo bo = op Ot aac & AS GS we HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 377 . The scrap is mostly sold here to farmers for dressing their land. . The oil is mostly used for currier purposes in dressing leather. . The oil has sold at prices varying from 40 to 50 cents per gallon. . We presume it does somewhat. 3. Statement of R. A. Friend, Brooklin, Me. LPopy. 2. Greatly in excess. ; 3. Apparently as plenty as in past years. 4. About 14,000 in 1873; 23,000 in 1874. 5. It does not. 6. Main body arrives from first to middle of June; usually three runs. £7; . High; ripple on water; attract birds. . By south channel. . Regular and certain. . It does not. . They go with the tide. . In large bays. No special depth ; unknown. . It does. . Never. From the middle of September to the middle of October; by degrees. 18. 19. 20. 21, dl. o2. 33. 3d, 30. Following the coast. South. J should think vegetable nature. Mostly south of Cape Cod. Frequently have jiggers attached. To a great extent. Not here. Seines and mash-nets. Seines 8,000 meshes long, 650 deep ; gill-nets 5 to 5 fathoms deep, 20 fathoms long. 30. of. 38. 39. 40, Al, 42, 45. Small schooners and steamers, with luggers; from 5 to 100 tons, Seine, 12 men; gill-nets, 3 to 5. Seines, all times of day ; nets, morning and evening. Most on ebb-tide. It seems to. Five ; fifty-five. Manufactured for oil and scrap; sent away to factories. Robert A. Friend, P. Kane, Harriman Point Company, Job T. Wilson & Co. 44, Averaged 14,000 gallons the past two years. 378 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 45. R. A. Friend 50,000 gallons; Job T. Wilson 50,000 gallons; P. Kane 15,000 gallons; Harriman Point Company 20,000 gallons. 46. Job T. Wilson, steam; R. A. French, steam and pot works; others, pot-works. 47. Sixty-five cents (1873). 50. Two quarts; in June. 51. Four gallons; last of August. 53. First made by William Romer; oil taken from pots where fish were cooked for fowls. 54. Boston. 5. Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. 6. Painting and ecurrying. Forty-five cents; from 30 cents to $1.27. 8. It is not. 4, Statement of John Grant, Matinicus Light Station, Matinicus Rock, Maine, March 31, 1874. . Menhaden or pogy. . More abundant than any fish except herring. . Diminished. . No regular establishment or factory is run in this vicinity. I think it does. 6. About the 1st of June. The larger body come about the middle or last of June. The last schools are the largest and fattest. There are commonly several schools at irregular intervals. 7. They swim high, making a ripple, and frequently showing their fins and attracting sea-gulls and other birds in great numbers. 8. They come from the south, and when driven into bays and rivers by large fish they inhabit one locality for several weeks at a time. 9. Regular. 10. Yes. 12. Between Seguin and Matinicus Rock and the bays and mouths of rivers between these points. 13. Usually on or near the surface of the water, but sometimes at the depth of 20 or 30 fathoms. 15. Yes. 16. No very young ones. 17. About the middle of October, in a body. 18. By the same, as they came rather working westward. 19. South of Cape Hatteras, near the Gulf Stream. 20. Some floating substance on or near the surface of the water. 21. Probably near the edge of the stream, south of Hatteras, during the winter season. 28. I have found them in Hampton Roads in early spring, when they were not more than two inches. > OU H GO bo HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 379 29. No. 31., No. 32. Considerably. The whale, I think, is their greatest enemy. Ris- ing beneath the schools, as they play upon the water, with extended jaws, he forces himself up through them with such speed as to project his body half out of water, closing his jaws over large quantities of fish as he falls heavily back. 33. No. 34. Seines from 150 to 300 fathoms in length and 20 fathoms in depth, and nets about 30 fathoms in length and from 2 to 5 fathoms in depth. 35. Answered above. 36. Small schooners. Recently fifteen to twenty small steamers have been employed, the tonnage of which amounts to 1,500 tons. 37. About 500 men. 38. The fish are taken by some fishermen with set nets whenever they come to the surface. 39. No. 40. They “school” or come to the surface best in moderate winds and calms. 41. No vessels are fitted out for this business in this immediate vicinity, but large quantities of fish are taken between this station and Monhegan by vessels from other parts of the coast. 48, About 250. 50. One and a half gallons, when the first fish appear on the coast. 51. Three gallons. About the 1st of October. 52. Yes. 53, Can give no definite history. 54. Boston and Portland. 56. Painting and tanning. 58. Undoubtedly. © —_——— 5. Statement of Benjamin F. Brightman, Waldoborough, Me., March 18, 1874. i Potty. 2. The most abundant, to all appearances, as we see these and do not see the other kinds. 3. About the same, I think. 4, There were taken in the mine about 350,000 barrels by all the fac- tories, viz: Bristol, Bremen, Joseph Church & Co., Round Pond, Loud’s Island, L. Brightman & Sons, Judson Tarr & Co., Union, Wells Deblois & Brown, Kenniston, Cobb & Co., Gallup & Manchester, Gallup & Holmes, J. G. Nickerson, L. Maddocks, factories the present year, and about the same in previous years. 5. See no difference. 6. About the 1st of June the first fish make their appearance, usually scattering ; commence taking in-seines about the 15th. They are poor 380 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. then, and rather smaller than the fish caught in August and September, when we go off shore from 5 to 50 miles and get larger and fatter fish. We commence about the 15th of June, and fish until the 15th of October. 7. High and low both. When they are up and we can see them we get them, and when down we cannot fish, so that some days there will be good fishing and others none at all. On the seine-ground, cannot tell how deep they swim when they are down. We usually catch them here by seeing them play. Sometimes they ripple the water. 8. From southeast to the southwest, and generally lay along the coast; they are seen from Cape Sable to Cape Ann, off and on shore - around Cape Cod, in the season of them—that is, an outside fish and an inside fish. Fish in the bays and rivers are called inside, and onthe ocean called outside. In Maine, the fishing is done outside nearly alto- gether. 9. About the same for the last ten years. The fish go where the feed is. 10. See no difference. 11. Has no effect here. 12. Usually deep water. 13. We fish in deep and shoal water. Do not know how deep they swim. 14. In a sunshiny day we see them most. 15. Never saw any fish here that looked as though they came here to breed; there is some difference in the size, but could not define their age. The smaller fish go into the rivers. 16. Never saw a young fish north of Cape Cod, or old fish that looked like spawning. . 17. The fish start to go west from here about the middle of September, and go by degrees up to the last of October. 18. They seem to run along the coast southwesterly. 20. It is asubstance in the water which is sometimes seen; I never examined it particularly. Something like a seed or a very small lobster, or rather has this appearance; it is about one-fourth of an inch long; do not see as much of that here as in Narragansett Bay. 21. From the south side of Cape Cod to the Albemarle Sound, in all the inland waters and rivers, mostly in the southern waters, com- mencing south about the 1st of March and in Narragansett Bay in May. 22. Think the spawning fish leave the main body and scatter about in pairs or small schools and in shoal water. 23. Never saw the operation, but have noticed in the smoother waters in the night that the fish came close in to the shore in shoal water, and the supposition was that they were spawning. I have seen a hauling- seine haul on shore the spawns all ready to hatch. 24, The water is rather cold in the spawning season; HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 381 25. Any depth, but usually in shoal water, on the bottom. 26. Lay on the bottom. 27. In about six weeks after being laid. 28. They are in great abundance; saw more young fish in Narragan- sett Bay last season than ever before, but their usual spawning-grounds are south as far as Cape Lookout, mostly about the Potomac and Dela- ware Bay and joining shores. 29. Never saw the spawn running from the fish. We never catch them with the purse-seine for the reason that they leave the body of fish and seatter about. The spawning fish are among the first to arrive. 30. Do not know as I ever saw menhaden spawn in any other fish. The parent fish do not devour them. 31. Have seen a small crab in the fish, just under the scales, with an appendage about an inch long; never saw anything in or around the mouth. 32. They suffer to a great extent from bluefish, horse-mackerel, por- poise, sharks, whales, dog-fish, &e. 53. Never saw any diseases about them. 34. There are a great many caught in gill-nets in the first part of the season, but not so many here as formerly. The netsare made of fine cotton twine, about 4 inches mesh, and all set or anchored; the fish run into them and put their heads through the mesh. They are about 20 fathoms ‘long and 12 feet deep. 05. The purse-seines here are made from 200 to 225 fathoms long and 100 feet deep in the middle and 70 at the ends made of fine cotton twine. 36. A small schooner of about 30 tons, with two or three open boats carrying about 200 barrels each, two men in each boat. The crew live on board the tender and lay on the fishing-grounds and the boats carry the fish to the works. The most of the fish here are caught in steamers of about 60 tons, from 50 to 50 horse-power. The steamers work better than sail gangs, on account of running in calm weather; there are 17 in the eastern fleet; they carry from 500 to 1,200 barrels each. ov. From 10 to 12.men to each gang. 38. Usually in the morning, from daylight to ten o’clock, or just at night. In calm weather all day. 39. Rather better on the rising tide. 40. We cannot keep run of the fish as well when the wind blows. 41. Fifty-four gangs, of from 10 to 12 men each. This comprises the section between the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers. There is nothing done in Maine outside of this section except one or two gangs in Blue Hill Bay, and the next fishing-grounds are at Narragansett Bay, west, and around Long Island. 42. Carried to the factories in this vicinity. 43. The most are stock companies, but some are owned by individuals. This question is answered in question 4. 382 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ~ 44, From 25,000 to 225,000 gallons, according to capacity. There isa great difference in the capacity ; three factories here made one-quarter ef the oil and one-sixth of the scrap made in the whole country. 45, From 40,000 to 500,000 gallons, if they could get fish and they were fat enough. 46, The cost of factories, including machinery, varies from $10,000 to $70,000, not including fish-gear and gangs. 47. Sixty-five cents were paid the last two years, but they have been as high as $1 when oil was higher. 48. Our eastern fish average about 23 gallons to the barrel. 49. From 30 to 40 barrels. 50. Our first fish make about three quarts to the barrel; only a few of these caught. 51. Four gallons in August and September, when we go to sea after | the fish. . 52. The average is greater north, although the fattest fish caught last year, Southold Bay, Long Island, 7 gallons to the barrel. 53. The factories in Maine were built ten years ago. Since then there have been some twenty built; there are fourteen in operation now, or will be in the season of fishing. 54. Boston and New York. 55. The manufacturers of superphosphate use principal part of it, although the farmers use it as it comes from the factory; it is too strong of ammonia to use raw, varying from 7 to 12 per cent. 56. Mostly used for tanners’ oil. 57. Forty to sixty cents per gallon. Have known it to be sold for $1.35 per gallon. 58. Do not see any variation for the last ten years. 6. Statement of L. Maddocks, Booth Bay, Me., December 25, 1877. The names and tonnage of my steamers are as follows: Steamer Mabel Bird, 80 tons; steamer M. M. Fish, 80 tons; steamer Grace Dar- ling, 75 tons; steamer Phebe, 70 tons; steamer S. L. Goodale, 70 tons; steamer H. M. Price, 20 tons. 7. Statement of G. B. Kenniston, Booth Bay, Me., February 14, 1874. 1. Known about equally as pogy and menhaden. 2. It is found in numbers almost incomparably greater than any other. 5. Increased. 4. In this town (Booth Bay), in 1873, were taken 152,000 barrels, as follows: Kenniston, Cobb & Co., 17,000; Gallup and Holmes, 17,000; HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN., 383 Gallup and Manchester, 25,000; Suffolk Oil Works, 45,000; Atlantic Oil Works, 45,000. In 1872 the aggregate reached about 110,000 barrels. In 1871, with six factories instead of five, were taken about 95,000 barrels. In 1870 less than 75,000 barrels were taken, while in 1866, the first year of work here, not more than 35,000 barrels were taken. The great difference in these results may be ascribed to three causes: (1.) The fishermen have acquired skill in the business. (2.) Much better apparatus for the capture of these fish is now in use. (5,) The fish are more abundant than formerly. 5. Not perceptibly. 6. First seen about May 20 in oceasional schools. Main body arrives about June 20, which, passing eastward, is followed by others contin- ually for about thirty days lenger. There is considerable difference in the size of fish caught. At times, mixed sizes are taken at the same set; usually, these arriving at different periods of time, differ in size. Larger may come sooner or later. Nothing certain is known as regards this. 7. Probably near the surface. Their arrival is known only by their “play,” i. e., flipping, or striking the water with their tails. 8. After rounding Cape Cod, some touch the coast in the vicinity of Gloucester, Mass., but the larger portion, by far, it appears, keep off shore, and near it anywhere from Cape Elizabeth to Monhegan. Tbe main body of these fish continue to pass toward the east till about the 20th of July, when that impetus seems to be checked, and for thirty or forty days their movements are seemingly local. Then they begin their return to the west, and continue to repass, until in October the last bodies are urgent in the westward course. 9. Very regular. Never fail to come. 10. Yes. They are farther off shore, but not, it is believed, from their feeding-ground. 11. No relation discoverable. 12, In this vicinity, from five to thirty miles from land. 13. Depth not material. 14, No. Temperature of air does. They will not “ show” or come to the surface when cold north or east winds prevail. 15. No. 16. No. 17. In September and October, as described in No. 8. 18. By the same as that by which they arrive; described in No. 8. 19, About the Bahama Banks and Florida Keys. 20. Animalcule. 21. Where they pass the winter (No. 19) in January and February. 22. The writer has reason to believe them to be indiscriminately mixed. 23. Yes. 24, Am unable to give the temperature of Bahama waters. 384 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 28. Yes. About the sounds of Carolina and Chesapeake Bay. 29. Never in Maine. It will appear in late southern fishing, Novem- ber and December. 30. Am unable to say. Parent fish does not devour them. 51. Worms occasionally found in the head. 32. Immensely. 33. Never. 34, Seines. 35. Length, 500 yards; depth, 60 yards. 36. Steamers, schooners, and sloops varying from 20 to 70 tons, new measurement. 37. Ten usually make a crew. 38. While they can see. From daylight till dark. 39. No. 40, Prevents their capture by “raising a sea.” Cold winds cause them not to “ show.” 41. In Booth Bay, 21 crews, 210 men. 42, Sent at once to the works to which the catching crew belong Hach gang fishes for the factory which provides the apparatus for fish ing. 43. They number six: ; INO; . Very much. SeNOs . Mostly purse-nets. . From 100 to 150 fathoms long, and 11 to 18 deep. . Sloops, mostly averaging 20 tons. . From 8 to 12. . The greater part. . I have never noticed any difference. . Not much, but they generally work to windward. . About 156 vessels; an average of 10 men each. . They are used for the oil. . Luce Brothers. . In 1873, from $2 to $2.50 per thousand. In previous years from $1.25 to $2. 30, 56. 58. . Eight gallons to the thousand. It is least in summer, and most in the fall. Used for painting. No. 42. Statement of R. E. Ingham, Saybrook Light-House, Saybrook, Conn., Ae im De a March 17, 1874. Whitefish and bony-fish. More abundant. No. 28 F 434 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 5. No. 6. First seen in May. Main body arrives in June. First are scatter- ing, and generally largest. There are more runs than one; intervals ‘mot regular. 7. Schools swim high, and are always seen. They attract fish-hawks. 9. Their appearance is regular and certain. 10. No. 11. They seem to have no regard to state of tide. 12. In this neighborhood the whole of Long Island Sound and the mouth of Connecticut River, for several miles up. 13. From three inches upward, indefinitely. 14. They are never seen here when the water is cold. 16. Yes, in August. Three to five inches long. 17. In October, mostly in a body. 21), Doubtful; said to be infusoria. 23. No. 23. Yes; in the creeks ard coves about the mouth of Connecticut River. 29. No. 30, Enemies not known. Parent fish do not devour them. 31. No. 32. A great extent. 33. No. 34, Purse-nets and pound-nets (pens) and hauling-seines. 35. Purse-nets 100 fathoms and upward long, and 6 to 10 fathoms deep. Pound-nets 100 rods (more or less) long, and as deep as the wa- ter where they are used. Seines 60 rods. 36. With purse-nets. Sloops of from 12 to 20 tons. Pound-nets and eines, boats of 2 to 5 tons. 37. Purse-nets and seines, 8 to 10; pound-nets, 3. 35. Any part, as occasion requires. 39. No. 40. No. 41. Between Connecticut River and New Haven, probably 25 vessels and 200 men. 2. Sold for manure, or manufactured into oil and scrap (fish guano). Those for manure are used on the spot; those to be manufactured are sold to neighboring factories. 43. One at Salt Island, Westbrook, owned by John Stokes and others. 47. One dollar and twenty-five cents to $2 per 1,000 fish; not sold by barrel. 48. One and one-half to 8 gallons to every 1,000 fish, according to size and condition of fish. 54, New York City. 5. Everywhere. It is like wheat flour or greenbacks. 6. Tanning leather and adulterating more expensive oils. 38. No. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 435 43, Statement of J. L. Stokes, Westbrook, Conn., February 25, 1875, 1. Whitefish. 2. Most numerous. 4. Salt Island Oil Company, 6,400 barrels 6. About the middle of May. 7. Swim low at first. 8. Around Montauk Point. 9. Quite regular and certain, though more plenty some years others. 11. Come in on the flood tide and go out on ebb tide. 12. Bays and rivers. 13. About 15 feet. Swim all depths. 15. Mature in one year. 16. Young fish are seen in October, about 6 inches long, 17. Leave in November in continuous schools. 18. Around Montauk, bound south. 19. In a southern climate. 20. Live on suction; we always find mud inside. 21. In large bays oa sounds. 28. Yes; they are some seasons abundant. 30. Eels ; parent fish cannot swallow them. than 31. A living species is sometimes found on poor fish, near the gills, and are called by fishermen lousy. 32. Bluefish destroy more than all other fish. Sharks and porpoises scatter and break the schools. 35. From 15 to 75 feet deep and from 40 to 100 rods long, 6. Sloop, steamers, and lighters. 7. Twelve men to a gang. 8. All times of the day. 40. They drift to the leeward in hard winds. 41, Five vessels; thirty men. 42. Used by farmers and on the spot for oil. 43. Salt Island Oil Company; J. L. Stokes, manager. 46. A hydraulic press costs $1,000 cash. — 47, Thirty-seven cents per barrel in 1873. 48. Teur gallons to 1,000 fish. 49, Nine thousand fish make one ton of scrap. 50. They yield double. 54. New York and Boston. 55. At patent manure manufactures. 56. Used by tanners and rope-makers. 57. Fifty cents per gallon. 44, Statement of F. Lillingston, Stratford, Conn. 1. Whitefish, generally. 2, One thousand to one. . 436 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND IISHERIES. 3. General catch same. Growing scarce on shore previous to, but abundant in 1874. 4. Abort 5,000 barrels each year. 5. Not appreciably, according to old fishermen. 6. Seen near shore May 20. First largest, August. 7. High. Attract no birds. 8. From the east. During July and August, they came at the first flood, west-northwest to Stratford point; then south-southwest toward Long Island, and returned on ebb tide. 9. Come every year, but do not always strike on shore. 10. No: 11. Old fishermen say none in deep water. My experience is, they always follow the tide. 12. Near fresh water. 14. Yes. Swim high in warm weather. 15. Yes. Sometimes along shore; not usually in deep water. 16. Yes. Three to six inches long. 17. Last of October. At+once. 18. South. ° 21. L have often seen, in a set-net holding 10,000, a roll of spawn 3 feet in circumference, lying on, but not attacked to bottom of net; this was in June and July. 26. Sink. No. No. 28. Mouths of rivers. 59. Porpoises, sharks, and bluefish. 33. Many of those we caught on shore had a reddish blotched ap- pearance ; sometimes thousands found dead on shore appearing similar. Uthers were eaten as if by cancer. . Greatest catch is by purse-nets. . Ten each. . All day. NO; 40. Yes. 41. Thirty. Three hundred men. 42, Make oil. 3. Geo. W. Miles Company, Welche’s Point Company. 44. One thousand to 2,000 barrels. 46. Steam boilers and tanks. 47. Fish sold by 1,000, @ $1.50 to $2 per 1,000. 48. Fifty to 100. Much more oily sometimes than others. 49. Twenty to 50 gallons. bo. Ves: 54, New York, Boston, and New Bedford. 55. Principal part goes south. 56. Tanning. 57. Thirty-five cents to $1.25. 58. No; not appreciably. CHS OS Qo ey, ma) j=) HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, 437 45, Statement of B. Lillingston, Stratford, Conn., February 23, 1874. — . Whitefish, bunker, and manhaden. 2; Surpass in numbers all others. 3. Diminished very considerably. 5. Very much. 6. Generally about the lst of May first seen. . Swim on surface ; do not attract birds. 8. From east, going west. 9. Found here every season, but in equal abundance. 10. Undoubtedly. 11. Generally follow the tide. 14, Probably, as they are not found here in winter. 16. Immense numbers of young, 2 to 3 inches, long are found in this river (Housatonic) during the fall. 21, in Ancust and September immense numbers strike ou and follow up the river; those are invariably poor when so caught. In October the young appear in the river. 28. In and at the mouth of the Housatonic. 30. Bass and bluefish. od. Large numbers are sometimes washed ashore along this coast in September and October. 34, Pounds, purse-nets, &e. 36. Vessels of light tonnage. o8. Whole day. 39. Flood tide. 40. Does not. 42, Caught for oil; refuse sold for fertilizers. 43. One in Milford Harbor, Miles & Co. 58. Very materially, in this locality. 46, Statement of George W. Miles, Mitford, Conn., January 17, 1874. 1. Whitefish and menhaden. 2. There are no fish to be compared to them in abundance; they are innumerable. 3. Have not diminished, so far asa person can judge, but have rather increased. “We count by the thousand; it takes 34 barrels for one thousand. 4, 1873, 12,000,000; 1872, 10,000,000; 1871, 8,000,000; 1870, 8,000,000. 5. No, it is not. 6. April and May. Main body arrives in Long Island Sound during June and July. Sometimes the first fish are the largest; have known small fish to come in as late as August. The schools or runs appear to come at intervals of from two to three weeks. 7. The fish swim both high and low, and can only be captured to any 438 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. extent when seen on the surface of the water; they can be seen for miles in every direction lying on or near the surface, and are discovered by the ripple on the water; also by birds, sea-gulls being attracted by them. 8. We first hear of them along the sea-coast of New Jersey and Long Island; they come into the sound by way of Montauk. The early fish follow along the Connecticut shores and up the rivers, but later in the season, when the waters are warm, they are found off shore in deep water. Occasionally they work in shore and up the rivers. 9. Their appearance is regular and certain; have never known them to fail. 10. No; but they are more difficult to capture. 11. Not noticeable. 12. Long Island Sound, during the summer months, appears to be one of their favorite localities. 13. Early in the season they prefer shoal water, and they swim low, but during the summer and fall they prefer deep water and swim high. 14, In warm weather they appear to be in thin schools and are seat- tered more on the surface. 15. Yes. The one and two year old fish are often found with the oldest. 16. The young fish are seen during the months of August and Septem- ber, from 3 to 4 inches in length. 17. They begin to leave the sound about the 1st of September, and leave by degrees in large bodies. They are all gone by the 1st or 15th of October. 18. Same route as they come by. 19. South or near the Gulf stream. 20. Scum, or minute insect, on the surface. 21. Along the shores and rivers in May and June. 22. Sexes are mixed indiscriminately. 26. They sink to the bottom. 28. The young are found in great abundance all along the shores of the sound, ‘and more particularly in the vicinity of the oil factories,” in large schools. I have seen hundreds of schools at a time, containing millions in a body. In fact, the expert fishermen sometimes mistake them for large fish, and make preparations to set their net before they find their mistake. 29. Seldom, if ever; occasionally we see fish that have spawns in them; it shows after being cooked; the very large ocean fish that never come into the sound but come in from sea and are captured east of New London at Montauk, south side of Long Island, Sandy Hook, and the Jersey coast; from these more particularly the spawn is found to run. 31. Oceasionally lampreys. We sometimes notice red lice late in the fall on the large fish that come in from sea. 32. Sharks are their greatest enemy; these and porpoises prey upon them continually and destroy large numbers of them. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 439 33. Never have seen any that have died from sickness or disease. 34. The nets are made of cotton twine, and purse up at the bottom. 3). Nets are from 120 to 140 fathoms long, and from 10 to 15 fathoms deep, according to the depth of water where they are used. 36. Fast sailing sloops and sloop-yachts, of from 20 to 25 tons bur- den, for the men who find and capture the fish, and sloops (lighters) of from 15 to 30 tons burden to carry the fish away. On the coast of Maine steamers are used in place of the yachts and lighters. 37. Eleven men and two boys to each net. The boys assist on the ligbters. 38. All day, from daylight to dark. 39. The tide makes no difference with them. 40. Sometimes it does; usually they are moving to the windward when on the surface. 41. We have 12 sloops, and 50 men employed on them; also from 15 to 25 men employed in each factory. If the fish come in plentifally, we increase our working forces. 42. The fish are taken directly after being caught to the factory, and placed immediately in large tanks, and boiled by steam until thoroughly cooked and the flesh will separate from the bones when taken out of the water. Some are made into sardines, which are pronounced the best in the market. 43. The George W. Miles Company have the two largest factories ; these are in Connecticut or New York State. One is a floating factory, and is moved to the locality where the fish are most plentiful: the Welche’s Point Oil Company, with one net and three sloops; Fowler and Colburn, of Guilford, two nets and 6 sloops. 44. The largest quantity of oil we ever made at one factory in any. one year was in 1871; we then made 100,000 gallons in about 50. work- ing days. ‘fhe largest quantity in the shortest time was 21,000 gallons of oil in 72 hours, or 7,000 gallons per day of 24 hours. This unusual quantity of oil was owing to the fatness of the fish. We made in 1872 60,000 gallons of oil; in 1873, 105,000 gallons at the two factories, one factory not being in operation the whole season on account of the delay caused by lawsuits brought by some malicious and designing persons for purposes of gain. A part of the season was thus lost, and the quan- tity of oil was less than what it should be. 45. The capacity for oil is limited by the facilities for capturing the fish; the pets and vessels engaged must be the best, and the men with large experience are required to make the business successful. 46. Boilers cost from $2,000 to $4,000; two hydraulic presses, with curbs and fixtures, cost $2,000 each; engines, pumps, shafting, pulleys, &e., range from $10,000 to $50,000. 47. In 1873 the price for fish ranged from $1 to $2.50 per thousand, according to the yield of oil. 48. We have worked fish when they would not make over one gajlon 440 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. per thousand and from that all the way to 18 gallons. The average yield is from 4 to 6 gallons per thousand. Some seasons the fish are so poor we can barely pay expenses. We then are obliged to pay low prices for fish—say from $1.25 to $1.50 per thousand. The fishermen at those prices cannot make day wages unless the fish are very plenty. The consequence is, when the fish are scarce the men leave the business, and the vessels have to lay up until other men can be found. ' This is one great drawback to the business, and many factories have been obliged to give up the business on account of it. 49, This all depends on the quality of the fish, whether fat or poor, and will vary from 10 to 150 gallons, and in some rare cases as high as 250 gallons to one ton. 00. This all depends on the quality of the fish. Some days a net will take fish that will make 15 gallons, and perhaps the next haul the fish taken might rot make 5 gallons; but these extremes are rare, except late in the fall, when the fish are moving south and come together from different localities; then we are as liable to get poor fish as fat ones. 51. In this vicinity, during July, August, and September, we get the fish only that come into the sound for their feeding-ground, and which fat after they get here. If they are poor, we have the largest catch in June and July. If they are increasing in fatness or yield of oil, we can- not capture them sucessfully until August and September. The fat fish in the sound are usually wild and hard to take until late; this may be owing somewhat to the fact that the feed is plentiful and low in the water. When we have an unusual dry season, so very dry that cress are almost a failure, then we are pretty sure of fat fish and an unusual quantity of jelly-fish floating on the water, which perhaps may be one source of supply of feed. On the other hand, in very wet seasons we find them below the average in yield of oil. 52. The northern fish always yield more than the southern. The fish appear here and fartber north nine seasons out of ten ‘spring poor,” as the farmer terms his cattle that have been exposed ‘to the inclement weather and fed on coarse fodder; but after they get here, if their feed is plenty, they fatten very fast. This can be proved by the past season. During the months of May and June one million of fish would make only eight hundred gallons of oil; in August, the yield was from eight to ten gallops per thousand, and in September ten to twelve gallons per thousand. 54. The market for oil is principally in New York and Boston. The dealers in those cities have a very extensive trade all over this country, and large quantities are shipped to Europe. 55. The scrap is used very extensively in a raw state by the farmers and tobacco-growers of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Long Island, and New York State. It is a standard manure and fertilizer when used judiciously by those who understand how to use it. The principal market is with the superphosphate manufacturers. When HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 44] manufactured it is in a much better condition for use, and can be applied more evenly to the land and in much smaller quantities to the crops without danger of burning. This is the greatest source of supply this country affords for a manure rich in ammonia, and it is worth more to this country than the islands that furnish us with Peruvian guano. In the season of 1873 tbere were landed in the cities of Charleston, 5. C., and Savannah, Ga., alone 85,000 tons of superphosphate, nearly all of it having fish-scrap as its base. 56. The oil is used mostly by,tanners and curriers; it is also used for outside painting. 57. Prices ranged in 1873 from 60 cents in April to 40 cents in Anu- gust; then to 46 and 48 cents in September; then the panic burst upon the country and brought business to a stand-still. Prices for a few past years have ranged from 45 to 60 cents. 58. It is not possible nor in the power of man, with all the modern improvements at his command, to materially diminish their numbers. On the shores of Connecticut 88,200,000 fish, producing $,820 tons of scrap, valued at $16 per ton in bulk at the factory, were caught, and 309,900 gallons of oil were made, bringing 45 cents per gallon. On the shores of Long Island 82,700,000 fish, producing 8,270 tons serap, at $16 per ton, were caught, and 291,200 gallons of oil were made, bringing 45 cents per gallon. The above is a correct statement, as near as possible, of all the fish caught on the shores of Connecticut and Long Island during the sea- son of 1872. Comparison with the previous year shows a decrease in the catch of fish of some 70,000,000, which would make, at the average yield of oil this vear, 245,000 gallons, and about 7,000 tons of scrap. ~The decrease in the catch is readily explained: there were some six or eight manufacturers less than in 1871, some having stopped business on account of threats of lawsuits by malicious persons, who attempted to break up every honorable and profitable business. Notwithstanding the decrease in catch of fish there were more seen in the waters, and those who persisted in catching from the beginning to the end of the season caught more than they did the previous year; in fact, fish were never more plentiful. It would seem, from the great quantity caught from year to year, that whitefish would soon be ex- tinct; but it is a surprising fact that for the past few years they have been steadily inereasing in numbers. 47. Statement of W. S. Havens, Collector of Customs, Sag Harbor, N. Y., January 1, 1875. . Menhaden. . More than all other kinds together. . No apparent change. . Not perceptibly. to = Gu 442 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISE AND FISHERIES. 6. April; come in schools; largest in the fall. 7. Generally near the surface. 8. Come and go, south. 9. Some years they are a partial failure, but I do not know the cause. 10. Yes. 11. None perceptible. 12. In this district; Gardiner’s Bay. 3. Swim near the surface. 14. Yes, they leave soon after cold weather. 15, Generally find them of the same size. 17. Leave in a body. 18. For the south. 20. On a mossy substance called bunker-feed. 21. In creeks, inlets, and rivers. 22. All go together. 23. Not discovered. 24, Moderately warm. 25. Various depths. 26. Think they settle to the bottom. 28. Rarely seen at all. 29. Believe not. 30. Sharks and bluefish devour them. 31. They are not found there. 32. To a great extent. 34, Purse-nets. 35. Length, 150 fathoms; depth, 100 feet. 36. Sloops, and schooners of from 15 to 20 tons burden. 37. Nine men. 38. About three-fourths of the day. 39. No. 40. East winds break them up. 41. Sixty vessels and 540 men. 42. Used near by. : 43, About 20. Wells, Parsons, Vail, Tutbill, and others. 44, Five hundred barrels to each factory. 45. From 1,000 to 1,500 barrels. 46. Steam and try-pots; from $5,000 to $10,000. 7. Say 30 cents. 48. 200 fish. 49. Some more, and some less. One quart. Four gallons to one barrel, . Say twenty years. . New York. . Southern States. . Painting and adulterating. wre © rs 1 orc or Oe ao Ct cr [=r] HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 443 57. Fifty cents to $1. 58. No; if it does we do not notice it. 48. Statement of J. Morrison Raynor, Agent for Sterling Company, Green- port, December 20, 1877. The number of gears and sail employed by us the past season was three, consisting of three yachts, six lighters or ecarry-away boats. The Swan, 24.64 tons; the Mary H. Sisson, 20.95 tons ; the Dauntless, 19.70 tons ; Titus, Bunker City, 8.64 tons; Rough and Ready, 10.24 tons; sloop Sarah, 10.39 tons; sloop Kate Romer, 9.835 tons; sloop Friendly, 13.37 tons; sloop John Marcy, 12.50 tons. Each gang consists of 8 men, 2 boys, 1 cook—making 9 men and 2 boys; total, 27 men and 8 boys. The men fish for a share and not for wages, except cook and boys hired by them. Use purse-seines; are about 125 to 150 fathoms long, 80 to 100 feet deep. The number of fish taken by them was 14,449,000. 49, Statement of Hawkins Brothers, Jamesport, N. Y., February 25, 1875. . Mossbunker or menhaden. . Much more numerous. . Cannot perceive any difference. Cannot perceive that it does. . About the 1st of May, on the coast of Long Island. The first are usually the largest. The schools come in at intervals from the Ist of May to the last of August. 7. They swim both high and low, but usually the former, and make a ripple on the water, attracting fish-hawks only. 8. Come from the south, following the coast and stopping in the bays and sounds. 9. They are not regular but are certain, and are more plentiful in some localities and at some seasons than others. 10. From experience we think not. 11. Think they move toward the shore more on the flood than on the ebb tide. 12. In bays, sounds, and their entrances. 13. In all depths on the coast and in the bays. 14. It does. 15. Think not; we find no small fish in the spring of the year. I believe these fish get their growth in one year. 16. Yes; from July to November, from one to six inches long. 17. Commence to leave in October by degrees. 18. Following the coast south. 21. In heads of bays in the spring: Cob ra 444° kREPOKT OF CUMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 28. In great abundance in the beads of bays when first spawned, gradually dropping out into deeper water cs they attain size. 29. J think not. 30. Don’t know of any; think not. 31. Nothing but an insect, which the fishermen call lice, is occasion- ally found on the outside of fish, eating into the body. 32. To a very great extent, especialiy bluefish. 33. Never have known any. o4. Set-nets, pounds, haul-nets, and purse-nets. 30. Haul-nets are from $ to 1 mile long, depth according to depth of water where the fishing is done; purse- ee are from 600 to 1,000 ae long, and from 70 to 90 feet deep. 36. For purse-nets, sloops, schooners, and steamers, of from 10 to 50 tons burden. 37. ‘To man a purse-net, 11 men. 38. All parts. 39. Think more on the flood tide. 40. It does. 41. Number of vessels, 191; whole number of men, 715. This in- cludes purse-nets only. 42. Sometimes they are used in the raw state for manure, but are principally carried to the factories, where they are manufactured into oil and scrap. 43. On Barren Island, Jones & Co., V. Koon, Goodkind Bros., Haw- kins Bros.; on shores of Gardiner’s Bay, D. Wells & Sons, Sterling Oil Company, Horton & Co., Green & Co., Jonathan Preston & Co., Cart- wright & Co., Frank Price & Co. 44, About 25,000 gallons. 45. According to the fatness of the fish; say, 50,000 gallons. 46, Engines, boilers, steam-pumps, hydraulic power, and piping, from $15,000 to $25,000. 47, 1873, Barren Island, 50 cents; Gardiner’s Bay, 60 cents. 48. Barren Island, 4 barrel ; cece s Bay, 4 of barrel. 49, Barren Island, 57 Rallneas ; Gardiner’s Bar. 85 gallons. 50. One gallon; in midsummer. 51. Four and one-half gallons in October and November. 52. Northern fish yield most oil. 53. The manufacture of oil was commenced on the shores of Gardi- ner’s Bay about 1850, when the oil was extracted by fermentation. 54. New York, Boston, and New Bedford. 55. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. 56. Painting, tanning, rope-making, and soap-making. 57. Forty-five cents per gallon; previous years from 45 cents to $1 per gallon. 58. It does not. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 445 50. Statement of Benjamin H. Sisson, Greenport, R. 1., January 29, 1874. 1. Moss-bunkers. 2, They are most numerous. 5. No apparent difference. 4. In 1873, 50,000,000; 10,000,000 additional for shore fisheries. 5. No. 6. In March and April. On the lst of May. The first are the larg- est. There are different runs coming in, and at intervals of six weeks. 7. The first run are known by their capture; all others by sight and by birds. 8. From the south. ' 9. The fish never fail, but some years they are scarte. 10. Yes. 11. In certain localities a flood tide is considered the most favorable for a catch. 12. Shoal-water. 13. From 10 to 12 feet. 14. Yes. 15. Yes. Sometimes they are mixed. 16. Yes. From July to November. From 1 to.6 inches long. 17. From September to January. By degrees. 18. Ocean routes. 19. I hear nothing from them south of Cape Hatteras. 20. Marine animaleule, with small strong fiber. 21, There seems to be much difference of opinion about this among the fishermen; my own impression is that of the first that come in the spring, the old fish go stealthily into all the shoal and water bays, de- posit their spawn and milt, then go out again and join the general mi- gration east. These spawn hatch by the last of June or first of July, as the small fish are first seen in these localities about this time. No doubt there is another spawning time in the fall, outside, in deep water. 22. They are mixed indiscriminately. 23. Yes, in deep water. 24. Cool water. 25. Near the surface. 26. I think they float. 27. In June and July. From one month to six weeks. 28. Everywhere in abundance. 29. Not unless handled roughly. 30. Eels and bluefish. No. 31. Worms, crabs, and lampreys are found on the outside, but not within. 32. Very much. I have seen 100 moss-bunkers taken from one shark. 33. We have not noticed any in this district. 34, Purse-nets, gill-nets, seines, and pounds. 35. Purse-nets are from 900 to 1,000 teet long and 100 feetdeep = Gll- 446 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. nets are smaller; from 60 to 500 feet long, by 10 feet deep. Shore seines are from 4 to 3 of a mile long and from 20 to 30 feet deep. 36. Steamers, schooners, sloops, and cat-rigged boats, from 5 to 50 tons. 37. Nine. 38. All day. 39. This depends on the locality. 40. They often leave during high winds. 41, One hundred and five vessels and 400 men. 42. It is principaily turned to oil and guano. 43. D. D. Wells & Sons, Sterling County; Hawkins Brothers; H. Corwin & Co.; G. P. Horton & Co.; Vail & Benjamin; Benjamin Buy Payn; Green & Co.; B.C. Cartwright; Floating fish-factory “ Falcon,” of 2,500 tons, Capt. George Tuthiil; Floating fish-factory ‘‘ Ranger,” of 1,500 tons, Capt. Frank Price. 44, From 10,000 to 60,000 gallons. 45. From 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 per week. 46. Boilers and engines, costing from ten to twenty thousand dollars each. 48. Some fish will make halfa gallon per thousand ; some 22 gallons, 49, Eight thousand fish will make one ton of green scrap. 50. One gallon per thousand in the spring and fall. 51. Twenty-two gallons per thousand. In September and October. 2. Yes, 53. The moss-bunker business previous to 1850 had been carried on for a long time—certainly as far back as 1800. The seines used were very long, and were handled from the shore. They frequently caught 1,000,000 fish at a haul. These fish were used by farmers in a raw state for top-dressing. Some portion of them were buried, however, and used as a compost. In the year 1850, D. D. Wells & Son started the first factory in this vicinity, using steam for making oil and scrap. At the same time there were other parties using a few pots (whalers’ try pots), boiling the fish in water and making a very indifferent oil and serap; these, however, were not successful, and were soon abandoned. The first oil made by D. D. Wells & Son was of a very dark color, and contained much fleshy matter, which made it very offensive to the smell. It did not come into much use for some time, and for a long time the profits were small; but by persistent effort on their part, in perfecting machinery, the quality of the oil was so much improved as to come into general use for certain purposes: for painting, tanning, in the manufacture of rope, and for the adulteration of other oils; the scrap was also very much improved by drying, grinding, pulverizing, &c.; thus the business continued so prosperously that during the war the business had come to be quite remunerative. At that time, under the impulse of high prices and plenty of money, quite a number of fac- tories were put up, and for two or three years the business was some- \ HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 447 what overdone. Since that time many have gone out of the business altogether ; others have consolidated, and at the present writing there are ten establishments in operation and are doing a fair business, giving employment to a large number of people and bringing up a hardy race ot boatmen and sailors. There is about $500,000 invested in the business in this vicinity. 54. New York, Boston, and Europe. 55. The Connecticut Valley and the Southern States. 56. For painting, tanning, manufacture of rope, lubricating, aud adul- teration. 57. Thirty-two to 47 cents per gallon in 1873; 40 to 50 cents per gal- lon in previous years. 58. The general opinion is that there is no diminution. —_— 51. Statement of David G. Vail, River Head, Long Island, March 20, 1875. . Menhaden. . More abundant than any other. . Has not diminished. . Fifty millions of fish in 1873, and as many in 1874; -in this vicinity we measure them and pay for them by the thousand, calling each fish 21 inches, or taking up that amount of space. When they are fat they are larger, and then by measure we would get perhaps only 800 fish for 1,000; then sometimes they come small, and poor, and we would get, perhaps, 1,200 fish for the 1,000. In Maine they measure them in bar- rells, calling 300 fish to each barrel. 5. Not any, judging from my experience for the last ten years. 6. From the Ist to the 10th of May. 7. They swim low when they first come, if the weather is cool, but soon come to the top of the water, and are known as top-water fish. 8. They come from the south, foilowing the coast generally. 9. Their appearance is regular and certain; I never knew them to fail; but they are sometimes more plentiful on some grounds-than on others. 10. I think it does tend to change their ground. 11. Generally they go with the tide. 12. Bays and sounds. 13. We find them in any depth of water, but generally they swim on the top of the water. 14. They like warm temperature. 15. We find one and two year old fish all mixed together. 16. Yes; they are spawned at the head of the bays, and stay all sum- mer, until they are half grown. 17. They leave about the 1st of November, generally in a body. 18. By the same route as they came, following the coast south. Oo bo ee pe 448 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 19. Somewhere south. 20. Kind of very fine jelly fish; they suck their food, for they have no 21. At the head of bays generally, at all times of the season. 22. I think they are indiscriminately mixed as to male and female. 23. No. 24. Warm temperature. 25. Near the bottom. : 26. They float in the water until hatched. 28. Are in abundance in the locality where they are hatched. _29, Yes, when nearly matured. 30. All kinds of fish destroy them, except the parent. ol. No. ; 32. They do not suffer any when compared with the quantities of 33. No. 34. Purse-nets. 35. From 600 to 1,200 feet long, and 80 feet deep. 36. Steamers, sloops, and schooners, from 10 to 100 tons each. 37. About 12 men to each net, with 3 boats or sloops. 38. All day, unless they load their boats sooner. 39. No. 40. Do not think it does. 41. Fifty vessels, and 175 men. 42. They are sent directly to the factories by the boats that follow the net for that purpose. They are sometimes used as food, and are very sweet, but bony. 43. There are 10, owned by George F. Tuthill & Co., F. Price & Co., D. Wells & Son., J. Preston & Co., Vail, Benjamin & Co., Hawkins Bros., H. P. Green, B. C. Cartwright & Co., G. H. Payne, and Fithian & Horton. 44, Six hundred barrels of 40 gallons each. 45. They could manufacture large quantities if they could get the fish and have them fat. 46. Boiler and engine, hydraulic presses, large tanks for cooking and packing cost from $10,000 to $50,000. 47. From $1 to $2 per barrel; say $1.50 for the season. 48. Two hundred fish are about an average for the season. 49. Depends on fatness of fish; it takes from 8,000 to 10,000 fish to make 1 ton of scrap. 50. Sometimes when very poor we cannot get over 4 gallon of oil, that is in the spring and summer. 51. When very fat 6 gallons can be taken from 1 barrel. 52. Yes. 53. The manufacture of oil from menhaden was started in this vicinity about thirty years ago by Daniel D. Wells, who boiled them in large HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 449 kettles and skimmed the oil from the kettle; then there was only about one-half of the oil saved. Since then the business has increased until now an enormous business is carried on. 54, New York. 55. Phosphated for the Southern States. 56. Used as a lubricating oil and by leather manufacturers; also for ' paint. 57. Price in 1873 was about 45 cents a gallon; from 75 cents to $1.10 in previous years. 58. No; not by any mode that has been practiced. 52. Statement of Joseph Whaley, Point Judith Light, Point Judith, R. I., December 28, 1874. Mr. BAIRD : Str: 1 have received a circular in regard to the fish known in this vicinity as menhaden. I will answer all questions I can. I did not re- ceive any blank, so I put it on this. 1. Menhaden. 2. More plentiful than any other kind. 3. I think I saw more pass here last June than any time since 1862. 4, Five hundred barrels. 5. I do not think that it does, as they are as plenty now as ten years. 6. The first fish are seen about the 20th of May; the main body get along about the middle of June. They pass here to the east from the 20th of May to the Ist of July. 7. They, as a general thing, near the top of the water, and make a ripple or a slick. They do not attract birds, as they do not drive up any small bait or other fish. 8. From the south and bound north and east. 9. Very regular sometimes ; if the weather is cold and easterly winds prevail it puts them back ten to fifteen days. 10. I do not think it does. 11. They go or move with the tide, or the way the tide is setting. 12. Rivers and bays. 13. Sometimes high, and sometimes about half way to the bottom. I think they prefer water from 10 to 20 feet deep. 14. They leave here when the water gets too cold. 15. I do not think they do. I cannot tell the young from the old, as they get their growth in a year. I have seen them shut up for nine months; they have then nearly their length. 16. They are seen in large quantities in November ; they are about 2 inches long. 17. They begin to leave in October, and continue to the 15th of De- cember by degrees. 29 F 450 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 18. Southwest. 19. Some place where the water is warmer than it is here. 21. In rivers and bays. 28. 'They are, in river and bay, and all along shore. 29. Yes; they suffer most from bluefish and striped bass when they are young. Ido not know to what extent. o4. Purse-seines and gill-nets. 35. The length varies from 200 to 300 yards; the depth from 20 to 60 feet. 36. Sail and steamers. 58. I do not think that it does. I will here state that there is a great many fish taken near this point, but as there is no harbor near they are carried away to market. This is a passing point for most all kinds of fish to pass from the south to the north, from the east to the west. 53. Statement of A. G. Wolf, Absecom Light, Atlantic City, N. J., March 6, 1874. 1. Mossbunker. 2. More numerous than any other fish. 3. No difference. 4. Two hundred and fifteen barrels by Adams & Co. About same last year. 5. No. 6. In April; main body in July. No. Yes. Depending on tide. 7. Very high; fins out of water ; come in a solid body, as deep as you can see in the water. They make a ripple and can be seen on calm days for half a mile. Attract birds, such as fish-hawks and sea-gulls. 8. Come from the south ; shift into and out of inlets with the tide. 9. Have never failed to come in regularly. 410. Has no effect. 11. Drift with the tide. 12. No favorite feeding grounds. 13. Swim high, and are seen in both shoal and deep water. 14. No. 15. Come in all sizes; cannot tell their age. 16. In the fall you can see millions of little fish not over two inches 17. Leave by degrees, beginning in September. 18 Go south. 19. South. 20. Can’t tell; they take no bait. 21. Up in the bays and inlets in spring. 24, Seem to prefer warm water, for they go up the bays as far as pos- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 451 26. Settle and become attached toshells and stones. 28. Yes ; in fresh-water creeks. . 29. Yes. 30. Bluefish catch the fish. Parents do not eat the spawn. 31. Bug or fish-louse on outside; a worm is attached to the outside and bores into them, and sometimes a bug is found in the roof of the mouth. 32. Suffer from all fish; bluefish are their worst enemy. 33. Not here. 34. Gill and purse nets. 35. One hundred to three hundred fathoms long, 12 feet deep. 36. Boats from four to five tons for gill-nets; schooners, sloops, and one steamer of from ten to twenty tons for purse-nets. 37. Eleven men to a net. 38. All day, if good weather. 39. No. t 40. East wind affects them. 41. Ten vessels ; forty men. 42. Tried out near Little and Great Egg Harbors. 43. None in the neighborhood. 44, Two hundred and fifteen barrels. 45. Not known. 46. Five thousand dollars in one factory. 47. One dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand fish. 48. Four gallons of oil per thousand fish. 49. Forty gallons. 50. Least in August. 51. Greatest in November, eleven gallons per thousand. 52. Northern fish yield most. 54. New York City. 55. The South. 56. For tanning and adulterating paint-oils. N7. Forty-five cents per gallon. 58. Does not seem to diminish them. | Questions were answered by Messrs. Bowen, Strickland, and Conover, of Atlantic City, and Capt. John D. Sanders, of Leedsville, N. J. 54. Statement of Albert Morris, Somers Point, N. J., January 12, 1875. . Mossbunker. . There are a thousand times as many. No. 7,200; 1874, 12,000. . Think not. . About lst of May. The main body arrive about 20th June. There are sometimes three or four runs a week. oe w bo 452 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 7. High, so that they can be seen. 8. Mostly follow the coast. 9. It always has been regular. 10. It does not, for sometimes they are caught in 2 feet of water. 11. Go with the tide. 12. From the beach to about five or six miles from shore, and some- times more. 13. From 1 to 10 fathoms. 14. It does. 15. They do both. 16. They are in great abundance, and are from 3 to 5 inches in length. 17. About the middle of September, but the eastern run comes along about the last of October. 18. They follow the coast. 19. From Chesapeake Bay to Cape Hatteras. 20. A very small substance, scarcely seen by the naked eye when the sun shines. 21. Along the coast. 28. They are, along th.e coast. 29. They are. 31. Crabs are found in the gills. 32. To quite an extent. 33. Yes; in October, 1873, they floated ashore by tons. 34. Purse-nets. 35. Two hundred fathoms long, 500 meshes deep. 36. Sloops of about 20 tons. 37. Seven. 38. All day. 39. Most of our fishing is done out at sea, where the tide does not make any difference. 40. It does, especially easterly winds. 41. Three vessels; 9 men. 42, For manure (guano); part is used in the vicinity, and part shipped to Wilmington and Philadelphia. ' 43. Somers Point Oil Works, John D. Sanders, J. 5. Adams, and others. 44, About 300 barrels. 45. Two thousand barrels. 46. Pot work. Costs $8,000. 47. Thirty-one cents per barrel. 48. One barrel. 49, Forty-five gallons. 50. One quart; in the summer, July and August. 51. Four gallons, in October and November. 52. They do. 54, New York. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 453 . Wilmington. Painting. 7. Forty to 50 cents per gallon. 8. I think not. 5d, Statement of D. EH. Foster, Cape May Light-House, N. J., February 15, Vu 3 ~ 6. 1875. Bony fish. They are more numerous than any other fish visiting our coast. They come from the south; the first arrival is about April; these fish are larger but not so fat as those which come about July. ® They generally swim in schools near the surface. 17. They leave about November, heading to the north. 30. They are preyed upon by sharks, porpoises, fish-hawks, &c. 33. I have not known of any disease to prevail among the fish here. 42, They are used mostly for manure. There is no oil manufactured here. 56. Statement of A. A. Owens, Philadelphia, Pa., March 31, 1875. CONGO P OR . Oldwives and mossbunkers. . Cannot perceive either way. None. No; there are very few captured. . They are first seen in June and July. The last are the largest. . They swim high and make a ripple. . From the northeast in large schools. . They seldom fail. . I think not. . They come in on the flood and pass out on the ebb tide. . Along the coast and in the inlets. . They generally prefer deep water. . They become somewhat torpid when sudden cold weather comes, . Sometimes both together. . There are no very small ones seen. . They leave by degrees in the fall. . Northward and eastward. They seem to mix indiscriminately in schools. I think not. . The bluefish is their greatest enemy. . They are destroyed in great numbers by fish on the coast. . Very seldom in this vicinity. . Pocket nets and seines. . None. . Greatest in the fall. . New York and Philadelphia. 454 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 55. New York and Philadelphia. 57. Fifty cents per gallon. 58. We cannot see that it does diminish them. 57. Statement of James H. Bell, Mispillion River, Delaware Bay, January 23, 1875. 1. Oldwife, a corruption of alewife, is the name universally applied to the fish in this vicinity, and all along the western shore of Delaware Bay. 2. They rank equal to if not more abundant than the sea trout, and far exceed the number of any other fish; a thousand bushels of trout are sometimes taken at a haul; but the main fishing season does not last over a month, while menhaden are caught more or less during six months of the year. 3. No diminution is noticeable; the number seems to be about the same one year with another. 4. These fish are not sought in this vicinity for any purpose whatever; and when caught in seines laid for other fish by fishermen, are left on the beach to rot, or taken home and fed directly to hogs, or composted for fertilizing the soil, for which they are only valuable. 5. Quantity taken from the water never seems to affect the supply. 6. They are first seen here early in March, and continue to increase in number till about the 15th April, when the sea-trout frightens them off. They soon return in increasing numbers, however, till the middle or last of May, after which they begin to disappear in large schools until about the 1st August, when they again appear numerous, and continue so, if the weather is mild, until the latter part of September, when they begin to disappear. 7. High; by their capture at first, windy weather generally prevail- ing in March, renders the bay too rough for the ripple to be seen ; be- sides, they are not inclined to show themselves about the surface till the water becomes warm, as in August and September; the fish-hawk and trout-gull follow closely in their wake, and destroy a great many. 8. The opinion prevails, that after entering the bay they follow the main channel, spreading toward the shore on either side as they advance, until arrested by brackish water. The western shore of this bay is very shallow, the tide near the beach seldom rising above six or seven feet. When the tide is three-quarters flood, the fish run in close to land, and are caught within twenty yards of the beach ; as none are seen on the surface at such times, it is probable that they are then in pursuit of food; at slack-water to first quarter ebb, if it is calm, the water is spotted with the break or ripple; and as the tide recedes they float out with it to deep water. 9. Their appearance is as regular as the shad; an old fisherman re- marked to me that he never knew it to fail, or a diminution in their UISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 455 abundance for a single season; hence, no cause is assignab'e for a de- crease when none is known. 10. No gill or haul seines frighten them if they are out of sight; but when sunning on the surface, any noise close by sends the school out of sight in an instant, to reappear not far off ; if the object was to catch them, this is the most favorable time, and the purse-net is most likely to accomplish it. 11. In-shore on the young flood to feed, and out to deep water again when the ebb is not lower than four feet. 12. Sandy bottom predominates on this coast, and there is where most fish are found, although they are caught in numbers where the bottom is muddy. Some few fish are found considerable distances up the creeks at high water. 13. Most fish are found in 10 to 15 feet of water, or deeper; they are also caught in large numbers in water as shallow as 6 feet; sometimes when it is not deeper than 4 feet. 14. Not known, but am inclined to think they prefer warm water un- til arriving at full size. 15. Medium and small fish are found together, not probably in the same schools, but close enough together for the seine to catch fish rang- ing in size from 9 inches down to 3 inches. 16. Yes; immense quantities of them from about the 10th September to Ist October, in size from 3 inches up, and smaller ones, probably, but 1 have not seen any. 17. Toward the latter part of September they gradually disappear. 18. Run out to the main bay-channel; beyond that I have no knowl- edge. 19. It is impossible for me to say with certainty, but I think near the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, from the fact that this fish appears so partial to warm water. 20. I have not the least doubt that their food is something similar to that of shad, such as minute animalcula found in muddy bottoms; their digestion is evidently very rapid, as the contents of the stomach bear a nearer resemblance to black mud than to anything else. 21. But for what took place about the 7th of last November on this coast I should hesitate to give any opinion in reply to this query. After the last menhaden had disappeared from these waters, and as late as the 7th November, all at once from Cape May to Cape Henlopen, and up the bay 18 miles, to and above this station, the water was crowded with the largest size of this fish ever seen by any person on the coast, the largest being quite as big as medium-sized shad, extremely fat, and full three- fourths of them pregnant with large and nearly matured roe; the shores of the bay from Lewes up this far were lined with dead fish, bitten to death by bluefish. Some of the latter weighed 25 pounds. Numbers of dead fish were without tails, and all were more or less mutilated by the teeth of the bluefish, or snapping mackerel as it is called at Cape May. 456 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Whether they were exterminated by their enemy or driven back to the ocean is not known, but not one of them could be caught on the coast sixty hours after their arrival, and none have been seen since; nor were they ever known here before so late in the season, or of such large size, or containing the fully-developed roe, or, in fact, any roe at all. Such fish are entirely new to these waters. I am of the opinion that the ocean is their spawning element, and being attacked while spawning by immense numbers of very large bluefish, they flee before it till reaching shallow water, then, if all were not killed, turn and escape to sea. These fish were remarkable for uniformity in size, being over a foot long and about one inch and a quarter thick through the back. A gentleman remarked to me that he thought none of us had ever seen any full-grown ‘6 oldwives” before. Ordinarily this fish is not marketable, but so anx- ious were the people after these large ones that $14 per barrel was offered for them salt. It seems to me that if spawning was the object of these fish they would have remained longer than two days and a half, and that some would have been caught in former years. From a critical ex- amination and comparison of these with those common to the coast I can find no difference except in size. Finally, as the spawn of these fish appeared matured, I am of the opinion that they spawn in the ocean, and in the month of November. (Since the visit of bluefish, rock and perch, usually quite plenty, have entirely disappeared.) 22. Sexes are mixed. 23. No. 28. Yes, in thousands, near the shore from Cape Henlopen to above this river. It is a peculiarity of the young fish in a strong current to spring from the water, causing persons unacquainted with the habit to remark that * the water is alive with fish.” So it is to a certain extent, but it is difficult at such times to find any other kind of fish in it. 29. I saw a great many of the large fish handled, but in no instance did I see the spawn escape, nor do I think it ever occurs with this fish. 30. I have no knowledge of the destruction of spawn, and do not believe the parent fish capable of devouring either spawn or young fish, but instead obtain their food from the mud. The worst enemy of young fish, by all odds, is the sea-trout. From one to three may be found in the stomach of almost every trout, and as trout remain here, more or less plentiful, till September, an immense number of young fish are de- stroyed. Bluefish is the next most destructive enemy. Other kinds of fish trouble them very little compared with the two above named. 31. I have never examined the roof of the mouth, but have frequently noticed a little bug-like crab attached to the gills of medium sized fish. During August and September it is common to see a slender red worm or leech fast to the fishes’ sides. The worm is largest at each end, is about one inch and a half long, and bears some resemblance to the angle-worm, As many as a dozen are found on some of the fish. Al- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 457 though the worm seems as frail as a strand of blood, it is strong enough not to break when its head is pulled away from the fish. 32. The larger fish appear to suffer most from bluefish, although por- poise, shark, and the fish-hawk destroy a great many. 33. None that [ am aware of. 34, Mostly in haul-seines, many in gill-seines, but in neither seine is menhaden the object. 3d. Seines are from 15 to 100 fathoms long, from 6 to 9 feet deep, and have 1-inch meshes. 36. None. Four-oared boats are generally employed to lay out and draw the seine ashore. 37. From eight to ten men are necessary to manage a boat and large seine. 38. Flood and high tide; sometimes on the ebb, but never at low water. 39. Flood and high water are the most favorable times. 40. The fish usually works against the wind if there is much of it. 42. Some leave the fish on shore, others feed them to hogs, or compost them to enrich their land. 58. I am confident, from observation, that catching large numbers of any kind of fish in the spawning season will diminish them, but owing to this fish not spawning on this coast, I regard it next to impossible to decrease their numbers by any method of capture known to fishermen. 58. Statement of Benjamin Tice, Maurice River Light, January 11, 1875. . Known by the name of mossbunker or aldwives. . They are more abundant than any other kind. . Increased in numbers, I believe. . No establishment in this vicinity. . They come on early in the spring, and are thickest in August. . They swim high and make a ripple on the water. 16. Young fish are seen in the months of August and September. 17. Leave the coast late in the fall and by degrees. 31. I have seen worms attached to the outside. 32. They suffer from the attacks of sharks, porpoises, &c. NYO od be 59. Statement of Joseph B. Benson, Bombay Hook, Del., January 18, 1875. . Mossbunker, old-wives, bug-fish, and green tails. . They are more plentiful than any other fish during July and August. . It has not. . There is no establishment on the west side of the bay. . It does not. orm OF be 458 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 6. The last of April, July, and August they are about the same size, There are no certain intervals in the schools. 7. At times the surface of the water is covered for long distances, and at other times they swim deep. They attract fishing-hawlas, which live on them. 8. They come on in the spring and leave in the fall. 9. They are certain to come, but if the season is very wet they are later. 10. INE 12. 14, 15. 16, ave 18. 20. DL, 28. It does not. It does not make any difference. Near shore. i They like it warm. They are all alike. In August and September there are large schools of them. In October, by degrees. By the capes. It is not known. Where the water is brackish. Some seasons they are abundant near the shore and at other sea- sons there are none. 20. ol. o 32 30. 36. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42, 43. 44. 58. Rock. Taylor fish. There is a bug found in the roof of the mouth. . They suffer to a very great extent. 30. 34. [ have not noticed any. Gill-seines. One hundred to 150 fathoms. They are only caught for bait. Whenever convenient. No. No. There are none. They are often taken for manure. There are none. There is none made. It does not. 60. Statement of Hance Lawson, Orisfield, Md., January 22, 1874. Not a report with reference to Atlantic coast. 1. Alewife. 2. Most abundant. 3. Diminished. 4, At Manokin factory 800 barrels-of oil were made last year. At Tangier Island about the same or less. 5. Yes. 6. They are first seen about May 1. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, 459 7. They swim both high and low; when high, with their heads out. 8. They come from the south, moving along slowly with the tides; up in the spring and down in the fall. 9. There is sometimes a scarcity, but never a failure. 10. They do scare them badly. 11. They come into creeks with the flood and go out with the ebb ; sometimes, however, they come in at night. 2. Generally deep water; however, they sometimes work in-shore on the flood tide. 13. A depth of 10 or 12 feet is preferred. They swim on the top of the water. 14, Cold weather makes them torpid. 15. Seldom, and the sizes go in separate schools. 16. They are never seen on the coast, but are in the sounds, rivers, creeks, and bays. 17. 'They begin to leave during the latter part of August, and the first to leave are the best; some remain until the middle of October. 18. By asouthern route. 20. They feed on a slimy substance which comes from the bottom ; it looks like a discoloration of the water, but is composed of vegetable or animal matter; the large bodies break into small ones at night and go near shore; in the morning they gather again and go ont. 21. At the heads of rivers and creeks, and near fresh water. They spawn in June and July. 24, The water must be warm. 26. I think they float. 28. They are found in abundance in shoal water, where the fresh and salt water mingle. 29.’ No. 30. Bluefish and porpoises destroy them, but the parent fish do not. 31. Crab-lice are found in the gills, and there is a five-pronged insect, which makes a sore, seen in the tail; we call these insects graplings. 32. They suffer greatly, but are very active; the bluefish is their worst enemy. 33. Never knew of it. 34, Haul-seines, purse-nets, gill-nets, and weirs. 30. Haul-seines are 100 fathoms long and 8 feet deep; nets are 200 fathoms long, and from 18 to 20 feet deep. 36. Barges are mostly employed, and vessels of from 10 to 20 tons burden. 37. Twelve men for purse-nets and 25 for haul-seines; one man for gill-nets. 38. All hours of the day and night. Gilling is done at night. 39. No, 40. Yes; it scatters and sends them down deep. 41, Five vessels averaging about 15 tons, and 5 barges. 460 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 42, They are made into oil and manure, and sold to farmers. 43. Tangier belongs to Crockett & Co., Manokinto Ford, Avery & 44, About 800 barrels at Ford’s, and 500 at Tangier. 46. The fish are boiled in large kettles at Tangier, but are crushed at Manokin. The Tangier and Manokin factory cost each $2,500. 47. Fifteen cents per bushel. 48. About 1,000 fish, or from 4 to 44 bushels. 50. One quart, and is least in July. 51. One and one-half gallons, and is greatest in August and Septem- 52. Yes, as much again. 54, Philadelphia and other cities. 55. Home. 56. Used for lubricating purposes. 57. From 40 to 60 cents. 58. Yes. 61. Statement of Isaac D. Robbins, Hog Island, February 21, 1874. No efforts are made here to catch the mossbunker. We have them dur- ing the largest part of the year, from April to September, and sometimes in winter. I once saw many of these fish in Swangut Creek which had died from the effects of hot weather; they were then about 2 inches long. In the fall we see them from 3 to 5 inches long. We make no use of these fish, but I have an impression that there are enough of them to make our land very rich if they were made into manure. On the Chesapeake side of the peninsula I have known large quanti- ties of these fish caught, and a few years ago some gentlemen under- took to convert them into oil and manure, but to what extent they were successful I cannot say. The grown mossbunker is from 9 to 12 inches long, and generally very fat. 62, Statement of J. L. Anderton, Apateague Island, Virginia, January 12, 1875. . Alewives. . They are more abundant than any others found in this vicinity. . Increased. : . There is no establishment in this vicinity. . It does not in this vicinity. . First seem to come near the coastin April. The main body appear in June. The first are the smallest. 7. They swim high, make a ripple on the water, and attract birds. 8. They come from a southward direction. 9. Their appearance is regalar and certain. Oo Cte © bd HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 461 10. No. 11. They come nearer the shore on the flow of the tide and move off on the ebb. 12. On bars and in coves. 13. Four and a half to five feet. They swim nearly to the top of the water. 14. It does. 15. They come before they are mature, and we find the one and two year old fish with the oldest. 16. They are seen on the coast from April till June, from 4 to 10 inches in length. 17. They leave in November by degrees. 18. They go southward. 19. Somewhere south, I think. 26. I think they float. 29. Yes. 30. Don’t think the parent fish devours them ; birds eat them. ol. Lampreys are sometimes found attached on the outside. 32. Quite considerable. 33. I have not noticed any. 34. None in this vicinity, except small gill-nets. 42, There are but few caught in this vicinity. They are used on the spot. 63. Statement of G. Henry Seldon, Kinsale, Westmoreland County, Vir- ginia, August, 1874. 1. Alewives. 2. More abundant than any other fish. 3. Diminished very much within the last ten years, particularly in the small rivers. 4, From 5,600 to 6,000 barrels taken in 1873 by one establishment in this vicinity. This is about the average number of barrels taken each year. 5. The capture has a tendency to affect their abundance. 6. They appear in Chesapeake Bay about the 10th of March. The main body arrives about the 15th of April. The first fish are the largest. They come in quick succession. 7. They appear in schools, but swim low. There is therefore no ripple seen, and their arrival is known only by their capture, and the attraction of birds. 8. They come up the coast from the south; their movements are very swift, passing to the headwaters of the bays and rivers, where they are seen to linger a short time to spawn; then returning, they leave our coast and go to the coast of New England. 9. They are never known to fail. 462. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 10. They do not appear to be scared by seines or nets any longer than they are in sight of them. 11. Their migration is more on the ebb tide, as they stop on the flood tide to feed. 12. In large bays and rivers where the bottom is soft. 13. From three to eight fathoms of water. When the weather is cool they swim deep, but come near the surface at times; these times can be ascertained by the birds striking them. When the weather is warm these fish are seen to swim with the tops of their heads out of the water. 14, As the mercury sinks they swim deeper in the water. 15. They seldom appear on their breeding grounds before matured. The one and two year old fish are not found among the oldest. 16. The young fish are seen on the coast about the 1st of June, at which time they are about 4 inches long. 17. They leave the coast generally in the latter part of October in a body. 18. They leave the coast by the southern route going south of course. 19. It is thought that they spend the winter in or beyond the Gulf Stream, where the water is warm. 20. There is a sediment upon which they feed; this they purify by straining it through their gills. 21. They spawn in the headwaters cf our bays and rivers, generally in the month of April. 22. In their migration movements they are mixed indiscriminately, as may be seen from the manner in which they are caught in the gill-nets; but when coming upon the breeding grounds, they are not huddled in schools, as may be seen afterwards. 23. The milt of this fish does color the water. 24. Cannot tell the exact temperature of water which is most favor- able for spawning, but I think when it is from 45° to 65°; when the water is cold they spawn in the deep where the cold winds cannot chill the spawn; when the weather is moderately cold, it does not destroy the spawn, but the young fish will not hatch as soon as when the water is of the right temperature. Where the water becomes heated by the burning rays of the sun the spawn is instantly destroyed. 25. In from 4 to 10 feet of water; the eggs lay on the bottom. Where it is soft, and produces a little grass, it is all the better for the spawn. 26. When the eggs are spawned they sink to the bottom, but become attached neither to stones, grass, nor any thing of the kind; neither do they float until hatched, but lay on the bottom. 27. In four or six days’ time after the eggs are laid they begin to hatch out. It has been said that they hatch out in two days after they have been laid, but this is very seldom; however it is not impossible, but my own experience teaches me that to hatch them out in two days would require the tide, locality, and temperature of the water to be very favor- able. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 463 28. The young of this fish are found in great abundance in the head- waters of our bays and rivers, generally near the shore. 29. The spawn is never known to run from this fish while being han- dled after they are captured. 30. The parent fish does not destroy the spawn, but other fish, such as the rock-bass and the pickerel destroy the spawn of this fish. 31. The lampreys are often found,gattached to the outside of this fish. In their gills and roof of the mouth is found an insect as large as the end of a man’s small finger and three-quarters of an inch long. This is the small size of this insect. 1 have seen them an inch and a quarter long. Itis transparent and has a tail resembling that of a lobster; and so great is the adhesive power of this insect, that you might attach one of them to your finger while it is alive and you could not throw it off. This insect is known to us as the fish-louse, because it attaches to the inside of the head of this fish; they are known in many localities as the buggy-head fish. 32, The bass, trout, bluefish, sharks, and the porpoises all feed upon this species of fish. 33. No disease of any description has ever occurred among them, caus- ing death in any numbers worthy of notice in the past thirty years. 34, Purse seines, gill-seines, haul-seines, fike-nets, and hedge-nets are all used in captaring these fish, and are generally used with great suc- cess. 3d. Seines for capturing this fish are from 50 to 400 fathoms long, from 2 to 5 fathoms deep, and of a 2 or 2} inch mesh. The seines used at the oil factories are called purse-seines; they are about 100 fathoms long and 500 deep. 36. Small-size schooners and sloops, being from 6 to 20 tons burden. 37. Two men to each vessel, except the tug, which has 5 men. 38. Toward midday is the most successful period for catching these fish. 39. They are taken in greater numbers on the ebb tide. 40. They do not appear upon the surface of the water in Nr eaedis as they do in moderate weather. . 41. Seven vessels are employed in this vicinity having crews of 15 or 18 men, but the aggregate number of men at the factory and on board of the vessels is 45 or 50. 42. The fish thus caught are taken to the factory and there boiled up for oil. 43. The only factory in this neighborhood is the one at New Point Comfort, owned by Nickleson & Co., of Norfolk, Va. 44, The average quantity of good oil produced by this one factory is about 300 barrels a year. 48. One bushel. 49. Probably 10 gallons. 50. Probably 24 gallons in the spring and summer. 464 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 51. Probably 3 gallons. The greatest quantity of oil is obtained in and after the month of September. 52. Yes. 54. New York. 55. Virginia and North Carolina. 56. For tanning leather, painting, machines, We. 58. Yes. a 64. Statement of Henry Richardson, Cape Henry, February 9, 1874. 1. The ‘“ alewife,” termed by some “bony fish.” 2. These fish are more numerous than any other fish that inhabit these waters. 3. During the last four years (the length of time I have been in charge of this station) there seems to be no diminution in the numbers of these fish. 6. These fish are caught as early as March, but the main body arrives about June and July. During these two months these fish are con- stantly passing the Virginia capes, entering the Chesapeake Bay. I have seen schools of these fish on calm days in the summer season, I should judge, about two miles long and perhaps one-fourth of a mile wide. 7. These fish swim high, or near the surface of the water, and their approach can easily be seen by the commotion they make. They ripple the water and also attract the attention of birds. 8. They work in the spring of the year from south to north. I do not know their subsequent movements after their entrance into the Chesa- peake Bay. f - 9. I have never known these fish to fail to enter these capes during any season. 11. During the summer season they work in and out of the capes, working out with the ebb tide and working in again on the flood. 13. They swim in shoal as well as in deep water, and create a con- stant flipping on the surface. 14. In unusually cold weather they get benumbed, and sometimes wash on shore in great quantities. ; 16. The young fish commence coming about June, and average, I should think, about five inches long. 18. They follow the Atlantic coast and work south. 19. I have been informed that they winter around the Bahama Banks and the West India Islands. 20. Their flesh is very sweet early in spring and late in the fall of the year, but they are objectionable as food on account of the quantity of bones they possess. ‘ 31. In the summer season they become wormy. ‘These worms have the appearance of a fine piece of red string about one inch long. Ihave pulled them out of the side of the fish, and the root or end of the worm in the flesh has the appearance of an eagle’s claw. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 465 34. A purse-net ; although they are caught in large quantities fre- quently in the summer season with long seines, These seines are used for catching the more edible species of fish, and when “alewives” are caught by these seines they are left to rot on the shore. 42. These fish are caught about the entrance of the capes or in Ches- apeake Bay, put on board of the small schooners employed in this busi- ness, and thence taken to the factories, where the oil of the fish is ex- tracted and the refuse manufactured into fish guano or fertilizer. 43. At the present time there are vo factories for the manufacture of fish-oil in this neighborhood. A factory for this purpose was in opera- tion some two years ago, but it has since been consumed by fire. 58. There does not seem to be any diminution in the quantity of these fish, and thousands of bushels are annually destroyed on this coast by the seines used in catching the more edible fish that supply our markets. They might be used to good advantage in manuring the land in the surrounding country, but the difficulty of transporting them to lands used for agricultural purposes is so great that they are left on the beach to rot. 65.. Statement of C. G. Manning, Edenton, N. C., January 6, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular-letter under date of December 23, 1874, making inquiries relative to the fish known in our vicinity as fat-back or bug-fish, and in reply thereto I would state I have conversed with several of the leading fishermen on the Albemarle Sound and its tributaries, and they report very few of that class of fish caught during fishing season. Those which are caught are disposed of by being thrown in with the offal or refuse fish, after- ward used upon their lands in a raw state as fertilizers. The fishermen attribute the scarcity of that species of fish in the upper part of the sound to the freshness of the water. I have been unable to obtain any information from the lower part of the sound, where the water is brackish or salt. 1. Bug-fish. 2. They are very scarce. 3. Diminished. 66. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C., April 15, 1874.* 1. Fatback. 2. It is not found throughout the year. It makes its appearance in June and leaves in December. 3. It is not resident. *The numbers of this communication refer to the general circular published in the first volume of the report of the Commissioner. 30 F 466 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 4, Itis more abundant than any other fish that frequent the waters of North Carolina, say 5 to 3. 5. They have increased in abundance within the last ten years. 6. The supposed cause is that their enemies are not so numerous. 7. The amount or extent of the change in abundance cannot be ascer- tained. 8. The greatest length to which this fish attains is about 16 inches. 9. The rate of growth per annum, &c., is not known by any one in the community, no attention being paid to it. 10. The sexes differ somewhat in shape and size; the male is as long but not so large as the female. 11. These fish generally come in to the shore on the northern coast, and run along the beach south, running into the different inlets. In the first of the season they may be seen, in moderate weather, five or six miles at sea in large schools, half a mile long and all along the coast, lying apparently at ease floating upon the surface of the water. This habit they indulge in until the latter part of October, when the bluefish or taylor arrives; then they seek protection in the surf near the beach, and are washed ashore by thousands. I might be safe in saying hun- dreds of thousands are washed ashore in one night or during one flood- tide. ; 12. They continue to run south, or rather are driven by the taylors until December, after ‘vhich only a very few are seen in the sound. 13. It is unknown to any one here where they spend the winter season. 14. The fish come near the shore upon their first arrival on the coast, but the main body does not come in until driven in by the taylors and dogfish about the first of November. The first are generally the small- est. I think they are continually on the coast from the time of their arrival to the time of their departure; but sometimes they are seen in larger quantities than others, say once to twice a week. 15. In some seasons the fish leave the shore in a body, and at differ- ent times during the season; but when they leave the coast for the south they go by degrees, commencing about the first of December. 16. The appearance of these fish in the sound, and at sea off the coast, is certain every season; but they only come near the seabeach when driven in by the taylor and dogfish. 17. The runs do not differ, except in quantity. Some seasons the runs are very large in October; but in November they are not so plentiful, and vice versa. 18. As far as my knowledge extends, both sexes come in together. The spawn is about two-thirds developed when they first arrive. 19. These fish never take the hook. 20. These fish never take the hook. 21. The schools of fish swim high in moderate weather, but in high winds and rough seas they run in deep water. Their arrival is some- times known by the schools which are seen at sea, lying at ease appa- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 467 rently, with a continual flippiug motion with the tail above water; this attracts thousands of birds. 22. They generally come on the beach on flood and drop off on ebb tide ; they also run into inlets on the flood. 23. Spawn is sometimes seen when the fish are handled to any great extent. 24, The spawn is also seen around set-nets, when the fish tvrce them- selves through the meshes. 25. The fish are anadromous; they run up the fresh-water z'vers for the purpose of spawning, and to “suck” (eat) the scum generally brought down by freshets. 26. They sometimes make several trips up the rivers, and 12:arns in the sound, before going up to spawn ; this is attributed to the unm- ber of freshets during a season. Some seasons they make no stay in the sounds, but go right up the rivers on their first arrival, and con- tinue these visits until December. 27. See answer to question 26. 28. There is no difference in this respect as to sex or age known to - me. 29. The young fish are generally mixed up with the old ones when in large bodies or schools ; but, as a general rule, the young are seen along the shores of rivers and sounds. 30. The favorite localities of these fish are varied as in other cases. In moderate weather they float high, in fact upon the very surface of the water, and feed upon the scum or mud which are afloat. They then select some place near a lead or tide way, but often shelter them- selves behind a shoal or breaker where the current eddies; but in windy and rough weather they are constantly running. 31. They generally prefer the deepest water to school, as stated in answer 21. 302. There has been no difference observed, by me at least, as to the favorite temperature of the water, but they are more abundant when inside the sound in thick, milky-colored water. 33. These fish are not seen in schools after they are done spawning ; but the general opinion is they are in schools when leaving the sounds and rivers, judging from the quantity taken or caught in set nets of a night. They are not seen at all in moderate weather, as described in answer 21. 34, They have no special friends; but the porpoise, the shark, the dogfish, and the taylor are special enemies of the old, and the crab, the eel, the perch, trout, and several other species of fish, of the young fish. 35. The fatback do not prey upon or eat any other species of fish during their stay in this section. 36. They suffer to a great extent from the attacks of other fish, but the amount is not exactly known. I think, however, I would be per- fectly safe in saying that at least half are destroyed. 468 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 37. The nature of their food is mud from the fresh-water rivers, scum, &c., afloat on the water, and marine insects, which are found along shore and on the reefs in the sounds and rivers. 38. There are no special peculiarities in the manner of feeding these fish known, no attention having been paid to that particular. 39. Nor is it known what amount of food they consume. When taken, the stomach or pouch is generally full of mud, and they are very fat until they have spawned. 40. The sexes differ somewhat in color and shape during the breeding season, the male being of a pale-yellow and the female a bright-yellow color in respect to their fins and tails. The male is equally as long, but of a more straight shape. The edges of the females are generally tinted with bright-yellow specks. 41. There are no special or unusual habits of these fish during the spawning season known to me. 42. Lines and nets interfere somewhat with their progress up the rivers, but aside from this spawning is not interfered with to any great extent by lines and nets. 46. According to my views, from their movements and not from ace ual knowledge, these fish deposit their spawn in the beds of the princi- pal rivers—the Neuse, Tar, and Roanoke—about the last of November. 47. I can give no account of their process, &e. 48. The water is sometimes whitened by the milt and spawn. 49, They generally select the warmest places for spawning, but the exact temperature is not known; it varies from one to ten degrees, owing to the weather. 50. The eggs are laid in two to three fathoms of water, and supposed — to lie on the bottom. 51. The spawn is of the size of a mustard-seed, and of a light-red color. 52. The number for each fish has not been ascertained. 53. Either for one season or for lifetime. 54. The eggs when spawned sink to the bottom, but whether they become attached to stones, grass, &c., I do not know. 55. It is unknown whether the fish heap up or construct any kind of nests of sand, gravel, or grass. 57. It is not known by any one on the coast when the eggs are hatched or in what period after they are laid. } 62. They are never seen carrying them in their moutbs or otherwise. 63. The crab, eel, perch, trout, and several other species of fish de- stroy the spawn and the young fish. The parent fish never interferes with either. 64. The young of this fish are found in great abundance on the shores of rivers and sounds. 65. They appear to feed the same as the old ones, as described in an- swer 37. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 469 66. No steps have been taken to increase the abundance of this fish by artificial culture. 67. These fish have no protection from any source. 68. No epidemic or other disease has ever been noticed among them on the coast. 69. If such has ever taken place, the time and cause are unknown. 70. Worms and lampreys are found in the gills and about the fins of these fish. 71. The fish are caught in nets. 72. For ordinary purposes in set-nets of from 50 to 40 yards long, 14 to 13 inch mesh, and from 20 to 30 meshes deep. These nets are gen. erally set at night with both ends made fast, and remain in the water during the entire night, so the fish are caught in the night-time. But when they are caught for the purpose of manufacturing into oil and manure, they are hauled ashore at the inlet and on the sea-beach with large seines, or taken with purse-nets. This latter performance can be done more effectually in moderate weather when the fish are in schools. 73, 74. It may be taken in nets from the Ist of October to the Ist of December. They are never taken with hook. 75. One good seine, of proper size to suit the depth of water, might haul ashore in a day at least 100 barrels of fish along the beach. This is only at times when the tailors drive them in to the beach. In some seasons we might get ten, in others not more than two, good days’ fish- ing. 76. A purse-net will take of a good day 15 to 20 barrels, while a set net only 4 to Sin a night. 77. It is caught more on flood-tide than on ebb, for they go off shore on ebb-tide. 78. The fish caught are used on the apot, except occasionally some are taken at sea in purse-nets by vessels connected with some oil-factory on the northern coast. 79. It is an excellent food, fresh or canned and smoked. 80. It sustains its excellence as a fresh fish only a short time, owing to the temperature of the weather. 81. It is eaten to a great extent by the fishermen and others along the coast. 82. It is salted down in quantities only to save from one season to another. 83. It has been used for oil and manure to some extent, but there is no establishment of this kind on the coast at present. 84. These fish are not carried to market in any abundance, but when any are sold they are worth from $8 to $10 per thousand. The prices vary according to the quantity of fish in market. 85. These fish have never been exported from North Carolina. 86. The principal market of the fatback is in country places among farmers and freedmen. 470 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 67. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C.. January 20, 1875. During the past season the fishermen provided themselves with seines and boats in time to meet the first run of the bluefish. The seines were made of cotton marlin, and were about 100 yards long, 24-inch mesh, and from 40 to 50 meshes deep. The bluefish made their first appearance on the coast from the north. The menhaden passed about three days in advance of the bluefish. I do not think I ever saw so many of this species at any one other time or in any one other season. From the balcony of the light-house at least twenty-five schools might have been seen lying along the coast, both north and south of the cape. Each school seemed to cover many hundred yards of surface and to be moving south at the rate of from four to five miles an hour. This continued, and school after school followed, for ten days before the appearance of the hlue-fish, aud when the blue-fish did appear there seemed to be more of the menhaden with them than had passed the station during the tkree previous days. Hundreds of barrels, I think, were washed ashore, and were driven so close by the bluefish that they had not the power to resist the surf, which was quite rough and heavy, and they were consequently thrown ashore upon the beach. Only a very small quantity of these fish were saved, as the fishermen gave their attention more particularly to the bluefish ; but some of them were saved and salted down, when they were sold toa good advantage. Some sold as high, in trade, as to bring ten bushels of corn, equal to $7 in currency, for one common fish-barrel of the menhaden. It has been generally thought by old, experienced fishermen here that the bluefish drive the fatback south in winter; but I have learned differently during the past season from personal observation, which the following fact strongly attests. The menhaden came three days in advance of the bluefish, and entered the sound at all the principal inlets, and made their way directly for the fresh-water rivers. They could be seen as numerous in the sound, head- ing north, as they were in the sea heading south. Furthermore, by a letter from a gentleman of Plymouth, N. C., 1 hear that they passed that place, eight miles above the mouth of the Roanoke, in five days after passing this station, and by another letter, from Windsor, 38 to 40 miles above the entrance, I hear that they arrived there as early as the 18th of December. Thus it may be readily seen that the bluefish are not the cause of the fatback coming south. I would sooner think that the fatback caused the bluefish to come south in winter, as they generally follow in the run and among the last of the run of the fatback. Last year there were not so many of the menhaden, but there were millions of young spat—about two years old ; however, this winter there was not a spat to be seen, but the gray trout came instead. These, too, were washed ashore in great numbers. I feel safe in saying that if . HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. ATL the fishermen had provided themselves with material for saving menha- den and trout, there might have been double the sum realized that there was by bluefish, although there were very many bluefish caught. There were engaged on the coast of Dare County twenty-five to thirty boats, each boat containing one seine and three men; these were scattered promiscuously along the coast, and, IL think, from a rough calculation made since I wrote you last upon the subject, that the catch for the season averaged about two thousand to each boat and crew; making in all over fifty thousand bluefish. These fish sold for from fifteen to as high as fifty cents each. I have not heard of any being sold for less than fifteen cents cash. Many of them were traded off for corn, flour, and such other articles as this place does not produce. I think that there will be very extensive preparation made for this business next winter, and also for the menhaden. There is no needs of making any preparation for catching the menhaden; more will be driven ashore than can be saved. 68. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C., January 25 1875. : 1. Fat-back. 2. Heretofore only about one-third more abundant than any other species, but I have seep twice as many fat-back during the fishing sea- son of 1875 as I ever saw of any other species on our coast. 3. It has increased. 4, Only about fifty barrels. 5. Neither capture nor the destruction of the fish on the coast by the bluefish seem to affect their abundance. 6. There are generally two runs; in other words, the fat-back comes south in spring, and some are seen in the sounds and rivers all the year; but when they come south for the purpose of spawning, they come some- times in November and at others in December. In 15873, they were first seen on the coast about the Gth of December, and the main body arrived aboxt the 10th of December. I did not notice any difference in the size of the fish in the different runs. There-are generally more schools than one; many schools may be seen at one time. They seldom come near the coast in high winds and rough seas, but when they do, they swim so low that they are not seen from land. _ 7. The schools of fish swim high in moderate weather, and low in high winds and rough seas. Their arrival is generally known by the birds and by the ripple they make on the water. They are a great attraction for birds. 8. I do not know by what route they come into the coast north of this place; they come down along the coast from the north, enter the sounds at the principal inlets, and go up the rivers at once; they generally go from four to five miles an hour. 9. The appearance of this fish on our coast is certain, and they are 472 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. about the same as to abundance every year, when the spring run comes in; but the fall and winter run varies somewhat; some seasons not half so many are seen as at others. I do not know of any real cause for this difference. . 10. Ouly for a short time; they will return to their feeding-ground in less than two hours after having been scared away by a net. 11. In winter I do not think the ebb and flow of the tide affect their movements any more than they choose to run against the tide. More of them enter the sounds from sea on ebb than flood tide. In spring and summer they frequent deep water on the ebb and shallow water on the flood tide. 12. During spring and summer they feed in muddy slues and chan- nels on the ebb and grassy reefs and shoals on flood tide; in moderate weather, during the day and at night, they seem to drift up and down the channels and sounds with the tide, either ebb or flow, and in high winds they are continually running. 13. They do not seem to be particular about the depth of water, as some at their feeding-ground are in deep channels and others are in shallow slues. They swim on the top of the water in moderate and near the bottom in stormy weather. 14. They prefer the warmest water. 15. From what I have been able to learn they do not come on the breeding-ground before they are mature. Some small fish are seen in large schools, but not as a rule; the one and two years old school are by themselves. 16. The young fish are seen in the sounds, creeks, and rivers all the summer, from one to three inches long. I remember, one day during last August, twenty-five miles above New Berne, I could see 50 schools at once, from one to three inches long, and I noticed they were more numerous nearer the mouth of the river; these come down on the coast, and feed along the shores of the sounds and in the creeks until they are large enough to go to Sea. 17. I think they have various ways for leaving the coast; some sea- sons they may be seen going to sea in large schools, and at other times they go off gradually. They leave by two runs; those that come in November or December leave about the middle of January, and the spring run leaves in October. 18. They return north by the same route they came south. 19. They spend a part of the winter in our principal fresh-water rivers, and in the sounds and creeks; where they go after going to sea I do not know. 20. Mud and scum from the surface of the water and insects which they find among the sea weed or grass is their principal food. 21. These fish spawn in the Neuse,, Pamlico, and Roanoke Rivers some time during the month of January. 22. From what I can learn they are mixed indiscriminately. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 473 23, The water is colored to some extent; it being already of a milky color, it is hard to ascertain; but it is colored some by the milt of the male. 24. I do not know the exact temperature. 25. The eggs are laid on the margin of the river, generally in from 6 inches to 2 feet depth of water. 26. The eggs float about the river; some of them are even seen to drift ashore, when the water falls away, leaving them dry; this destroys them. 28. The young are found is great abundance in the rivers, sounds, and creeks. 29, Fishermen on the rivers say that the spawnruns from the fish when handled after having been in fresh water two to three days; but it never happens while they are in salt water. 31. Lampreys are sometimes found attached to the gills,and a kind of a bug in the roof of the mouth; but I never heard of crabs being attached to them. 32. They must suffer toa great extent from the attacks of the bluefish, shark, and porpoise. I noticed that each bluefish caught on the coast this season had from one to three fatbacks in the stomach, showing that many thousands, and I might say millions, are destroyed by the bluefish alone. 33. I have never known of any epidemic among the fatback. 34. Drag-nets at the sounds, and set-nets at the rivers. These are made of gill-twine, No. 25 or 30, and cotton warp spun into cord, 35. The drag-net is from 75 to 100 yards long, having a mesh of from 14 to 2 inches, and from 25 to 35 meshes deep. The lower or lead line is kept on the bottom by sinkers made of lead for the purpose ; and the upper or cork line is kept on the surface of the water by floats made of dry gum-root made for the purpose. The set-net is made of gill twine, of from 35 to 45 yards long, and from 18 to 20 meshes deep, the mesh being from 11 to 2 inches. A coarse selvage made of cotton twine, dipped in tar and then dragged or rolled in coarse pebbly sand, answers the purpose of lead sinkers. A cork line buoyed with gum-root corks keeps the net off the bottom. These are called fly-tale nets. They are placed in the water on the feeding ground in the evening, and allowed to remain al] night. 36. Canoes (not tonnaged) are used ; some of them are only 16 feet long by 34 feet wide, while others are 30 by 7. 37. Two men are sufficient to manage the small canoe, and three the larger ones. 38. Both day. and night flowing water is preferred. 39. They are taken more plentifally in the flood-tide. 40. Moderate weather is preferred for fishing with the drag-net, and high winds for the set-net; as they are feeding in moderate and running in windy weather. 474 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 41. There are no particular number employed in catching the fatback, as thatis not made a specialty. The fishermen in this vicinity have nets to suit, and look after all kinds of fish. About 200 boats are employed in the two townships adjacent to this station, with an aggregate num- ber of men amounting to about 500. 42. Some of the fish caught during winter are used on the spot, and some are carried to the country towns, villages, and farming districts and sold, while those caught in summer are used for manure, 43. There are no oil-factories here. 47. Seven dollars per barrel was paid for menhaden in 1873. I have no account of previous years. 58. The catch does not appear to diminish them. 69. Statement of Wallace Rk. Jennett, Cape Hatteras, N., C. February 26, 1874, 1. Menhaden and Fatback. 2. They are more abundant and less cared for than any of the finny tribe. 3. They are not so abundant as ten years previous. 6. They arrive in October and November principally, and may be found to be larger at the time of their departure. 7. The fish generally are seen upon the surface of the water so as to attract birds. ; 8. They come from the north, caused by the prevailing winds at that season of the year. 9. Yes. 10. They seem nowise sly, and are very regularly driven from the regular course. 11. On the ebb and flood alike; they are seen to float without any material difference, having no particular favorite locality. 13. They prefer deep water, and are, so far as we can see, not affected by the temperature. 15. The fish on their arrival seem to be of the same age and size, no young fish are seen at all. 17. They leave in the early spring and go south. 20. Sediment and mud from the water and fine grasses. * 22. The fish seem to mix indiscriminately ; the sex is hardly to be observed at any time; it is not likely that they spawn on this coast at any time. . 23. The water very rarely changes its color among the fish, con- sequently no milt is discharged. 28. There are no young fish found in this locality. 29. The spawn is never seen to run from the fish as from the shad, rock, perch, and others. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN 475 31. Crabs, lice, and other living animals are found attached to them at times in the gills and on the backs. 32. They fall an easy prey to sharks, bluefish, and porpoises; thou- sands are thus destroyed, furnishing food for other fishes that may fol- low in their track, such as drums, trout, We. 33. Epidemics and distempers are very rare, but are sometimes prev- alent; at which time they have drifted ashore in such abundance that the stench has been fearful. 34. They are caught and taken with immense purse-nets, made of cotton twine, 200 fathoms long by 25 to 30 feet deep. 36. Sloops or cat-boats are used to carry seines and men, at least 3 or 4in number, with an aggregate of 25 men. 38. The entire day is often used in catching these fish. 40. The wind at all times seems to affect them, as they are seen fre- quently running before it, and in quick motion. 41. At the present time there are no arrangements made to capture the fatback. The business has not seemed to pay, for want of trans- portation. 42, The fish when caught were used on the spot. The oil was pressed from them by hydraulic press, and the refuse was used as fertilizer. 58. It is probable that the fish caught does tend to diminish their num- bers and quantity. 70. Statement of A. C. Davis, Beaufort, N. 0., February 14, 1874, and January 27, 1875. se Fatback. More abundant than any other species. . Increased. No establishment in 1873; cannot state for other years. Does not. . In June; main body arrives in July; increase in size after arrival, and are largest in October. Schools are constantly coming in (in the season) at short intervals. 7. Swim on the surface except when disturbed ; they then sink, and in a short time reappear. Arrival is known only by their appearance in schools on the surface of the water. This latter, perhaps, may arise from the fact that about the time of their first appearance no fishing iSe - carried on by nets; it is, however, generally considered that their arrival is first known as stated. They make a distinct ripple on the water, and are easily known from other fish. They attract birds, &e. 8. Southward, ascend the rivers, drift in schools up and down with _the ebb and flood tides. 9. Regular and certain; they have never failed; seem to return in greater abundance; perhaps this is due to the fact that only a small quantity have been captured yearly in this locality. 10. Are taken by nets, &c., inside the inlets; are easily taken. The bo > orm 09 476 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. use of nets does not scare them further from the shore, but the rivers are not very wide. 11. Always swim or drift with the tide. 12. In the channels of the rivers. 13. The deepest; when attacked they swim near the bottom. 14. Are not seen after October, or, say, early in November. 15. Do not breed here; they arrive here one-fourth to one-half grown; neither two-year old fish nor the oldest arrive at their first appearance. 16. Not less in size than named in 15. 17. Main bodies in October and early in November, by degrees. 18. Proceed south. 19. Southward. 20. Having no teeth, they feed off the slime, scum, &c., on the surface of the river. 21. Further south; cannot say where. I have given this matter some attention, and from what I consider the best information they spawn at sea, not in the rivers, early in the spring. 22. No. On their appearance in the rivers the sexes are mixed indis- criminately. 23. Is colored late in the season, but is only noticed at the time of the “ catch” or “ take.” 28. Not in this locality. 29. Has been found to run in a late catch. 31. Not. 32. Severely from sharks, slightly from porpoises, late in the season ; when at the inlets they are attacked by bluefish. 33. Never has. 34, Cotton and gill twine nets, after being partially worn in taking other fish, are unfit for further use after the first season; slime, &c., rot them. 35. Generally 50 fathoms in length ; 50 to 60 meshes, of 14 inches to 18 inches per mesh, deep. ’ 36. Open boats and canoes only, carrying from 10 to 25 barrels, are used in this locality. 37. Two (2) men to each canoe and net. In making what is called a drop or haul, 4 to 6 nets are used. The school is surrounded, the fish are meshed in the net, shaken from the nets into the boat or taken out of the meshes by hand. The fish are never hauled to the beach. 38. One haul generally loads the canoe; two loads can be made in one day ; the time occupied for each load is from 2 to 4 hours. 39. More on the ebb. 40. Are more numerous in moderate weather with southerly winds. 41. Only boats and canoes, as named in 36. Very few were engaged — in the business, though enormous quantities of the fish were present in the rivers, during this last season. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN, ANT 42. At this time only, for agricultural purposes on the spot. None are sent abroad. 43. None. 47. Fifty (50) per barrel of 34 bushels. In previous years, 60 to 65, 0. Three-fourths gallon to 1 gallon at the first run in June. 1. Four gallons to 5 gallons in October and early in November. 2. Are one-fourth larger and yield more. 3. Three manufactories have been established (several years since) ; but all have suspended operations. 5). Scrap was sold principally at Baltimore and other northern points. 56. Is excellent for mixing with tar, ochre, &c., for painting roofs of houses, also water craft. It is also valuable in applying to cattle, hogs, &ce., for the extermination of vermin. 57. In previous years 75 cents per gallon. 58. Does not. or Or Ot ot 71. Statement of W. T. Hatsel, Body’s Island N., C., March 4, 1874, and February 23, 1875. _ . Fatback. . There are three times as many. . Neither diminished nor increased (diminished 1875). . Fifty thousand barrels in 1868; Excelsior Works at Ocracoke Inlet; ams & Co., Beaufort, N. C.; and Church & Co. 5. No. 6. There are two main bodies; one in the spring (April), another in the autumn (October). 7. They swim high and make a ripple, which attracts birds. 8. North and south. 9. Sometimes they fail for a season. 10. No. 11. They scatter at the flood. 12. Around inlets near the shore. 16. Yes, between, first and last; approach 3 inches long. 17. In very cold weather. 18. Southward. 19. Somewhere south. 20. They live by suction. 21. In the sounds. 23. Yes, it is colored white. 26. They are supposed to sink. 29. Sometimes. 00. Sharks, porpoises, and bluefish. If the parent devours them it must be done when quite young, or at spawn-time. 31. Worms are found in the gills and outside ; lampreys are also found outside. 32. They suffer very much. H Oo bo oF) A 478 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 33. What the nature of the epidemic is, I cannot say; I have known them to die to some extent. 34. Purse-seines. } 35. Five hundred yards long and 50 deep. 36. Cat-boats of 6 tons. 37. Seven men. 40. They move against the wind. 41. I believe there are none in the State. 42. Used for oil and scrap; the oil is sent to New York, the scrap to Baltimore. 43. There are now none. ' 46. The Excelsior Company’s cost $30,000; Church & Company’s cost $5,000; Adams & Company’s cost $5,000. 47. T'wenty-five cents. 48. One barrel of fish produces 14 gallons of oil. 49. Seventy-five gallons. 52. Yes. 54. New York. 55. Baltimore, Md. 56. For tanning purposes. 58. Does not perceptibly (1874). Yes (1875). 72. Statement of W. A. Harn, Morris Island, 8S. C., January 21, 1875. In reply to circular dated December 20, 1873, requesting information of fisheries and the habits of fish on this coast, I would say that there are no fisheries near this station, and the only fish that are caught here are the whiting, trout, and sheephead, and those in very small num- bers. ————__ — 73. Statement of Patrick Conner, Daufuskie Island Light, S. C., March 15, 1875. . Mossbunker, or bony shad. There are five hundred thousand per cent. more than any other. It has increased. None. There is no capture of them to have any effect. . In May. The main body come in June; they are; there are. . They swim high, make a ripple, and attract birds. . | know not their route; they come into the sound and go out with the tide. ° 9. It is. I never knew them to fail. 10. I cannot say. I never saw them caught. 11. They come in with the flood and go out with the ebb. AOtPwON He oe) HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 479 12. The bayous along the coast. 13. I do not know. I have seen them in all depths, from 3 feet to 6 fathoms. 14. It does. They never come before it gets warm in May. 15. They do; yes, but generally they go in schools according to size. 16. They are, in July and August, about 14 inches long. 17. They leave in September; in schools and by degrees. 20. Some sort of insects, or it may be their own eggs; they are con- stantly sucking in the tide. 28. They are in all the bayous along the southern coast. 20. I cannot say what enemies the spawn has; but shark and blue- fish destroy the young. 31. There is a bug, with several feet or Jegs, found outside on the cheek. 32. They suffer heavily ; but, on account of their very great numbers, are scarcely perceptibly diminished. 33. I do not know of any. 34, No kind. These fish are never captured. 35. There are none used. 36. No vessels employed of any tonnage. 40. High winds do; the small ones are cast ashore in rough weather. 41. None. 44, None. 45, None. 47. None bought or sold. 53. It has no history. There is none manufactured. 54. There is no market, for there is no oil. 55. There is no market; there is no scrap. 58. 1 cannot say ; they are never caught. ‘ 74. Statement of George Gage, Beaufort, S. C., January 20, 1874. Referring to your circular of December 20, 1873, relative to the ‘* men- haden fisheries,” &c., I have to report that I have no evidence of the existence in this district of either of the species of fish therein referred to. There is no fishing here in a commercial or statistical sense. > 75. Statements of Joseph Shepard, Saint Mary’s, Ga., March 30, 1874, and January 28, 1875. I have the honor to state, relative to the species of fish known as the mossbunker, that after making inquiries of men who have made a busi- ness of fishing on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, and who have fished for the mossbunker farther north, that none of that species 480 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. are found south of Cape Hatteras. I may mention that only one in- stance of the mossbunker being taken bere has come under my observa- tion. 2. Other fish are abundant here, but have diminished in numbers within the past twenty years, and I desire to respectfully call your attention to the probable cause. It is a well-known fact that brook trout will not remain in creeks below lumber-mills if the sawdust is thrown into them, for the sawdust, it is supposed, gets into their gills. The same reason would account for fish of all kinds being less plentiful now along the coast of Georgia than heretofore, as there is an immense amount of lumber sawed; and in most cases the sawdust is put in the water. 17. In November, north of Hatteras, in a body. 18. Supposed to go east to the Gulf Stream. 19. Possibly along the edge of the Gulf Stream. 20. Probably animalcule, as their mouth seems formed for straining water. 34. For other fish, cast-nets are used. 35. Length, 6 feet; spread, 12 feet. I beg to be allowed to add that a species of shell-fish called prawn (or shrimp of large growth) is very abundant on this coast during the months of March, April, and May. The length of body, after the out- side shell is taken off, is from 4 to 6 inches. They are considered a great delicacy, and may be canned by a very simple, process and made an article of commerce. There is also a small fish found here in great abundance at all seasons of the year, called jinger-mullet, a very sweet fish. There is reason to believe that this fish would rival the sardine if canned in the same or a similar manner. Its length is from 5 to 6 inches. Saint Mary’s, GA., January 28, 1875. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 23d ultimo, relative to statistics of fisheries, and to reply that since my last communication I have learned from one of the Saint Andrew’s, Ga., bar pilots that schools of fish called menhaden come into that sound with the flood-tide and go out with the ebb from the month of April un- til October, but not in as great numbers as found at the North. The same fish are also seen in calm weather during the winter months out- side the sea islands in about seven fathoms of water in large schools from 3 to 4 feet below the surface. My informant says he has caught ' them at such times with snatch-hooks. Very respectfully, , JOSEPH SHEPARD. Hon. SPENCER F. BAIRD, Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. © HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 481 76. Statement of J. F. Hall, Brunswick, Ga., April 11, 1876. First. They do not frequent the coast in this latitude. Second. There have been a few schools seen off this coast. One was in Saint Andrew’s Sound, latitude 31° 5’, in the spring of 1871. I saw one myself on May 30, 1872, latitude 31° 15’, in about eight fathoms of water. One school was reported off the coast by pilots in the summer of 1874. ——_—— 77. Statement of Capt. David Kemps, New Berlin, Fla., February 10, 1875. 1. Bony fish. 2. Greater. 3. Increased very much. 6. Come in the river about December in large schools about the full of the moon; more numerous at that time than any other, and continue until May. 7. Swim high and low at times, and make a ripple and attract sea- gulls. 8. Not known. No one has made it a study. 9. Regular, and seem to increase both in size and number. 11. More numerous on the flow of the tide. 12. Near the mouth of the river. 13. Alldepths; they have been caught as low as 17 feet. 14. Not in the least. 16. The young fish leave the river from July to October, and then in solid bodies mix with young shad. 19. In the river, within 30 miles of its mouth. 20. Supposed to live on small animal-matter in the water. : 21. They certainly spawn within the limit of 30 miles from the bar, as they are never seen higher up. They are supposed to spawn in the creeks aud coves of the river, as they are alive with the young in the summer and fall of the year. az 22. They are mixed indiscriminately 23. Has never been noticed, 24, No particular temperature. 28. Yes; in the creeks and coves of the river. 29 Yes; late in the season, say about April. 30. Catfish, garfish, crabs, eels, trout, and other fish. ol. At times we find a few fish with fish-lice in their mouth. 32. Sharks, jew-fish, porpoise, bass, and catfish are their greatest enemies, to both old and young, and they destroy a great many. 33. Yes; about four years ago they died in great numbers and were washed upon the shore of the river. 34, No particular nets are used. What are caught are in shad-nets having a 5-inch mesh. They are about 17 feet deep and all lengths. ol F 482 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. There are about fifty nets on the river. I suppose during the season they will catch about five hundred bushels. They are a nuisance to the shad fishermen. 36. None employed. 39. Yes, more, in shad-nets, on flood-tide toward high water. 40. More numerous with northeast wind. 41, None. 42, What few are caught are used for manure. 43, None. I will here state that these fish have steadily increased in size and numbers for the past five years. They are supposed to be much more plentiful on the coast outside of the bar. 78. Statement of Charles Koch, Jacksonville, Fla., January 15, 1874. 1, Yellow-tail. 2. In the waters of the Saint Mary’s, Amelia, Bell River, and Cumber- land Sound in greater numbers than other fish. 3. Increased. 5. No. 6. In February the yellow-tail appear in large schools. 7. They swim high in water only about 2 or 3 feet deep, and are only known by their capture and by the movements of sea-birds. 8. From the Atlantic Ocean, and they return by the ebb to the ocean. 9. Regular. 10. No nets are used; they are caught by hundreds with hook and line. : 11. They come with the tide, and return to the ocean with the ebb. 12. Oysterbanks and sandy ground, in clear water. 13. From 3 to 5 feet; as much as 12 feet from the surface. 14. In water from 60 degrees and upward the fish are more solid and fat. 15. Appear on the breeding-grounds in companies, and are of every size and age. 16. Young fish are seen and caught from 4 to 9 inches long. 17. Leave the coast in September by degrees. . Small shrimp, sandbire, and barnacles. . In the small creeks from March to the end of April. I find that these fish go in pairs. es. . Sixty to 75 degrees. . One to 2 feet near the bottom. The eggs sink to the bottom, and become attached to oysterbeds, stones, grass, &c. ; 23. The young fish are found in abundance in the small creeks. —) bb bs by by oo b> bo bo COU S HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 483 29. Yes. 30. Wild ducks, crabs, and barnacles destroy spawn and young fish. 31. Worms and lampreys are often found attached to the outside and on the gills; in few cases in the mouth. 32. Sharks and salt-water catfish attack these fish. 33. No. 34. They have been captured in nets by accident, but the fishermen here only fish for finer kinds of fish. 35. Nets for catching other fish are from 100 to 200 yards long and 10 feet deep. 36. None. 39. Yes; on the morning tide. 40. Yes; north and west wind have effect on them. 42. These fish are used as bait and as food for hogs and chickens, or as manure. 43, None. 79. Statement of D. P. Kane, Matagorda, Tex., March 1, 1874. _ Capt. William Nichols, a pilot residing at Saluria, Tex., informs me that in September, 1872, great quantities of pogies drifted upon the beach at Safuria, and that the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Mata- gorda Bay were full of them; he did not observe whether they were fat or not. I have been engaged in pogy fishing in Maine for eight years; have fished from Florida to Mexico, but have never seen or heard of men- haden ever being south of Cape Hatteras, with the above exception. APPENDIX 0. MISCELLANOUS ITEMS REGARDING THE USE OF FISH FOR MANURE. 1. The earliest printed account of the use of menhaden for a fertilizer, being an extract from an article by Ezra L’Hommedieu, 1801. Experiments made by using the fish called menhaden, or mossbunkers, as a manure have succeeded beyond expectation, and will likely become a source of wealth to farmers living on such parts of the sea-eoasts where they can be taken with ease and in great abundance. These fish abound with oil and blood more than any other kind of their size. They are not used for food, except by negroes, in the English West India [slands; and the price is so low that it will not answer to cure them for market. They are easily taken in the month of June, when they come near the shores in large and numerous schools. These fish have been used as a manure in divers ways and on different soils, 484 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 1st. In dunging corn in the holes, put two in a hill in any kind of soi} where corn will grow, and you will have a good crop. The Indians on the sea-coasts used to dung their corn with wilks and other shell-fish, and with fish if they could get it. 2d. By spreading those fish on the ground for grass a good crop is produced; put them on a piece of poor loamy land, at the distance of 15 inches from each otber on the tarf, exposed to the sun and air, and by their putrefaction they so enrich the land that you may mow about two tons per acre. How long this manure will last experience has not yet determined. 3d. An experiment was made the last summer by one of my near neighbors, Mr. Jonathan Tuthill, in raising vegetables with this fish- ‘manure, About the first of June he carted near half an ox-cart load of those fish on 20 feet square of poor light land, being loam mixed with sand. The fish he spread as equally as he could by throwing them out of the cart. Being exposed to the weather they were soon consumed. He then raked off the bones to prevent their hurting the feet of the children who might go into the garden, and plowed up the piece and planted it with cucumbers and a few cabbages. The season was extremely dry, and but very few cucumbers were raised in the neighborhood except what grew on this small piece of ground, and here the production ex- ceeded anything that had been known. By his own computation, and that of his neighbors, this 20 feet square of ground produced more than forty bushels of cucumbers, besides some fine cabbages. I measured the ground myself, and make no doubt of the quantity adjudged to have grown on the same. By putting these fish on the land for manure, exposed to the air until they are consumed, there can be no doubt that a considerable part of the manure is lost by the effluvia which passes off the putrefied sub- stance, as is evident from the next experiment. 4th. Mr. Joseph Glover, a farmer in Suffolk County, having a small poor farin, for a few years past has gone into the practice of making manure with these fish for the purpose of enriching his land, which is a loamy soil, dry, and in parts light. He first carts earth and makes a bed of such circumference as will admit of being nine inches thick; he then puts on one load of fish, then covers this load with four loads of common earth; but if he can get rich dirt he then covers it with six loads, and in that manner makes of fish and earth a heap of about thirty loads. The whole mass soon becomes impregnated and turns black. By ex- perience he finds that fifteen ox-cart loads of this manure is a sufficient dressing for one acre of his poor land, which produces him thirty bushels of the best wheat by the acre, and the next year from the same land sown with clover-seed he has cut four tons of hay, which he computes at two loads and a half by theacre. The expense of making this ma- nure where the fish are plenty cannot exceed three shillings per ton, and is the cheapest manure, considering its quality, of any yet known, HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN,. 485 provided it is durable, which cannot yet bedetermined. On some parts of Long Island those fish are taken in seines, and carted six and seven miles for the purpose of manure, and is found to be very profitable business. Mr. Glover relates a circumstance which is curious, and confirms some experiments made by Dr. Priestly, and at the same time shows that you derive less benefit from those fish when exposed to the air than when covered with earth. He madea heap composed of those fish and earth in the manner above related, near a fence where a field of wheat was growing on the opposite side. The wheat near the heap soon changed its color and grew luxuriant ; and at harvest yielded nearly double the quantity of the other part of the field. He is confident that the wheat could derive no nourishment from the heap or compost by its being washed by rains to the ground on the other side of the fence where the wheat grew, and could beaffected only by the effluvia arising from the putrefaction of the fish and absorbed by the leaves of the wheat.* 2. Letters from Prof. C. A. Goessmann, on the agricultural value of men- haden fertilizers. AMHERST, MAss., October 6, 1877. DEAR Sir: In answer to your favor of the 2d inst., requesting me to state whether my views regarding the character and the agricultural value of the menhaden fish-fertilizers are fully expressed in my official reports, I take pleasure to reply that my third annual report, which is published in the twenty-third annual report of the secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture (1875 to 1876), contains the most detailed exposition of my opinions regarding that subject. Well-prepared fish- refuse from our menhaden fish-rendering works are justly considered equal to the best branch of our home manufactured nitrogenous phos- phates in commercial and agricultural value. Fish-fertilizers repair to some extent the injury which agriculture suffers from the customary wasteful sewage system of our large cities; to secure an increased sup- ply is worthy of the most careful consideration from an economical stand-point. The due appreciation of our fish-fertilizers suffers still from their variable composition ; they differ quite frequently largely in moist- ure, and are, as a general rule, too coarse to secure speedy action. A more uniform mode of rendering and a more satisfactory mode of dry- ing and grinding are very desirable for obvious reasons. To separate the rendering business from the manufacture of the fertilizers promises better chances for the removal of the present difficulties. I am in- formed that a patent has been secured to abstract the fat more thor- oughly by some chemical process—I presume by means of bisulphide of * Commtnications made to the society, relative to manures, by Ezra L’Hommedieu, esq. < Transactions of the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts, and Man- ufactures, instituted in the State of New York. Vol. I, 1801, pp. 65-67. 486 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. carbon or benzine—yet I cannot vouch for the correctness of that state- ment; to render but slightly the fish mass and to abstract the remainder of the fat subsequently with some suitable liquid, benzine, &c., would be a step in the right direction. I found 18 per cent. of fat in dried fish- scraps; a good Norwegian fish-guano contains frequently but from 2.5 to 3 per cent. of fat, and is ground to a fine powder. The entire re- moval of the fat favors the drying of the fish mass and increases its per- centage of nitrogen and phosphorie acid, which in turn raises the com- mercial value of the resulting material. The feeding of the fish-guano as a rich article of food to our domesticated herbivorous animals, as sheep, &c., has engaged of later years considerable attention on the part of scientific investigators as a more economical mode of using fish for fertilizing purposes. The German experiment stations at Proskau and at Hohenheim have published of late interesting confirmatory results, I take the liberty to inclose a page of printed matter, which contains a fair statement of present values of fertilizing substances ; it is taken out of my fourth annual report on “ commercial fertilizers,” and may prove of interest to you. Offering my services most cheerfully in case my opinion on any particular point should be desirable, I remain Very respecttully, yours, C. A. GOESSMANN. Prof. G. BROWN GOODE, Washington, D. C. AMHERST, MAss., November 24, 1877. DEAR SiR: I sent to day by mail such of my reports as are still on hand. I regret that I have no copy of my third report, which contains the most detailed discussion on fish and fish fertilizers. I presume by writing to Hon. Charles L. Flint, secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, Boston, for his annual report of 1875 to 1876, which contains my third report, you may be able to secure acopy. A carefully dried and finely ground fish is considered to be one of our best substitutes for the Peruvian guano, which is formed from the excretions of fish-eating animals, as sea-birds, &c. To secure a similar speedy influ- ence on the growth of plants, it is customary to compost fish with soil in the usual manner a month or two previous to the designed use. The flesh of fish coming from the rendering vats is in an excellent condition for rapid disintegration ; the Same may be said regarding the fish-bones. An addition of sulphuric acid to fresh fish-refuse from the oil-press exerts a beneficial influence on the gradual disintegration of the organic mat- ter and the bones, securing at the same time the entire amount of nitro- gen by rendering the ammonia formed non-volatile. Larger quantities of sulphuric acid produce an increased amount of soluble phosphoric acid. A good fish-guano belongs to our richest nitrogenous materials for manuring purposes. An addition of soluble phosphates in many in- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 487 stances aids in economizing its nitrogen, and thereby lessens the expenses for the production of many of our farm crops. Potash compounds added to fish-guano tend to produce a more complete fertilizer, and therefore renders its use safer wherever larger proportions of potash compounds are essential for the crops under cultivation. Fish-guano, like Peru- vian guano, is very deficient in potassa. To render the fish before work- ing them into fertilizers is not only good economy as far as the gain of the oil is concerned, it favors also a more rapid disintegration of the organic matter by allowing the moisture freely to permeate the entire mass. The more the fat has been removed previous to their incopora- tion into the soil, the more speedy will be their disintegration and sub- sequent diffusion in the soil. Oil appears also to be indifferent to plant-growth. Wishing that these short discussions of your special inquiries may be not without interest to you, I remain Respectfully, yours, C. A. GOESSMANN. Prof. G. B. GoopE, Middletown, Conn. 3. A Description of the factory of the Pacific Guano Company, at Wood’s Holl, Mass. Menhaden scrap is used to a considerable extent for the purpose of securing the desired proportion of nitrogen (ammonia) in the manu- facture of those commercial fertilizers known as superphosphates. By many manufacturers it is used only incidentally, their chief reliance being bird-guano or the dried refuse of the slaughter-houses. The Pacific Guano Company of Boston, however, make it their base for ammonia, and use it aS a principal ingredient of their manufactured guano, This com- pany was established in 1861 by a number of ship-owners in search of business for their unemployed vessels. Having purchased Howland’s Island in the Southern Pacific, where there was a rich deposit of bird- guano, they established their business on Spectacle Island, in Boston Harbor, and here they carried their guano, and, having dried it in the vats of the deserted salt-works, put it up in bags for the market. After a time it was suggested that the guano might be improved by the admix- ture of refuse fish, and that the ammonia lost by exposure to the weather might thus be replaced. In this way the use of menhaden chum, already well known as a manure, was introduced into the manu- facture. In 1863 the works were removed to Wood’s Holl, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, with the intention of capturing the fish needed, and after extracting the oil, applying the pumice to the manufacture of guano. 488 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. To this end an extensive outfit of vessels and nets was obtained and a force of men employed. The location, however, proved to be unfavor- able, and after five years’ trial the fishery project was abandoned. At this point, however, there was little difficulty in procuring the necessary supply of fish-serap from the oil-works on Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound. About 1866 the supply of guano on Howland’s Island having become nearly exhausted, its place was gradually supplied by the phosphate of lime brought from Swan Island, and two years later by the South Caro- lina phosphates. The use of the bird-guano, from which the company originally took its name, has been entirely discontinued, though for some years it was the custom to add a small percentage of that substance. The mineral phosphates are found to supply its place very satisfactorily. The company has two factories: that at Wood’s Holl and another near Charleston, 8. C. The capacity of the latter is about two-thirds of the former, although the working force is about the same. ‘That at Wood’s Hole, which may be considered a representative establishment, is situated on Long Neck, about half a mile northwest of the village. The factory buildings are very extensive, covering nearly two acres of land, and are used exclusively in the manufacture of the guano, and sulphuric acid used in its development, and for storing the raw mate- rials. A gang of about 85 men is employed, one-third of whom are engaged in loading and unloading wharf-work, one-third in manufacture, and one-third in packing for shipment. At one time as many as 125 men were employed, but the introduction of labor-saving machinery has ren- dered a considerable reduction of the force practicable, while at the same time the working capacity of the factory has been largely increased. A steam-engine of 120 horse-power is used; also two small hoisting- engines for loading and discharging cargoes. The ingredients of manu- facture are few and simple, viz: fish-scrap, mineral phosphate of lime, sulphuric acid, and incidentally katnit, and sometimes common salt. The average annual purchase of scrap amounts to not far from 10,000 tons. It is stored in bulk in great wooden sheds, and is sometimes retained a long time before it can be used. At the time of writing, August 16, 1875, a large quantity remains over from the previous year. The store-houses cover an area of 16,640 square feet, and the serap is stowed to the depth of 15 feet, giving a storage space of 159,600 cubic feet.* The mineral phosphate is obtained chiefly from South Carolina, from *JIn a letter of October 8, 1877, Mr. A. F. Crowell states: ‘‘In our business here we consumed for the year 1375~76, 708 tous dry scrap (menhaden), value $29,164; 2,538 tons crude serap, value $31,682; producing 13,010 tons soluble Pacific guano; 1876-77, 2,176 tons dry scrap, value $57,784; 5,188 tons crude scrap, value $52,248; producing 11,593 tons soluble Pacific guano. Our works at Charleston usually consume one-third less than here.” HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 489 the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and from Chisholm’s Island in Bull River, near Saint Helena Sound. The company owns Swan Island, sit- uated in the Caribbean Sea, about 290 miles off Jamaica, and the phos- phate of lime was obtained from that point until 1866 or 1867, when the reopening of the south gave access to the Charleston beds. The company of late bas used a considerable quantity of the rock from Navassa, a small island lying between Cuba and Santo Domingo, a red- dish deposit, rich in phosphate of lime. This deposit is estimated to contain on the average 72 per cent. of phosphate of lime, while the brown deposit from Saint Helena Sound, technically known as “ marsh- rock,” contains 60 per cent., and the yellow “land-rock,” from the vicinity of Charleston, only 50. About 12,000 tons of this rock is used annually in the Woods Holl establishment. Great piles of rock are to be seen lying out of doors and under sheds, and at the time of my visit it was estimated that there were seven or eight hundred tons on hand. The only damage to which it is liable from exposure is that it collects moisture and becomes more difficult to grind. In such eases it is piled in great heaps upon a brick floor, and roughly kiin- dried by a fire of soft coal kindled under it. The sulphuric acid used is manufaciured on the spot from Sicily sul- phlur, which is brought in vessels from Boston and direct from the Medi- terranean. About 1,200 tons of sulphur are used aunually, and not far from 3,000 tons of sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid used in manufac- ture is brought up to a standard density indicated by 66 on the Baumé hydrometer, a specific gravity of 1.7674. The buildings used in this branch of the business are nearly as exten- sive as all the others. The three leaden tanks have a capacity of 185,000 cubie feet, the smaller containing 48,000 the others 2,000 and 6,500 respectively. In the early days of the business the sulphurie acid was brought from Waltham, Mass., and New Haven, Conn., in carboys, but since 1866 it has been manufactured in Woods Holl at a large saving of ex- pense. The Leopoldshall kainit, which averages about 124 per cent. potash, comes from the mines at Leopoldshall, in the Duchy of Anhalt, near Stassfurt, in Germany. Its use is comparatively recent, until this year if having been impracticable to obtain it in any considerable quantity. At the time of my visit a Hamburg brig was discharging a cargo at the wharf. Not far from 500 tons are used annually. It takes the place of the coarse salt formerly used, a refuse product from the gunpowder works at New Haven, Conn. The process of manufacture is sufficiently simple. The fish-serap, on its reception, is stored, after being mixed with about 3 per cent. of its weight of kainite. This is a precaution necessary to prevent fermenta- tion and putrefaction. Experiments are now in progress to test the effect of a large mixture of kainite, which it is hoped will do away entirely with this trouble. Common salt, as has been stated, was for- merly used fer this purpose. 490 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The phosphate, as needed, is crushed in a stone-crushing machine, and ground between millstones to the consistency of fine flour. A con- venient arrangement of hoppers and elevators greatly facilitates this part of the work. The scrap having been stored in one wing of the factory, the ground phosphate in another, the sulphuric acid having been forced into a reservoir near by, by pneumatic pressure, the process of mixing is easily carried on. For this work, two of Poole & Hunt’s patent mixers are employed. These are larger basins of iron, each of which contains about a ton of the mixed material. In these the ingredients are placed in the proportion of 1,000 pounds of phosphate, 900 of scrap, and from 300 to 450 pounds of sulphuric acid. The basins then revolve rapidly, while a series of plows on one side, also revolving, thoroughly stir the mass which passes under them. Fifteen minutes suffices for a thorough mixture, and the guano is removed to a storage-shed, where it remains for six weeks or more to allow the ingredients to thoroughly combine. It is then thrown into hoppers, passed throngh rapidly-re- volving wire screens, and after it has been packed in 200-pound sacks is ready for the market. About 600 bags can be filled in a day. Before the invention of the Poole & Hunt mixing machine the guano was'mixed with hoes in large wooden or stone tubs. This process was laborious and very expensive, and various machines were devised, but they proved failures because the materials caked, clogging the wheels and knives in a very short time. The guano often contains hard lumps such as cannot be pulverized by the wire screen. Residue of this kind is subjected to the action of the Carr disintegrator, which consists of two wheels revolving in opposite directions at the rate of 600 revolutions to the minute.* The offensive odor of the factories renders them disagreeable to per- sons residing in the neighborhood, and legal measures have been: taken in one or two instances to prevent the manufacturers from carrying on their business, May 5, 1871, at the session of the United States cireuit court in New Haven, Judge Woodruff, Connecticut vs. Enoch Coe, of Brooklyn, N. Y., granting an injunction to restrain the defendant from manufacturing manure from fish at his works in Norwalk Harbor, on the ground that the same created a nuisance. In 1872 the Shelter Island Camp-meeting Association made an effert to have the factories on Shel- ter Island closed, on the same grounds. Peop'e interested in building up Woods Holl as a watering place once agitated legal measures to compel a removal of the works, but the general sentiment of the town of Falmouth, in which the company pays heavy taxes, and specially of the many villagers of Woods Holl who earn their living in the works, prevented any results. *The above description was written up in 1874 from facts contributed by Messrs. Crowell and Shiverick, of the Pacitic Guano Company, and short-hand notes taken by Mr. H. A. Gill.—G. B. G. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 491 4. The Cumberland Bone Company’s works. The following account of a similar establishment in Maine is taken bodily from the report of Boardman & Atkins. The facts appear to have been compiled from an article in the Lewiston Evening Journal, for August 17, 1874. “ The Cumberland Bone Company, whose works are located in Booth Bay, is more largely engaged in the use of fish-scrap in the manufacture of commercial fertilizers than any other company operating in this State. The works of this company, formerly located in Cumberland County, were removed to Booth Bay in 1873-74, and altogether occupy six buildings for the various purposes connected with their business. They use South Carolina phosphatic rock, Nevassa, ground bones, fish, scrap, sulphuric acid, salt cake, and a slight amount of deodorizing compound. The phosphatic rock is heavy and solid, of a grayish color, in lumps of all sizes, and is bought by the cargo. The Nevassa is red- dish brown in color, quite fine, a little lumpy, but not at all solid, and is a sort of guano from an island of the same name in the West Indies. These two are ground together in the proportion of two parts of the former to one of the latter; being ground to a fine powder which is of a grayish cinnamon-brown color. The fish-scrap used by the company is furnished by the Atlantic Oil Works, whose establishment is situated very near the works of the former company. Before being used it is treated with the deodorizing mixture—a substance of a very faint yel- low color, of which, judging from its appearance, one would say that gypsum might be the foundation. This mixture is made in one of the build- ings of the company provided with a furnace and the necessary tanks or retorts, and its preparation is a secret process, understood to have been invented by the president of the company. It is said to have been thoroughly tested and to work well, and it is thought will come into use generally among the companies that handle fish-scrap. At present a good many of them are troubled with injunctions because of the stench arising from the accumulated scrap, which is constantly giving off its ammonia. After being treated with this deodorizer the scrap is placed jn barrels, and is quite inoffensive, a slight odor of ammonia being ob- servable. Bones are ground raw; to get them fine enough they go through several mills, but they are not reduced near so fine as the phos- phatic rock or Nevassa. The company sell large quantities of this bone meal as feed. One of the buildings of the company is used for the man- ufacture of sulphuric acid, of which sulphur and niter are the principal ingredients. Salt cake is a residue from the distillation of niter as car- ried on in the acid works. The mixing of the ingredients into super- phosphate is performed in the mixing-room, an apartment of the main manufacturing building. Overa circular floor, about eight feet in diam- eter, revolve horizontally several arms with breaks and scoops attached. Ingredients are poured upon the floor, the arms revolve, dense fumes 492 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. arise from the chemical action, and in a very short space of time the process is complete. The arms stir the mixture together perfectly and collect it in the middle of the table, whence it is dumped into the base- ment. Here it is piled up, and as soon as convenient it is passed through a long cylinder, where it is dried by hot air. It is then passed through a long series of revolving sieves, and all the coarser particles, which consist altogether of pieces of fish, are dried and ground over again. The superphosphate is then barreled. It is a very dark gray, almost black in some specimens, but drying off to a light gray. In some lots there is a brownish tinge. In mechanical texture the superphosphate in the barrels is not perfectly fine—a great quantity of bits of fish re- maining unchanged init. The proportion of the different ingredients used in the manufacture of superphosphate at these works cannot be stated, and is probably one of the secrets of the business. Indies, Santa Cruz, Porto Rico, Cuba, and the Bermudas. Their manufactured products are classed by four grades: (1) Pine Island Superphosphate, containing from 4 to 5 per cent. of ammonia, 7 to 9 per cent. of phosphoric acid (average), and 2 per cent. of potash; (2 Pine Island Guano, containing 7 per cent. of ammonia and 7 of phos- phorie acid, which is intended chiefly for tobacco farmers and market- gardners; (3) Quinnipiac dry-ground fish guano, which is sun-dried scrap thoroughly ground; and (4) crude or half-dried scrap.* 6. The Crowell Chemical Manufacturing Company. A New Inpustry.—The Crowell Chemical Manufacturing Company, at Woods Holl, are now building a large factory that is nearly com- pleted for the purpose of making fish flour for the European markets, this flour being a dry, inodorous poudrette for agricultural purposes. As soon as the building is completed a large amount of machinery that is ready for the purpose will be placed in order immediately, and then the company will be ready to commence operations. They will require twenty tons of fish each day to supply their needs, and as the whole fish is utilized by their process they desire large ones for their business, the bodies being valued in the following order: Black- fish, porpoises, sharks, dog-fish, porgies, and skates, the fish being bought entirely by weight. Sharks will be purchased at about the same rates as porgies, as will dog-fish. The company will employ from one to three steamers to con- * These facts were given us by Mr. H. L. Dudley, president of the company, during a visit to Pine Island in October, 1877.—G. B. G. 494 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. stantly cruise for their supplies, making trips from Block Island to the eoast of Maine, touching at Noman’s Land, Martha’s Vineyard, Nan- tucket, Cape Cod, and other intermediate points, to see the fishermen and purchase their catches. Dr. Sims, the head of this business, was the medical director of the Third Army Corps at the close of the rebellion, to which he was ap- pointed after serving a year as surgeon on the staff of General Hooker, and is a gentleman of great business capacity and superior intelli gence.—{Island Review. ee “Pactric GUANO COMPANY, ‘‘ Woods Holl, Mass., October 8, 1877. ‘DEAR Sir: Yours 2d at hand. An improved process for the treat- ment of fish is now being tested by myself and others. Experiments reveal to us that the fish can be preserved, and that we are able to get a scrap from them of higher grade in ammonia and a dry powder. The fish are treated with bisulphide of carbon and of hydrocarbons as benzine. The process removes all the oil and leaves the product in a dry powder. The by-product of oil is about eighty per cent. more than by kettle and press, and goes far towards paying expenses. ‘‘The dry scrap as now obtained from menhaden yields on an average, 10.50 per cent. ammonia (NH;); by the new process 14 per cent. ammonia (NHs3). ‘We are erecting a building 85 by 40 feet, 34 feet high, to fully test the process, and expect to be in working order in December. I inclose an article taken from the Nantucket paper. You can no doubt give us valuable information in regard to the habits of the shark, their breeding- ground, &c. The fishermen represent a supply off Nantucket that can be taken with hook and line. ‘Tn our business here we consumed for the year 1875-76 708 tons dry scrap (menhaden), value $20,164; 2,338 tons crude serap, value $31,682; producing 13,010 tons soluble Pacific guano; 1876-77, 2,176 tons dry scrap, value $57,784; 5,188 tons crude scrap, value $62,248; producing 11,398 tons soluble Pacific guano. Our works at Charleston usually consume one-third less than here. ‘* The menhaden scrap is now dried more extensively than ever. The solar heat and hard platforms found to be the cheapest and most satis- factory process. We purchase what dry scrap we can in place of crude scrap. I send you the only document published bearing on the history of this company. ‘Yours, truly, “A, F, CROWELL. ‘‘ Prof. G. BROWN GOODE.” HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 495 7. Methods of calculating costs of valuable ingredients of fertilizers.* The method referred to on page 235 consists in comparing different fertilizers by the costs per pound of the valuable ingredients at the prices at which the articles are sold. The way in which these computations are made here may be explained as follows: Take first a simple case, a sulphate of ammonia containing 20 per cent. ef nitrogen, and sold at $100 per ton. Twenty per cent. is equivalent to 400 pounds in a ton of 2,000 pounds. These 400 pounds of nitrogen cost $100. One pound will therefore cost $100 ~ 400 = 25 cents. Now,a more complicated case. Suppose a superphosphate to contain valuable ingredients (and that, for convenience, we indicate the latter by abbreviations), as below : Soluble phosphoric acid, (Sol.).......10 per cent.=200 pounds in ton, Insoluble phosphoric acid (Ins.) ..... 2.5 per cent.= -50 “ 6G mmroeen.(N.)) Sees wie win eve 3 percent.= 60 “ 666 that it be sold at $40 per ton, and that the values of the ingredients are in the ratios of Sol. 15, Ins. 6, and N. 25 cents per pound. The problem will be to find a series of values in the ratios 15: 6: 25, which, multiplied by the respective numbers of pounds of Sol., Ins., and N. in a ton, will give three products, whose sum will be $40. The method employed here for solving the problem is as follows: The assumed rate for Ins. was 6 cents, that for Sol., 15 cents, or 24 times as much, and that for N. 25 cents, or 44 times as much. Multiply the number of pounds of Sol. in, a ton by 24, and that of N. by 41, and add the products to the number of pounds of Ins., and the sum will be the number of pounds of Ins. which would have the same value as the Sol., Ins., and N. actually present taken together. Divide the whole cost by this sum and the quotient will be the cost of one pound of Ins. This multiplied by 24 will give the cost of one pound of Sol., and by 42 will give the cost of one pound of N. The calculations for the above case will be: Olea ce madiss et Weekes Sule ok, dati: 200 pounds x 25=500 pounds Ins. sis osee 5352585 Nol aenehee a, has eee 33 Oy wi 68 5 =o Fe - preset AOS SE OS SUSY OY As ails OBNT Fii y 56 ARO “ 800 6é “ The price per ton, $40, divided by 800, gives 5 cents, the cost of one pound of Ins.; 5 x 24=124 cents cost, of one pound of Sol.; and 5 x 41= 202, cost of one pound of N. *From report of Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 1876, W. O. Atwater, director. 496 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The proof of the correctness of these figures is plain: Soluble phos. acid, 200 Ibs., @ 125 cents, would cost.......--. $25 00 Insoluble ‘“ 6. BO Tbs. . ep aes uf LAOS er 2 50 Nitrogent 60 lbs., @ 203 66 a eect eg col aa 12 50 Total valuable ingredients in ton would cost .......-..- $40 00 Another method for caleulating the costs of ingredients, which con- sists in estimating the value of one at an assumed rate per pound, sub- tracting its total value, as thus computed, from the whole cost, and divid- ing the remainder by the number of pounds of the other ingredients to get the cost of the latter, is too simple to require further explanation here. In valuations current in this country, nitrogen in these substances has been reckoned as worth all the way from two to five times as much as phosphoric acid, pound for pound. Considering the fact that the nitro- gen is generally in quite readily, and the phosphoric acid often in very slowly available forms, there is ground for varying ratios. A full dis- cussion of this subject would require more space than either the knowl- edge at our disposal or the necessary limits of this article would per- mit. In brief, however, I do not find it easy to see why, if nitrogen is worth only about twice as much as phosphoric acid, pound for pound, when both are in their most available forms, it should be worth three or four times as much, as is sometimes assumed, in bone, in which both occur in much less available forms. ‘Too little is known at present of the effect of decomposing nitrogenous matter in bone, fish, castor-pom- ace, and the like, in dissolving, diffusing, and otherwise rendering avail- able the phosphates with which it is so intimately connected, to enable us to form any accurate estimate of its valine on this account. I con- fess that in the light of the little knowledge that we do have it seems to me more just to preserve ratios of valuation of nitrogen and phos- phoric acid in bone the same, or nearly the same, as in the most avail- able forms. In fish, animal refuse, and other materials which contain considerable nitrogenous matter other than that so intimately mingled with the phosphate, and in a form probably more ready to decompose, it seems reasonable to give the higher relative value to nitrogen. In view of such considerations as these, the costs of nitrogen and phosphoric acid in the tables in this report have been calculated on - basis of ratios as follows: In fish, slaughter-house refuse, and castor-pomace—Nitrogen ; Phos- phoric acid :; 23 ; 1. In bone—Nitrogen : Phosphoric acid:; 2: 1. In superphosphates the costs of the ingredients are calculated on a basis of ratios as per the valuations used in the last report of the sta- tion, to wit: Nitrogen, 25; phosphoric acid, soluble in water, 15; solu- ble in ammonium citrate, 10; insoluble, 6. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 497 In Peruvian guanos the same rates are adopted as for the superphos- phates, the additional ingredient potash being rated at 8. The prices are those at which the articles have been sold, or offered to farmers during the year at the places of sale; the lower rates in large quantities, lots of a ton or more, for cash; the higher one for smaller lots, or on time. In addition to the analyses and valuations given in the text of the report, the following are presented as indications of the actual condi- tion of the fertilizer market in respect to three most important classes of commercial fertilizers—nitrogenous superphosphates, Peruvian gua- nos, and fish manures. The prices given are those which prevailed in 1875~76, and are in some cases a trifle higher than now rule. 32 F 498 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 0°ST | &°S% | 00 0S €°€T | €°Gs | 00 Sh G06 | 6 SE | 00 SP 8° | TEs | 00 OF PPL | GHG | OS Gb L'&L | 6°63 | 00 0S 8ST | GEG | 00 SF € GL | L'0G | 00 OF b'IL | G'6T | 00 OF 8°CT | $96 | 0S GF L'bT | 2° | 00 Sh L 6°ST | 8°96 } 00 8F ARDC Ie raat I eee FG | 00 SP | Jl ial cain | el 6°G6 | 00 SF £ GLI | 0°66 | 00 0S 4 “"**""1 9°66 | 00 8F Gable ioe ms. |i” “| STP | 00 8F 0 S°rG | 00 OS 0° G'Té | 0S LP 9 €£'0€ | 00 8F sess"! 6'8 |-"-"-"| GST | STS | 00 BFF “s7UaQ |"s7UaQ |"8714aQ |"s7WaQ |"s7WAa_D 72) sje} e|2/2) & Bole 18 | aleee|- & & o DS 2 ue c=] a (ee 5 5 . S *plov o110qdsong 3 S *poyeqs 5 seotid 4v syuorpersut ofqen -[eA JO Youo punod ouo Jo 4s0g “SNOILVATVA GBT | SOE | 00 &¢ €'9T | #'LB | 00 SS 8°LT | 6 °6G | 00 OF b PL | G FS | 00 OF | 2 io Bio | % 23 of. Bq g fer} B co =) "19 "A \"19 “te “SUSXTVNV OO eee TL'0 OF 'E | GL'9 03% cL ‘Tt LAU | cecil GW Vs ee t0°T 6L‘T | $8°S 69 160 6 °F | 1L°S 0S G PEGE liz eas “| 90°¢ crt 68 °G 8€°9 | GLC 8L‘P 88 °T con NOGNO = |\seen ae EPL Rtebeaen| eee s Th '8 68 ‘T €6°8 | 8% 069 BLT Goris POSE eames OL‘? Speen ROnG 09 °€ pce pa, SO aes FSO ae | eter Set te OV AON CGGEG Loe | pene 03 0 GOO Means een] ante ae 1¢°0 PEO GORGE Weeeee= 6 °9 86°T | $6°9 ce 0 160 19°G | 86°6 OF e $9 °F pet COniee ese 08 0 910 | 16°6 09% Be0e |ttttt wisiee wets cl eaters Geis | aueme Soil ee, ge ea GG "E 09°8 | OL'T L6G SinG as |eeaie Be ON le eee LEeSe lle eae ROUON 10670 Teh L9°9 | “OMON [>=-7 >" BEIGE sake Hy) SOMONE | "2555 LESGE Ve || ROUOND | Pree =a {$23} Biles cnet (et pa & LL€ 20 UT \"90 | 90° |'20 UT ° a =] Ee = 3 Sh © o oi 2 & > = ° “OTQUTICAW ‘prov o1m0ydsoy gy ‘[ TIavL ‘QIN YSTOTL *19qUINU WOT}e}S --""--TIeqqeyueNy oueNny pool oruqdsongy pia eeieb ig OC csO §,55849 ‘oyeydsoqdzedng “"*""-8 TOSTT A ‘oyeqdsoqdiodng reretaralas ere ratate teresa yee Onn “= YQIUIg “TT 2 Oo ‘f ‘oyeqydsoqdaiodng pS Shs ree ieee rs es TOSMONIIV Y puvquoy ‘eyeydsoqdaodng pases soig 1o4sry ‘eyeydsoydsodng maleate ste oe eer eely, ya sisiatela tate tet ee econ en neee ne se=-Qcy a 2 Pee ee ee oe a sem recisin gece se sieice ee 9 § -" 909 Tessnyy ‘eyeqdsoydiodng ouog poyvimomuy SRO RON ONE DSS OHH ash. coSAPOSCITODS street ers e seers sees energy "777 SOT“ AA “9D ‘eyeydsoydiedng eu0g poyviInomuy *------o ey dsoyg episs9any ----0g --- SplvApy 2 uosdurogqy, ‘oyeqdsoyad sodng euog poze momUy sro rtereo-""" SnIBMpH 2 uosduroyy, ‘ -Wog pus ywoTT PoaTossi ASSO AIA SOC SSSI TE AA OBEROI BORE SOS MR NET oS tee = 8207 tet tnt ne eee cece ne cence erence rene nee eee eee neon esOcy wrocassesrosssensessssooseniBMpE wy uosdmoy TL, ‘omog poalossi(T “IOZT[}IOF JO OWMLNT ‘saapydsoydwodns pup sazpydsoyd snouabo.rnr 499 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. wenere|eeeeee] poy t9 joo ge |r EGTA GREE MMOONaY Wee "OOO 5" "sitpyte sce SS sRegD eae ts =" [gern pon. [ios t ict eset ens ces eee per ere: sec eas pee ere Oe ; Leg} ees [vet] abe | apt [ete] neo fers ogeak | te forittt itt tt atoyeqy uowsrag ‘soz 10g Tey poyenproy a “MOORE Alcan ce alecese afr Sle 666 (est I" Torrerssessee* TO yUqy UOUysug ‘Tez Ieq peUTTy ‘SLONGOUd ASHOH-YALHOAVIS O% | L‘St| 81s} o'96 | 00 Gc | 18%] Les 86'S | 6L'T | 89°S 69°SE | OPE [i trees eee omen [Mog vag 8, Aoperg 9°9 F'9T | 9°28 | 00 Sh | Shs | BO $08 | So‘T | 96'S OO'LT | ELE [7777777777777 77 777 oywydsoqdiodng oucg poyeruomury 40010 0% 6 ‘FS | 61h | 00 OF | EF%] 60% brO «| TSS] HOG «| GB | EVOL | OBE [i777 7t 777777771777 7* SeMO poafossiq peyeuoUIUTY 8 [ayu10}g 09 9°81 | 1€ | 00 ch | 10'S | 8F% OC yhiy (Ce TGL- DPE o8\F 7 cae Rey a LOT oy yaa een ee ee cel Sa ie lee eee 9% SFL | b's | 00 Sh | €6°S | Bb ek WOE TE Pe0's [7 "=e OStOE Wor is stascgseeset sees ese toneuy) Olqnto @pyoed “le Feiss [poeta eect | atic |) LONG Weesces|Suee A PONB)|"ShSis MOET, ||\stan-tetenecss cir lamisears une: oaees 1LOZT Ode RO motied $9 | 86 | 9'er | 2%] 00cm | BoL | ca'9 P80 | 96°0| e6°% 777777] SL'Br | ELT Fe ee ae ee asia ae Be a a €°9 |S'6 | CI] 1° | 00 ch | 8°9| FO'S €6°T | Ge] SG [7777] LG *ct | 66 [77°77 7 Auedur0D soz Hse7 ovrdruumy ‘oueny puvjsy ould , G2 | €1t| 9ST | 6°95 | 00 cb | 20's | GF GAG = 7] Oe Gs PCOS |p ae | Cee NE Ma cage eae eter one on eee ng tae eae cg |€8 | FIT | £61 | 00 OF | 00%] eee CH Sima Cas 2 "P| ma Wk) 5 7a Pi ee “od G9 |-"""""| FEL | 9°SS | 00 OF | SE's | Tht OPO fT PBL || LOGE | TOL |°77> 00 aozHIEq ovrdraamy ‘oyeqdsogg suouesoyN Ofqn{oS 8°S |L°8 | LVL] 60s | 00 & | 80'e | Ho 99°T | 08S] GoOr | SGT} OLGE | AIL [7777777777777 7777 777000 a “H ‘oyeqdeoqdredng paivynommy £9 Bt | LSS | 00 0S | IT'b | 6E'€ | 66" £6'T | 69'T | 16°8 €9'T | 1921 LG semitaiaeaabaiitrietciee seer ch Licntin AA ina 9°81 | 8% | 00 0S | GOF| e's | Be" | OG TE [| AL | GEL | OSL TOOL | Bh frtrir trotters 000 “ae ‘oueny T10998qV Perle)" --"| 0S | Ob wir cea Gane. | 80'S — setae, /..| 800) Od elon ee ioc tsn stares a 25 ake casi eee aaa asc 500 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ‘CLOT UL QYSu0g O10 Lp PUL OT ‘SON ‘oorad pewussy | 9°L L°¢ |G°8 | 8'IT | 8°6T | 0S 6P c’9 6% | EL | LOL | OLE | 00 6F Pawan leaeeee |S Get OME be eGuobe O0Ro9 419 T'S |°-7*7"] GOL | L°2E | 00 09 9°L L'G | G°8 | 8°IT | 66T | 00 9S Lek 8° | L°8 | EL | £00 | 00 98 ¢’9 6 | €L | GOT | TAT | 00 8S bk 8S | L'8 | LL | G06 | 00 8S (Sats) 6% | b'L | ‘OL | SLT | 00 8St PL Gc | €'8 | GIL | €'6E | 00 LS 6°9 G'S | 82 | 80 | ost | 00 LS 0% TG | 92% | 9°OL | 8°21] 09 8S ¥'9 8b | 6h | 66 | L‘9T | 00 09 0°9 G% |L°9 |&6 | 9ST | 00 09$ “squag |'s7uag|'s7waQ |"squap | ‘swap lan] eS | 6 Bolmee | A @ Bleai[s2|/ 212! £ o i=} B = = ret =} is S ©) © io) re o |B] & | B ah ; 52 S ge | 3 S eB | = 3 9 5 5 os 5 “prow o1zoydsoy . *poyeqs pootid 4B ‘syueIpeisar e(qen -[eA Jo qove punod euo Jo 4s0p *SNOILVOTVA 9T'€ 89'S 6h 6 OT TT £0°L GIL 66 ‘OL 66 ‘OL L¢ 6 €P 8 GL 6 GP 6 68 “OT cL ‘ST LE TT ‘u03 -O1}IU 0} YUOTVATINDEe vIuOoMIMy io ok) m@ oo 1a Ge MQinwMoOD rH 4.) OO = or rMOran Ws ar +R *MODOIJING nr ao at saat in oO = socoeteoe HARMSSHOD OD We Aowtststsoes mcs oD a~ x ~~ 4D “he |"99 “she|"29 “hel “Ysezyod £0 “FL T9°LE $8 “GT 8 “GL OT LI 00 ‘9T Té “ST 18 IT co -LT FI FT £0 “ET 6S ‘CT 06° LT LE ‘GT bP LT et ae TROL ‘oyAQ]O TunpUOUTAE UT O[QNIOS 4vqy SepNfoUt ‘69'IT ‘o[qnIosut oy T, “poultJoJOp JON » SiS «| 18%] 10% | 9'e¢ el'b | 89°9] 08°99 [--- euoN | 288 | BOOT [77777 TILT [eUwON| L9°0T | 08°F 6h | IES | 0S | 98°IT ork | ce%| sc | 6s TT £66 | 8¥-9-L,01-g--- }22222: cee | cee | L9°e | 68° O'S | OLA Ing [ot 727 Gos He eyeovce |esees Cee hoa PO a ee TOck. | PGLO ke Ge [eeee 93°3 | 286 | S8'S [77777 QO AT |'20 hq | 920 'td |"70 47 len cd mM 5 ieee 2 n ia) — i=] ° Pie! i=} a S o o 7 = BS o & >» | Gel ef 9 = Peis g See rail (ats o1qeTwA Vy ‘prloe o1oydsoqd “SHUSATVNV £6 '8 08 ‘OT 06 ‘FL To GI PS “OL IT &t 61 FL 90 °8 88 "FT £9 “GT 08 “ST 90 "1 LG‘T6 OF IT 09 “9T oe) Uae “OINYSLOPL Settee ssees pISPES SSeS: sbpeberssecicccsecce ON ‘ourny ueraniog Chole | Se tessse Sestircrs Veer rSPecrce-c-> SO Os OU e) Us IANA ch 7 el aeeciei okies Oa eaters peer Bact see eeewaees oa LS se siale Sess ieieinlg pisiece sere s9- NOATpOSY—ouCNy UvIANIO ‘T ‘ON yet forte Ssassets emcee esiaam settee cet ecseeeeee eres og Gopal ses sare soesss -* (Vy o81eQ) pooyuvreny—vuyny ueIAnied ‘TON ester | SSE creer rset so[dures JYSIO GAO Jo OSvIOAY : ChE BEER CODORE CORO OOO- SOC Eno GOO OE OF yi ¢ | T6T Since Ws eae cape NC 1) i ses eee ociss Soaeene's settee ee eeee reese Og Wer | geese ee a ere REM PRESSE Poo Seana OOD LET beet ee enna eens cece eeeees ce eee2 OT 801 ep tae rE! Lp Be eC Ona OTS o]S2 7S Aeseeoser cs cssekerns * |, PIVpuLys,,—ouvny UBIANIOg ‘T ‘ON eB i) i er 5 B co B o QD Er *IOZT[IJIOF JO OWT i NN sounnd umInlag ‘TI HIV 501 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. ‘quoo rod 1F'g {oY¥a}IO TANTUOMMUTY UT oyqnTos ‘'yue0 Tod gy'T ‘TOYVAA UI O[GNTOS x SS ee a a a tad cata i SO BS A Rd saree aoa aah (eeieharen 2g SE uk LOL £9 °€ 8°é FG 00 9T 99.°9 6F'S GFL GSS OT SG T&L A €€'S £9 ie ee ead OOP COLME aeec 2. et ae ee aa Dae ea Seemed: eee ALGO 7) OBLOS IU STAT ‘dViU0S-HSIT AUG-AIVA dm cnig'a cise s cles eens wmiacic’sle sacs sms stelsibiniscinmniain'e entale aide) actele'm eistetslaleleselela’simia = steeseees Og Aer iit gh oSooCno aaraGoS SAGO perseelsieela tetas tetetaraia ot pec ec cc cece ee nena ce cetsce ses ccncanscnmsesswcnessanemessucaceccassu SC ROOmOnES Ee oa c9*y vee eeeecee[eeeeeeeens|eweeenenne] gar 6L°L pT ee ee Ye ae OS ORG, [ae eee ee ae ee ae ee a Pe Se Lae oan tee ey OL'L cewseeeeee|eeeene eee] py oy OGL seseeseo* | dBI09 UST 15 OF ‘L a (Nt a I vt Sa GH COT 2S aa sea ee ee ee es ne cee. See eee eee ie Mipeer eto es « Ustt AIq,, €L'8 pemensmeeieseser slr! £66 @8E « USLT ped ,, tb 60T | 00 8% tb OL 09°8 1GnO Lee |e cee samen HOSEL 7A to Pee OCS OC 8 OR ACE ODD oEIOC DOP OE SSE GUE E eee C AEH ARe DNC ooe sioqjorg weer ,,‘WstT Arq ,, “dVU0S-HSIa GaIud tetas) bale elated | die AS i iH Il 60° Lx wan ae | GEOE COCRN Rete Tet ay TE ee a ET Beg Cae a SE ee 0¢— sozITIV10,7 OvIdraumMyh ‘ys poy yuploy od BL 9°6T 00 oF 00 ‘OT 38 Ties) ap lle. Sa cons) COcid sees wee oe G8 £06 00 & 99 6 96°L cc'h Smee neal WSL ARS) GEL? lige scene 8'8 6°13 00 ¢F 16°8 8E°L To°L ae ae C8 “OL OFS |e is Sa Sa ee ee a i. oes piping as pees ae beet Baie SOEs od 8's | crc) 00 SF IL 6 0c *L 19°9 er ee eel PoE: OODvale aaa: Se oe oe ee ee po ee soar e pee --- 09 sozTyQA0,7 ovIdruuny ‘ys punory Arq GL 18 | 00 OF 9c 6 82 “L ‘1a aa | Ee abai re '9 Cope ieee eh egis'ae ee ae aecies gig Do. Feb. 16 14 | Steamship State of Georgia ..-... 2.2.2... eee cccese sneneee--- Do. 26 L)D) | USES Ue LIU TG Ith ey emer OOS IBELCICOCORICCOE oor EAC nOses sear London. Apr. 3 64 | Steamship Great Western co22 56 5s2c55 5.6 oe sc te cease ee ne nee Bristol. 9 25 | Steamship State of Louisiana. ...........-..22seeceeceenee---- Glasgow. 9 Noa; PUCRMA LID) ON Via sae ceee seen acl nealece casein seeas ce cnaelia a Do. 10 DOM SLCAMSLIp COLUC! saansas seman eet eear eee eaecee cade sce mamsncag Liverpool. 15 SOME SPOAINADID) Moaly.2aee ee fasts eee snarcinca on enadwarccss ane tes London. May 1 1205 |i Steamship Cormwalls-ss5ssseeases ccs oneeecweemccaeasseean aa Bristol. 1 RopilMStoamshipeh rane es saenes see ece se tases sec ane onismaceca ce apcioe Havre. 4 SDs Steamahip Manhattan. oes ls cceucese st ecceesetancs seems oe = Liverpool 6 1S Ssteamship state ot Georpis cate scecestaenseemese css ane ae aee ceo Glasgow. 21 200 | Steamship State of Louisiana Do. 22 200 | Steamship Ethiopia ..-.........- Do. 26 1,500 | Bark G. BE. Cann ..-.........-.. -| Havre. 29 5 | Steamship Britannic............ Liverpool. June 5 GID || Sens yy) AA oo eeeemeemeaasuecoecenae acocssecee _.---| BristoL 12 fou lOamein per OLelNorssssehsai isles. cco cs pecans co eeeoe maser coe Havre. 16 20)\¢Steamship: State ofiGeorgia*:2222222i22si tee cece ce enmnc=- Glasgow. 19 Goal Steamship: Corn wallitranss2 soso eee eee ee enue See Bristol. July 2 545, |, Steamship Maliaassseassaaess sont tetsen cose Relea scent o. caeitoe Glasgow. 2 82 | Steamship State of Louisiana ...............--..---- osc cpae ots. Do. 3 AIS) Steamship Mthiopialscsse testsce cadets coencosee~ cee cn. aeictns Do. 8 123] Steamship Somerset. ss2-cass-sasscces+ececces ae conseccn => a== Bristol. 9 100 | Steamship Ville de Paris........... a ae ee eee can aoe Havre. 10 401) Steamship Phe! Queents 22 oscessmeccsceeces ceccanceescc-saacces Liverpool 15 35 | Steamship State of Indiana ...... ...-...-..---..-------6----- Glasgow. 17 HED SteaMmshipy i lyslasus sacasced eres wena aetna cae emsicminee sae en Do. 23 Oza Steamship rAmeriqueccasvssessse esses ances ane mas casemate Havre. 24 L6On PP Stepmabin Calitormmiaisassscocsac-ne caseae te aaemiee eae oe etn se Glasgow. 29 265)| Steamship: state of Georgia sc loa tosnse ns ccce case etnecee co. Do. 31 135i Steamship Wictorlaicsasccseerasa le co cenceceseescceorcccsesrace Do. Aug, 3 2 Oi PoteamshipyNeVvadals sas sos cas ssa oso soso deca cneeeeeccese ces aa. Liverpool. 6 L0))) Steamship! Pereire.--. 5 » c= cence sso ccc ecee coneaccs coos see aes Havre. 6 420) Steamship Cornwall s22229 22s. oe snccccesee caceseresaceecs- Bristol. 12 100 | Steamship State of Pennsylvania ...... ..-..---..---..------- Glasgow. 14 432:) Steamship! Great W esteriit.a pSbeamship SOMEISCbs ames seseleeere a can aceeenes eres eeeseee 5 150 | SteamshipState of Nevada. .-.....-. 00.005 ccc s eee ecee se cne- 14 65) | steamship @alitorniay .ocee cise ceimann igen tale sleaneeiseee ieee 21 70 | Steamship Ethiopia..................... 25 100 | Steamship Ville de Paris -........--- May 1 500 | Steamship Labrador.-......-.......-...-- 3 200 | Steamship State of Pennsylvania 5 589 (Steamship Sonia eee cso aeece eee me seca eeeese meee 7 3o0! | Steamship) Caledoniayeansecece acme amc ceeemese seems a eeeaieeeet 9 350) || Steamship Cunadar eases. nccew ewicin sa cee meme tie eee eee aimee 10 175) | Steamship Scythia) meee ance scence cea aetete nets ree eee eee 12 2457) SbOA MSHI PAUSAGIA oo nisms nee alaleel els /swiels eel neice mae aeiea er ne 14 ML | Steamship SOMOISCU. ao - niece oa sioee cieiesicincaieis ee ella eee 15 400'|| Steamship Wrance..----\-c24=-\--6)- 2 secre eee cee se eeeeee 18 80 | Steamship State of Nevada......----...-.---c---ese-seens Bok 19 “94 \'Steamship Anichoria: --- = -\.<---+2-12--csceemebeee sete teeceree ee 23 100) | Steamship Pereiv'e. -o 5 ~~ coc naa wecccstaee see once eee eee. 29 100 | Ship Subra....-.. ymin sleieiwn/sielaiclls elena ales after Sine Steet eiee ieee es June 2 45 | Steamship Alexandria ti... -0 o> ccse ace dace eee eee eee ates 2 10%, | Steamship) Mthiopia:<-o2. 6c e5 conc. case ee ece=amereeeeeeene 6 ZON|StCAMSNIP- ATTA SON ve as ac eo om inielalA Stamler. 2 case ctitn.: -Ceremclpiecumniecmuctl = theese er Havre. 5 248 |...--. OMe ese ene coe occa ak cc en aiidaee ene cece cere ee eteet Do. 5 168%}\-.=24- doe tac eke cist ob aia ice ee cnet eee ep: The following is a record of temperature within the box of trays in which I had repacked 25,000 eggs. On opening the crate 206 eggs were dead of the 25,000, and after packing I found the temperature next day to be 46° in the top tray and 50° in the bottom, while the airin the cellar was 62°. Ship sailed at 2 p. m. 13th; no record of temperature. a elie 2 Beles +3 S 2 — Bb oo Dato. | SS] uw | 58 Remarks. AE < Hoy 5 a | so 4 ° oa So —— i) aQ Pi ooo S of ooo of i ri in AN rm ooo TPs Petia oe 88 02 BD ECG teal leeaee aces ea 68 63 rd 8 “4, UpTUr Z Th | te | --w-d¥g | 1 a Che} | File 1 a) cf «| “4 Uprm ZT 86 |6 | -"-ad6 89 |6r | --"m'd, &6 er judy [ETP ¥ TOL ee | Ur BD 8 | 8 "4 Upld ZT GL L ~---tr'd g rae 1) ee ee a Od hacia jeg \ Ks "UL "Bp se 16 4, UpTUL ZT cb | COL “-m-dg | tp $c eee AUN “T'S L €@ LL “4 UplUr ZT L 1 |6r |--"u-d6 {kop ez ot | t “ULB YL Ge | Cz 4, UpIUd ZT SLT | oor | -m-d6 | oF $61 - anf 66 | FL ---ur-d qt | eF 62 82 | ze “Te Tr | 8 “4 Uprul ZT 96 |c6. | m-dg 6 | 61 “md py |ktp 83 ze gc Ge Lea) €L | 6F “9 Uprur ZT TT | cL md §g | ep 8 Gh | SL Saab) Lg | 6F “9, UpTom ZT eg |ce j-*m-d§g | cp IF dm Nit f ee PS LB? aa cg j-- urd $TT tL «6L og «(jad ey | HF Te voeeessesoeesos uate Ared Spura Aproqzs0u 4qSrT “IB9[O Aysour !Suoys8 APsour ‘yqSra Te Sproqj10u purAA ‘Y}10U MOF SUTMOTG ‘YO0]0,0 T ye dn Suvids purIA pue dn pepnops !surmese Ur Uv puL aveTO ‘qsrupror 1943e dn pepnopo ‘Surusse UT IeOTO ‘4qSTU Te UO ATIVAN ‘Apnozpo Ay2ed ‘reeypo APred ‘gq SIU [Te Su014s ATG pus ATIeqII0T 07 poduvyo Pura ‘pum JseMqynos WITH ‘ep Auer @ 10I,—~ ‘SUIMIOUL [[t} prey pouter pues “ur -d TT 9 ured 03 ueseq ‘Apnojo Surmeso ‘Fu04s ‘ATI9qG}NOS pur s-*** R919 ‘qno Surfp Aypenpesd pura 43100 WAT yy Bru ploo Teopo B@ FMOT[OF pura Auorjs A19A Jo AVp B JOIF_ "ST 19938 Lavoy ‘SurmoAo UL4GST Urer § Sura1ou ut Aji9q 3.100 0} Sursuvyo ‘Suraeso ut ApoyNos purAy WOOT MOM : pUTAL A[19Y}.10M OMS TIA VOTO pue PlOD pe eae QUSTU [TB PUTA 4SOMqZIOU FUST] YyTM IED “SUTMIOU O1OFOG PUTA ATIOJSOM TATA Seme poreopo ynq ‘samoy Te1eaes Apnojo penuryu09 ‘urd TT [yun pura Apieqjnos Wy uler Asvoy woreesecsseeseesese= = “NTT OULO O[IITT WIM ‘Apnoly FL ‘8L &L ‘Zr GL ‘TL TT ‘OT “AON REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 826 IST ‘b] € ZLE ‘S| OLL‘T Lene pots] 8 0 8 i aie 8 0 8 3 ds es ee i fe ee ee re ee ¥2 IS ol |0 OL Ss es lee or jo Or ied lng mace 98 (Fie ibs (PROSE RRS State soa ees POO EGRET woour TRF | 1Z 0Z m1 «6/0 PL ee sale tL «| (0 FI (Meg sesso ones Lg O6e S=}s"eSreant aroma Sseces eo ara aes See 02 ‘6I op | Tt 68 4 SS a cr | 0 ST ho fe = T 0 I H 4, UpruL ZL Top alae £3 4 | -u-dy | oF Cae a | wee pees ar ee OEE Orr BRS Bb ORS 61 ‘8L 0. =| 0 Nit |B S| L 0 9 T° 9. prey ZT el | 0 HE ita 9 Pea OR aye TGs eal ae esence ae AOUS PUB 4ooTs GUIOS GIA ‘ApNo[D | gt ‘LT lp =| 0 ee | $1 SS == er 0 8 g “mB LT 0 IL 9 4 Upra ZL ‘U[BO PUB IBE]D 0} pesuLyo *JNOI}-HOOI O[BUIOJ PLABIB | [=== 77 7|-----}-- ern ite NO tL «|e “md | Tp fae FOL ye ‘pupa Ayroyynos ILA ‘Suyaeao uy Apnory | LT ‘OT re | T Lone an Coe 9 0 g £ SS eULSEY), 8 I L 0 9, UPrUL ZT et 02 =| 0 LE i's saree RE Ty oF Aro ‘ysvoqynos pura ‘avr Aq pamoryjoy ‘ApNoTy | OT ‘ST 0L | 0 ee SSS ie |p) g 8 "UL '@ re «| (0 cw Wc 4, UPrat ZT ce | 0 9 | 6 “md g | OF Ose eee SSPE Cu Seo git LIE “CUTBO “IVELD | GT 'FT “AON “a “a LL8T by 4 g|/e@ig|e| 3 e| 6 - EB B | g | & eee ‘me y| me Y ® ° ® a ase alice *89J0 KT ‘Moy “1OY}VO MA : “o78q “Areurumms ATQStyy "qoqeo ATQUSIN eye | “aL! ‘44.9nv0 TOMES OTpooqog ‘ernje10du9 y, *‘ponuiyu0g—zzeT Slaquaroyy pun uaqopg ‘oumypy ‘unaug eynT punwy yo buys fo pwo0ay—T ATAV I, 86 ‘jeusn se Aavoq os you basalt “Tre qv possoid Ajje1oues you ed ile qeq3 Te’ JO wooeler pio | qdaoxe ‘[ensn se yueUNReLy, ‘SUNT I9tAvey wWonUI B qdooxo ‘Tensn sv yusuyeery, | £6 "[BUSN sv jUeM}BeLY, | OOT ‘SYIVULSY COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS.827 e10UL 0} SULAO Ysy odriun yo roquinu 1938015 yuoIvddy | g6 6 a : 06 "8352 §00¢'80S JO [B}O} park sepeuley gTg |----~- 68 ‘mARds puv q[lUr waeKjoq 4o¥z -109 911998 PUB S}OT [[BUIS 16 or ‘o1om sduyuod ‘3009 190d ¢ poPVUITSeLOAO LOA ([[OAA SV ‘SUOSVOS 1OYJO PUL) WOSvOS BIqy WIYL} 8859 OY} 4LY YUIqy oF poulpoUr we T 000 ‘689 00S ‘$8 000 ‘gg 000 ‘EIT 00S ‘gs 000 ‘ech OSG ‘FL OL ‘6E 000 ‘828 6 90€ i ae i 6 0 ae ST cI 1g | Boe) Bes lt SS ee Hit, * fimees flee Be ies lhe B ‘e590 seweee Tél 164 68 eel éL zw 8 S 3g zg & 1 4 ce & 2] § B ‘so[CUIO,T | 82 Suaevorpur Aya sv ynq ‘eyvmoov AOA S¥ poprBSor Oq YOU OLOJOIOG} JSUML pozT{s sosvjuoo10d oy, wey ‘“peurumexe AyMyorvo ofdures oy} Jo SSo Yovo puv ‘yo, Youo u1oIy WOHV SLA ‘00Z 0} OG MoI Surs9quine ‘oydures B ‘doyeAsorduMy Jo O17v1 OY} OFEUITISO 0} BVP UTBIGO OF, | 69 | 0 Ty 0 66 0 £81 -osodind on} 1oy y[euis 007 SvAd 66 6F9 a 2 a | o 3 3 a “Sul[puey ASI ourmexo : Deuuer ‘kU [e19Ues B UT O17BI OT} Ioquinu oy} 4vqy ‘IOACMOY ‘poouTAm0D “M1OTY} OJwUsoIduNt OF posn Used py 4[TUr 6LP ‘T 0 | 68 19 98 GPL @ | ect | FIL | 98t CLE G | 06h | Clb | ect | e612 Saalgs Sg 062 6cF & | 9F 0s PL ELT Z | 08 | ee | 088 6L8 ‘T 0 | SI &1 ce 09 Se Ue LE kh RE 9b. 0 |e 68 6G $L 01% 0 I g ‘BOTRTL | “1290.1 “BO BOIO ‘Suypuvy 4say 9B YS "LLBT “wna.ng aynT pun.y ‘suoyniado binumnds fo prooay—']] ATAVI, [AON U0 48ay PoTpUBY YSTT Qed OST Jnq ‘YSy-1oyJOUL oy} MOTIF UOT} YALA OMIvO 4vqQ pmb ony ATO you popnypout o1oyor0N} pu ‘103vs SurAydde ozo0yoq ysnf suvd-aMeds 04} Ur poystoA 019M 8990 OTT, » oyep 07 Arvurommg seem ee we wweese ee eeeeee Opes pre stareyeiots QUStU 4Sey] WOyBy YSLT QL0JOQ pouaeds qe jo Suypuvyqoxy ae ok ejep 07 remus ees qt Surysrag ‘punod ureyy ooo" “QTM 4eul WOHB, USL soees > -qaed ur Spunod urepy *--*-SULIOUL SI} UOYL} UST “" = -QUSTUplUr 4evy UOye}, YS winiwww OM ‘4 SIU JBL] UL WAATIP 010M PUL UIE 4BT4 SOTVUI BT] JO qavd pue sopeuley 04} JO TTY | T “AON s---*-(q7ed) peo] rem wO1 | Te 300 “LL8T ‘SyIBUIO ‘ove REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 828 98 ‘squoutiodxq 88 BULA] UOT 4[TU YILIM Pox |....-. 06 96 "g50 to00‘pec'T ploré sopeutos p2G'T | 16 ¥6 &6 ‘8932 too0'00e | 9% JO [8}0} pyr sopeurey 006 | 96 \ 16 "9330 toos‘ctz prerk soyemez 122 | 68 pdag Z @ g “SyIVMley = 5 Be 93 saeee [ee bo ea| ww meer (sboe tsessslecwelacesar(scbbariseusibaensfecsessosl|e AT piel (tee) CSE Oo COE n dd Good EOeens tenth bette nnn beenrened 006 | ¥2G‘I| ZTE | Z10‘T| L | EFL ‘2] 29 | 210 ‘LT! F90'T| 669‘T | EFB‘e |” SIRO Fe z Bee eee Peed ersries ier ea es eres ee punod ureur jo ystuny ‘Ul 'v J Surpuo ‘sinoy 1n0j-A4 Sees 9 ae Fe eae 81 EP. L | 8t 9T Gs #9 “HOA JSV[ SULINP U9HV} YS “‘poTpuey omy 481g Joy Aou pue ‘YyyTT UO ; Seen RO Stone! | ein OS uae eames SS Feat Oe OS: 6L Lg Cbs ur9nd punod areur mor qstT 000 G8F ‘punod ureur epee ESTP a US EPs: oe orale = ge pee lich brigiaiay| Chen A eat oe cerees "| WOIF O10Jeq poe[pueq Ws “SULMIOW SI} FS pha he) ciel eee be] 655 0 | €9 ¢ | 18 LZ cE c6 pue 9ysIU ysel Uoye, YSTT 000 ‘99 S Ses A (NIA!) a IB bao el a ls pee | It eae le caeete ls caren le paar sreeece-]-e9"°-"punod ure wlory UST : eee coe | Peeters IT 0 | 9 7 It IT cI ee es eee SULMIOUL Sty} UOXL} YS 00-‘I2 GUT | sess lnc eee peclennr[emeenelice-|acce ss [ascccctes SICOSG PSA CORG| CISC OOK *-->-Surmmedsoy 00S 848 TZL | 006 | 8@ 218 | 0 | $28‘T| | 228 | Te6 | GL¢‘T | g6e‘e |---~--97ep 07 AreUTMINg OE See ROE 0 | 8¢ 9 | OT 9€ 6T De ap eae Si td 148 are qt : ‘(und F poo Opt So is esc fe svat Ys (Ce Tepe fica aus We he TIT — | 19 wee g) Avp-07 uoyEy UST asa (Ey el io Ee PELs || (O} | LSS 9s | PERE ree. WL 89¢ "seq STO 4SB] WOYB, YS 00S ‘Ez £02 EN aw EMINEM FETT COR SMH 1 CIC ICN CIE I UNC HY Fr ICN (CCI COICICIE SY FI Oy ff ICI 8a Se. BS 6:8 Bees Sur medsayy ss) 8 be ; coe (| ne far) ° 2/23 ) = 4 cbr es 2S 4 a 4 fs “*SHIVUIOY 2 = i *pommeds 4 ss3q SeeMAT | Sopemog SuypULyY 4SIy 4! YS srecereeeesses -SrrmMedsay bocgs Li | ene |e 0 | 98 & | Lt 9T G% 09 Er rere SSP ODE EOS ee (Ge Pee te E T | 2@ € 16 (ai 9 ve 5 esas AOD Sis ae [NESE a) elite (i L | lz LT 6T OL ooo" QUST eel Woe, YStT ee soe surmMedsoyy paris: eyep 07 Arvuumg 6t LT oT oT or OT AON “LL8T oe ‘ponurya0g—zzeT “wang ayn T puny ‘suoynsado Burunvds fo puoovgy—'T] ATAV IL COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS. 829 ‘e1om sdeqied “qua0 10d ¢ po} VUII}S919A0 O10 (JOA SB SUOSLIE LOTJO PUL) MOSS SIG) TOV} S550 ON} 4VN} YUH) OF pourpouy ue Tf ‘ABM [BIOMOD B UI OLYCI ON} Surjeorput ATao ev ynq ‘oyv1u008 AI0A 8B Soe oq JOU 9.LOJaI0T} YSNUT pojeys seSeyuoosed oy, ‘osodind oy} 1ojJ [(vuIs 00} SV POTIMIeXO JOqUINU ONY 7Vq} “IOAVMOT ‘PoouTATOD wey “peurmexe AT~nyjervo o[durvs og} Jo Ss Youve pus or ows mMouy WOWvy BVM ‘00% 0} OG MOI SuTIequne ‘ojdmves v ‘NOvUSOIdUM Jo O14vA OY O}EUIT}SO 04 LEP ULEIQO OF, } ‘HLOT} OJVUSVIdUIT OF posn WI0q PRY 4ITUr QeTTA OSTE Jn ‘YSy-19qj}OUL OT} WoIZ UAT} TILA OUTBO 4VTy pnb] oy} ATMO you pepnyout s10yor9 Ty} pus ‘199eM Surd]dde orxojoq ysuf suvd-uMeds of} Ul posto O10M 8590 OUT, » 000 ‘est ‘zt | zo 96 | #91 ‘Z| ZO ‘Z| GOT ‘T| €80‘T| © | c6a‘z! G6 | €80‘T| LTT] GFL‘T | 6€0'R |---7-7 TTT Te}0OL as 9 91 sm eosweleaes| assesses! odes) dwiwass| conevelsce wwe velee wes wee “-+-**-punod ureur wo01y Stir ¥ 18 96 =| 006 ST yy] a, fe----+]---+-- ee ema (| } 8 Nh 0 qe Ne dicted A * Fe) ee fag ** §00.1108 STLOLIVA TOL | $Z ¥6__ | 9 L Paasestedy 0 | OL el Peo Petree rs Or a hes EES Ysy §,3qs1U 4svT | 12 ‘syuomplodx gy SZI-ZOT weenie sccees| eases |sace| sweese|sc--[oesccs|eneens deseeoes been eee eae rsces Surumedsoy | 1z C6 | (1) eins I) Rage eens het) I See PO I a pais a Testes 88 | & S RESIDENTS T | #1 G ec t sas soos" "*"QUSIt 48e] WOYV} UST | 0% ‘e10j9q poTpury COTE WiC} 7 Seal ih a nel ei Pas feo Seal lo a [SSI [Pe Po eto hritea ancy qetemseaneeliegiemancenuse [pir T99q GACT O} PVso dng Tle lor LOPS eas Gace! (hme i ae CAS eo!) FAN EEA | CIN El il *se-"*nunod Urem WoT 61 qnq ‘toye} C19 SeTeUI JO #6 2 JaquINU |BuOryTppe esIel W |-*---"|--7-- “| e oberhe fo dg bebe bg pecttcctbecceeesfeoreeee-gqspa geey woqes gape | et 830 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. “ eae SLSR SSE Alaa SAC ein dieisisieie it's 5s 2 2'* 6s SOU eS Saher imme Baa © ee ge Sac OE CON eae a oa e ‘S'0 ‘or’ BOSH BA COSC PoUCIODs DOBAT SBOE) Tce Seeger eee Mee Sy eee Tg. tae dedbe ke > enn awn apes aaeage MESH 000 ‘ot 1 hel i ed | eS VIUISITA ISOM | T seat” Behe, AED omen & acesaractele a OVI Se gear cee ber 000 ‘OT rd i Eanes = eR Op **:| 1 ig: i ee pet PES: o+-egq epopreyy [nee Ayn = 009 ‘aI OUR Ehsaan. Semele oc. o vruvatssuueg | T say ah A ae ee ee rere ee mp te er er oe ts ate wosnS10y “g “. 00S ‘L€ O02 48 lethiltem caps ccecl-s -->> BUTTOIVD YVIONT } [L [rtcrttccesc ces r tect ereee eee ici: sel kool aemeeeiens LS eee rea ie 000 jor re ie Bie ince ci |e LAE OIE Dupe) et eh PS Se Git eloterrainisl asin pigs cl SALE il eilaeamaaes eiaaaks ae cemreoas: < uosnFi0,7 “aL Oe rt a Saget IR Ree Cae eer ames ers: eae [0 0 a Rt eS rE ed 000 'g (i Hits ER SOSD SE Sb tec er ICRU TOING | EE LR Fe ik pean ip ees ee ep ee OF ‘opefoy, |°7 7777777777 Sarak apo yt eg ee aia ee Ole ce re re KN wraopoywy |---- ee ee uOe ane Mi be te tes 000 ‘sz POigg — esventente-[paeen= --gem ELSE si a NI RIGS +7? eq ‘odo mont |--- Gata Ste cee Sort tne UU AOatter “OW 000 ‘<2 tt a ee DUIS Ue dy yk Sa Tepe geccsreeee See D EE MACS CIE Tol ee eet pete is ortega aS preuocory ‘1 000 {or i RSet GE AD ea SY a IP BA ‘WoysurKeT |------- ORG SPER Sg ing A quudated Wr a 00s (aL HES As Ade REE orc PIIWAS get gill-e aat 22 gir bo oa! ok meee Tr ‘oseorg9 [---- re HL 008 ‘er PERE SISA Same | ERB ustoosty | Tf ; pe ee eee PIG "9 "1 000 ‘OL Tv eematag Bee Sateemeeel Se Aceeeecre eee LMOSST A, } [| crreeceee ceeeeeeeeeeeeceeeee eens HEU os kale = | aaa heen ae ee aera 000 (Or OOOO Poveteetttefeeeceeeeeeeeetee? oleae Uae a ake Pee ee eee Oe a Sa Hatton radar sear -eceepare er sart e enne ue 000 (OL pop ot ence a Sal beperee ene wre", OTOL Le nn ae non eA a Soe onl MOSSHOg ||° 002i 50" 7 NEE STROUD SIUUY “qa 000 ‘OL 000 pul a aol Sie rae rt euerpuy ead Cocvey a. eee hee Ge ge “010 ‘moj Moy, ARON SCE as tek AN CREE BE RRO mop adproo9 p 000 (<2 “iit eal Ree eee Gees De eapweatees be-all prt hm Lo an care ao neeasatee oe OPy Oyen Ole sjngs eer sss acne as Toe aa ey aJoqoulg “Yat 000 (08 000 ws Be te ee eae oureyy naira a arate. ert sSeyy ‘103897001 EAN || Etc Rage nse ha ge ck eee seat syurqareg Sue Ree ats ND} = |Pesseses UA SE BAINE IE (Go oe peeageaaese ga ‘hanqeugor yuyeg joss rts MOUS ‘Hf SIL 000 (STI eh Peeeees [ese seeeeetnees ALA SAN cal os, Sel cee ame ae ig ica cance ese arte apse AIG (lhe gee amber ey WILD WENT AL 000 {8% Pree cade e>ape-| an eencca Sos1aP MON | & ectace | AAR OS hen She EE inet AST OTRARINO | 2. Fee SESS Cee Sea ae "RCS “ae 000 ‘og O07 08 pieieietore sc ialr silscieigieisieinieinnins AON TUS: Le Sse SON ta as RES GMO] CUBOUIIL YE ihe TS a eae KWO0MS ‘OH 000 (02 00 ae See ea) = eee ee ENOL a tl REE MOR te ce Yar oa uur ‘ueg yureg |----- : We ee Sern Cre tee Surppoy ‘I 000 GG 000 Ss micbeinicsmanietsiml=t=)|\jsiasal<;=8\= tS ELE ORES TAGS) eaten | ara a pee sanoane MOMING OUCATHIONG |" Gai cr. hae atc eas mae uosndi0q ‘Z°T 000 (02 5 ees | ecienese todas ani si[ nin\a\nin/e/ale'nie. ae kad Geen aN CPO BOIUE) toeesroes=-"""-ORnOTT SUIMIIVA 93VIS YLOA MON aGSan's «os SESE Ci ICT 1G Ya es | aepee Janis os -)\ sees ces ea Oleg Opolot, Minis melas... rete. OL Be ciate Sire ie =m ee esc Ayonjyuoy | T root neeeeseeeeee scenes ceneessees Kor OTTASINOT peg oan eke rT eon TABI OLEAN C00" EE <* epee se Sas: rer OPrr it) Ba -- [irre 95 ee oe ae eee ra ere a eon e TRS Ly RAPES ele EINEOR NA a! a” op-- O007OL oe PP easeseee ATOM OAMMOS) iI Salem aeal te cages oe pee cos feces eR ee uuoH ‘WoABy AMON |“" 7° "8°70" QO OEE BOOS Aqivyt ‘H's 0008s Ao fesereser SHSSMOCNNETN. eee CuvSen ae oe ates gia cee 4. SsByl ‘ToySOTTOTE AN OSG Or tein A OS ees tes Va (hed de | yan Tt | gegen s ei oouRLy neces ee eener se seeneemmeneeenennetens Qpresera[ cers ecess ster sceescstserscecccsenereees Openeses BO CO NOOO | ERE SSI 2 AueuLiesy i SRE keno 5 eile ale os mees ce 2a Ni ae ae Mpisieieia|vieie (mins = = .9 ele 6 seine SCS ee en Oe Le Sere 000 ‘068 000 ‘OT REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 832 Se sicher Yo019 Yormoormary Seconenion ae sense lgy es sees ee SOAV'T 8,198sepy 2a ttt be ety HO21D UTON coer ka DUOy ? Aqrinop Wore Ay ‘OAory 8 yptoNs |°*°2°"-°=-° =Car pe eietieencedl rt tortie PATER eR Secpss yoory s,roysy | o0¢'¢ = |-- uauED wee, |?-7-7-----opPasmmo |-----+- AoOnZUE esourBewy ||=- = -“S-e">=" dg a aS spuod surqoqyeyy sa Bigsitircccccssecingeselsosrrerinns IOAN SOULOT soy Seiaie areerieiicc's\= Aqunoy wurey, ‘Aqry vue [ito wists eerste ttt deany Baoy Boca ype earn aaa ED |< ge seat aeeteter oer ee voanet aepeg a Soe ede. dence eT aan a a Sete 5 eo Beale eal en ee ae OL DLO Da 000 ‘0z pe Se Spun Lop SAN pee eitin $= = ROULBUNG? || arens ae ee SCOR CSG ASSO SOT OIE TORRIEISIIG teeas sonecine|eun®enaes a= meneame alaelsin|/eeisiansians eas leesisWnlsivemessiaimmel Qnyitar |= -= QUIOIOP x) |-"--7-qouy woseyog |=" == ="*°BueTpuy Pi O OSs ht ee cate som eesti Sears ie al sais ce DCE RRB Reenter Dann OOS CECE RCO COCnCCCE SAPRULN Ho arena ea sf Sate ante puoi | ap ee ek | aa 5 gad mes gene 08000 AUER TR | Sega Et ST Ra, OU es BELOW CA 58S sour <) eae ee aS eee mire cee ih eeepc Soar TTT AA ee OE ee wicca aemamin ete he rane oTtAtwosduroy y, 19 NV 7 ve eeee ee eeees sss 9 == gH Qorg deeb eeeiaciangscs nos ss Sore seepes asics sis ccsieeccccse “ic IOATOsey Sssurdg pxoyeys sganies See Re Pee Pe iic sce DOQSUILAAUGSGAA | S52 Sater sen ee a emeins son nee ors Sener aon ee es 2 RoC BEET BEE EEE gs ae eee ee = SOE en EEE ocr coe OEE Cc eee Ce ee. cee oth een cere ewe nre cecum esses cece n ce cenere ce cenn- oyeyT Soy DE CSSOGU CRO CIR a AOCO SSS CORSE IK, MICRO: [so ceeresonnsless one ocr aa oa Gao wmris TOUT lek) GOBER DUE SRD ONC IOS IIMS IIG WeULIOYY |---°-- otto m ee "|--- -spuog W99Ld pus cvndbg Oe Se et nig casa lae eae See RR A tae teh PATO S| spain Pe a ae ee *-7*-"--"="* Spmog efoBjoedg ; Sri aie Cin Saisie cig aie ioe siento AINQSYeY |---or treet ersten BoNVT UAT, | 000 ‘cL |°°-°"** AQUD HS |---- “pxloyavig qZION |~~ ~~" -guoyJooUUOD sisi Uaeiainie Soe Srieeielnhte cee A TUDO AM OPBIOGULO in 2st cs sce one pesceeccie se Sas cox eT OuOnr ee ee ae aa ee ee ee mag | Cae cc see eae Soe eae ~ ae Bes Mai ae a. OUR Web eels ne i "-7 > urmprenb v §,PpIBAPOO A Mees worsens =f Sees URILLO (EAGER ILO leisininn sin nc amnieinicinn Sonsini ie eee cea OM RTT RZOUTCAIT pee ese TN a ee oa seeeeeee ees 8OIJUNOD 1O9V[T PUL VpBAaHT || oo RSE eae ep eorcerten cst eo 0c6 ‘6g = |-- ArnqpooM “O "£ |**"""*** OxpuworT weg ~~~ “~~ -eraLoTTED ; "1078 10430 ; “yno 4ue8 “Sut : ; Ayrpeoo'y qe 0} ee uae: PoY00}8 §.199R A. UST JO “ON -qoqzey Jo oFavqo Uy Surypoywy Jo vovx[q OIBIS "BLBT ‘uowpng oypooyoy bunok fo woyngrysyp ay, fo puawajnjg—' AT TIAV, SALMON EGGS.833 ‘ / CTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC x 4 COLLI (i) 000 ‘F 0008 000 ‘9 000 ‘8 000 ‘9 000 ‘2 000 ‘OL 000 *¢ 000°8 000 ‘F 000 °¢ 000°8 000 °8 000 ‘02 000 “F ceeee Se eee ee = DOO MMOLE) steeee See i OO ICD ne ak, wot te neces eee e tense rere es “gorge tt ee teen eee eee eee eee TOTES “Geighe Sr Dre Se eRe ear CN ore Teal Seas ewe o eos Ses==s sir OUTAT s sos es Seo r onsen no ==“TBUI Te AK dverateaeceeuteen J “*77**ppysygitd enews eee ee ewe e nee eene. OYOATO FT i a ee ae “TUB Ing ys wv Sot leees se) GOLA DEG aIO NN: Se era= tome se seni ">> UIByOuOYG SE ISIE I sree" 95pDLIqyI0I9 == soot sre ssees-99RNITOS 989 AN Opsaes Opes (yyy op'7*- Ope op'7t" One op:77- ODiae = a op--*- > (pNP ase op"-=" (0) 0) Coy oon ITSP a “sss 7""* JOIWMED PNG JSeq (i) ee ee ean eee LIAOPUW Y.10 NT 000 ‘¢ 000 000 ‘€ 000 ‘F 000 ‘2 cw eeee Se nals Gia A RAED SSE wae LEELA seers SCs ete eS ote Cait ee °=<=-DIGAIVTT TOUT 000°8 ye ight ete Sat telit seees* LOISOTOUL AA 000 ‘8 000 ‘F 000 ‘og 0008 Sea TS Sa eee ee *-YSnos0qeTpp1 A 2 SRR eign T Dae eae: aa OAT OAK ne eveeecsee-o---= Tanourke A WINOG Se Seen oe os i eer LOE LOL NOY AY OOOO OO OOO iit e5PLNYL AL SE SSO IOS OI ie srers> ofrassoyo0g STA 8, poor SS Soars pReppaeeowes OT[TAS9.10,T 2 RISSso- ae ieee ACU [SU qeRITT CG eee ge eee nnere sepreos aTAtoouedg Bee eeareense= sdaez seets soe -- TOMIOAT AL _=—-a === TPES FIRES COICO REISE SIERO CNOpLGp) eS = 2° eo = seos=+ UMNO WOUFUTYSE AA HEE 9 | PBR OE OSI oie pod. Ma Ny UT lalate peat earipae vanes ENGL 000 ‘% ear one Sa =e ae eee Ta ee free OP, 000 ‘g aie cae Pee AyuN0D Yo0}s001y EAT ETM | ble le eo Tete ete 970] Te) TILDE | fap na Sle EC ROCF, ~* > redooy 000 ‘e lie een ae ata 6p aca ka er ee eos U1 Re I IES Stal HE ie lab L0) AL 8 Opes ODeeas op:*- op--- op:=* opis op.7-: op'** OpEss= ops op:** Ops spuog TouRIg opBosey ctetatstere so sere|oroo="2""=-TQATT JepAOdUNy, oe" s"" sire 8mm cM) “ESS TATY oosdeyeg Sa TOA JUoxDye “=""* qaarsy AOVIOMOPL Gp aa DANY Juoxnye puog ——— III ssuitdg uoiy TeysArg Oa ise eo ae ea OYVT 8, oOmIay Oey puwry LIATY ooqoumey |------7 7° ----"puog 910d M0 NT ASS LAY Joosqoued |°"""*-*----puog Suradg prop OP ee sleds no: so" "-OMRT OLIOWIT “* JOATY SBvoyouxnpoyy |------°--------- Oye'T 8, Mor com OATS URROBULUO dig) =o oo as OYL'T 8,.1090019 De Oe qwAry 8Auma |*----*"------ oxeTy couvyqye lh ESP SIPEG Onpyen |? ess ae puog 8,0nseidg "7" DOATY urnbeurno,7 SINR AA WLOTOSOOPL 000 ‘zz TSL ‘OF 000 ‘OT 000 ‘LE 00S ‘6 000 ‘¢ TIZ ‘G8 "7" qQaMOVIG “VT | ““""TOSNSIOT “| TL, wt teeeseeeees Qpetes ** TOSUNTL “Fy “UL AL AOZVMG “W study WW Ugo) “Dc eee ee TOJSITOUL AA 925272" ==" 100 Teg: natctaietetacters erst op: “UILITZY VyUyT puvry “oo essss" X10dsyong D:. pr hea "=" TO}[MOR ~ 9562S Oy OQUI TT “*- S}josnoussE TT soe seee-nTepAleyr Sees’ == OWE daF REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES ‘$04 trorettrr Aq US TOTTEAL OFT ~--7" odo] AMON Ope1O.L BIMOpI[L,) OL[EAT FLO NE woseyod “SULOIVI, JO MUL 00s ‘¢ ee ete eee we wena tee rser sewn ssess QTOTIISD “Son 4 a penerenibenmrmnamen ct 7 AECL Sse 38 05 eRe LL OO |2oo2ccc a sasasoe seeeeeeebepheammmige loesessycerye 21 gusteeee| fem puod S,01A18 | 000 ‘ Se ape eage Sear Raa aa: 42> = 1OATIY: nab uNcEe beiadhse 3 cds ta none . L G00 SLI SE peta 1 SRARAORNEDD, | aoe eam | 000% / IBSRAE AtveaE “™Smarauog Tans (1 el PODS SO ESIC OSS IEG ae Sacer s ST UE dea gull). 2 522. «De nee 000 'S Vises: veabucey feet eageeene err rete gasdi ts ates. Sobcea det |i. 2... ., DUOC AROIRUEA SE: ‘ ee ere ene eg mene ie a Ube ali FS hae AAS thd Gale coeresrors prog tN [B roy sreeee er TT p |seseeere OR Bisk Vic eacilscesscseses ie et I : (We eo | Peipeodiaenon Seeeaeteteeee ts 5 VA 1 SR ae See an Ga eee ee ee BAe TOY ra poues settee ete faaAG may ade Rial a: a cal Oe Si Sse eae deur keuee 000%. frersee eee Satta POLO) OLET Dea PEI IGIG |IOF iceiGOU SDE (ig (pe bIKLONG) 000% fetter os ROG) mLoq[e) SOOLG) PU RRLaN Members ics tena oS ne er nn iM ee re oynry ounsor 2” | ae oe ce Ayunog umoypen |----7>- sree e eee Sesion lqecicanccoconcisaa pi as 2) | 000 ‘g + AyuM0g woLdog ‘BOTIN. |otrett settee tee LED FCO IN | : i BERS: eyVy WVU, | 00093 | QUIOTO PATE)! | ae an aimnan *OOTF = | =alts 408 YS “Syywooy ‘IOJBM IOTJO ws Nis : “qno 40s “SUL jo ‘on gry 0} Ley ray, DesOO ye Sear uay YS JO ON) -YoRBY Jo oB.reqo Uy *‘ponuryu0g—gzey “woumpng orpooyos Bunok fo wounggsip ay) fo uOMaNIA "AT HIGVY, orecceves}UOULII A "7" puvisT opony | | ---> pruvapAsumeg Pregeecogn ~~ orgO “= BULOIVD TP}.L0 NF YO XK AONE AQS.10 ALO NT - oruSC UBT AV NT BIOSOUUTPY UvSTIPUL OPUS -_—_—— COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS. 835 000'G |rntrrr reece eee teres Ayanog yompeay [ort TOATY SroUTTTE [777777 B05 Q0e oyvT vaouexy | 000'¢ 3 =j---"*7* **- oTgAg "q@ 7-777" NBT BATION |--"""- SUISHOOsT AL OO0"L from corr cr etc tcc ees cre reenter ree: “aoary AOTTVA 8,9aVBAT, |---- tne nero SoTeyUg LLY, QOR frrrr rt ttt ttt crete eect cert ee nee ee ee eee eee ee ee tte een ee cee e eee eee uny nor, it eee © waces=- sige s ape Oprrr tnt |re terest cere e eee oeserss|eocee SGC OSCI 401) 8, OTT (idee [neo - 225 aes = = ATUNGS) onus Orepy scene Goes cee ao ogy ae 39019 TOL (iti. 1b 9 Fe as eae i eta ea lie ic ee (9) Unis Seg oo es ce em ais’ ">| a a a eS yooly oyeyug 00G 0 [rect ter ctt test ceeee ceeeeceee mom Opa orn |e ce seers tees sccm cccewerliencecectinnee mn S,parvyormg ai Sete 220020 GE Ia) SSCL OC aC OP serg=s |= sear ee SOS 0G1G0,251009| ID Yoon opeyng jo yourarg 004 eee nae Siewcnenss cplcisestsigue's Optttttt|etetteees sone cewessewncs|conceen nn cn ewes uny Mopreyy 0022 is *.----- AGU hOOLTREN, |e" sone oo he ene ras mane eciaiewctis era: TIAL 8,4U9(T 00T SC CESTISS SESS ECISS EEO SLOQSIS ATE T TUON le see cel ere See ie sce cae 4 PUT 8,490 TLV (ice) |. -----------g AGUMO) TOZIOWA: |= s8ke esa ere see wince Sree ng yoorg surysty | 00¢‘8 |""7" Oy yi ie ees ~~ Aoumoy, |-** VIULSIT A 489A 000‘ |r----- -kymog AromoS yuo ‘Sanqsyorvypg_ |*-- 7-7-7770 o OD aes oo Ror aaa ae SULBOTIS 000'Z |rrttttote ree Ayano ons AA ‘oTTAomA AA [oot P= "IOATIMON: |e se ese steers puod | 000‘0L =|°"""7" Aoztet °W |---"*~ “-* SaMQsyovpg | -" "+77 - VUTSIT A, Ti) 2 | peoee Sac a SCS Se SECO rina “* goureg |"""" Jeary qnomooumoy |--7--- === -"* *-puog 8,4eA1e xy ‘ i hy Al *=555> [a UOLOGSUGO.EE): [Grane na aecn mine nep =< )ae = “puodg YFno1oqsueedt 0 Gs aes erates ai ao no's on rin poe oes ACTS BO Peet IIIS 1) lated a leaiicngea SAT puog 19yBaTjog 836 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. TABLE V.—Observations on temperature and weather at Grand Lake Stream, 1875~78, Date. Nov. 1 30 Air. Temperature. Water in| Water in midstream. | enclosure. Wind and general remarks. aah eon See 39] 41 43| 41] 413} 41] 413 35| * * 41| 41 IB a ee pba: be 398] 41 CT A Beh a 40| 41 i Ree, a telly: 39} 40 Si}. ake nee | 383| 39 ep meee Ma 383| 39 2 eI BS nel 374| 38 OA) (gaglee ee | 33) 35 Fie a Be 344, 35 Ry ae eh (am | 85| 354 36 | } Spal ee | 3431 35 TG cere ee | 324; 33 0" | eee ae 33 | 33 a Peers Paes 33| 84 Dy Me Pea, 334] 34 77 ERAN A IR 334] 34 | SE RE 333] 34 Ty eee ae es 32] 34 Os eae a Ly aay) Aggy Daag —7 |....--|--.---| Frozen up. N.W.; cloudy, except midday; rain shower a. m., and heavier in p.m. At4 p.m. squall from N, N. W., strong; clear weather. S.and 5. E.; gentle, cloudy all day. Northerly ; cloudy all day. N.; medium, and threatening all day. N., very strong; clear till mid-afternoon; froze mud hard last night. S.E.; strong in a.m.; N. W.in p.m.; calm in even- ing, cloudy, except occasionally toward night. Rain began about 3 a.m., rained hard till 10 a.m., occasionally through rest of day. N. W., very strong; clear; ground froze a little last night. N. W., strong; clear. Southerly, strong; clear. 8. E. ; rain hard all day nearly. N., moderate; clear and then cloudy; snow begins very light at 10 p.m. N.E., very heavy; snow and sleet all day. N.W., heavy; cloudy; cleared at 12.15 p.m.; after cloudy. Northerly ; cloudy all day. N. W.; clear. N. W., a.m. cloudy; p.m. clear ; snow squall in a.m. N. W., moderate; clear. N. W., clear. N. W.,N.E.in evening. Partly cloudy, spitting rain and snow in evening. S. and §. E., rain. N.E, and N. W., rain, clear in evening; rained hard in morning; stopped in midday; cleared in evening. N. W., gentle; clear all day; evening calm and perfect. Northerly, gentle; mostly clear in a.m.; some cloudy in p.m.; threatening to storm. N.E., clear a. m., after cloudy; threatening to snow. N. E., moderate ; cloudy and threatening all day. N. E. and S. E., clouds, rain and snow; snowed in early morning a little; rain followed by snow in evening. N. W., very heavy ; snowed a.m.; clear evening; 3 or 4 inches of snow have fallen. N. W., very heavy; clear allday andevening. S. E., moderate; cloudy and threatening; spitting .snow in evening. ‘ ; N. W., strong; clear; calm early this morning; calm, nearly, in evening. Southerly, moderate ; cloudy and threatening. Grand Lake appears to be frozen over as far as Munson’s Island. A little snow in evening. Northerly, night calm; wind changed in night and blew very hard; spring, 44°. S. W., gentle, cloudy; morning clear; snow at 3 p. m.; water in midstream at dam, 33°. Varying N. W.to S. W.; clear mostly. N. W., clear. S. W., cloudy and rain. i : N. W.., increasing in force during day; in evening and night heavy; sky variable. E Northerly, change in midday to southerly; clear in early part, cloudy at night; spring at10a. m., 43°. N. W., very stron 5 sky, variable; snow squalls in a. m. 44 inches snow last night. N. W., strong; sky variable, mostly clear. * The side channel that supplies the enclosures has been enlarged, and the temperature being now the game as in midstream, the observations in latter are now omitted. COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS.83T7 TABLE V.—. Observations on temperature and weather at Grand Lake Stream, §c.—Cont’d. Date. Dee. Temperature. | | Air. Wind, and general remarks, Water at the dam. 7a.m. | 7 a.m. 40 44 | Rainy. 42 45 | Rainy. 38 44 | N.N. W., clearing; windy. 36 43 | N.N. W., cloudy and wet; windy. 3l 43 | Northwesterly, partly cloudy. 25 41 | Northerly, partly cloudy. 29 41 28 41 27 404 | Easterly, very light and southerly; partly cloudy; mostly pleasant. 294 40 | N.E., slight sprinkle of snow. 33 40 | N.E., very strong; partly cloudy, partly pleasant. 33 40 | N.E., partly pleasant. 38 40 | N.E., cloudy; slight rain. 34 39$ | N.E., slight rain and sleet. 28 38} | N.and N. W., cloudy; at hatching-house, 44}. 26 374 | Northerly, cloudy; sprinkle of snow. 27 37 | Northwesterly, strong; cloudy; threatening. 23 364 | Northwesterly, strong; mostly clear. 22 35 | Northwesterly ; at hatching-house, 43. 124 33 | Westerly, pleasant. 10 324 | N. E., cloudy and threatening. 21 32 | N.E., cloudy; a little snow. 26 33 | Northerly, light; clondy. 28 33 | Westerly, light; very pleasant. 19 33 | Westerly, light; very pleasant. iit 33 | Southwesterly. 21 33 | S.to N. W., light; variable; cloudy and threatening midday; rest pleasant. 25 33 | Westerly, light; mostly pleasant. TSho|peencea N. E., snow. 0 33 | N. W., strong; snow 8 inches deep. — 8 324 | Light, variable wind. 9 324 N.E., snow heavy all day; about 1 foot snow. 9 32} | Variable, light; partly cloudy; at hatching-house, 424. Don seamen Westerly ; at hatching-house, 42-424. PAN \lescassoc 183" Waesssece At hatching-house, 42. —20 32 | N. W., pleasant. Dy San Sesee N. E., heavy snow. OD etecesc N. W., cleared in night; snow 23 inches deep; last fall, 13 inches. -8 | seieidsia aie Westerly, medium; clear. =u Eel as ee Westerly, very light; clear a.m.; cloudy p.m. G Hleadsaoee Easterly, cloudy. 1 De er Se ee | N. E., snow 8 or 4 inches. Gye |58 seue Westerly, strong; pleasant. 2 Westerly, medium or stronger; clear, sunny, and pleasant. NY, Unsettled, light; cloudy. 15 Westerly, clear and cloudy. 3 Westerly, light; pleasant. : = G6) Wsbsdacee Easterly, light; mostly pleasant; cloudy p. m.; snow at night. 25 N.E., in p.m. westerly; began to snow at 9 p.m. yesterday; kept up, witha little hail, through the night; held up this a. m. (9),and had snowed IL inches ; about 1 inch after that during day. Bh |lootaetes N. W., strong. 8) WleeSssese N. W.., pleasant. Sil paneeeee N. E., strong; snow 6 inches. i eas N. W., clear. C31 Hey (eee ar N. W., clear. rH sceecere N. W.., clear. ahs bea sdase Variable; very light; clear and very pleasant; northern lights very bright. P33) WbeGodass S. E., snow 6 inches in a.m.; very light rain in p.m. BE eases oie Southerly, thawing. IGS Nlcapbeace Westerly. Oma eee acts Westerly. alt Wea5qqnee E. and S$. E., light; 2 inches snow last night; to-day pleasant. eae esas N. W., strong; a little snow last night. coral Wecewtis 2 Easterly and westerly, light; 8 inches snow in a. m.; cleared at early p.m. Ce aes N. W., strong; clear. j a eae Ree es | QS cclaulne | 838 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. TABLE V.— Observations on temperature and weather at Grand Lake Stream, §c.—Cont’d. Temperature. ~. nd Date. | Air. ss Wind, and general remarks. S z a ~~ 1877. wan.) 18) — 1 seco TE) Respond) ecassS- PANE osqsbios| isosecss- 2 Sansseleallbooconce 22 TPF Mesa oo 68 Variable; very light; cloudy. 23] —7 |.......- N. W. and southerly, light; cloudy. PAE ea f3 |Loseeoos N. W., strong; clear. 25} —20,||-2.---6: Temperature. Air. Water at Date. the dam. Wind and weather. Pal fn stale | Aone a & a CI ay - re © ia) San 1877. Oct. 54 58 603} 60 60 | S.S.E., fresh; foggy. 533) 47 444) 60 594] N. E., strong; rainy. 373} 53 44 55 56 | N. W., fresh; clear. 55 55%} Northerly, light; clear. 54 56 | Southerly, gentle; clear. 544) 155 | S8.toS.E., light; cloudy. 54 55 | S.E., fresh; rainy. 55 553] S.E., light; rainy. 554, 56 |S. E.to N.E., light; rainy; 1f in. of rain. 54 543) N.E., strong; cloudy. 52 534| N., fresh; cloudy. 53 544] N. W., fresh; clear. 523] 524) N. E. to N. W., light to fresh; rainy and cloudy; ¥, in. rain. 49 50 | N. N. W., heavy; clear. 48 50 | N. W., fresh; clear. 49| 50|S.W.toS.E.to N.E.; clear to cloudy to rain; 3; in. rain. 48 503| N. W., light; clear. 48 50 | N.N. W., light; clear. 48 47 | N.E., fresh; snow, after melting, 55; in. water. 46 47 | W., clear. 24 33 40 393} 47 48 | Calm, cloudy; very light shower at noon. 47 464] S. E. to N. E.; snow. 44 45 | N.to N. W., fresh; clear. Ve ea N.to N. W., fresh; clear. 44 45 | N.W., fresh; clear. 44 444) S. E., fresh; rain. 46) N. W., heavy; clear. 45 |S. W. toS.E., light; clear to cloudy to rain; 4% in. of rain, 1 Nov. 1 344) 443] 41 46 | Variable, light; cloudy to clear. 2 31 393] 46 44 443| S.E., fresh; cloudy to rain; 1,% in. of rain. 3 41 50 40 45 454! S. W. to N. W., partially cloudy; snow squall in p.m 4 31 40 34 43 | 44 | N. W., strong; clear. 5] 28] 423! 42] 424! 493] S.E., fresh; cloudy to rain; 1, in. rain. 6 39 34 29%] 43 4341 N. W., very heavy; clear, Zz 193} 40 34 40 42 |S. W., light; clear. 8 234] 50 44 4041} 42 |S. W., light; clear to cloudy. 9 544) 60 57 44 45 | S.toS. W., fresh; rainy; 1;% in. rain. 10 284] 29 |...... 42 42 | N. W., fresh; clear. 11 24 32 28 414} 413) Northeasterly, light; partly cloudy. 12 25 34 32 41 42 | N. W., fresh; clear. 13 29 34 28 39 39 | N. W., fresh: clear. 14 20 44 40 38 40 | S. W., fresh; clear. 46 40 41 |S. W., gentle; clear. 16 46 54 53 41 42! §., light; rainy; 3 in. rain. 36| 41] 413] N.W., light; clear. 53 g 41/58. W., gentle; clear. 1i9| 32 34 28 | 40! 40] N. W., strong; clear to snowy. COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS.839 TABLE V.—Observations on temperature and weather at Grand Lake Stream, §¢.—Cont’d. Temperature. Air. Water at Date. the dam. Wind and weather. | A A A =| a r=¥ ay a a ~ cl C) m~ | os 1877. Noy. 20 26 28 27 37 38 | N.W., strong; cloudy. 21 22 emma st 22R WSU |owceee 8. E., gentle; clear. 22 18 31 234] 364) 38] N. W., gentle; clear. 23 27 42 33 374| 383! N. W., gentle; clear. 24 31 43) \neSeae 38 39 | Easterly, gentle; clear. 25 323) 364] 934 38 38 | Easterly, gentle; cloudy. 26 37 42 42 38 383] Easterly, fresh; rainy. 27 52 53 50 40 403) Easterly, fresh; rainy. 28 BAy \Beanee 43 404)..---. Easterly, light; rainy ; 3 in. of rain. 29 314) 363 33 40 40 | Easterly, gentle; cloudy to rain to snow. 30 31 344; 31 384; 393) Easterly, gentle; cloudy. Temperature. | { Date. as Wind and weather. . ater Air. at dam. 1877. 7 a.m. Dec. 1 Pe eeee cee N., strong; clear. 2 Bloons ae Westerly, gentle; clear. 3 UM eae eed Calm to Southerly; clear to cloudy. 4 PEt Bee sceee S. W., light; clear. 5 CLOW Sasa S.E., gentle; rainy. 6 AD eseies oe Variable, gentle; rainy to clear; 18 in. rain. 7 15 34 | N. W., fresh; clear. 8 ASH Oe earls Southerly, gentle; snow to clear. 9 DAN ON Sa N.E., light; clondy. 10 1 ears N. W.toS.E., light; clear to cloudy. 11 PONS 8s Easterly, light; snow. 9 a.m. 12 24) |Soszebee S. E. to N., cloudy day; clear evening. 7 a.m. 13 eS eeeor Southerly, light; cloudy to snow. 14 PilleseScsce N. W., heavy; snow to clear. 15 8 32 | Southerly, very gentle; cloudy. 830a.m ‘ 16 F Bt eecpecoe W.to N. W., gentle, to fresh clear, with squalls of snow. a.m. 17 TSiee sees S. W. to N. W., gentle to strong; clear to cloudy, with squalls. 18 A eros tees N. W.., fresh to gentle; clear. 19 AGH eco ekane Southerly, light; cloudy. 20 Ballneesesee N.E.to N., fresh; cloudy; clear evening. 21 aA Ce eseee Variable, very gentle; clear. 22 UG ecooss | N.E., light; clear to cloudy. 8 a.m. 23 20) osescees N. W., fresh; clear. 8 a.m. 24 23) eee N. W., fresh; clear. 7 a.m. 25 > ll J Se: N. W.., light; clear. 26 2 Variable, gentle; clear to cloudy 27 28 |e wcadees Westerly, gentle; clear. 8 a.m. 28 AS os osccee N. W., gentle; clear. 7 a.m. 29 nT Beeerse Northerly, gentle; clear. 30 LS! |e N.E., light; cloudy. 31 20) Re aeeee N., strong; cloudy. 840 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. TABLE V.— Observations on temperature and weather at Grand Lake Stream, §:c—Continued. Date. Air. Wind and weather. 1878. 7 a.m. dan. 1 7 | N.W., fresh a.m.; variable, light, p.m.; clear. 7.45 a.m. 2 18 | N.£., gentle; cloudy to snow. 7a.m. 3 3 | Northerly, fresh; clear. 4 — 8| Easterly, light to strong; cloudy to snow. 5 28 | Easterly to N. W., light; cloudy to clear 6 — 10| N.W., light; clear. 7 — 27| N. W., light; clear. 8 — 32 Westerly, light; clear. 9 1| S.E.to5. W., light; cloudy to clear. 10 — 31] 58.E., light; cloudy to clear to cloudy. 11 37 | S.E., fresh; rainy. 2 29 | N. E. to N. W., cloudy to clear. 13 28 | N.E., cloudy. 14 29 | Easterly, rainy. 15 32 | Variable, gentle; partly cloudy. 16 7 | N.W., light; clear. V7 — 9|N.W.toS. W., light; clear. 18 — §&| Westerly and southerly, gentle; clear. 19 7 | Westerly and southerly, gentle; clear. 20 30 | Southerly, clear to cloudy. 21 33 | Southerly and easterly, light; rainy. 22 33 | Southerly and easterly, light; rainy. 23 33 | S. W.to S. E. to N. E., light to a gale; snow: 24 — 10 | N. W., fresh; clear. 25 15 | 8S. W., gentle; partly cloudy. 26 19 | Easterly, fresh; snow and rain. 27 22 | Westerly, light; clear. 28 24 | Calm, with snow; strong N. wind and cloudy at night. 29 — 2] N.W., fresh; clear. 30 — 8] Westerly, fresh; clear. 31 — 4) Variable, gentle; clear. Feb. 1 10 | N.E., fresh; cloudy. 2 2) N. W., fresh; clear. 8 a.m. 3 12 | Northwesterly, light; clear. 7 a.m. 4 10 | Northerly, gentle; cloudy. 5 18 | Northerly and easterly, gentle; cloudy. 6 10 | N. W., light; clear. 7 25 | N. W., gentle; clear. 8 16 | Southerly, gentle; cloudy. 9 32 | Northerly, fresh; snow. 10 16 | N.E., fresh; snow. 181 11 | Northerly, light; partly cloudy. 12 — 8} Southerly, light; clear. 13 15 | Variable, squalls of snow. 14 — 8| Northwesterly, light; clear. 15 — 9{|_N.W., light; clear. 16 — 8| N.W., light; clear. 17 — 2) Westerly, light; clear to cloudy. 18 10 | N., strong; clear. 19 — 2] N.W., light; clear. 20 — 12/8. W., light; clear. 21 26 | S.E., light; clear. 22 1 | Easterly, fresh; cloudy. 23 30 | Easterly, strong; snow and rain. 24 34 | Westerly, gentle; cloudy. 25 — 28 | N. W., light, clear. 26 — 26 | N.E.to N. W., strong; cloudy to clear. 27 25 | N. W., light; clear. 28 25 | Variable, gentle; clear to cloudy, with N. E. snow squalls at night. MorsaeL 6 | N. W., strong to gentle; clear. 2 10 | Southerly and easterly, gentle; mostly cloudy. 3 33 | Southerly and easterly, gentle; rainy. 4 33 | Northerly and easterly, tresh; cloudy, with squalls of snow and rain. 5 16 | N. W., fresh; clear. 6 25 | Southerly, light; clear to cloudy. if 36 | Southerly and easterly, light; cloudy. 8 | 33 | N. W., fresh; clear. 9 31 | N. W., light; clear. 10 33 | N. W., fresh; clear. 11 20 | N. W., strong; clear. Gas. 841 . ‘ 4 COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON I ad 4 “OAISHPOUL “TITT 0} IST MLOI SMOTPVAIOSGO Jo OSLIOAY 2 "OAISNPOUL ‘OF O} TT O(MOAON WOT SMOTYVAIOSYO JO OSRAIDAY P 4STE pUB IST MeAAJoq SAvp 9Z WO OPLU SMOTYVAIOSGO JO acura 4 ‘OAISNIIUT ‘OT 0} [ LOQULOAON WOIF SUOTJZVAIOSGO JO OSVIDAY 9 “QAISNPOUL ‘STE 0} YIP ULOITF SMOTVAIOSGO Jo OSvIDAW ‘OAISN[OUL ‘TE 0} EZ 10G0}0D WoI, SMOLBAIOSYO JO OSBIDAY Q ‘Tez pur IS—T Weeagoq SXkep [Zz WO opvuUl SMOIVAIOSqo Jo osvIDAY £ ‘OAISN[OUL ‘TE 04 TZ 19G0}0O UOIZ SMOIYTAIOSGO Jo VdRIOA YW TILT pus 4ST WoeAjoq SXkup ET WO opvUl SMOIQVAIOSgO Jo OSvIOAY a | ‘UILP OT} JV UOyVy SVA 1OJVA JO oINyvIOdUI9g ‘CYST ‘IOQUIDAON 109} V », | 2 Sa ae ere eee eee Pen Pentre a ret. ia Re, Pe ee SI eg es eed eid ed a ey 8z— Ze g8°L te ete ee ee en eee ne eee eee wee - AwNAq2yT Se nes ne Seed Seer Peal 20 1220.5] SS QE COCR RIA ED AOI] See Le 18 °6 risie'fia\sivicicisic'ris\©vcic\eticiacriselels ais Sol-iniccicines emcee ABT OG > “SL81 Eats ek - ae 53 tSaeq B -uneds s0ye qyseM | & ISI A 8 iy su07y ISTO A ee jpouneds soremo our ‘So[RIT Pp eet -uamvds or0soq ‘pravi3 ‘sopeura,y * =" “OLR ‘oumyy ‘wuMang ayn T puny 19 UNoUNnNY oIpooyoY fo purUWadnsHATT—' TILA XTAV,T, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 844 GT 03 | 8ST | 60 | Seales ncuGry, Cee Ono Ui |elelen eGeGes |) Pale s||S 0G HE 06 9T eet Oxes> || Seige 7 ahs ‘eT Gla PLeG ie Gn Oee | sGuGen| acme 09 Bien GEO eSEGNs cullen WOncu Roa ey) ST 0c | 2°ST | TT Creek WGrse ST 8. |} 8 cr | TT. 6 ¢c'T G69 cT LT GT | 60 Minit malt 67ST ‘sur | ‘suzy | ‘sur | ‘sq | “SOT | ‘SOT | 89T Bole PLETE LE BIE LE m | ae 5 = 4 3 % ® ® = = pap = is") a ae a mene | "a. | ® x Wp ouoe'T “SUIUMVAS 109JV FTSTO AL ‘OURS UOT S559 JO YYSIOAL my Tepnes jo s{va oppprar Jo diy 0} osou jo dry wosy pormsvour yysueT y 966 *polnsvoul pues poTpstas 1oquin XY ‘poumuds so[VUlo iy §1 OST OLi St | 9s | ET | Sts FI | Gs 89st | TT | Le \8T | $& 91 | G‘8f|6°9T}9T | T% | 8T | OL GPL | 06 CPE | etal) oe ee all FL OGHINISOL |S sone Oma soe ST | 06 JE WEE | ee Niteb 1G = 9) Cs PL Sh6L | Ligh sek te eye ie he) ct | 8t VIG rae Uo IE xe CL 06 9T | ot ‘ets || (oil 99 ST | 06 SOL | FT | FE CO Wests ia CEN CLESE | Gabe s9as: Soke 50S FL | 16 GOT We Sikes SHE ales tL 0c) 691 | FT OAL 43 CT | I¢ LO Seat Le Ge || cSpione| eo G ‘tL 61 | PF 9T| GT | 6% | 8T | 6 9L | Ge FeLi Giloa | Fase WG T 16 ‘sur | ‘sur | ‘suzy | ‘sq | ‘8qT | SOT ‘suy | ‘sur | ‘sur | ‘sq7 | ‘sqT | ‘89T Rn i [su A n ie & Re PIS ELE) BE led) Bl S| 2) ea) e | a | ee zt Ge g ma q Ca ele selon g E a @ | &6 Be este lteter ee ee ela ee ledg Hecp a cue | ag a ot Ne ck DB a aie! a ¢t ve a a oR Or . . ¢ . iS 4 . ° ¢ . is 2 - = = Ee & &. 0a, es = Te TAQUIGAO Ni tocferr+ s2°° OT TOQUIGAON, Siew iniescisrois 77 G LAQUIGAO N g JOqULOAON > g LoqUIeAON - ¢ LaqulaAON T 1aqulaAONT “LL8T *078(T ee a ge ae “LIST OMmyy “Waly aynT punty yw UOUYE XIpooyag fo juoWaInsnaTyT— XT ATAVL, COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOODIC SALMON EGGS.845 “TOUTTRS OTpoomy 16 UIed “109 0} pmMoy svat TorpA ‘punod ureur poystuny “MOMTLS SPOTS FO F[Taa WIT pozfrur Aymysseoons e10a ora ‘ssid 000'6 paprert eys ‘surmaeds a0jyye spunod of surgowa ‘SuOL soyout peg ‘Wourpes-vos o[eUloF Pawo T pues ‘qSpouTpA Z ‘N50 T yoo} fez 19qG0}0(0 VOUS QIMILIFIIJUL AMO JNOYILA SuTZoo][Oo weeq OAVT US Forza ur punod areur oy} [NVyIOAo 0} URdog *I9AO 1OZOIT eyeT sndmnoog ‘ uvaays stsqoc 03 S350 000 ‘9ST ques ‘Uotreq T ‘opeutoy odta [ ‘YSyoyTAM Z HOOT, ‘DUOT SOTPOUE ET ‘epBUOF YSpoITAs Yoo} f edtazon TIUS O18 FF ‘VUIT} pUOdOS polpuLT SeTRULF FZT JO *podopaAep omou Inq ‘4[TUL TOUITRS PITA So50 Toy pejita ‘you seouno p punod T surypsmm ‘SUOL SOTPOUL EL ‘YSYORITA OfLMoy PLABLS WOOT, “UIBIT}S SISGO(T 0} 8559 0N0'GT 9UAg “UIBAIIS SISGO( 0} SD50 0NG‘EOT UBS “SMOT SATPOUL OZ ‘oN50} T qSneo ‘fureays sisqoq 0} sd50 000‘093 JUIg ‘DUOPSOTOUL ET IN0I}-Yoorq T yWsNVD “DUOT SOTIUT ET Tove ‘(snuofawop) FSyo IITA Z pus ‘Duo, Seoul gL pue TT ‘ynosy-yoo1g Z YYSNVO “DUOT SoToUt ET ‘8N50} T FYSURD “BHIVUIOT 009 ‘ST 00¢ ‘621 000 ‘TOT . “qo 835 poure} 9 Jo L9q TUM NT \ oapou Por ee ths GIT c0F =e GG poumedsayy peumeds Te7OL *So[BULOT 005 ‘LL0 ‘T | see | tee ‘LT | 663 | et‘ | | 699'T | Zer cel ‘Lt | soe cco ‘tT | 929'S eS aed nee e eid i eae fone es cl eee, ae ~ eee GRO ARON LL | 98 °°") OSE 63 98 g &L &61 wreoseescoescces OZ OQUIGAO NT Pe INGOE T | 63. OL ZIT L 0G O8T wreeesececcceces GZ LOQUIGAON SPREE "| GOpiNye Ips 3" / AMBP: 9¢ GOP ¥ 686 «| STL fonts 7% dequesoNy T 61 “-"1 8S T 61 z 91 88 soocereecceccres GT LOQUIGAO NT 0g =| SZ Set Of S &% 9 3 09 BETES SLO GUO ONT 7 Fare --1 8g 9 1g | OF Lg 06 “terceeoteces=** JT J9QUIQAON, L 82 aan BLE & 8% ot 9% 19 sercesescess OT TAQUIOAON Sees KOT ---| ScT 8 OIL Ov | 69 LZ eS 757 a ase AON: aa eg =") 62 z 8g #3 1S 981 wreeeeesecescces ST TOQUIGAON 9 | «GL I | SOT T GL sé GL 811 eee “7° ZT LOGuIeAo N epee 1g seal 08 L Ig 8% cIL LOGe Ss Sieeas 5s eee SON: Boe 2g Sil (As 0 ae 8% a) CY oe | enema OU CaO LoS ONG See 3 Feel 17 fe 13 8 6¢ 00 woecceeecccesrcss § JOQUIGAON 2-08 T oP cP 901 COTS siltee mas wereeseers* 8 LOQUIOAON os hey, i co re 9¢ OTS Sa cae weeesens G LOQUIIAO N “GL8T es Si ‘Teor, |yuedg| ‘odny |odiag i) "et . . 4 ge |g SOP | “TPIOL, Z 5 *SOTVULO SL ‘ora ‘peuuids ‘Suyppury ysag ye UST Sopeula iT | "CLOT “unany aynT punsy ‘suoynsado burunnds fo proony—X ATAV I, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 846 000 ‘ete | 929 | 019 | GFL OIL 69¢ OL GLE 120 ‘T OOS ages AACS ASSES as as 0 0 0 Glia seilhee: Sete lass epee tee oe ~""* GG oq UloAo NT ‘od Q0G)S t=. 28055 8 61 IL 8 0 cT Le, Sati | osc aN a. | Sopp tees ees ee TZ 1EQUIIAO NT 00F ‘e 192) © sal eee peal ecco med femme gael [te oe eerie ert AR Oa Oe SCORE oS ICSEO fa ORES OE Ge OOS: oO ou esooac 0Z LequULeAO NT ‘punod ureut pauyeg | oog ‘ze [7777 tp | 69 8I bP I 61 Ge Albee ot een pare oc ens. sete 81 Teqmeso0N 000 ‘OL Oe | emer | eee a a iar ten te goats rhe oleae ted yr) | aes caeh ere | Elmialele eine /ehelein mlnimlaje/ehni© icicle \~invwin\s;afeinial= ST aq U1eA0 Ny "oxeT ysenbsnyy 4B woyey Sdaq | OOG‘SE [~~ oom eden eee [pene nee | ence eee ccc ee cee e ee nee eee LT 1oqulaAo N “‘SUOI}BUIUBxXO SLOTAoId UO odi1un punoy ysy WoL | O00 ‘Gg |---->- {211 J.0 | asain ok elit 2 lle cide eal fe ae SO RE ITS = REIS Se OIE GC CREA OS SCnC SOI San OT 1eqmeao jy 002 ‘0g OLE | emer | att Ais te weed | aptamer ee | aria enone |p = sae eh ei ete peiesale leis |iaiw jm io /:@\chateleim\atnie\o\n:c.e' = aim/ajnimnin wivietein QT TAQ ULAAO Ny od 00F “19: 2797 = 8L 00T tI 8b 8 &@ SGe Aw” te beet Soar cance meee PL LIQ ULIAO NT ‘od OQO0ON08) sass LOL | TfL €L LOT 1G I& (SAE See, || 2 ae ye es oe oe TL 10qUloA0 NT OUF ‘ST £9T Ce ae ee ey ome a came yeaa ye epieceeoel | eee arlene asa) eel eieie\=\ =| -\eisjaie.~ mii& S\nimialaln)=/pieie/s'a\a\s)=)sis,ejeialelaim OL L9Q UL9AO NT ace 000"0GE 225777 COT | 606 IZ cot £% 6S Geel th ee Rk ee rere 6 19Q M9AO NT 000 ‘ZT 09T OR | | aS II (ee o)0\| aioe Se ols) | pins ieie re Re OR) FIO OT hs OI et OIG OCIS 8 19q ULOAO \T ‘puvy Wo Ysy Te porsy puv punod ureur pourag | goe ‘yet |------ 99T | £0Z TG LOT LT GET LEE aoeead iiicteor a aces 2 ee Reh cs 9 LOG UIGAO NT “OL8T bk x e gZ [eqO7, | ‘quedg | ‘odny jedi B i] fy ss E a3 ‘SOTBIL | Te0L, “‘syIvUuro Bo aS "go]BUld "978 bi E bf em 3 e i AL 78a i) @ S *so[BUL9,T ‘SUITpULY YsIy 4B WSL "OLET ‘wnang aynT puny ‘suoyniado burunnds fo pio0ay— TX AIAVI, asnor-2.1039 \// J, 272079 “Ui of S YY Y a ULO0T Yyyy pos Ne WBITS se] pues) LN3WHSITSVLS3 “! SuIpaa.rg UoWLS BWPOOYIS fo posn SMUNSOTONA EXPLANATION OF PLAN. This plan represents the exact form and position of the fixtures employed in 1877, and they were substantially the same in 1876. The left-hand edge of the drawing represents a line 50 or 60 feet below the dam which commands the flowage of Grand Lake. Immediately below the dam lies a broad, deep pool, part of which is shown on the plan. The dam itself is of the sort constructed by log-driving companies to store and control the water of lakes for the purpose of floating logs down the river, and is provided with deep sluice-gates, through which, when open, flows the water, which is never allowed to pour over the tops of the dams. In nearly all cases the gates are so low that fish can easily pass up or down, and this is especially the case with the dam in question. It is not looked upon as any hinderance to the descent or ascent of the salmon, except when the water is very low, as sometimes occurs in early autumn; but even then the situation is not such as to prevent the majority of them passing down into the stream. Great num- bers of them collect in the deep pool just before the commencement of the spawning season, and there safely bide their time. From the pool the main current is through the artificial channel denominated the ‘‘Main Lead.” Here the water is shoal and swift, and the bottom gravelly, and many fish are tempted to stop here and make their ridds. The majority, however, push on and are led by the nets into the inclosure A, from which they rarely find their way back into the main lead, but after a while are led into inclosure B. Here they are caught in dip-nets, counted and placed in C, which is deep and capacious enough for them to lie at ease; or, ifthe spawning time has actually arrived, they are placed for the night in E or D, and next morning exam- ined and spawned so far as they are ready. The nets are all weighted by chains at the bottom, and by simply lifting them th» fish can be driven underneath from one inclosure to another. When taking spawn tlre fish to be operated on are gathered without handling in front of the spawning-shed, at H. From the deep pound, C, they are drawn up by a seine or sweep-net. The fish from which eggs are taken are placed in F; those unripe in E or D, to be afterward driven into C. The males are divided and part of them placed with each party of females. After being pressed a second time, the fish are dropped out of apertures in the back of the spawning-shed into I, whence they run up to L, where is a deep pool for them to lie in until the spawning operations are at an end, when they are removed in cars to a safe distance in the lake. XV.—THE PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHAD IN 1877. By James W. MILNER. A.—STATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER NEAR HAVRE DE GRACE, MD. Reference has been made in previous reports to the failure to procure a sufficient supply of shad in the southern waters ot the United States to warrant the expense of establishing stations, the results having always proved greatly disproportionate to the outlay. In laying oat the work for 1877, therefore, it was determined to concentrate effort upon the Susquehanna and Connecticut Rivers, with the object of obtaining a sufficient number of young fish from these two streams to meet the requirements in the way of stocking new waters. Another reason for concentration was the desire to test, during part of the season at least, the efficiency of a radical change planned and adopted by Mr. T. B. Ferguson, Maryland commissioner of fisheries, in the entire theory and practice of the hatching of shad, in dispensing entirely with the use of floating boxes of any kind whatever, such as had been hitherto consid- ered absolutely necessary for successful work. These boxes, as the result of several years’ experience, were found to answer an excellent purpose in comparatively narrow rivers, where there was a steady and continued current, but they were inadequate to the requirements in tidal waters. As has been explained in previous reports, the floating boxes are con- nected in a gang by cords, the foremost one being held to its place by an anchor. During the strong tide-current there is sufficient move- ment of the eggs, but when the tide is slack they rest in masses upon the bottom of the boxes and in consequence suffer greatly, especially when the water is at a high temperature, unless shaken up by hand. In the event of a storm or freshet the boxes, except in the few sheltered places which are available in the region of the shad fisheries, are in great danger of being upset and the eggs and yonng fishes thrown out or carried away as has frequently occurred; and under the best of circum- stances the exposure of the apparatus and the attendants to the ele- ments, and the great number of boxes required to contain even a million of eggs at one time, are serious obstacles to their use when work is done on a large scale. In most tidal waters, and waters with- out current, as at the head of Albemarle Sound, these objections are fatal to success. It was therefore with much satisfaction that the experiments of Mr. T. B. Ferguson in the employment of an entirely 848 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. — new process were observed, and a proposition to co-operate with the Maryland commission in carrying it out was most readily acceded to. By the new method the work was to be done on floating barges or platforms, and the agitation, required for the eggs, imparted by the mechanical action of a steam-engine with its accessories. The work is prosecuted more or less under cover, and is capable of being conducted — on a very large scale. Early in the spring of 1877 Mr. Ferguson commenced his operations by borrowing from the authorities of the city of Baltimore four scows, formerly used in the transportation of stone for its piers and sea-walls. Each of these is about 60 feet in length and 20 in breadth, and one was properly fitted up with the necessary apparatus for the work, the pro- pelling power being a steam-engine of 5-horse power, purchased by the United States Fish Commission and lent to Mr. Ferguson for the pur- pose. An arrangement was made with Mr. Ferguson for hatching such fish as might be needed by the United States Commission, their distri- bution to be under the direction of the latter. For the purpose of bet- ter accommodating the party under my diection while waiting for the production of the fish and their successive shipment to different points, one of these scows was fitted up by the United States Commission in a suitable manner, and placed in convenient relationship to a similarly arranged vessel of the Maryland Commission. The first locality visited for the shad work was situated in the Northeast River at the head of Chesapeake Bay; but for some reason this was found to be unsuitable, and the station was finally established in Spesutie Narrows between Spesutie Island and the Maryland shore, about six miles below the bridge at Havre de Grace. The actual work of shad-hatching com- menced in the early part of May, and eggs were obtained at first prin- cipally from the ripe fish caught in the seines, but subsequently almost exclusively from the gill-nets. The season on the Susquehanna closed the 13th of June, up to which time there were distributed on the Atlantic side of the continent, in New England rivers, 1,477,000; in the Susque- hanna River, 1,910,800; in the Southern Atlantic waters, 1,245,000 ; in the Mississippi and its tributaries, 1,158,000; and in the rivers of the Gulf of Mexico aside from the Mississippi, 110,000; in the Sacramento River of California 110,000 were placed, making the total number of shad distributed 6,010,800. The accompanying tables exhibit the number of eggs taken, the num- ber of fish hatched, and the distribution to different waters. The hatching apparatus (to be described hereafter) proved to be efficient and to possess all the superiority over the former method of the floating boxes that had been anticipated, especially in the success in hatching the eggs in waters where there was no current whatever. Another advantage not already referred to was the facility with which a cooler stratum of water could be reached when the surface was too hot for the proper development of the eggs, a condition always present when the PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHAD. 849 temperature rose above 80°. By covering the tops of the buckets by caps of wire gauze, they could be immersed to any required distance towards the bottom, where even the slight difference of heat might be enough to save the eggs. The apparatus, which was placed upon a large scow 59 feet long and 19 feet wide, consists of a shafting along. the center of the scow upon which at intervals are placed irregularly formed cams which have a long and a short side. This is accomplished by making the outline of the cams two intersecting cycloid curves, which produces upon the lever following its circumference a quick fall and slow rise at the extreme end. A steam-engine is the motive power revolving the shafting and cams. To the ends of the levers are suspended cylin- ders of sheet-iron, from 14 to 2 feet in diameter having a wire-cloth bot- tom, and within these cylinders the eggs are placed. The rise and fall in the water does not exceed 5 inches. A slow revolution of the shafting produces all the agitation in the water essential to the welfare of the eggs, a more rapid motion having a tendency to draw the eggs hard against the wire cloth. The slow rise and quick fall of the cylinders also. prevents the eggs from this injury, as the effect is to throw the eggs high up as the bucket goes down, and as it comes slowly up they fall gently to the wire-cloth bottom. B.—STATION ON THE CONNECTICUT RIVER AT SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS. The work on the Susquehanna River closed on the 13th of June, and on the 26th of the month I commenced operations at South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts. We had shipped our stock of furniture in a freight car, and obtained a house in the vicinity of the fishery for the accommoda- tion of the party; this proved to be very much more convenient in every way than a residence at the hotel over a mile from the fishery, as formerly. Seines and fishermen were at once engaged and began fish- ing, and the first eggs were taken on the night of the 26th. From that time until the fourth of August, eggs were taken every night, the entire number amounting to 3,161,000. An immense raft of logs which was floated down the river over the spawning ground was a great detriment to our work, as, although the men in charge of the rafts were very obliging, in attempting to keep the logs as much as possible out of our way, still it proved to be a consider- able interference with the fishing and the general success of our work. Both at Havre de Grace and South Hadley Falls, Mr. H. J. Rice, of the Johns Hopkins University, of Baltimore, was with us, studying, by aid of the microscope, the embryological development of the shad. A portion of his conclusions having been published in the Maryland Re- port of Commissioner of Fisheries for the year 1877. Mr. Charles G. Atkins, of Bucksport, Me., also remained with us at South Hadley Falls during the season, making a large number of interesting and important experiments with reference to the impregnation of the eggs, and the care of the eggs and young fishes while in the hatching-boxes. of F 850 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Mr. Frank N. Clark was sent on a reconnaissance to Windsor Locks, ‘Conn., to determine the eligibility of that point as a hatching-station, but the season proved to be too far advanced for successful work. It is It is asserted that the falls and dam constitute almost as complete an obstacle to the migration of the shad at this point as the dam at South Hadley Falls, although a law has been enacted by the State providing for a passage for the fish. A fishery has been established a few rods below which is carried on during the months of Muy and June. About the last week in June daily fishing is stopped, and the seine is hauled at intervals for the next two months and captures sturgeon, which are used almost entirely for local supply. During the last fortnigbt of regular fishing a sufficient capture of shad is made to warrant the success of a hatehing- station nearly equal to that at South Hadley Falls, provided the fish are found to be ripe in this part of the river. The discovery that shad are in full spawning condition but a short distance above brackish waters in the Southern Atlantic rivers renders it probable that they are also. so here. The testimony of the fishermen is to the effect that many ripe spawning fish are found in the season, and an adequate reward will probably follow the efforts of whoever attempts to propagate shad at this point. The accompanying tables exhibit the extent of the work done here. C.—TABLES OF SHAD PROPAGATION IN 1877. Record of shad-hatching operations conducted at Havre de Grace, Md., on the Susquehanna River, from May 21, 1877,* to June 10, 1877. Temperature of— Ripe fish. Direction Eggs ob- Date. Hour. i of wind. tated. Air. eon Bottom. Males. | Females.’ May 21'| Noon’ ---2--)-22----2-- &4 78 77 | Change. 60 23 460, 000 DOM eae OO vere nto rctes xe =e) seiae 83 78 73 N. W. 35 18 255, 000 OSa see AO. ceeaee moe ae aes 70 75 64 N. W.t 20 10 145, 000 24 AO eascrenceesceene 704 69 61)" N. W. 4 5 100, 000 25 do EEE Le # 60 63 65| N.W. 6 8 140, 000 26 dO eee eee ra * 76 64 67 | Change. 3 4 60, 000 Q7 GO wi oie thee PhS 70 65 66 SH 25 38 417. 000 28 0) ob cere Snes ate 69 67 66 S. 28 46 735, 000 29 GO! 2c5cP oe es 73 71 66 S. 31 23 340, 000 30 GO oaescae Seeeee a 73 71 Ss. 13 29 490, 000 31 GOrse se teroteseeee 74 71 71 S. 7 16 332, 000 UNG Me eee O) ene) iain nine Pnin 78 74 71 S. 17 24 400, 000 2 =A) SSeS egees 85 75 74 S. W. 20 Q7 465, 000 SH aeRO eo oa arcmin & Shel 83 77 V7 S. 6 11 160, 000 4 naG Ss eeeeeaeeeeee 80 76 78 Ss 6 10 145, 000 5 Bd Olea ewe a= cns at 76 76 77 S. W. il 13 195, 000 Gl peactla soscsdsaa skagen 73 75 76 | Change 4 6 95, 600 7 eA Ol eee =e sees a 77 75 | Change. 7 14 225, 000 8 8dO sasapenar ace sei 84 719 79 | Change 6 8 125, 000 9 BAY 65550c,15S0 StISoae V7 cit 17 2 4 55, 000 10 Bi (SE Se onooebeae 69 76 73 S. W. 1 3 45, 000 5, 384, 000 * For eggs obtained previous to this date see Report of Commissioners of Fisheries for Maryland. ‘A heavy gale. tCalm. ) Yen) PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHAD. iB icuuc mic mnt "PIOMSTETD “Cl *O a ‘SOIYTV "D" “XUPALIVT * “‘s[jesay “Vv “od *UOIRSIMILIOD YST SoIVIS peggy “TOUTIPT “AL 89ae f° “od “od O(L ‘od ‘Od “P[OMSLIZD “(T ‘PIOASILD “(T od “MOISSIMUMLOD FST Se}v1g peqag | ‘0 “MOISSTMIMOS) YSlyq Seywig peli) ro} ‘UOISSIMIMIOD YS sa}v1g poy “HILTON “o *MOISSIMULOD FST seiwg poyiag ‘SqBOUT "VW “A "RUC T ‘OC “UMOISSIMIMLOD AST 89}vIG poyug “XUPLIBT “T Od “HOISSIMIMLOD YSZ s0IVIG paying “XUPIE "T “MOISSIMINIOD YS saqwig paying “udtng) “OH “MOISSIMIMIOD YSIy Savig pew “PLOASILD “CD 0d “UOISSIMMMIOZ) YSIy £9IvIS paqtag “sy[eoay "Wa “UeTL Un yy "Ty ‘udInd) “AH “xeylley "T urepduny9 oye’'T a Td d wsissipy RS veeroapsl = OFLT AL ew eececnase op: aetete mal iertors op: 52 i a TYSOOUT AL “~** MOOI!) IVS ; => some “"grarqooumod ale op MOT rd) oo iO eee Seinen ten = oe ee eCO| “->> gxyoul000g -"* OOLULOOT AA “= QxOOTLUB NT Saecesnige ops SRST ASS op:*** ~-vouryenbsng islets 9a5 [NMI ~ vaueyonbsng “-*- gaoxnyeg Seren op" Buuerenbsny -- oJTaTARIORG pigeon yurydoyo vouryoubsng heeled HOT SI eer DBULOJO - eaaeqenbsng oneal qs eastern: |e > Tddississrpy —Jo o31ey9 ut sossuvay, —yjo Areynqiuy, tice Rule! sseereq A ‘KIng1078 MA eee wee OW ‘OOTXO TL - OF ‘pjoygsutidg ADOT 8,49 10Ig "PWV ‘o]|fAsaoy00p Wise cinerea Giese “* 8 MOIIB NT Sawada pecs STAA ‘uoOjoldd y ~*SUISSOUD PVOITLeY, Sriai e PI Beil OD men. ~- -SMOTIRN OTgnSadg BX) ‘MOPSUTAODD “""SMOLIBNT OTZNSEdG OSS ea beige PIN ‘jorneyT Foe aera aera ara etoile op:-*" “-"SMOIIB NT OLJNSEdG a Sae F [vO ‘vmegqey, eee PIV ‘aozyueq “" -BMOIIG NT erusedg Bearer SSI ‘UOVURD mois ‘ydosor yureg ca eneae ie op: “““BMOIIBN O1QnSedg "DT ‘purpzequng ~--SMOIIBN o1ynsedg Sao suRyy “eyodoy, tne De “7 BY) ‘OT [LABS PIT ILIT PEs Sarno op -* * /SAO1IE NT eryusadg "Seat S Ay ' SUTTIOS “ClV ‘Aro T1034 U0 Pe ASR enone Bxy ‘MOORyT “""- OW ‘smory quieg "00RId *ysy JO WorNonporjay 000 ‘06 000 ‘ort 000 ‘06 000 ‘at 000 ‘0S 000 ‘9g 000 ‘OT 000 ‘O0T (000 ‘OOL 000 ‘O0T 000 ‘O0L 000 ‘0% 000 ‘09 000 ‘0% 000 ‘O0T 000 ‘0g 000 ‘09T 000 ‘og 000 ‘GL 000 ‘OLT 000 ‘01S 000 ‘O0T 000 ‘O0L 000 ‘OOT 008 ‘EL 000 ‘L&T 000 ‘OST 000 ‘eR% 000 ‘98T 000 ‘OOT 000 ‘9¢ 000 ‘00r 000 ‘oct 000 ‘00T 000 ‘00T 000 ‘oF 000 ‘0s 000 ‘cL 000 ‘00T 000 ‘OOL qe} T1l0 “to Aj[ ears Ysy Jo.1eq un yy len ewww www www wee ee nen OP Heese ses clean etieles esinew'nieimieiseinln Sela 6 SRP RRR SRE RRC OC (OO IOC Pog ear sath Or -- *op"" G ee eens ce cw eeres cacccs Qyyeeeaa| pore sone ewes oan y > eA ‘STTRUL Aolpey YO, | WOISsloIaIo/ YS 8044S eter i? t Ayn eee op-7""* eewecelewece op-"* op?-* Oper op**--"" Ero erereteete re} plait | ot OSM COSTAE 2 Icy) ee i donaciabe we reeeeseeees Opes UOYL}] OOD GOVT —ml0If poure}qo “10y “SUBI} JO OYE “LISI ‘Q rsnbng 07 ‘22aT ‘Te fingy mouf oppu ppys Bunol fo woyngiysyp fo p.ooagy 852 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. oc “TVLOG WTA, 201M “fH “TVW TEETTEAN oc ‘SUNY “DO ‘SOMO “ “L ‘suv “9 "0 “EMMIS WET AA ‘SOM[OH “YL “tL ‘S1OMOd F 19Qa A ‘PIOMSTLD “C “O ‘SIOMOT 2 JOGA A ‘SUIIIV “DO "SUTYTV ® HAVO umn’) “aH ‘S[[BSUl “VW STIIH “AL ‘spunoyy ‘SUTAIV “OD 'O ‘cam “oH "SUINIV “O'O “WARIO N “TCH “OL *spunoyy . PlOASTI4) ‘a 49) ‘s@sUl "VW secs Tddississipy —JoO 9S1vYO UL JOJsuvAy, —yjo Arvynqtazy, 008 ‘O13 ‘9 SISO Oa Open lies TORS ee OD ea | OOO nos alla SoDonsoncS EOD ae itge agree 4 2a arene ODE as?" “"-qnotjoouuog |--"~-*-Aqey 8,491 | 000 ‘2% Segit a siaesieie Sa ee ee OD Se eo ere ee ae cees fee ee SOCEM )3 Gl sae DIES eulvy | 000 ‘G8 =j77777" SAE OD BOO RR BOOT) OOOO eae Weert: gp mrpie ses aay TesieaeehO Drs scare se ssise ercee ODA 1 O00 LHL OS SOOO SGP UBIGC os SEL OP) oem eal sae ARSE ger aeeene OD aoe risicsi Sees ODIs (== one cen ERO EO IA Nea) |Keeadosocoades Raicininis ODameens Sigieeimesein isc sete eiuirwisiwieiclels OpEseae! ---qnoo0uu0g |-----"- AqI9,T §.TIIMAG | OOO ‘SR |----7 tooo RE COR DO 7 () eo BS EOe saisscsieces tsar slip apg uojuney, |--ssvypy ‘1oyvMosprig | 000 ‘0G SOR Rarad OSes SSP OP "ASO PRESSE eae San eae aD Pa poe On ODes es eo or os A Ts op---*| 000 ‘08 Goh EOE COCO Op sae a thease vines sieciener': SST ODES ---QnolqoouUo0D |°----* “ATE & WMS | 000 ‘00T |-----777- ACIS OIASSCCE Opsessesliserrs Poe ae ae Res oaee sicinie sie yojunevy, |~* sseyy ‘o1oqe [pp | 000 ‘0S OES Gece ey ad aoe OD play || oe chet eb aeca ew aa SO I ae setae ovullddeyy |*~~~ oatysdmepy MON | 000 ‘OS sesenrcsiseusincrecssigpy>ss> minis Sisto te led oisTale = ieol ts ierain ss Balporey YION | 000 ‘00T ae crciwepicseeins seo rigpercess soeig's ovultiloyy |*--~ oarysdureyT MON | 000 ‘GL Poet ocgy arcs. ODL OSs Ssisie(olahoesis OD sa ailne ans ae eee sek O Daria OU0L0G (erase. see tes OOD Rebar: “>-qnorqoeuu0g |-----*- ATIONTGE TANS | OO0NCOT ai Sr sce eae nane aR OD eanors are rec ar lsc eeeeE TS Opi rsse “17 Tddissysstyy |" *“UMryY ‘HV yuLeS | 000 ‘00T pues egy. | etn ce pean “STR AeTpeH WINS | 000 ‘09 ODREe orgs oe et oe? -SeSsese ODP Ties sibisisiaiejele's’e(cVafoi=jasall{s SORES SSCS (ayo TNO OD sere | antes poeae rice carrots POpsseESs pitas oe sorees|=so"""BUTTOIBD TILON | 000 ‘O0T peeneseeteen sane OPETSSSE "=*QNOISHOUTG | -- 73>" 2 ON) (2) OY OTOL OS BECO) (0) smal [eee Cr SSS BEICSCi Ty, OCICOS | OC RSS IO OC ha SS OpisasKs “""qnoTyooumoOy |-"- 77" ALO 8,9TUS | 000 ‘L0G peeenugeasscescr orc 3-5 RDSsoa ieee at ha ued |°--* tA ‘e10}g .s1aV_Z | 000 ‘OTT Wise oe sei Tea SOD oTsee ~-gnotyoouu0y |--~--~- ATO T 8, YING | 000 ‘SFT TS eee gs oprerizt Se.siaie.sicimie meery) | - AY ‘o][tAspaozmnyy | 000 ‘OIL BESTT SS S°T "HIS OPE SSI Seeises Seer pew yy ‘doy, | 000 ‘08 Eaeastno ue Ses 1s teseecs ORaaaee “"* -OMOJS HOUTA pavysy 9poyy | 0000S = |*"-"--->> pea ee spears OD secu fie OES owes op BESS MIC r inks) AN OE. |. os Fs wae ah ere y AS OLE | EONS? w= sr Snags oe “orpoooyezyeyyO | ISoAL PUBSNQuIN[OD | 0 O‘OIT |---tt ttt ttt tote seccee OD seco Pages CO EOD ~=T00(L PORLOD pees Oa ee sessouuaT, | 000 ‘BIT |-~“sseTy ‘seq AoppeH WINOY | “UOIsstaIMODH YSLy 8o}v4g popu, tA “mved}S ‘00° g S = Neto’ 392.2 ‘UOYV}] OOUST A OVI —WoIf pourrjiqo Se “Ysy JO Woljonporjzuy = Eh ae *ponuryu0g—zzeT ‘g gsnbny 07 ‘2281 ‘1% ivy wouf opow poys Bunok fo uoyngrysip fo pxooay T ‘sny €T er Aine “19 | -SUvI} Jo ou¥q XVI.—THE EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE (ALOSA VULGARIS), IN 1876 AND 1877. By R. EcKkanrptT.* On the 26th of May, 1876, I received by Privy-Counselor Fastenau the honorable commission from Chamberlain von Behr-Schmoldow, pres- ident of the German Fishery- Association, to undertake a journey to the Rhine, in order to effect if possible in this year the increase and spread of the “‘ maifische ”t by artificial raising. I must here mention that Mr. Christian Schieber, of Hameln, super- intendent of fisheries, had made very thorough investigations of this whole matter in Wesel, from May 7 to June 9, 1875, and in Neuwied, Coblentz, Neuendorf, and Berncastel, on the Moselle, from the 13th to the 28th of May, 1876, and had ascertained that spawning “ maifische” are but rarely caught in those localities. The fishermen say that the “ mai- fische” in that neighborhood do not spawn till June, and sometimes not till July, but that this did not occur every year. On the 8th of June [ was able, after having arranged some private matters connected with my farm, to set out for Hameln, via Berlin, in order to obtain from Mr. Schieber an oral account of his observations. He very readily communicated to me all he knew, and showed me his very favorably located and practically arranged salmon-breeding estab- lishment, as well as his interesting contrivances for catching salmon and eels, which were in full operation during the time of my visit. The breeding establishment is fed by very pure spring-water, of 7.5 + Réaumur (483° F-.), which comes from the ground in the immediate neigh- borhood, is caught in two covered wells only 10-15 meters distant, and is led through underground pipes. The water does not leave any oxides *Report of Mr. R. Eckardt-Liibbinchen, landed proprietor, on the experiments in propagating the “‘ maifische” (Alosa vulgaris), made in 1876, at the request of the Ger- man Fishery-Association, and on the continuation and successful termination of these experiments in 1877, by artificially breeding and raising these fish, transporting them, and by stocking the rivers Elbe and Neisse with them. ‘“ Bericht des Rittergutsbesit- zers R. Eckardt-Liibbinchen iiber die im Auftrage des Deutschen Fischerei-Vereins im Jahre 1876 angestellten Versuche zur Vermehrung der Maifische, sowie tiber die Fort- setzung und gliickliche Ausfiihrung dieser Versuche im Jahre 1877 durch Kiinstliche Befruchtung, Erbriitung und Transport wie Aussetzung in Elbe und Neisse.” From Circular No. 5 of the German Fishery-Association. Berlin, July 17,1877. Translated by H. Jacobson. t It has been deemed expedient to retain throughout this article the German name. of the Alosa vulgaris, viz, the ‘‘ maifische.” 854 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. either in the wells or in the hatching-channels or in the round clay breeding-vessels, and is consequently free from mineral, chiefly metallic, substances which are easily oxidized, and although it does not come in contact with the air until it reaches the hatching-channels, it is never- theless well suited for hatching salmon-eggs, as more than a million have been hatched init. I cannot but mention in this connection the fact, long since proved satisfactorily to my mind, that all spring-water, and other water, too, contains a quantity of air sufficient for maintain- ing organic beings, but that spring-water is but rarely free from mineral, particularly easily oxidized metallic, substances and gases, and that consequently organic beings cannot live in it without sustaining some injury. If such mineral water is led into an open ditch or into a small pond, large enough, however, to bring the water which flows in for twenty-four hours in contact with the air, the mineral substances are oxidized to such a degree that, unless there is any putrefying organic matter in the pond, it will become capable of sustaining animal life, and be well suited for a hatching-pond. Salmon-fishing was still going on in Hameln; on the 9th of June, from 6toS8a.m., eight had been caught, and from 8 to 10 a. m. ten, with an average weight of 11 to 15 pounds apiece, and the salmon were still ascending the river. To me the leaping of the salmon endeavoring to get over the large weir, three meters in height, which spans the Weser, . was a most interesting sight. Toward noon, when the sun is very bright, some salmon succeed in getting across, but by far the larger number are caught in the nets. The salmon-fisheries, which formerly were rented out by the city of Hameln for $214 annually, rent now for $3,770, a very palpable proof of the success of artificial hatching. The city pays Mr. Schieber, for his trouble in hatching one million salmon for the Weser, about $100. J left Hameln at 1 p. m. on June the 9th, and reached Coblentz late in the evening. On the 10th June, early in the morning, I visited Mr. Joseph Gléck- ner, in Neuendorf, in whose possession were most of the hatching-boxes which bad been prepared for batching ‘ maifische.” Mr. Gléckner had ceased to catch ‘‘ maifische” for this season, because there was no sale for them, and because they had been caught in such large numbers that people had gotten somewhat tired of them; the lease of his fishing district was, moreover, soon coming to an end, and he did not wish by catching very large quantities to raise the rent any higher. As I learned afterward, he was not successful, for his rent has been raised from about $21.42 to upward of $238. Next year he was going to produce ‘“ maifische” capable of spawning; this year it was too late to do this, and if it did not get warmer they would not spawn, any way. In consequence of many violent thunder-storms the temperature had faiien to 59° F., and it was raining incessantly. He was of opinion that in spite of all prohibitory regulations a great EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. 855 deal of damage was inflicted on the Rhine and Moselle fisheries by renting out the fisheries to capitalists who understood nothing about fishing. He likewise informed me that people were allowed to use nets with narrow meshes for catching Cyprinus alburnus, from the scales of which artificial pearls are manufactured in Paris, and that this was a great trade in Cologne. But with the small Cyprinus many young sal- mon, ‘‘ waifische,” pike, perch, lampreys, barbel, pollard, mackerel, &c., &c., are caught, which being of no use to these fishermen, are destroyed. By catching so many Cyprinus the quantity of food for the finer class of fishes is diminished, and catching and destroying so many young salmon of course does incalculable harm to the salmon-raising. Mr. Gléckner thought that until these abuses were stopped the Rhine fish- eries wouid not amount to anything. The same opinion was expressed to me by the following superintend- ents of fisheries: Georg Weber in Irlicht, Christian Wattler in Cologne, Hackenbroik and Schlémer in Dale near Deutz, all of whom urged me to do all I could for having these abuses stopped. As no spawning * maifische” could be obtained from any of these gen- tlemen, I came tothe conclusion that the “ maifische” must spawn farther up the Rhine or its tributaries, and I therefore went to St. Goar, where there are large salmon-fisheries belonging to the town, and was told by Mr. Robert Herpell, inspector, and Mr. Klein, superintendent of fisheries. from St. Gérshausen, that near St. Goar and as far up the Rhine as. Bingerbriick the current was too strong for catching “ maifische.” LI was likewise informed by these gentlemen that many ‘‘maifische” were caught in the Neckar above Mannheim. I therefore traveled direct to Ludwigshafen and remained there over night with the intention of mak- ing further inquiries at Heidelberg the next day. At 8a. m. on the 15th of June I arrived in Heidelberg in a pouring rain. I immediately went to see some of the prominent fishermen, and from them got all the information I desired ; but could unfortunately not put it toany use, as the Neckar had risen 14 meter during the night, and its water was very muddy. The “ maifische” do not like such water, and let themselves be driven down the stream by it, so that within a quarter of an hour about 30 “‘ maifische” were handed to me from a stationary fishing-apparatus which had been placed out in the stream, among these 3 entirely firm “‘ spawners,” which, however, were not yet ready to. spawn. From the 23d to the 29th of May the weather had been remark- ably fine, and the ‘ maifische” had spawned in the Neckar in such enor- mous quantities as never before, and the spawning season for the strag- glers extends till near the end of June. Spawning might consequently still be observed if only the water would get clear and the weather be favorable; but from all signs the rainy season had not yet come to an end. AsIhad no time to wait any longer, I went home and sent Mr. Wilke, the superintendent of my fisheries, to Heidelberg to make further investigations. The weather did unfortunately not get any better; thun- 856 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. derstorms accompanied by hail and rain made the Neckar a roaring tor- rent, and enormous quantities of ‘ maifische ” went down the stream, so that no spawner was caught. Mr. Wilke therefore returned on the 24th of June without having attained the object of his journey. As the result of my observations for this year may form some sort of guide for pext year, I will mention the following : 1. From the beginning of May the Neckar fisheries, from Mannheim to Heilbronn, should be carefully watched with a view of catching spawning “ maifische.” 2. Suitable hatching-places should be prepared and every arrange- ment made for quickly transporting fish by railroad. 3. The superintendent accompanying the fish should receive a permit from the managers of the different railroads to stay with the fish in the baggage-car all the time, and he should also have the privilege to use fast or express trains. 4, The manager of this whole enterprise should be allowed to exercise his own discretion in making the necessary investigations, in engaging assistants, and in making all the required arrangements. 5. The most suitable stations for placing young “ maifische” would be Fulda on the Weser, Dresden on the Elbe, and Guben on the Oder. 6. The fishing association of Seckenheim, Ilvesheim, and Ienden- heim would be the best for trying the experiment of raising ‘“ maifische” in an artificial manner. On the 8th of May, 1877, I was again commissioned by Chamberlain von Behr-Schmoldow to make experiments on the Rhine and Neckar to ob- tain if possible artificially-hatched spawn of “ maifische,” and transplant the young fish into the Elbe, Gder, or Neisse. At 5 a.m.on the 14th of May I left my home in company with Mr. Miiller-Tchischdorf, superin- tendent of fisheries, and reached Heidelberg at 10 a. m. on the 15th. As my investigations of the previous year had taught me that the best way to reach my object would be to place myself in direct com- munication with the fishing association of Seckenheim, consisting of sixteen members, who have the privilege of fishing in the Neckar with a large net from Mannheim upward as far as the mill at Bergheim, we immediately went to see these persons, traveling via Mannheim by rail- road, hack, and on foot. We found these fishermen enjoying a rest in a frame hut, where they kept their provisions and implements. We immediately informed them of the object of our visit, and placed ourselves on a friendly footing with them. I handed them my card, from which they could see that I had also something to do with fishing, and promised to pay them $3.50 for the first female *‘ maifische” suitable for artificial hatching. The fishermen seemed favorably inclined toward our enterprise, but were doubtful of its ultimate success. They promised, however, to do all in their power to further it, and thus we left them in order to get our hatching-boxes, vessels for transporting fish, &¢., which had been left EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. 857 behind at Heidelberg. It was a very comforting assurance which the fishermen made to me, that so far they had not caught any “ maifische” that were ready to spawn, all the more so as I had been somewhat frightened by the assertion which Director Haackat-Hiiningen had made on the Ist of May at the piscicultural congress, that this year the “mai- fische” would already spawn in the Rhine, which assertion has fortu- nately not proved true. On the 16th of May Mr. Miiller went down the Neckar in a boat, with seven hatching-boxes and two vessels for transporting fish, and took his station at Fendenheim, where he arranged everything for his experi- ments. Various articles, such as a file, pincers, wire, tin, a thermometer, a microscope, &c., were procured at Deidelberg and taken along by him. I went to Heilbronn, in order to gather further information regarding the ascent of the “ maifische” in the Neckar, and visited Mr. Friedrich Drantz, who owns the Neckar fisheries a few miles below, and has rented them out to three fishermen, whom he has given certain regula- tions for protecting the fish. This gentleman informed me that in his fisheries ‘‘ maifische” were only caught in very exceptional cases; that they scarcely ever go up as far as Heilbronn, where there is a stone weir, and were not found beyond that place. On the 17th of May I again went to Seckenheim via Mannheim, gave orders to have the covers of the hatching-boxes arranged in a simpler and more practical manner, and had ten new boxes made, as dissecting a female “ maifische” had convinced me that three to four boxes might be required for all these eggs, and we might consequently be short of boxes. The weather was cool all the time, and on the Neckar never higher than 139°-14° R. (619-64° F.), and the air was raw, which makes the fish disinclined for spawning. Ifthe weather got warmer, the fisher- men told us, spawning fish might be caught next week. On the 18th of May I went to Coblentz and Neuendorf, via Mayence, to visit Mr. Joseph Gléckner. He was just engaged in catching “ mai- fische,” but none of the females which he had caught were ready to spawn. I paid him the money which he had laid out tor sending hatch- ing-boxes to Basle, Hiiningen, and Heidelberg, and asked him to go on with the hatching process as soon as he caught any spawning ‘ mai- fische.” He took a deep interest in this matter, and told me that last year he had got artificially impregnated spawn of the perch and had hatched it in the boxes, and that on the 26th of June he had caught a very fine specimen of a female “ maifische” ready for spawning, that he had immediately impregnated the spawn artificially, and had placed it in the hatching-boxes. This spawn had remained in good condition for some days, but one morning he found that it was all white and dead. I told him that this was caused by the fine mud contained in the Rhine wacer, which stuck to the lower part of the sieve and finally covered the eggs entirely ; in future he should twice a day take off this mud with a brush from the outside of the box, for thus a new current was 858 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. created and the eggs were saved, as the little mud which remained would be rubbed off by their rolling against each other in the box. I also asked him to send word to me at Heidelberg as soon as any ‘ mai- fische” spawn had been hatched. On the 19th of May I returned to Seckenheim and found some boxes which Mr. Miller had placed in the Neekar, and in them some “ mai- fische ” eggs which had been impregnated before maturity, and with which Mr. Miller was making further experiments, with a view of elim- inating bad eggs and of learning the general way of treating the eggs. After many experiments it became quite clear to us how the “ maifische” eggs should be treated. We got another strong brush, and Mr. Miiller made a spoon of wire-gauze, with a wooden handle, with which the eggs could easily be taken up; the bad ones could then be picked out with a pair of pincers and the good ones put in a special box by themselves, so they could not suffer from being mixed together. Thus all our arrangements had been perfected, and nothing was wanting but the fish. On the 20th of May, Whitsunday, I went to Freiburg to see the mayor of that city, Mr. Schuster; from there I went to Basle on the following day to see Mr. F’. Glaser; from there to Hiiningen, returning to Heidelberg late at night. Mr. Schuster met meat the depot and showed me his ex- cellent fish-hatching establishment, and we agreed as to the manner of artificially hatching “ maifische” eggs, which I said I would supply to him, as I felt certain that the eggs packed according to my own fash- ion would arrive in good condition. Early on the 21st of May I went to Basle, in order to have an interview with Mr. Glaser, to whom a hatching-box had been sent. I found him at one of his seven salmou-fisheries, about one-half (German) mile far- ther up the river. The hatching-box had already arrived, and we quickly nailed it together and placed it in a suitable location in a gentle current. Mr. Glaser told me that the ‘‘ maifische” were so far entirely unfit for spawning, and had, in fact, only come in his neighborhood a few days ago, so that but few had been caught. He had placed two in a basin in his garden, but one, the male, had died, and the female was living peace- fully together with carp, gold-fish, &c., but seemed to be very restless. Mr. Glaser intended to put another couple of ‘* maifische” in another basin, to put a male fish to the deserted female in the first basin, take out the other fish, and let the spawning process go on undisturbedly. He said that he moreover intended to get artificially impregnated eggs in his salmon-fisheries and hatch them, letting me know the result. Unfortunately I have so far not heard from him, although I have writ- ten to him several times. From Basle I went to Hiiningen to see Director Haack and his exten- sive hatching establishment, which has been greatly improved by him. The most interesting part to me were the very ingenious arrangements for raising the finer kind of food-fish, all the specimens showing an excel- lent condition and healthy growth. Here one can see what may be done EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. 859 in this respect even under the most unfavorable local circumstances, and what a great and promising future there is in store for pisciculture in this special branch, if once it has been rightly understood and the proper interest taken in it. It is an unfortunate circumstance that we neither possess the means to make researches in this field more general, and to make full use of the knowledge gained thereby, nor that we can offer to those men who under the greatest difficulties and at their own expense make these researches and gain this knowledge any public posi- tion which would be remunerative, but that we must invariably refer them to their private enterprise; and therefore we always meet them as fish- ermen, who must make their living by the fisheries but who have very little time left for any questions of general interest. They consequently remain stationary on that slightly varying step of knowledge where accident has placed them. In my opinion there is no field of human knowledge for which the state should provide educational institutions as much as that of pisciculture. I shall have occasion to refer to this question again, and I hope sincerely that my remarks may contribute their share in spreading more knowledge as to the ways of increasing articles of human food, so that nature’s vast treasures are not, as has been unfortunately the case, wasted from sheer lack of knowledge how to use them. After having been hospitably entertained by Mr. Haack and his esti- mable lady, I returned to Basle, accompanied to that city by Mr. Haack, where I took leave of him, my heart full of bright hopes regarding pis- ciculture and its future. Arriving in Heidelberg at 5a. m.on the 22d of May, I took a short rest, and, as Mr. Miiller had sent me word that there were as yet no spawning ‘“ maifische” to be seen, I went to Wiirzburg, in order to gain further information from Mr. Seifried, one of our oldest pisciculturists, who had formerly lived in Mayence, and who was well acquainted with the river Main and its fisheries. Mr. Seifried showed me his trout-raising establishment in Zell, and told me that occasionally a few ‘ maifische” had been caugit in the Main in former times, but that for many years none had been seen there. He thought this was caused by the great quantity of refuse from various factories which get into the Main, but in my opinion other causes have brought about this change. I here learned to know a fish-dealer and trout-raiser, Mr. Carl Helm- stiidter, who had worked for six years in American piscicultural estab- lishments, among the rest in the one owned by Mr. Seth Green, and who gave me a great deal of interesting information. Wherever I went I gathered information corroborative of my supposition that the Neckar from Mannheim till below Heilbronn would be the only location where sooner or later we would reach our object. Very well satisfied with my excursion, I returned to Heidelberg, and on Wednesday the 23d of May I again went to Seckenheim to see Mr. Miiller, and found some wellimpregnated eggs taken that morning. Mr. Miiller had the process performed by a fisherman, and had afterward himself squeezed 3 of the S60 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. eggs out of the fish and impregnated them at a temperature of the air of 9° R. (52°. 25 I*.), the water temperature being 11° R. (56°.75 F.) The eggs were nearly all in excellent condition; about fifty or sixty thousand were put in the box, and the few bad ones were picked out by means of Miiller’s gauze spoon, and everything passed off successfully. Through our little microscope we could distinctly watch the process of impreg- nation. On Thursday, the 24th of May, I was again in Seckenheim, and con- vineed myself of the healthy further development of the eggs. I now resolved to make experiments in transporting the impregnated eggs, and believing that the third day after impregnation would be the most suitable time for this, I made all the necessary arrangements and wrote to Mr. Von Behr in Schmoldow, to Mayor Schuster in Freiburg, and to the superintendent of ny own establishment at Liibbinchen. My letters contained the following: ‘On Saturday, the 26th of May, I shall send to your address by mail a smali number of impregnated ‘ maifische’ eggs, and would ask you to let me know the number of good and bad eggs and of young fish.” In Schmoldow the majority of the eggs arrived on the third day in good condition; of 894 eggs sent to Liibbinchen, 694 were in good condition and 200 were spoiled; in Freiburg, wheve the eggs arrived the next day, only 50 eggs proved good after they had been placed in a box. Mr. Miiller took further care of the eggs, and was all the time on the lookout for more spawners, while I, on the 26th of May, once more went to Neuendorf to see Mr. Jcseph Gléckner and ascertain whether there were any ‘“‘ maifische” in the Rhine. The ‘“‘ maifische” had unfortunately gone, and none were caught. Returning to Mr. Miiller, on the 27th of May, I found about 150,000 eggs all in excellent condition, which had been impregnated the day before my arrival. There were among this number scarcely any unripe, spoiled, or unimpregnated eggs. The first eggs of the 23d of May had already far advanced in their embry- onic development, so that the shape of the fish could be distinguished. On the 28th of May, another batch of 100,000 eggs were artificially ‘impregnated, but among these a number ot white, 7. e., spoiled eggs showed immediately; these were picked out on the following day, and the development went on in its normal course. On the 29th of May the fishermen caught only 26 “ maifische,” and on the 50th only 11, so that the association dissolved. As [had learned that the Heidelberg fishermen, forming an association of 12 members, Mr. Peter Rohrmann being president, had, on the 28th of May, caught upward of 400 ‘maifische” at the fish-weir near Neck- arhausen, and they were going to fish again on the 31st of May, I made arrangements with Mr. Rohrmann, at Heidelberg, to leave at 5 a. m. on the 3lst for Neckargemiind, to go from there to Neckarsteinach, and witness the fishing from one of the fishing-boats. I committed the care of the eggs to Mr. Rautelder, a gentleman eminently fitted for this duty, and left Heidelberg, accompanied by Mr. Miiller, in a pouring rain. EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. 861 Upward of 300 “ maifische” were caught during our presence, but un- fortunately there was among them not a single one ready to spawn, but many with spoiled eggs; so, in spite of all our efforts, we could not ob- tain any suitable eggs. On the 1st of June, at Seckenheim, I saw the first young “ maifische” which had slipped out of the eggs. I took 2 fish and 3 eggs in a glass vessel to Heidelberg, where I placed them in a larger vessel, and observed, to my greatest delight, that the fish came out of the eggs in an entirely healthy condition; the same was the case with 3 eggs of a pollard, which had also been artificially impregnated. I was now in a position to make a direct experiment as to how these young fish would stand the journey. I was delighted to notice that I could warm them in the sun to a temperature of 17° R. (70°. 25 F.), that they did not need any fresh Neckar water till after two days, that in three days they had absorbed the umbilical bag, and that they developed in a remarkable manner if Neckar water was given to them twice aday. I thus felt confident that they would stand the journey. On the 2d of June I telegraphed to Chamberlain von Behr that the young fish had left the eggs. I likewise telegraphed to his excellency Minister von Nostitz, in Dresden, that 100,000 young “ maifische” would arrive in that city at 8.24 a. m. on the 8th of June, and to Mayor Kimpffe, at Guben, that the same number would arrive there at 1.40 p. m. of the same day. Il asked that two fishermen might be at the Dresden depot to receive the fish, as I had only one hour’s time ; at Guben I asked for a formal reception at the depot. On Sunday, the 3d of June, Peter Rohrmann was going to make another haul near Neckerhausen; but this intention was frustrated by the very sudden rising of the Neckar, which made its water quite muddy; but, as this only lasted a short time, our young fish did not suffer at all from it. On the 4th of June I made another excursion to Neckarhausen, got a few more “ maifische,” but none of them contained any goodspawn. I then had a few more caught, and placed them in a basin in the botanical gar- den in Heidelberg, to see whether they would keep healthy, and perhaps spawn there; two were dead the next morning and one the following evening. The basin was intended for aquatic plants, and was arranged in four separate divisions, producing many sharp corners, against which the ‘‘maifische” had rubbed and thus hurt themselves. Ispoke with Mr. Pfitzer, professor of botany at the University at Heidelberg, about mak- ing an artificial hatching-place for “ maifische,” which could be fed with Neckar water, but owing to their peculiar circumstances he could give me no encouragement. On Tuesday, the 5th of June, I visited Mr. Miiller, in Seckenheim, to see in what condition the young “maifische” might be. The water was still quite thick, but the fish were in a healthy condition. They could only be seen when taken from the water with a small dipper. All the necessary 862 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. arrangements for the journey were perfected. On Thursday, the 7th of June, at 4.40 p. m., we were to leave Mannheim by the through-train, and I was to come to Seckenheim at about 11 a. m. with a carriage, place the fish in my two vessels, and fill a third one with ice. On Wednesday, the 6th of June, I paid a visit to Mr. A. Pagenstecher, professor of zoology at the University of Heidelberg, to ask him to ex- amine some ‘“maifische” eggs which I considered unripe or spoiled. He very cheerfully promised his co-operation, ‘and said that if he could pur- sue his observations for several years, he felt convinced he would find the causes of this and explain it scientifically ; he was, moreover, in- clined to favor the establishment of artificia! hatching-places, and showed me a large salt-water aquarium, which, however, contained no animals. He has, unfortunately, no Neckar water for the ‘ maifische,” and this is absolutely required; for in the hard well or brook water, with a low temperature, they cannot be hatched. On Thursday, the 7th of June, [ started on wy journey, going first to Seckenheim in a hack; here Mr. Miiller placed the young “ maifische” in two vessels, and filled a third one with ice. The road from the river to the Mannheim turnpike was a little rough, but we got over it safely and soon reached Mannheim. Here we unfortunately made a mistake and got in the train which only goes as far as Frankfort-on-the-Main ; in this city we had therefore to transfer our fish to another depot, and then traveled uninterruptedly to Corbetha; here we had to change cars again, as the train on which we had come went through to Halle and Berlin, while we wanted to go to Dresden. In Dresden we were met at the depot by Privy Counselor Koch, by Mr. Friedrich, and Mr. Klemm, superintendents of fisheries, who received the fish. Mr. Miiller had time to place them in the river, while I was kept busy transferring the other vessel to the Guben depot, which took about half an hour. The remaining half hour I spent with the above- mentioned gentlemen in the depot restaurant, where I showed them some young “maifische,” which I carried with me in a bottle; these fish, however, are so transparent and small, that they can only be seen after the eye has become a little practiced. Through Mr. Koch I also sent a live specimen to his excellency the minister. At 9.30 a. m. we left Dresden, the thermometer being 25° R. (88°. 25 F.) in the shade, and ar- rived in Guben at 1.40 p. m., where we were met at the depot by Mayor Kimpffe, several members of the city council, Count Reventlow, gov- ernor of the district, and many landed proprietors, all desirous of being sponsors on the occasion of these young German natives of the Rhine and Neckar being baptized with Neisse water. The few young “ maifische” which I had with me in a glass were still in good condition, although the temperature of the water was 23° R. (83°. 75 F.) but they died before we reached Liibbinchen during the long journey in the hot sun performed in an open carriage. I have still to make the following general remarks: On the 23d of EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. SOS April of this year the fishermen of Seckenheim have commenced to fish for “maifische.” The first were caught on the 28th of April, and the largest number on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of May, none of them, however, ready for spawning. Abont as many fish were caught as in 1875, but only one-third as many as in 2876, in which year the “ maifische” in this dis- trict were ready for spawning between the 23d and 29th of May, and have spawned very freely in the Neckar. From the mass of information gained this year the following points may deserve special consideration for the future: Along the Neckar there are three fishing districts which are suitable for obtaining artificially impregnated eggs of * maifische :” 1. The district of Seckenheim where the first and the largest quantity of eggs may be obtained during spring if the temperature is not too eold. The sixteen members of the fishing “association presided over by Mr. Johann Raufelder have all the necessary apparatus, and take a deep interest in the matter. In this district, therefore, the first spawning ‘“‘ maifische” are found, because it is tolerably warm and possesses great advantages for fishing with a seine. 2. The district of the Bergheim Mill, extending past Heidelberg as far as Ziegelhausen. Here fishing is carried on by the various fishermen living along the river; in favorable years many spawning “ maifische” are caught near the Bergheim Mill and near Ziegelhausen. 3. The district of Neckarsteinach and Neckarhausen, extending up the river as far as Hirschhorn. This district is colder and has much rocky bottom, and the fish consequently spawn somewhat later in the season. There is here a fishing association of twelve members, presided over by Mr. Peter Rohrmann in Heidelberg. This year the largest number of ‘‘ maifische” were caught in this district, but their eggs were not at all developed and many were spoiled. During a favorable year ar: ificially impregnated eggs may, therefore, be obtained in Seckenheim early in the season, a little later in Heidel- berg, and still later in Neckarhausen. As soon as the Rhine rises to its high-water mark in spring, many “‘ maifische” come into the Neckar, because they cannot be caught in the Rhine; the same is the case in the Neckar in the three above-mentioned districts which lie one above the other. For hatching the “ maifische” eggs in the Neckar the American float- ing hatching-boxes are well suited; but as the current cannot well be regulated, a simple wooden screw is fastened iu the front part of the floating frame, by means of which the box may be placed higher or lower according to the different currents. ‘ As soon as the eggs have been hatched, 7. e., after five days, they must be placed in well-protected boxes covered with the finest kind of gauze, or better still with a firm glass bottom and gauze-covered openings on both sides which permit the water to flow through. Such an apparatus may be furnished by having three small boats con- 864 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES nected in front and behind by strong ropes, and perhaps surrounded by a light frame-work of floating timber ; between every two boats there is a frame holding two rows of the boxes mentioned above, placed at such a distance that they can easily be reached from the boats. The large outer frame-work must in front and behind be protected by boards connected at an angle, so that the boxes are safe from strong cur- rents and waves, wind-storms, and floating objects, such as scum, dirt, wood, grass, &c. On the outside the floating apparatus for hatching may still be fastened for four or five days. Boats for this purpose may be rented in Mannheim for 23-cents a day; the floating timber and all the necessary wood-work can be furnished by a carpenter in Seckenheim, and nothing would remain to be done but to prepare the stationary hatching-boxes, in which the young “ mai- fische” immediately after having left the eggs, and in fact the eggs them- selves before they are hatched, are perfectly safe. This apparatus, which is absolutely necessary, which facilitates the whole process very much, and which is a strong protection for the eggs and young fish, may, after the ‘ maifische” season has come to an end, also be used for hatch- ing other Neckar-fish, as the perch, the pollard and others, which are hatched in 3 to 4 days, lose their umbilical bag in 4 more days, and may then be placed in any river. Such an apparatus, or several of them, which can easily be taken to pieces and stored away, should be found in every fishing district ; this would be the best way of increasing the num- ber of river fish, and the result would be seen in two or three years. The leading principle for the healthy development and increase of the river fish must, however, invariably be found in the catching of the fish during the spawning season, and in the artificial impregnation of all the eggs that can be obtained ; in this way the eggs are saved from the numerous fish of prey which devour them and inflict incalculable damage to the fishing interests during the spawning season. The young fish can easily be transported in any tin cans. We had to change cars quite a number of times during our journey, and the fish stood these changes very well, so that about 70,000 young ‘“ maifische” could be placed in the Elbe and as many in the Neisse. The best tem- perature for transporting ‘‘ maifische ” is 12°-15° + Réaumur, which can easily be furnished by placing ice in the neck of the hin can; air is not required during so short a journey. In future it will be best to place the ‘ maifische” destined for the Elbe in the Saale near Halle, where the through train from the south arrives at 4.28 a.m. The fish destined for the Neisse would leave Halle for Guben at 8.5 a.m. by express train. If, therefore, the fish leave Mannheim at 4.40 p. m. they need not change cars till they reach Halle, so that the whole journey may be accomplished without any difficulty. If the number of fish sent should amount to several million, a special baggage-car might be engaged at Mannheim. é EXPERIMENTS IN PROPAGATING MAIFISCHE. 865 I clip from my diary the following table of temperatures : (@) (e) 1) oO May 15. Water, 14 R. 63.50F.; air, 15 R. 65.75 F. 16. 14 63.50 16 68.00 Vile 13 61.25 14 63.50 18. 12 59.00 13 61.25 19. 11 56.75 12 59.00 20. 11 56.75 12 59.00 21. 11 56.75 12 59.00 22. 10 54.50 11 56.75 23: 9 52.25 10 54.50 1 fish ; 500,000 eggs. 24. 9 52.25 10 54.50 ans 10 54.50 9 52.25 26. 10 54.50 11 56.75 1 fish; 150,000 eggs. he 12 59.00 14 63.50 28. 13 61.25 16 68.50 1 fish; 100,000 eggs. 29. 13 61.25 16 68.50 30. 13 61.25 13 61.25 31h 12 59.00 14 63.50 The fishermen ceased to fish. June 1. 13 61.25 16 68.00 2. 14 63.50 14 63.50 oy 16 68.00 23 83.75 4. 16 68.00 25 88.25 5: 17 70.25 28 90.50 6. 17 70.25 28 90.50 Zc 16 68.00 22 81.50 8. 16 - 68.00 25 88.25 During the best time 100 to 200 fish have been caught in Seckenheim every day, and in Neckarhausen 430 and 350 at a single haul. These fish find their market in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Mannheim, Strasburg, and other cities along the Rhine. Their sale, however, comes to an end with the 3lst of May, for although even in June some very fine “‘ maifische ” are caught, there is a prejudice against eating them during that month. The fishermen, unfortunately, donot take the proper care of the fish which they catch; after every haul they are piled in an open boat, cov- ered with a little grass, so as to protect them against the rays of the sun and the air, and are then brought to market the nextday. ‘The priceis not very high; early in the season 23 to 39 cents are paid for a “ mai- fische” weighing 33-5 pounds, and soon it gets down to 20 cents and even less. No one ever thinks of smoking these fish, because the fishing season is of such short duration, and the results vary so much in the different years, that it would aearepls pay for any one to come now a distance and erect the necessary buildings. I was told that a Frenchman had in former times smoked the “ mai- fische” in Heidelberg, had only paid 14 cents apiece to the fishermen, and had nevertheless become bankrupt. As long as the “maifische” are only increased in the natural way the object of fishing for them will only be to sell fresh fish; but if they are increased artificially, and conse- 55 F a) 866 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. quently in much larger numbers, it will almost become necessary to smoke them in order to avoid a waste. All the smoking establish- ments, however, should be under strict government supervision, so that no fish are smoked which have spawned and are in a poor sickly condi- tion, and might produce epidemics if extensively used as an article of food. Such fish and all the other refuse might be mixed with alkaloids and make a very excellent fish guano. In the above I have only briefly indicated the great importance of raising ‘‘ maifische,” and I only hope that we may soon succeed in raising millions of these useful fish. XVJI.—THE EXPERIMENT OF TRANSPORTING TURBOT AND SOLES FROM ENGLAND TO AMERICA. By Frep MaTHER. When I left New York, October 13, 1877, for Germany, with salmon- eggs, an account of which has been rendered, I also carried orders to return by way of England and make the experiment of transporting Turbot and Soles for stocking the waters of Massachusetts Bay. I was provided with a letter to Mr. Thomas J. Moore, curator of the Museum at Liverpool, who had kindly offered to assist in the enterprise, and furnish such facilities for keeping the fish until ready as the capacity of the salt-water aquaria of the Museum would permit. I had also a letter from Mr. J. G. Kidder, of Boston, to Messrs. W. Cunard & Co., London, reminding them of their generous offer made two years pre- viously to Messrs. Baring Bros., of free transportation to an agent of the United States Fishery Commission, together with the tanks of fish. I had, through the liberality of Oelrichs & Co., New York, the same privilege, should I wish to return via Southampton and New York, but as the fish were destined for the vicinity of Boston, it was deemed advis- able to return by the Cunard Line from Iiverpool. Arriving at Southampton on the evening of November 12, I spent four days attending to some personal matters, and started for Liverpool on the morning of the 17th, where [ arrived at 2 p. m., and reported to Mr. Moore, who, having considered his own tanks inadequate both in size aud circulation to support so many animals in addition to the regular oveupants, had arranged with the Great Aquarium at Southport for the storing of the fish, and decided on this point as possibly the easiest to collect from at this season. The next day being Sunday, we postponed our trip to Southport, a fashionable watering-place, twenty miles north, until Monday. November 19.—I went to the oftice of D. & C. McIver, agents, Cunard Line, Liverpool, and presented the letter from Mr. Kidder, and was re- ferred to Mr. Cunard, London, who replied that he would be pleased to hear when the fish were ready. Mr. Moore and self left at noon for Southport, met Mr. John Long, curator of the aquarium, and saw the fine store-tanks in the “naturalists’ room”; they are of slate, 8 by 12 _ feet, and 3 feet deep, with a plentiful flow of water and a subdued light; here new specimens are acclimated before placing in the show-tanks. Mr. Long thinks that we may get what we wish, and sent for a fisher- man, Thomas Ball, to meet me in the morning. 868 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. November 20.—I met Ball. He catches shrimps for feeding the aqua- rium fish and for market; gets small soles in quantity from 3 to 4 inches long; seldom gets large, marketable fish, except in summer; he agrees to catch me 100 small soles for 30 shillings. Too stormy to fish to-day, so I try and get some information about these fish, of whose habits I know nothing. I am told that it is of no use to try for large soles with the men who fish for market, as at this time of year they go far out and stay from three days to a week, using heavy trawls that require an hour or more to raise; hence they leave them down for nearly a whole tide, and when raised the fish are mostly dead. In the summer soles are found near the shore and in the mouths of rivers, but at the approach of cold weather, or during storms, they seek deeper waters. Fishermen say that the shifting sand near shore in stormy weather gets in their gills, which they do not like, although they often bury the greater part of their bodies in sand or shingle in quiet water. Ball fishes with what is ealled a “shank” net, something like a beam-trawl, but smaller, and dragged somewhat faster over the sand and weeds for shrimp. Still blowing too hard to fish. Heard of a “Lemon Sole” in market; went to see it, and found that it was not Giinther’s fish of that name, Solea aurantiaca, but a species of Flounder, Pleuronectes microcephalus, also called “Lemon dab” and “Smooth dab”; it is sold much cheaper than the sole, and in great quantity. Stormy weather continued with more or less violence until November 29. November 29.—Ball fished ; got eleven small soles, which he says are not the true variety, but a kiud that grows no larger. Mr. Long dis- putes this, and I incline to accept his opinion, as based upon a scientific acquaintance with British fishes. To make sure, however, and provide against all chances of error, I procured Couch’s illustrated work on “ British fishes,” and Gunther’s ‘Catalogue of fishes of the British Mu- seum,” and found by presence of pectoral fin on lower or white side, and other characters, that Mr. Long was correct, and that the specimens were neither the ‘ Little Sole” or “Solonette,” Solea minuta, Gthr., which is common in Cornwall and the west coast of England, and has its eyes near each other and jaws nearly equal with a projection of the lower instead of the upper jaw, as in S. vulgaris, and the nostrils very close in front of the right eye; nor the one known by the names of “ Variegated Sole,” “Thick back,” ‘Bastard Sole,” and “ Red-backed Sole,” S. variegata, Gthr., which seldom grows over 8 or 9 inches in length, and is not esteemed for the table; this species is characterized by having its lower eye smaller and in advance of the other. These and S. awrantiaca, referred to above, which has no pectoral fin on the blind side, being all that I had to be- ware of, made it certain that I would not mistake an allied form for the right one S. vulgaris; and although I proved the fisherman’s notion false, it had the good effect of putting me on guard in collecting fish with which I was unfamiliar, and thus teaching me that there was danger TRANSPORTATION OF TURBOT AND SOLES. R&6Y of getting a wrong and insignificant fish in waters where, finding but one species in market, [ was previously unaware of their existence, November 30.—Eleven of the soles procured yesterday were dead this morning; many of them show red blotches on the white side as if blood was congested there from injuries; put them in spirit for the Smithsonian Institution. High wind and rain ; no fishing. December 1.—At suggestion of Mr. C. L. Jackson, consulting natural- ist of the aquarium, I hired a boat and two men, and we went out to fish one tide with a beam-trawl. Result: five small soles and a great quantity of flounders from 1 to 5 inches long. The fishermen now say it is too late in the season for soles, and regret that I did not arrive a fortnight earlier. This is the usual consolation for collectors every- _ where. December 3.—Fleetwood, still farther up the coast, is a famous place for soles. Went there; same story—“too late.” Dropped a line to a fisherman at Bangor, Wales, to know if any were to be had below Liver- pool. December 6. Weather has been good and the men have fished, but caught no soles.