r ^^^ '''^^. y .. ^^ " :. N ,0 o^ i> r. ' >0 .0^ . •-^^ •0^ \ 0- XV "-^ * ■) M ■ ^<^■ X^<^<. ^0' ,0- 0' v'\ °*. ^^ ^, .-^^ '■ ^iF0^ •^^^ .^ -^, .x"* ^^^^-^ - '7.. V^ - , iV / u^ a*< -7*^ ^o. '-;--. o^^ «l'i<<. c'b « , O- •0^ ■^^,^\ o"^' -->. '^^ V \'v-' v>\oV' ^. '^ A-i'" 0- * A^^' '^/ "^A >>' v^^ •^.' •-?- » cP^.^'^.;;*/'^ .^^ ^,. .-5^^ * v ^^ ■^- * oV^^ .0^ -i^SSr. x^^^'^e. ■x^^-^' ..-J''- ^', .^^ '■■s;, ...^^■ .^^- -. 1 ^ '/ \ '"OO^ >^ ^ -J 5 , V- o'^ \>- ' " " f %""^'o^ x^ "-.. "0 "'■\ v;^::^^/.^^'^ .0 o^ .C ,0o ■ s.. ' •>'^rs\ V K * * ? ' * « ^ •s ,•0' s ^ ^^ '^. •■>, •0' K ^ V ^Jf^, x^ •^. V' r-'^ V^ "> .;*s:, % ■K^" ^ ■^^A V*' #\. " ( ■■■. ■"OO^ !.° J > ■' ,,S ■/ r^'"^ ^ 0- o ^\^^^. V, ^ X .vXV /v. •O' ^ A.MiE Rl C J^ M FISHEBIKS A HISTORY OF THE MENHADEN I?' -73 BY a: BROTv^N aooDE CUBATOB D. S. JTATIONAL MUSEUM; ASSISTANT, C. S. FISH COMMISSION; AtJTHOK OF "THE GAME FISHES OF NOBTH AJUEKICA ; " SPECIAL CONTEIBDTOB TO AMEBICAN AGEICUIiTUBIST WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE AGRICULTURAL USES OF FISH BY W. O. AT^VATER PEOFKSSOB OF CHEMI8TEY, WESLETAN UNIVEBSITY; SPECIAL CONTBIBUTOE TO AMERICAN AGEICULTTTBISI And an Introduction, Bringing the Subject Down to Date THIRTY PLATES NEW YORK ORANGE JUDD COMPANY 245 BROADWAY 1880 3 ;i ' /5 ^ INTRODUCTION, The following HISTORY OF THE MENHADEX, having l,oon pre- tared for the fifth annual report of the Commissioner of Fisheries for the ear 1877, makes no claim to completeness for the subsequent years, though nucli of the history of the season of 1878 was added while the book was assing through the press. In this special edition of the work it has een thought desirable to add, in the form of an Introduction, an account )f several interesting observations recently made, and to include the re- ports of the Oil and Guano Associations down to the present time. The most important phase of the subject is the complete absence of the menhaden, in 1879, from the waters of Cape Cod, resulting in a total ailure of the very important fisheries on the coast of Maine. More than >>rty steamers went into the Gulf of Maine in July, to return in a few v'ceks without Avetting their nets. The total catch for 1879 was one hun- ired barrels of fish, taken by one of the steamers in July, in Casco Bay. vfr. R. E. Earll, who visited the Booth Bay region in September, thus scribes the general distress which is the result : " The total absence of argies is causing no little loss to all interested. The shore fishermen have ost fully half of their time and over half of their usual catch from not oeing able to get any porgies to fish with, while the ' George'smen ' from '"lape Ann have been driven far out of their way, going even to Rhode ib.and and Connecticut to obtain their usual supply of i)orgy bait. Some ave ventured to seek bait here, in the ' hedges ' and traps of the river ishermen, and have frequently taken river-pilots and gone far up the Kennebec, often waiting fully a week before getting their supply. The oil and guano factories had gone to considerable expense in getting ready ft)r the season's work, and their property is entirely idle. The factory hands and steamers' crews have been thrown entirely out of employment, .and are perhaps less able than any of the other classes intei-ested to bear such a loss. The general prosperity of the porgy fisheries, for some years past, has drawn to them a large class of workmen from other occui)ations. Some, in moving into this region, have ))nilt for tliemselves small houses, and have been depending on the summer's work for the means to pay for them or to complete them. Others have spent their entire means in getting their families located, and almost none have money laid up to carry them through the winter, and but little employment can be had from this time forward. They were all on hand to begin work tlie first of June, and kept waiting, in the hope that the fish would ' strike,' until late in August. When they at last gave up the idea, it was too late to engage in any other . occupation. A few of them have gone out in small boats to ' hook ' for IV INTRODUCTION. mackerel, but have met with indifferent success. After waiting for a long time for the fish to appear, the following firms allowed the crews to take their steamers south and sell the fish to factories there : Joseph Church & Co., 8 steamers ; Albert Grey & Co., 4 steamers; Gallup & Holmes, 4 steamers ; Gallup, Morgan & Co., 3 steamers ; Fowler & Foote, 2 steam- ers ; George W, Miles & Co., 2 steamers ; Tuthill, French & Co., 3 steam- ers ; Maine Oil Co., 2 steamers. Three steamers spent a short time in seining mackerel, landing a total of about 550 barrels." The absence of menhaden north of the Cape does not seem to have been compensated for by any remarkable abundance in southern New England, where most of the other factories were located. They are said to have been enormously plenty on the New Jersey coast, and here as well as in Long Island Sound and the Chesapeake, the unusual abundance of young and middle-sized fish has occasioned general remark. The total catch for 1879 will probably fall below that for 1878, although in southern New Eng- land it will exceed the average, owing to the unusually large number of steamers fishing in those waters throughout the summer. Mr. N. B. Church, of Tiverton, E. I., communicates to Professor Baird his experience in 1878 and 1879 : "I find that I caught my first school of porgies in 1878, May 3d, between Montauk Point and Shinnecock Light. There had been some caught previous to that by the Long Island fisher- men. The menhaden came in large bodies, and remained in this vicinity about four weeks. The average yield of oil was about four quarts to the barrel of fish. The Maine fishing commenced June 7th — a little eai'lier than in previous years — and the fish were a great deal plentier than they usually are when they make their first appearance. They were very plenty on the Maine coast during the season, but, contrary to custom, went further east, so that we were unable to catch as many as we would had they re- mained on their old ground. The body of porgies left the coast of Maine about the last of September, and on the 9th day of October Cape Cod Bay was alive with them ; more, I think, than I ever saw there before. Our fish, caught east, yielded, on an average for the season, nearly two and a half gallons of oil to the barrel of fish. I can't tell exactly, as I never figured it. We had no fishing on the Rhode Island coast, owing to 'blowy' weather. " In 1879, the first fish were caught May 6th, some ten miles southward of Montauk Point. They Avere very plenty for five weeks, and a large quantity was taken. There has been a very large body all the season be- tween Fire Island and Point Judith. Sometimes they were at one place and again at another — were moving all the time. Long Island Sound has been well stocked with them all summer. The steamer 'G. W. Humphrey,' of which I was master, caught, in 1878, 43,000 barrels ; in 1879, 60,000 barrels. Our yield of oil has not been large this season — not averaging over four quarts to the barrel of fish." Mr. D. T, Church also describes the season of 1879 in Narragansett Bay : " Menhaden were found about the first of May between Montauk INTRODUCTION-. V and Sandv Hook, and tliey have not been seen east of there for any length of time since about the first of June. There was a heavy body seen off Rhode Island for ten days ; they then disappeared as suddenly as they ap- peared. They struck on again in July, and the waters in this vicinity swarmed with them for two daj-s, and then they again disappeared, and have not been seen since. Off Cuttyhunk, I hear, they were seen in large quantities in July. On the same date they appeared here, and left on the same day. I don't think the catch has been much larger this year than last. Last season they were easy to catch ; this season liard to catch. The result has been less catch to a steamer, but there have been more steamers, and the result has been about the same." Mr. E. L. FoAvler, of Guilford, Ct., writes as follows : "A very few menhaden were caught in this vicinity by the 28th of April. This was about as early as usual. They became abundant by the 10th of July, and have not yet disappeared (November 29th). They have been as plenty as usual in this vicinity, but on the New Jersey coast there has been an un- usually large quantity of them. Our firm. Fowler & Colburn, have used 23,500,000 fish." Mr. Louis C. d'Homergue, of Brooklyn, writes of the season off New York : "The first menhaden for the season of 1879 were observed in suf- ficient quantities to warrant the commencing of fishing in the vicinity of Barren and Fire Islands on or about the first week in April. They were very abundant in April and May, less so in June and to September, when they began to scatter and spread so that it made it difficult to catch them. The fishermen called them ' wild.' They began to grow scarce from Sep- tember 1st, shoAving also less oil to the thousand, and continued so doing until September 23d, when, up to October Gth, there came a perfect rush of them, yielding more oil than they had previously : this run over, they again became scarcer and thinner until the fall fishing commenced. Another run began about the first week in November, and quite a large additional quantity of fish were taken. They seemed to ' bunch up ' well, but were poorer in oil than any previously caught, so that the fall fishing, in point of oil, was a failure. These fish, up to this date (November 27th), are lingering in our waters, but the four factories on Barren Island and the two on Fire Island have been closed since November 24th. My vessels cruised all the season between Fire Island and Barnegat." Mr. James E. Otis, of Tuckerton, N. J., writes : " Menhaden were first caught here about April 25th, or nearly two weeks earlier than usual, becoming abundant about the middle of May, and continued so until about the middle of September. They have been very plenty this season along the coast of New Jersey, more so than for four years past. My vessels have taken some 3,000,000 each, the largest single haul being 125,000." Mr. W. D. Hall, of Millan Creek, Va., says that in the Chesapeake re- gion menhaden appeared about April 1st, became abundant about May 1st, began to grow scarce about June 15th, and that on November 30th some were still in the bay. VI INTRODUCTION. Menhaden appeared in Washington (D, C.) markets February 25, 1879, nearly three weeks in advance of the " branch-herring," four in advance of the shad, and eight before the ''glut-herring." The cause of the unusual movements of the menhaden in 1879 is dif- ficult to ascertain. The idea has been suggested that they were driven back by the schools of blue-fish, which, by this theory, are supposed to have approached the coast in advance of them. This explanation seems scarcely satisfactory, for there is no evidence that the blue-fish were earlier than usual. On the other hand, there is reason to doubt whether blue-fish ever come near the coast until they are lured in by the presence of their favorite food. See the table, on page 46, which shows that for thirteen years the menhaden always entered Waquoit Bay from five to twenty days in advance of the blue-fish. In fact blue-fish, as well as menhaden, have been unusually scarce north of Cape Cod in 1879. A more satisfactory explanation is to be found in the unusual coldness of the water in the Gulf of Maine. The following preliminary conclusions have been reached, but I hope in future to be able to discuss th© subject more at length : The season of 1878, in Maine, was fairly successful, the three sum- mer months being warmer than in 1877, but cooler than in 187(3. The absence of the menhaden schools, north of Cape Cod, in 1879, may be explained by the study of the temperatures of the Avater of the Gulf of Maine, as indicated by the observations made in Portland harbor. The averages for the three summer months are as follows, the numerHt(n* of the fraction being the average surface temperature, the denominator that of the bottom : 63.5 58.5 61.5 56.1 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 57.9 56.7 58.1 54.6 The average for the three summer months of 1879 is less than that of June, 1876. In August, 1878, there was a very rapid fall in the tempera- tures of the surface in the Gulf of Maine, so that the average of that month was less than that of Jnly, instead of being higher, as is usual. This, perhaps, had the effect of driving the fish into the warmer water of the bays and estuaries. The monthly averages for 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1879, are as follows : 56.9 1876, June, 54.0 66.7 July, 59.4 63.9 August, 60.4 54.9 1877, June, — '- 53.3 58.1 July, 56.3 62.4 August, 60.6 56.8 1878, June, 55.3 66.9 July, 59.3 60.7 August, 59.9 52.9 1879, June, 51.7 55.9 July, 54.1 59.6 August, 58.0 INTRODUCTION. vil While it IS impossible to predict what may be the temperature of these waters in the future, there is little reason to fear that the absence of the menhaden will be permanent. Several of the leading firms have agreed to have water temperatures taken from their steamers in the coming season ; this cannot fail to throw much light on these puzzling subjects. The sixth annual meeting of the U. S. Menhaden Oil and Guano Asso- ciation was held in the United States Hotel, New York, Wednesday, January 8, 187'.). The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr, R. L. Fowler, fourteen members being present. The minutes of the last meeting and the Treasurer's report having been approved, the following officers were elected : Mr. R. L. Fowler, President ; Mr. D. T. Church, First Vice- President ; Mr. B. F. Gallup, Second Vice-President ; Mr. H. L. Dudley, Secretary and Treasurer, and Captain John Luce, Messrs. T. F. Price, and R. L. Fowler, Executive Committee. The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman. The following is the report of the Committee on Statistics for the year : Number of factories in operation 56 Number of sail vessels employed 279 Increase over 1877 ■ 9 Number of steamers employed -< . . .^./^X. 64 Increase over 1877 .' . . . .'. 1 Number of men employed 3,337 Increase over 1877 .^ .' 650 Amount of capital invested L . T > .-^ $3,350,000 Increase over 1877 t*--,-- co-^i- ^i " * 302,388 Number of fish caught .^ , . 3 '^'. 776,779,250 Increase over 1877 189,155,125 Number of gallons oil manufactured 3,809,233 Increase over 1877 1,392,644 Number of tons guano made 55,164 Less than 1877 280 Number of tons guano dried 19,377 Increase over 1877 13,367 Number of gallons oil held by manufacturers January 15, 1878. 742,600 Increase in 1878, gallons 478,600 Number tons guano held by manufacturers, January 15, 1878. 885 Less than in 1877 6,390 Yield of oil per thousand, 1878, gallons 4r^ vni INTRODUCTION. H H fa O o 1—1 ;^ o o . moo tno ^g !^< ^S Ho UK! HP3 05 S^ HO r '^ Of oS wo «!^ Ho M ^W Htd q 13 o a apsm apBUi OQOQOO 8 {-00 10 SOiWOlO OMOOO (N -* ■>* O 05 31000 ■C' O 'P O fe lO o •So 5o mo > t- -p O J3 CO ■* 10 O Ci --I "* -j5 — -D t> 3; »C fOJt-^ OC0-*O'- gJjf5'-'_00 .coco ■83J.IOAV 1" I'^W JO .taqiuti^i 8§B.i8A.v •8.t9uiB3}S JO jaquin^ lOi-Tjinoo-tiNmaDO'H cCTfTfeoc* COiNCOlCTt-iJINS* O •gpssaA JO J8qian>i •paXoidnia uanuaifsi^ jaqtnnj^ m o 50'05 S^ >ooooooQ<: 8000000c o 00 10 o o c>» c Soo 00 00 O) O >ooo 'Oin OC<( Oas(M^ p ?S IS a c8 2 O m o o Q s'-s r < ■2 a: u S E h ^ ft D J ■s J ai « AQUID Maine. Proviuc H 00 s H ^- il. » s _■ -Soi «M .,J 2 -2 s *; S ^s^ 1 O 33 O 2--^ .3 S m INTRODUCTION. IX In 1877 I was able to learn of but four oil and guano factories in opera- tion on the Chesapeake Bay, and it was not thought necessary to make a special survey of that region, but in that and the following season the industry seems to have assumed considerable dimensions. I am indebted to Col. Marshall McDonald, Commissioner of Fisheries for Virginia, for the following memorandum, which, although not prepared by him, he considers to be in the main correct. It is an extract from a circular, without authen- tication, dated '^^ Northumberland Co., Va., December, 1878." I have not been able to learn that the Chesapeake manufacturers are identified with the U. S. Oil and Guano Association. The proceeds of their industry, if added to those of the northern manufacturers, will considerably swell the statistical aggregates, increasing the total catch for 1878 to nearly 900,000,000 of fish, the total yield of oil to over 4,000,000 barrels, and of guano to over 30,000 tons. LIST OF FIRMS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE [OF OIL AND GUANO FOR THE SEASON OF 1878, IN VIRGINIA. 1. Little Bay Oil and Guano Co., Little Bay, Lancaster Co., Va. 2. Whaley & Burgess, Mill Creek, Northumberland Co., Va. 3. N. H. Timbs, Fairport, " << - 4. E. W. Reed, " " " " 5. Reed & Woodliull, Little Bay, Lancaster Co., Va. 6. Lampson & Grinell, Pecancatauck River, Middlesex Co., Va. 7. Taylor & Jackson, " " " " " 8. G. T. Owens & Co., Fairport, Northumberland Co., Va. 9. W. D. Hall & Co., Point Pleasant, Northumberland Co., Va. 10. L. Cockerell & Co., Wicomico River, Northumberland Co., Va. IL O. E. Maltby, New Point Comfort, Va. 12. Darling & Smithers, Hampton, Va. 13. Stearns & Co., Black River, Va. 14. Lewis Crockett, Tangier Island, Va. 15. Henry Crockett, " " " "Being desirous to know the extent of the fishing interests of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, we have looked up what information could be found, and herewith submit it to the careful inspection of those who take an interest in that direction. We find that in the year 1869 more than usual attention was turned to this matter, and we are able to gather the following details of its results from a party engaged in the busi- ness that season, viz. : 1869. Men employed on vessels fishing 12 Vessels employed 4 Men employed making guano 9 Fish taken 3,000,000 Oil made 200 bbls. Guano made 300 tons. it INTRODtJCTION. " The returns from those engaged in the business for 1878 is also ap- pended, showing an increase of products encouraging to a vigorous prose- cution of the enterprise, viz. : 1878. Men employed on vessels fishing 286 Vessels employed fishing 78 Men employed on shore 201 Fish taken." 118,309,200 Gallons of oil made 234,168 Tons of guano 10,832 " This industry is yet in its infancy, and the best means of handling the product of the fisheries of the rivers and bays of the State may not yet be fully understood, but with the ingenuity and energy of the fishermen and patronage of the farmers in the liberal use of the fertilizers made, and the protection of the Legislature we have no doubt that ultimately the enter- prise and capital employed in tliis business will realize satisfactory results." The much-vexed problem of the spawning habits of the menhaden has been advanced a step nearer to solution by Mr. D. T. Church, who sends to the Smithsonian Institution, November 6th, a number of specimens of large menhaden, taken from a large school which appeared at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, November 1st. These fish had the ovaries nearly ripe, and probably would have spawned within a month. This is a very satisfactory corroboration of the views supported on pages 95-100. Col. M. McDonald sends me four menhaden caught by him in gill-nets in Hampton Creek, Va., November 27th, one of which was full of nearly ripe eggs. Mr. d'Homergue states that the November fish at Barren Island are full of spawn. Another very important result obtained by the study of these fish, is the first accurate approximation to an idea of the fecundity of this species. I wish to cancel the estimate of tlie number of eggs in the ovary of a men- haden on page 90. The particles counted at that time must have been agglomerations of eggs, so closely united in the immature ovary as to be incapable of proper separation. The eggfi in the fish sent by Mr. Church are very much more minute than the first, and there cannot be less than 150,000, a number far exceeding the highest estimates for shad and her- ring, and indicating that the menhaden must be ranked among the most prolific of fishes. The attempt of the Maine Legislature to regulate the fishery in that State has been of little moment, owing to the unexpected absence of the men- haden from that region. This movement has met with much opposition on the part of the oil and guano manufacturers. It is to be hoped that the constitutionalitv of the law will be tested in the courts. G. BROWN GOODE. Washington, D. C, Dec. 1, 187 Smithsonian Institution, [ 379. f ERRATA. The typographical blunders enumerated below are in large part due to the absence of tlie author from town when the proofs were being read. Page 9, line 13, insert Eastern Maryland — Pilcher or Pilchard. Page 44, line 39, for Daniel Y. Church read David T. Church. Page 66, line 9, for diagram sections read a diagram section. Page 68, line 34, for paragraph read paragraphs. Page 77, insert heading to paragraph 102, Recent changes in the northern limits of distriMttion. Page 89, line 7, for fat-fish read fat fish. Page 93, line 17, for ostracoda and copeopoda read Ostracoda and Copeopoda. Page 99, line 30, for Boardman and Atkins read Ooodale and Atkins. Page 115, line 1, for F. T..Ba,hson read F. J. Babson. Page 118, line 34, for has already been described read is described below. Page 120, line 28, for William T. Fithian Vi'&A. William Y. Fithian. Page 133, insert heading to paragraph 183, The menhaden fishery and land indus- tries. Page 161, insert heading to paragraph 334, Comments. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Pago. Section A.— Introduction 1 1. Object of the memoir I 1. Previous memoirs of the series 1 2. The commercial importance of the menhaden 1 3. The imperfect knowledge regarding this -species 2 2. Means employed in gathering inform/ition 3 4. Circular issued. (See also Appendix A) 3 5. Letters of inquiry sent out 3 6. Personal studies made 3 3. Sources of information 3 ■J. Materials in ■^he archives of the United States Fish Commission 3 8. Personal observations and the aid of individuals 3 9. Kesponses to the circular. (See also Appendices BandN) 4 10. Published accounts of the species. (See also Appendixes C and D) 4 11. The collections in the United States National Museum. (See also Appendix E> 5 4. Sources of error which have been shunned 5 12. The difficulty of obtaining exact information 5 13. Prejudices and superstitions 6 14. Inaccuracies of observation and statement 6 Section B.— The names of the menhaden 6 5. Popular names 6 15. Local names and nsagea 6 16. The geographical distribution of popular names 7 17. A table showing the geographical distribution of the popular names of the men- haden 7 18. Discrepancies in these names 9 19. The name of " menhaden " claimed to be the preferable one 10 20. Trade names of the menhaden and their liability to mislead 10 21. Origin of the popular names of the menhaden 10 22. " Pogy " and " menhaden " 11 23. "Hard-head" and "bony -fish" 12 24. "White-fish" 12 25. "Mossbnnker" 12 26. "Alewife " and " oldwife " 13 27. "Bugfish" 13 28. "Fat-back" and "yellow-tail" 14 29. The conflict of names among the American representatives of the herring family.. 14 6. Zoological names 15 30. Latrobe's description of Clupea tyrannus and the reasons for adopting this specific name. (See also Appendix E and Plate II) 15 31. Mitchill's description of Clupea menhaden. (See also Appendix E) 16 32. Kafinesque's Clupea neglecta 16 33. Belknap's Clupea dura 17 34. Mitchill's Clupea sadina and Gronow's Clupea carolinensis 17 35. Brevoortia patronus 17 36. Agassiz's Clupanodon aureus 17 37. Jenyns's Clupea pectinata 18 38. The generic relations of the species and Gill's genus Brevoortia. (See also Appen- dix G) 18 39. Revision of the American species of menhaden 16 Section C— A description of the American species of Brevoortia with anatoihcal and PHYSIOLOGICAL NOTES 19 7. Technical descriptions 19 40. Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe), Goode 19 41. Brevoortia patronus, Goode 26 42. Brevoortia pectinata, Jenyna, Gill 30 III IV TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Section C— A description of the American species op Bbevooutia, with anatomical and PHYSIOLOGICAL NOTES — Continued. 8. Size 31 43. Limits and relations of length .and weight .^ 31 44. Variations in individuals of the same schools 31 45. Kate of growth of young fish 3S 46. 'Rate of growth of fish during their sojourn on the northern coast 33 9. Color and other minor characteristics 33 47. Color of northern flsh .,-■ 33 48. Color of southern fish 33 43. Axillary appendages 33 ."iO. Arrangement and number of scales 34 10. Internal organs 34 51. The strainer in the mouth of the menhaden 34 52. The accessory branchial organ 34 53. The alimentary canal 34 54. The swim bladder 35 Section D.— Geographical distribution and the movements of the schools » 35 11. Geographical range 35 55. Limits of range of Brevoortia tyrauTiusm 1877 35 56. Variations in northern limit in the past 35 57. Southern limit of range 36 58. Oceanic limits of range 36 59. The alleged occurrence of the true menhaden in the Golf of Mexico 36 60. Range of other species of the genus 37 61. The alleged occurrence of a menhaden on the west coast of 'North America 37 12. The arrival and departures of the schools 38 62. Causes influencing .".rrival and departure 38 63. Material on hand for determining dates 38 C4. Eeview of the dates of movement upon the entire coast 39 65. Stay of the schools on the coast of Florida 39 66. Stay on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina 39 67. Stay on the coast of North Carolina 40 68. Stay on the coast of Virginia and Chesapeake Bay 41 69. Stay in Delaware Bay 41 70. Stay on the coast of New Jersey 42 71. Stay at the eastern end of Long Island 42 72. Stay in Long Island Sound 42 73. Stay in Block Island Sound 43 74. Mr. Dudley's account of the movements of the schools ea the coast of Eastern Con- necticut 44 75. Stay in Narragansett B-ay 44 76. Stay in Martha's Vineyard Sound 45 77. Table showing dates of appearance of menhaden at "Waquoit Weir 1859-72 46 78. Irregularity of the movements of the schools illustrated by the returns from Wa- quoit Weir 46 79. Stay of the schools on the south shore of Cape Cod 46 80. Stay in Cape Cod Bay 47 81. Stay about Cape Ann 48 82. Stay in the Gulf of Maine 48 83. Mr. Maddocks' account of the movements of the schools on the coast of Maine 50 13. Migraticms. (See also Appendix F) 50 84. Migrations of fishes in general, and the causes 50 85. The influence of ocean temperatures upon the movements of the menhaden 52 86. General considerations as to the winter retreat of summer fishes 56 87. The theory of hibernation of sea fishes discussed with special reference to the mackerel 56 88. The theory of extended migrations discussed, with special reference to the mackerel. 62 89. The arguments .igaicst extended migrations of the menhaden 65 90. The hypothesis of the oceanic sojourn of the menhaden 66 91. A criticism of Eimbaud's classification, with a new classification, by habits, of east- coast fishes 68 14. The movements of the schools of menhaden 70 92. Habits of the schooling fish 70 93. Movements of the schools to and from the surface 71 TABLE OF CONTENTS. V Page. Section D.— Geographical distribution and the movements of the schools— Continaed. 14. The movements of the schools of mendhaden — Continued. 94. Differences in the swimming movements of the menhaden tnd the mackerel 71 95. Birds attracted by the schools of fish 71 96. The influence of wind and weather 72 97. The movements of the herring as influenced by weather 72 93. The influence of the tides 74 15. Alleged changes in the haunts and habits of the menhaden 74 99. The allegation that the menhaden schools have been driven out to sea by the fisheries. 74 100. The opinion of Mr. Atkins upon this subject 76 101. The opinion of Mr. Maddocks 77 102. Eecent changes in the northern limit of distribution 77 Section E.— Abundance of toe menuaden comparative A2»d absolute 78 16. Abundance in the past 78 103. Abundance before 1850, from testimony of early writers 78 17. Abundance in the present 79 104. Abundance on tbe coast of Maine 79 105. Abundance on the coast of New Hampshire 81 106. Abundance on the coast of Massachusetts 81 107. Abundance on the coast of Ubode Island, 84 103. Abundance on the coast of Connecticut 85 109. Abundance on the coast of New York 87 110. Eeview of the success of the fisheries in New England since 1865, by Mr. D. T. Church 88 111. Eeview of the success of the fisheries in Long Island Sonnd since 1870, by Mr. George "W. Miles 88 112. Abundance on the coast of New Jersey 90 113. Abundance on the coast of Delaware 90 114. Abund.ince on the coast of Maryland and Virginia 90 115. Abundance on the coast of North Carolina 91 116. Abundance in Florida 92 117. Summation of evidence as to increase or decrease 92 18. A bundance in the future 93 118. rrobability of future decrease 93 Section F.— Food of the menhaden 93 19. Food 93 119. Fishermen's ideas about the food of the menhaden 93 120. Fishermen's ideas about the manner of feeding 93 121. Examinations of stomach-contents 94 122. Inferences from their examinations 94 123. Professor Verrill's opinion as to the nutritive properties of bottom-mud 94 124. Explanation of the evolutions of the menhaden schools 95 125. Character of their food affecting the value of the fish for use for bait 95 Section G.— Reproduction of the mlnuaden 95 20. Studies of the parent fish 95 126. Dissection of menhaden in Connecticut 05 127. Dissections of menhaden in Maine 96 123. Number of eggs in immature ovaries 96 129. The foct that no ripe milt or spawn has been observed by naturalists 07 130. A statement made by Mr. Atkins 07 21. Studies of the young fish 98 131. Appearance of the young south of Cape Cod 98 132. Powers of locomotion possessed by the young 98 22. Inferences as to tie time andi'lace of spawning 99 133. Inferences from studies of parent and young as to the times and places of spawning. 99 134. The opiniou.s of fishermen upon this subject -99 135. The claim that menhaden spawn in southern rivers 100 130. A criticism of a statement made by Professor Hind 100 23. The possibility of artificial culture 100 137. The claim that menhaden can bo artificially bred in the waters of the North 100 Section H.— The enemies and fatalities of the menhaden 101 24. Diseases of the menhaden 101 138. Mortality of menhaden in the Merrimac River 101 25. Parasites of the m,enhaden 101 139. The crustacean parasite Cymothoa prcegustator 101 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Section H.— The ENEfflES and fatalities of the menhaden— Continued. 25. Parasites of the menhaden — Continued. 140. iDfcrences to bo drawn from the presence of these parasites 103 141. Other parasites ■ 104 26. JPredaceotis foes of the menhaden 104 142. The destructiveness of whales and dolphins 104 143. The destructiveness of sharks 105 144. The destructiveness of other fishes 105 145. Eavages of the bluefish and the bonito 106 140. The menhaden driven upon the shores 107 147. Captain Spicdel's account of the ravages of the bluefish 108 148. Professor Baird's estimate of the destructiveness of the bluefish 108 149. An estimate of the number of menhaden annually consumed by predaceous fish 109 150. The place of the menhaden in nature 109 27. Man and the fisheries 110 151. Former allusions to the influence of the fisheries 110 152. Probability of future decrease 110 153. The alleged destructiveness of fishing 110 154. Comments upon these allegations Ill 155. Professor Hind's unwarranted statements 112 15G. The agitation in Maine concerning productive legislation 112 Section I.— The meniiapen fisheries 113 28. Ths location of the fishing grounds 113 157. Distribution of the fishing grounds 113 29. Methods of capture • 113 153. Past and present methods contrasted •. 113 159. Diificnlty experienced in obtaining statistics 114 160. risheries in Maine 114 101. Fisheries in Massachusetts 115 162. Fisheries in Ehodo Island 115 103. Fisheries in Connecticut 116 164. Fisheries in New York 116 165. Fisheries in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland 116 166. Fisheries in Virginia and North Carolina 117 167. Fisheries in the South '. 117 30. Apparatus of capture 117 168. The purse-seines 117 169. The seine-boats 120 170. The sailing-vessels. (See also Appendix I) 122 171. Thestcamers 123 31. Certain requirements of purse -seine fishing 123 172. Peculiarities of purse-seine fishing 123 173. The best time of day for using the purse-seine 124 32. Descriptions of fishing scenes 124 174. Fishing in Southern New England 124 175. Fishing on the coast of Massachusetts 125 176. Fishing ou the coast of Maine 126 177. Gill-net fishing on the coast cf Maine 128 178. Weir fishing for men haden 129 179. Colonel Lyman's description of weir fishing for menhaden 129 160. Fishing for fat-backs in North Carolina 131 33. The fisherman and the relation of the fisheries to the population of the neighboring shores 131 181. The fishermen of Maine 131 182. The menhaden fishery and land industries 132 34. Protective fishery laws , 132 183. Laws regulating the menhaden fishery of Maine 132 184. Laws regulating the menhaden fishery of Massachusetts 133 Super-Section.-ECONOMICAL VALUE AND APPLICATIONS OF THE MENHADEN.. 135 Section K.— The menhaden as a source of food 135 35. The menhaden as a table fish. 185. Menhaden used fresh 135 186. Menhaden s.ilted. (See also Appendix G) 136 187. Tho demand for salt fish in seasons of scarcity of mackerel supplied by menhaden.. 136 188. The question of allowance of drawback on ealt .' 136 TABLE OF CONTENTS. VII Page. Section K. — The menhaden as a source of food— Continued. 36. Food-preparations derived from the menhaden 137 189. Menhaden preserved in oil, "American sardines"... 137 190. Tlie qualities of "American sardines" 133 191. Menhaden preserved in spices 138 192. Mr. Goodale's "Extract of Fish "—Methods of preparation and uses 139 193. Possible yield of "Extract of Fish" 140 37. The menhaden as a food for animals 140 194. Menhaden scrap as a food for cattle and poultry..... 140 Section L.— The menhaden as a bait-fish 141 3S. The use of menhaden for bait 141 195. Menhaden as a bait for cod 141 196. Comparative value of menhaden and other bait 142 197. Menhaden as a bait formaekerel 142 198. Comparative value of herring and menhaden for toll-bait 143 199. The testimony of Canadian officers as to the value of menhaden bait 146 800. Testimony before the Halifax Commission regarding the greater value of menhaden bait 147 201. "Slivering" menhaden 147 202. The preparation of menhaden bait 147 203. The use of menhaden bait in coast fisheries 148 204. The extent of the bait-fisheries in Southern New England 148 205. Bait-fishing in the Merrimac Kiver and in Salem Harbor 148 206. Estimate of the annual consumption of menhaden bait 149 207. TJseof menhaden bait by the Georges Bank fleet 150 208. TTse of menhaden bait by the Grand Banks fleet 150 209. TIse of menhaden bait by the mackerel line fishermen 150 210. TJseof menhaden bait by the Connecticut smacks 151 211. Use of menhaden bait by the New York halibut fleet 151 212. Annual sale of bait by the vessels of the Maine manufacturers 151 213. The Connecticut metliod of icing bait 152*.^ 214. The Cape Ann method of icing bait 152 215. Comparative value of different methods of icing bait 153' 39. Conflicts between bait-fishermen and manufacturers of oil 155 216. Earlyfeuds 155 217. Present aspects of the conflict in Maine 156 40. Menhaden bait as an article of commerce, and the discussion of its value before the Halifax Commission of 1877 156 218. The export of menhaden bait to Canada and Newfoundland as discussed before the Halifax Commission 156 219. Claimsof Her Majesty's government u 157 220. Reply of the agent of the United States 158 221. Reply in behalf of Her Britannic Majesty's government 159' 222. Other references to the menhaden in the testimony and afiidavits 160 223. The argument of Mr. Dana 161 224. Comments 161 Section M. The manufacture of oil and guano 161 41. A history of the manvfactiire of menhaden oil 161 225. The claims of Maine to the first discovery of menhaden oil 161 226. The claims of Connecticut and New York 163 227. The inception of the oil business in Maine 164 228. The dates of erection of factories in Maine 164 42. The location of the oil-factories. (See also Appendix H) 165 229. Factories in Maine 165 230. Factories in Massachusetts 165 231. Factories in Rhode Island 166 232. Factories in Connecticut : 166 233. Factories in New York 167 234. Factories in New Jersey 168 235. Factories in Chesapeake Bay 168 236. Factories on the Southern coast 169' 43. Methods of manufacture 169 237. The principles involved in the manufacture of oil 169 238. A description of processes employed in manufacture 170 239. A description of the processes employed in refining 170' 840. The factory of George W. Miles & Co „ , 171 VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Section M.— The manufactuee op oil and guano— Continned. 43. Methods of manufacture — Continned. 241. Tho factory of Jndaon, Tair & Co 171 242. The factory of Joseph Church &, Co 172 243. The factory of Kenniston, Cobb & Co 172 244. The factory at Napeague, N. T 173 245. Tho model of the factory of Joseph Church & Co 174 246. The coat of an oil-factory 174 247. Organization of the fishing gangs 176 248. The advantages claimed for floating factories 176 249. Mr. Goodale's improved method for extracting the oil 177 250. Proposed chemical method 178 251. Proposed mechanical methods 178 44. Value of fish to manufacturers 178 252. Prices paid for fresh menhaden in different seasons 178 253. Prices pEoportionato to amount of oil to be obtained from the fish 180 254. Oil-yield of northern fish 180 255. Oil-yield of southern fish 183 256. Comparative oil -yield in different localities , 183 45. Stitistics of the manufacture of oil and guano , 184 257. Eeturns for the State of Maine , 184 258. Eeturns for the United States 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-guano 191 261. Tho associations of oil and guano manufiictarers. (See also Appendices L and M).. 191 46. The uses of menhaden oil and theoilmarket 191 262. The uses of menhaden oil . 191 263. The markets for menhaden oil 192 264. The grades of oil 192 265. The prices of oil. (See also Appendix K) 192 266. Eeviews of the market for individual years 193 Section K.— Menhaden and qtiieu fish, and their products, as related to agbicultuee. — By W. O. Atwater. (See also Appendix O) 194 267. Introductory note. 194 47. Menhaden in a fresh state used as a fertilizer 195 268. Use among Indians and early colonists 195 269. Use at beginning of present century and later 196 270. Use at present day 200 48. Fish scrap as manure 200 271. The inception of its use. Exiierience in Maine 200 272. Experience in Connecticut. Mr. Clift 201 273. Experience of Mr. Hall and Mr. Loveland 203 274. Statements of Professor Cook of New Jersey ...,, ' 205 275. Further experience in Maine. Messrs. Hinckley, Kenniston, Smith, and Captain Collins «205 276. Other testimony 208 49. The manufacture of fish manures ....,.-»..^. 208 277. Early attempts at manufacture in Connecticut 208 278. Tho De Melon process in Europe and in America 208 279. Early manufacture in Rhode Island 209 280. Manufacture in Canada 210 281. Manufacture of cancerine in New Jersey 210 282. Early manufacture in Maine 210 283. Early manufacture in France 212 284. Early manufacture in England 213 285. Other European manufactures of fish manures 213 286. Tho Norwegian fish-guano 214 287. Manufacture of glue and removal of oil in preparation of fish guanos 217 288. Success of fish-guano as a fertilizer in Europe 218 289. The manufacture of fish fertilizers in tho United States 218 290. Kinds of fertilizers made from fish refuse 219 291. I'ish-guano; methods of manufacture and needs of improvement; statements of Professor Goessmann 223 S92. Statement of Mr. Maddocks; manufacture in Maine 224 TABLE OP CONTENTS. IX Page. Section N.— Menhaden and other fish, and their products, as related to agriculture — Continued. , 49. 2yie mami/acture of fish manures — Continued. 293. Goodalo's new process 224 294. Adamson's process 225 295. Immense waste of fish at present. Possibilities of future manufacture 226 296. "Acidulated fish" and "Fish and potash salts" 226 297. Manufacture of ammoniated superphosphates 227 50. Chemical composition of menhaden and other fish and of fish manures 228 298. Analyses of whole menhaden end of flesh and bones of whale 228 299. Analyses of fish fertilizers 229 300. "Waste from faulty m anufacture and use of fish fertilizers 230 51. The use of fish fertilizers in agriculture 230 301. Chemistry of plant nutrition 230 302. Essential ingredients of plant food 231 303. Exhaustion of soils by crops 231 304. Ingredients commonly lacking in worn-out soils, and hence most important in ferti- lizers 233 305. Principles to be observed in the manufacture and in the purchase of fertilizers 233 306. Composition, character, and uses of fertilizers in general 233 307. Explanation of chemical terms used in fertilizer analyses 234 308. Valuations of commercial fertilizers. (See also Appendix 0) 235 309. Kelative values of different fertilizers. Fish and Peruvian gnano 244 310. "Ways of improving fleh manure ; fermentation 247 311. Composting 247 312. Feeding to stock 248 313. Danger in using fish fertilizers alone 249 52. Fish as food for domestic animals 250 314. Laws of animal nutrition as shown by experiments. European researches 250 315. General principles of feeding, maintenance, and production 251 316. Digestion of foods by animals as tested by European experiments 254 317. "What is essential to economy in feeding. Proportions of albuminoids and carbo- hydrates 255 318. Composition and valuations of various food materials. German tables 256 319. Early experience in use of fish as food for stock. Feeding cattle on fish in Massa- chusetts 258 320. Experience of Mr. Lawes in England on flsh as food for swice 258 321. Other European experience 259 322. Success of Maine farmers in feeding sheep on fish 259 323. Experiment of Professor Farrington on fish scrap vs. corn-meal for sheep 260 324. European experiments on digestion and nutritive value of fish 263 325. General conclusions 264 53. Recapitulation 265 326. Fish as manure 265 327. Fish as food for stock 266 328. The loss to our agriculture from waste of flsh. The evil 266 , 329. Theremedy 266 Appendix A.— Circular relating to statistics of the menhaden fishery 268 Appendix B. — List of correspondents from whom contributions have been received 271 Appendix C. — Bibliogr.iphy of literature relating to the menhaden 274 Appendix D. — Extracts from writings of ichthyologists relating to the menhaden 279 A drawing and description of the Clupea tyrannus and Oniscus prcegustator. By B. H. Latrobe. < Tr.ansactions of American Philosophical Society, VoL "V, 1802, pp. 78-80 279 From Mitchill's "Fishes of New York." < Transactions of Literary and Philosophical Society of New York, 1815, p. 453 282 From Storer's " History of the Fishes of Massachusetts," 1867, p. 168 283 From Dekay's "Zoology of New York, Fishes," 1842, p. 259 284 From Cuvior and Valencienne's " Histoire Naturelle des Poissons," XX, p. 424 286 From Uhler and Lugger's "List of the Fishes of Maryland," 1876, p. 133 '. 287 From Perley's " Keport on the Sea and Kiver Fisheries of New Brunswick," 1852, p. 208. . 287 From Gray's Catalogue of Fish, by Gronow, 1854, p. 140 287 From Giinther's "Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum," "Vll.p. 436 288 Appendix E.— Catalogue of specimens in the "United States Nation.al Museum illustrating the history of the menhaden 289 X TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Appendix F.— Tables of ocean temperaturea for certain points on the east coast of the TTnited States 291 Table I.— Tahle of surface temperatures, March, iy76, to February, 1877 291 Table II.— Table of bottom temperatures, March, 1876, to February, 1877 a92 Table III.— Table of mean temperatures of surface aud bottom, March, 1876, to February, 1877 293 Table IV.— Table of mean temperatures of surface and bottom, March, 1877, to February 28, 1878 294 Appendix G.— Table showing comparative amounts of menhaden, mackerel, shad, and alewives inspected in the State of Massachusetts, 1804 to 1877 295 Appendix H.— List of manufacturers of menhaden oil and guano, (Compiled by Mr. Jasper Fryer) 296 Appendix I.— Partial list of vessels employed in the menhaden fishery 297 Steamers , 297 Sailing-vessels 298 Appendix K. — Prices-cunent of menhaden oil and review of the markets. [From the "Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter"] 299 Prices-cnrrent for the years 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 299 Weekly review of the "market for the years 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 304 Appendix L.— Proceedings of the United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association 358 First annual meeting, 1874 358 Second annual meeting, 1875 - 359 Third annual meeting, 1876 360 Fourth annual meeting, 1877 363 Fifth annual meeting, 1878 365 Appendix M. — Annual reports of menhaden oil and guano manufacturers in the State of Maine. 368 First annual report, 1873 368 Second annual report, 1874 369 Third annual report, 1875 370 Fourth annual report, 1876 371 Fifth annual report, 1877 372 Appendix N. — Statements of correspondents 373 1. Statement of ^Y. H. Sargent, Castine, Me., January 26 and December 28, 1874 373 2. Statement of J. C. Condon, Belfast, Me., communicated by Marshall Davis, deputy collector, Belfast, Me 375 3. Statement of R. A. Friend, Brooklin, Me 377 4. Statement of John Grant, Matinicus light-station, Matiuicns Rock, Me., March 31, 1874 ----■ 378 5. Statement of Benjamin F. Brightman, Waldoborough, Me., March 18, 1874 379 6. Statement of L. Maddocks, Booth Bay, Me., December 25, 1877 382 7. Statement of G. B. Kenniston, Booth Bay, Me., February 14, 1874 382 8. Statement of Judson Tarr &. Co., Rockport, Mass., and Booth Bay, Me., January 2.3, 1874 385 9. Statement of Mrs. B. Humphrey, keeper of Monhegan Island light, Monhegan Island, Me., February 4,1874 387 10. Statement of J. Washburn, jr., Portland, Me., February, 1874 388 11. Statement of Chandler Martin, keeper of Whale's Back light. Whale's Ba«k,N.H., February 23, If 74, and January 9, 1875 390 12. Statement of Thomas Day, keeper of Seguin light, Parker's Head, Me 390 13. Statement of William S. Sartell, Pemaquid light-station, Bristol, Me., February 1, 1874 391 14.* Statement of Alden H. Jordan, keeper of Baker's Island light, Cranberry Isles, Me., December 29, 1873, and February 9, 1874 391 15. Statement of Washington Olin, keeper of Pond Island light, near Booth Bay, Me., February 18, 1874 393 16. Statement of an unknown correspondent, Gloucester, Mass., March 28, 1874 393 17. Statement of Capt. F. J. Babson, collector of customs, Gloucester, Mass 395 18. Statement of Simeon Dodge, Marblehead, Mass 399 19. Statement of Eben B.Phillips, Swampscott, Mass., January 21, 1874 401 20. Statement of Thomas Loring, collector, Plymouth, Mass., January 24, 1874, and March 20,1875 403 21. Statement of William Atwood, light-house keeper, Plymouth, Mass., February 23, 1874 , 404 22. Statement of Heman S.Dill, Wei fleet, Mass., January 9, 1875 405 TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI Page. AFTENDIX N. — Statements of correspondents — Continued. 23. Statement of David F. Loring, Highland light-station, North Truro, Mass., March 2, 1874 407 24. Statement of David P. Loring, Cape Cod light-station, North Truro, Mass., ^February 23,1875 409 25. Statement of Josiah Hardy, 2d, Chatham, Mass., February 17, 1874, and January 9, 1875 410 26. Statement of Alonzo Y. Lothrop, Hyannis, Mass., February 18, 1874, and January 1, 1875 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., Jnnnary 13, 1875 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 418 34. Statement of E. T. De Blois, Portsmouth, R. L, November 26, 1877 , 425 35. Statement of H. D. Ball, New Shoreham, R. L, January 11, 1875 425 36. Statement of Henry W. Clark, keeper of Southeast light-house. Block Island, R. L, February 6, 1875 425 37. Statement of J. S. Crandall, "Watch Hill, R. I., February 20, 1874, and January 1, 1875 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., January 6, 1875 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 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. T., January 1, 1875 441 48. Statement of J. Norrison Raynor, agent of Sterling Company, Greenport, December 20, 1877 443 49. Statement of Hawkins Brothers, Jamesport, N. T., 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, 1874 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. Robbius, Hog Island, February 21, 1874 460 (52. Statement of J. L. Anderton, Apateague Island, Va., January 12, 1875 460 63. Statement of G. Henry Seldon, Kinsalo, Westmoreland County, Va., August, 1874 ... 461 64. Statement of Henry Richardson, 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, Aprill5, 1874 465 67. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Hatteras, N. C, January 20, 1875 470 03. Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr.. Capo Hatteras, N. C, January 25, 1875 471 69. Statement of Wallace R. Jennett, Capo 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. Statementof W. A. Harn, Morris Island, S. C, January 21, 1875 478 73. 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 28, 1875. 479 76. Statement of J. F. Hall, Brunswick, Ga., Aprilll,1876 481 XII TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Appendix N.— Statements of correspondents — Continned. 77. Statement of Capt. David Kemps, Yellow Blnffs, Fla., February 10,1875 481 78. Statement of Charles Koch, Jacksonville, Fla., January 15, 1874 482 79. Statement of D. P. Kane, Matagorda, Texas, March 1, 1874 483 Appendix 0.— 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 from an article by Ezra I'Hommedieu, 1801 483 2. Letter from C. A. Goessman on the agricultural value of menhaden fertilizers 485 3. A description of the factory of the Pacific Guano Company at "Wood's HoU, Mass 467 4. The Cumberland Bone Company's vrorks 491 5. The Quiunipiac Fertilizer Company's works 492 6. The Crowell Manufacturing Company 493 7. Method of calculating costs of valuable ingredients of fertilizers. By W. 0. Atwater. 495 8. Improved methods of drying fish-scrap 502 Appendix P. — Exports of menhaden oil, from the port of New Tork, from January, 1875, to July, 1878 503 Appendix Q. — Supplementary works, September 22, 1878 506 1. An early allusion to the ' ' fat-back " on the Southern coast •- . 506 2. Departure of the schools in the fall 506 3. The spawning grounds of the menhaden 507 4. Menhaden fishing on a Long Island steamer. By Ernest IngersoU 508 5. The manufacture of sardines from menhaden 512 6. Small oil-trying in Maine, 1860 513 7. The use of fish for manure by the early colonists of Massachusetts 514 8. A fish fertilizer company in Boston, 1860 514 Explanation of plates 515 Alphabetical index 519 l.-THE NATURAL AND ECONOMICAL HISTORY OF THE AMER- ICAN MENHADEN. By G. Brown Goodk. A— INTRODUCTION. 1. — Object of the memoir. Previous memoirs in tJiis 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 : I. The Scup. Stenotomus argyrojjs, (Linn.) Gill.t II. The Bluefish. Pomatomus saltatrix, (Linn.) Gill.J The present memoir is the third of this series. The work of prepar- ing it was assigned to me in September, 1874. I have 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 need further study, for the subject is not at all well understood. I send the manuscript to the i^rinter with reluctance, hoping at some time to resume the study of the many unsolved problems. 7Vie 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 smalt 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 Fisli and Fisheries. | | Part 1. | | Keport | on the I Condition of the Sea Fisheries | of the | South Coast of New England | in | 1871 and 1872. | By | Spencer F. Baird, | Commissioner. | | With suiiplementary papers. | | Washington: | Government Printing Office. | 1873. 8vo., pp. xlvii, 852, 40 plateH, 2 maps. tOp. cit., pp. 228-235. I Op. cit., pp. 235-252. 1 F 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. As a 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.* lm]^erfect 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 ia a general way the relative values of the ijsheries iu 1876 : Fislieries. Yield in pounds. Value. Monliaden fishery Cod fishery Mackerel fishery Fisherits of the great lakes (1872) . Salmon fishery of Columbia tliver . nalibut. fishery Shad fishery (estimate) Scux) fishery Bhiefish fishery Swordfish fishery Bonito fishery Squeteague fishery Flounders fishery Herrinir fishery (partly in British waters) AVliale fishery Oyster fishery 462, 000, PCO 2lo, 000, 000 49, 000, 000 32, 250, 000 30, 000, 0110 22, 000, COO 20, 000, 000 7, 700, 000 7, 068, 000 1, 000, 000 2, 200, 000 1,800,000 1, 827, 000 27, 933, 500 657, 790 825, 540 375, 262 r,oo, 000 500, 000 5!fl, 240 Ol.O, 000 504,400 424, 000 165, 000 143, 000 138, 200 109, C20 507, 977 2, 850, 000 25, 000, 000 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 8 some of the geueral icbtliyological treatises. Mitcbill, 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 bad been made to its importance as a manure. Up to the present day tbe reports of tbe Commissioner of Agriculture have barely referred to tbe existence of this source of fer- tilizing material. Many persons engaged in fisbiug or manufacturing bad a comprehensive knowledge of some parts of its bistory, but tbese bad never been written or printed. There was no adequate account of this fish accessible to tbe student. Eecognizing the necessity of supply- ing this need, the Commissioner of Fisheries chose this species as the next to be studied. 2, — Mea'ns 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 tbe 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 tbe courtesy of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of tbe Light-House Board it was also sent to all collectors of customs and light-bouse 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. C. The attention of the marine branch of tbe Fish Commission has for four seasons been especially directed to the menhaden, especiall}' with a view to learning about its food and its habits of spawning. 3. — Sources op 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 Yerrill, 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 1872; Portland, Me., ih 1873; at Noank, Conn., in 1874; at Wood's Holl, Mass., in 1875; and at Salem, Mass., and Halifax, ISTova Scotia, in 1877, 1 used every oppor- , tunity to study this fish. I have also bad opportunities of observing it at the mouth of the Saint John's Eiver, Florida; in the Potomac, at sev- * This circular is reproduced ia Ai^pendix A. 4 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. eral of the fisheries; at Greenport, N. T., aud Provincetown, Mass. In October, 1877, 1 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 aflorded me by the officers of the Pacific Guano Company at Wood's Holl. 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 aud criticism ; and to Mr. Herbert A. Gill of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. William Jameson, and Mr. Walter P. Stoddard, of Wesleyan University, for aid in 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 found a complete bibliography of the subject, containing about one hundred and forty citatious. 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 iuformation 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.! 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 tlie United States National Museum, 11. The collections of the Eish 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. A list of these is given in Appendix E. There is also a model of the menhaden fishing steamer " Leonard Brightman" with seine-boats (No. 25824, Ethn. Cat.), made by Joseph Lawler, of Bristol, Me. ; models of the Cape Ann seine-boat (No. 25800), with fittings, and the Cape Ann seining-dory (No. 25827), from Higgins and Gififord, of Gloucester; a full series of " fittings " for seine-boats, manufactured by Wilcox and Crittenden, of Middletown, Conn., includ- ing "cleats" (No. 25177), "steering rowlocks with stern-dockets" (Nos. 2oll3-'14), " oar-holders " of old and new models (Nos. 25171-'72), " davit- iron "(No. 25106), "tow-iron" (No. 25167), and "tow link and hook" (No. 25168) ; a pump box and haft for seine-boat (No. 29199) from Andrew Kennedy, of Provincetown. The Pacific Guano Company is represented by a large model of their works, the same which was ex- hibited in their jjavilion at the Exposition grounds in Philadelphia, and there is a very satisfactory model of the oil factory of Joseph Church & Co., at Bristol, Me. (No. 26899), made by Joseph Lawler. 4. — Sources of error which have been shunned. The difficulty of obtaining exact information. 12. It has been necessary to make allowances for many inaccuracies of statement on the part of our correspondents. Some of them, having *The I Menhaden and Herring Fisheries | of Maine | as sources of fertilization. | A Report made to the Maine Board of Agriculture | By Samuel L. Boardman, Secretary of the Board | and j Charles G. Atkins, formerly Fish Commissioner of Maine, | 8vo. 1875, pp. 67. Under direction of the Maine Board of Agriculture, Mr. Samuel L. Boardman, its secretary, visited in 1874 and 1875 nearly all the manufacturing establishments in Maine, thoroughly investigating their operations. The account of the agricultural uses of fish is the most complete -which has yet been published (pp. 34-07). Mr. Charles G. Atkins, formerly commissioner of iisheries for the State of Maine, and for several years in charge of the salmon-hatching establishment at Bucksport, contributed a very thorough study of the habits of the fish (pp. 1-33). tTho Menhaden fishery of Maine | -with statistical and historical details | its | rela- tions to Agriculture | and as a | direct source of human food | | New pu'ocesses, products, and discoveries | j Published by the | Association of the Menhaden Oil and G» a,no Manufacturers of Maine | Press of B. Thurston & Company, Portland, 1878. 8vo. p. 46, 4 cuts. 6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. been unable to obtain exact information, have ventured to guess at what they did not really know from experience. I do not think that there has been intentional misrepresentation or any effort to withhold information. There being no ulterior object, such as future legislation, in collecting this information, there has been no temptation to con- cealment ; still the testimony has been partly that of interested persons. The most fair and honorable men, however careful may be their obser- vations, are involuntarily influenced by preconceived opinions or by considerations of personal interest, and, even if it were possible to secure unprejudiced opinions, these necessarily would express only part of the truth. Then, too, the movements of fishes are so capricious, the oppor- tunities of observation so few and so imijerfect, that satisfactory results can, in most cases, be reached only after years of constant study. Prejudices and superstitions. 13. Some curious prejudices and fancies have been encountered among the fishermen. These refer chiefly to the time and manner of spawning, the character of the eggs, the nature of their food, and the relation of the fish to its peculiar parasite. Inaccuracies of observation and statement. < 14. There has been some difficulty in eliminating unreliable data from the great mass of facts contributed by correspondents. This, however, has not been so great as was apprehended at the beginning of the work, since a knowledge of the beliefs and traditions current among sea- faring men renders it easy to detect many of the errors at once. The concurrent testimony of a number of reliable correspondents has been thought sufficient to establish points in question : when possible, these have been investigated personally, to render their establishment doubly certain. A large proportion of the communications received have evi- dently been prepared with much care. It is believed that many facts hitherto unrecorded have been brought to light by this investigation. All communications are given in full in Appendix N. This has been done both to show the character of the testimony upon which this his- tory has been founded, and to put upon record many facts which, while not directly connected with the subject under consideration, are never- theless of value to the student of the fisheries. B.— THE NAMES OF THE MENHADEN. 5. — ^Popular names. Local naynes and usages. 15. Brevoortia tyrannus has at least thirty distinct popular names, most of them limited in application within narrow geographical boundaries. To this circumstance may be attributed the i)revailing ignorance regard- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 7 ing its habits aud migratious, which has perhaps prevented the more ex- tensive utilization of this fish , particularly in the Southern States. It ac- counts for the extraordinary blunder of the compilers of the fishery sta- tistics of the census of the United States for 1870, in which the oils pro- duced from the whitefish of the great lakes {Coregonus albus) and the whitefish of Connecticut are classed as identical, a blunder which is followed by a number of others of the same character and quite as certain to mislead. The discrepancy of local names also enables us to understand how the extensive manufacturing interests aud fisheries connected with this fish have gradually sprung up, little noticed save ■ by those directly interested in the business. The geographical distribution of the popular names. 16. In Maine and Massachusetts the name " pogy " is almost univer- sally in use, though in the vicinity of Cape Ann it is partially replaced by "hard-head" and "hard-head shad." The name "menhaden*' is exclu- sively applied in Southern Massachusetts, the Yineyarcl Sound, Buzzard's Bay, and Narragansett Bay, where it appears to have originated. From the eastern boundary of Connecticut to the mouth of the Connecticut Eiver the name "bony-fish" predominates, while in the western iiart of the State the species is usually known as the " white fish." In the waters of New York the usage of two centuries is in favor of " mossbunker," a name which also holds throughout New Jersey. In Delaware Bay, the Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay other variations are found in"alewife" and "greentail." Virginia gives us " bug-fish" in its various forms, while in North Carolina we first meet the name of "fat-back," which is more or less prevalent as far south as the Saint John's Eiver, Florida. In all the Southern States, especially in the vicinity of Beaufort, N. C, the names "yellow-tail" and "yellow-tailed shad " are occasionally heard. I am informed that in the Indian Eiver, Florida, the fish is occasionally called the " shiner" and the " herring." 17. The following table gives the usage at a number of points on the coast chosen to exhibit most clearly the geographical distribution of the popular names of Brevoortia tyrannus : Passamaquoddy Bay, Me Pogy ; Bony-fish. Castine, Me Pogy ; Menhaden. Belfast, Me Pogy. Brooklin, Me Pogy. Cranberry Isles, Me Pogy. Sargentsville, Me , Pogy. Matinicus Eock, Me Pogy ', Porgie ; Menhaden. New Harbor, Me Menhaden. Manhegin Island, Me Pogy. Damariscotta, Me Pogy ; Mossbunker. Pemtiquid, Me Pogy j Menhaden. 8 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. MuscoDgus, Me Pogy ; Menhaden. Boothbay , Me .- Pogy ; Menhaden. Bristol, Me Pogy ; Menhaden. Eoand Pond, Me Pogy. Waldoboio', Me Pogy. Pond Island, Me Pogy ; Menhaden. Portland, Me Pogy. Pine Point, Me Pogy. Portsmouth, N. H Pogy. Eockport, Mass Pogy ; Menhaden. / Gloucester, Mass Pogy ; Porgie ; Menhaden ; Hardhead Salem, Mass Pogy ; Hardhead. Marblehead, Mass Hardhead ; Pogy ; Menhaden. Swampscott, Mass Pogy ; Menhaden. Plymouth, Mass Pogy ; Menhaden. Wellfleet, Mass Pogy ; Hardhead. Truro, Mass '. Pogy. Proviucetown, Mass Pogy ; Menhaden. Chatham, Mass Pogy ; Menhaden. Hyanuis, Mass Pogy ', Menhaden. Nantucket, Mass Pogy ; Poggie j Menhaden. Edgartown, Mass Menhaden. North Tisbury, Mass Menhaden. Woods Holl, Mass Menhaden. New Bedford, Mass Menhaden. Tiverton, R. I Menhaden. Newport, E. I Menhaden ; Mossbunker. New Shoreham, R. I., (Block Isl'd)Menhaden. Point Judith, R. I Menhaden. Watch Hill, E.I Bony-fish. Stouington, Conn . . Bony-fish. Mystic, Conn Bony-fish. Noank, Conn Bony-fish. New London, Conn Bony-fish. Groton, Conn Bony-fish. Lyme, Conn Bony-fish. Say brook. Conn Bony-fish ; White-fish Westbrook, Conn White-fish. Guilford, Conn . White-fish. New Haven, Conn , . White-fish ; Menhaden. Milford, Conn White-fish ; Menhaden. Stratford, Conn White-fish ; Menhaden ; Bunker. Bridgeport, Conn White-fish. Norwalk, Conn White-fish. Montauk Point, N. Y Bony-fish. Napeague, N. Y Bony-fish, HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 9 Jamesport, N. Y Mossbiinker ; Menhaden. Sag Harbor, N. Y Mossbunker. New York City and vicinity Mossbunker. Port Monmouth, N. J Mossbunker. Tuckerton, K J Mossbunker. Atlantic City, K J Mossbunker. Somers Point, N. J Mossbunker. Cape May, N. J Bony-fish. Bombay Hook, Del Mossbunker ; Oldwife ; Bug-fish. Mispilliou Eiver, Delaware Old- wife. Maurice River Mossbunker ; Old-wife Chebog. Hog Island Mossbunker ; Ell- wife. Tangier Sound, Maryland Alewife. Pocomoke Sound, Maryland Alewife. Marlboro', Md Alewife. Nanjemoy, Md Alewife. Point Lookout Alewife. Apateague Island, Va Alewife. Washington,.D. C Alewife ; Bug-fish. Potomac Eiver Alewife ; Bug-fish ; Greentail. York River, Va Alewife ; Bug-head. Rappahannock River, Virginia.. Old- wife ; Wife; Bug-head. Cape Henry, Virginia Alewife ; Bony-fish. Edenton, Is . C Bug-fish. Cape Hatteras Fat-back ; Menhaden. Beaufort, oST. C Fat-back ; Yellow-tail shad. Body's Island, N. C Fat-back. Fort Macon, N. C Fat-back. Charleston, S, C Menhaden ; Mossbunker. Saint Mary's, Ga Menhaden. Saint John's River, Florida IMeuhaden j Mossbunker; Fat-back. Discrepancies in the popular names. 18. These names are not separated in their distribution by sharply- defined boundaries. Still, as a glance at the table will show, the hahitatj if that term may be legitimately used, of each local appellation appears to be clearly marked. Where there is a discrepancy it can usually be explained. For instance, the general use of the name " menhaden" in the vicinity of Boothbay, Me., is due to the presence of a large number of fishermen and laborers from Rhode Island who carry on the oil-fac- tories in that region. In the same wny the name " bony-fish " has been naturalized at Montauk Point and Napeague, X. Y. The factories in that neighborhood are owned by firms in Eastern Connecticut, and the Connecticut " bony-fish fleet " has a favorite cruising ground in the waters of Eastern Long Island. The names " menhaden " and " moss- bunker " have been introduced into Florida by northern fishermen, who 10 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. prosecute the wiuter shad fisheries on the Saint John's, and these same names are more or less familiar all along the coast wherever the north- ern coasters and fishing vessels are known. Tlie name preferahle for adoption. 19. The adoption of some one suitable name for popular use is emi- nently desirable. " Menhaden " is the name most generally known , as well as the most distinctive. It has the additional recommendation of having been derived from an aboriginal language. It has been used in the titles of the two manufacturers' associations, and it is hoped that this usage will soon be conformed to by all. Tradenames. 20. Among the manufacturers in Port Monmouth, N. J., who prepare the menhaden as an article of food, a number of trade-names are in use, such as " American sardine "(in distinction from the European fish, which is prepared in a similar manner), " shadine," and " ocean trout." * Etymologies. 21. A few words concerning the origin of the above-mentioned names may not be out of place. "Pogy" and "menhaden" are derived some- what remotely from the Indian dialects of New England, the latter apparently from that in use in Massachusetts and Ehode Island, the former from a more northern source. The writer is indebted to Prof. J. Hammond Trumbull, of Hartford, Conn., for the following very sugges- tive letter : * This fanciful name has been the occasion of many erroneous statements. In the New York Times for April 12, 1874, apiieared an article entitled " American Sardines," which contained the following bit of biography : " The fish selected as the substitute for the sardine of Europe is the menhaden, more commonly known as the moss-bunker, and the scientific name of which is Trutta Oceana, or ocean-trout, Its color is silver, spotted with dark brown, and in the night-time assumes a reddish or fiery tinge. They abound in the seas east of the Canadas and in the bays and deep rivers which indent the Now Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia coasts, and from which they migrate in the spring of the year to the southward, and appear in great shoals along the coast of Long Island and in the Raritan and Lower New York bays. A mile or two to the north- ward of Sandy Hook is their favorite feeding-ground for the spring and summer, and thither they rendezvous toward the close of April in vast schools, numbering millions. They invariably come on with the warm weather, and remain until fall. Their breed- ing time is late in the winter," &c. These ridiculous statements, evidently compiled in part from i^rinted accounts of the sea-trout {Salmo immaculatus, Storer)of the North, partly from the statements of the menhadeu fishermen, but principally from the imagi- nation of the writer, would perhaps not be worthy of notice had they not been copied by the European newspapers. A translation, with emendations which make it still more absurd , appeared in IJas AusJand for August 17, 1874. The Stuttgart paper emends its name to Trutta irutia, and states that it resembles in color the brook-trout to which it is very closely allied. HISTORY OF THE AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 11 " Haktford, Conn., Bee. 19, 1874. " Mr. G. Brown Goode : " My Dear Sir : lu reply to yours of the 14th respecting the local names of the Brevoortia menliaden, about all I can give you is in my note to the new edition of Koger Williams' Key, ch. xix. Williams names, together, among spring fish, '•'■ Aiimsuog Sk\i([ MunnawhatteaugP Under the former name are included several species of the herring tribe, auni'su (plural, aumshiog) meaning ' small fish.' Munnaivliatieaug^ corrupted to Menhaden^ means, literally 'fertilizer' ('that which man- ures.^) This name was applied to the herring and alewife as well as the 'menhaden' proper, — all these species being used by the Indians for manuring their cornfields. "In the northern and eastern parts of New England the Brevoortia is commonly called Pauhagen, and probably in some localities *pogha- den' (as you write it and which is nearer the Indian original) though I have not heard it so pronounced by eastern fishermen. This name in the eastern dialects has precisely the same meaning as ' menhaden' (or rather munnaiohatteaug in Southern New England). The Abuaki (i e., coast of Maine) name was Poolcagan as Rasles wrote it, and the verb from which it is derived he translated by ' on engraisse la terre.' '•^ MosshunJcer is classic. Dr. Bartlett in his Dictionary of American- isms quotes from Dow, jr.'s Sermons a remark that ' under the surface [of some smooth faced people] there may be found as many asperities as there are bones in a mosshunJcerJ' " Jacob Steendam mentions it in his poem ' in the Praise of New Netherlaud,' printed in IGGl. Dankers and Sluyter, the Journal of whose Voyage to New York, 1679, was translated by Mr. Murphy for the L. I. Historical Society's Collection, vol. i. (p. 100), saw in the bay schools of innumerable fish, and a sort like herring called there ' Marshanckers.^ "I have never looked for the origin of this name, but have had the impression that it was Dutch, perhaps transferred from some European species. I can make nothing of it as Indian. "Yours truly, " J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL." 22. According to Mr. J. V. C. Smith,* the older fishermen of Northern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine called the fish by the Indian name "Pauhagen," and I myself have heard it called "poghaden" by old fishermen about Cape Cod. The modern name may easily have been derived from this by dropping the final syllable. At the present day this name is almost universally in use among the fishermen north of Cape Cod, though it is occasionally varied by "poggie" and "porgy." The use of the latter name should be carefully avoided : the same name, a corruption of tbe Indian "scupjiaug," being commonly applied to * Natural History of the Fishes of Massachusetts, embracing a practical essay on angling. By Jerome V. C. Smith, M. D., Boston. Allen and Ticknor, 1833. 12 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. another fish, the " scuppaug " or " scup" {Stenotomus argyrops.)* As may be supposed, the name of Narragansett origin is most exclusively used in Southern Massachusetts and on the shores of Narragausett Bay, the former home of that tribe of Indians. In its present form it first appeared in print in 1792, in the New York Agricultural Transactions, in an article by the Hon. Ezra L'Hommedieu.t 23. "Hard-head" and "bony-fish" explain themselves, both referring to the same peculiarity of structure. The former name was first used about 1813 by Belknap in his History of New Hampshire; the latter, as well as "white-fish," by President Dwight in his Travels in New England. 21. The application of "white-fish" is also sufficiently evident, although this name is not a distinctive one, being applied to a large group of North American fresh-water fishes, the Coregonidcv, and in certain localities to the bluefish {Poniatomus saltatrix). In England the term "white-fish" is used to designate cod, haddock, hake, ling, pollock, soles, turbot, plaice, halibut, and whiting 25. "Mossbuuker" is a relic of the days of the Dutch colony at New Amsterdam, and the name is still lovingly retained by the inhabitants of Manhattan Island. It was in use as early as 1661, as we learn from an allusion in Jacob Steendam's poem in "Praise of New Netherland" [H Lou/van Mew Nederland).^ The allusion to the Mossbuuker is as follows : " Swart-vis, en Koch, en Haring, en Makreel Schelvis, Masbank, en Voren die (se veel) Tot walgina toe, de netten'vukl : en lieel Min ward ge-eeten." " The black and rock-fish, herring, mackerel, The haddock, mossbanker, and roach, which fill The neta to loathing ; and so many, all Cannot be eaten." Allusion has already been made in the letter of Professor Trumbull, to the great schools of " marsbanckers " seen by Dankers and Sluyter on their visit to New York, in 1679, and every one remembers the refer- ence to this fish in Irviug's " Knickerbocker," in connection with the death of the renowned trumpeter, Antony Van Corlear, where the name first appears crystallized in its present form.§ * This probably misled De Kay, who stated that the menhaden were known at the eastern end of Long Island as " skippaugs." He also remarked that " pauhagen " (pro- nounced Pauhaitgcn) was the Narragansett ejiithet, while "menhaden" was that applied by the Manhattan Indians. t Appendix O. t This poem, cited by Professor Trumbull in the Report of the Commission of Fish and Fisheries for 1871-'72, i>. 1G8, was printed, with an English translation, by Hon. Henry C. Murphy, for the Bradford Club, of New York (Anthology of New Netherland : Bradford Club Series, No. 4, 1HG5, pp. 52, 55). § A History of New York * * * By Diedrich Knickerbocker. New York, 1809. " It was a dark and stormy night when the good Antony arrived at the creek (sagely denominated Haerlem 7-iver) which separates the island of Maunahatta from the maiu HISTORY OP THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 13 The derivation of this name may be easily traced, it having evidently been transferred by the Dutch colonists from the scad or horse-mack- erel, Caranx trachurus (Linn.) Lacepede, a fish which annually visits the shores of Northern Europe in immense schools, swimming at the sur- face in much the same manner as our Brevoortia, and which is known to the Hollanders as the Marsbanker.* In the Museum Ichthyologicum of Gronow,t published in 1754, the name MarsbanTcer is used in speaking of a scombroid fish, frequently taken with the herring, j)robably the same below referred to4 The name is variously spelled " mossbunker," " mossbonker," " mass- banker," ''mousebunker,""marshbunker," "marshbanker,"and"morse- bonker," and is also familiarly shortened into " buuker," a name in com- mon use at the eastern end of Long Island. 26. The name '' alewife " was given by the Virginia colonists to this species from its resemblance to the allied species known by that name in England. This name is preoccupied by the Pomolobus pseudoharengus^ and should never be applied to Brevoortia. 27. The presence of a parasitic crustacean {CymofJioa prcegastator) in the mouth of Brevoortia, when found in southern waters, explains the name " bug-fish " prevalent in Delaware and Gheaspeake Bays, the Potomac and Rappahannock Eivers, and the inlets of North Carolina, with its local variations of "bug-head" and '' buggy-head." § " Yellow- land. The wiud was high, the elements in an uproar, and no Charon conld be found to ferry the adventurous sounder of brass across the water. For a short time he vapored like an impatient ghost upon the brink and then, bethinking himself of the urgency of his errand, took a iearty embrace of his stone bottle, swore most valorously that he would swim across in spite of the devil (Spyt den Duyvel), and daringly i)lunged into the chasm. * * * An old Dutch burgher, famed for his veracity, and who had been a witness of the fact, related to them * * * that he saw the duyvel, in the shape of a huge moss-bonker, seize the sturdy Antony by the leg and drag him beneath the waves. * » * Nobody ever attempts to swim across the creek after dark, and as to the moss-bonkers, they are held in such abhorrence that no good Dutchman will ad- mit them to his table who loves good fish and hates the devil." * See Schlegel, Die Dieren van Nederland, Yisschen, p. 4. t Museum | Ichthyologicum, | sistens | Piscium | indigenorum & quorundam exoti- corum, I qui in | Museo | Lawrentii Theodori | Gronovii, J. U. D. | adservantur, descrij)- tiones | ordine systematico. | Accedunt | nonnuUorum oxoticorum Piscium icones teri incisa?. | * ' » » * | (Cut) | Lugduni Batavorum, | Apud Theodorum Haak, | MDCCLIV. I folio, 10 preliminary pages, pp. 70. \ SO. Scomher linea laterali aculeata, pinna, ani ossiculorum triginta, Arted. Gen. 25, n. 3, Synon. p. 50, n. 3. Scomber linea laterali curva, tabellis os- Belgis Marsbanker Frequentissime in seis loricata, Gronov. act. wjw. 1742, p. 83, Mari Septentrionale cum Clupeisp. 5, u. 4, ibique defer. Trachurus, Bossuct, epigr. p. descriptis capitur. 74, Bellon. Aquat. p. 180, Dale. Hist, of Op. cit. p. 34. Harw., p. 131, n. 5. § Captain Atwood states in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, X, 1865, p. 67, that the half-grown menhaden are called "bug-fish" by the Virginia negroes, because they believe them to have been produced from insects, since they never find sijawn in them there. 14 REPORT -OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. tail," "yeilow-tailed sbad," and " green-tail" refer to the yellowish-green tint of the caudal fin, observed only in Southern specimens. The former of these names has led to some confusion among our correspondents, the same name being applied in Georgia and Florida to a very different fish, Bah diella punctata (Linn.) Gill. 28. An allusion to the oily nature of the flesh is found in " fat-back," a name in general use in the Southern States. This name is sometimes applied in Northampton County, Virginia, to the mullet {Mugil lineatus). In the last century it was used for the Albula conorhynchus.* The confiict of names amorig the American representatives of the herring family. 29. The representatives of the herring family most abundant in the waters of Great Britain are three — the shad {Alosa finta), the alewife {Alosa vulgaris), and the herriug {Glupea harengus). Their names were at an early date appropriated for representatives of the same family on our own coast. The name " shad " is, from Maine to Florida, yielded by Common consent to our Alosa sapldissima, which, in many jjarticulars, resembles its namesake, though they " be bigger than the English Shaddes and fatter," as an early writer declares.t In the Southern States this fish is sometimes called " white-shad," to distinguish it from the Borosoma Cepedianum, there known as the "mud-shad" or "gizzard-shad." On the coast of New England, the mattowocca or tailor-herring {Pomolohus mediocris) is sometimes called the "hickory-shad," and also the "sea-shad," under which name it is often confounded with the true shad, which is known from recent iuvest- igations to be frequently taken far out at sea in company with mackerel, alewives, and menhaden. In the Bermudas, there being no large clu- peoid fish, the same name has been for centuries applied to two species which somewhat resemble it externally — Eucinostomus gula and Eucinos- tomus Lefroyi, Goode. The " herriug," or " English herring," of New England north of Cape Cod is identical with that of Great Britain, but at certain points in Southern New England, such as New Bedford, this name is transferred to Pomolohus pseudoharengus, and on the Hudson Eiver the usage is general, though the species is occasionally called the alewife. South of the Hudson the name " herring" is universally used in connection with this species of Pomolobus, and the allied Pomolohus mediocris or "mattowocca," which is known as the "tailor-herring" or sometimes, as in the Saint John's Eiver and about Cape Cod, as the " hickory-shad." In the great lakes the name " herring" is also represented, being applied to one of the whitefish family, the lake-herring [Argyrosomus clupei- for mis). To Pomolohiis pseudoharengus the name "alewife" is commonly ap- * See Garden, iu Correspondence of Linuiuus, j). 335. t New England's Prospect. By William Wood. London, 1G34. HISTORY OF THE AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 15 applied in New England, and even, occasionally, as mentioned above, in New York. South of New York it is used for Brevoortia tyrannus only. The name is corrupted into "old-wife" and "ell-wife," "wife," and on the Connecticut River appears under the guise of "ell-whop." At Maurice Eiver the Brevoortia is called "old- wife chebog," "chebog" being probably of Indian origin. Thomas Morton, writing in 1G32 of the fishes of Virginia, gives the names "shadd" and "allize" as in use among the colonists at that time.* The original derivation of the word "alewife" is somewhat obscure, though it may probably have originated in Alausa, the name applied by Ausonius to the European shads in his celebrated poem on the Moselle River — Quis non norit, Strideatesque focis opsonia pleljis alausas. The transition through the French "alose," the English "allis," " allice," or " alize," is not difficult, and when we find these names together with "alewife" applied indiscriminately to the same fish, it is, to say the least, suggestive. Such an etymology is at least more satis- factory than that of Josselyn, so often quoted : " The Alewife is like a Herrin, but has a bigger bellie; therefore called an Alewife."t 6. Zoological names. Latrohe's description of Cltipea tyrannus. 30. Our species was first described by Mr. B. H. Latrobe, in a communi- cation to the American Philosophical Society in 1802,| under the name Clupea tyrannus. Although this article, and the name therein proposed, have long since been lost sight of, there can be little doubt that they refer to the menhaden, and that the laws of priority demand that the species shall henceforth be known as Brevoortia tyrannus. The fishes of the Chesapeake and its tributaries have, until within the past three years, been very little studied, and the habits of the menhaden in those waters are so different that it is not strange for Northern ichthyologists to have made mistaken identifications of Latrobe's specific uame.§ In fact, it was supposed, not many years since, that the southern limit of the men- haden was north of the Capes of Delaware, while its habit of ascend- * New English Canaan ; or New Canaan ; containing an abstract of New England. Force's Hist. Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5. t An Account of two voyages to New England, a Description of the country, natives, and creatures. By John Josselyn, Gisnt. 1G75. Col. Mas. Hist. Soc, 3d series, IH. 1833. iA Drawing and Description of the Clupea Tyrannus and Oniscus prsegustator. By Benjamin Henry Latrobe, F. A. P. S. < Transactions of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful knowledge. Vol. V, 1802, p. 77. § Dr. Dekay, misled by the name " alewife," which he supposed to be applied to the same sj)ecies at the north as in southern waters, ax^plied Latrobe's name to the north- ern " alewife," calling it Alosa tyrannus, a usage which was concurred in by Storer and by Cuvier and Valenciennes. The same name was referred to the shad by Professor Gill in some of his earlier writings. 16 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ing the rivers of the South and the presence of the peculiar parasite were quite unknown. Latrobe's description is reproduced in Appendix D^ and the reader may decide the question for himself. It is believed that the following circumstances clearly indicate the meaning of its author : (1.) The figure, while undeniably bad, resembles the menhaden very closely, and manifestly cannot be intended to represent any allied species. The contour, were the missing dorsal fin supplied, is similar to that of the menhaden, the black spot upon the scapular region is con- stant in the menhaden only, though a similar one is occasionally seen upon the shad and the alewife. While the figure resembles somewhat the menhaden, it does not resemble the allied species. (2.) The name " bay alewife" is still applied to the menhaden in this region. This is a strong argument, for, although seventy-five years have liassed since Latrobe wrote, the persistence of popular names is very remarkable, as I have elsewhere pointed out.* Moreover, Latrobe was also acquainted with a " herring" and a " shad." These being elimin- ated, there is no fish but the menhaden to which the description in question can refer. (3.) The habits of the alewife as described by Latrobe are essentially the same as those of tbe menhaden in the present day. As has been remarked, it is only recently that the river-ascending habits of the spe- cies have been understood, and the statement that the alewife began to ascend the Potomac in March, which was two months earlier than the menhaden was known to strike our coast, formerly was thought to throw the identity of the two out of question. (4.) The presence of the crustacean parasite is the strongest argument of all. While this is found in the mouths of a large percentage of the southern menhaden, it has never once been found attached to any other species, although careful search has been made by several persons. As has been remarkied, the northern menhaden are free from this parasite, and this is still another reason for the failure to identify. 31. The next mention of this species was by Professor Mitchill, under the name Clupea menhadenA By this specific name it has been known ever since, and it is to be regretted that it is necessary to replace by another a name so appropriate and of such long standing. Descriptions of later dates. 32. ] n 1818, the eccentric Rafinesque redescribed the species as Glupea neglecta, the specific name being chosen because he supposed the species to have been neglected by Dr. Mitchill in his comprehensive catalogue of the fishes of New York.l * Catalorrue of tho Fishes of tlio Bermudas, 1876, p. 15. t The fishes of New York described and arranged. <[ Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New York, Vol. I, 1815, p. 453. t American Monthly Magazine, Vol. II, 1818, p. 206. niSTOHY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 17 33. In Belknap's History of jSTew Hampshire, this species is mentioned under the name '•^Cliipea dura Iwvi mystax (hardhead)."* Since no de- scription is given, this name can have no significance. 34. Mitchill's "New York Shadine" {Clupea sadina)f appears to be identical with Brevoortia iyrannus, as is indicated by the smutty oper- cular spot, the wide and toothless mouth, and protruding gill apparatus. The deciduous character of t: e scales may have been due to poor pres- ervation of the type specimen. Gronow, in 1763, described the species under the name Chtpea Garo- lme7isiSjX ^ut his manuscript was not published until 1854, and his name must yield [)recedence to those which are really much more recent. The GuJf Menhaden. 35. A second North American species of menliaden has recently been discovered. A description will be given in a subsequent paragraph (42). This species has been reported only from the Gulf of Mexico. The name chosen for it has reference to the presence of a parasite which has already been mentioned, and which was described by Latrobe as the Oniscus pra^gustator. This parasite is common to both Brevoortia tyran- nus and Brevoortia patronus, the gulf form; the specific name of the latter has been selected to carry out the quaint conceit of Latrobe, who fancied that the menhaden resembled a Eoman ruler in having a "taster" who first tested every dish to prove its harmlessness. The Menhaden of Brazil. 36. The species described, from Brazil, by Agassiz and Spix, under the name Cliipanodon aureus^ does not appear to be distinctly separated from Brevoortia iyrannus. No diagnostic characters can be detected in the descriptions of either Agassiz or Giiuther ; that is to say, characters which do not disappear upon the study of a large series of specimens. Agassiz's specimens, collected probably atBahia, and in 1829 preserved in alcohol in the Munich Museum, were eight inches long. He himself seems to have had an inkling of their identity with the North American species, from the fact that he cites, doubtfully, as a synonym, Mitchill's CAiipea menada. The difference in spelling this specific name is doubt- less an attempt to put in Latin form the Indian name used by Mitchill. Two specimens from Sambaia, Brazil, and one from Kio Janeiro, col- lected by the Thayer expedition, agree closely with the figure in Spix's * Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Sd ed., 1813, HI, p. 133. t Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc, N. Y., 1814, pp. 457, 458. t Catalogue of Fish, collected and described by Lawrence Theodore Gronow, now in the British Museum. Published by order of the Trustees, London, 1854, pi>. 140. § Selecta | Genera et Species | Piscum | quos | in Itinere per Brasiliara | Annia MDCCCXVII-MDCCCXX | * • * | collegit, et pingeudos curavit | Dr. J. B. do Spix, I » * * I digessit, descripsit, et observatiouis anatomicia illustravit | Dr. L. Agassiz, I * * # I Monachii, | Typis C. Wolf | = | 1829, p. 52. 2 F 18 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. work. The species is not well separated, and is at best but a geographi- cal race of Brevoortia tyr annus. Barwiii's Menhaden. 37. The Alosa pectinata described by Jenyns,* from specimens col- lected by Charles Darwiu at Bahia Blanca, appears to be a well-defined species, distinguished chiefly by the lesser number of transverse rows of scales. lu the Natural Museum is a specimen (No. 1709) collected by Captain Page, U. S. N., in the expedition of the United States steamer " Waterwitch" to Paraguay. The extremely pectinate scale, given in the figure of Alosa pectinata, and upon which so much stress is laid hy Mr. Jenyns, is taken from one of tbe differentiated rows immediately in front of the dorsal fin, which are alike pectinate in all species of the genus. Two specimens belonging to the Museum of Comparative Zoologj', col- lected in the llio Grande, agree thoroughly with Mr. Jenyns' description and with the Paraguay specimens already referred to. Generic relations. 38. Dr. Storer first referred the species to the genus Alosa, where it stood until 18G1, when Professor Gill proposed for it a new genus, which he named Brevoortia, in honor of the Hon. J. Carson Brevoort, of New York City. This genus is characterized by peculiarities of structure in scales, gills, gill-rakers, and alimentary canal. A revision of the American species. 39. The type of the genus Brevoortia of Gill is the species described in 1802 by Latrobe under the name Cliipea tyrannus, and later by Mitchill under the name Clupea menhaden. As has already been indicated (Proceedings U. S. National Museum, vol. 1, p. 5), the former name has the prior claim to adoption, and the species must be called Brevoortia tyrannus. Of this species there appear to be two geographical races or subspecies. One of these is the typical form of the Atlantic coast of the United States, the other a closely-allied form from the coast of Brazil, already described by Spix under the name of Gliipanodon aureus. For the species the name of Latrobe should be retained, and the two subspe- cies may be distinguished as Brevoortia tyrannus, menhaden and Brevoortia tyrannus, aurea: a third subspecies is temporarily adopted to include some aberrant forms from Noank, Conn., for wLich the name Brevoortia tyrannus hrcvicaudata is proposed. On the coast of Patagonia and Para- guay occurs a well marked species, described by Jenyns under the name of Alosa pectinata. Tbis species is readily distinguished by its larger scales, which are arranged in 18 to 20 lateral rows, instead of 25 to 27, as in B. tyrannus. The generic relations of this species were recoguized many years ago by Professor Gill, and its name should stand as Brevoortia pectinata., (Jenyns) Gill. *The Zoology of the Voyage of li. M. S. Beagle, »fcc. * * * Part IV. Fish. * * * London, 1842., p. 135, i)l. sxv. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 19 A third species occurs iu the Gulf of Mexico. It is distinguished by its larger head and fins and other characters. It appears to have never been described, and, for this lorm, the name of Brevoortia patronus is proposed. It is accompanied by the same crustacean parasite that is found in the mouths of B. iyrminus, to which Latrobe gave the signifi- cant specific name oiprcvgustator. C— DESCRIPTIONS OF THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF MEN- HADEN, WITH ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL NOTES. 7.— TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS. Brevoortia tyrannus. 40. The following is a careful description of the common menhaden, which occurs on the east coast of the United States and Brazil : Brc^^ooD'faa tyranMws (Latrobe) Goode. The Menhaden. Diagnosis. — Head and jaws short ; the length of the head less than one-third of the length of the body less the caudal fin ; especially short in subsp. aurea, the maxillary iu length much less than three-twen- tieths of the length of the body. Height of body about one-third of total length, in very fat individuals about three-eighths. Fins comparatively short, tbe height of the dorsal less than length of maxillary, and considerably less than three-tenths of length of body ; that of the anal usually less than half that of maxil- lary; that of ventral always less than one-tenth of total length; the length of middle caudal rays one-fifth that of body, and less that of ex- terior caudal rays, usually about three fourths, often less than two-thirds, and rarely more than five sixths of total length. Fins all shorter in subsp. aurea. Insertion of ventral far behind tip of pectoral. Insertion of dor- sal about equidistant from snout and base of middle caudal rays, but varying two or three one- hundredths to either side of this median point, and always slightly behind the vertical from insertion of ventral. Scales of medium size, much serrated, arranged very irregularly iu 21-26 transverse and GO-80 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at base of pectoral not large. Squamation of caudal lobes moderate. Oper- culum strongly striated in subsp. menhaden, almost smooth in subsp. aurea. Scapular blotch conspicuous. This species is easily distinguished from Brevoortia patronus by its shorter head and fins, by its slender body and its pectinated scales, and from B. pectinata by its smaller, less regularly arranged, and more numerous scales, and its shorter, less furcate caudal fin. Individual variations and special descriptions. Read. — The length of the head varies from 28 to 33 hundrdths of total length. The posterior end of the maxillary extends to a point in the vertical from the centre of the orbit. The length of the skull, as 20 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. indicated by the " distance from snout to nape," varies from .19 to .23. The length of snout, measured from a line drawn perpendicularly through the centre of the orbit, varies from .09 to .11. The length of maxillary varies from .12 to .14^ ; that of mandible from .15 to .18. The diameter of the eye enters 4J times in the length of the head ; its width varies from .11 to .15 in very fat individuals. Shape of body. — This is exceedingly variable, and the variation is caused largely by the fatness of the individual. In very plump ones, the expansion of the belly throws back the origin of the ventrals and anal, and greatly changes the appearance of the fish. In the specimens before me the height of the body ranges from .31 to .38^. The table of measurements subjoined shows the effect of increased height of body upon the other measurements of proportion. Mns, — The range of variation in the position of the dorsal is indicated in the diagnosis. There is no appreciable correlation between the positions of the dorsal and anal in the same specimen. The insertion of the anal is distant from the snout from ,G8 to .75. The length of the rays in dorsal, anal, ventral, and caudal vary much, as the table of measure- ments indicates. In the caudal the upper lobes vary from .16 to .25, the lower lobes from .18 to .27. The relation of the pectoral and ventral fins is much affected by the length of the head, the insertion of the former being thrown much farther back in long-headed individuals. Scales. — The degree of serration varies much in individuals as well as the squamation of the bases of the vertical fins, and the number and regularity of the body-scales. In young individuals the scales are ar- ranged with much regularity, but in the adults I have strong reason to believe that other scales are intercalated here and there throwing the arrangement into great disorder and rendering an accurate enumeration impossible. Subspecies. The series before me embraces some two hundred specimens of Bre- voortia tyrannus of various ages, seasons, and localities. Almost every feature is subject to wide variations, and there is usually no decided correlation between different characters except that a long head is accom- panied by long jaws and a pectoral set farther back and extending more nearly to the insertion of the ventral. There are, however, certain groups of individuals which can be included within a diagnosis, which may serve to distinguish them from all the others of the same species. To what extent it is desirable to define varieties which are not separated geographically, I am not well satisfied. The exact meaning of the terms "sub-species" and "variety," as employed by Cope, Coues, Gill, Yarrow, and other recent writers, has not been definitely interpreted. It seems desirable, however, to designate in some way the limits of variation from the normal specific types in different directions. With this pur- pose, and remarking that by a subspecies I mean simply a divergent form connected by intermediate forms with the typical specific form, I have HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 21 thought it desirable to name provisionally two varieties, and to call attention to others which may possibly exist. This is done with much hesitation, and only with a view to an attempt to formulate the minor differences to be observed between fish of the same species on different parts of our coast. A precisely parallel case is to be found in the shad of the different Atlantic rivers, which are well-known to exhibit strong distinctive marks. Very possibly every school of menhaden has its own characteristics. In every case where I have had an opportunity to observe them, the individuals composing the same school were closely similar to each other. The typical form of the species, as now defined, is taken from the coast of Soathern New England and the Middle States. It has the height of the body about one-third of the total length, the head three-tenths of the total length, or a little more; the maxillary long (.14 to .14A), and exceeding the height of the dorsal. The species described by Spix, under the name of Clvpanodon aureus, cannot be distinguished by any apparent specific characters from Bre- t'oortia tyrannns, since one or more of the specimens of the latter species before me partakes of some of the peculiarities of the Brazilian form. There is, however, a general average of character exhibited by the Bra- zilian specimens, as well as the figure of Spix, with which they closely agree, which seems to me to entitle them, for the present at least, to recognition as belonging to a distinct geographical race. The dis- tinctive characters appear to consist in (1) a greater average height of body ; (2) a lesser length of head ; (3) a lesser average length of maxil- lary and mandible; (4) a slightly lower anal and dorsal fin ; (5) a greater average distance of anal from snout ; (G) a greater average length of the medial caudal rays; (7) a shorter average length of pectoral; (8) a more regular arrangement of the scales, and a more luxuriant growth of small scales at the basis of the fins. A number of specimens Irom Noank, taken in 1874, vary quite as much from the normal type, and in almost the same respect as the vari- ety just described. The maxillary and mandible are shorter, however, than in the Brazilian form, the anal fin lower and the lobes of the cau- dal are extremely short, sometimes hardly exceeding in length the pec- toral tin. But for the fact that these specimens show almost all the characters of the Brazilian Brevoortia, and in some cases exaggerations of them, I should be inclined to consider the aurea a distinct species. Having with some hesitation allowed to this the rank of a subspecies, the question must be decided as to the propriety of also allowing sub- specific rank to this peculiar form from Noank. The exact meaning of the terms subspecies and variety, as recently employed by zoologists, is not very clear to my mind, but I infer a " subspecies " to be composed of an assemblage of individuals varying uniformly from the typical spe- cific forms in a degree sufficient to be susceptible of description and definition, though not necessarily separated from it by the absence of 22 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. connecting forms. Premising, then, that in giving to the Noank speci- mens a subspecific name, my object is simply to define the limits of variation from the normal type in a given direction, I would provis- ionally propose that they be designated as subspecies brevicaudata. The specimens from the Saint John's liiver, Florida, are extremely variable in every respect. Certain individuals show a tendency to elon- gation of the head and tins, and also a slenderness of the posterior part of the body, and nearly all the individuals from that region are more lightly and gracefully shaped ; they all have a tendency to a yellow coloration, especially upon the caudal lobes. 1 have not felt justified, however, in calling it a subspecies. 1 have not had an opportunity to study the Maine schools, but am inclined to believe that their differences are very perceptible. In plate VI are shown the chief variations of form. Fig. 1 shows the typical lorm; tig. 2 the subspecies brevicaudata ; fig. 3 the average form from the Saint John's liiver, Florida ; fig. 4 the subspecies aurea. Table of measurements. Current number tf specimen. Locality Extreme length Boily : Greatest height Least hciy;hi of tail Louj^th of caudal peduncle Hend : Greatest length Distance Irotu snout to nape Greatest width L.eu'iiu of snout from pejp. from centre of orbit Length of opereul im Leiigtii of maxill;iiy Length of mandible Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal : Distance from snout Length of base Oi'igia of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Anal : Distance from snout Lengtli of base Origin of anal to origin of dorsal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Caudal : Length of middle rays Length of external rays, superior interior Pec teal: Distance from snout Distance of tip Iroin snout Leugtli Length of longest axillary appendage Ventral: Distance from snout Length Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dcrsal Anal dumber of scales in lateral line 10,405=709 U. A. S. Wood's Holl. Millim. lOOths. Very /at. 251 9 9i 32 20 15 10 9 14i I'J.f lOi 54 19 41 73 14 39 6J 5i 5h 23' 2fii 30 4i?.\ 19" 11 10,405 = orig. Ho. 247. Wood's Holl. Millim. lOOths. Plump. 243 20 20 107 31 i 10 9 14J 1-iJ wi 51 17.1 3J| 24 11 7 7-2 ^^ 33 5J 20* 23 32 48 Hi 53 n 31 20,C66 a. Wood's Holl. Millim lOOths. 31 20i 10 J 9 14 17 lOJ 49 I'i 35i 25 hh CJ 154 3G 44 ^ HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN* Table of measurements — Continued. 23 Current number of specimen Locality 20,6CG h. Wood's noil. Millim. lOOths. 18,049 b. Saint John's Kiver. Millim. lOOths. 1,096 a. Indian River, Florida. Millim. 100th8. Extreme length Body : Greatest height Head : Greatest length Distance from saout to nape Greatest width Length of snout from porp. from center of orbit Length of opercuhim Length of maxillary Length of maudibie Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal : Distance from snout Lenj;th of base Oriuin of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of ddrsal to end of anal Length of longest raj^ Length of last ray Anal: Distance from snout Length of base ■ Origin of anal to origin of dorsal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Caudal: Length of uiiddlo rays Length of external rays, superior interior Pectoral : Distance from pnout Distance of tip from snout Length Ventral : Distance from snout Length Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dorsal Anal 13'J 140 19G Fat. lU 9 171 12" 53 19 35 24 1-2 t) 72 15 34 6i 6 22i 27 32 48J 18 52 9i 33 30 21 11 10 9.V 13' IC 49 18 34 20 12 CA 6i 21' 27 30 47 17 50 9 33 10 9 13^ 17 16 38 *5+ *3 + *4+ *22 *24 Current number of specimen . Locality Extreme length Body : Greatest height Least height of tail Length of caudal peduncle Head: Greatest length Distance from snout to nape Greatest width Length of snout from perp. from center of orbit. Length of operculum Length of maxillary Length of mandible Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal: Distance from snout Length of base Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal Ena of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray Length of last ray 5,152. TVest Florida. Millim. lOOths, 101 10 9* 13' 15 Snint J< hn's Eiver, Fla. Millim. lOOths, (1-inch.) 178 34i 10 8 31?; 20.^ 12 10 9* 14' 18 lU 52 21 34* 20' 12 5 19,046. Saint -Tohu's Eiver, FJa. Millim. lOOths, 33 20J 12 lOJr 9i 18 10* 52i 17 34 25 12 ■ Broken. 24 REPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table of measurements — Continued. Carrcnt number of specimen. Locality West Florida. 17,927. Saint John's Elver, Fla. Saint John's River, Fla. Millira. lOOtbs Anal : Distance from snout Lenjith ol' base Origin of anal to oiiyln of dorsal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Caudal : Leugth of middle rays Length of external rays, superior inferior Pectoral : Distance from snout Distance of tip Irom snout Length j. Length of longest axillary appendage Ventral : Distance from snout Length Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dorsal Anal Millim. lOOths. (7-twc/i. ) Millim. lOOths, C8 16 38 6i 5 5 21 23 31 J 49 19 12 49 9 33* 18 or 19 21 72 16 32§^ 6 6i H 20 24 32 50 18 Current number of specimen Locality ■ 19,044. Saint John's liiver, Fla. 18,049 a. Saint John's Eivor, Fla. 19,468. Virginia. Millim. lOOths. Extreme length Body : Greatest height Least height of tail Length of caudal peduncle Head: Greatest length Distance from snout to nape Greatest width Width of interorhital area Length of snout from per p. from center of orbit Length of operculum Length of maxillary Length of mandible Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal : Distance from snout Length of b ise Orifiin of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Anal: Distance from snout Length of base Origin of anal to origin of dorsal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Caudal : Length of middle rays Length of external rays, superior inferior Pectoral : Distance from snout Distance of tip from snout Length Length of longest axillary appendage Ventral : Distance from snout Length Origin of ventral to end of dorsal al Dors a Anal. Millim. lOOths. 9^ 10 13 16 10 49 17 35 27 12 6 71 17 34 6 6 18 21 Millim. lOOths, 10 10 13 161 11 49 17 35 29 1-34 64 71 17* 37' 7 4 5 25 27 30 45 17 50 8J 34' 32J 20^ 12 7 10 9 14 X8 11 51 18J 34 23 11 54 72 144 33 5i G 32 49 18 12 51 9 30 HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 25 Tal)le of measurements — Coutinued. Current number of specimen Locality 14,846 a. Noank. 14,84t) 6. Noank. Brevoortia aurea. M. C Z. Eio Janeiro. Millini Extreme length Body : Greatest height Head : Greatest length Distance from snout to nape Length of snout from perp. from center of orbit Length of operculum Length of mayillary Length of mandiblo Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal : Distance from snout Length of base Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray •.... Length of last ray Anal : Distance from snout Length of baistance from snout Length of base Origin of aual to origin of dorsal Length of longest lay Length of last ray Caudal : Length of middle rays Length of external rays, inferior Pectoral : Distance from snout Distance of tip from snout Length Length of longest axillary appendage Ventral : Distance from snout Lengllj Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dorsal Anal Number of scales in lateral line Brazos Santiago, Tex. Millim. lOOths- 19 22 47 to 50 40J 11 25 24 Jt IJ" 12 10 16 19 13f 53 2U 37 25 15 10 72 18h 38" 9 6 Brazos Santiago Tex. Millim. lOOths. 19 22 47 to 50 40i 10 8 34 24 13 UA 10" irj 18.i U 531 20 37i 26 16 9 '0 18 38 891 o. Month of Eio Giande. Millim. lOOths. (t) 18 22 JG5 33 23i U 12 11 16 19 12J 51 17 37 26 n 70^ 19 36 5 8 26 28 33i 53 18i Current number of specimen Locality Extreme length Body: Greatest height Least height of tail Length of caudal peduncle Head : Greatest length Distance from snout to nape Greatest width Length of snout from perp. from center of orbit Length of operculum Length of maxillary Length of niandiblo Distance from snout to center of orbit Dorsal : Distance from snout Length of base Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray Length of last ray * Superior. f Inferior. Mouth of Rio Grande. Millim. lOOths, 4U 11" ih 33 23 11 11 12 14i 16" 13 52 19 39 28 17 9 Mouth of lUo Giande. Millim. lOOths. 30 22i lU 10" 14 174 12" 57 17 37 f7 14 7 5,864 a. New Orleans Academy. Millim. lOOths, I About. HISTOKY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. Table of measurements — Continued. 29 Current number of specimen Locality 8916. Mouth of Kio Grande. 891c. Mouth of Rio Grande. 5,864 a. New Orleans Academy. Millim. lOOtbs, Anal: Distance from snout Length of base Origin of anal to origin of dorsal Length cf longest ray Length of last r.ay Caudal : Length of middle rays Length of external rays, superior inieiior Pectoral : Distance from snont Di.stanc8 of tip from snout Length Length of longest axillary appendage Ventral : Distance from snout Lcnj^th Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dorsal Anal Number of scales in lateral line 18 22 tcs Millim. lOOths. 69 20 39 8* 4| 7 25+ 27+ 32 52 20 51 9A 35' 18 21 J05 Millim. lOOths, 19 22 t:o Current nnmber of specimens. Locality Extreme length B>>dy: Greatest height Head : Greatest length Distance from ."snout to rape Length of .siiont from perp. from center of orbit. Length of opeiculum LeuLith of maxillary Length of mandible Dorsal : Distance from snont Length of base Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal End of dorsal to end of anal Length of longest ray Length of last ray Anal : Distanca from snout Length of base Origin of anal to origin of dorsal Length of longest ray Length of last tay Caudal: Length of middle rays Length of external rays, inferior Pectoral : Distance from snout Distance of tip from snout Length Ventral : Distance from snout Length Origin of ventral to end of dorsal Dorsal Anal Number of scales in lateral lino 5,864 b. New Orleans Academy. Millim. lOOths. 30 2U 10' 10 13J 1G' 57 33' 26 12 5J 70 17 3G 6 4 6 25 30 47 17 53 8 32 5,864 c. Millim. lOOths 74 38J 33 24 11 10 14* 52 19 36 25 14 7 m 1!) 37 9 6 e^ 32 50 19 52 10 35 10 21 • Imperfect. t About. ; Or more. 30 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Brevoortia pectinata. 42. The following is an exact description of Jenyns species of Bre- ' voortia from the Atlantic coast of Paraguay and Patagonia : Brevoortm pcctiainta (Jenyns) Gill. Darwin's Menhaden. Diagnosis. — Proportions of head and jaws as in B. iyrannus. Height of body almost three-eighths of total length, and greater proportionally than in B. ti/rannus. Fins nearly as in B. iyrannus, but uniformly averaging slightly more ; the height of the dorsal somewhat less than three-twentieths of total length ; that of the anal equal to or slightly less than half the length of the maxillary. The caudal fin is somewhat longer and more furcate; the length of the external rays never being less than five-sixths of the length of the head, while that of the medial rays remains proportionally the same as in the species first described. Insertion of ventral somewhat behind tip of pectoral, this fin and this dorsal being uniformly somewhat farther back than in B. tyr annus ; the insertion of the latter from one to four one-hundredths posterior to a point equidistant from the snout and the base of the median caudal rays, and, as in B. iyrannus, behind the vertical from the insertion of the veu- trals. Scales very large, considerably serrated, and arranged regularly iu 18-20 transverse and 50 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at base of pectoral not large. Operculum smooth or with inconspicuous and few striations. Squamation upon lobes of caudal extensive and conspicuous. Variations. The variations in the individual specimens studied are not of great importance, and are indicated in the tables of measurements. Table of measurcmenls. Current number of speciaieu . Locality Extreme length Body; Greatest height Head : G reateat length Distanco from snont to nape. Leu'ith of maxil'ary Length of mandible Dorsal : Distance from snout Length of lon'^est ray Length of last ray Anal : Distance from snout Length of longest ray Length of last ray l,'-09. Paraguay. A. M. C. Z. Rio Grande. Millim. 250 lOOths. 33 21 Uh Irf" 54 6" 701 7' C Millim. 224 lOOths. B. M. C. Z. Rio Grande. Millim, 209 lOOtbs. 30 21 14 KiJ 51 12 lOOths. 31 21 11 17 52J 12 6 71 G n HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. Table of measurements — Continued. 31 1,709. A. B. Locality | Paraguay. M. C Z. Kio Grande. M. C. Z. Rio Grande. Aver- age. Millim. lOOths. Millim. lOOths. Millim. lOOths. lOOthb. Caudal : 24+ 20 32 50 IS 5U H "ii'.ii' L20 4!l 20 6 2.5 27 29 47 17 48 8 ' ILli I. 20 49 20 25 28 30 47 18 40 6 Length of external lays, snp«rior Interior Pectoral : 25 27 3Ci 48 17? Ventral : Distance from snont 491 83 1!) *50 *20 "Approximately. 8. — Size and bate of growth. Length and iveight. 43. The Largest specimen ou record is represented by a plaster cast in the National Museum, which is 20 inches in length. The average size of the fish upon the coast of Connecticut and Massachusetts is not far from 12 to 15 inches. The United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association, in estimating the number of fish in a certain bulk, allow 22 cubic inches to each fi.sh. The relation between length and weight is indicated in the following measurements, made at Noank, Conn., in 1875. These fish were all members of the same school. Number. Length. Weight. Number. Length. Weight. 1 Inches. 12J m i2i I'^i 13 12 12J 12i 12A 12* m 13 Ounces. 11 10 11 12 12 13 11 12 12 12 11 13 12 16 12 16 Inches. 12i 12" 12 12.1 13 12" 12 13 ii* 12 12 12 12 Ounces. 12 2 17 18 11 3 : 11 4 19 12 5 20 12 C 21 11 7 10 8 23 11 9 24 12 10 25 12 11 26 11 12 27 11 13 28 29 11 14 11 15 30 11 Variations in the schools. 44. The table given in the preceding paragraph indicates a very decided uniformity in the size of the individuals making up the same school. I have observed this uniformity in many schools, though I have not often measured many individuals from the same school. This 32 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. uniformity in length and weight is less remarkable, however, than the uniformity to be noticed in the shape and proportions of the members of the same schools. Variations are chiefly observable in the thick- ness and height of the body and the head and in the length of the fins, especially the pectorals and the caudal. These differences in shape are necessarily correlated with the activity and swiftness of the fish. Hence the differences in the wariness, swiftness, and difficulty in capture, so often referred to by old menhaden fishermen. As a general rule, according to Mr. Dudley, the fall fish are mixed together without reference to fatness ; the latest ones, however, which are supposed to be the main fish on their southern migration, are gen- erally fat. Anmial rate ofgrotvth. 45. The shad is supposed to attain its full size in four years. Cap- tain Atwood believes that the mackerel requires an equal length of time in which to grow to its adult size of 17 or 18 inches. From studies made in 1856, he concluded ihat they grew to the length of 2 inches in about thirty days, and 4 inches in forty-five days, becoming 6J or 7 inches long before the October migration, the spawning having taken place about the middle of May. In the second year they are the " blinks; " in the third, " tinkers ; " and in the fourth, full-grown mack- erel. The menhaden must require three and perhaps four years to attain adult size. Those which strike in at midsummer on the coast of New England are probably hatched from the eggs spawned in the pre- vious fall and winter. They are from 2 to 5 inches long. The second year's growth is doubtless represented by the smallest sizes of the school- ing fish, measuring from 7 to 10 inches, such as are catalogued in bottles Nos. 14045, 1484(5, and 18049. The third year's fish would be represented by the abundant schools of fish of 12 and 14 inches, like those with measurements specified in paragraph 43. The full-grown fish are the immeuse ones taken in Maine and Massachusetts, measuring 10 and 18 inches. A most interesting circumstance is narrated by Mr. George W. Miles, to whom I am indebted for many very valuable suggestions utilized elsewhere. His observations were made in Long Island Sound. He writes: — "In 1873 there were immense numbers of small fish, from 1 to 2 inches long, which appeared on the surface in the month of September. Thousands of schools could be seen at a time and great numbers in each school. They appeared to take possession of all the waters for the remainder of that season. In 1874 these fish appeared again, late in the season, and were about double the size they were in 1873. In 1875 they appeared again, much earlier, and in 187G they came in about the first of June, having increased in size and numbers. Apparently they occupied the whole waters of the sound, so much so, that the larger fish which frequented the sound were actually crowded out of it or left for other waters, and remained off Block Island at sea the remainder of the niSTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 66 season, and gave up the field to be occupied by the smaller fish. The result of this abundance of small fish was a complete failure of the fishery for the two years 1875 and 1S7G. In 1877 we provided ourselves with smaller-meshed nets, and proceeded to catch the smaller fish, which had now attained about two-thirds the average size of fish in this locality and weighed about half a pound each. We could catch these by using nets of 2^- inch mesh. About 15,000,000 of them were taken by our twelve gangs." Mr. Miles's observations seem to indicate that the period of growth sometimes, if not always, extends over a period of five or six years. Seasonal rate ofgroictJi. 46. There is probably a much greater proportional increase in the size of individuals in the three or four months of their sojourn in northern waters than in the winter and spring. This is clearly indicated by the emaciated condition in which they make their first appearance in our waters, their winter's existence having been apparently sustained by the absorption of the fatty tissues elaborated in summer. Indeed, as will be shown below, there is some reason to believe that the winter months are passed in partial or total torpidity. 9. — Color and other minor characteristics. Color of Northern fish. 47. The adult menhaden is a most beautiful fish. Its color is pearly opalescent, like that of the cyprinoid fishes from which the commercial Essence d^Orient, or liquid pearl, used by artists, and in the manufacture of paste jewelry, is prepared. Each scale has all the beauty of a fine pearl, and the reflections from the mailed side of a fish just taken from the water are superb. The scales of the back and the top of the head are of a purplish blue. The blotch of black upon the scapular region, just above the origin of the pectoral, is very constant, although I have seen fish in which it did not occur. Many, especially the older and fat- ter ones, have a number of irregular, roundish, blue-black blotches upon the sides and flanks. The young fish are not so brilliantly colored, and, in general appearance, resemble the young of the shad. Color of Southern fish. 48. Many of the Southern fish show metallic, brazen, and golden re- flections from the flanks and fins. Agassiz's Clupanodon aureus, from Brazil, was similarly colored. The name "yellow-tail," commonly ap- plied to this species in the Southern States, is in common use as far north as Cape Hatteras. Axillary apijendages. 49. In the axils of the paired fins are long differentiated scales, which cover the angles of the fins, and are evidently intended to promote swift 3 F 34 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. progression in the water. Those attached to the pectoral are often nearly as long as the fin itself. A series of large shield-like scales cover the bases of these fins, apparently with the same object as the axillary scales. These are particularly large in the species from the Gulf of Mexico. Scales. 50. The scales are, in the young fish, arranged in comparatively regu- lar rows. In adult specimens of the Brevoortia tyranntis all sem- blance of regularity disappears, and it is impossible to count either lon- gitudinal or vertical rows. The number of scales is enormously increased, apparently by the growth of additional scales in the interspaces between those already arranged in regular order. The number of scales in the longitudinal rows is from GO or 70 in young individuals, to 110 in adults; in the vertical rows, 25 or 26. 10. — Internal organs. Gillstrai7iers. 51. There are no vestiges of teeth in the mouths of any members of the geuns Brevoortia. These fish do not feed upon living animals, and teeth would be useless to them. Their place is supplied by an ar- rangement of setiform appendages, attached to the anterior edges of the arches supporting the gills. These are closely set, flexible, and in Brevoortia iyrannus about 170 in number on each side of each of the arches. There being thus four rows upon each side of the mouth, there must be in the mouth of the menhaden from 1,400 to 1,500 of these thread-like bristles, from one-third to three quarters of an inch long. These may be so adjusted that tbey form a very effective strainer, much resembling that of the right whale. This strainer is much finer and more effective than in the whale, the number of bristles being much more numerous than are the plates of baleen in the mouth of the right whale. The uses to which this strainer is applied will be discussed below, in paragraphs 119-125. The accessori/ branchial organ. 52. There is also a curious accessor^' branchial organ, situated be- tween the top of the fourth branchial arch and the base of the skull. This has been described from dissections of a fish identified as Clupano- don aureus, Spix, in a paper by Prof. Joseph Hyrtl,* cited in full in the Bibliography. The alimentary canal. 53. The alimentary canal in the menhaden is peculiar. The pharynx is continued, in a straight canal, to the point of the siphonal stomach, which extends backward nearly to the posterior extremity of the in- testinal cavity, then turning at an acute angle returns nearly to the * Deukschriften Kaisorl. Akad. Wiss. Mat.-Nat. Class, vol. x, 1855, p. 49. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 35 boad, where it expands into a globular pear-shaped muscular organ with thick walls, which have their inner surfaces rugose, like those of the gizzard of a gallinaceous bird. At the anterior end of the stomach is a mass of fine, filiform, pyloric appendages, surrounding the origin of the intestine, which is very long and is arranged in two coils, one upon each side of the stomach, enveloping it completely. The length of the intestine is five or six times that of the whole fish. The sivim-hlaclder. 54. The swim-bladder is small and inconspicuous. Its walls are thin. It is not probable that it contains enough gelatine to be of commercial importance. Hyrtl was unable to detect its presence in the fish studied by him as Clupanodon aureus^ but which was probably something very different. III.— GEOGRAPHICAL DISTEIBUTIOX AND MOVEMENTS. 11. — GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE. Limits in 1877. 55. It is not easy to define exactly the boundaries of geograi^hical range for any species, unless they be marked by some impassable bound- ary. It is especially difiBcult in the case of fishes. The limits of their wanderings appear to depend directly or indirectly upon temperature, and to vary considerably, from season to season, with the seasonal vari- ations in the mean temperature of the water. As nearly as it can conveniently be expressed the range of the north- ern menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, is as follows: it is to be found at some period during the year in the coastal waters of all the Atlantic States from Maine to Florida (approximately between the parallels of north latitude 25° and 45°); on the continental side it is limited ai)proxi- mately by the line of brackish water; on the ocean side, by the inner boundary of the Gulf Stream. What may be the limits of its winter migrations it is impossible to say. A surface temperature of about 51° is necessary for its appearance in waters near the shores. Variations of the northern limit in the past. 56. Its northern limit of migration seems to have always been the Lay of Fundy. Perley, writing in 1852, stated that they were sometimes caught in considerable numbers in weirs within the harbor of Saint John's, N. B.* *Descriptive Catalogue (in part) of the fishes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, by M. H. Perley, esq., Her Majesty's emigration officer at St. John's, New Brunswick. (Second edition.) Fredericton : J. Simpson, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, 1832, p. 30. 36 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Mr. G. A. Boardman, of Calais, Me., inl'orms me that large scLools have beeu seen during the summer iu Passamaquoddy Bay aud the lower Bay of Fundy. James Lord, of Deer Island, Charlotte County, ]^. B., testified before the Halifax Commission that he had taken porgies in the neighborhood of Cami^o Bello, but that none had been seen there for ten years or more.* Mr. J. F. Whiteaves declares that of late years none have been found in j^ew Brunswick, nor to the north of Grand Manan.t The claim of Professor Hind that they have been found as far north as Canso, is not, to my knowledge, supported by satisfactory evidence. At present the eastward wanderings of the schools do not ap[)ear to extend beyond Isle au Haut and Great Duck Island. These islands are les4 than forty miles westward of the boundary of Maine and New Brunswick. Southern limit of range. 57. Dekay supposed the southern limit of the menhaden to be in the neighborhood of Chesapeake Bay, but it has for some years been known that they occur in great abundance on the coast of North Carolina. I found them to be abundant in the Saint John's Eiver, Florida, in March aud April, 1874: and 1875, and it is quite certain that they are found there throughout the winter. In the National Museum are specimens (Catalogue No. 769G) collected at Indian Eiver by Mr. Wurdemann. Mr. Charles Dougherty, of New Smyrna, Fla., tells me that he has observed numerous large schools during the winter in the open ocean ofi" Cape Canaveral and Mosquito Inlet. Old fishermen from Key West, who are j)erfectly familiar with the fish, assure me that it is never seen about the Fioriua Keys. Oceanic limits of range. 58. Beyond these bounds nothing certain is known. The thorough and indefatigable labor of the twenty years during which Professor Poey has been investigating the ichthyology of Cuba justifies us iu tak- ing his word that the menhaden is not found iu those waters. It has not been found at any other point in the West Indies, nor is it recorded from the coast of South America, though other species of the same genus have been found there. The investigations of Mr J. Matthew Jones aud myself have failed to discover it about the Bermuda Islands, and it ap- pears to be unknown to the fishermen at that point. Menhaden in the Gulf of Mexico. 59. Mr. S. H. Wilkinson, keeper of Cat Island light-house, Missis- sippi Sound, writes that no fish resembling the menhaden is found in *Proceeclius8 Halifax Commission, 1877, Appendix F, p. 245. t Sixth Report Department of Marine and Fisheries, Appendix U, p. 195. niSTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 37 those waters; aud a similar statement is made by Gapt. J). P. Kane, of the Matagorda light-station, Texas, who is a native of Maine, and has been engaged in pogy-fishing in that State. He has for the past eight years been engaged on the coast from Florida to Mexico, and has never seen menhaden or heard of their being caught south of Cape Hatteras, with one exception. Capt. William Nichols, pilot, residing in Saluria, Tex., informed Cap- tain Kane that in September, 1872, great quantities of pogies drifted upon the beach at Saluria, and that the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Matagorda Bay were full of them. Gapt. William E. Spicer, of Noank, Conn., is positive that he has encountered schools of these fish while seining for the Mobile market off Tampa, Fla. These statements probably refer to the Gulf menhaden, recently dis- covered at various points in the northern Gulf of Mexico, aud easily dis- tinguished from the northern species. Eange of other species. GO. On the coasts of Brazil aud at Montevideo occurs a geographical race of our northern species, the Brcvoortia tyrannus, aurea, while still farther south, in the waters of Buenos Ayres, is another species, Brc- voortia pectinata. The latter was first taken by Charles Darwin, on his memorable voyage around the world, in a net on a sand-bank at Bahia Blanca (latitude 39° S). Very probably the species is abundant along the coasts of the Argentine Republic, in the broad mouth of the Rio de la Plata, and from the analogy of our species, well up the southern coasts of Brazil, perhaps to Rio Janeiro. It is not unlikely that the eastern coast of South America is as abundantly supplied as our owu with these most valuable fishes. Valenciennes states that the Portuguese of South America call the Brcvoortia aurea by the name Savega. Again, on the coasts of West Africa occurs a species, Brcvoortia dorsalis, closely resembling the menhaden. An old fisherman in Maine told me that he had seen the menhaden in immense quantities on the western coast of Africa, where the negroes spear them and eat them. Illustrations and descriptions of all the known American species are given elsewhere in this memoir. Alleged occurrence on the Pacific coast. 61. The Hon. S. L. Goodale, of Saco, Me., writing under date October 25, 1877, states that some menhaden fishermen of Bristol, Me., have recently sent one of their number to prospect for them on the Pacific coast, and that his reports were so favorable that several of them with their families had left a few weeks previously for W^ashington Territory, where they were informed that " pogies " were abundant. If this report be true, it is quite certain that the explorers are doomed to disappoint- ment. No fish resembling the menhaden occurs in the Pacific Ocean. 38 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. It should be noted, however, that wherever representatives of this genus of fishes occur there is doubtless an opportunity for establishing new industries of great value. It would be well worth while for enter- prisiug fishermen to investigate this subject. The Government of Japan has recently employed one of the best informed of our ]!^ew England fishermen * to instruct the natives of that country in the arts of catch- iug and preserving food-fishes. As has already been stated, there are abundant supplies of these fish on both sides of the South Atlantic. There is apparently no reason wby exteusive manufacturing interests may not be inaugurated in Brazil, the Argentine Eepublic, Paraguay, and Africa. 12. — THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF THE SCHOOLS. Causes influencing times of arrival and departure. 02. The date of the earliest appearance of the schools of menhaden at any given point upon the coast corresponds very closely with that of the arrival of scup, shad, bluefish, and other of the non-resideut summer species. It depends primarily upon the temperature of the water. This element is of more importance, perhaps, in the case of the meuhadeu than with the carnivorous fishes, since the food-supply of the former is not likely to be aftected by changes of temperature. There are other questions to be considered, such as the movements of hostile species and the direction of the prevailing winds, though the latter may, perhaps, be merged in the question of temperature. Their departure is regulated by the same causes, though, since their food-supply is less uncertain, they linger later in our waters than most of their companion species of the spring. Material availahle for tlie determination of dates. 63. The material for determining the movements of the schools is very unsatisfactory, though perhaps of necessity so. Although many of our correspondents give dates of arrival and departure, these are under- stood to be merely approximations to the truth. The only series of observations showing the dates of the arrival of menhaden for a period of several successive years is one from the Waquoit weir, and this profes- ses to show nothing except the date at which the fish began to be abundant. In the nature of the case, observations of a more definite nature are impracticable. Since so little that is definite can be recorded, it may be desirable to review the statement, of some of our correspond- ents, thus putting on record a series of observations all carefully made and many of them extending over a long period of years. In this way the movements of the menhaden at ditiereut points upon the coast will be described more accurately and graphically than they could be by any compiled account, however carefully it might bo prepared. It is * Capt. U. S. Treat, of Eastport, Me. HISTOKY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 39 Loped, too, that this course may suggest aud elicit fuller observations from persons living in our seaboard towns. A review of the general movement along the coast. 64. At tbe approach of settled warm weather the schools make their appearance in the coast waters. They remain in the bays and near the shores until they are warned away by the breath of coming winter. The date of their appearance is earlier in the more southern waters, aud the length of their sojourn longer. It is manifestly impracticable to give anything but approximate dates to indicate the time of their move- ments. In fact, the comparison of two localities, distant apart one or two hundred miles, would indicate very little. When wider ranges are compared there becomes perceptible a proportion in the relations of the general averages. There is always a balance in favor of earlier arrivals at the more southern localities. Thus, it becomes apparent that the first schools appear in Chesapeake Bay in March and April, on the coast of New Jersey in April and early May, and on the south coast of New England in late April and May, off Cape Ann about the middle of ]\Iiiy, and in the Gulf of Maine about the latter part of May and the first of June. Returning tbey leave Maine in late September and Octo- ber, Massachusetts in October, November, and December, Long Island Sound aud vicinity in November aud December, Chesapeake Bay in December, and Cape Hatteras in January. Farther to the south they appear to remain more or less constantly throughout the year. Coast of Florida. 65. In the Saint John's River, Florida, menhaden are abundant throughout the winter. They appear in November clogging the shad- nets. It is not known how far they proceed up the river, but I was unable to learn that they have been taken above Buckley's Blutt", twelve miles above Jacksonville and thirty-six from the mouth of the river; tliey are particularly numerous at the mouth aud in the vicinity of May- })ort and Yellow Bluff. That they remain as late as May is well estab- lished, and it is the opinion of Mr. Kemps that they are found through- out the summer, the young fish, at least. I have found the grown and half-grown fish abundant at Arlington and Jacksonville in April, 1874 and 1875. Afier the first of May the opportunities are not favorable for observation, the use of shad-nets being then discontinued. Youug fish are seen from May to October, according to Mr. Kemps, in schools ov^er two miles long and extending from shore to shore of the river. Along the coast of Florida, from Cape Canaveral north, the schools of adult fish are said to be common through the winter months. Coast of Georgia. 66. Mr. Joseph Shepard, of Saint Mary's, Ga., states, on the authority of a Saint Andrew's Bar pilot, that small schools of menhaden are seen in Saint Andrew's Sound duiiug the summer months, coming over 40 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. the bar with the flood tide and going out with the ebb, and that the same fish are also seen in large schools in calm weather during the win- ter months outside the Sea Islands in about seven fathoms of water, and three to four feet below the surface. Mr. Charles 0. Leslie, a fish-dealer in Charleston, S. C, informs me that schools of menhaden frequently are seen in the winter ofit" Charleston Harbor ; a statement which is con- firmed by others, among them Mr. Daniel T. Church, of llhode Island. Coast of North Carolina. G7. Mr. A. C. Davis, of Beaufort, N. C, writes that the fat-back first approaches the coast at that place in June, the main body arriving in July from the south, entering the rivers and drifting up with the flood tide and down with the ebb 5 their appearance is regular and certain, and has never failed, the numbers seeming to be greater every year. They remain in the rivers and inlets throughout the summer, gradually departing toward the close of October and the first of November to the southward. During the season they are constantly coming in at inter- vals. Those which first arrive are one-quarter to one-half grown, no full- grown fish appearing until later in the season. In bad weather, espe- cially with northern winds, they leave for the sea, returning in moderate weather, with southerly winds. Mr. A. W. Simpson, jr., of Cape Hatteras light-station, records sev- eral interesting facts concerning the movements of the fat-back around that cape. They first make their appearance in June and remain until December; they generally come in to the shore on the northern coast of the cape, running south along the beach and entering the inlets and rivers. 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 in length, apparently floating upon the surface of the water. They always make their appearance from the north and leave the coast by the same route. Some are seen in the sounds and rivers all the year. When the second large run occurs in the fall they appear in immense numbers. This is sometimes in November and in other seasons in December. In 1873 they were first seen on the coast about the Gth of December, and the main body arrived about the lOth of December. Many schools may be seen at one time. They seldom come near the coast in high winds and rough seas, or if they do they swim so low that they are not seen from land. Their appearance is certain and they are about the same in abundance every year at the spriug run, but the fall and winter runs vary somewhat, the number in some seasons being very much smaller. Mr. Simpson thinks that the tides do not affect their move- ments in any respect, except that they prefer to swim against the tide; he has convinced himself, by careful observation, that more enter the inlets on the ebb than on the flood, though they are frequently seen drifting up and down channels with the flood and ebb. The one and two years' fish school by themselves, the young in large schools aloug the sandy shores. Many fish pass the winter in the inlets and rivers, HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 41 bat most of them leave the coast by a northern route, the spring runs leaving in October, the fall runs about the middle of January. Somci seasons they go to sea in large schools and others they drop away grad- ually. The first of the spring-runs are usually the smallest. During the summer the large schools are only seen occasionally, though Mr. Simpson thinks that they are on the coast continually. They only come near the outer sea-beach when driven in in October and November by the tailor {Pomatomus saltatrix), or blue-fish of the North, and the dog- fish {31ustelus Iccvis). Coast of Virginia and CJiesapeaJce Bay. 68. According to Mr. Henry Eichardson, the alewives are caught in the vicinity of Cape Henry as early as jMarch, though the main body does not come in until June and July. During these months they are constantly passing the Virginia capes and entering Chesapeake Bay, coming from the south. The Potomac fishermen inform me that they appear in the spring soon after the shad and herring, remaining in the Potomac during the season, where they i)rove a serious hinderance to the working of the shad seines. Young fish seven inches in length were taken in the lower Potomac at Nanjemoy Eeach as late as December 10, 1874, but disap- peared after the first heavy frost. The 'first schools appeared late in March and early in April, 1875, and in 1878 early in March. At Apateague Island, Accomac County, Virginia, according to JMr. J. L. Anderton, they are first seen swimming northward near the coast in April, the main body arriving in June. Their appearance is regular. They run inshore on the flood, drifting off with the ebb. In November they are seen making their way toward the south. In Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds, says Mr. Lawson, the^^ appear about May 1, the fish of different sizes in separate schools ; they are found there in quantity throughout the season, the southward migration beginning in August and continuing until the middle of October. I find a manuscript note by Professor Baird to the effect that they are found in large schools at Cape Charles, Virginia, from April to October, being most numerous on the bay side of the peninsula. Delaware Bay. 69. Mr. James H. Bell, keeper of Mispillion Eiver light-house, Dela- ware Bay, states that fish are first seen in those waters early in March, and grow more numerous until about the middle of April, wheu they are frightened away by the sea-trout. They soon return in increasing num- bers until the middle or last of May, after which they begin to disappear in large schools until the first of August, when they again become num- erous, and continue so if the weather is mild, when they begin to dis- appear, working out to sea through the channel. The opinion of Mr. Bell is that after entering the bay they follow the main channel, spread- 42 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ing toward the sliores on either side as they advance, until arrested by brackish water. The western shore of the bay is very shallow, the tide near the beach seldom rising above six or seven feet. When the tide is three-quarter's llood the fish run in close to land and are caught within twenty yards of the beach ; from 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. Medium and small fish are found together, not probably in the same schools, but close enough together for the seine to catch fish ranging in length from three to nine inches. Coast of New Jersey. 70. According to Mr. Albert Morris, menhaden make their appear- ance in Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, about May 1, the main body arriving about June, and leaving about the middle of September, the " eastern run " coming along in October or November. Mr. A. G. Wolf, keeper of Absecom light, Atlantic City, N. J., writes tliat the appearance of the first schools is regular and takes place in April, the main body coming in July. They come from the returning south by degrees in the fall, beginning in September. D. E. Foster, of Cape May lighthouse, states that they appear from the south about April, larger but not so fat as the second arrivals in July, the majority of which are from four to six inches in length. They disappear in November, heading to the north. Eastern end of Long Island. 71. In the vicinity of Greenport, N. Y., according to Captain Sisson, the first arrivals are in March and April, and according to Mr. Havens, about April 1, while Hawkins Brothers, of Jamesport, put it about the 1st of May. These gentlemen agree that the first schools contain the largest fish ; that they are followed for some weeks by other runs, and that the schools leave for the south on the approach of cold weather in October and November. Mr. Dudley tells me that his steamer usually starts out from Pino Isl- and from the 1st to the 12th of May. She never fails to find fish out- side of Montauk Point. The gangs which started out for the season, April 20, 1877, found plenty of fat fish on the first day out. The late schools of large fish which come upon the Connecticut coast about the 1st of November, and which are sui)posed to come from the coast of Maine, usually strike across from Watch Hill and Fisher's Island to the Napeague shore, where they sometimes remain several days before their final disapiiearance from those w^aters. Long Island Sound. 72. In the western partof Long Island Sound, at Stratford, according to Mr. Lillingston, they appear about the 1st of May and remain until Octo- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 43 ber, wlieii they leave at orice, swimming east. Tliey approacli from the east. The hirgest fish he thinks are found in August. In August and September immense numbers "strike on" and follow up the Housatonic Eiver, and these are invariably poor. At Milford, Conn., we are informed by Mr. Miles, the first white-fish are seen in April or May, the main body arriving in Long Island Sound in June and July. Sometimes the first fish are the largest. The schools or runs appear to come at intervals of from two to three weeks. The fish come in around Moutauk Point, the early fish follow along the Con- necticut shore and up the rivers ; later in the season they are found off- shore in deep water, though they occasionally work inshore and up the rivers. Their appearance is regular and certain. The schools are mixed as regards size, in the opinion of Mr. Miles. The schools begin to disap- pear about the 1st of September, passing around Montauk Point to the south, and are all gone by the 1st to the 15th of October. At Westbrook, according to Captain Stokes, they appear about the middle of May and leave in November in continuous schools, passing around Montauk, bound to the south. In July the schools are the largest. At Saybrook, says Captain Ingham, the first bony-fish are seen in May, the main body arriving in June. The first are scattering and gen- erally the largest ; there are several runs at irregular intervals. The appearance of the fish is regular and certain. They leave in October mostly in a body. Captain Beebe, of the Cornfield Point light-vessel, writes that the first bony-fish are seen in April, but that these are not the largest. They work along the bays and rivers of the sound, drifting in with the flood and out with the ebb. They leave about the middle of November in a body, passing around Montauk Point to the southward. They ascend the Connecticut above the Shore Line Kailway bridge, where they are often followed by the seining gangs belonging to Luce Brothers, of Niautic. BlocJc Island Sound. 73. Captain John Washington, of Mystic River, Conn., states that the first bony-fish arrive in Block Island Sound early in April, followed by larger schools toward the last of the month, and that tliey continue to come in during the first half of the summer. They come in around Mon- tauk in large schools, and after passing the outer islands, the large schools break up into smaller ones, which make their way toward the rivers and coves. Their arrival is certain and quite regular, varying but a few days from year to year. Thej^ begin to leave in October, and by the last of November are gone. A few stragglers are seen in the Mystic River until the beginning of freezing weather. They swim southward in their fall migration, going faster than when coming north in the spring. Capt. Jared S. Crandall observes that they first appear in Block Island Sound about May 1, coming from the southward and through the east 44 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. end of Long Island Sound, working to the eastward and westward. Their appearance is certain, though their abundance is greater in par- ticular seasons. They leave gradually in November and December, working to the westward after leaving the sound. Small and large are mixed indiscriminate!}^ in the schools. At Block Island, according to Mr. Henry W. Clark, they appear about the 1st of May, and continue running in until about the middle of June. Their appearance is certain but their number variable. They work in and out with the tide, but when they are making a i^assage the tide does not stop them. They start southward about the middle of October, and continue running for a month. Mr. Dudley on the schools of Eastern Connecticut. 74. Mr. Dudley, whose vessels ply their nets in both Block Island and Long Island Sounds, tells me that fishing begins at Pine Island from May 1 to May 12, and that for quite a number of years fish have been taken the first day the vessels went out. In 1877 the vessels which started April 20 found plenty of fat fish. Whether the season be hot or cold, the fish come at about the same date. Of late years the first schools have been v^ery fat ; immediately followed a run of poorer fish. The run which begins in the middle of April and continues for three or four weeks, is composed of fish yielding from five to seven or eight gal- lons to the thousand. The next run of fish continues until about the 1st of July. These yield not over four gallons. Then follows a poorer run, averaging two gallons. In 1877 millions of fish have been taken which have not averaged above one quart to the thousand. In 187G it was much the same, but in July, wlieu the poor fish were most abun- dant, a few schools made their appearance which yielded ten gallons to the thousand. Of two gangs, fishing side by side, one might make a haul of ten-gallon fish, while the other secured only half-gallon fish. Good fish are usually expected in the fall. In 187G, however, they were few and poor. In 1877 the schools of fat fish made their appearance near Point Judith on the 30th of October. Narragansett Bay. 75. At Point Judith they come in from the westward, according to the statement of Joseph VVhaley. They appear about the 20th of May, and continue to pass, moving eastward, until July. Their arrival is very regular, but sometimes cold weather and easterly winds put them back ten or fifteen days. They begin to leave in October. JMr. Daniel T. Church, of Tiverton, E. I., states that the menhaden make their appearance in Narragansett Bay about May 1, and continue running in during the season : their arrival in Narragansett Bay for the past eighteen years has been certain, though the time of arrival varies with the weather ; they drift with the tide at times, and at others swim against it. No fish are taken in the purse-nets after the cold weather HISTORY OF TEE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 45 of the fall, bat tbe gill-nets often take tbem as late as New Yeai's. Benjamin Tallman caught 1,C00 barrels (400,000) on December 3.* Martha's Vineyard Sotind. 76. At Menemslia Bight the menhaden appear from April 21 to May 10, according to Jason Luce & Co., and swim west. Mr. Marchant, of Edgartown, thinks that they enter the Vineyard Sound from the south- west. It is more than likely that both are right, and the fish enter the sound at either end indifferently. They are seen here in November. According to Captain Edwards, menhaden come to the vicinity of Wood's Holl, Massachusetts, in May, and remain until October. Cap- tain Hinckley, of the same place, states that they tirst appear to the westward, striking Montauk Point and following along the coast exactly like the scup, but going more into the bays ; they go in more shallow water; he has seen them in 12 feet. A school looks reddish. He has seen a school a mile wide and a mile and a half long. They frequently swim near the surface and make a ripple that can be seen. The first school swims rather deep, but as they become more plenty they can be seen. They generally come in about the 10th of May ; in 1871 the first were taken the 21st of April, about three weeks earlier than the aver- age. But they strike off again for about a fortnight before they coaie regularly. Capt. Isaiah Spindel, of Wood's Holl, took the first menhaden of the season of 1870, April 23, and the first mackerel at the same time ; these were only stragglers, and the best time for catching menhaden that j-ear was about the 10th or 15th of May; in 1871 they came on the 21st of April, when a thousand were caught ; a few stragglers had been taken before, perhaps as early as the middle of April. In 1872 no menhaden were seen after the 15th of October. In the autumn of 1877, which was unusually late and warm, the men- haden lingered on the coast until very late. Vinal Edwards saw many taken, November 28, by the North Truro fishermen, and himself found them at Wood's Holl, December 1. A very definite idea of the date of appearance of the menhaden in the Vineyard Sound may be gathered from a table given in the Kepoit of the Massachusetts Commissioners of Inland Fisheries for 1871, and here reproduced with additions for convenience of reference. * Report of the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1873, p. 184. 46 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 77. Table slwxvituj dmjs of first appearance in ahnndance of menhaden, aJeivivcs, sciii, and hlaejish, at IVaquoit loeir, bince 1859. Blue-fish. 18")!) ISiiO iHlil 1862 18(i3 ]yG4 16C5 um lfG7 ISliS 1869 1S70 1871. Menha- den. Alewivcs. Scnp. May 6 April 7 Moy 5 May 4 April 3 Mav 2 May 1 April 1 April 27 May 6 March 30 May 10 May 2 March 29 May 8 May 5 March 28 May C Mav 1 March 2'J May 1 May 7 April 2 May 8 May 3 Maich 28 May 4 May 15 March 30 May 10 May 10 March 31 May 7 May 8 March 28 Mav 2 April 21 March 24 April 25 May 16 May 15 May 17 May 13 May 15 May 17 May IC May 15 May 14 May 19 May 17 May 11 May 24 Irregularities of movements sJioivn hy returns of Waquoit weir. 78. The returns of Waquoit weir, which was reuted in 1871, by the Massachusetts commissioners of inland fisheries, for the purpose of get- ting exact statistics on the subject of pound-fishing, show how uncertain and irregular are the movements of the menhaden and their capture in any fixed locality upon the shore. April 21, 1871, 6,000 were taken ; April 23, 13,300; May 1, 17,420; May 5,35,920; May 9, 10,020; May 10, 10,800; May 11, 14,945; May 13, 14,200; May 15, 7,300; May 10, 900; May 18, 1,280; May 19, 1,040 ; May 20, 7,G00 ; May 22, 6,C00; May 23, 26,000; May 24, 2,205; May 25, 780; May 31, 40,300; June 1, 13,260; June 10, 7,540; June 14, 27,300; June 16, 93; June 17, 19. In 1865, from April 21 to May 15, were taken 175,300, and from May 10 to June 2, 35,800 ; in 1866, between these dates, respectively, 213,730 and 104,780; in 1807,82,680 and 121,000; in 1868, 45,700 and 79,020; in 1869, 66,680 and 79,030; in 1870, 152,590 and 255,340; in 1871, 136,005 and 99,256.* South shore of Cape Cod. 79. At Hyannis, Mass., writes Mr. A. F. Lathrop, they appear in May in small numbers, the greatest season of plenty occurring in June. They work along the shore line and into the sounds, bays, and rivers. Their appearance is regular and certain, and they disappear in a body about the 1st of October. Capt. Reuben C. Kenney, of Nantucket, Mass., states that they appear in the vicinity of that island about the 1st of May, or a little earlier if the season be favorable. They appear to come from the direction of Sandy Hook and the coast of New Jersey. They are most abundant in June and July, and begin their return in October, all disappearing in November. Capt. Josiah Uardy second, of Chatham, Mass., writes: — "The men- haden seen here are on their route to the eastern shores, coming from * Report of tbe Massachusetts Commissioners of Inland Fisheries for 1871, and Re- port of United States Commissioner of FiSh and Fisheries 187l-'72, pp. 174-17C. HISTORY OF THE AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 47 the west ; when tbey strike Chatham Bay they swim in large schools, coloring the water and followed by numerous sea-birds. They are gov- erned by the winds and weather about showing themselves ; in fine moderate southerly weather they come up on top of the water. They have been caught in our bay as early as the 15th of April, but gener- ally not before the 1st of May. I never knew them to fail coming; they generally follow the shores, making their way down the sound by Mon- omoy Point, and those that get within the point, into the bay, follow the shore to get out on their transit east. There is no difference in their size in the spring, or a very slight one in some schools. In our bays, ponds, and rivers they will head the tide ; they come inshore at high water on this coast and at low water keep off the flats and shoal water into the channel or deep water, which is from three to seven fathoms in our bay. I do not think it makes any difference to them about the depth of water; they seem to have a natural instinct, and are just as regular in their course and movements as a flock of sea-fowls; when one is frightened they all start, if one turns all in the school turn, if one goes down all in the school follow. One peculiar trait in them that cannot be accounted for is, that on this coast, as well as on the eastern shore, sometimes for hours there is not a fish to be seen, then all at once they rise to the surface and it is literally full of schools, sometimes turn- ing in a complete circle, at other times all headed one way, then all at once every one has disappeared. The fish pass here (the cape), bound south, in the latter part of September and the first part of October, all moving about the same time. Sometimes in their transit south tbey find their way into our ponds and creeks and get bothered and belated ; they chill very quick in a cold night. Their route south is outside of Nan- tucket Island." Caiie God Bay. 80. Mr. David F. Loring, keeper of Highland light, at the northeastern- most point on Cape Cod, states that pogies appear in that vicinity from the last of April to the middle of May, making their appearance in large schools on the surface. After passing by the cape in the spring, they frequently throughout the summer make their appearance in Province- town Harbor, the bluefish chasing them. They are very seldom seen to school on the ebb tide, but as soon as it turns flood they are seen on top of the water. Mr. Loring states : " I have seen the surface of the water literally covered with schools on the flood tide, while on the ebb there is hardly a fish to be seen. I have seen them under water on the ebb tide, two or three fathoms down, in schools, but they move very slowly until the tide turns flood. Then they school up to the surface of the water and are quicker in their movements. I have seen them in the fall of the year when not schooling, but whether schooling or not they gen- erally play on the surface of the water, except on the ebb tide." They commence to leave the coast about the 1st of October, moving south by 48 EEPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. degrees. Daring tbe month of November, 1874, tbe small seining steam- ers belonging to an oil and guano company in Fall Eiver, Mass., wbich has a large factory in Boothbay, Me., having left tbe Maine fishing- grounds alter the pogies had left the coast, fell in x\ith large schools jast outside of Proviucetown Harbor and took 30,000 barrels of them in a short time. According to Mr. Heman S. Dill, light-keeper on Billingsgate Island, pogies appear in Barnstable Bay about May 10, not varying over four or five days from year to year. Vicinity of Gape Ann. 81. At Marblehead, Mass., we are informed by Mr. Simeon Dodge, the fish appear about May 9, a larger body appearing in July; their course is northward, their appearance certain. Tbeir favorite locality is at the mouths of fresh-water streams, moving up the creeks with tbe flood and and down with the ebb. They take their departure in a body about the last of October. Capt, F. J. Babson, of Gloucester, Mass., states that the appearance of this fish for the past thirty years has been regular and certain. They first appear in Massachusetts Bay about the 15th of May, and are pres- ent in tbe greatest numbers a month later. When in deep water they are not affected perceptibly by the tide, but when near tbe shore run in and out of the rivers and creeks with the tide. They swim low during easterly winds, but in warm and pleasant weather play at tbe surface, They begin to leave the coast about October 1, and by the last of tbe month are all gone. Gulf of 31aine. 83. According to Judson Tarr & (^o., they come on the coast of Maine about the 1st of June, though they are not plenty until June 20 ; they continue coming until July. They follow the shore coming and going, and their appearance is certain ; they have never been known to fail. They leave the coast about October 1, on the approach of cold weather. Mr. J. Washburne, jr., of Portland, Me., states that pogies appear in that vicinity June 10 or 15. They come in two schools; the first, which are small, usually come about ten days before tbe second school. They remain during the summer and work in shore on tbe flood tide and out on the ebb. They leave for the South about October 1 ; in 1874, some were taken November 4. Mr. G. B. Kenniston, of Boothbay, Me., who is largely engaged in the menhaden fisheries, thus gives the result of his personal observations: "Tbe pogies are first seen about May 20 in occasional schools. Tbe main body arrives about June 20, which, passing to the eastward, is followed by others continually for about thirty days longer. There is considera- ble difference in the size of tbe fish caught. At times, mixed sizes are taken at the same set. Usually those arriving at different periods differ HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN - MENHADEN. 49 in size, the larger may come sooner or later; nothing certain is known as regards this. After rounuing Cape Cod, some touch the coast in the vicinity of Gloucester, Mass., but by far the larger portion it appears keep off shore, and near it anywhere from Capo Elizabeth to Monhegan. The 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 tc the west, and contiune to repass until in October. The last bodies are urgent in their westward course. Their appearance is regular, and they have never been known to fail. The temperature of the air affects them ; they will not ' show ' or come to the surface when cold north or east winds prevail." Board man and Atkins state that the latest date at which menhaden have been observed on the western coast of Maine, between Cape Eliza- beth and Pemaquid, is October 25, and the period of greatest abun- dance about the last of July or the first of August, although for several weeks preceding and foUowiug that date, there is little variation in their number. Since the publication of his report Mr. Atkins has observed small menhaden as late as December in the vicinity of Bucksport. Mr. Benjamin F. Brightman, of Eound Pond, Me., also largely inter- ested in the fisheries, states that the first fish make their aj^pearance about the 1st of June, though usually scattering. Seining begins about the 15th ; the fish are poor then and rather smaller than those taken in August and September, when the smacks go oif shore from five to thirty miles to get larger and fatter fish. Seining begins about the 15th of June, and continues until the 15th of October. They are most abun- dant and easily seen on a warm, sunshiny day. The fish start to go west about the middle of September, and continue going until the last of October. Mr. John Grant, keeper of Matinicus Rock light- station, writes that they arrive about the 1st of June, the larger body from the middle to the last of June, the last school being much the largest and fattest. There are commonly several schools at irregular intervals. A favorite play- ing-ground is between Seguin Island, and Matinicus Eock, and in the bays and mouths of rivers between those two points. The fish leave about the middle of October in a body. On the eastern side of Penobscot Bay near Brookliu, according to Messrs. J. C. Condon and E. A. Friend, pogies come in from the 10th to the 15th of June, and leave by degrees after the 1st of October. They are most abundant in June and July. In the same vicinity, according to Mr. Z. D. Norton, the first menhaden seen are scattering individuals that are caught in gill-nets and wears in May, often as early as the middle of the month. The schools do not appear until the middle of June, on an average. They leave in Septem- ber commonly. In Bluehill Bay they are sometimes known to stay as late as October. 4 F 50 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Mr. William H. Sargent, of Castine, Me., has known them to come in as early as May 25, and has seen them in November. Eastward from this point the stay of the menhaden is materially shortened np. At Jonesport, according to Mr. George E. Allen, it is almost confined to the month of August, scattering ones being taken in July. In Passamaquoddy Bay and vicinity menhaden are now rarely seen. Formerly they were found in all these waters in August.* 3lr. Maddoclis on the Maine scliools. 83. Mr. Maddocks states : "Its appearance on the coast of Maine is from about June 1, to October 1. The date of coming rarely varies more than five days ; that of departure is sometimes delayed until October 15, if the weather continues mild and calm. It usually dis- appears from the surface during the continuance of cold northerly winds J and even in favorable weather alternately rises and sinks dur- ing the day, the morning and evening being the time of most general appearance. The first straggling comers are generally discovered on the ' outer grounds,' so called, some forty miles off shore. The numbers increase with the advance of the season, the fiish gathering in schools or bunches from the size of a diniug table to ten acres large, and fifty of these being frequently visible at once from the mast-head. In these bunches the fish extend from the surface two or three fathoms deep, more or less, as far at least as can be seen, in a compact mass, either lying perfectly still or moving slowly with their heads all pointed one way as if intently gazing upon an object before them."t And again: " It is certain that the disapparance of the menhaden from the Maine coast in the autumn is accomplished by a movement of vast numbers (not necessarily the whole or even the greater number) to the west and south along the shore. The withdrawal is nearly simultaneous, but in a body so immense that the vanguard reaches Cape Cod before the rear has left the Maine waters. Our fishermen follow the retreating army as far as Cape Cod and Sandy Hook, and make large captures." 13. — Migrations. Migrations of fishes and their caiises. 84. It was formerly believed that all seasonal migration was directed toward and from the equator, but zoologists of the i^resent day recog- nize another kind of migration quite as important although not usually so extended. At the approach of the hot season in subtropical climates the birds seek a cooler temperature, either by flying northward or by ascending the high mountains. In like manner the fishes of any region may find water of suitable warmth by moving north or south along * Goodale & Atkins, op. cit., p. 4. t The Menhadeu Fishery of Maine, p. 4. HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 51 the shores of the continent, or by changing to waters of less or greater depth. The former may be called equatorial, the latter bathic migration. Bathic migration is the most common. The cod family, the halibut, and flounders, the scuppaug, tautog, sea bass, and sculpins, are well known examples. The cod prefers a temperature of from 35° to 42° F. and this it secures in a temperate climate, such as that of Southern New England by remaining on the off-shore banks in 15 to 30 fathoms of water, coming near the shore in winter. On the coa,sts of Labrador, New- foundland, Nova Scotia and Eastern Maine they are near the shore in summer and in deep water in winter. In Norway the fish are caught to some extent in the fiords in the summer season, though more in winter. In summer they still remain on the offshore banks. The halibut moves up and down on the sides of the great oceanic banks and the continental slopes, with the seasonal changes of temperature. In summer they are abundant in the shallows of South Greenland, while in winter they are in deep water. On the coast of Massachusetts they come near the shores only in the dead of winter, though abundant in summer on the edges of the outside banks in 80 to 300 fathoms of water. The sand dabs {Hippo- glossoides dentatus) are abundant in July in water of 60 and 80 fathoms ten miles off Cape Ann ; in the middle of winter they swarm upon the sand flats in two or three fathoms depth. The Spanish mackerel, the bonito, and the tunnies are good examples of nomadic species. In summer they throng our northern watersj in winter they are under the tropics. Others, like the sea-herring, appear to migrate in two ways. Their movements are, approximately, both parallel with and vertical to the coast line ; that is to say, they secure changes of temperature both by leaving the upper strata of the ocean and by moving toward and from the equator. The researches of Boeck in Norway, show that the schools ap- proach the coast by gullies or submarine valleys from the oceanic depths. Such is doubtless the case on our own coast, in their earliest approaches, though having reached the shallows near the shore, the schools range along great stretches of coast line. Since fishes have no restrictions upon their movements except those of food and temperature, all active species must traverse areas of many hundreds of miles during the year. The tendency of all the researches made during the past few years has been to confirm the views advanced by Professor Baird in an un- published letter written in 1873 to the Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State. " The question in regard to the migration of fishes is one that has attracted the attention of both fishermen and naturalists for many years past, and a great deal of eloquence has been expended by Pennant and other writers, in their history of the movement of herring and other species. " For many years it was considered beyond question that the sea herring, having their homes in the northern seas, were in the habit of 52 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. prosecuting extensive journeys, in the course of which they successively visited the shores of Europe and of America, penetrating into their bays and sounds, and returning afterwards to the i^oint from which they started ; the adults decimated by the predaceous fishes and their capture by man, but their numbers kept up bj' the progeny, the result of their spawning operations, for which purpose it was supposed their journeys were initiated. "In the same manner the shad and the fresh-water herring of the American coast were supposed to start in the late winter along the southern coast of the United States, in a huge column, the herring first, and afterward the shad, first entering tl'.e Saint John's River in Flor- ida, and while passing up the coast sending off detachments into all the principal rivers, and finally stopping in about the latitude of the mouth of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. " This theory is at present almost entirely abandoned, and there is reason to believe that after the herring and shad have spawned iu the rivers they proceed to sea, and spend the period until their next anad- romous movement in the immediate vicinity of the mouths of the rivers, where they are followed in due course of time by their young. This is illustrated by the fact that fish of nearly every prominent river show some peculiarities by which both the fish-dealer and the naturalist can distinguish them; the difference not being sufiBcient to constitute a .specific rank, but such as to mark them as local races. Numerous cap- tures, too, in gill-nets and otherwise, off the northern coast, during the period when they should be gathered together in the southern waters, prove that a portion at least remain. It is difBcult to imagine how a shad or a river herring, spawned in the Saint Lawrence River or any northern stream, could avoid entering a more southern river, if in its vicinity ; but if any fact has been well established of late years in the history of the fishes, it is that the anadromous fish, or such as run up the rivers from the sea to spawn, will return if possible to the river in which they first saw the light. So true is this, that where there may be two or three rivers entering the sea in close proximity, which have become destitute of shad or herring in consequence of long-continued obstructions, and the central one only has been restocked by artificial means, the fish, year by year, will enter that stream, while those adja- cent on either side will continue as barren of fish as before." The influence of ocean temperature on the movements of menhaden. 85. The influence of ocean temperature on the menhaden is not at all well understood, and I can here record only crude generalizations founded upon very unsatisfactory data. I have before me three tables showing the variations of temperature, by monthly means, for Key West, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla. ; Savannah, Ga. ; Charleston, S. C. ; Wilmington, jST. C.j Norfolk, Ya.; Baltimore, Md.; New York City; New London, Conn, j Wood's IJoll, Mass. ; Portland, Me. ; and Eastport, Me. Table I shows HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 53 the monthly means of surface temperature; Table 11, of temperature at the bottom near the shore; and Table III, the average means of the surface and bottom temperatures. The observations were all made at 3 p. m., and are continuous from March 1, 1876, to March 1, 1877. These are reproduced in Appendix F. There is, also, a table of the daily ob- servations of temperature at the surface at the same stations. A study of these tables, which, for convenience, were mapped out in curves upon section paper, aflbrds some interesting results. Minimuiii limits of temperature and the dates of appearance and disap- pearance of the schools. — The monthly mean of surface temperatures at Eastport is greatest in September, when it is 50<^.6, while the highest daily observation is 51^.5. The menhaden do not visit Eastport in mid- summer. Let us divide the monthly averages for May, at Portland, into quarterly periods. The average for May 10-23 is 47°. 1 ; for May 24-31 is 51<^. The quarter-month averages for October are 53o.8, 50o.8, 47°. 9, 480.8. The schools of menhaden arrive in Eastern Maine late in May and early in June, and depart, usually, before the middle of October. At Wood's Holl the quarter- month averages for May, as taken by the Signal Service observer, are 48^.2, 49°.6, 53°.l, and 57°.G, approximately, or the monthly average, 52o.3. These observations are made in the Great Harbor, at the railroad-wharf. Another series of observations, made by Captain Edwards, for the Light-House Board, in the Little Har- bor, are believed to indicate more nearly the temperature of the Vineyard Sound. These, however, are only for bottom. The difference between the monthly mean of bottom temperatures for May, at the two stations, is almost two degrees (1°.8), the figures being 51°. 5 for Great Harbor, for Little Harbor 53°.3. It does not seem assuming too much to place the quarter- month average for the first half of May at 50° and 5]°.4. For November the Grea.t Harbor quarter-month means are 51°, 51°, 47°.7, 43°.3. The menhaden strike into Vineyard Sound early in May or late in April, and linger until November, and even December. At New Loudon the quarter-monthly averages for the last half of April and the first half of May are 49°, 48°.5, 52°.5, 54°.5 ; for late Oc- tober, 550.2, 540.9 ; for November, 53°.5, 51°.l, 48°.l, 46°.l. The fish come on the eastern coast of Connecticut late in April, and are frequently taken as late as the middle of November. The temperatures of New London suggest that there may be something in error in the Wood's Holl observations in so far as they are supposed to indicate the temper- ature of the ocean in its immediate vicinity. The periods of appearance and disappearance at Waquoit and Menerasha, in the Vineyard Sound, agree nearly with those of Eastern Connecticut. The temperature of the Chesapeake must be studied from the obser- vations made at Baltimore and Norfolk. At the latter place the April means are 52°, 56°.5, Gio.2, GQo ; the November means, 59°, 54o.6, oS'^.o, 54 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 480.5 ; at the former for April, 45o.G, 50°, 54o.5, 55o.7 ; for November, 540.2, 520.1, 50°, 470. At Norfolk the averages for the last half of March are 48° and 50°. The movements of the menhaden in other waters have not been very carefully observed, but we know that they enter the Potomac late in March, and early in April, and that they linger till the last part of November. In 1874 the young menhaden lingered in the Lower Potomac until the middle of December. In 1876 the average for December surface tem- perature at Norfolk was 300.8, for bottom temperature '30O.4. In 1874 the surface average for December at Norfolk was 43°, or 6°.4 higher than in 1870, the year from which our tables of observations are made u]). The average for Norfolk surface temperature in November was, in 1870, 53o.4, in 1874, 55°.l or lo.7 higher. It is quite probable that in 1874 the water of the Lower Potomac did not become colder than 50° until December. At Wilmington the monthly means of bottom temperature in 1876 and 1877 were for December, 43o.l, January, 43°, February, 48^.5 ; in 1874 and 1875, December, 48o.l, January, 43o.8, February, 45o.5. De- cember, 1870, was unusually cold, the mean temperature of the air being 4Go.3, against 59^.1 for the same month in 1874. January and February of 1874 were relatively cold, their air temperature being 48^.1 and 530.1, against 57^.1 and 52^.5 in 1870. The surface quarter-month averages for the last half of February, 1877, are 49o.i^ 50o.5 ; for the first half of March, 1876, 52^.6, 57° ; for late November and early December, 1876, 570.1, 5306, 40O.0, 450.3. No observations have been made upon the movements of the menhaden at Wilmington. At Beaufort, 30 miles farther north, they appear to be absent during the winter. It is much to be regretted that there are no temperature observations from Cape Hatteras. The relations of this locality to the Gulf Stream are peculiar, and corresponding peculiarities in the temperatures no doubt exist. The hundred fathom curve is distant about 40 miles from the point of the cape, and the average summer limits of the Gulf Stream, as laid down upon the British Admiralty charts, extend nearly into this curve. The observations made at Wilmington, situated as it is in a bend of the coast, at least 100 miles from the summer limits of the Gulf Stream, and at the mouth of a river which rises 200 miles away in the elevated central portion of North Carolina, can hardly be taken as criteria of the temperatures of Cape Hatteras. This is still more unfor- tunate from the fact that tlie movements of the menhaden, bluefish, "sea-trout," and other warm-water species are very peculiar at this point. It will be strange if the monthly mean of water temperature for Cape Ilatteras in December, and perhaps January, does not prove to be more than 50-. Savannah is at least 120 miles from the Gulf Stream, and its means for December and January, 1876-1877, as well as those of Charleston, are below 50o. Charleston water appears to be uniformly warmest. In HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHiDEN. 55 1874, December in Charleston averaged 48o.8 ; in 1875, January aver- aged 50°. 2. The movements of tbe menbadeu in this region have not been observed, but since in the north it is not more hardy than the shad, and since the shad do not venture into the Georgia and Carolina rivers in December, it is safe to predict that the habits of the menhaden are similar. Jacksonville, Fla., is the only point on the east coast from which there are observations showing a temperature uuformily above 51°, and here the menhaden remain throughout the winter. Maximum limits of temperature. — On the coast of Eastern Maine we are told that the menhaden schools keep passing to the eastward until about the middle of July, when their impetus is apparently checked and their movements for thirty or forty days seem to be local only. During this period the temperature at Portland ranges irom 00° to 70°, this being the height of mid-summer. The monthly means for July and August, 1876, were GG°.7 and 63°.d. The same months at New London are placed at 73° and 73o.3; at l^orfolk, 84o.l and 78o.3. Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah do not range much above Norfolk ; June, July, and August at Jacksonville average above 85°, and we have no satisfactory evidence that the menhaden are seen there in mid-summer. At Key West the lowest monthly mean is December, at GCo.4, in an unusually cold winter. Preferred range of temperature. — These facts appear to indicate that under ordinary circumstances the menhaden prefers a temperature of G0° to 70° Fahrenheit. When the rising temperature of spring has passed the limit of 50° to 51° the fish are certain to appear, and when the fall- ing temperature of autumn reaches that j)oint their departure is equally sure, though a few individuals may linger in waters not congenial to them. The opposite limit seems to be marked by the line of 80° or per- haps 750. An easterly or northerly wind, lowering temporarily the sur- face temperature, causes the schools to sink below the surface, as is shown in paragraph 95- The chill of night also drives them down. These conclusions are not to be regarded as final. The movements of the fish about Cape Ilatteras are very puzzling and need to be inter- preted by a series of careful temperature observations. It is a well-established fact that the summer of 1877 was not so warm as that of the preceding year. It is also known that the catch of men- haden in Maine for that year was much smaller than in 187C, when it was unusually large. There maj- be a connection between these circum- stances, though the observations of water temperatures at my disposal are not sufficient to warrant decided generalization. The means for the summer months of 187G were, at Eastport, 45o.5; at Portland, 57^.9 ; at Wood's HoU, 70^.4 ; at New Loudon, G80 ; at Norfolk, 78o.7. The corre- sponding means for 1877 were, at Eastport, 420.8; Portland, 57^.0; Wood's Holl, G70.7 ; New London, GGo.9 ; and Norfolk, 770.2. The summer of 50 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 1877 was then colder than tha,t of 1876 by 2o.7 at Eastport; by O^.S at Portland ; by 2o.7 at Wood's Holl ; by l^.l at New London ; and by l^.S at Norfolk. July, 1877, was colder than July, 1876, at Eastport by 2o.8 ; at Portland by 2^,2; at Wood's Holl by 50 9 ; at New London by lo.2. August, 1877, was colder than August, 1870, at Eastport by 0^.3; at Portland by O^.O ; at Wood's Holl by 0o.9 ; at New London by 3o.l. September and October of 1877 were warmer than the corresponding months of 1870 at Portland, and this agrees with the fact that the catch of menhaden in Maine was entirely made in the fall months. General discussion as to the icinter lidbits of summer fishes. SO. The relations of the temperature of the water to the movements of the menhaden schools having been studied, a new question is at once sug- gested. When the schools disappear from our coast, driven by falling temperature, where do they go "? The answer must be in the form of a theory, for no one has seen them during their winter absence ; at least no one has been able to identify the New England and Middle States fishes after their departure in the autumn. It is evident that there are but three courses open to our coast fishes when it becomes necessary for them to leave inshore — (L) They may swim out to sea until they find a stratum of water corre- sponding in temperature to that frequented by them during their summer sojourn on our coast. (2.) They may swim southward until they find water of the required warmth. (3.) They may descend into the abyssal de])ths of the ocean, there to remain for a, season in partial or total torpidity. The last of these theories is the least plausible, from the fact that it necessitates the greatest change in habits. The susceptibility of the menhaden to slight changes of temperature has been i)ointed out. Hi- bernation in the oceanic depths involves a change to a temperature 10° to 25° colder than that preferred by them in summer, as well as other important changes in respect to specific gravity and pressure. The theory of Mhernation discussed u-ith special reference to the habits of the maclcerel. 87. The hibernation theory is a favorite one with the fishermen of the British Provinces, and has recently received strong support from Pro- fessor Hind, in his treatise on the fisheries of North America. His argu- ments refer to the mackerel, although the scup, tautog, and herring are included by implication. He refers to the appearance of the mackerel " with scales on their eyes and blind," and suggests that the winter sleep of fishes is jirobabl}^ much more general than is usually supposed. He takes the position that there are only two alternatives possibly open to fishes which cannot live in cold water. They must migrate south or HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 57 hibernate. His arguments naturally fall into two categories — those against migration and those in favor of hibernation. Those in favor of hibernation may be summed up as (1) the testimony of fishermen and travelers ; (2) the quoted opinions of theorizers ; (3) the alleged hiberna- tions of other fishes ; and (1) peculiarities in early and late fish. (1.) The statements of one M. Pleville le Peley, "an eye-witness," are quoted both from Lacepede and H. de la Blanchere. M. le Peley gravely states that he had observed about the coasts of Hudson's Bay "the mud at the bottom of the small clear hollows incrusted with ice round their coasts, entirely bristled over by the tails of mackerel im- bedded in it nearly three parts of their length,"* and again "affirms having seen in the middle of winter, in deep muddy bottoms, myriads of mackerel, packed close one against the other, with one-half of the body plunged in the mud, where they remained during the winter. As soon as spring came they aroused themselves from their torpor, and appeared always on the same day on the same coast at the surface of tlie sea, and repaired to favorable spots to spawn."t The absurdity of these statements renders it unnecessary to criticise them. The other testimony is less definite. A Newfoundland fisherman remembers to have heard his father say that forty years before "he had often seen mackerel in White Bay come on shore like squid, with scales on their eyes and blind, about Christmas."| And, again, a statement quoted from the Eev^ John Ambrose, that "mackerel have been brought up from the muddy botcoms of some of our outer coves by persons spearing for eels through the ice,"§ which statement is not supported by the personal evi- dence of Mr. Ambrose, being merely a hearsay story. And this is all. Professor Hind, in Part II of the same worky remarks confidently: " That the mackerel spends the winter months in a torpid condition near to the locality where the schools first show themselves on the coast has already been adverted to," and again refers to "the fact, already noticed, that it is taken in winter from muddy bottoms." I submit that no such fact has been established and that Professor Hind's general- izations are without foundation. There is much better evidence to prove that swallows hibernate in the mud of ponds, a theory which has had numerous advocates since the time of Gilbert White, of Selborne. (2.) Professor Hind first quotes from "La Peche et Les Poissons" of M. H. dela Blanchere. The statement, printed as it is in a single para- graph instead of two and not given in full, conveys the impression that M. de la Blanchere indorses the views of Pleville le Foley, already quoted. On the contrary, he states explicitly : " The question of the annual and * Hind, op. cit., Part II, p. 10, note. t Part I, p. 78. t Part I, p. 78. § Observations on the Fishing Grounds and Fish of St. Margaret's Bay, N. S., by Rev. John Ambrose. ped by the legislature of Massachusetts was, that the Provincetown people made a statement that they could not fit out their vessels with bait unless they had pounds to catch it for them. " Question. Could they ? "Answer. How did they do it before ? They had the same facilities then as now. They used to send to Nova Scotia for bait ; now they use only menhaden and herring for bait. Menhaden are getting scarce. The harbor used to be lull when I was a boy ; but it is a rare thing to find any here now, because they are caught up. They don't catch them at Saughkonet Eocks as. they used to. If they keep on catching them up * Report of United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1871-'72j p. 49. 84 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. as they Lave done, we sball Lave to send to California to get a mess of fish."* At Waquoit weir, near Wood's Hole, Mass., the number of menhaden taken in 1865 was 211,100; in 18GG, 318,510 ; in 1867, 203,740; in 1868, 124,726; in 1869, 145,710; in 1870, 407,930; in 1871, 235,270.t On the north side of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, there are 19 weirs; 10 of these were estimated to have yielded in 1876 16,236 menhaden, giv- ing an average of 1,624 to a weir, making an aggregate for the whole of about 32,480. On the south side of Cape Cod, in 1876, were 22 weirs; 10 of these yielded 1,827,729, and the total yield is estimated at 4,000,000. The number of weirs in Martha's Vineyard Sound is 9; 6 of these yielded 1,395,270, and the total yield is estimated at 2,093,000. The number of weirs in Buzzard's Bay is 30; the yield of 11 in 1876 was 54,878,000, and the total yield is estimated at 162,000,000. The total amount taken in the weirs of Massachusetts is estimated at about 170,000,000. The returns of the catch of these same weirs in 1877, as given in the Eeport of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries, is as follows: Weirs 1,770,136 Gill-nets « 81,256 Seines 600,198 While the estimate given above is perhaps too large, the returns cited are probably much too small. On tJie coast of Rhode Island. 107. Mr. Edwin A. Perrin, postmaster, Pawtucket, E. I., puts the catch of the five drag-seiues there owned, at 2,500 barrels. Mr. Daniel T. Church writes : "There are no fish in Narragansett Bay so plenty as menhaden if we take several years as the standard, but if we should take years as they come and name each year separately it would be different. For instance, during 1871, 1872, and 1873, scup ap- peared in Narragansett Bay in immense quantities. There is no doubt in my mind that there has been, during the years named, more of them than menhaden. Bat, for a number of years preceding, scuj) were scarce. A few years since squeteague were more plenty than menhaden, for the bay seemed to be full of them from near Providence to Point Judith, and from Seconnet to Somerset. Menhaden, as an average, have been plenty in Narragansett Bay for the last ten years ; but not far from ten years back they were scarce, and some of the fishermen left the business on that account. It is my opinion that the blue-fish were so ])lenty as to destroy the menhaden in large numbers. It was seriously feared that they were to disappear; but since blue-fish, sharks, and horse-mackerel, * Testimony ia regard to the present conditioa of the fisheries, taken in 1871. ^ith their membranes weighed 17,570 milligrams, or 271.140 grains (0.G2 ounce). A portion weighing 420 milligrams was detached. This was found to contain approximately 250 ova, giving to each an average weight of one milligram and eight- tenths. The estimated total number of ova is 9,7G0, or in round num- bers 10,000, which is close enough for all probable necessities. There is no indication of the size of fish from which the ovaries were taken. I am informed by Mr. Milner and Dr. Bean that in the shad and white- fish the number of eggs varies with the weight of the parent. In the latter species a mother fish of one i)ound weight will yield 20,000 eggs, and one of twice that weight double the number of eggs. This enumer- ation of the menhaden eggs merely serves to show that, comparatively, the species is not exceedingly prolific. I am not aware that the number of ova in the ovary of the menhaden has ever before been accurately determined. Mr. Joseph D. Parsons, of Springs, Suffolk County, New York, writes that 70,000 have been counted. Mr. Walter Wells, of Portland, Me., states that he has some- where heard of two millions having been counted. Several writers have lately expatiated on the immense fecundity of the menhaden. This has not yet been established. JVo mature ova hare been observed. 129. Prom Maine to Florida there can be found very little satisfactory evidence that spawn fully ripe has been seen, or that spawn or milt ever has been observed to run from the fish when handled after capture. An instructive circumstance is mentioned by Mr. Bell, of Mispillion River, Delaware Bay, who states that after the last of these fish had dis- appeared from those waters, about the 7th of November, 1874, the bay from Cape May to Cape Henlopen and eighteen miles above its mouth was crowded with the largest menhaden ever seen on the coast, many of them equaling a medium-sized shad, and nearly three-fourths of them pregnant with large and nearly matured roe. They had been driven in by the bluefish which destroyed and pursued them ashore in vast num- bers. Sixty hours after the arrival of the menhaden not one was to be found on the coast. According to Captain Atwood, of Provincetown, some menhaden taken at that place in December had mature spawn.* lie suggests that these fish, which were very few in number, may have been detained in the creeks by accident. A statement by Mr. Atldns. 130. Boaidman and Atkins, apparently quoting from Mr. George B. Kennistou, state that off the coast of Virginia, about Christmas, the * Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. x, p. 07. 7 F 98 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. females can be readily distiuguisbed by the distension of the abdomen ; both sexes are so ripe that eggs and milt can be easily pressed from them. In Chesapeake Bay, in early spring, jnst after the advent of the adult fish, great schools of the young are seen, thought to be one and a half or two inches long. These little ones huddle together in dense schools, preyed upon by shovel-nosed sharks and other enemies. They are bouud, so far as can be seen, in no particular direction, and are not supposed to come further north, but to pass the summer there and leave in the fall greatly increased in size. The color of these young fish, when seen in mass, is black, instead of red, vvhich is the color of a school of adults when seen beneath the surface. These statements are not au- thenticated by the name of the observer, and must be received with caution. 21. — Studies of the young fish. Tlie young fish in Soutliern JSleio England. 131. Young fish from four to six inches long make their appearance in vast numbers a few weeks after the arrival of the adult fish. So extensive are the schools that experienced fishermen are sometimes de- ceived, mistaking them for schools of large fish, and make every prepa- ration for setting their nets. These little fish play up into the shallow coves and the brackish water at the mouths of rivers and become an easy prey to small bluefish, eels, flatfish, and other small fishes. Young menhaden seldom round Cape Cod, though they are not uncom- mon in Provincetown Harbor in September, where the fishermen catch them in dip-nets for bait. They have never been seen on the coast of Maine. Mr. Dodge states that they are occasionally seen in coves near Marble- head, Mass., and Mr. Babsou has seen schools of half-grown fish at rare intervals about Cape Ann. In the museum of the Peabody Academy of Sciences, at &alem, is a bottle containing specimens about three inches long taken in Salem Harbor. South of Cape Cod, as far as Cape Hat- teras, they swarm in the waters in late summer and autumn, and in the Saint John's Eiver, Florida, the creeks and coves are alive with them in summer and early autumn. In the harbor of Beaufort, S. C, they are said to occur in December. These schools of small fish, some of them little over an inch in length, suddenly make their appearance in the bays of the Vineyard and Fish- er's Island Sounds about the middle of August. It may be regarded as certain that they are not hatched from the eggs in these localities, be- cause for several seasons the ground has been thoroughly explored daily for two months before the appearance of these fish without finding a trace of fish of smaller size. Locomotive poicers of the young menliadcn. 133. It has been suggested that young menhaden, less than two inches in length, cannot be thought to have traveled from the Virginia coast, a HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 99 distance of tliree hundred miles, nor even fifty miles, and from this it is argned that some of the species must spawn not far from the Vineyard Sound. It is not impossible that this conclusion may be true, still the premises aro hardly sufficient. The young menhaden at the time of their first appearance on the southern coast of Massachusetts are strong and active, and apparently fully developed in bone and muscle. There is no apparent reason why they might not make long journeys. 22. — Inferences as to time and place of spawning. The testimony of young and 'parent fish. 133. Certain inferences may perhaps be drawn from the facts men- tioned above. The menhaden taken in summer and early autumn on the coast of New England show ovaries and spermaries in an unde- veloped state, but evidently §lowly approaching maturity, while others accidently delayed in Cape Cod Bay and Delaware Bay show in Novem- ber spawn nearly ripe and in December ova quite mature. In October the southward migration begins, and by the 1st of December they have deserted the coasts of the Northern and Middle States. These schools winter, in part, on the coast of North Carolina, where they arrive in large numbers from the last of November to the middle of December, and are also found throughout the winter on the coast of Florida. The young fish, from one to three inches in length and upward, are common throughout the summer on the southern coasts, and those of a larger growth, from five to eight inches, occur in late summer and autumn on the coast of Southern New England south of Cape Cod. There is no satisfactory evidence that spawning takes place in the rivers of the Southern States. Will not these considerations warrant the hypothesis that the breeding-grounds of the menhaden are on shoals along the coast, from North Carolina, and perhaps Florida, northward as iar per- haps as Virginia or New Jersey I This idea was first advanced by Ca[)tain Atwood and has received the sanction of Messrs, Goodale and Atkins. The opinions of fishermen. 134. The majority of intelligent fishermen in the North seem to believe that the menhaden is a winter spawner, breeding in Southern waters, though some, arguing from the presence of small fish in autumn, advance the idea that they spawn in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay, while others still think it probable that there are two spawning seasons, one at the north in the summer and another in the winter at the south. I have been assured by several fishermen that when seining menhaden they have found a mass of their spawn, two or three feet in diameter, carried in the center of the school, and the idea was advanced that the lish transported and in this way cared for their eggs until they should be hatched. I have had the opportunity of examining one of these supposed 100 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. masses of menhaden spawn, -which proved to be a duster of squid [Loligo Pcalii) ejjgs, and it is probable that these singular objects have given rise to all similar stories. A claim that menhaden spawn in Southern rivers. 135. The .young menhaden which frequent the coasts north of the Carolinas are usually lour or five inches in length, and there is no record of their having been seen of a less size than three inches, and these are probably the fish hatched from the eggs during the winter, which, in obedience to the migratory instinct, move northward along the coast. The movements of the schools of young resemble in every respect those of the grown fish, and they approach the shore from deep water by the same routes. At Cape Hatteras, according to Mr. Simpson, the young fish from one inch upward are seen throughout the summer, which points clearly to a proximity to the spawning-ground at that point. In the Saint John's Eiver they are found two inches in length. It is the opinion of Mr. Kemjis that many of the menhaden spawn in the river, iaid he is positive that he has seen spawn running from the fish taken in the early part of the year. The presence of the young fish in the waters, however, does not necessarily point to that conclusion, as he very naturally supposes it to do. Mr. Simpson believes them to spawn in the Neuse Eiver, but this is not proven to be a true supposition. Criticism of a statement hjj Professor Hind. 13G. In this connection I must call attention to a misapprehension on the part of my friend Professor Hind, who, biising his conclusions upon some uncollated returns in Professor Baird's first report, states that the spawning period of the menhaden is in the spring, at which time it ap- pears to come from its winter home in the deeper waters off the coast to the shores, at dates corresponding to those of others whose move- ments are governed by temperatures.* And again he states, without citing any authority, that "following the law which govern fish life, its mode of spawning resembles that of the typical herring." This may or may not be true. Ino one knows. 23. — The feasibility of artificial culture. ^1 chiim that menhaden may he acclimated in Northern u-atcrs. 137. In a rei)ort to the minister of marine and fisheries, Mr. J. Gr. Whiteavcs remarks : "It would perhaps be desirable to try and acclima- tize- meunadeu in British waters. All that would be necessary would be to send a vessel or two, each provided with well-room, to the United States, and liberate the menhaden thence procured at the mouth of any of the New Brunswick or Nova Scotia rivers, such as Saint Andrew's * TLo tti'.ct vt' tlio lisbery clauses of the Treaty of Wasbingtou, itc, 1877, p. 73. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENH4DEN. 101 Bay, L'Etang,.Lepreaux, or Musquash, in ^ew Brunswick, or Saint Mary's Bay and its tributaries, or Tusket Kiver, in Nova Scotia.'"* In his report for 1873, Mr. Peter Mitchell, minister of marine and fisheries, announces that he intends to suggest the artificial production of bait for the deep-sea fisheries on some part of the const of Nova Scotia, and to devote attention especially to the growth of the menhaden and other bait-fishes of that class.t In the "Case of Her Majesty's Government," before the Halifax Com- mission (see below in paragraph 219), the claim is made that "the men- haden bait itself can be bred and restored to places in the Bay of Fiuidy on the coast of Nova Scotia, where it existed up to the time of its exter- mination." With regard to these claims it can only be said that they are untrue and unsound. No one having the slightest acquaintance with the prin- ciples of fish culture would entertain the idea of the feasibility of such schemes. H.— ENEMIES AND FATALITIES. 21. — Diseases. Mortality in the Merrimac River. 138. Capt. Moses Pettiugell tells me that great mortality often pre- vails among the menhaden at the mouth of the Merrimac Biver. In 187G the dead fish were heaped upon the shore to a depth of two feet, and the municipal authorities of Newburyport expended a large sum of money in carting them away. The fish seem to die in great paiti ; they come first to the surface, then, after a severe flurry, die. They sink im- mediately to the bottom, but float at the surface after a day or two. It is stated that the same mortality prevailed forty years ago as now among the meudaden in the Merrimac. They covered the shores, tainted the air, and were taken away by the farmers as dressing for land. It was noticed that the fish would come to the surface, spin around and around, and then turn over on the back and die.f These strange deaths are very probably caused by the presence of some internal parasite. 25. — Parasites of the menhaden. The crustacean^ Cymothoa prccyiistator. 139, Some of the parasites which infest the menhaden are particu- larly curious and interesting. The name "bug-fish," commonly applied to the menhaden in the Southern States, has reference to a large parasitic crustacean frequently " Sixth Auuual Report of the Departmeut of Marine aud iisheries, 1874, aiipeudices of the iisheiies branch, p. 196. t Fifth Annual Report, &c., p. 6G. t Springtield Republican, August 21, 1871. 102 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. found iu tlie mouth of this fish. This parasite appe^irs to have been first described by Latrobe, who proposed for it the name Oniscus prce- fjustator* Say subsequently referred it to the genus, CymothoaA It is known to the fishermen as the ''bug," "fish-louse," or "crab-louse," and belongs to the order of Isopoda or equal footed crustaceans, familiar examples of which are the whale-lice {Cyamus ceti, &c.) and the boriug shrimps {Limnoria Jlgnorum) which riddle so completely the planks of ships and other submerged timbers, or, better still, the "wood-lice,'' "saw-bugs," or "pill-bugs" to be found in auy old cellar or wall and under stones and logs which have lain for a time on damp ground, Verrill and Smith t give twenty-three marine species for the coast of Southern New England. Most of these inhabit the rocky shores, cling- ing to the roots and branches of rock-weed or crawling among the rocks near high-water mark. Three arc parasitic, one upon the bluefish, one upon the orange filetish ; a third was found by Professor Leidy iu the gill cavity of a hermit-crab {Gelasimus imgilator). Cymothoa pncgitstator^ resembles in its shape a large "pill-bug," the females reaching the length of two inches, the males somewhat smaller 5 they are provided with seven pairs of legs, with claws sharply pointed and adapted for clinging to their l>rotector ; their color is dirty v/hite. The females carry their eggs in a large i)0uch on the under side of the body, formed by a series of large scaly plates, where they are retained until the young are hatched and large enough to care for themselves. The Cymothoa is not in any true sense of the word a parasite, drawing nourishment from the fish to which it attaches itself; it is commensal, stealing shelter and transportation, but not subsistence, and Latrobe was very happy in his selection of a specific name, for a ^om^i pra^gnstator was a foretaster, a cup-bearer, one who tasted the meats and drinks before they were served on the table of a prince. Clinging with its hook like claws to the roof of the men- haden's mouth, its back downward, its mouth in close proximity to the front of the fish's upper jaw, it is in a very favorable location to take toll from every mouthful of food which passes into thebrevoortian throat. It may change its quarters at will, and when the fish is dead frequently relaxes its grasp and crawls out of the mouth. Latrobe writes : " I have sometimes succeeded in taking out the insect in a brisk and lively state, but as soon as he was set free he immediately scrambled back into the mouth of the. fish and resumed his position." The presence of so bulky a guest must greatly inconvenience the menhaden. I have taken from the mouth of a fish nine inches long two of these crustaceans, a male djree-fourths of an inch long, and a female measuring an inch and three- * A drawing aud description of the Clupea Tyrannns and Oniscns Pnegustator. By Beiijamin Henry Latrobe, F. A. P. S. Transactions of the Americau Philosophical So- ciety held at Philadelphia, for promoting useful knowledge. Vol. V., 1802, p. 77, pi. 1. t Journal of the Academy of Natural Scieuces of Philadelphia, Vol. 1., part II, 1818, p. 395. X Report of the Commissioner of Fish aud Fisheries for 1871-'7"2j p. 5G7. § See plate X. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 103 quarters, the vertical diameter of whose bod^^, vs^ith distended egg-pouch, was a half-inch ; this pair of lodgers completely filled the mouth of the fish, and must have incommoded him in the act of feeding. Aside from in- conveniences of this nature, the presence of the parasite does not appear to affect the well being of the fish, those whose mouths are tenanted seeming as plump and healthy as those having apartments to let. About seventy per cent, of the menhaden from the Potomac examined by me in November, 1874, had the Ci/mothoa in their mouths, and even a larger proportion of those in the Saint John's, in April, 1875. Say states that a large number of those in the Delaware were thus infested, and Mr. F. C. Goode writes that this'is the case in the Saint John's Eiver, Florida. The thirty-first question of the " Menhaden Circular " issued by the Commissioner of Fisheries was intended to draw out in- formation on this point, and, from the statements of correspondents, in reply to this query, we may quite definitely conclude that this parasite of the menhaden is unknown in northern waters. Mr. A. G. Wolf, keeper of Absecum light. New Jersey, writes that a "bug" is sometimes found in the roof of the mossbunker's mouth, and almost every correspondent from localities south of that point notices its occurrence. On the other hand, it lias never been observed in the waters of New England and New York. I have examined many specimens from Long Island and Block Island Sounds without finding it, and Prof. S. I. Smith tells me that his search for it in the vicinity of Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, was equally unsuccessful. In Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac, in the Delaware Eiver and Bay, in the inlets of North Carolina, and the Saint John's River, Florida, it is well known as the companion of the alewife or fatback. Capt. Robert H. Hulbert, in the latter part of May or early in June, while seining mackerel from the Ellen M. Adams, of Gloucester, near Block Island, took, with the mackerel, about a barrel of large menhaden, most of which had the parasite in their mouths. At this time most of the menhaden had gone farther north. The later a school comes in, the faster it runs to the northward, says Captain Hulbert. Inferences to he draicn from tlie presence of this iMrasite. 140. It is not known whether Cymotlioci prccgustator is a constant com- panion of the menhaden, accompanying it in its migrations and dependent upon it for existence, or whether it simply seeks shelter in the mouth of the fish at a particular season of the year. Is it not possible that it may be free during a part of its life, seeking shelter perhaps during the breed- ing season? Latrobe found it parasitic in March ; my observations were made in November. It is very important that the chasm between these dates should be bridged, for whatever the truth may be, it will throw much light upon the migrations of the menhaden. If it be a constant parasite, the presumption will be that the schools of fish which frequent the shores of the Southern States, during the summer, do not in their 104 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. winter migration come in contact with tbe schools from the norths other- wise the parasites would naturally be communicated. If it inhabits the mouths of the fish only while they remain inshore, and has there- fore a fixed faunal relation to certain parts of the coast, it may be con- cluded that the menhaden of particular schools are like, the anadromous fishes, restricted to particular portions of the coast, and that those schools which enter the southern inlets in spring do not proceed farther north in their migration, but remain in those localities throughout the season. Still other conclusions may be forced upon the investigator: it may be that the adult Cymothoa never quits its position in the month of the fish, and that the young only swim about in search of unoccupied quarters, and in this case it need not necessarily follow that the parasite would be communicated by southern to northern fish if they were to find their winter homes in the same waters. The study of this curious para- site and its habits will at any rate prove interesting and instructive.* Other parasites. 141. The menhaden seems remarkably free from other parasites, and especially from intestinal worms, not one of which has been met with in numerous dissections. Leeches are occasionally found upon the gills, and there are one or more species of leruaeans. Mr. Uance Lawson, of Crisfield, Md., refers to one of these, saying that " there is a five pronged insect sometimes found on the tail which makes a sore and which we call grappling" — a name doubtless referring to its shape, which might call to mind a grappling-iron ; several other correspondents refer to a imrasite which is unmistakably a lernfean. I know of only one described species of crustacean parasilic upon the species, and this is found also upon the alewife. It is the Lerneonema rodiata (Lesueur) Stp. and Ltk., first described in 1828. It is found figured in the first report of the United States Commissioner of Fish- eries, plate VII, Fig. 30, and below, plate X. 26. — rREDACEOUS FOES. Whales and dolphins. 142. Man, with his instruments for wholesale destruction, takes six or seven hundred millions of these fish annually, but he is only one of its many enemies. Whales follow the schools and consume them in great numbers. Mr. E. B. Phillips states that fin-back and hump back whales always appear in Massachusetts Bay when the menhaden come. According to Capt. John Grant, keeper of the light-house on INIatiuicus Eock, Maine, " The whale rises beneath them as they play upon the surface and, with extended jaws, forces himself up through the school 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.*' * This paragraph waa written two years before paragraphs 84-91. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 105 Mitcbill remarks : " The whalemen say he is the favorite f«od of the great bone-whale or Bahcna mysticetus. This creature, opening his mouth amid a school of menhaden, receives into its cavity the amount of some hogsheads of menhaden at a gulp. These pass one by one head foremost down his narrow gullet ; and eyewitnesses have assured me that on cutting up whales after death great quantities of menhaden had been discovered thus regularly disposed in the stomach and iutes- tiues."* I have seen fin-back whales apparently feeding in this way at the eastern end of Long Island Sound. Schools of dolphins and porpoises follow the menhaden, consuming them in immense numbers, and seals are said to be among their persecutors. Mr, Dudley mforms me that in 1877 the fish left the sound on the 12tli of October; on the 19th enormous quantities were drivt'n back by a school of 30 or 40 whales which the fishermen saw playing offshore. SharJiS. 143. Sharks prey largely upon the menhaden. Capt. B. H. Sisson has seen 100 taken from the stomach of one shark. Mr. D. T. Church gives an account of the destruction of a school off Seaconnet, R. I. " They were lying," he writes, " apparently undisturbed, when a school of sharks ap[)eared among them. The havoc was fearful. One gang of fishermen had their seine in the water at the time, and they com- pletely destroyed it ; they were so ugly that they would seize the end of an oar as if it were a fish." Mr. E. E. Taylor, of Newport, R. L, gives an amusing account of the habits of the thresher shark {Alopias vidpes) : " The heaviest shark we have around here is the thresher shark ; they feed on menhaden. I saw a thresher shark kill with his tail, which was nearly eight feet long, half a bushel of menhaden at one blow, and then he picked them up off the water. They come up tail first, and give about two slams, and it is "good-by, John,' to about half a bushel of menhaden."! This story should be taken cum grano salis, but still may contain a few grains of truth. The horned dog-fish (Squalus americamis) and the smooth dog-fish {Mustelus Iccvis), the smallest representatives in our waters of the shark family, doubtless do more injury than their larger brethren by reason of their great abundance. The former are so voracious that when they make their appearance all other fishes are driven away. When the dog-fish "strike on," an experienced fisherman always pulls in his lines or his nets and abandous his work. Othci' fislics. 144. All the large carnivorous fishes prey on the menhaden. The horse-mackerel or tunny (Orcymis thynniis) is one of the most destruc- * Trans. N. Y. Lit. and Phil. Soc, 1, 1815, 453. t Report of Commissioner of Fisli and Fisheries, 1871-'72, p. 28. 106 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. tive iu ceriaiu localities. " I have often," writes Mr. George E. Allen, of Brookliu, Me., "observed these pests, with the most imaginable indignation, in their destruction of these fish, and watched their antics from the masthead of my vessel, rushing and thrashing like demons among a school of fish, darting with almost lightning swiftness through them, scattering them in every direction, and throwing hundreds into the air with their tails." This is doubtless the barracoutar spoken of by Maine fishermen. Boardman and Atkins accuse the pollock (PollacMits carhonarius) and the whiting or silver hake {Merlncins hiliRearis) of much damage done. Iu reference to the latter they wiite: "It is known to pursue both herring and menhaden. The former it devours in great numbers, and at Grand Manan a great many of the smaller ones are sometimes caught in the herring-nets. In Bluehill Bay, in Kennebec River, and doubtless in other places, it is caught in the weirs, and the Brookliu fishermen often take it iu their seines with menhaden. Its teeth are rather long and remark- ably sharp, and they are charged with wounding a good many menhaden which are afterward caught with their sides and backs lacerated as if iu that way."* The striped bass {Roccus Uneatns) is destructive, and so is the sque- teagueor weakfish [Cynoscionregalis) and its southern representative, the spotted squeteague or so-called "sea trout" [Cynoscion carolinensis.\) I have found a menhaden a loot in length in the stomach of a sque- teague. In the southern rivers the gar-fish (ie^ji^osfews ossews), the "trout" {Microptcrus nigricans), and the cat-fishes {Siluridcc) with the tarpura, [Megalops thrissoides), are said to be its worst enemies. I have found menhaden to be the only thing in the stomachs of specimens of the latter species, taken on the northern coast in summer, and it is probable that these were attracted from their usual haunts in pursuit of their favorite food. The sword-fish {Xipldas gladius) destroys many, rushing through the masses of fish, striking right and left with its powerful weapons. From examination of their stomachs it would appear that the bayonet- fish {Tetrapturus albidus) also feeds extensively upon them. The codfish is said to eat many of them, and this seems quite i)robable, for these fish bite freely at a menhaden bait. The hluejish and the bonito. 345. The bluefisli {Pomatomiis saltatrix) with the bonito {Pelamys sarda) are, however, their most destructive enemies, not even excepting man. Mr. iSimpson, examining a great many of the bluefisli caught on the North Carolina coast in the summer of 1874, found from one to three " fatbacks" in the stomach of each. These corsairs of the sea, not con- tent with what they eat, which is of itself an enormous quantity, rush *0p. cir., 1). 14. t A .southern correspondeat speaks of finding eight menhaden in the stomach of one sea trout. HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 107 ravenously through the closely crowded schools, cutting and tearing the living iish as they go, and leaving in their wake the mangled frag- ments. Traces of the carnage remain for weeks in the great "slicks" of oil so commonly seen on smooth water during the summer season. Menhaden driven ashore. 140. The terrified fish fly in every direction, and are often driven ashore in great numbers. Mr. Church states that the bluefish some- times come into Massachusetts and Narragansett Bays in such force as to completely exterminate the menhaden, driving them ashore in great numbers. Mr. James H. Bell, keeper of Mispillion Eiver Light, Delaware Bay, writes that about November 7, 1874, the shores of the bay from Lewes up to Mispillion Eiver were lined with dead fish, bitten to death by the bluefish, or snapping mackerel as it is there called. Many of the dead fish were without tails, and all were more or less mutilated. Many other cases may be mentioned where the fish were thus floated ashore, but whether their death is to be traced to the persecutions of the blue- fish or to some epidemic prevailing at the time can never be certainly known. Mr. David F. Loring, keeper of Highland Light, Truro, Mass., has seen hundreds of barrels of them cumbering the shore in the western part of Provincetown Harbor, driven up by bluefish, and has also seen them thrown ashore in numbers at the mouth of the Merrimac River, About 185G they were thrown up on the coast of Maine in such quau- tities that the people in the vicinity were obliged to bury them as a sani- tary measure. Capt. Joseph Hardy second, light-house keeper at Chatham, Mass., states that in 1832 they drifted ashore on the southeastern point of Cape Cod in such numbers that the inhabitants were summoned to bury them in pits, for fear of a pestilence, and that the same thing occurred a few years later. Mr. B. Lillingstou, of Stratford, states that large numbers are sometimes washed up along the coast of Connecticut in September and October. Mr. F. Lillingstou, of the same place, has seen thousands dead upon the shore, some with "a reddish blotched appearance, others eaten as if by cancer." According to Mr. Albert Morris, they floated ashore b^' tons at Somers Point, New Jersey, in October, 1873. Mr. Isaac D, Ilobbius, keeper of Hog Island light station, Maryland, states that in August, 1852, he saw a great many dead ones, about two inches in length, in Swangut Creek, on the Eastern Shore, near the line between Maryland and Virginia. He attributes their death to the effects of the warm weather. According to Mr. Wallace R. Jennett, they have sometimes drifted ashore on Cape Hatteras in such abundance that the stench of the de- composing mass was almost unendurable. 108 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Capt. David Kemps, of Yellow Bluffs, Fla., writes that about tbe year 1870 the lueuhaden in the Saint John's Eiver died in large numbers and were washed ashore upon the banks. Tbe Newport (li. I.) Daily News of June 13, 1870, states: " Millions of fish, principally menhaden, scup, and young shad, have been driven on to the New Jersey and Long Island shores the past week. Coves, rivers, fiats, inlets, and ditches have been so lull that farmers have gath- ered them up by the common pitchforks and shovels, carrying off thou- sands of cart-loads to manure the land. Ifc is supposed that these schools of small fry were driven inshore by tbe bluefish." Mr. Phillips has known them driven by the bluefish up the great rivers of Maine until they died and were washed ashore by thousands. Captain Spmdcl on the ravages of the hluejish. 1-47. Capt. Isaiah Spindel, manager of a fish-pound at the eastern ex- tremity of Buzzard's Bay, states: "I do not think pound-fishing is a quarter as bad as bluefish for destroying fish. A bluefish will destroy a thousand fish in a day. When they get into a school of menhaden you can see a stream of blood as far as you can see. They go into them and they will destroy the whole school before they let them go, 1 think menhaden are more scarce than they used to be. They put up the guano factory here (at Wood's Holl) on account of menhaden being so plenty then. Twenty five or thirty years ago there were no bluefish, and menhaden were plenty. Only once in a while were there any blue- fish there. Finally tbe bluefish got so plenty ^hey drove all the men- haden out of the bay. There are plenty of menhaden up in the heads of tbe harbors ; some bluefish will go up and drive them up as far as they can, but bluefish don't like to go up into fresh water. Squeteague will swallow menhaden whole. I have seen bluefish and squeteague throw the food out of their stomachs when caught. I think the blue- fish fill their stomachs and then empty them just for the fun of the thing, so as to catch more fish. I have seen them go into a school of menha- den and catch some and throw them up again, and then go in again. I could not swear they throw the stuff up, but I am j)ositive that it is so. I have seen the fish all chewed up thrown out in the water. They often bite and swallow a part and leave the rest."* Professor Baird on the destructiveness of the hluefish. 148. Professor Baird, in his well-known and often-quoted estimates of the amount of food annually consumed by the bluefish, t states that prob- ably ten thousand millions of fish, or twenty-five hundred millions of * Testimony iu regard to the present condition of the iisberies, taken in 1871. cit., p. 86. H Affidavit 176, oiJ.cit., p. 195. 144 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. stated : " The only bait used by mackerel fishers in the Gulf of St. Law- rence is clams and porgies, and that comes all from the United States."* Christopher Carrigau, of Lower Milford, ]S"ova Scotia, also stated that, he has been on two trips in the north bay in provincial mackerel vessels and that they used only clams and porgies for bait.t A similar statement was made by Martin Ryan, of Middle Milford, who had lished five seasons in provincial vessels, | and Philip Eyan of the same place, who stated that porgies and clams are universally used in the bay (Gulf of St. Lawrence), although a few provincial vessels may occasionally use herring. § Andrew Laurie, of Lower Milford, also stated that herring is only used as bait when the vessels of the provincial fishermen areout of porgies and clams, which are better, 1| and this was confirmed by Thomas England,^ Rufus Carrigan, ** and Charles Lowrie, tt of Milford, George Laidlaw|| and Iv. McDonald, of Low Point, Inverness County, Nova Scotia, who remarked : '* The only bait American mackerel vessels use is porgies and clams, and that is the bait nearly always used by provincial vessels, but sometimes the latter use herring, which is not a good bait and would not do at all to use as bait in fishing alongside of vessels throwing out porgies and clams. "§§ Daniel McDonald, also of Low Point, stated that " ten or twelve years ago or longer there were about 400 or 500 American mackerel vessels in the bay of Saint Lawrence, and during the same time there were about 100 provincial vessels in the bay. The only bait used for mackerel, or almost the only, consists in porgies and clams, and these all come from the United States, whether used by provincials or Americans; a few English vessels use also a little fat herring, but this is used in quantities hardly worth mentioning." |||| James R. Maclean, a merchant of Souris, Prince Edward Island, called on behalf of the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, sworn and exam- ined, testified : " Question. With regard to the bait in use for cod-fishing and mackerel, where is it obtained ? — Answer. They very often use herring and some- times porgies. " Q. Where do they get the herring ? — A. They catch them around the coast and at Labrador. ''Q. Are herring caught there? — A. Yes; there is a lot of herring taken. " Q. The differept fishermen — the large fishermen and the small fisher- men — don't they all catch their own bait? — A. Yes, with nets; and for * Affidavit 188, op. cit, p. 202. t Affidavit 189, ojj. cit., p. 202. t Affidavit 191, op. cit, p. 204. § Affidavit 192, op. cit., p. 204. II Affidavit 19:5, op. cit., p. 205. H Affidavit 194, op. cit., p. 205. ** Affidavit 195, ojj. cit., p. 206. tt Affidavit 197, op. cit., p. 207. It Affidavit 200, op. cit., p. 209. U Affidavit 201, op. cit., p. 210. nil Affidavit 202, op. cit., p. 210. niSTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 145 mackerel bait they take capling — a very fat little fish — and they make out that it is a better bait for mackerel than porgies. " Q. But the large proportion of the bait is herring ? — A. Yes ; but they uso porgies, which they often buy for bait. "Q. To any extent"? — A. The vessels which go fishing generally buy them. They prefer herring when they cannot get porgies good. " Q. Where do ihey buy porgies ! — A. They generally buy them on the island, where they are imported. "Q. They buy them from the merchants'? — A. Yes. It woald not pay to send down to American waters to fish for porgies for the number of vessels engaged in mackerel-fishing. "Q. They prefer to take herring, to do that ? — A. Yes. * " Cross-examined by Mr. Dana : " Q. And your people are buying bait from the United States ? — A. They sometimes do so. "Q. You said that they very often bought pogies, which were used by your people ? — A. Yes. "Q. You mean menhaden — it is the same thing*? — A. Yes. "Q. Where do the merchants get their pogies? — A. From the States. "Q. Do you really suppose that the American fishermen, instead of buying menhaden from first hands, would buy them of your merchants, paying their profit, and commissions, and freight, and all that "? — A. Yes. I have seen these fishermen buy them when their own bait had turned sour or was bad. If the merchants have a quantity of good bait on hand, they can generally sell it. " Q. Is that considered an article of trade ? — A. Xo ; not to a great extent. " Q. Then the Americans get caught; their bait sometimes turns sour f — A. Yes. Consequently, of course, if out with other vessels fish- ing, a vessel having bad bait could not secure her share of the fish. " Q. Can they not catch something else to be used in place of it ; her- ring, for instance ? — A. Kot always. The mackerel-catchers could not wait for this. Their business is to catch mackerel. " Q. But they can obtain it at the Magdalen Islands ? — A. It would take too much time to cross at that point. " Q. Your own fishermen could not get across any sooner ? — A. Xo. " Q. If you could fit out a great number of large vessels for mackerel- fishing, 5'ou would want to import a good deal of this bait, pogies or menhaden, would you not'? — A. Yesj we would then, likely, import quite a lot of it. They could, however, use herring if no menhaden or poges were thrown into the fishing ground. Herring would do nearly as well. " Q. But the fish want something better. — A. Yes."t Mr. George Mackenzie, fisherman, of IS'ew London, Prince Edward * Proceedings of Halifax Commission, 1877. Appendix F, p. 24. Ubid., p. 29. 10 F 146 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Island, witness called on behalf of the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, cross-examined by Judge Foster, testified : " Question. There is no mistake but what the American bait is a good deal better than any other ; there is no question about that ? — Answer. No ; it is always very well liked, but we have to pay pretty high for it. " Q. Do you buy it f— A. Yes. " Q. How much of it do you use ? — A. I used 20 barrels last year, and I bought 20 more barrels this year, at $o a barrel. " Q. That makes $100 spent for mauhadeu bait ? — A. Yes. " Q. Do you mix this bait with herring? — A. Yes; and sometimes we mix it with clams. At the latter end of the season it is that bait which we want. When the fish are poor almost any bait will do, but when they are in good condition they require good bait. " Q. When do you use herring bait f — A. In the spring of the year and July. ''Q. Do you mix manhaden with if? — A. Sometimes. " Q. If it was not for its expensiveness, you would not use herrings at ain— A. No. " Q. Do you use mills to grind the bait? — A. Yes. " Q. And you mix the herrings and menhadens together? — A. Yes; and we also chop up clams with it."* And, again, James McKay, deputy inspector of pickled fish at Port Mulgrave, examined by Mr. Hanson : '• Question. On your different trips mackerel-fishing, what bait do you use? — Answer. Pogies. " Q. These are generally put up on the coast of Maine? — A. Yes. "Q. Where would you buy them if British vessels take them? — A. Our merchants used to import them from Portland, Boston, and Glou- cester. " Q. To Port Mulgrave ?~A. Yes. " Q. And sell them as articles of merchandise ? — A. Yes. "Q. They bought and sold them? — A. The same as a barrel of flour."t The testimony of Canadian officers. 199. H. W. Johnson, of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, wrote, in 1808, a " Special Eeport on the, Distress among the Nova Sco- tia Fishermen." One of the reasons assigned by him for the failure of the fisheries is that " the pogies, the only real mackerel bait, is not caught east of Portland, and must all be imported for our fleet, the in- creased cost of which, added to the American duty, the fisherman has to pay on his share offish, besides charges of transportation, place him in the position that if he catches during the season, to his own share, forty barrels of mackerel in one vessel, he has not made as good a sea- son by about $100, gold, as if he had been in an American bottom."f * Proceediugs Halifax Commiasiou, 1877, Appendix F, p. 132. \IUd., p. 190. i Ibid., p. 67. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 147 Capt. P. A. Scott, R. N., commanding the marine police of tke Domin- ion, reported, in 1870, to the Commissioner of Marine and Fisheries : "For mackerel-fishing 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 $G per barrel."* Capt. Charles G. F. Knowles, R. N., commanding H. M. S. " Lapwing,'' cruising on fishing-station Xo. 4, which includes the west coast of Cape Breton and the east coast of Prince Edward Island, reported to Vice- Admiral Fanshawe, November 7, 1870, iu these words : " The bait with which the Americans are supplied is far superior to any which can be procured in this country, to which may be attributed iu a 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."t 200. Professor Hind, in his treatise on the Effect of the Fishery clauses of the Treaty of Washington on the Fisheries and Fishermen of British North America (part 1, p. 75), remarks that its value as a bait for cod is, iu a considerable degree, superseded by the herring; but as a bait for " tolling mackerel" it is still iu repute, although other fish, similarly treated and finely grouud, appear to be equally useful in this respect. The first part of this statement is undoubtedly true, at least as far as the fishermen of the British Colonies are concerned. In regard to the comparative value of herring and menhaden for toll-bait, there is still room for difference of opinion. An average of, perhaps, 250,000 barrels of mackerel is annually caught by the United States vessels, using menhaden bait solely, against 110,000 caught by the i)roviucial fleet, which appears to use menhaden bait when it can be obtained, buying it at the rate of $6 a barrel in pref- erence to herring bait, which costs only the labor of catching and the salt for preserving. Slivering menhaden. 201. The method of preparing menhaden for salting, to be used as bait, is very simple. The head of the fish is taken in the left hand of the workman, and with a knife held in the right hand he cuts a slice, longi- tudinally, from each side of the body, leaving the head and vertebrae to be thrown away, or, occasionally, to be pressed for oil. The slivers (pronounced slyvers) are salted and packed in barrels. The knife used is of a peculiar shape and is called a " sMvering knife." The operation of slivering is shown in Plates XXII and XXIII. The preparation of macJcerel bait 202. The use of menhaden bait for mackerel-fishing was inaugurated in 1835 or 1840 ; the bait is ground up into a mush a nd salted, to be used * Third Report Commissioner Marine and Fisheries, 1871, p. 312. • t Third Report Department Marine and Fisheries, 187 J, p. 342. 148 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. as a "toU-bait," and to be tbrovrn over tbe side of tbe smack to attract tbe scbool to the surface and to keep it alongside ; this is called "chum- ming up the fish," and the bait is called "chum" or " stosh." To prepare it for use the "slivers" are passed through a "bait-mill," which is a ma- chiuG like a farmer's feed-cutter; the fish are thrown into the hopper, from which the lish pass between a roller armed with small knives in rows, and a series of sim'ilar knives arranged along a board which slopes toward the bottom. The bait is usually ground at night, by the watch on deck; when the vessel has no "bait-mill," the fish are cut up with a hatchet or scalded with boiling water in a tub. Bait-mills were first in- troduced about the year 1824. In fishing for mackerel, one man throws over the bait while the rest ply their lines. " Toll-bait" is also used by the smacks, which use purse-seines and drift-nets, to attract the fish to the surface. The use of menliaden halt in the coast fisheries. 203. Menhaden bait is also used in the coast fisheries for sea-bass, on the "bull-tows" or "trot-lines," and in the eel and lobster pots. They are not much in favor for the latter use, however, for the oil of tbe fish is thought to permeate the flesh of the lobster, imparting to it an un- pleasant flavor. '" Extent of hait-fishery in Neic England. 201. Captain Babsou, of Gloucester, whose account of the bait-fishery of Cape Ann is quoted elsewhere, and to whom I am indebted for much other valuable information, informs me that there were over 60,000 bar- rels of " round fish " taken in his district in 1873. Vessels belonging to the companies of the Maine Oil and Guano Association sold in 1873 for bait 2,977 barrels ; in 1874, 10,400 ; in 1877, 10,795. From the bait fisheries about Marblehead, in the vicinity of Provincetown, 1,000 to 2,000 barrels were taken for bait in 1873, according to Mr. Loring. At Chatham, for the past five years, the average catch has been about 5,000 barrels, a large portion of which are sold to the George's Bank codfish vessels, is^othing has been heard from the bait fisheries about Nan- tucket, which are, however, quite unimportant. A large part of the fish taken at Martha's Vineyard are used for bait ; in 1873 there were 5,000 barrels according to Jason Luce & Co. At Gloucester, according to ]Mr. Babson, the 00,000 round barrels of fish make 20,000 barrels of " slivers," worth $4 per barrel to the pro- ducer. At Marblehead, it averages $1 per barrel for fresh and $6 for salt; at Chatham, $1.50 fresh ; at Nantucket, 50 cents to 75 cents, and at Martha's Vineyard 50 cents, as I am told. In Narragansett Bay, ac- cording to Mr. J. M. K. Southwick, bait sold in 1871 for 81 and $1.50. Baitfishery in Merrimac Elver and Salem Harhor. 205. Fisheries of some importance are carried on at the mouth of the Merrimac River. The menhaden thus obtained are used chiefly to sup- HISTOKY OF TEE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 149 ply the Cape Ann fishing fleet with bait, although they are salted for food to a considerable extent. Ten seines and aboat seventy men are en- gaged in this fishery d wring its continuance, which is usually about one month — from the middle of June to the middle of July. The seiuea are 100 to 200 yards long and 5 to 8 fathoms deep, requiring C to 8 men to manage them. The boats from which they are worked are light scows, about 25 feet in length, and 8 feet in breadth of beam. The seine is set from the stern of the scow, and is worked from the shore by means of long warps. Capt. Moses Pettingell, of Newburyport, to whom I am indebted for the above facts, tells me that the seine-gangs have occasionally taken 2,000 barrels of fish in a single day. Boston and Gloucester vessels come to anchor at the mouth of the river and wait for their supplies of bait. At one time in 1877 there were 25 fishing schooners waiting. Captain Pettingell estimates that 500 supplies of bait of from 10 to CO barrels are sold annually by the Mer- rimac seine-gangs. The regular price of fresh bait for the past ten years has been $1 per barrel. Probably 1,000 barrels of slivered fish were prepared in 1876 ; these sold for $5 per barrel. Captain Pettingell estimates the annual catch for 1876 at 2,000 barrels to a boat, making an aggregate catch of 20,000 barrels, or perhaps 6,000,000 fish. The returns are probably not far from $20,000 in a good season. The following table is from the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries for 1877 (p. 65). It is possibly not complete : Table. — Seine fishery at mouth of the Merrimac. Name. Menliadeu. E. Thnrlow " E. Pierce B. M. Perkins 1 omo n W. H. H. Perkins ''i 2,013,6/o N. Lattinie B. Stevens A similar fishery, though of much less extent, is carried on by Glouces- ter vessels in Salem Harbor. There being no considerable body of fresh water, the schools are small and are easily dispersed. July 15, 1877, I observed six or seven gangs busily plying their seines opposite The Willows. After a day or two the menhaden were driven away, and the fishing ceased until the following week, when they returned and were soon followed by the same boats. An estimate of the total consumption of menliadeii bait. 206. It is not practicable to make, from the data to which I have access, any very accurate estimate of the total quantity of menhaden 150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. bait used in one year. I have given below a number of estimates for iudivitUial ports or fisheries ; GO,COO round barrels are thus accounted for. I do not hesitate to estimate the total consumption for 1877 at 80,000 barrels, or 20,000,000 of fish. Consumption by the George's Bmiks fleet 207. The George's Banks cod fleet is owned entirely in Gloucester There are about 130 vessels, making usually one trip every twenty days. When they can get slivered menhaden they carry no other bait. Early in the summer they go to the Vineyard Sound for their bait, where they buy it from the pounds ; later they are able to buy it from Gloucester and Newburyport seines. Each vessel carries about 40 round barrels of menhaden, iced. Mr. Joseph O. Proctor estimates the annual num- ber of trips made with this bait at 600. This gives a total amount of 24,000 round barrels, or about 8,000,000 of fish ; 24,000 round barrels are equivalent to 8,000 barrels of slivered fish. Ten years ago, according to the estimate of the same gentleman, the " Georgiamen " did not carry menhaden bait on so many trips, nor did they carry so much. He estimates 300 trips, at 30 barrels each, giving an aggregate of 9,000 round barrels, or about 3,000,000 fish. Consumption by the Grand BanJcs fleet. 208. Mr. Proctor estimates that the Grand Bank cod vessels of Glou- cester use in all about GOO barrels of slivered menhaden bait. Major Low's statement of the outfit of the schooner " Madam Eolaud,"* copied from the trip-book, shows that she was supplied with 5 barrels of pogie slivers, at $8 per barrel, making 840 ; and 5 barrels of slack-salted clams, at $11, making 855.t His model table, to show the cost of a new schooner fitted at Gloucester, 1875, for a four months' trip to the Grand Banks for codfish and halibut, with 14 hands, estimates for 12,000 pogies or herring, at $100.| Consumption by the maclcerel line-fishermen. 209. Each mackerel-vessel engaged in line-fishing consumes during the course of the season about 20 barrels of salted menhaden slivers. In 1SG7, when the entire fleet fished with hooks, the amount consumed by Gloucester alone amounted, by Mr. Proctor's estimate, to 0,500 bar- rels, and the total consumption in the United States of mackerel bait must have exceeded 25,000 barrels. In 1877 the purse-seiners are in a large majority. The whole amount consumed by a seining- vessel does not exceed 5 or 6 barrels in a season. Gloucester had in 1877 about CO "mackerel-hookers," using about 2,400 barrels of slivers, while its seining-fleet used about 2,000 barrels more. * Sailed for the Grand Banks August 26, 1873 ; arrived at Gloucester October 10, 1873 ; time absent, one month fourteen days ; gross stock, $2,758.27. t Ihld., p. 3C2. X Ibid., p. 368. A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 151 Capt. Sylvanus Smith, of Gloucester, stated to the Halifax Commis- sion that a vessel fitting out for a four months' trip to the Gulf of St. Lawrence would need to be supplied with 40 barrels of po^ie bait, worth $6 a barrel, making $240, and 10 barrels of salt clams, worth $8 a barrel, making $80.* Major Low's statement, copied from the trip-book of the schooner Oliver Eldridg\%t shows that she fitted out with 55 barrels of slivered pogies, at $0,50 a barrel, making $357.50, and 7 barrels of clams, at $6, making $42.| The amount of these outfits is much greater than that upon which the above estimate was made. The entire amount used in the mackerel fishery in 1S77 probably did not exceed 8,000 or 9,000 barrels of slivers, or 24,000 to 27,000 barrels of "round fish." Consumption ly the Connecticut smaclis. 210. There are seven Connecticut smacks fishing for the flounder (Chaenopsetta occllaris) in Long Island and Block Island Sounds. Five of these hail from ISToank, one from Mystic, and one from New Loudon. Captain Ash by tells me that these smacks average one trip every four or five days for five months (May to September inclusive). They use only menhaden bait ; about one barrel each trii), or perhaps 150 bar- rels in the season. Sixteen Koank and four New London smacks fish for sea-bass. Each carries two or three barrels of menhaden bait each trip, making an ag- gregate annual amount of about 1,000 barrels. Consumption hy the Neic Yorli halibut fleet. ' 211. The New York halibut fleet of 11 sails, owned at Noank, New London, and Greenport, uses only menhaden bait, which is iced fresh in the vessels' holds. Each vessel carries from 0,000 to 10,000 fish each trip. Each vessel makes five or six trips. The aggregate number of menhaden thus used is perhaps 480,000, or 1,400 barrels. The usual price is $4 a thousand. Annual sale of bait by the 31aine manufacturers. 212. The Menhaden Oil and Guano Manufacturing Association of Maine sold for bait : Barrels of lith. In 1873 2, 977 In 1874 . - 10, 400 In 1875 10, 752 In 1876 8, 432 In 1877 10,795 * Proceediugs Halifax Commission, 1877, Appendix L, p. 334. t Which sailed for the Bay of St. Lawrence August 5, 1875 (absent 2 mouths and 28 days), arrived at Gloucester November 2, 1875, stocking §1,771.83, or 224 barrels of mess mackerel. ilMd.,]}. 334. 152 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The Connecticut method of icing hait. 213. A peculiar method of preserving the unsalted menhadeu 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-layer 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 iiounded 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 hait. 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 tweutj'-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 18G6. 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 you state what observation you have made respect ing the method of i)reserving 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 si)oiling, and when you have to carry it beyond that time either ice it or salt it. Salting, of course, is a very simple process, but it alters HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEiSr, 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 indiCfereuce 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 keeiJ 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 ? — 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 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. to rim 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 ])rocess you have your ice in large solid cakes in the upper jiart 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 mouths 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 hnve 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 scale, 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 l)rocess. 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- l)ly 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. " Q. 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- HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 155 snmed, 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 know we can talk with perfect safety often tliousaud 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. "Q. jSTow, 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, who is 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 GOO 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 tor 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 ions would, in all proba- bility, be amply sufficient both to replace the waste by melting and to X^reserve the bait."* 39. — Conflicts between bait fishermen and others. Early feuds. 21G. 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. 457. 156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. These fish, the common menbaden 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 confiict in Maine. 217. In 1877 and 1878 a determined eifort 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 diflicult 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 tliat any legislature will at present interfere with so extensive an interest as that of the menhaden oil manufacturers, t 40, — Menhaden bait as an article of commerce, and the con- sideration OF ITS VALUE BY THE HALIFAX COMMISSION OF 1877. The export of halt to the Dominion. 218. In the section relating to the value of the menhaden as a bait- fish (paragrai)hs 18G-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 menha- * A History of the Towns of Bristol and Bremen in the State of Maine, mcludiug the Pemaquitl Settlement. By John Johnston, LL. D., a native of Bristol, and Professor Emeritus of Natural Science in the Wesleyan University, Middletowu, Conn., and Cor. Mem. of the Maine Historical Society. Albany, N.Y. Joel Munsell. 1S73. 8vo. pp. 524. p. 460. t See paragraph 156. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 157 dea bait was preferred to any other kind by the provincial fishermen. I am told that a considerable number of the vessels of the Xew 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 raackerel 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 5,0U0 barrels of slivered menhaden, worth more than 830,000, 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 ot 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 exami)le, fresh herrings, ale- wives, capelin, sandlaunce, smelts, squids, clams, and other small fishes caught chiefly with seines close in shore. 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 Commissiou, Appendix A, p. 28. 358 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 catchiug 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 exterminatiug 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 ba 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 75 to 120 barrels, or even more than that.' One of the principal modes for the capture of bait and other fishes on the Xew 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 ISTew 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 "Answeir 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 j\IacDonald (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 * ProceediDfrs of the Halifax Comtuis.sion, Ai^penclix B, pp. Id, 19. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 159 made in the treaty, Canadian fishermen are allowed to enter into Ameri- can waters to procure thebait, and the consequenceof 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 bosed 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 $G 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 attributetl in a great measure tbe success of the Americans previously to the recent restrictions, although even now the local fishermen complain that they, have no chance while an American schoouer is fishing near them."* '' The menhaden fishery has within ten years grown into an immense business. Formerly they were taken only for bait, and were either grouu * Boardman and Atkins, op. cit., p. 6. 184 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. greatiu thelatter 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, tbe latest for which the data are at hand for the whole country. Locality. No. of meu. No. of vessels. No. of steamers. Total capi- tal. Barrels fish used. Gallons oil manulactured. Tons crude gnano man- ufactured. Other States... 1,629 1,129 291 29 3 43 $1, 707, 000 983, 000 826, 885 709, 000 848, 727 2, 143, 273 29, 831 21, 414 The most striking fact brought out in the comparison is that Maine realized, from 46 percent, of tbe 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 : 1873 1, 204, 055 1874 1, 93 1 , 037 1875 1, 514, 881 1876 2, 143, 273 1877 ., 1,166,213 Total 7,959,459 HISTORY OF THE AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 185 Table showiug average number of vessels emplojjecl injishei •ies of Maine Association. Name. Address. 1873. 1874. 1675. 1876. 1877. 5 2 I 2 3 3 3 4 6 3 3 1 1 3 2 4 5 3 6 3 2 Jnilsou, Tarr & Co Pemaquid, Me Albert Gray & Co 1 2 2 1 2 5 1 2 1 1 do 2 Gallup, Mor;;an & Co "W.A.Wells &Co South Bristol, Me Gallup &. Jloluies Kenuiaton, Cobb ic Co Bootbbay, Mo 4 Atlantic Oil Comi)auv do ■. Round Pond Oil AV^orks Round Pond, Me 3 2 2' 4 2 3 3 4 Bristol Oil Works do Suffolk. Oil Works do :::... 5 2 4 2 1 1 Loud's Island Oil Works do 2 K. A. Friend Tuthill & Co South Biistol. Me 1 5 3 2 2 1 J. G. Nick-, rson & Co Hodgdon's Mills, Me John nastin;?j Round Pond, Mo 3 George W. il iles &. Co do Job X. Wilson Bluonill.Me Pemaquid Oil Company Pcmaijuid, Me Brown's Co.e Oil Company.. Haddocks' Oil Works Round Pond, Me 3 Boothbay, Me South Saint George Oil Works South Saint George, Me Table showing amount of capital employed by manufacturers of Maine Association. Xame. L. Brigbtnian & Sons Judsou, Tarr & Co Albert Gray & Co Jos. Churcli &. Co Gallup, Morgan & Co W. A. Wells &Co Gallup &. Holmes Kennijitoi), Cobb & Co Atlantic 0.1 Coiui)anv Round Pond Oil Works Bi istol Oil Works Suffolk Oil Works Loud's Island Oil Works . . . E. A. Friend Tuthill &Co J. G. Nickerson & Co John Hastings Fowlsr & Foore George W. Miles ife Co Job T. Wilson Pemaquid Oil Company Brown's Cove Oil Company. Maddocks' Oil Works South Saint George Oil Works Address. Round Pond. Me Pemaquid, Me Round Pond, Mo do East Coothbay, Mo... South Bristol] Me East Boothbay, Me. . . Boothbav, Me do : Round Pond, Mo do do , do Brooklia, Me South Bristol, Me Uodgdon's Hills. Me. Round Pond, Mo South Brist^ 1, He do Blue Hill, Me Pemaquid, Me Rouuel Pond, Me Boothbay, Mo South Saint George, Me. 1873. S90, 000 110,000 •28, (JOJ 1-20, 000 19, COJ 27, 000 22, 000 27, OUO Go, ODD 10, QUO 28, 000 55, 000 0,500 1874. 590, 000 1-20, 000 55, COU 120,00.1 21,000 35, OCO 25, COO oO, 000 100, 000 18, 000 20, (,00 55, 000 8,000 6,500 $90, 000 §110,000 50, 000 145, 000 31, LOO -10, 000 50, Olio 25, 000 HO, OUO '20, 000 22, 000 8,000 28, 000 90, 000 23, 000 3{), COO 57, 000 24, 000 45, 000 15.5, 000 35, 000 40, 000 54,000 25, COO 135, COO 12, 000 16, 000 80, 000 8,000 38, 000 48, OCO 57, 000 110,000 15, 000 |90, 000 55, 000 200, 000 44,013 60, 000 70, 000 ■25, 000 21,000 35, 000 45, 000 25, 000 42, 000 42, 000 59, 000 100,000 23, COO 130, OCO 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, Mo 1,500 1,800 750 2,100 GSO 700 470 615 1,800 450 COO 1,300 200 2,600 2,150 1,3.0 4, 000 900 900 790 850 2, 450 8.30 800 9.50 500 205 2,500 1,450 Albert Gray & Co 1,680 4,500 1,010 510 909 714 2,000 5:0 800 '"'466 1,300 6,000 1,100 1,000 1,230 4s3 1,595 600 81 850 800 Jos. Church & Co do 5,400 Gallup, Morgan & Co W. A. Wells & Co East Boothbay, Me South Bristol, Ho 700 562 1,500 Keuniston. Cobb & Co Boothbay, Ho do Round Pond Oil A7oik3 150 Bristol Oil Works do 000 Suffolk Oil Works do 740 do 275 R. A. Friend Tuthill &Co South Bristol, Mo 500 1, 375 400 450 850 250 825 800 J. G. Nickci'son & Co Hod'^dou's Hills He John Hastings Fowler & Foote South Bristol, He do 825 1, 121 562 George W. Miles & Co 725 Job T. Wilson BlucIIill,Mo Pemaquid Oil Company Pemaquid, ilo 2,000 175 1,900 Brown's Cove Oil Company.. Maddocks' Oil Works Boothbay, He 1,600 South Saint George Oil Works South Saint George, Me 352 186 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. TaMe sliowhig average number of harrels offish, talcen bu fleet belonging to Maine Association. Kame. L. Bri,':litman & Sons Jcdsou, TaiT & Co Albert Gray & Co Jos. Obiircia & Co Gallup, Moigau &, Co W.A. Wells &Co Gallup & Holmes KcnnistoD. Cobb & Co Atlantic Oil (Joinijauy Ecuud Pond Oil Woriis Bristol Oil Works SalTolk Oil Works Lovid's Island Oil Works. . . E. A. Friend Tuth;ll&Co J. G. Is iekerson & Co John Hastings Powler & ]<'ooto Georoo W. Miles & Co Job T.Wilson Pcmaquid Oil Company Brown's Covo Oil Company Maad(icks'Oil Works South Saint Georoo Oil Works Address. Round Pond, Me . Pcmaquid, Mo ... Kound Pond, Me . East Boothbay,, Me . . South Bristol,' Me East Boothbay, Me. . . Boothbay, Mo do ■ Koun-i Pond, Me do do do Brooklin, Me South Biisto), Mo Hodgdon's Miils, Me . Jiou'jd Pond, Me South Bristo!, ile Blue mil, Mr, Pcnia(iiuJ,Mo EouL'd Fond, Me Eoothbny, Mo South Saint George, Me. 1873. 49, 000 61,000 25, 000 86, COO 22, 000 ^2,913 15, 000 18,000 43, COO lt),r.00 22, 000 41,000 8,000 1874. 82, 000 07, 000 40, 000 138, 000 29, 472 30, 000 25, 000 28, 339 C4, 000 27, 000 33, 000 29, COO l.'i, 0(iO 8,000 83, 000 53,000 i:>3, ODO 29, 545 28, COO 32, OjO 21, 323 5G, 000 18,000 24, 000 48, 000 12, 300 IC, 583 4:i, 020 14,0C0 10, COO 2.>, 000 10,400 45, 000 ;o 1,000 34, 703 30, 000 40, 900 14, 474 51, 878 2J, 000 25, 053 26, 916 13, 000 27, 900 26, 2.^0 37, 000 00, 000 5,000 1877. 27, COO 182, 000 23, 760 19, 200 51,847 5,500 22, 500 22, 200 9, COO 27, 176 17, 721 20, 000 64, 031 51, 610 13,000 Table shoiving average number of gallons of oil produced bi/ manufacturers of Maine Asso- ciation. Name. L. BriJo Albert Gray & Co Jos. Church & Co Gallup, Mors Loiid's Islaid Oil Works .. E. A. I' riend Tutbill & Co J. G. Kickerson & Co John Hastings Fowlor & Footo Gecrsie W. Miles & Co Job T. Wilson Pemaquid Oil Company Brown's Cova Oil Company Maddocks' Oil Work/i . . . " . South Saint George Oil Works Address. Eound Pond. Me Pcmaquid, Mo Eound Pond, Me do East Boo; hbay, Mo Sou;b Eli tol,' Alo East B joihbay. Me Boothbay, Mo do : Eound Pond, Me do , do do Brooklin, Mo South Bi'istol, Me Hodgdon's Mills, Mc Eound Pond, Mo South Biistol, Me... do Bluenill,Mo Pemaqnid, Mo Eound Pond, Me Booth hay. Mo South Saint George. Me 187.1. 135,000 i7."., COO 70,000 J50, COO 55, 000 C2, 01.0 45, COO 5 1, euo 120, COO 4 1, 2.)5 5.1, COO [-11,000 20, 000 1874. ■-'60, 000 200, COO 153,005 450, COO 8.-I, 204 9:!, 000 71,000 ^4, llib 193, OUO S7, COO 1 02, 000 8:i, 000 •14, COO 2a, 000 1875. 1870. 20, 000 135, 000 440, COO 75, 1 ? 76, 000 Hd. 000 50, G.JO 140, 000 4.5, o;;o 70, 000 146, 000 30, 000 48, 428 114, 380 37, OCO 36, 4C0 71, OCO y8, 000 129, 000 000, 000 111,018 87, 000 135, 555 :.9,500 139, 0(10 72, 000 80. 000 82, 500 28, 000 89, 000 85, 000 124, 700 180, 000 15, COO 44,000 365, 781 47, 880 40, OCO 121, COO 8,500 53, 500 51,000 15, 680 65, 000 39, 872 45, 000 136,006 118,000 21, 000 Table showing average number of steamers employed in fisheries of Maine Association. Name. L. Brightman & Sons Judson, TaiT & Co Albert, Gray & Co Jos. Church & Co Gallup, Morgan & Co W. A. Wells&Co Gallup Lt Holm' s Kcnui.ston, C.'ibb & Co Atlantic Oil Cumpany Eound Pond Oil Wcrlis Bris olOil Works Suliblk Oil Works Loud's Islaud Oil Works. . . E. A. Friend Tulhill &Co J. G. Nicker.soa & Co Job T. Wilson Pemaquid Oil Company Brown's Cove Oil Company John lLisUn'.;s Fowh r & F(jote GeorgL. Vv'. Mdcs & Co Maddocks' Oil Works .... South Saint George Oil Works Address. Eound Pond, Mo Pomaquid, Me Eound Pcnd, Mo do East Boothbay, Me. . . South Brisiol, Mo E,!st Boothbay, Mo. . . Booth uay, Me do : Eouua Pond, Me do do do Brorklin, Mo South Bristrd, Me Uodtrdon's Milla, Mo . Blue Hill, Mo PoLaaquid, Mo Eouud'Pond, Me ..- do South Bristol, Me Booth Bay,Me South Saint George, Mo. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 187 Table showing aggregate nmnher of men employed in fisheries of Maine Association. Kaiiie. L. Brigbtiuau & Sons JudsoD, TaiT & Co Albert, Giay & Uo J 08. Church & Co Gallup, Morgau & Co W. A. Vv'ells iCo Gallup & Holmes KeniiistoD. Cobb & Co Atlantic Oil Comiiany Eouml Pond Oil Works Bristol Oil Works SuflblkOil WoTks Loud'.s Island Oil Works It. A. Friend iUthiU&Co J. G. Nickerson & Co John Hastings .Fowler >.t Foote George A", ililes & Co Job T. Wilson PomaquJd Oil C^iupaiiy Browij's Cove Oil Company . . Maddocks' Od Works South Saint George Oil Workb Address. Kound Pond, Me Pemaquid, Mo Ivounu Pond, Me do East Boothbay, Me South Bristol, Mo. East Boothbay, Me Boothbay, Me do.. Kound Pond, Me do do do Brookli'j, Me South Bristol, Mo llodgdou's Mills, Mo Itouiid Pond, Mo South Bristol, Me do Blue Hill, Me Peniaquid, Me Uonr;d Pond, Mo Booihbay, Me South Saint George, Me. 1873. 1874. 40 100 37 32 toO 50 GO 30 30 50 120 t 35 30 40 50 63 40 30 50 20 (*) 50 140 23 40 60 (*) (*) * Not operated. t Hodgdon's Mills, E. B. Table shoiving aqgregale nnmher of men emp^oiiefT in factories of Maine Association. Name. 1 Address. 1873. ls:74. 1875. 1876. 1877. L. Bi ightmau & Sons Eouud Pond. Mo 30 27 17 50 9 15 10 11 24 15 15 16 10 40 30 20 70 13 16 12 10 20 15 16 16 12 14 45 40 (*) Albert Gr.ay & Co 30 80 tl7 17 tl8 12 25 16 2C 9 SO 00 15 18 18 17 25 15 13 15 12 30 rio 60 Gallup. Morsim & Co W. A. Wcils&Co East Boothbay, Mo 15 12 East Booth ay, Mo 20 (*) Atlantic. Oil Company ... do Itoiiud Pond Oil Vv^orks Rou; d Pond, Me 15 Brstol Oil Works ...do 15 Suffolk Oil Works East Boothbay, Me 18 Loird's Island Oil Works Ilouud Poud, Me 12 Tnthill &Co 11 13 18 18 15 13 14 13 14 20 13 George W. Miles & Co 15 Job T. Wilson 131110 Hill Mo Peniaquid Oil Company Brown's Cove Oil Company.. Maddoeks' Oil Works 40 12 130 (*) Botthbav Mo 20 12 * Not operated. t Hodgdoa's Mills. t Bristol, Me. TuhJe showing statistics of the -manufacture of oil and guano in the Stnte of Maine. Number of lactori-s Number of sail- vessels N umber of steami^r.s Number of lisbermen Number of factory hands Numbf r of men — total. . . Capital in factories Capital in gear Capital — total N umber of tish (bbls) Number offish (M) Gallons of oil Tons of guano 16, 000 ^78, §335, $613, 4-20, 143, 137, 1, 204, 12, 13 38 17 533 249 782 500 000 500 413 61 6 055 965 1874. 14 37 22 561 301 805 S316, 000 8390, 500 ^705, 500 621, 861 207, 287, 000 1, 931, !7 19, 295 1875. 17 30 31 771 373 1,144 $397, 000 $482, COO $879, OOD 635,771 211,923,666 1, 514, 881 19, 395 1876. 17 29 43 758 371 1, 129 $^31,000 $552, 000 $983, 000 709, 000 238, 333, 000 2,143,273 21,414 1r77. 18 13 48 727 300 1,027 $459, 812 §623, 8.i0 $1, 083, 612 5r,7, 145 185, 715, COO 1,166,213 16, 666 Returns for the United States. 258. The following table, compiled from data fiirnisbed by Mr. Jasper Pryer, shows in detail the statistics of manufacture by some of the prin- cipal establishments: 188 KEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. OOOOOOOOCOOCIOOO OC3000>OOOOOC2^HOOO CO lOO-^cNoo o« ^■^ t-'>" m o oo ooo oo o o o o o o o o o c c^ oo o o*" o' cs" oo" irf fo" o" o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o iri o*" *rr o" o" cT c^n r-i >-i lo OOOOOO'MOO^OOOOIOO oo>oot^ooio::5-rooorco o o — oooo O O O JJ 'T (TJ O lO tO"^ t- »r3 rH r-* oooo OO 00000*1 (>i O 0< —1 C3 L-J O rt rH rl CJ OOi-HOOOOOOJOOOOOO OO'XJOJuOOOt-t ' 00 o o o •O'OOOOODOOOUOIOO " I o" 1 r:r o' cT o" oo" cT ^^ rn" r-" x" •h" irT ' O to tH « ■* 0^00000 in oo o o o o o c^ o TO o in o o to O r-i TO i> TO to rH r-H U O Si O H O O TO O O O 000*000 000000 TO O TO p «}> TO'^QOTOrHinTOrtOJCT'^J'CJO r-1— . rH (71 ■ r-l O «5 C! TO • TO CO o o> ■* o 171 1< o o o o CI in o o cj 'X o no o TO o ■<3'in-TTO'^tO-3'in'^J»OS<0 0«TO 0000000 Lo o o:: o o in •n* TO rt ^ in tH inooTOTJOoiinTOOjoinot-m ^TO'Or-i ' fl ^ ►J =<«t; .-■^i CO Sep q- Z a „ 03 e3 t-5 F M O M t-5 P ;a ■ o .0 o HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 189 o o o o oo C3 o o o o ^> o o s o o c —; C< r-l iH M o o o o o o o CO o o eo -'I* o o I.-: o o o o o i": CO o w c; o 'Xj K -i-'i—'io'^fcJ'co'' c o oin o o o t^ o o "T m OOO oo lO O O O O CD '7^ O o o o o t- o o o o o o O O O O lO 00 >.•; tj o _ T-i o —I" o~OD"rfTtr « « r-( rH o ooo o o c; o oo oo o' — ' o' orT O O O 1'^ OL5 T O OOJO "S" C» 0 to $24 per ton ; 1870, $23 to $25 per ton; 1871, $20 to $25 per ton ; 1872, $1G to $19 per ton ; 1873, $18 to $20 per ton ; 1874, $19 to $23 per ton ; 1875, $15 to $17.50 per ton ; 1870, $17 to $20 per ton ; 1877, $14 to $17 per ton ; 1878, $17 to $18 per ton. "Prices in bulk at factory are usually about $3 per ton lower than at New Haven, owing to cost of packages, labor, and freights. Dry ground fish guano was retailed ten years ago at $55 per ton, now at $40 to $42.50 ; wholesale, $5 per ton less." Methods of manufacture and need of improvement, — Statements by Prof. G. A. Goessman. 291. The following statements from the Third Annual Report of the Massachusetts State Inspector of Fertilizers, Prof. Goessman, who has given a great deal of attention to the subject of fish manures, are of special value in this connection. Professor Goessman gives an analysis of a sample of dried fish scrap obtained at the chemical works under the charge of Hon. S. L. Goodale, at Booth Bay, Me., where large quanti- ties of fresh scrajjs were delivered direct from the press of an adjoining fish-rendering establishment. It was deemed a particularly fair sample of a well-rendered and carefully-dried menhaden fish. It contained 10 per cent, of water, 70.75 per cent, organic matter, 18.25 per cent, ash, 8.46 per cent, phosphoric acid, and 8.14 per cent, nitrogen. "About one third of the entire phosphoric acid proved to be soluble in citrate of ammonia. Ether abstracted at ordinary temperature 18 per cent, more of a thick, highly-colored, oily mass. "The following rules of rendering the fish were stated as being cus- tomary in the establishment above mentioned : the fish were boiled for about one-half to three-quarters of an hor.r, by means of steam of from 70 to 80 pounds' pressure, in large wooden tanks with false bottoms ; and subsequently, after the soup had been withdrawn, subjected to a press- ure of about 115 to 120 pounds per square inch. The fish mass, in con- sequence of its gelatinous condition, retains usually still from 50 to 55 per cent, of moisture. In a large fish-rendering estabishment near New York City, I noticed that the boiling of the fish was continued only 25 minutes, with steam of 50 pounds' pressure, and the rendered fish mass subsequently treated with IGO pounds' pressure per square inch. "The soup, which contains besides the oil more or less of the glue- producing, soluble nitrogenous matter of the flesh and the bones, is at pres- ent dischargetl after, by means of settling-tanks, the oil has been care- HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 221 fully removed. This practice causes a considerable waste of nitrogen. The yield of oil differs, often widely, even during the same season, being, it was stated, usually highest during autumn. The rendering begins usually in May or June, and closes late in the fall. The quality of the fish refuse in general, independent of its moisture and mechanical con- dition, depends, quite naturally, to a large extent, on the following cir- cumstances : "First. On the kind used and whether entire or in part. "Second. On the peculiar mode of rendering. "Third. On the time when the fish are caught. "Fourth. The course pursued in keeping and preparing the refuse for the general market. "Each of these circumstances exerts an influence of its own on the composition of the fish guano. "Judging from general appearances, but little attention is paid thus far to the first three conditions ; the influence of the last one is, more or. less, fully understood, yet not satisfactorily controlled. A main diffi- culty, no doubt, arises from the irregular arrival of large quantities offish at one time during the season ; and the means, which are at present usually employed to meet this difficulty, are, quite frequently, inadequate to the demand. Many manufacturers of fish-oil consider it, therefore, apparently a safer proceeding to dispose at once of their crude stock at low rates than to run the risk any longer. Without questioning the soundness of their course of action, in case of limited pecuniary means, there seems to be no valid reason why improvements should cease here as long as it is daily demonstrated that it pays well to collect animal re- fuse matters from all over the country and to work them into valuable concentrated fertilizers. " Nobody familiar with the nature of a good fish guano considers it less efficient for agricultural purposes than any other animal refuse matter of a corresponding percentage of phosphoric acid and nitrogen. In fact, all true guanos, the Peruvian not excepted, owe their most valuable constituents, in a controlling degree, directly or indirectly to the fish. "Our fish guano consists of the entire body of the menhaden fish, which has been deprived i)urposely of its main portion of fat, and, inci- dentally, more or less completely of its soluble nitrogenous matter. The more the flesh predominates, the more the fat has been abstracted with- out the application of an excessive heat, as far as time and degree are concerned, the higher will be the commercial value of the residue of the press in case of an equal percentage of moisture. The flesh of the fish, like that of our domesticated animals, contains on an average 15 per cent, of nitrogen. The same close approximate relation exists between the bones and the textures of these otherwise widely difi'ering classes of animals; for the fish-bones and the scales consist, mainly, of a varying quantity of cartilaginous (nitrogenous) matter and of (tricalcic phos- phate) bone phosphate. 222 EFFORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. "To produce a fish guano which contains in a given quantity the largest possible amount of nitrogen, must be the principal aim of the manufac- turer. It brings the highest pecuniary compensation ; for one percent- age of nitrogen is commercially equal to 4 per cent, of phosphoric acid. " During the past, it is true, there has been little inducement for con- siderations of this kind on the part of the manufacturer, because prac- tically there has been scarcely any serious discrimination on the x)art of the consumers regarding the exact relative chemical composition of the various fish guanos offered for sale. " The future i)rospect of this branch of home industry depends, in an unusual degree, on the exertions which hereafter shall be made, on the part of the manufacturers, to meet the present more exacting conditions of the trade in fertilizers. "To derive any full benefit from the capital invested renders it ad- visable, for all parties pecuniarily interested in the fish guano man- ufacture, to favor a closer scientific investigation into the changes which the menhaden fish undergoes during the customary mode of ren- dering, " Loss of nitrogenous matter, in consequence of misapplication of heat, seems to be not always compensated for by an increase of the yield in oil. "The latter, when left in the fish mass in an undue proportion, reduces? to say the least, the commercial value of the guano by adding a worth- less matter, which may affect seriously the analytical results, as far as its percentage of nitrogen is concerned. To heat the fish to a higher temperature, or for a longer period of time than is required to secure the largest possible amount of oil, reduces, invariably, the commercial value of the fish mass for agricultural purposes. A few subsequent an- alytical statements, regarding the composition of fish, and the degree of the changes which they may suffer by steaming and rendering, may serve as a practical illustration of my previous remarks. "A well-dried and finely-ground fish guano is one of our best substi- tutes for Peruvian guano, and ranks equally high Avith the best quality of animal dust from our butcher refuse establishments. It deserves the liberal patronage of farmers wherever a rich nitrogenous phosphate is called for. "I have shown in a iirevious report, that, as a general rule, the high grades of superphosphates are cheaper than our low grades ; the same rule applies to nitrogenous materials. " The recent changes in our fertilizer trade tend to stimulate improve- ments in the modes of their manufacture, by rendering true merits prominent, which, as a natural consequence, secures a reliable patronage only to the best quality. We are not yet suflering from an overstock- ing of our fertilizer markets on account of overproduction of home-made fertilizers obt.ained from suitable home resources. "Millions of dollars are annually sent abroad still, for the importa- HISTORY OF THE AMERIHAN MENHADEN. 223 tion of materials, which, in their crude form, are by no means better than what we have in abundance at home. "The manufacture of fertilizers has become in the same degree an art, as agriculture itself has justly assumed the claim of beiug a sci- ence. "The production of fish guano, although respectable already, as far as quantity is concerned, is thus far but incidental to the menhaden fish-rendering industry. " It remains still an open question whether our resources for the man- ufacture of fish guano do not extend beyond that branch of industry." statements of Mr. Maddocks. — Manvfacture in Maine. 292. From the fifth report of the secretary of the association of the menhaden oil and guano manufacturers of Maiue, Mr. L. Maddocks, which is devoted to "The Menhaden Fishery of Maine," the following quotations are taken. The manufacturing processes are those preva- lent on the Maine coast, particularly ia the region of Booth Bay : " The fish [as brought in by the fishing vessels] are discharged into a car running upon a rail-track to the second story of the factory, and thence poured into tanks below, holding sixty to seventy-five barrels. These are filled one- third with water, steam turned on, and the fish cooked an hour, or until the albumen is coagulated, and the oil-cells broken. The cooked mass, after draining, passes into j)resses worked by hydraulic power, and is subjected to the pressure of a hundred tons per square inch, the oil and water flowing out and being collected in vats. The oil is then drawn off, clarified by settling, barreled, and is ready for market. The residue, called chum or scrap, is usually stored in the lower story of the factory until taken away by the purchasers, chiefly the manufacturers of ammoniated superphosphate of lime. " The following figures will give more defiuiteness to the statement : "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 fresh chum or scrap. "These are average results of the manufacture as now conducted in this State. 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 per cent, of fat or oil, which is equally worthless for manure. "As now generally managed, the scrap remains in large heaps until shipped, in autumn or winter, to the points of manufacture into super- phosphate. In this time a portion of the oil and water leaks away, so as to leave about 10 or 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 224 EEPOST OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. specified per cent, of oil is lost, and a portion of nitrogen is also lost, re- sulting from the partial decomposition of the mass, the formation and escape of ammonia. It were better, if practicable, to drive off the water at once upon withdrawal from the press, so as to prevent the loss in question." Goodale's new process. 293. I have spoken of fisli guanos from which the most of the fat has been extracted by special processes (Class No. 5, of page 000).. One of these is Mr. Goodale's, of which Mr. Maddocks speaks as follows: "What has hitherto prevented the driviug oft' of the water imme- diately by artificial heat has been the presence of so much oil, 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 the 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 hinderauce to drying, gives promise of a speedy change in this respect. While pursu- ing investigations relative to utilizing the menhaden as a source of con- centrated food, before referred to, Mr. S. L. Goodale, formerly secretary of the board of agriculture, discovered that it was chiefly by the agency of the gelatine that the remaining oil was held in the scrap. He found by thoroughly washing new scrap with sufficient hot water, and agita- tion, that it lost its jellyish consistence and slimy feel, and that the oil globules were liberated from their lock-up in the tissues, so that the greater part could be easily recovered by draining and repressing, and also that after such washing it could be pressed much drier than before. " We can now readily understand why it is that oil, together with a putrid, watery liquid, leaks away from new scrap not many days after it is removed from the press. It is simply because dissolved gelatine, being more readily putrescible than other animal substances, quickly decomposes, and changes to a thin, offensive liquid, which partly drains oft". This decomposition, or the change of consistence attending it, so ' lets the bars down,' that more or less oil escapes, while subjected to no press- ure whatever, except its own weight. " Thus by a very easy process, the oil product may be largely increased, the scrap left free from the gluey hinderauce to drying, and with less water to be dried out. " It may appear strange that so simple a method should not have been 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 powei fill pressure, but it failed to give satisfactory results. Ke- 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. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 225 " Scrap made by this process last August (1S77), and dried in the open air, was lately analyzed at the agricultural experiment station of Connecticut, and the statement of the director, Prof. S. W. Johnson, of New Haven, shows the proportion of moisture to be reduced to 11.45 per cent., cr about one-fifth that contained in the scrap fresh from the [>ress; and the proportion of oil to 4.G5 per ceut., tlius proving that the content of oil in the icasJied scrap as it came from the press (before dryiug it) had been reduced to less than 2} per ceut. [The percentage of nitrogen was 10.24 per cent., the phosphoric acid 7.50 per cent. These figures refer to the material as dried in the open air.J ''According to these figures, the proportion of oil hitherto lost is, by the new process, reduced from an average of, say 15 i)er 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 as- sumed, however, that only 10 per cent, can be realized in practice, and that the annual out-turn of scrap from the factories of the J^Iaine association be only 40,000,000 pounds. This would give an annual saving of 4,000,000 pounds of oil, or 533,000 gallons, worth, at current prices at market for 1877, forty cents per gallon, $213,200. '• With reference to drying by artificial means, which is obviously important, no doubt is felt that the apparatus now in operation will effect the work as thoroughly as may be desired, and cheaply and quickly also, provided only the oil and gelatine in the scrap be reduced as above described. '' Two companies belonging to the association have succeeded in dry- ing the scrap in considerable quantities, notwithstanding the obstacles referred to. The scrap is passed through a slightly inclined heated iron cylinder thirty feet long and four leet in diameter, and on the pas- sage is agitated by paddles attached to a revolving shaft, and comes out at the lower end dried to about 25 per cent, of moisture. The process will be greatly i)romoted in dispatch and efficiency by the application of the new oil-saving method, and the whole manufacture will then be under full control. The scrap can at once, upon withdrawal from the press, be subjected to the drying process by furnace heat, irrespective of the state of the weather, and thus the loss of ammonia by decomposi- tion be forestalled. If the contained moisture is reduced to a per cent, no lower even than 20 or 25, the scrap can be kept on the spot at con- venience, and without offense to the senses, or transported as required." Adamsoii's process. 294. The other process for extracting fat from fish is that of Adamson. It depends upon the use of hot petroleum, naphtha, or benzine, to dis- solve the oil. Whole fish, menhaden, or others, as well as scrap, are said to be arranged in layers, in an inclined iron cylinder, the naphtha or benzine directed upon and passed through them. In the passage the oil is extracted from the fish, which are left in an excellent form for dry- 15 F 226 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ing and grinding. The process is said to be easy, simple, and efi'ectual. The main drawback is the necessity for new apparatus and the rejection of a good share of the appliances now used. Two samples offish guano prepared in this way and analyzed at the Connecticut experiment station gave, respectively : Per cent. Per cent. Moisture 4.91 3.67 Oil 2.07 Nitrogen 10.78 10.74 Immense umste offish at present. — Possibilities of future mamifacture. 295. The accounts of these new processes at my disposal are meager. They seem, however, to jn'omise well, and, if successful, must revolu- tionize the manufacture of fish guano. The great desideratum has been a means of removing the oil as entirely as possible, saving the nitro- genous matters and yielding a fine, dry product. This seems to have been found. I understand that the Adamsou process is to be used in the manufacture of a fertilizer from the fish that are taken along the cpast, but thrown into the sea again on account of their low value for oil or food. The benefit to our agriculture from such an economizing of fish hitberto wasted would be immense. Concerning the number offish thus lost Mr. Goode writes: "I estimate that the amount of fish annually thrown away from the hundred and fifty-odd weirs on our coast cannot fall much short of ten millions of pounds annually, and probably far exceeds that." ^^ Acidulated fish ^^ and '■'■fish and potash salts.'" 298. The " acidulated fish " (class No. G on page 219) is prepared by treating the fish scrap with sulphuric acid to render the phosphoric acid more soluble. Unfortunately the constitution of the tissues of the fish is such as to resist the action of the acid, and the desired result is only partly attained, A sample examined under the writer's direction gave 7.09 per cent, of phosphoric acid, of which only 1.7G per cent, was soluble in water. It will be remembered that Pettitt's process for the manufacture of fish waste into a fertilizer was based upon treatment of the fish with acid, and did not prove a success. Various efibrts in this same direction are reported in this country and in Europe, but none, as I can learn, have been found i)rofitable. The imperviousness of tlie tissues to the action of the acid has thus far been an insurmountable obstacle to success, and will probably remain so. The " fish and potash salts " (class No. 7, above) is a mixture, as its name rei)reseDts, of fish, half-dry scrap ajjparently, in the specimens I have seen, with German potash salts. The idea is a sound one, in that the salts used, doubtless of the lower grades, like Leopoldshall Kainit, and containing large percentages of chloride of sodium (common salt), HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 227 would act as a preservative, and further, the potash supplies a lack in the fish and makes of it a " comiDlete " fertilizer. The amounts of the " acidulated " fish and "fish and potash salts "in the market are so small as to give them very little importance. Mamifacture of '•'' ammoniated superpJiosphafes." 297. The most important use of fish waste is in the manufacture of nitrogenous, '' ammoniated," superphospates. These fertilizers, which constitute by far the largest class in the market, owe their vahie mainly to the two ingredients, nitrogen and phosphoric acid. For phosphoric acid various fossil and mineral phosphates, particularly those from South Carolina and the Island of Navassa, are employed. Of late, miues of apatite have been opened in Canada, and promise to be a rich and im- portant source of i^hosphates for this purpose. The waste boneblack from sugar refineries is also used in very large quantities for the same purpose. Bone meal is likewise employed, but to a limited extent. The phosphoric acid in all of these is in insoluble or very slowly soluble forms. To render it more available, the phosphates are treated with sulphuric acid, and thus superphosphates are produced. Various materials are used to supply nitrogen (ammonia) to super- phosphates. Dried blood and meat-scrap from slaughter-houses are, next to fish, the most important materials in common use for this pur- pose. Formerly a good deal Peruvian guano was employed. In Europe considerable sulphate of ammonia is used, but manufacturers there are learning that they can get nitrogen cheaper in American fish and slaugh- ter-house products, and thousands of tons of our best nitrogenous materials are annually taken from us and sent across the Atlantic to enrich English, French, and German soils. According to the report of Mr. Maddocks, already referred to, " nine- tenths of the fish scrap turned out at the works of the Maine associa- tion are bought by the manufacturers of superphosphate to ammoniate their products, of which 400,000 tons are produced yearly in the United States. They combine it, when dried and pulverized, Avith South Car- olina phosphatic rock, ground bones, with imported guano deficient in ammonia, &c. It is understood that not over one ton of the fish guano is used in connection with three or four tons of the mineral ingredients." The largest manufacturers of superphosphates in this country are the Pacific Guano Company, whose works are at Wood's Holl, Mass., and near Charleston, S. C. This company use fish and the Charleston phosphate for the manufacture of their superphosphate, the " Soluble Pacific Guano." The Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company, of jSTew Haven, Conn., whose works are on Pine Island, near New London, Conn., and the Cumberland Bone Company, of Boothbay, Maine, are, with the Pacific Guano Company, the best representatives of this most useful industry. The detailed descriptions of their factories and methods of manufacture, prepared by Mr. Goode, are at once too extensive to be 228 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. conveniently inserted here, and of too much interest to be condensed, and are therefore given in the Appendix O. 50. Chemical composition op menhaden and op pish manures. Analysis oficJiole menhaden and of flesh and bones ofivhale. 298. The only analysis of whole menhaden 1 have noticed is given by Prof. G. H. Cook.* The specimens were taken in the Karitau lliver the latter part of October. " Five of tbe fish weighed four and one-fourth pounds — their average weight being three quarters of a pound. The oil was first separated by adding water to the fish and boiling until the flesh was reduced to a ]>ulp. The oil was then skimmed off and purified from water and other substances by ether. It then weighed 2. GO ounces, which is equivalent to 3.914 per cent, of the original weight of the fish. The substance of the fish remaining was then strained out and carefullj^ dried in an air bath, at a temperature of 290<^ F,, when the dry mass was found to weigh 11.8 ounces. On account of the solvent power of the sulphuric acid, which was added to the fish, it was thought proper to separate all the mineral matters from the fluid in which the fish had been boiled, add them to the dried fish, excluding of course the sulphuric acid. These weighed 1.1 ounces, and added to the weight of dried fish given above, 11.8 ounces, made lor the whole weight of the dried matter 12.9 ounces, which is equivalent to 18.93 per cent, of the original weight of the fish. There was sii'l left in the fluid some animal matter, which could not be satisfactorily separated, and was left out. The water in the fish was 77.15 per cent, as ascertained by deducting the percentage of oil and dried matter from lUO. The nitrogen in the dried fish was ascertained by ultimate analysis to be 7.76 per cent., which is equivalent to 9,28 per cent, of ammonia. The mineral substances contained in the fish were freed from the organic matter by pressing, and then separated from each other by the ordinary process of analysis." Analysis of the fresh flsJi. Water 77. 150 Oil . . - 3. 914 Dried fish 18. 93G Analysis of the dried flsh. Lime 8. G7 Phosphoric acid 7. 78 Silicic acid 1. 33 Potash 1. 54 Soda 1. 02 Magnesia 0. G7 Chlorine 0. CO Organic matter and loss ... , 78. 30 100. 00 * Geology of New Jersey, 1868, p. 497. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 229 The following analysis by Stockbardt* of tbe flesb and bones of the whale may not be without interest in this connection : I. — Flesh of the whale. Water Fat Flesh Mineral constituents (asli) . Nitrogen Raw, per cent. 44.50 22. 81 3j. 10 l.(;4 4. feG Perfectly dry (iu- cudin <; lat), per cent. 4'i. -0 57.44 1.86 8. 08 Withoat fat and entire- ly dry, per cent. 96.80 3.20 14.60 II. — Steamed bones of the tvhale. Water , 3.84 jjer cent. Cartilaginous mass (glue). 34. GO " =(3.5 per cent, nitrogen.) Fat 1.34 " Bone phosphate of lime.. 51. CG " =(23.GG jier cent, phosphoric acid.) Carbonate of lime 8. 5G " Analysis of fish fertilizers. 299. The following tables illustrate the composition of some of our more common fish fertilizers. Those in Table A are from analyses re- ported by the writer. t Those in Table B are reported by Prof. S. W. Johnson : | TABLE A. Kind of fertilizer. Dry ground fish : Grounii tisb, G. \V. Miles Fish guauK, G. W. Mile.s Charles Island guano, G. W. MJes. . Allyn's fertilizer Allyn's feriilizer Dry gronnd lish, Quiunipiac Ferti- liztr Coiiipauy Dry ground lisii, C^uiEuipiac Ferti- lizer Coiupany Dry groiuiil lish, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizer Company Dry ground huh, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizer Company Acidulated lish, Quinnipiac Ferti- lizer Couipauy Dried Jinh scrap: "Dry lish," Green Brothers " Dried fi.sh" '•Dry lish'' " Fish scrap " '■Dry hsh" ' ' Dry tish " Half-dry fish scrap : Fish scrap, "half dry " Fish scrap, "b..lf dry" Crude fish pomaca : ' ■ Fish scrap " 10 28 80 24 185 100 140 173 203 222 170 182 189 190 196 199 103 131 ^ Per ct. 18.74 21. 9d 8.63 6.34 14.64 10.85 13.45 8.22 36. 53 11.04 9.37 11.00 7.74 7.59 40.95 25.10 56.83 Per ct. 01.82 50.99 71.79 71.31 68.40 63.97 39.89 64.01 43.06 56. 17 Per ct. 19.44 27.05 19.41 16.37 22. 35 22.23 20.75 22. 58 20.41 23.58 24.95 19. 92 20. 17 15.99 18.73 Per ct. 7.6.3 8.66 7.74 6.17 7.90 6.67 7.21 7. 55 8.11 *7.09 10.51 7,10 7.12 6.23 7.49 "i^ Per ct. 8.06 6.07 8.84 8.80 7.88 7.50 7.38 7.90 8.25 4.11 8.60 8.13 7.40 7.10 7.79 7.65 5.33 5.49 C O it Per ct. 9. 78 7. 36 10. 73 10.68 9.50 9.11 8.97 9 66 10.00 4.99 10.44 9.86 9.05 8.61 9.46 9.28 6.47 6.66 Per ct. 6.71 6. 35 7.33 7.08 6.63 8.94 3.93 'a 29 * Per cent, s jluble iu water, 1 .76 ; per cent, soluble in ammonium citrate, 2.47. * Chemiscbe Ackerstuauu XVI, 1870, 52. t Report of Connecticut Agriciiltitral Experiment Station, 187C, p. 63. X Report of Connecticut Agricultural ExiJeriment Station, 1877, p. 41. 230 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. TABLE B. Kind of fertilizer. Dry ground flsh-scrap Dry ground fish-scrap Dry ground iish-scrap, old, 187G . Dry ground flsh-scrr.p, now, 1877 Dry ground flsh-scrap Dry groimd tish-srrap Dry grouud Iish-scrap Dry ground flsh-scrap Dry ground Iish-scrap Dry ground fi^h-scrap Diy ground flsh-sciap Dry ground flsh-scrap Average Fish by Adamson'a process rish by Ad.imson's process l''ish by Goodalo's process Per et. 10.75 10.59 23.95 10.57 9.03 11.38 10.74 9.76 11.19 13. ce 4.91 3.07 11. '15 ^ Per ct. 8.5-2 8.21 7.35 7.30 9. 20 8.77 7. D8 8.04 8.51 8.43 7.77 8.78 8.24 10. 78 10.74 10.24 Per ct. 9.54 8.81 9. ^>0 9.02 8.83 9.00 9.44 8. CI 9. 88 9.36 11.32 11. 15 11.56 Per ct. 8. 94 7.30 8.12 2.07 4.64 'W aste 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 mjiuufacture 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 bo prevented in proportion as the nature and uses of fish manures are learned. 51. The use of fish fertilizers in agriculture. CJiemistry of plant nutrition. 301. Kot 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 animals, require food for life and growth. A part of the food of plants is supplied from the atmosphere, the remainder is de- rived from the soil. No ordinary cultivated plant can thrive without a sufiicieut 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 flouri?h and the yield be large. But if the available supply of any one of (hem HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 231 be too small, a light yield is inevitable. For instance, potash is an essen- tial ingredient of the food of phiuts. If ail the other conditions for a profitable crop of corn or potatoes, or other plants, are fuitilled 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- ])here. By far the largest part of the nitrogen of plants is absorbed fioui the soil through the roots. From the facts that nitrogen is avail- able to plants only in certain combinations, 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 derived entirely from the soil. It consists of several ingredients, known as potash, soda, lime, magnesia, iron, silica, sulphuric acid, i)hosp';oric 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- l)ly, through its roots, from the soil, of potash, lime, magnesia, iron, phos- phoric acid, sulphuric acid, and some compound oH nitrogen. Besides these, cidorine, and perhaps silica, are sometimes, if not always, indispensa- ble, though in very small projjortions, to complete development. If any one of these essential ingredients be lacking the plant will suffer in growth nud development. Exhaustion of soil hy 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 EEPORT 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 lorms, so that the plant can readily use tbem. As a rule, after cropping for some time, the point is reached where the natural resupply of i)laut- 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 tbem. An idea of the essential ingredients of plant- food removed from the soil in cropping may be obtained from the table below, wbich is calculated from the extensive tables of analyses of plants by Wolff. Materials remolded from the soil hy vai-ious crops. Crops. o 1- . 3-3 o o -a -3 11 a 2 tj^ ^ ::::::::;:;:;:;:;:::::: : S :: i :::::!:::::::;: ii^ ;■• : Co I I ; 1 I I I I J ; ; I I ' ' ' ' { S :::;::::: .•;::;::::;:::; : 5o I J I ; I ; I ; ; I I I ; ; • ■ ' ' J S :;:;;:;;;::::;:;;::;;;: ; 00 I I I I I I I I ; I I I J I I I I ; I * •;• ; S :;::::;:;:::::::;;;:;:; : ^-' Qt ':^i 01 000000000000000 ^OOOOOwiOwiJOOOOlOOOOOOOOO ■qeB^oj ■IBJOX •9[qniosai ■9}t;j; -p miutioiu -niB n; aiqiqog •J9JT3.\i nj 9 X q 11 1 o S 'l^ •neSoajij^ •a9qnin^ lO O »0 lO f to 3OOOOOr5-^OOOOC0TDO •O;:^;000000000»ni0 0l 1 Ct Ot C* (X fM C< ^i C^ fr* CJ t-H .-H ^ c n c o u a a a (B cS _^ +a a a (1) ti aa ocn ^ Tt* o»o< m ca p o o S a sa cS a CUCIH O o la si o o c o 23 c- © M fifl PQ 240 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. •Il8B!)0a t-' 00 t-^ CD t-^ i-^ oej OOClO -- t- ■moz ■etqntosni •p8?J3A9y; •oirinios g^ o r- o o m o LO m g r-' — ' T) O O O O -<■ •naSoJiifi •u.0% jad 9otad iiTj^og; /o -o in o -o o o 'n -h o o o oo 1.000 0.^00000 0000000 10 o o lo o o in o o ;j ;i o t- c- •qeT3^oa 10 LO O O 5C o to t-( r- jU 00 K (N M *n m r- f^ ro cc M CO M CC CO T "T ^ •IB^OX O 10 00 3 O O TT — . o O ot r:t ci m n •0]qnpsni -]0 ratitnoni -CUB at oiqniog •ja^BAi. tn o 1 q n I o s SOOOOOOO'X) iOOCi»C»OCDOCi riooinooio— -co ■naSojcjij^ •jeqranx > t> t> t> '-' ti M M o 3 0) o * 2 O ® J= j2 -3 _. P. =-2-^ ^, H v> i-l w < ■a) H w © <1 & H g P^ w 125 «* < H ^ © ^ £ c3 3^ f- p.g n . a ^ c3 o o ©" O O O GJ o o HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 241 •«• in O ■<1< 3) ■ ad 05 00 1" -^ .rf irf TT irf irf irf • 1 1 : 1 i ! i ! ! 1 1 o 1-1 1 ^ 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! ! 1 1 1-; r-: CiCii-in 00 t- ^ ODQOOO (NO O 00 oo ' S lO l^ O 00 CO CO »0 <;0 CO »rf irf '^ «o «d O O I o i i i i i i : i ' i i ^'^ I i i i i i : : : i ; '■'''' .00 t-' in X CO CO rn oi — ■ ci cj — en 00 CO t^ r- Ln rs in co?5cnocDoon»fn comcocooor-t- 00 CO in t-J as 00 o ci cnrMot-ao--oom— '00 COCOCOCOODCSOOOCiOO (M o O CO ci oi oirf H ?^ T^ "^ *) •♦ »J '•^ W t^ M t? O © "jf 4*t MO® c. f« 35 X a &1 e: « >;« M (»«X© C* M '^ t» n n *~* oi r» ""• ;3 m 3 3 S (3.§.l ^ a o£ 000 3wM ft ■ssaaang jo 81)bj£) SB E-^ 0,0 o ;o.; 2 ®" S o ^ '^ «- * .- „- • B g g n a" -^S ^■^■^ s r-< « C3r-^ O (-1 CMtX „ pCC 5 © o 3 :3 ® o •- a o o a t^ 3 o t< w o OAhPOOM ons w p. i. O o O n «^^ o Pj ^ ^ ^_^ 3 O ? p o;2 SiEb C 73 _ .-> t-l a o cs M .-. o o n o gofipyi 9 hi IG F 212 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ; ; : ; ; 1-1 lO H •qsB^oa: S i : : : ■ : irfirf • : 1 1 ; 1 : '■ TH OJ (N 00 (30 (N to ■si" r- O) !a •mox S : ■ i : : : t- i> 1- 1) OO 00 00 ■»! -"l" r5 u ^■^t't^co-^o-a" ■••:i:i!i 03 C( fi •9iqn[08ni 2 O •*■ irf CO lO O lO I I I ! I I I I I co-^ 'A 5^ ^ 5^ ■ oc in XI o CI — •ij* Ci •p3:)J3A9a; ^^•t^0500O05Ci ' to x£ H ^ 5^ » CO 0* (N lo 00 «3 ; ; ; : ; 1 I , ; 0-* Eq •aiqnios ^ CO — TT o6 ri r; n ! I I I I 1 ! I I cjd o c^t^co^coiooi- t-r-iCTj^ommocJ*^ oco •naSoj'ji^ c^ *> ^^ CO ci ci C7 ci t-^ GO i-^ cj — ' o -H o o C" ^ Q) -^ U 11 CM CJ Cl rl T-< iH 0< C( I! (^J -< 1-1 to' t-^ j^OO o o o ocoooooooo oo .3 o o o o o oooooooooo oc •no:) J8d ODud irejey; o oo o o o o LO lo in lo '» o to o o Q-r-T-r rr -^ -T-^^-^-^TTT-C^r^r^ ^ ; . . COCJ •qsB^Od^ f^ 01 co' ^ ■^ ■PJOX 50t^t-«Ot-t-t-0«3r- -s (^ " o ^ in 05 o; CO 131 Qt C4 •eiqnpsni S O 0* r-i i-i O c» esM^ »san •jgqnin^ ©t** OK eK/) ©•?*>. «»©f ^c l^mH H H i-irtH 1-1 -.T- < H >, N n « Q « ft ^ o in ft 3D e 1 .a t>5 ft > O O bC n 1 bo t-1 (p m ft n E Ph 3 a o O .9 a; ft g o o bc .2 rsj t-t O a 'a O •A <1 1 A fc ^ S 1" M O _^ CO o o ■i 1^ ^C8 .S« ; - o ! qiq ; o ^ : S : 1 ; "to I o ft U a 4 "O ftH S3 Sq : _c3 . *S ! o • -8 cj < ' S"^ £» k&--3 a U3 < f4 < ft <« fl <1 R a H HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 243 Ci o t- L^ X t- i- r- "ti" o L-^ to K5 C3 o o o o -re— I to in i> to' ^a" o o uo to t-i t- in — o o o o) o t-^ rt i--; o in to in" in -T '3< to o 00 ODO to ■* tr; c> no X I- r- o 00 It X i- i^ 1-^ r-^ o; in in «5« i J, o O0OO^0(D'«C» tjo § o — 3 o 3 a a o .5 So B Cffl 2.4 Gum and other extractive matter l no nitrogen. ] 4.7 Fiber (cellulose) ■ I J 3.0 Fatty matters (containing no nitrogen) 1. G Mineral matter (ash) 2.1 Total 100.0 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. IS^ov: 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 chietly 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- 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, &c., 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. "Sow 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 i^roduction 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 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONEE 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, carbohydrates, and fats in the food are the chief requisites of economical feeding. Digestion of foods hy animals, as tested by Uurojiean 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 jieriod of about two weeks with oat straw, daring another period with bean straw, a third with clover hay, a fourth with meadow hay, and so on. Duiing 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 material, and from these the digestibility of the food was calculated. Por instance, in one of the experiments of this series the ox consumed daily 1G.9 pounds of meadow hay, or what is called here "English grasses." Orfianio dry substance. Consisting of— There was contained iu— Albumin- oids. rrnde filipr Othercarbo- Lhs. 14. 27 C.33 Lbs. 2.12 .77 Lhs. Lhs. 3. 80 C. 48 1. C3 2. oe 7.94 1.35 2. 17 4. 42 HISTORY OF THE /MEKICAN MENHADEN. 255 In another experiment the daily ration consisted of 17.87 pounds of oat straw, and 1.82 pounds bean meal. There was contained in- 17.87 pounds of oat-straw . Of this was digested Orgranic dry substance. Lis. 14. -27 7.10 Consisting of- Albixrain- oids. Lhs. 1.12 .53 Crude fiber. O'hercarbo- hydrates. Lhs. 6.41 3.64 Lhs. 6.74 •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 experiments, each one of which has been conducted with an amount of labor and exactness never equaled by a single experi- ment in this country, have 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 food.s, 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 oilcake, cotton-seed, bean and j)ea 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 imi3ortance 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 j 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 in a series of articles on science applied to farming, in the "American Agriculturist" for 1874-'7G, 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. A briefer statement of the subject is given by Prof. S. W. Johnson in the report of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for 1877. This latter contains a table which is interesting as including, with German analyses and valuations, some analyses of American products: with the rest, two samples of fish-scrap. The table is explained by Professor Johnson as follows: " The following table of the composition, content of digestible nutri- tive ingredients, and money value of a few of the most important feed- ing-stuffs, is taken from the German of Dr. Emil Wolff, of the Agricul- tural Academy at Iloheuheim, and represents the most recent and most trustworthy knowledge on these subjects.* "The composition of feeding-stuffs, as here stated, is the average result of the numerous analyses that have been made within twenty-five years, mostly in the German experiment stations. "The quantities of digestible ingredients are partly derived from actual feeding experiments and are partly the result of calculation and comparison. " The percentages of the three classes of digestible matters, viz, al- buminoids, carbohydrates, and fat, form the basis for calculating the money value of feeding-t-tufls. The values attached to them by Dr. Wolff are the following, the German mark being considered as equal to 24 cents, and the kilogram equal to 2.2 pounds avoirdupois : " 1 pound of digestible albuminoids is worth 4^ cents. " 1 pound of digestible fat is worth 4^ cents. " 1 pound of digestible carbohydrates is worth -f^ of a cent. "These figures express the present relative money values of the re- spective food-elements in the German markets. W^hether or not these values are absolutely those of our markets, they represent presumably the relative values of these elements approximately, and we may pro- visionally employ them for the purpose of comparing together our feed- ing-stuffs in respect to money value. These money or market values are to a degree independent of the feeding values. That is, if of two kinds of food, for example Hungarian hay and malt sprouts, the one sums up a value of $O.GG and the other a value of $1.31 per hundred, it does not follow that the latter is worth for all purposes of feeding twice as much as the former, but it is meant that when both are proper'y used, one is worth twice as much money as the other. In fertilizers we estimate the nitrogen of ammonia salts at 24 cents per pound, and solu- * From " Mcntzel u. Lengerlce's Kalciider," for 1878. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 257 b]e phosphoric acid at 12^ cents ; but this means simply that these are equitable market prices for these articles, not that nitrogen is worth twice as much as soluble phosphoric acid for making crops. In the future more exact valuations may be obtained from an extensive review of the resources of our markets, in connection with the results of analy- ses of the feed and fodder consumed on our farms. "The column headed ' Nutritive ratio ' in the table gives the propor- tion of digestible albuminoids to digestible carbohydrates, inclusive of fat.* * * * To allow of directly comparing the money value of feed- ing-stuff's with some universally accepted standard, the last column gives a comparison with good average meadow hay taken as 1." Average composiiion, digesHbility, and money value of feeding-stuffs, as given hy Dr. Wolff" for Germany for 1878. Digestible mat- Money ters. val ue. o o fl J m w _6 *"* %! Feeding-stuffs. ■4 ci 00 ■3 "S ^ a^ 'o 'o ^ o ^3 5-a c >i 3 s^ _t; •K S o "S 'g S .3 O a 'C || s g ^ < ^ S 3 1 ^ 3 1 3 ^ O ° a Meadow hay, inferior 14.3 14.3 5.0 5.4 7.5 9.2 33.5 29.2 38.2 39.7 1.5 2.0 3.4 4.6 34.9 36.4 0.5 0.6 10.6 8.3 0.48 0.55 0.74 Meadow hay, better 0.8R Meadow liay , average 14.3 (i. 2 9.7 26.3 41.4 2.5 5.4 41.0 1.0 8.0 0.64 1.00 Meadow hay, very good 15.0 7.0 11.7 21.9 41.6 2.8 7.4 41.7 1.3 6.1 0.74 1.17 Meadow hav, extra. -. 10. 10.0 7.7 ."). 3 13. 5 12.3 19.3 ^G.O 40.4 38.2 3.0 2.2 9.2 7.0 42.8 38.1 1.5 1.2 5.1 5.9 0.84 0.09 1.32 Clover hay, average 1.08 Clover hay, best .- 10. 5 14.3 7.0 4.5 15.3 9.7 22.2 22.7 35.8 45.8 3.2 3.0 10.7 5.8 37.6 43.4 2.1 1.4 4.0 8.1 0.88 0.69 1.39 Timothy hay 1.09 Hnngarian hay ....._....... 13.4 14.3 5.7 4.1 10.8 3.0 29.4 14.0 38.5 33.3 2.2 1.3 6.1 0.8 41.0 36.5 0.9 0.4 7.1 46.9 0.06 0.35 1.04 Eye straw 0.55 Oat straw 14.3 4.0 4.0 39. 5 36.2 2.0 1.4 40.1 0.7 29.9 0.44 0.69 Kich pasture grass 78.2 2. 2 4.5 4.0 10.1 1.0 3.4 10.9 0.6 3.6 0.27 0.42 Average meadow grass, fresh .. 70.0 ■il 3.4 10.1 13.4 1.0 1.9 14.2 0.5 8.1 0. 22 .36 Green maize, Gcriiian 85.0 1.0 1.2 4.7 7.6 0.5 0.7 7.4 0.2 11.3 .10 .16 Green maize, Mr. Webb, 187-1 ... 80.0 0.8 0.8 4.8 7.3 0.3 0.6 8.3 0.2 14.4 . 11 .17 Cured maize fodder, Mr. Webb . . 27.3 1.2 4.4 25. 37.9 1.3 3.2 43.4 1.0 14.4 . 57 .91 Potatoes 75.0 0.9 2.1 1.1 20.7 0.2 2.1 21.8 0.2 10.6 .2e .46 Mangolds 83.0 0,8 1.1 0.9 9.1 0.1 1.1 10.0 0.1 9.3 .14 .22 Eutabagas t<7.0 1.0 1.3 1.1 9.5 0.1 1.3 10.6 0.1 8.3 .15 .24 Sufrar beets 81.5 0.7 1.0 1.3 15.4 0.1 1.0 16.7 0.1 17.0 .19 .30 Maize, German .... 14.4 IJ. 9 1.5 1.2 10.0 8.7 5.5 1.8 62.1 71.9 6.5 3.5 8.4 7.3 60.6 68.3 4.8 2.6 8.6 10.2 1.10 1.04 1.73 Maize meal, American, II 1.69 Oats 14.3 2.7 12.0 9.3 55.7 6.0 9.0 13.5 4.7 6.1 .97 1.53 Male sprouts 10.1 7.2 24.3 14.3 42.1 2.1 19.4 45.0 1.7 2.5 1.31 2.06 Wheat bran, coarse 12. 9 13.1 6.0 .-).4 15.0 14.0 10.1 8.7 52.2 55.0 3.2 3.8 12.6 11.8 42.6 14.3 2 6 3.0 3.9 4.4 1.04 1.03 1.63 Wheat brau, tine 1.62 Middlings 11.5 3.0 13.9 4.8 63.5 3.3 10.8 54.0 2.9 5.7 1.07 1.68 Cotton-seed cake decorticated.. 11.2 7.0 3::i. 8 9.2 19.5 13.7 31.0 18.3 12.3 1.6 2. 05 3.22 Fish-scrap, by Goodale's process - 11.5 01.0 4.6 57.6 4.1 0.2 2.07 4.17 Fish-scrap^ dry ground 11.7 51.5 8.1 46.4 '.'.'.'.'.'. 6.2 0.3 2.28 3.56 Dried blood 12. 4.') 80.8 "i'e 0.5 54.1 2.6 0.5 2.39 3.76 Whey 92.0 0.7 1.0 5.1 0.6 1.0 5.1 0.6 "h'K .11 .18 Milk 87.5 0.7 3.2 5.0 3.6 3.2 5.0 3.6 4.4 .34 .53 * Except those in italics, which are American products analyzed under direction of Professor Johnson. Comparing the poorer foods, such as straw, cornstalks, and inferior bay with a good standard food like the best hay or pasture grass, it ap- pears that the great difference is that the former lack albuminoids, just what bran, oil cake, cottouseed cake, and especially fish, supply. One * Fat aud carbohydrates have, it is believed, similar nutritive fuuctions, aud it is assumed that 1 part of fat equals 2.4 of carbohydrates. 17 F 258 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. hundred pounds of the fish scrap made by Goodale's process added to 900 lbs. of the poorest hay would make a mixture equal in composition to 1,000 pounds of the best hay. Three hundred pounds of the same fish-food with 1,700 lbs. of oat straw would be equal to a ton of the best hay. Tt is clear, then, that what our farming wants, to make stock-raising profitable, manure plenty and rich, and crops large and nutritious, is nitrogenous material for foods. One of the cheapest, most useful, and best forms in which this can be furnished is in fish products. In proof of this we have the testimony of both extensive experience and accurate experimenting. Experience in use of fish as food for stocTc. — Feeding cattle on fish in Massachusetts. 319. The earliest account which I have met of fish as food for domestic animals is the following extract from the Barnstable [Mass.] "Journal," of February 7, 1833 : ''^ Feeding cattle on fish. — The cattle at Provincetown feed upon fish with apparently as good relish as upon the best kinds of fodder. It is said that some cows, kept there several years, will, when grain and fish are placed before them at the same time, prefer the later, eating the whole of the fish before they touch the grain. Like one of old, we were rather incredulous on this subject, till we had the evidence of ocular demon- stration. We have seen the cows at that place boldly enter the surf, in pursuit of the offals thrown from the fish-boats on the shore, and when obtained, masticate and swallow every part except the hardest bones. A Provincetown cow will dissect the head of a cod with wonderful celerity. She places one foot upon a part of it, and with her teeth tears ofl the skin and gristly parts, and in a few moments nothing is left but the bones." The inhabitants of Provincetown are not the only people who feed their cattle upon fish. The nations of the Coromandel coast, as well as in the other parts of the East, practice feeding their flocks and herds ^ith fish. The celebrated traveler, Ibu Batuta, who visited Zafar, the most easterly city in Yemen, in the early part of the fourteenth century, says that the inhabitants of that city carried on a great trade in horses in India, and at that period fed their flocks and herds with fish, a practice which he says he had nowhere else observed. Experiment of Mr. Lawes, in England, with fish as food for swine. 320. In 1853 Mr. J. B. Lawes, of Rothamshead, England, reported several extensive series of experiments " On the Feeding of Pigs," in which were tested the effects of bean, lentil, Indian corn, and barley meals, bran, and dried Newfoundland codfish as foods for fattening and making manure. In speaking of the series in which the fish was fed with maize, barley, and bran in different proportions, Mr. Lawes says: " In the series * * * where we have * * * a comparatively HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 259 small amount of nou-nitrogenous matter consumed, the food consisted in a large proportion of tbe bigbly nitrogenous codfish ; and in both of these cases we had not only a very good proportion of increase to food consumed, but the pigs in these pens were very fat and well ripened; and hence a large proportion of their increase would be real dry sub- stance. * * * This result is in itself interesting, and it may perhaps point to a comparatively greater efficiency in the already animalized proteine compounds supplied in the codfish than in those derived, as in the other cases, from the purely vegetable diets." * Otlier Uiiropean experience. 321. In 1856 Professor Stoeckhardt, of Tharand, Saxony, who was one of the first chemists to recognize the value of fish guano, and has done more than any other one in Europe to encourage its manufacture and use, received a sample from Norway, which, as he says, "looked so in- viting that I tried it for fodder also." He fed it to a half year-old pig, which "did exceptionally well on this northern food." In the northern part of Norway, when during the long winters the supply of hay and straw gives out, cattle are fed upon dried fish. They do poorly on this diet alone, of course, but recover very quickly when the spring pasturage comes.* Success of Maine farmers in feeding fish to sheep. 322. The value of fish as food for domestic animals bas been attested by experience of intelligent farmers in our own country, as is illustrated by the following extracts from Boardman and Atkins' report, from which so many quotations have already been made : "As early as 1864, if not in fact previous to that date, the attention of members of the board of agriculture [of Maine], and farmers generally, was called to tbe matter of the value of fish pomace or scrap as a feed- ing stuff for sheep, swine, and poultry. In a communication to the board| Mr. William D. Dana, of Perry, spoke in high terms of its value as a feed for domestic animals, in which he said : 'Fish pomace, or tbe residuum of herring after the oil is pressed out, is greedily eaten by sheep, swine, and fowl ; and probably pogy chum would be eaten as well. Smoked alewives and frost fish also furnish a food palatable to cattle. Sheep thrive well, get fat, and yield heavier fleeces when fed on tbis pomace than when fed on anything else produced in tbis section of the State. Careful and observing farmers, who have fed it, assert that it is of equal value with good hay, ton per ton, and that its value for manure is in no degree diminished by passing i*^ through the living mill, and thus reducing it to a much more convenient state for applying. It it could be sufficiently dried, without other substances, to prevent putre- * Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc, Ist Ser. XIV, 1853, p. 527. t Meinert. Travels ia Norway. Chem. Ack., 1870, xi, p. 45. t Agriculture of Maine, 1864, p. 43. 260 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. faction, it would form a valuable article of cattle-feed in regions from which it is now excluded by the expense of transportation and its own odoriferous nature.' " In remarking upon this the secretary of the board said that if sheep would eat the scrap readily, much poor hay or straw could be used to good advantage, thus allowing the farmer to consume all his first-quality hay in keeping other stock. He thought the meat would not taste of the flavor imparted by the scrap, provided other food was substituted for a proper length of time before slaughtering. "From time to time following this, the matter was discussed before the board, and formed the subject of many articles in the agricultural journals. In 18G9, Mr. M. L. Wilder,* of Pembroke, then a member of the board, presented a brief i^aper embodying his experience in the use of scrap as a feed for sheep, in which he said he believed 'fish oft'al to be not only cheaper, but much superior to imy other kind of provender he had ever used ' for this purpose. An extract from his paper is given : ' I keep about one hundred sheep, and have fed fish otfal to them for the past ten years. The offal is made from herring caught in weirs, salted the same as for smoking, cooked, and the oil pressed out, leaving a pomace for which the sheep are more eager than for grain. For the last three winters I have kept my sheep on threshed straw with one- half pound per day to each sheep of dried fish j)omace, or one pound of green (as it shrinks one-half in drying), and they came out in the spring in much better condition than when fed on good English hay with corn. I consider the dry pomace worth as much as corn, pound for pound. When I have had enough to give them one-half pound per day, I have found that the weight of the fleece was increased one-quarter, and not only that but also the carcass in a like proportion ; the weight of the fleeces per head averaging from five to seven pounds.' "Similar statements to the above were made by Hon. Samuel Wassont and other gentlemen, not only at public meetings of the board, but through the press, so that the subject has been kept alive and invested with some interest down to the present time. Experiments of Professor Farrington on fish scrap vs. corn meal as food for sheep. " 323. Wishing to test the value of scrap as a feed with more care than had apparently attended any of the trials that had been reported, and also wishing to make a sort of competitive trial of it in connection with corn, a quantity was obtained for this purpose of Mr. M. L. Wilder, of Pembroke. It was herring scrap, salted before the oil was expressed, and packed in barrels directly from the press, each barrel containing about 220 pounds. Its cost in Augusta, including freight from Pem- broke via Portland, was not far from $2 per barrel. ^Agriculture of Maine, 1869, p. 60. t Agriculture of Maine, 1874-'75, p. 1. I HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 261 " This scrap was placed in the hands of Mr. J. R. Farrington, the in- structor in agriculture at the State College, Orono, with the request that he would feed it to sheep in connection with Indian corn in such way as would best serve the purpose of ascertaining its comparative value as a provender or feed. Few instructions were given him, and he being left to carry out the experiment in his own way — and public ac- knowledgment should here be made for his interest in undertaking the matter, and for the care and faithfulness with which the experiment was conducted. The report of Mr. Farrington follows : '"The statement made by a prominent agriculturist that for feeding sheep fish chum was equal to corn, pound for pound, furnished the basis for the experiment which we conducted to ascertain the compara- tive value of corn and fish chum when led to sheep. Ten lauibs, dropped the previous spring, were selected ; each one was designated by a num- ber, the uaraber being stamped on a metallic tag and attached by a copper wire to the ear of the lamb ; Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 constituted flock 1; Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, flock 2. We began feeding January 15, 1875. Flock No. 1 was fed with corn ; flock No. 2 was fed with fish. Each flock wos given what good hay it would eat. The hay fed to each flock during the month (four weeks) beginning February 13 was weighed. Flock No. 1 ate, in four weeks, 335 pounds ; flock No. 2 ate 338 pounds. '"At commencement of feeding, January 15, 1875: Flock No. 1 weighed as follows : Sheep No. 1 weighed 46 lbs. 2 " 77 ■' 3 " 67 " 4 " 55 " 5 " 68 " Weight of flock, Jan. 15 313 " Dnr'iDg lour weeks ending February 13, l^J pounds of corn were fed to flock No. 1. At this date — Sheep No. 1 weighed. . 50 lbs., a gaiu of 4 lbs. •' 2 " 61J " 41 " 3 '• 73 " 6 " 4 " 59 " 4 " 5 " 77 " 9 " "Weight, February 13 340i 27i During four weeks ending March 12, 20 pounds of corn aud 3:i5 pound.s of hay were fed flock No. 1. At this date — Sheep No. 1 weighed 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " aOh lbs., a gaiu of | lbs. 7i| lbs., a loss of 6 " 69 " 4 " 56J " 2i " 70 " 7' " 19 " Flock No. 2 weighed as follows: Sheep No. 6 weighed 49 Iba. 7 " 74 " 8 " 68i " 9 " 67 " " 10 " 58 '■ Weight of flock, Jan. 15 31GJ '• During four weeks ending February 13. 18J pounds of fish were fed to flock No. 2. At this date — Sheep No. 6 weighed 52 lbs., a gain of 3 lbs. 7 " 81 " 7 '■ 8 " 72* " 4 ■• 9 " 68" " 1 " " 10 " 04^ ♦' 6i " Weight, February 13.... 338 " 21^ " During four weeks ending March 12 20 pounds of fish and 338 lbs. of hay were fed flock No. 2. At this date — Sheep No. 6 weighed 55J lbs., a gaiu of 31 lbs. 7 " 79 lbs., a loss of 2 ' = 8 " 714 " 1 •' 9 " 67-i " h " " 10 " 63 " U " Weightofflock 321^ " 19 " Weightof flock 336J " IJ" During the above four weeks the corn-fed fiock^ weighing 340J pounds, ate 335 pounds of hay aud lost 19 pounds in weight. The flock eating fish, weighing 338 pounds, ate 338 pounds hay and lost IJ pounds. During four weeks ending April 9, 19 pounds corn were fed flock No. 1. At this date — Sheep No. 1 weighed 51 lbs., a gain of J lbs. 2 " 76J " 1 " 3 " 75.'> " 6J " 4 " 6-l| " 8 " 5 " 78i " 8i " Weightofflock 346 24i During four weeks ending April 9, 19 pounds of fish were fed flock No. 2. At this date — Sheep No. 6 weighed 62 lbs., a gain of 6 J lbs. 7 " 84 " 5 " 8 " 75 " 3A " 9 " 71 " 3i " " 10 " 65 " 2 " Weightofflock 357 20J 262 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Dnrinci four weeks ending May 7, 15 pounds of corn were fed flock No. 1. At this date — Sheep No. 1 weighed 55 lbs., a gain of 4 lbs. 2 " 79 ;' 2J " ,3 " 80 " 4i " " 4 " 65 " i " 5 " 82 " 3J " Weightof flock .361 " 15 " Weightofflock 364 Becapitulation. — Duriug the sixteen weeks of the experiment — During four weeks ending May 7, 15 pounds of fish were fed flock No. 2. At this date — Sheep No. 6 weighed 6-2 lbs., a gain of lbs. 7 " 87 8 " 75 9 " 73 " 10 " 67 Sheep No. 1 gained 9 lbs. 2 " 2 " 3 " 13 " 4 " 10 " 5 " 14 " Flock No. 1 gained 48 " Fed with corn — wcigliing, January 15, 313 pounds. Gained 48 pounds, or 15i per cent. Sheep No. 6 gained 13 lbs. 7 " 13 " 8 " 6J " 9 " 6 " " 10 " 6 " Flock No. 2 gained 47J " On fish — weighing, .Tanuary 15, 316J pounds. Gained 47 J pounds, or I5jl^ per cent. Tbat is to say, the corn-fed flocli gained 48 pounds, and the fisb-fed flock 47^ 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 tish 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 Ijound 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 probabl^^ 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 oflVnsive odor and taste, and worth much more for feeding than the ordinary scrap. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 263 Eurojyean experiments on digestion and nutritive value offish, meat-scrap, etc. 324. The need and value of iiitiogenous 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 digestil)ility and nutritive value of animal foods for stock ; 1 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 187G and 1877. The original accounts are in " Die landwirth- schaftlicbeu Versuchs-Stationen," the " Journal llir Landwirthschaft," and the " Landwirthschaftliche Jahrbiicher'' for those years: Experimenters. I. Wolflf, and nssociates II. Wold, and associates III. Wildt IV. Wildt V. TVei.^ke, and associates . . . VI. Kellner, and associates . . . Experiment statious. Hobenheim . ...do KiLScben — ..do Proskau ... Holienbeim . Animals. Swine.. .. do .. Sheep. - Swine . Sh(;op . ...do ... Food. South American flesh meal and potatoes. Fle-ib meal, pea meal, potatoes, ;:du starch. Blood meal, flenh meal, and barley straw. Blood meal, pease, and potatoes. Fish guano. Flsli guauo, Lucern hay, and oatmeal. The general plan of each of these experiments was to feed the animals during difierent periods of two or three weeks each with diflerent 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 vegetable 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, Wolfl:" found tbat the albuminoids in pease and fleshmeal had essentially tbe same effect. From III, Wildt found some difDculty 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 sni)ply albuminoids 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 ex|)eriment two two-year old wethers were fed during the first period with Lucern hay. During the second part the hay was replaced by 264 KEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. oatmeal, and during the third Norwegian fish guano was added to tho 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 70 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. Tliis is because it is made not of the whole tish, but of the refuse heads, entrails, and bones. The most of the fat had been removed by tlie steaming process used in preparation of the guano. General conclusions concerning Jisli 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 jirofitable 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. Late investigations have shown very clearly that even plants are j)ositively nourished by animal foods. The very interesting experiments of Mr. Francis Darwin with the round-leaved sundew demonstrate conclusively 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. AVe 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 i)iece out aud improve the poorer products of their farms, and that patient research has exi)lained 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 theui most profitably. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 265 53. Summary. Fish as manure. 326. The following is a brief rexjapitulatiou of the main points urged in this article : 1. The value of fish as manure is due maiuly to its nitrogen and phos- phoric 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 Peruvian 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, etc., 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 usetuluess 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 EEPORT 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, aud cau 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. h. Composting with muck, earth, ashes, lime, bone, potash salts, and farm refuse of all sorts. c. 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 leediug 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, bo 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. 10. 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 offish 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 uhe 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 ofi)opular 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. 288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP 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 reluse left after the oil is squeezed out by means of the hydraulic press. It is considered very desirable to obtnin 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 ansvs'ers 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 sufiBoient. Replies should be made oh 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 i)ossiblef Give the same facts for any other year. 5. Does the extensive capture affect their abundance "? C. — Migration and movements. G. "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 offish 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 feediug grounds? 11. What is the relation of 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 aflfect 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.— Food. 20. What is the nature of their food 1 E. — Eeproduction. 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 the 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 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, r. — ENlftllES AND FATALITIES. 30. 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 mouth I 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 (length and depth) of the nets used 1 36. What kind of vessels are employed and what is the tonnage ? 37. Wbat is the number of men required for the management of ves- sel and nets ? 38. Wbat part of each day is employed in fishing 1 39. Are the fish taken more on one tide than another ? 40. Does the wind have an effect on them ? 41. Wbat 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 1 43. What oil factories are there in your neighborhood and by whom owned ! 44. What is the gross quantity of oil manufactured in a year at each factory ? 45. What is the productive cai)acity for oil-mauufacture 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. Wbat 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. Wbat 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? HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 271 54. Where is the priucipal 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 rauge of prices paid for the oil iu 1873 and what in previous years ! 58. Is it probable that the catch of fish (menhaden), however i^rac- ticed, tends to diminish them ? 59. Name of correspondent. 60. Eesidence. 61. Date of communication. APPENDIX B. LIST OF COEEESPONDENTS FROM WHOM CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. r. Contributions have been received from the following persons : J. Matthew Jones, esq., F. L. S., Halifax, N. S. William H. Sargent, collector of customs, ^astiue, Me. Eobert A. Friend, oil manufacturer, Brookliu, 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, Boothbay, Me., secretary Maine Menhaden Oil and Guano Association. G. B. Kenuiston, oil manufacturer, Boothbay, Me. Thomas Day, keeper of Seguiu Light, Parker's Head, Me. J. Washburne, jr., collector of customs, Portland, Me. Hon. S. 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 KEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. William Atwood, keeper of Dusbury 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, >Iorth Truro, Mass. Capt. N. E. Atwood, Proviucetowu, 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. Eeuben 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 Tisbnry, 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. Goessmaun, Amherst, Mass. Daniel T. Church, oil manufacturer, Tiverton, E. L Joseph Whaley, keeper of Point Judith Light, R. L E. T, De Blois, Portsmouth, E. I. H. O. Ball, New Shoreham, E. L Joshua T. Dodge, Block Island, E. L Henry W. Clark, keeper of South Bast Light-House, Block Island, R. I. Capt. Jared S. Crandall, keeper of Watch Hill Light, E I. Gallup, Morgan & Co., Groton, Conn. Capt. John Washington, fisherman. Mystic Eiver, Conn. Capt. William H. Potter, fisherman. Mystic Eiver, 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. Eichard E. Ingham, keeper of Say brook 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. E. H. Jenkins, New Haven, Conn. H. L. Dudley, secretary U. S. Menhaden Oil and Guano Assciation, New Haven, Conn. F. Lillingstou, Stratford, Conn. B. Lilliiigston, Stratford Point Light- House, Conn. W. S. Havens, collector of customs. Sag Harbor, N. Y. Capt. Joseph 1). Parsons, Springs, N. Y. Capt. B. H. Sisson, United States Coast Survey, Greenport, N. Y. David F. Vail, oil manufacturer, Eiverhead, N. Y. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 273 Hawkius Brothers, oil manufacturers, Jamesport, K. Y. Seaman Jones, New York City. W. O. Allison, editor Oil, Paint, and Drug Keporter, New York City. Jasper Pryer, New York City. E. G. Blackford, fish dealer. New York City. J. Norrison Rayuor, agent for Sterling & Co., Greenport, N. Y. Barnet Phillips, New York Times, New York City. Louis C. d'Homergue, Brooklyn, N. Y. F. F. Beals, secretary American Sardine Company, New York City and Port Monmouth, N. J. D. B. 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. Bobbins, keeper of Hog Island Light. Hance Lawsou, collector of customs, Crisfield, Md. Dr. H. C. Y^arrow, 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. C. H. W. Reed, keeper of Tyler Light, Savannah River, Ga. J. F. 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 LightHouse, 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. S. 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 j 18 F 274 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. those of Judson Tarr & Co., J. C. Condon, E. A. Friend, G. B. Ken- niston, G. W. Miles, and Hawkins Brothers in the statistics of manufac- tures; that of Mr. F. J. Babson in the statistics of the bait fisheries, and that of Mr. F. 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 Kiver. APPENDIX C. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LITERATURE RELATING TO THE MENHADEN. Brevoortta 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. Clujpea dura Iccvi mystux (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, pi. 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 Eeport Department of Marine and Fisheries, 1874, p. 195. Alosa menhaden, Eichardson, Fauna Boreali Americana, 1836, p. 229. Storer, Eeport 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 North America, 1846, p. 207 ; Mem. Amer. Acad., new series, vi, 1858, p. 386; History of the Fishes of Massachusetts, 1867, p. 158, pi. xxvi, fig. 4, and (?) in Appleton's New American Cyclo- pedia. DeKay, Zoology of New York, or the New York Fauna, part iv. Fishes, 1842, p. 259, pi. xxi, fig. GO. 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 Eeports on the Sea and Eiver Fisheries of New Brunswick (2d ed.), 1852, p. 208. Baird, Eeport 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 Eeport of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1854, p. 347, and repaged edition, June, 1855, p. 33 ; 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. 26G. Cook, op. cit., 1. c. Alausa menhaden, Valenciennes in Cavierand Valenciennes' Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. xs, 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, j). 37 (diagnosis of genus); Canadian Naturalist, 1867, p. 260, and in Baird's Eeport on the Sea Fisheries of the South Coast of New England, 1873, p. 826. Steindachner, in Sixth Annual Eeport of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries (Massachusetts), for the year ending January 1, 1872. Baird, List of Fishes collected at Wood's Hole, in Eeport 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 (lernseaa parasite). Whiteaves, 1. c. Boardman and Atkins, The Menhaden and Herring Fisheries of Maine, 1875. GooDE, Catalogue of the Collection to illustrate the Animal Eesources of the United States, 1876, p. 63. Uhler & Lugger, List of the Fishes of Maryland, in the Ee- 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, pi. xl, fig. 129. Alausa shadina, Valenciennes, op. cit, p. 426. 276 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Cliipea neglecta, Rafinesque, Secoud 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. A losa aurea, Valenciennes, op. cif., p. 427. Clupea aurea, Guntheb, oj>. cit, p. 437. Clupea Carolinetms, Gkonow, 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. ctt. " Menhaden Fisheries and their Products, A new source of Commercial Industry." By Louis C. d'Homeroue, 18 ....do Stomach Alcoholic ... ...do 13374 ...do ...do ... ...do .... ...do'.'.'.. Wood's HgII, Mass ...do 13375 Mencmsba Bight, Mass. do 14817 ....do ....do 14 139 do ... do Ovaries Alcoholic . .. ....do ....do do 133G4 do ...do 20^83 . . . Uo do Vinal N. Edwards. United States Fish Commission. .do 13367 ...do .... do 1.3358 .. do . do 20679 ... do . .do Vinal N. Edwards - . . do ...do ....do 20Gr6 . . do . . . do ... 10405 Ad S. F. Baird ..do ...do ....do 709 C. A. S. 515-3 Young . . West Florida Kaiser and Mart in . Capt. Van Vliet .. 892 Brazos Santiago, Tex .^864 New Orleans Acad- emy. Erai;ry & Clark ... Wurdemann B. B.C. Wails United States Fish Commission. ...do . ..do ....do -.do Ovaries ....do en 7696 5948 15217 Noank, Conn Aug. 24, 1874 Aug. 20, 1876 Sept. 14, 1876 16947 16946 do ....do ... do 19 F 290 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Catalogue of specimens in the National Miisetim — Continued. II Sex and age. Locality. When col- lected. Collected by- Nature of specimen. Remarks. 396 Fort Brown, Tex Wood's Holl, Mass. . . do ,1858 Sept. 26, 1874 Sept. 4,1874 . , 1874 July 29, 1874 1-— , 1874 ...do Major Emory United States Fish Commission, do Alcoholic . . . ....do ....do 13355 13366 14044 do ....do 141-J8 do do ....do 14 --iS do do ....do 14^46 do do ....do ICO 13 Wood's Holl, Mass. . . do July 2,1875 ....do do ....do 10015 do ....do 1C014 do ....do . do ....do iro <.3 Blizzard's Bay Wood's Holl.Mass . . do do , 1875 June 10, 1875 Auk. 4, 1875 Aug. 5,1875 do do ...do 1G198 do ....do Ovarie.s, &c. 10313 . do ...do Color sketch. 1G3G3 do ....do 103C7 do do ....do 1C463 Menonisha Bight, Mass. do Aug. 3,1875 Sept. 5,1875 ,1876 Apr. 2,1877 do ....do 16596 do .. .do 167<)G do ....do Cast No. 567. 17927 Saiut John's Eiver, Fla. do S. F. Baird ....do 18049 do ...do 19042 Florida , 1875 ....do G.Brown Goode... do ....do ....do 19U43 do ]!044 do ....do do ....do 190J5 do ....do do ...do ....do 19040 do ....do do 19137 Wood's Holl, Mass... do ,1876 ,1875 ....do Vinal N.Edwards. United States I'ish Commi.ssion. do ....do ....do ....do 19359 19360 do 19301 do ....do do ...do ....do 19362 do ....do do 19303 do ....do do ....do 19304 do ....do do ....do 19^57 Potomac River Easiern Shore of Vir- ginia. Beaufort, N. C May — , 1875 ,1875 , 1872 Milner and Goode Prof. H.E.Webster Dr. H. C. Yarrow. . . ...do ....do ....do ...do 19408 19682 19918 20010 Wood's Holl, Mass. . . do - ,1876 Vinal N. Edwards. ..do ....do ....do 202^7 2U516 Menemsha Bight, Mass. Wood's Holl, Mass... ...do , 1875 Oct. 2, 1877 Nov. 24, 1877 United States Fish Commission. ...do ....do ....do 20603 208d7 ...do ....do 10090 United States Fish Commission, do Cast do 10313 do Aug. 1,1875 1876 16796 ....do ....do Photographs.— 25T, 258, 259, 260, 386, 387.— United States Fish CoMinssiON. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 291 Oh n H H M w H O H C t- H tH 15 M H tq Q R ^ ^ <1 o" Eh rH f4 a f^ U H- 1 W •U8J •uei '^a'Btijqo^ — » ci (Ti Cj a o 00 00 C3O00 rt M rH o o r^ ci 00 O'* (M-^ e: rf — ■ o <>i c* CO CO coco ira o o 00 c! u o •iiBl 'AlsnUBp ^- o C-: CO OL- CJ 03 CO r^ G^i CO 7i CO CO ■9i8I 'aeqniaoaa '9131 aaqcnoAOjVj rl LO M C) rS 00 C -J- 'I' OD ci LO «5 -^ CO CO CO CO CO CO O t- T< t- 00 00 rH orj o r) (- -^ c^ — - ■ o o ir^ o t ■9 181 'JaqnieAojj ■9i8l '-iQqojoo •9i8I 'Jaqnio^das ■9i8I 'isnSiiY •9181 '^snSnv •9181 '-^Pf r-iC> t- OOCD o T-i GO o I- o r5 co-«" CJ in o o o i^ CO 00 o ir^ o o o lO o CO CO t-O CO CI o CO CO « t- i-r UO VO CO »C CTi CO liO 05 o li -^ GO 05 O O O O CO Oi CO c: CO rH rH 00 GO CO CO in 00 »* CO rH cc5 X t-^ i-O -H CO CO CO i^ CO OJ 00 CO CO OJ 06 O CO f^ -^ LO CO LO CO l~ OrH o t-^ icinr^ffi-^corHCOrHj^ in-^oc-Itjir-^rHrHcoi^ ocot^coi-'t^QUOoauao t-LOooooooi-aocn-'j'mot'j" CO C! —■ — o ~; O -1-" 00 co' 1-" I—' co' TPCOt^t-t^i^OUt^C-CJQC-OOOJ (Mo-a'coiracorHiococo (ri-v c CO C! CO oi rf CO 'X <3 10 ~ no CO C!t-rH 5{rH-coi-t-i^ooxit-aoa3t-oDoo '9181 'onnjf t-r-. ■V-CO'»' CIO ci cc t-^ ci cc t-^ c: ci 1.0 cr. OJ lO CO ■^ wO O CO CO l-r I- i- t- I' i^ OJ CO ■9:8T ''^BK ■* I- C) o CO CO ' c: ■* -T c; ir^ o CO --i — <■ oi X ' oi r' — ■' oi a coco-^-^-^LOLO -cocoorrt- •918I ''^■CK •^r^COOO LOO 't-ODCJCSrH X r-^ oi CO -H -r r-^ • rJ ci t-^ o co CO '^ O 10 in CO CO ' i^ i- O :-tJ GO •9'.8I 'TtJdY rOrHCJT-^omco 'cjicOLO— .10 CO CO T ■n' CO LO » • CO CO CO t' 1-- •9i8T 'qoTCK 1.0 c; CO m CO ■ co rn lo oo -^ ci CO* -r CO co' CI 00 LO tri CO ^ 10 COCOCOCOCO"^'!' 'intOl-OCOl^ I m Pi \>^ .00 i^i^ o^ .^ -k" fe o p .:;:; 4j H p, ^ 12; ;?; pi! ;?; M ^ o M hj M 292 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. •iiSt '8S « o ci no -•5^ -^ O irt ' CO(M O 00 M CJ — O O CO JO « CO cc rt CO CO ro 'ILSl 'jSjBHjqe^ C5 CO — -^ ci o r? i- in t-^ d ix ci t-' (il r- (N 00 1- 00 co' ^- ccj in 1- t- I- J, i~ GO oo •9i.8I '!>8nHuv ■* o Ol — r^ o cr^ — ' ■<3' ot CI r^ TT CO i- 1- r- 4- t- ■ ci ctt- s! in I o ■^* ci i^ in ' 00 00 00 00 00 •9i8l 'A'lnx- •9i8l '9anjp •9i8T 'IS ^BW jQtpna .lojj'Bnf) •9i8l '^«H • c» t- c:; dco iri ci TT^ CO o CO o I 1-H LO CO 00 CO ■^Ot-COt-'XOO 'OOOOt^C t~ incoooGor- • Tj-t-cjics f-J Tj* L-i "^ CO CO 00 I in cd — -^ Lo Tf CO J-^'icdoo* * in in in CO CO f" t- CO oo GO •9i8I 'ludv •9181 'qoJKK Ci Ci r* CN t- C5 ■^' f- oi ci c; CO CO ■ t~ C5 X CO ' ^ H c; ro ci • CO CO in t- 1- rH n in 00 CO 7! ci CO c*^ *^ oi — ^ TO CO CO CO CO r: T -v • in TO CO -r in : ;S§J ; :R» • :i : +; " o fe t> •£; 'T -w'^ >; « -^ •>. HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 293 •iiST '85 OD O O -^ ^^ t-» d O >rf O C^ C: tf^ OS •LLSl Suipna jajjunj) « C^ — IC O C^ Ci CO «« n CO CO r: 1-1 Qoin CO in o r- »rf Ci T -^ ^ lO o ■USl '^Junjqe J vri -^ CO lO 5J o ir? ^ lo cj (M CO CO CO CO CO (N O 00 o C3 Cf — ■ 00 00 'iiSI '^aBnncf ■9i8X 'jaqraaooQ ij» lo >n 31 -- >-i T 1-1 O Cl CO OO C?J flQ CO CO » i~^ o com ■ Ti" •>»• to to O to . lO -^ cJ t^ mm ■ to to f- to to to ' 1^ 00 f-^.- ^c^- l^ 00 00 00 00 •9i8l'lE*8nSnv Saipaa aj;aenf) >"r in i^ i o 00 r^ ■^ to t- to t- i^ I oo CO OJ 00 CO r^ t- 1 ■9i8T '!»snSnY to rH t- CJ CN t- C5 jj cj CO iTt in r-^ 15" -.O i- t- t- t- f- (?} C5 30 in OS 00 00' 00 00 00 •9i8t '^inr •9i8l 'annp 3 m to CO ) -^ c^ c« CJ rf (M CO « — H in f~^ 00 1 • to t- f- t- 00 X ococr-oooo "J" in to to to t- c- ■918X 'le ^"H CO CO IS' ir T in in in ^1. CJ in T-( — 1 r^ ^ .-> 00 in to m ^ i-^ t^ •9i8I '•^'BK •9i8T 'ludy ■9i8l 'qMBW i-l to C3 t^ 00 in —* CO to 31 to O CO I ' CO TT in in in to o in to C5 1-- rt CJ 1- O O j ^- t- to CO 00 • -a" 00 (N ■ 31 O i-^ 00 1-1 rH CO I — ■»■ O CO c M CO CO CO CO : -- to in • CO 1-J 00 1-1 in CO t- c OC tOTT 1 o in to I a" ... .. . • c3 -rv, P-^-S 294 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. •8i8T ■8i8l 'A'junjqa^ ■8i8l 'AjBnnBp ■ii8l 'aaqraeoDd 'OS -loqtnaAuj^ '1181 'a9qm9A0ij 00 « I- o « iri 1-: ci o !- 'U9l 'J9qo;oo ■1181 'Jaqras^d^is r^ *-- GC (N o GC GU OD i-^ t^ -^ O i3 o o •ii^l 'It; ^enSiiY 'ILSl 'i^enSnY ■iiSX '-^inr ■iiSl 'annp c! t-' r-" -.6 c" ^' M oi oi CO O O CO o ■ii8X 'IS J^^H •il8X '-SuR •iiSI 'ipdy (?} t-- ro -^ — t •ilSX 'qoJBW ^ .T '-' L^ O dbi t^ HISTOEY 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. 1804. 1805. 18U6. ieo7. 1808. 1809. 1810. 1811. 1812. 1813. 1814. 1815. 1816. 1817. 1818. 1819. Ih20. 1821. 1822. 182;j. 1824. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1829., 1330. Ir'Sl.. 1832.. 1833.. 1634.. 1835.. 1836.. 1837.. 1838.. 1839.. 1840.. 1841.. 1842.. 1843.. 1844.. 1845.. 1846.. 1847.. 1848.. 1849.. 1850.. 1851.. 1852.. 1853.. 1854.. 1855.. 1856.. 1857.. 1858.. 1859.. 1860.. 1861.. 1862.. 1863.. 1864.. 1865.. 1866.. 1867.. 1868.. 1869.. 1870.. 1871.. 1872.. 1873 . 1874.. 1875.. 1876.. 1877.. Barrels. 57 ]8ri 50" 22 147 311 201 1, 443 822 822+ 214" 526 379i 40 !S 244 934 5Di 21| 41 63 .531 364" 313 28.} 607 653i 152i 1, 062^ 105 321 3 309A 527" 6.-)2 310 773 856 3, 910 2,831 P03 1,679 1,377 517 474 228a 331 502 ISOf 195 16§ 22."S- 238* 265 4731 197A- 421} 487|| 73^ 61i 5fi| 20 201 lOi 1033- 2S 12* 21 14-1 651 76i i Barrels. 4,55li 4, 0C.9* 4, 518i 7, C3ei 1, 085" 7,287 6, 52 J J 5, tSi'i 4,971" 1, liO^i 673" 1, 77U.1- 1, 593" 1,440 998i 792i 47G|- 644 2, 1.55.V 3, 967* 4, 037" 3, 653 2, 938 1, 864 2,731 3, 437 3,030 3, 036 1, 755 2, 206 4,31.51 5, 685i 4,979 1,182 604 2,709 1,474 2,840 7, iro 5, 554 6. o03 4,714 2, 62C1 3,843 l,8Dt'i 2, 1.j2 1, 6C9 1, 3.^8^- 1,604 1, 580 1,645 2,775 2, 740* 2, 497 2, 895i 2, 499^ 1,604 355 82 U 589 390 511 592 342J 118 87} C5| 56 424 550 30 i 2091 3884 3571 Barrels. 3, 642.V 3, 411j" 4, n5ii 3, 786| 1,301) 3,024 2, 5->4 7,118 1, 155 lOi 2, 3U0 3, 945 4, 238 4, 512 4, 04U.\ 1, 338" 5.34 237 365 9.H7 697 224 164 358 2:'6 97 1,147 r,oo 4>0 1, 608 1,443 1, 4f-'8 4i;i 1, 164 10, 8 8.";4 476 132 137 78 137 63 203 600 300 2,-.0 425 630 6' "4 250 450 229 Barrels. 7, 8.-)7i , 8, 53:ii 8, 226i 9, 305 " 7, C29i 8, 825' 12, .552* 17, 401 .5,881 3, 75:;i 1, 339" 16, 059^ 31,269 37, 362 46, 3-:8 100, 101 11.5,641 lll.OOil.V 160, y!)4i 145, OOii' 191, 650* 254, 384* 1.58,7-1('J 190, 30-ii 237,3214 2J5, 9774 308, 10J* 3c3, 548i 22.>, 45i" 222, 9.;2i 252, 71' I r.)4, 800* 174, 4i0j 13-', 15'* 1 10, 740i 74, £6;i .50, 4j1.i- !f), 5 17" 75, 543 61,451 8(1,3314 202, 30;} 17.0,3115 251,9174 300, 130 J 208, 950 242, Cli 3.!9, 214i 198,' 120 133,3401 135, 349J 2il,950| 214,312 16^, 705t 131, 60 \% 99, 715} 23.5, 685* 194, 2-3S 2G0, 8643 300, 9 12 f% 2-4, 35:1 256, 7961 231,69C/i5 210, 3 14 jJ^ 180, 05Gi J 234, 2105 318,5213 2.59, 4 10 J 181,9,)6p>5 185, 748.V 258, :i7!)it 130, 0G2J^^ 225, 94?-?g 105, 097i 296 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES APPENDIX H. LIST OF MANUPACTUKEES OF MENHADEN OIL AND GUANO, 1877. [Tho following table was furnisbed by Mr. Jasper Pryer.] Name of manufacturer. G. S. Allyn&Co KK H. Abuy & Co. (E. J. Corey, acent) Barren Island Manufacturing Company. William J. Brigbtman & Co . . . J.H.Bisbop Bristol Oil Works Brown's Cove Company Isaac Brown &, Co Nelson Burnett Cape Cod Oil Works (J.Cook) B. C. Cartwrigbt Joseph Church & Co G.H.Clark Charles Cook Captain C. Doughty W. y. Fithian&Co Robert A. Friend Ford, Avery &Co Fowler, Foot & Co Gallup & Holmes Gallup, Morgan & Co Albert Gray & Co Thomas F. Gray W.H.H. Glover Green Brothers Griffin &. Vail W.D.Hall F.J.Harker J. S. Havens Hawkins Brothers Hawkins Broth' rs W. H. H. Rowland Seaman Jones & Co E. K. Kelsey Kenniston, Cobb & Co Loud's Inland Oil Company Luce Brothers Maddocks' Oil- Works Manokin Oil-Works Anthony Manchester B. F. Manchester James Manchester The George W. Miles Company Morris & Fifield North American Oil-Works James E. Otis Pemaquid Oil- Works Erskine Pierce F.F. Pierce Joseph D. Parsons G. H. Payne Quiunipiac Fertilizer Company (H. L. Dud- ley, agent.) J. Harrison llaynor W. C. Piaynor ' Round Pond Oil- Works Amasa Simmons (Herman Smith, agent) . Cyrus H.Smith Smith, Green & Co Smith & Yarriugton SouTh Bav Oil Companv South St.George Oil-Woiks John South worth Sulf(dk Oil Company TuthilJ, French & Co George F. Tuthill Virginia Oil & Giiauo Company (O. E. Maltby, piesident.) Benjamin Waites , Waiey & Co Wells & Co Lsaac G. White Wilcox & Manchester Location of factory. Mystic Kiver, Conn Tiverton Four Corners, E. I. Bar. en Islanit, N. T Tiverton, R. I Madison, Conn Bound Pond, Me do Tiverton, II. I Southampton, N. Y Proviiicetown, Ma.«s Shelterlslind, N. Y Bound Pond, Me Ea t Marion, N.Y Tiverton Four Ci>ruers, E. I Somers Point, N.J Aiiiagaiiselt, N. Y... Biooklin, Me Tangier Island, Md South Bristol, Me Boothbay, Me , .... do : Round Pond, Me - Tiverton, R. I Soulhold.N. Y Amagansett, N. Y Port Monmouth,N. J Millenbeck, Va Hampton, Va Patcljopue, N. Y Shelter Island, N.Y Barren Lsland, N. Y Portsmouth, R. I Barren Island, N. Y Branford, Conn Booth Bay, Me Round Pond, Mo Niantic, Conn. Booth Bay, Mo Somer.set County, Md Tiverton Four Corners, R. I Somers Point, N. J Tiverton, R. I South Bristol, Me Somers Point, N. J Welltleet, Mass Tuekerton, N. J Bristol, Me Dartmouth, Mass Groenporr, N. Y Spriug.s, N. Y De°p H<)]e,Easthampton,N.Y Pino Island, Conn .". Greenport, N. Y , Westbampton, N. Y Round Pond, Mo Tiverton Four Corners, R. I Tuekerton, N.J , Sayville,N.Y , do , do South Saint George, Me Portsmouth, R. I Boothliav. Mo '. East South r.ri.stol. Me Greenport. N. Y Norfolk, Va Tiverton Four Corners, R. I P()(|nonnock Bridge, Conn.. . Simlli Hristo!, Mo Tiverton Four Corners, R. I do Winter address. Mystic River, Coun. Tiverton Four Cornets, R. I. 58 Broad street. New York City. Tiverton, R. I. Madison, Conn. Round Pond, Me. Do. Tiverten, R. I. Southampton, N. Y. Provincetown, Mass. Shelter Island, N. Y. Tiverton, R. I. East Marion, N.Y. Tiverton Four Corners, R. L Somers Point, N. J. Southold, N. Y. Brooklin, Me. Guilford, Conn. Grotou, Conu. Do. Tiverton, R. L Do. Siuthold.N.Y. Davisville, R. I. Rivtrhead, N. Y. ]\Iillenbeok, Va. Hampton, Va. M. riches, N. Y. Jamesport, N. Y. Do. Tiverton, R. 1. 134 Third avenue. New York City. Clinton, Conn. Boothbay, Me, Bound Pond, Me. East Lyme, Coun. Boothbay, Me. Tiverton Four Corners, R. I. Somers Point, N. J. Tiverton, E. I. Milford, Conn. Somer's Point, N. J. Wellfleet.Mass. Saybrook. Conn. Bristol, Me. Dartmouth, Mass. Greenport, N. Y. Springs, N. Y. S ig Harbor, N. Y. New Haven, Conn. Greenport, N. Y. Westliampton, N. Y. Round Pond, Me. Tivei ton Four Corners, R. L Tuekerton, N. J. Savville, N. Y. Do. Do. South Saint George, Me. Fall Riv(r, Mass. Bosto.:, Mass. Greenport, N. Y. Do. Norfolk, Va. Tiverton Four Corners, R. L Poquonnock Bridge, Conn. Greenport, N. Y. Tiverton Four Corners, R. L Do. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 297 List of manufacturers of menhaden oil and f/nano, 1877 — Continued. Name of manufacturer. Location of factory. Winter address. Mystio Bridge, Conn Fall River, Mass Mystic Bridge, Conn. Job T. Wilson W. W. Wii iner Henrv E. Wells Greenport, N. Y Gieenport, N. Y. Westbrook, Conn. APPENDIX I. PARTIAL LIST OF VESSELS EMPLOYED IN THE MEKHADEN FISHERY. STEAMERS. Name. Tonnage. Owner. Port of entry. Where fishins Job T.Wilson Leonard Brightman. Emma Hunter George H. Bradley Belle and llatlie Nellie E. Rawaon Geo. W. Hunt David H. Wilson Chance-Shot Lottie W. Merrill Paulina Wilbor Fearless Kingtisher A. M. Hathaway Joseph Church Ospray Jemima Boomer Bessie Sims George W. Humphrey Seven Brothers "... Grace E. T. DeBlois... Albert Brown. .. Wm. A. Wells . . G. Polhemus Aeronaut H. T. Sisson Gypsy Girl Daisy Jno. A. Morgan . Luce Bros ... Emily Foote . Wm. Spicer . Price Newins Lizzie Colburn Wm. Floyd E.S. Havens George T. Morse , Oak Cambria 80 80 85 70 70 20 5 1^0 a 60 60 701 L. Maddocks do do do do , do J. S. Nickerson do Thomas Nichols do Pemaquid Oil (^omp'y Tuthill, French & Co.. do do Jonathan Bowrne.jr. , do do do do Job T. Wilson George Dovoll W. J. Bi ightman do..". do do Joseph Church & Co. . do do do do do do Charles Cook Lsaac D.Manchester.. E.T. DeBlois do do Gallup, Holmes & Co. . do do do Gallup, Morgan & Co . do Gallup & Manchester. do Luce Bros Fowler & Foote Geiirge W. Miles Co . . . do Quinuipiac Fertilizer. Company. Frank Price Boothbay, Me do do , do do do Hodgdon's Mills, Me. do Round Pond, Me do .ao do , do Hawkins Bros . do do South Bristol, Me . . do do Now Bedford, Mass . do do do do Fall River, Mass . . . Tiverton, R. I do do do do do do do do do do Tiverton Four Cor- ners, R. I. Newport, R. I Portsmouth, R. I , do do , Groton, Conn do do do do do do do East Lyme, Conn Guilford, Oonn Milford, Conn do New London, Conn... Greenport, N. Y do do do Jameeport, N. Y do do Greenport, N. Y do Maine. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Connecticut. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Long Island.' Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. 298 KEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Partial list of vessels employed in the menltaden fishery — Continued. SAILING-VESSELS. Name. Tonnage. Owner. Port of entry. "Where fishing. E.B. Church 40 30 25 22 11 12 12 9 32 14 l¥^ 22 19 19 17 16 17 9 22 "W. J. Brightm an Tiverton, E. I Drasonet Do. Peiiikese do do Do. Willie E.Brightman... do do Do. Lou<; Island do do . Do. Gracie do do Do Sunbeam do do Do Dora do do Do. D.T. Vail Gurdon S. AUyn do Mystic, Conn do Hadley Do. Hepsie do do Do do do do do Do I'lash Do C. A. Sounds Annie do do do Do. Do J.TV.Luce East Lyme, Conn do Do Success do Do. Eust ic do do Do. Flirt do . .. do Do. Liza A. Luce do do Do. Nettie J. Luce do do Do. Nevada do .. . do Do. raciflc do do Do Haze do . do Do. Col. Morgan Greene Brothers do Greenport, N. T do Long Island. Do. M. A. Greene Allie do do Do. Pbcenix do do Do. Eluora do do Do. Annat Pitcher do do Do. Mistonax do do Do. Swan 24^"^ Q 64 -T(T7J 9tU 21 18 14 14 14 14 12 12 22 22 22 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 10 1.5 15 15 15 15 24 19 19 Sterling Company do" do.. .do Do Marv II. Sisson do Do. Dauntless do Do. Bunker City ..do do Do Eough & Ke'ady do do Do. Sarah rio do do Do Kate Eomer do Do Friendly do do. Do. Jehu Marcy do do Do. TVm. G. Fithian & Co do do Napeague ......do do Do Eureka Do TVm. Downs Do. Jessie Smith do do Do. Native do . .do Do G.P.Horton do . . do Do. Eliza Maria do do I>0 Hawkins Brothers do do Jamesport, N. Y do Do. Do. Peerless do Do. Sirocco do do do Do. do Do. Simoon do do Do. do do do Do Touug America do Do. Clyde do do Do do do do do do Do Pelican Do do ..-■ Do. Eob't Mills Seaman Jones 40 39 to 40 38 to 40 38 38 38 to 40 40 40 4'> 41 41 43 42 to 43 42 40 to 41 40 40 40 40 40 41 to 42 42 to 43 41 to 42 41 to 40 39 to 40 37 to 38 34 to 36 34 to 3fi 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 3i to34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 35 to 36 36 to 38 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 39 37 to 39 37 to 39 37 to 39 37 to 39 37 to 39 35 to 36 35 to 36 35 to 3fi 35 to 36 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 36 to 38 30 to 38 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 25 to 40 25 to 30 25 to 30 302 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Prices current of menhaden oil — Continned. .Tnne 9 June 16 June H?' Juno 30 July 7 July 14 JulvSl JcVy 28 August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25. . . . September 1. . September 8. . rieiitember 15. September -22 September 29. October G October 13.... October 20 October 27. ... November 3 . . Xovember 10 . November 17 . November 24 . DecombtT 1 . . December 8 . . December 15 . December 22 . December 29 . January 5 . . January 12 . . January 19 . . January 20 .. Tebiuary 2 . . February 9 .. February J 6 . February 23 . March 1 Marcli 8 Marcb 15 March 22.... Marcb 29 April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26 May 3 May 10 May 17 Ma'v24 May 31 J uuo 7 June 14 Juno 21 June 28 July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26 August 2 August 9 August IC August 23 August 30 September 6 . . September 13. Septembfr 20. Sejitember 27. Oet:)ber4 October 11 October 18.... Date. 1876. Cents per gallon. 38 to 39 38 to 39 38 to 39 36 to 37 36 to 37 35 to 36 35 to 36 35 to 36 34Jsto35 33 32 to 33 32 to3-Jl 32" 32 32 to 33 32 to 33 33 34 to 35 34 to 35 36 40 to 41 40 to 41 40 to41 40 to 41 41 to 42 •J2 to 44 42 to 44 44 to 43 45 to 471 45 to47i to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 50 to 48 to 48 to 48 to 48 to 47 45 45 45 45 35 35 to 36 to 36 to 37 to39 to 38 to 38 to 38 to 35? to 34' to 33 33 33 33 to 34 to 35 to 35 to 35 to 35 35 to 30 to 45 Cents per gallon. 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 41 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 42 to 44 40 to 41 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 38 38 38 3,H 38 38 40 to 42 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 41 to 45 46 to 48 46 to 48 46 to 48 48 46 to 48 46 to 48 to 50 to 52 to 53 to 52 to 52 to 52 n Cents per gallon. £0 50 50 50 49 to 50 49 to 50 49 to 50 47* to 48 45 to 46 44 to 46 44 to 46 44 to 46 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 45 44 to 40 44 to4(i 44 to 46 50 52 to 54 rej to 54 52 .\ to 55 5-Mo55 52.V to 55 525 to 55 52.V to 55 54 to 55 55 to 56 55 to 56 55 to 56 55 to 00 55 to 60 55 to 60 55 to 60 55 to 60 to 52 I 55 to 58 to 52 55 to 58 to 52 55 to 58 to52J to52i to 5Ci to 5-1 to 52A to 5u" to 50 to 50 to 50 to 44 tj41 to 41 to 41 to 44 to 46 to 46 to 46 to 46 46 40 40 40 40 40 40 44 to 48 to 56 to 56 to 56 to 50 to r'5 to 53 to 53 to 53 to 53 to 50 to 47?, to 47?, to 4-. A to 47?, to 47,1 to47A to 471 to 47,i to 50" to 50 to no to 50 to 47 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 48 to 50 Cents per gallon. hi to 38 37 to 38 37 to 38 35 to 30 35 35 35 341 to 35 33' to 34 33 32 32 31 31 31 to 32 32 32 to 33 3i to 33 32 to 33 34 to 36 40 4'J 40 40 40 to 41 41 to 42 41 to 42 42 to 43 43 to 44 43 to 44 45 to47A 45 to47A 45 to47i 45 to 47^" 45 to47| 45 to 47* 45 to47| 45 to 471 45 to 47" Cents per gallon. 25 to 30 25 to 35 25 to 35 25 to 33 25 to:-.3 25 to 3 J 25 to 33 25 to 34 25 to 33 25 to 30 23 to 31 25 to 3 1 i:5 to 30 25 to 30 20 to 30 20 to 30 20 to 30 20 to 30 20 to 30 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 46 44 to 46 44 44 44 44 46 to 48 34 to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 35 37 to 38 35 to 36 35 to 36 35 to 36 34 to 35 3 -'A to 33 32 32 32 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 to 34 36 to 37 38 to 40 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 303 Prices current of menhaden oil — Continued. Date. October 25 November 1 . . November 8 . . November 15. November 22 . November 29 . December 6 .. December 13 . December 20 . December 27 . January 3 . . . January 10 ... January 17 ... January 24 ... January 31 ... February 7 ... February 1-1. . February 21 . February 28. . Marcli 7 March 14 March 21 March 28 April 4 April 11 April 18 April 25 May 2 May 9 May 10 May 23 May 30 June 6 Judo 13 June 20 June 27 July 4 duly 11 July 18. July 25 Aupuat 1 August 8 August 15 Angu.st 22 August 29 September 5 . . September 12. Septem!)er 19. September 26 . October 3 October 10 October 17 October 24 October 31 November 7 . . November 14 . November 21 . November 28 . December 5 .. December 12 . December 19 . December 26 . 1877. Ce7its per gallon. 42 to 45 42 to 43 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 41 to 42 41 to4;i 41 to 42 January 2 1878. to 42 to 43 to 45 to 45 to 45 to 45 to 43 to 42i to 42J to 42" to 42 to 42 to 42 to 41 to 41 to 40 to 38 38 38 38 37: t037:J to 35 to 35 to 35 to 35 to 34 to 34 to 34 to 34 to 34 34 3f!; 3fi^ 38 38 to 45 45 45 45 45 45 to 40 to 40 to 46 45 45 45 45 46 to 47 to 47 JB 46 to 47 Cents per gallon. 46 to 48 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 40 46 TO 48 40 to 48 46 to 48 46 to 48 45 to 46 44 to 45 41ito45 42* to 44 42 to 43 42 10 43 42 to 43 42 to 43 42 to 43 42 to 4 41 to 4 4' 4 4; 4 4 4: 42 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 33 to 40 38 to 40 40 to 42 40 to 42 44 to 40 44 to 46 40 to 47 40 to 47 40 to 47 40 to 47 47 to 48 47 to 48 47 to 48 47 to 48 47 to 48 47 to 48 47 to 48 48 to .50 48 to 50 48 to 50 W Cents per qaUon. 4S to 50 48 to 50 48 to 50 50 to 52 50 to 52 50 to 52 50 to 52 50 to 52 50 to: 2 50 to 52 50 to 52 50 to 52 52 52 52 52 52 50 to 52 50 to 52 48 to 50 ■47 to 49 47 to 49 47 to 49 47 to 48 47 to 48 45 to47J 42 J to 45 43 to 40 43 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 40 45 to 46 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 46 45 to 46 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 47 to 48 47 to 48 49 to 50 50 to 52 51 to .52 52 to 53 52 to 53 52 to 53 52 to 53 52 to 53 52 to 53 52 to 54 52 to 54 52 to .54 53 to 54 53 to 54 52;\ to 53i 52* to 53| 52i to 53^ o Cents per gallon 38 to 40 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 38 to 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 to 41 40 to 41 40 to 41 40 38 to 39 38 to 39 38 to 39 38 to 39 38 to 39 35 to 30 3:^ to 34 34 to .30 30 to 37 30 to 37 30 to 37 30 34 34 34 31 32i 32i 324 32;i 32i 33i 36 to .35 35 to .36 35 to 36 35 to 30 38 to 40 42 to 44 42 to 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 to44i 44 to 44.' 44 to44| 45 to 45i 45 to 40 45 to 40 45 to 40 Cents per gallon. 35 to SO 36 30 36 36 36 34 to 30 34 to 36 34 to 30 34 to 36 34 to 30 34 to 36 34 to 36 34 to 36 34 to 36 34 to 36 34 to 30 34 to 36 34 to .'?6 34 to 30 34 to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 32 to 34 30 to 32 30 to 32 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 32 to 34 30 to. 32 38 to 32 30 to 32 30 to 32 30 to 32 30 to 32 34 . to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 34 to 35 35 to3s 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 40 to 42 304 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CURRENT WEEEXY REPORTS OF THE MENHADEN OIL MARKET FROM 1871-1878. [Compiled from "Oil, Paiut, and Drug Reporter," of New York, W. O. Allison, editor.} 1871. October 18. Menhaden with many small lots arriving during the latter part of last xveek reacted from the advanced prices, and some sales were made at a decline of fally Ic. per gallon ; the close is, we think, rather more steady, with most of the arrivals bought up. Sales are 68 bbls. prime white, at 41ic.; 112 bbls., at 41c.; 90 bbls., at 40^0.; 110 bbls., at 40c.; GL bbls. light, at 41c.; 125 bbls., on p. t. ; 150 bbls. fair, at 39c.; 50 prime, at 40^-c. ; 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 4^c., 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 © 41-}c. for choice light, and 39 rivate terms, some of which have been held here for some time. The sales foot up 1,255 bbls., part at 41c. for prime, up to 42ic. ^ 43c. for Maine, and a resale of same at 44c. About half of these sales were for export, the advance in gold assisting this trade. April 22. Menhaden oil is dull, and can be had at 41c., but there have been no sales of prime from first hands. Maine oil is held at 42c. Boston re- ports April 20: " Menhaden oil continues dull, and without any demand it is difficult to fix a price. There is oil going to be exported, and if the surplus should be sent away prices will be firmer and higher." April 29. Menhaden oil is still very quiet, and we have only 250 bbls. to report . sold at 41c. Boston reports, April 27th : " Menhaden oil quiet, and, as there has not been any large sales made, we cannot give i^rice, but it looks as though it would be higher." 21 F 322 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. May 6. Menliadeti oil has been more active, holders meeting the views of buy- ers, witb the approach of warm weather and the fishing season. Sales are 250 bbls. for export at 41c.; 400 bbls. for home use at 40c.; and 700 bbls. for home use on private terms. Boston reports, May 4th : " Menhaden — a sale of 400 bbls. for export was made at 40c., but it is held higher at close. The news from the seal fishery is of a very dis- couraging nature, and the first news is more than verified. This must advance menhaden and whale oils." I^lAY 13. Menhaden oil has been quiet, with small offerings recently. There has been some inquiry at late prices, but the only lots coming forward since our last have been small^lnferior ones, and sold at irregular prices ; the new catch has been fair for so early in the season. May 20. Menhaden oil has ruled quiet with small arrivals. Prices have not improved. One lot of 175 bbls. camQ in during the week, and sold for shipment at 40Ac., at which price there are buyers for export. The new catch is reported as very favorable, but none has as yet made its ap- pearance in market. Pressed fish, sold to the extent of 50 bbls. at 44c. Strained choice menhaden oil is in some demand, and 25 bbls. sold at 47c. May 27. Menhaden oil is quiet ; there is not much coming forward, but dealers will buy only such lots as they actually need. The new catch has been reported less favorable the past week on account of the cold and stormy weather. Sales are reported of 50 bbls. new oil, the first of the season at 40c., and and 160 bbls. old at 40c. Boston reports, May 25th : " Men- haden oil dull, and not much demand for home consumption ; several lots have been shipped at about 40c." June 3. Menhaden oil is beginning to come forward more freely ; but holders have not as yet offered below 40c., and one lot of 50 bbls. is reported at that price. The new catch is reported as more favorable than any pre- ceding year at this time, but manufacturers say it will not pay to make at much below present prices. June 10. Menhaden, has been offering freely, and some lots have been pressed for sale from dock, and low prices have been named on them. Buyers will not take hold except as they need for actual wants, and prices are low, withf-ut much business. Sales, 75 bbls. on private terms, and some small parcels at 37 37c. from a consumer and part for export. July 14. Menhaden has come to hand in fair quantities, and is taken by home and exi)ort buyers at 35c. for good oil, which seems to be the market price, buyers being unwilling to pay more and sellers refusing to take less. Tiie shipments of over 1,000 bbls. to Glasgow la.st week are said to have been pressed Maine oil, and sent on owners' account. The sales here have been 350 bbls., in lots, for export, and 490 bbls. for home use, all at or on a basis of 35c. July 21. Menhaden is quiet at34©35c. Following our la.st, there were two lots of oil offering to arrive — one from Maine, of about 500 bbl.s., and one of about 150 bbls.. Western. A bid of 35c. was asked for these and could not be had in this market, and then 34^c., cash, would have bought. Indeed, the market was weak, owing to a decline of £2 per ton — the market being now £33 — in London, and a falling off in the price of gold here, which cau.sed shipping limits to be reduced to about .'>4c. At the same time there were two home buyers ready to take small lots of nice oil at 35 c. on the spot, but their requirements would be supplied with a very small quantity. On Thursday the Maine oil on the way to this market was dispo.sed of to a Xew Bedford refiner at 35c., and since there have been the following sales : 200 bbl.s., on spot, at 34^c.; 500 bbl.s., to arrive, at 34ic. ; 50 bbls., on spot, at 35c.; 50 bbls., 334 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. on spot, for export, to complete an order, at C5c. ; and a parcel of about 50 bbls., select, on private terms, probably at about 3Gc. Our reports from the Western fisliernien are that the fishing is poor, and the yield only about 2 ©2^ gallons per thousand. From JMaine we hear that the fish are rather scarce, and the yield about 4 gallons per thousand. The Maine fishermen seem to be adopting a ditlerent course this season from last. Last year they carried their stock over into the l^reseut catch, but they are sending forward their new oil as early as poi^sible now. July 28. 3Ieuhaden oil has not arrived so freely, but one lot that we heard of last week coming on the market. The demand has been entirely for home buyers, and they have not wanted very large parcels. The decline in gold caused shippers to reduce their limits to 33c., but the advance to-day may help matters, though no effect is yet noticed. To day three lots came to hand; in all, a little more than .'i-OO bbls. 130 bbls. of this sold at 34ic.; and 100 bbls., hardly prime, sold at 34c. The other lot is still unsold. Being mostly light-colored, it is held at a higher price. The lot mentioned as having come to hand last week was 135 bbls., and brought 34.}c. August 4. Menhaden has not come to hand very freely, as the catch of fish is sm.ill and yield of oil light. In consequence, vre are informed that some of the fishermen have closed their works till lall, or such time as the fish yield enough oil to make it pay. While the arrivals have been small, they have been all that the market could bear, and in some instances prices have been shaded a little. There is little or no demand for ex- port, except at 33 c. for light oil. The sales are : 100 bbls. prirae light, at 34o. ; CG bbls. do., at 34Jc. ; 70 bbls., at 33^0. ; 62 bbls., at 33-^c. ; 37 bbls., at 33c. ; and 1,G00 bbls. Maine oil in i^Tew Bedford, at 35c. The Maine make this season, thus far, has been about 5,000 bbls. The yield of oil per thousand fish on Long Island is an average of 1^ gallons. August 11. Menhaden oil has come to hand fairly, and several lots of Maine oil have been offered for shipment. There is no difference in price between Maine and Western oil, the former being in comparatively larger sup- ply. Dealers are buying sparingly, as their trade is dull, an fish, and in three days of the same week Wells's factory took 1,000,000." May 23. Menhaden oil is not coming to hand very freely, as the catch of late has not been very good, and most of the new had been sold be- fore for shipment. The old stock is about closed out. The sales re- ported are 900 bbls. old and 300 bbls. new, for shiimientat 37 © 37ic. 50 bbls. new at 36c., and 75 bbls. at 35 ® 37c. May 30. Menhaden oil is rather easier at the close. The catch has been fair, but the exi)ort orders had been mostly filled, and the Iocs are now coming on the home markets. The sales reported are 160 bbls. at 37c., 110 bbls. at 30ic., and 70 bbls. at 36c., with sellers at the close at this price. June 6. ]\Ienhaden oil has been more plenty and prices have declined as home buyers were getting full supplies and exporters not taking. The market closes quiet. The sales since our last are 70 bbls. at 36^c., 90 bbls. at 30c.. 80 bbls. at 35c., and 250 bbls. at 34c. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 353 June 13. Menhaden oil has settled down to 34c., at which price there has been a good trade doing, and the market seems steady with the fol- lowing parcels placed : 400 bbls. at 35c,, 150 bbls. at 34c., 75 bbls. at 34c., 50 bbls. at 34c., 94 bbls. at 34c., 62 bbls. at 34c., and 110 bbls. at 34c. June 20. Menhaden oil has come to hand quite freely, but prime quality has ruled steady at 34c., though some off-grade was offered to-day at 33c. The sales reported for the week are 250 bbls. at 34c., 80 bbls. at 34c., 96 bbls. at 34c., and 150 bbls. at 33^c. Light strained oil can be had at 38c., bank at 39c., and straits at 40c. June 27. Menhaden oil has come to hand quite freely, but a good deal had been sold before, a small part for export. The market is steady, with buyers at 33c., but it would be difficult to get a much higher price for a round lot. The sales reported are 300 bbls. at 33c., 156 bbls. at 33c., 67 bbls. at 33c., and 50 bbls. at o3|c. We also hear of 200 bbls. in New Bedford on private terms. We print an item below which would show that the catch is large, but we hear since by let" ter that the fish are running poor, and the oil from them dark. "For the first time this season some considerable numbers of men- haden were taken in Gardiner's and Peconic Bays last week. On Mon- day Capt. E. Tallmau took 64,000 in the lower bay ; and again on Friday, after taking 150,000 at two dips in the ocean to the southward of Ama- gansett, in coming up to the factory he got 60,000 from them, makiug his day's catch 210,000. Capt. Israel Warner also made several good hauls of fish in the upper bay, the first we have heard of in that vicinity. While the quantity offish in the outer ocean has been practictiliy lim- itless, and every gang who could go outside to get them has been able on every fair day to make good catches, by a remarkable departure from the usual fact heretofore, few or no fish have entered the bays. Indeed, it is asserted that of all those so far rendered into oil and guano at the fectories on shore, or in its limits, not one million in all have, been caught in the bay. Opinions differ as to the cause or causes of this result, but the general belief is that the presence of food has been the determining element in the question. Food has been and continues abundant in the ocean, hence the fish stay outside. Except for a few days of thick fog the weather has been quite favorable, and many fish continue to be taken. " Greenport, L. I., June 23." July 4. Menhaden oil has ruled steady, with no great surplus offering, the arrivals being moderate, and some lots taken for export. The sales re- ported are 250 bbls. at 32^-c., 75 bbls. at 32ic. for home use, and 200 bbls. at 33c., free on board for export. "Steamer E. S. Newins, Capt. J. W. Hawkins, was in port on Wednes- 23 F 354 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. day. Ou Tuesday she took 125,000 menhaden in the ocean off Quogue, and reports immense bodies of the fish at that place. It is also reported that the shore seines along the Hamptons have been taking great quan- tities of the fish lately. The advantage of employing steamers is shown stronglj' in the fact that the JSTewins on her Tuesday trip out and back traveled about 150 miles, a distance quite out of the question for sailing vessels." — Long Island Journal, June 30, 1877. July 11. Menhaden oil is not coming on the market in large lots, as a good deal of the arrivals are going on shipboard. The different sales for home use that we hear of are 78 bbls. at 32ic., 60 bbls. at 32Jc., 80 bbls. at 32^c., 46 bbls. at 32 Jc. , and 71 bbls. at 32ic. July 18, 1877. Menhaden oil came to hand sparingly'- last week, the fishingboth in the Sound and on the coast of Maine having been poor for some time past. The reports to-day are, however, more favorable. The market has been steady, but not active ; no export orders at the moment. The sales reported are 150 bbls. at 32Ac., 58 bbls. at 33c. ; and a lot of 100 bbls. good, fair quality was olieriug to-day at the latter price. The total exports from the United States, from January to June 30th, were 11,010 bbls. July 25. Menhaden is in small demand for home use. The arrivals are light, but fully up to the wants of the trade. Prices are steady, with sales of 110 bbls. at 32^c., and 64 bbls. at 33c. August 1. Menhaden oil has not come to baud since our last, and the receipts during Jul}" are probably as small as we ever knew them. The demand here is not large, however, and we do not know that better than 32i ® 33c. would be paid. The catch in the Sound is only fair, and the Maine fishing thus far quite poor. The Boston market is poorly supplied, and are bidding 34c., delivered, with sales of several lots at the Connecticut factories at 32i ® 33c. August 8. Menhaden oil is very much stronger here, though not much higher on actual business. The Maine catch being light, ISlew Bedford and Boston dealers have had to go direct to the Long Island and Sound factories and buy, and we hear that they have bought at 32^ ® 33Jc. at the fac- tory, equal to 35c. delivered. In consequence of these sales we have had very littlo oil here, and these lots are promptly taken on arrival. The sales reported are 200 bbls. Barren Island at 33^c., and two lots of 50 bbls. each at 33c. August 15. Menhaden oil has not come to this market to any extent of late, and the price is higher. There have been few sales for want of stock. We heard that 175 bbls. were placed at 34 ® 34^c., with 35c. now bid, and l)ossibly 36c. will be paid. Sales are reported in the East as high as 40c. Bleached oil is higher also, as well as all the other gra'^es. HISTORY OF THE .AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 355 August 22. Meuhadeu oil is uot coming in, and the price is vecy mucti higher, with one sale of 100 bbls. prime at 36c., with other sales of 250 bbls. reported at 3oc., which price will now be paid. August 29. Menhaden oil scarce and higher, with exceedingly small arrivals, the Maine fishery being very poor, and Eastern dealers drawing their sup- plies from the Sound catch. We are receiving very little here, and our dealers are short of stock. The sales reported since our last are 128 bbls. brown at 36c., and 75 bbls. select light at 38c. Strained and bleached are higher. September 5. Menhaden oil is scarce, and higher prices would be paid for lots, but there are none arriving. It is difficult to say what could be obtained, but probably 38c., though some dealers say they would not pay more than 35c. If the present scarcity continues prices will go above 40c. very soon. September 12. Eastern buyers are visiting the Long Island Sound lactones, picking up all the menhaden oil they can find. Makers are, however, generally holding for higher prices, expecting to get 45c. soon. One lot has beeu sold equivalent to 42c. delivered. September 19. Menhaden oil is scarce here, and there are no sales for want of stock ; prices are nominal, but a lot would probably bring somewhere near 45c. if nice. We hear that 500 bbls. sold in New Bedford at 45c. cash, and 300 bbls. at works on Long Isl'd at 43c. Bleached oils are higher, and 250 bbls. sold at 50c. September 26. Menhaden oil is not to be had, and though a higher price would be paid, we do uot know what it would be. It is hoped that fishing will yet be good before cold weather sets in. There has been a good demand for bleached, which is now higher alsoj sales were made of 100 bbls. at 51c., and 50 bbls. at 52c. October 3. Menhaden oil is still very firm, and the lots coming in are readily taken ac high prices. The last catch of fish at Maine was good, but all except two factories were closed, and the make was consequently small. The fishermen are now at Proviucetown, awaiting the fish as they go down the coast. It is hoped that the catch may yet be good, but it can- not make up the deficiency. The sales reported here are 2l5 bbls. at 44c., 100 bbls. at 44c., 100 bbls. resold at 44c., and 120 bbls. at 44c. cash ; in New Bedford, 300 bbls. Maine at 45c., 250 bbls. at 45c., and 100 bbls. at 45c. Bleached is firmer and in good demand, with sales of 250 bbls. here at 52c. October 10. Menhaden oil is still in limited supply and firm in price, though we are reported sales by one party of 300 bbls. at 43 ® 44c. We know, how- ever, of sales of 150 bbls. here at 44c., and hear that there has been some business done in the East at 47c. A letter from New Haven, dated October 8, 1877, says : " The stormy- weather of a portion of last week reduced what would have been a small catch of menhaden anyway to a very meagre amount. They ran one grade better than previously, and it is hoped a radical change of quality is very near. Fishermen in the usual quality of their 'devotions' are l)raying for quiet weather." October 17. Menhaden oil still rules very firm with few lots to be had. There have been some sales of Sound made at 44 ® 45c., with none offering at the close that we hear of. In reference to the catch we have the fol- lowing under date of October 15, 1877 : "There were but two fishing days last week on Long Island Sound, owing to winds. The catch was good as to quantity, but still poor in quality. The season lasts but about a month longer, and impatience is felt for the appearance of fat fish." October 24. 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JO aeqninjsj; "lii^q JOj P109 qsg JO spJJtjq JO joqoin^ L'^ :7) o o o o m CO o o o o CI T in o o xi o o o • o • JO eieojeq jo jaqnin^ ocooooroooomooooooo •Bj[jOAi jB nam JO jaqinnn 93t3J9Ay OU i-H >-l >-(>-• T-< r^ r-l rH r-l -^ ?5 (M tH IM iH •BJ9tnB8;B JO J9qmnj^ mi-H« • 5» i tH (N OJ • • •* M o^1-l^r5«(^lu^c^(^^r-^<^!(J»cOI-l(J^« •6peB9A JO jaqran^ •p9A'o[(ini9 ngnuaqeg jo jaqtnn^ OOOOOO'COCIr'OCCOOOOO irno •aeaS-qsTj ooooowocjrtoooooooo oooooo:;^^ooOwOO::300 O r-( lO CO i-i 1-1 « « C* CO (N tH go C^ •iCjo:>OB^ OOOOOCDOOOOOOOOOOO oo O O -: O O O O O - 5 O CD O O o — c::oooO'::^ooo::^ooooo oo ic'^f o''o'"o''io ocTirrc^'— "'r'o'irTx'm'o''-^" I i-'-f OUrl-Tr-cSl— lT-.0" >-'o ^ 3 ."= '^ i^ f£ IS CS HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 371 oa-enS opnjD jo snox oirsicoi-Hoooiooooowoo O Cl OI O C* O CJ rS TJ O ^^ CJ I "^ X* CJ) t— JO eaot[Uj^ JO i^qran^ OOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOO oooooo — oooooooooo o c; Cj o T f- ^ o li^ wi ci o CI c-j o Lt. oo *4req jof pps qetf JO e[9aaBq jo jaqmn^ 'O • • • •(?» 'OO 'O .10 ■ • ■ • n • ■ . rt . ■ . .00 ■ 5>« ■ n : : : • i'*' i"^ i '. '• JO epjjBq JO jaqtaux; OGDoocor:oooor30Tj-ooo o t^ o o o -_; -.i o o o o o ^ i-- o o o •spseaA JO jeqtnnjj i-H • CO (?J "3" (M CO •* t-co(Nec(N(rioooooo;jo irT t *r go" cT of o' o" cc~ o" o" ^ 00 o cT o" irT *^*" t- t- (JJ CO M CO o a « •-^ CO 372 KEPOET OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FKHERIES. onBnS 9piiJ0 JO enox oooooooicoo^r^oio O O O O ^ LO O t- O O f-^ 'tr Cl •T X' o •- o rt ixi a> -^ o LT I- i- •9pBtn IP JO gno[^uS JO ioqcun^ — 'OOOOOOOCOOJOO lo" ■^■■" -J' r-" rf iOT W 1 -t" CO o" itT— '" L-5" '%\vc[ .loj pjOB qsg JO siojJiBq JO jaqmn^ t-Mi-H .-1 (r* O '7j O ~ O o c; -^ o o in o ^3 c< o JO S[9jjBq JO jaqtnn^ oor-oo — -ooo-J — oo o o -^ '>^ o C5 1-- o — :o CJ ;j o «" (-" — " rT of o" r-" cT — -r" i O C3 r-. CJ CI •e7[.I0AV 'JB TT.Hn JO jaqauin os'ujaAy o o o o L-^ o r: CJ o o CO XI o tOC0^^r-lr-^r-lr-l>^<^^^'5r^I-lr-l ■s" oj « • M <-H to in CT OJ ?j •sj8niB9^8 JO Joqtnn^ •8[8SS9A JO jaqoinjj •p3ifoidtn9 notnaoqsg jo aaqtanjyi; f^ oooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo:::>c?oo: 03Xiooo^o;^oo: > oo — _ •jTjaS-qai^ : o o i-j o o Cf ^3 o o - ' GO o n o r-i (?;rHl-10-lCJ -^-^as. •:S.to;»i;j oooooooooooooooooo O CD ^D — 4 O CD O O O CD O C-. O O O CD O O OOOQC^OOOOCDOOOOOOOOO o o o x 1.-: L-^ o c^ o oj oj o o irs o L- o 5 00— lOJrl^ — rtrHCOOUCQCMTHrHr-IKC 3 Sw^-^'-^' - o M r 3 c P4 ^ ° r? ^i:- 'c ^ 9 '-^ ^ "li o ^ CO* d - (H ~ " -/5 — i O rj Q eg C^ C^ £ c ^Zo^ P^^-M^-= r^ -^ ^ C-"T? T> T"* ,.^ CJ ^'^':3*r^ 5ti 5 ri g — "rt "rt "3 . . _, ^, V-/J- « » ^ o c 5 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 373 APPENDIX K 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 circular. 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 2Q and December 28, 1874. 1. Menhaden and pogy, interchangeably. 2. Most abundant. 3. Not so numerous in creeks, coves, inlets, «S: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 18G3 to 18G8, some years 500,000 barrels were taken. 5. It does ; especially around and near shores. G. About the 25th of May. Main body arrives about the middle ot 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, &c. 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. IG. 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 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 20. They seldom take bait ; very small fish are found in tbem. 22. Cannot: I think they are mixed indiscriminately. 32. Large quantities are devoured by sharks, horse-mackerel, whales, porpoises, and other fish of prey. 3J: 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. 3G. 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. 42. 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 Ehode Island and New York parties, not worked so much now as formerly. E. 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, 1,025 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 $G j)er barrel ; in 1SG3 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. 52. Yes. 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, Uancock County, Maine. About the year 1837 he sent a small phialfull 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 years, from 35 to 46 cents a gallon. In 1862, 81.40 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. 1. Your first question I have already answered. We call them pogy. 2. The fish are quite abundant here. 3. Their numbers have diminished. 4. Two thousand barrels of fish in this (Castine) district. 5. 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 October and November in a body. 18. Follow the coast southerly. 19. On the southern coast. 376 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 20. The most that ia found in them that seems to be their food, is a small seedlike-lookirig substance called by fisherman brit. 21. They spawn in southern waters, it is supposed. 22. They go in schools, and not in pairs. 23. We cannot answer that here. 24. We presume warmer than the water here. 25. 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. IsTever 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. O. Mayo. 44. Condon makes 50 barrels and Mayo 25 per year. 45 and 4G. Their factories could produce much more. 47. Sixty cents per barrel of 200 pounds of fish. 48. Cue 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. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 377 55. The scrap is mostly sold here to farmers for dressing tbeir land. 50. The oil is mostly used for currier purposes in dressing leather. 67. The oil has sold at prices varying from 40 to 50 cents per gallon. 5S. We presume it does somewhat. 3. Statement of B. A. Friend, BroolcUn, Me. 1. Pogy. 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. G. Main body arrives from first to middle of June; usually three runs. 7. High ; ripple on water ; attract birds. 8. By south channel. 9. Regular and certain. 10. It does not. 11. They go with the tide. 12. In large bays. 13. No special depth j unknown. 14. It does. 16. Never. 17. From the middle of September to the middle of October; by degrees. 18. Following the coast. 19. South. 20. I should think vegetable nature. 21. Mostly south of Cape Cod. 31. Frequently have jiggers attached. 32. To a great extent. 33. Not here. 34. Seines and mash-nets. 35. Seines 8,000 meshes long, G50 deep ; gill-nets 3 to 5 fathoms deep, 20 fathoms long. 36. Small schooners and steamers, with luggers; from 5 to 100 tons. 37. Seine, 12 men ; gill-nets, 3 to 5. 38. Seines, all times of day ; nets, morning and evening. 39. Most on ebb-tide. 40. It seems to. 41. Five; fifty-five. 42. Manufactured for oil and scrap ; sent away to factories. 43. Robert A. Friend, P. Kane, Haniman Point Company, Job T. Wilson & Co. 44. Averaged 14,000 gallons the past two years. 45. K. A. Friciul oO.OOO gallons; Job T. \Vilson ."".0,000 .iiallons ; P. Kaiio 15.000 gallons: Ilarriman Point Company 20,000 gallons. 40. Job T. Wilson, stoani ; K. A. Fronoli, steam and pot works; others, pot-works. 47. Sixty-live eents (1878). 60. Two quarts: in .Inne. 51. Four gallons ; last of August. 53. First made by William Pomer; oil taken trom pots where fish were eooked tor fowls. 54. Boston. 55. Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. - 50. Painting and enrrying. 57. Fortytive eents : Irom 30 eents to $1.27. 5S, It is not. 4. Statement of John Gront, Matinicus Light Station, Matiniciis Eoi'l; Maine, March 31, 1874. 1. Menhaden or pogy. 2. More abundant than any fish except herring. 3. diminished. 4. Xo regular establishment or faetory is run in this vieinity. 5. I think it does. 0. About the 1st of June. The larger body eome about the middle or last of June. The last seliools are the largest and fattest. There are commonly several sehools at irregular intervals. 7. They swim high, making a ripple, and freipiently showing their fins and attracting seagulls and other birds in great numbers. 8. They eome ln>m the south, and when driven into bays and rivers by large tish they inhabit one locality for several weeks at a time. 0. Eegular. 10. Yes. 12. Between Seguin and 31atinieus Poek and the bays and mouths of rivers between these points. 13. Usually on or near the suiface of the water, but sometimes at the depth of 20 or 30 fathoms. 15. Yes. 10. No very young ones. 17. About the middle of October, in a body. 18. liy the same, as they came rather working westward. 10. South of Cape Uatteras, near the Culf Stream. 20. Some Uoating substance on or n(\ir the surface of the water. 21. Probably near the edge of the stream, south of Uatteras, during the winter season. 28. 1 have found them in Ilamptou Eoads iu early spring, when they ■were not more than two inches. ' HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 379 29. N3. 31. No. 32. Considerably. The whale, I tbiuk, 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. Xo. 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 3 fathoms in depth. 35. Answered above. 3G. Small schooners. Recently fifteen to twenty small steamers have been employed, the tonnage of which amounts to 1,5U0 tons. 37. About 500 men. 38. The fish are taken by some fishermen with set nets whenever they come to the surface. 39. Xo. 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 jMonhegan 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. Brir/htman, Waldodorottgh, Me,, March 18, 1874. 1. Pogy. 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, Keuuiston, Cobb & Co., Gallup & Manchester, Gallup & llolmes, J. G. Nickerson, L. Maddocks, factories the present year, and about the same in previous years. 5. See no ditference. G. 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 ofi' shore from 5 to 30 miles and get larger and fatter fish. We commence about the 15th of June, and fish until the loth of October. 7. High and low both. When they are up and we can arry from 500 to 1,2U0 barrels each. 37. From 10 to 12 men to each gang. 38. Usually iu the naorning, from daylight to ten o'clock, or just at night. Iu calm weather-all day. 39. Eather 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 Kenuebec and Penobscot Rivers. Tliere is nothing done in Maine outside of this section except one or two gangs iu 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 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 44. From 25,000 to 225,000 gallons, according to capacity. There is a great difference in the capacity; three factories here made one-quarter of 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. 4G. 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 2^ 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 fact6ries in Maine were built ten years ago. Since then there have been some tweuty 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 sixt}^ 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. Haddocks^ Booth Bay, 3Ie., 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 0. B. Eenniston, Booth Bay, Me., Fchruary 14, 1874. 1. Known about equally as pogy and menhaden. 2. It is found in numbers almost incomparably greater than any other. 3. Increased. 4. In this town (Booth Bay), in 1873, were taken 152,000 barrels, as follows: Kenniston, Cobb & Co., 17,(i00; Gallup and Holmes, 17,000; HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 383 Gallup and INIaucbester, 25,000 ; Suffolk Oil Works, 48,000 ; Atlantic Oil Works, 45,000. In 1873 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 18G6, tho first year of work here, not more than 35,000 barrels were taken. The great difference in these results maybe ascribed to three causes: (1.) The fishermen have acquired skill in the business. (2.) Much better aiiparatus for the capture of these fish is now in use. (3.) The fish are more abundant than formerly. 5. Not perceptibly. 6. First seen about May 20 in occasional schools. Main body arrives about June 20, which, jiassing eastward, is followed by others contin- ually for about thirty days longer. 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, dijBfer 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. The 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 rrturn 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. Animalculse. 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. 31. 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. Each gang fishes for the factory which provides the apparatus for fish- ing. 43. They number six: A. Suffolk Oil & Guano Works, J. G. Nicker- son. B. Atlantic Oil & Guano Works, Luther Maddocks. C. Works of Gallup & Holmes. D. Works of Gallup & Manchester. E. Works of Kennistou, Cobb & Co. F. White Wine Brook Company's Works, G. B. Kennistou and others. 44. Depends wholly on the number of barrels of fish secured and their fatness, both of which vary each year. For 1873 the following is about the result, using letters as above to designate the figures : A. 120,000 gallons. B. 112,000 gallons. C. 42,5.00 gallons. D. 62,500 gallons. E. 42,500 gallons. F. Not run. 45. Fifty per cent, in addition to the amount usually made. 46. Factories vary in cost from $10,000 to $60,000. 47. In 1873, 75 cents per barrel. In previous years, from 50 cents to $1.25 per barrel. 48. Barrel averages 2i gallons usually. 49. Varies with the time of the season, whether it be in June or October. 50. Three pints. May. 51. Six and one-balf gallons in October. 52. Yes, average ; though Southern fish late (December) are very fat. 53. Began in Maine in 1865. Grew rapidly for four years. Not aug- mented any since 1870, except in method and means of taking the fish. 54. Boston, New York, and export. 55. Massachusetts and the Southern States. 56. Sold largely for curriers' use, and to adulterate higher-priced oils. 57. From 35 to 48 cents. Previous years, from 33 cents to $1.05. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 385 58. Not sensibly. The inception and growth of this business in the a.. 2. They are more abundant than any other kind. 3. Increased in numbers, I believe. 5. No establishment in this vicinity. 6. They come on early in the spring, and are thickest in August. 7. 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. 1 have seen worms attached to the outside. 32. They suffer from the attacljs of sharks, porpoises, &c. 59. Statement of Joseph B. Benson, Bombay HooJc, Bel, January 18, 1875. 1. Mossbunker, old-wives, bug-fish, and green tails. 2. They are more i)lentiful than any other fish during July and August. 3. It has not. 4. There is no establishment on the west side of the bay. 5. It does not. 458 EEPORT 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-hawks, which live on them. 8. They come on in the spring and leave in the fall. 9. Tbey are certain to come, but if the season is very wet they are later. 10. It does not. 11. It does not make any difference. 12. Near shore. 14. They like it warm. 15. They are all alike. 16. In August and September there are large schools of them. 17. In October, by degrees. 18. By the capes. 20. It is not known. 21. Where the water is brackish. 28. Some seasons they are abundant near the shore and at other sea- sons there are none. 30. Rock. Taylor fish. 31. There is a bug found in the roof of the mouth. 32. They suffer to a very great extent. 33. I have not noticed any. 34. Gill-seines. 35. One hundred to 150 fathoms. 36. They are only caught for bait. 38. Whenever convenient. 39. No. 40. No. 41. There are none. 42. They are often taken for manure. 43. There are none. 44. There is none made. 58. It does not. 60. Stateme7it of Hance Lawson, Crisfield^ 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. 12. 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 a southern 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 morniog they gather again and go out. 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 grapliugs. 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. 35. 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., Mauokinto Ford, Avery & Co. 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 Manokiu factory cost each $2,500. 47. Fifteen cents per bushel. 48. About 1,000 fish, or from 4 to 4^ bushels. 50. One quart, and is least in July. 51. One and one-half gallons, and is greatest in August and Septem- ber. 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. Bobbins, 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 efftcts 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 laud 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, A^mteague Island, Virginia, January 12, 1875. 1. Alewives. 2. They are more abundant than any others found in this vicinity. 3. Increased. 4. There is no establishment in this vicinity. 5. It does not in this vicinity. 6. First seem to come near the coast in 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 regular and certain. 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. 31. 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. Eenry Seldon, Einsale, Westmoreland County, Vir- gitiia, 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 seiues 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 of 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 fiivor- able for spawning, but I think when it is from 45° to 05° ; 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 j)roduces 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 larapreys are often found attached 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. It is 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 deatU in any numbers worthy of notice in the past thirty years. 34. Parse seines, gill-seines, haul-seines, fike-nets, and hedge-nets are all used in capturing these fish, and are generally used with great suc- cess. 35. Seines for capturing this fish are from 50 to 406 fathoms long, from 2 to 5 fathoms deep, and of a 2 or 2i 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 windy 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 2^ gallons in the spring and summer. 464 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONEE OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 51. Probably 3 gallons. The greatest quantity of oil is obtained in and after the mouth of September. 52. Yes. 64. New York. 55. Virginia and North Carolina. 50. For tanning leather, painting, machines, &c. 58. Yes. 64. Statement of Henry Bichardsoti, Gape Henry, February 9, 1874. 1. The " alevvife," 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 mouths 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 ^fttract 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. 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. I have pulled them out of the side of the fish, and the root or end ot the worm in the flesh has the appearance of an eagle's claw. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 465 34. A purse-net ; alfhough they are caught in large quantities fre- queutlj' in the summer season with long seines. These seines are used lor 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 no 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 difticulty of transporting them to lands used for agricultural purposes is so great that they are left on the beach to rot. 65. Statement of G. 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 ofial 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 Eatteras, 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 coiumunication 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. It is 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 which 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 Irom 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. 10. 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 flipping 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 force them- selves through the meshes. 25. The fish are anadromous ; they run up the fresh-water rivers 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 returns in the sound, before going up to spawn ; this is attributed to the num- 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. 32. There has been no difference observed, by me at least, as (o 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 i^erch, 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 act- 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, &c. 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 mouths 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 CO yards long, 1^ to If 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 1st of October to the 1st 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 pursenet will take of a good day 15 to 20 barrels, while a set net only 4 to 5 in 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. 8J. It is salted down in quantities only to save from one season to another. S3. 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 I'atback is in country places among farmers and freedmen. 470 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 67. ^Statement of A. W. Simpson, jr., Cape Raiteras, 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, 2Aiuch 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 au hour. This continued, and school after school followed, for ten days before the .appearance of the hlue-fish, and when the blue-fish did appear there seemed to be more of the menhaden with them than had passed the station during the three 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 to a 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 difiereutly 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. 0., I hear that they passed that i^lace, eight miles above the mouth of the lioanoke, 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. 1 feel safe in saying that if HISTOEY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 471 the J3shermen had provided themselves with material for savinj? 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 hve to thirty boats, each boat containing one seine and three men ; these were scattered promiscuously along the coast, and, I 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. Smpson., 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 seen twice as many fat-back during the fishing sea- son of 1873 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 so.undsand rivers all the year; but when they come south for the purpose of spawning, they come some- times in ]Sovember and at others in December. In 1673, they were first seen on the coast about the 6th of December, and the main body arrived about 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 atone 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 EEPOET 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 BO 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 aud 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 aud 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 jears 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 tbe coast, aud 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 iu 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 iu October. 18. They return north by the same route they came south. 19. They spend a part of the winter iu 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 aud insects which they find among the sea weed or grass is their principal food. 21. These fish spawn in tbe Neuse, Pamlico, and Eoauoke liivers 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 spawn runs 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. Tbey must suffer to a great extent from the attacks of the blueflsh, shark, and porpoise. I noticed that each blueflsh 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 blueflsh 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 IJ 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 li 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 oft 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 all night. 36. Canoes (not tonnaged) are used ; some of them are only IG feet long by 31 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 plentifully in the flood-tide. 40. Moderate weather is preferred for flshing with the drag-net, and high winds for the set-net ; as they are leedina: in moderate and running in windy weather. 474 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 41. There are no particular number employed in catching thefatback, as that is not made a specialty. Thetishermeu in this vicinity have nets to suit, and look after all kinds of fish. About 200 boats are employed in tlie two townships adjacent to this station, with an aggregate num- ber of men amounting to about 500. 42. Some of the iisli 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 lb73. I have no account of previous years. 58. The catch does not appear to diminish them. 69. Statement of Wallace B. Jennett, Cape Hatteras, N., G. 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, &c. 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 4 in 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, Beanfort, N. C, February 14, 1874, and January 27, 1875. 1. Fatback. 2. More abundant than any other species. 3. Increased. 4. No establishment in 1873 ; cannot state for other years. 5. Does not. 6. 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 thien sink, and in a short time reapitear. 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 is 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, &c. 8. Southward, ascend the rivers, drift in schools up and down with the ebb and flood tides. 9. Eegular 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.j inside the inlets ; are easily taken. The 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 blueflsh. 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 GO meshes, of 1^ inches to If 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. 4V7 42. At this time only, for agricultural purposes on the spot. None are sent abroad. 43. None. 47. Fifty (50) per barrel of 3J bushels. In previous years, GO to 65. 50. Three-fourths gallon to 1 gallon at the first run in June. 51. Four gallons to 5 gallons in October and early in November. 52. Are one-fourth larger and yield more. 53. Three manufactories have been established (several years since) ; but all have suspended operations. 55. 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, &c., for the extermination of vermin. 57. In previous years 75 cents per gallon. 58. Does not. 71. Statement of W. T. ffatsel, Body^s Island ^., C, March 4, 1874, and February 23, 1875. 1. Fatback. 2. There are three times as many. 3. Neither diminished nor increased (diminished 1875). 4. Fifty thousand barrels in 1868; Excelsior Works at Ocracoke Inlet; Adams & 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. 30. 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 j lampreys are also found outside. 32. They suffer very much. 478 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 33. What the nature of the epidemic is, I cannot say; I Lave known them to die to some extent. 34. Purse-seines. 35. Five hundred yards long and 50 deep. 30. 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. Twenty-five cents. 48. One barrel of fish produces 1^ 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. Ham, Morris Island, S. 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 Patricic Conner, Baufuslde Island Light, 8. C, March 15,1875. 1. Mossbuuker, or bony shad. 2. There are five hundred thousand per cent, more than any other. 3. It has increased. 4. None. 5. There is no capture of them to have any eflFect. 0. In May. The main body come in June; they afe; there are. 7. They swim high, make a ripple, and attract birds. 8. I 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. 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 IJ 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. ?0. 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 legs, found outside on the cheek. 32. They suffer heavily ; but, on account of their very great numbers, are scarcely i)erceptibly 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 uo scrap. 58. 1 cannot say ; they are never caught. 74. Statement of George Gage, Beavfort, S. C, January 20, 1874. Eeferring 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 Skepard, Saint Marifs, Ga., March 30, 1874, and January 28, 1875. I have the honor to state, relative to the species of fish known as the mossbuuker, 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 meution that only one in- stance of the mossbunker being taken here has come under ray 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 ITatteras, in a body. 18. Supposed to go east to the Gulf Stream. 19. Possibly along the edge of the Gulf Stream. 20. Probably animalculoe, 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 finger -111111161, 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 mouth 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 respectfullv, JOSEPH SHEPAED. Hon. Spencer F. Baird, Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 481 76. Statement of J. F. Eall, BrunsivicJc, Ga., April 11, 1876. First. Tbey do not frequent the coast in this latitude. Second. There have been a few schoo^ls seen off this coast. One was in Saint Andrew's Sound, latitude 31° 3', 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, Neic Berlin^ Fla., Fehniary 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. Eegular, 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. All depths ; 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 animM-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 and coves of the river, as they are alive with the young in the summer and fall of the year. 22. They are mixed indiscriminately 23. Has never been noticed. 24. No particular temperature. 28. Yes ; in the creeks and coves of the rivet. 29 Yes; late in the season, say about April. 30. Catfish, garfish, crabs, eels, trout, and other fish. 31. 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. 31 F 482 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. There are about fifty nets on tbe 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, Jaclcsonville, 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. Eegular. 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 GO 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. IG. Young 6sh are seen and caught from 4 to 9 inches long. 17. Leave the coast in September by degrees. 20. Small shrimp, sandbiire, and barnacles. 21. In the small creeks from March to the end of April. 22. I find that these fish go in pairs. 23. Yes. 24. Sixty to 75 degrees. 25. One to 2 feet near the bottom. 26. The eggs sink to the bottom, and become attached to oysterbeds, stones, grass, &c. 28. The young fish are found in abundance in the small creeks. 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 B. P. Kane, Matagorda^ Tex., March 1, 1874. Capt. William Nichols, a pilot residing at Saluria, Tex., informs mo that in September, 1872, great quantities of pogies drifted upon the beach at Saluria, 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 O. MISCELLANOUS ITEMS REGARDING THE USE OF FISH FOR MANURE. 1. The earliest j^rinted account of the use of menhaden for a fertilizer, being an extract from an article by Ezra V 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-coasts 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 Islands; 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. Ist. In dunging corn in the boles, put two in a bill in any kind of soil wbere corn will grow, and you will bave a good crop. Tbe Indians on the sea-coasts used to dung their corn with wilks and other shellfish, 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 other on the turf, exposed to tbe 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 tbe last summer by one of my near neighbors, Mr. Jonathan Tutbill, 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. Ho then raked oft 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 effiuvia 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 l)Oor farm, 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 tiiirty 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 aiul a half by the acre. 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 be determined. On some parts ot 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 made a 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 be affected 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 tJie agricultural value of men- haden fertilizers. Amherst, Mass., October 6, 1877. Dear Sir : In answer to your favor of the 2d iust., 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 187G), 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- pliates 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 * Communications made to the society, relative to manures, by Ezra L'Horamedien, esq. v^' Transactions of tbe Society for the Promotion of Ajrricultnre, Arts, and Man- ufactures, instituted in the State of New York. Vol. I, 1801, pji. G5-G7. 48b' REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. carbon or beuzine — 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, beuzine, &c., would be a step in the right direction. 1 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 i)owder. The entire re- moval of the fat favors the drying of the fish mass and increases its per- centage of nitrogen and phosphoric 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 Hoheuheim 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 respectfully, yours, C. A. GOESSMANK Prof. G. Brown Goode, Washington, D. C. Amherst, Mass., November 24, 1877. Dear Sir: I sent today 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 a copy. 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 condiciou ior 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 tte 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 i)hosphoric 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 iu ecouoiDizing its uitrogen, anO thereby lessens the expenses for the i^roduc^tioii 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. Tbe more the fat has been removed i)tevious 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 Kespectfully, yours, C. A. GOESSMANK Prof. G. B. GooDE, Middletoicn, Conn. 3. A Description of the factory of the Pacific Guano Comxmny^ at Woodh Moll, Mass. Menhaden scrap is used to a considerable extent for the purpose of securing the desired i)roportion 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 1801 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 ontiit 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 offish-scrap from the oil-works on Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound. About 18GG 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 l)hosphates are found to supply its place very satisfactorily. The company has two factories : that at Wood's HoU and another near Charleston, S. 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 laud, 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 kainit, 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 10, 1875, a large quantity remains over from the previous year. The store- houses cover an area of 16,640 square feet, and the scrap is stowed to the depth of 15 feet, giving a storage space of 359,000 cubic feet.* The mineral phosphate is obtained chiefly from South Carolina, from *Iu a letter of October 8, 1877, Mr. A. F. Crowell states: "In our business here we consumed for the year 1875-'7G, 708 tons dry scrap (menhaden), value |i20,lC4 ; 2,338 tons crude scrap, value $31,682 ; producing 13,010 tons soluble Pacilic guano ; 1876-'77, 2,176 tons dry scrap, value ,§57,784; 5,188 tons crude scrap, value $32,248; producing 11,398 tons soluble Pacific guano. Our works at Charlestou usually consume oue-third less than here." HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 489 tbe Ashley and Cooper Rivers and from Chisholm's Island in Ball Eiver, near Saint Helena Sound. Tbe 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 18GC or 18G7, when tbe reopening of the south gave access to the Charleston beds. The company of late has 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 Chaileston, 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 cases it is piled in great heaps upon a brick floor, and roughly kiln- dried by a fire of soft coal kindled under it. The sulphuric acid used is manufactured on the spot from Sicily sul- phur, which is brought in vessels from Boston and direct from the Medi- terranean. About 1,200 tons of sulphur are used annually, 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 GQ on the Baume 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 cubic feet, the smaller containing 48,000 the others 2,000 and 6,500 respectively. In the early days of the business the sulphuric 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 12^ percent, potash, comes from the mines at Leopoldshall, in the Duchy of Anhalt, near Stassfurt, in Germany. Its use is comparatively recent, until this year it 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 i^roduct from the gunpowder works at New Haven, Conn. The process of manufacture is sufficiently simple. The fish-scrap, 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 for 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 tiour. 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 X)onnds of phosphate, 900 of scrap, find 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 through rapidly-re- volving wire screens, and after it has been packed in 200 pound sacks is ready for the market. About GOO 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. Eesidue of this kind is subjected to the action of the Oarr disintegrator, which consists of two w^heels revolving in oj)posite directions at the rate of GOO 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 circuit 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 effort to have the factories on Shel- ter Island closed, on the same grounds. People 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 comi)any pays heavy taxes, and specially of the many villagers of Woods Holl who earn their living in the works, prevented any results. * The above descriptioa was wiitteu up iu 1874 from facts contributed by Messrs. Crowell and Shivcrick, of the Pacilic Guano Couipauy, and short-hand notes taken by Mr. H. A. Gill.— G. B. G. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 491 4. The Cumberland Bone Comimnifs worlxS. The following account of a similar establisliment in Maine is taken bodily from tbe report of Boardmau & Atkins. The facts appear to have been compiled from au article iu the Lewiston Evening Journal, for August 17, 1874. " Tbe 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. Tbe works of this company, formerly located in Cumberland County, were removed to Booth Bay iu 1873-74, and altogether occupy sis 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 tbe 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. Tbe 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 tbe foundation. This mixture is made in one of the build- ings of the comi)any 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 generall}" 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 ofi^" its ammonia. After being treated with this deodorizer tbe scra^) is placed in barrels, and is quite inoffensive, a slight odor of ammonia being ob- servable. Bones are ground raw ; to get them fine enough they go i'*!irough several mills, but they are not reduced near so fine as tbe phos- j)hatic rock or Nevassa. The conipany 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 tbe principal ingredients. Salt cake is a residue from tbe distillation of niter as car- ried on in the acid works. Tbe mixing of the ingredients into super- l)hosphate is performed in the mixing-room, an apartment of tbe main manufacturing building. Over a circular floor, about eight feet iu 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 tbe chemical action, and in a very sbort space of time the j)rocess 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. lu 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 in it. The proportion of the difterent ingredients used in the manufacture of superphosphate at these works cannot be stated, and is probably one of the secrets of the business. A gentle- man who has furnished much information for this paper says that "one ton of fish scrap furnished the ammonia for three tons of super- phosphate; the larger portion of the other ingredients being Kevassa, which costs about $14 per ton, and gypsum, which costs 75 cents per ton." The capital stock of this company is $200,000, and it gives em- ployment to about fifty men. It made in 1874, 10,000 tons of commer- cial fertilizer, valued at 8450,000. The works are regarded as the most complete of the kind in the country, are provided with a seventy-fiv^e- horse-power engine, and with extensive fixtures for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, which when in operation will make six tons of acid per day. The entire cost of the buildings and machinery was $110,000. It is obvious that these works were located here with good reason. One sees a car moved by steam ascending from the pogy-oil factory loaded with chum. It passes upon scales, is weighed and then moves on over an immense bin into which it is dumped. A chemical mixture is added to the heap to prevent the escape of ammonia and to kill the offensive effluvia." — [Boardman & Atkins, ojy. clt., pp. 38-40. 5. The Qiiinni^iac Fertilizer Company'' s Wor]{s. The Quinnipiac Fertilizer Company of New Haven was established in 1852, by William D. Hall, of Wallingford, Conn.; and is the oldest es- tablishment of its kind in the United Suites. It was founded under Mr. Hall's patent for drying fish scrap by solar heat. Scrap was purchased from the oil manufacturers of JMaine and Long Island, and, having been ])repared for agricultural purposes, was sold to the Connecticut farmers jbr thirty cents a bushel. This fertilizer was not essentially different jrom that now sold by the same company as "dry-ground sciai)." In 1854 the maiuifactory was removed from Wallingford to the banks of the Poquannock River, in Groton, and the company began buying iish and making oil. In 1857 it was again removed to Pine Island, where HISTORY OF THE /MEEICAN MENHADEN, 493 the buildings now occupied by tlie company were put up. From that time their business bus steadily increased. In 1871 the company began, in connection with their other enterprises, the manufacture of super- j)hosphates; this was done for the purpose of using the fish scrap im- mediately after the oil had been exi)ressed, thus avoiding that loss of ammonia which takes place when the pomace is allowed to ferment. They still continue the process of solar drying on plattorms, finding that it is more profitable to prepare in large quantities in this manner, at the same time using what is necessary in the manufacture of superphos- phates. They have tried several machines for artificial di^ying, but have not found any which are sufficiently capacious to be profitably employed. In the manufacture of their superphosphate they use dried and fresh fish-scrap, Nevassa phosphates, i^ulverized bone, kaiuit, and sulphuiic acid. They produce annually about 2,000 tons of superphosphates and 3,000 to 4,000 tons of other fertilizers, which are widely distributed through the New England and Southern States, and are also sent to the Wes'» 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- phoric acid, which is intended chief!}" for tobacco farmers and market- garduers; (3) Quinnipiac dry ground fish guaiio, which is sun-dried scrap thoroughly ground ; and (4) crude or half-dried scrap.* 6. The Crowell CJiemieal Maniifacturbig Company. A New Industry. — The Crowell Chemical Manufacturing Company, at Woods Holl, are now building a large factory that is nearly com- Ijleted 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 pur[)ose 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, j)orgies, 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 lis 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 coast of Maine, touching at Nomau's Land, Martha's Vineyard, ]S"an- tucket. Cape Cod, and other intermediate points, to see the fishermen and [)urchase 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 Hookei', and is a gentleman of great business capacity and superior intelli gence. — [Island Review. "Pacific 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 (lS"Hj); by the new process 14 per cent, ammonia (NH3). "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 douI)t give us valuable information in regard to the habits of the shark, their breeding- ground, &c. The fishermen represent a supply off Nantucket that cau be taken with hook and line, "In our business here we consumed for the year 1875-'7G 70S tons dry scrap (menhaden), value ^20,1(54 ; 2,338 tons crude scrap, value |31,G82; producing 13,010 tons soluble Pacific guano; 1876-'77, 2,170 tons dry scrap, value $57,784; 5,188 tons crude scrap, value $02,248; 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. CEOWELL. " Prof. G. Brown Goode." HISTOEY 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, of 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 " " " Nitrogen (K) 3 per cent. = 60 " " " 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 2^ times as much, and that for N. 25 cents, or 4i times as much. Multiply the number of pounds of Sol. in a ton by 2^, and that of JST. by 4i, 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 i)resent taken together. Divide the whole cost by this sum and the quotient will be the cost of one pound of Ins. This multiplied by 2.J will give the cost of one pound of Sol., and by 4i will give the cost of one pound of N. The calculations for the above case will be : Sol 200 pounds x 2^=500 pounds Ins. Ins .-.- 50 " X 1 = 50 " " N 60 " X 41=250 " " 800 " " The price per ton, $40, divided by 800, gives 5 cents, the cost of one pound of Ins. ; 5 x 2^=12^ cents cost, of one pound of Sol. ; and 5 X 4i = 20f , cost of one pound of N. *From report of Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 1876, W. O. Atwatcr, director. 406 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The proof of the correctness of these figures is plain : Soluble phos. acid, 200 lbs., ® 12^ cents, would cost $25 00 Insoluble" " 50 lbs., ® 5 " " " 2 50 Nitrogent CO lbs., © 20f " " " 12 50 Total valuable ingredients in ton would cost $40 00 Another method for calculating 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 simi^le 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 jihosphoric acid, pound for j)ouud. Considering the fact that the nitro- gen is generally in quite readily, and the phosphoric acid often in v'ery 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 i)om- 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 value 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 otlier 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 the basis of ratios as follows : In fish, slaughter-house refuse, and castor-pomace — Nitrogen : Phos- phoric acid::2i- : 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 phices 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 trifie higher than now rule. 32 F 498 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. S< .-H -5. ^?. ■o p •TISBJOJ ■Qjqnpeai •p31.I8A9J[ •9[qn[0S ;k30C-. r-r-iGcaccitor- ■aaSoajijij; ^ c?J 07 o ir; lo ^s c ^, — O -^ ■^ — 35 C jg CO CO re CJ ■* CTJ C •HO} Jed 90ud itB}9Ji •agSojjia ni ^nQiBAinba ituotntay ■ngSojjijvj oooooooo; CCODl-OOOTOOiOl 00 to HOC-. CO t-^ irf irf C. 5= l~ — Tff ci ci o X 3 — GO 00 C^ Ci • o o a) c- • to 00 t^ 00 ^ X T ,--5 CO C- T 30 TJ "i^io^oicori-^^rocj ■-H— <»-ir-i-^r1— 1 — C< CO o • oj r: cj • t-^ to" 00 rotoc^or^tyi-^coco (M CJ — (M 0( (M 'C TO oi « o c; o -4 I -H oo i TJ to CO • 'IJ 00 . -7" C-. -r o o ^ -^ " TT-H O CO ^ '?> 00 ^ »o I • to OI t^ Ci If^ to -- -^ 01 o o c; !7^ c< o to o o cji ju 00 o :;«( i- o <- 00 ' <—■ C5 1-^ oJ co" o in o o o — ' to" o -- . 00 il o OJ ca tr 1 1- -v in to to' 00 I TT ^' oi oi ■ — -^ to r- o lO r- to — ' o *- i-O r- CO t^ ca n LO CO o o* to jcoio^Hcoo-H-^^H-ocQC^t'OcocooT^nifOi-u^O . „ , - - - . .' tr^ i-^ o r^ x -^ 00 o rH o c» •— •'1' c"^ -J crj ■'T tr* c* o CO -4 > O t-- CO lO t : Ci 00 (>» Co' 1.0 ■ ■W L-5 t- O X to -. -H O -J t- 3) IM O X X O IC -5" t- to O .n m o ■ m LO c in in "^ -3" -5 r -r -^r T • ■* ■V TI. -«■ 10 (NO CJt-CJ T— o ro c n ^ -3-roin'»root-c»CJr50» • CI ' iH • CJ l-c .-H O 0- ^ --I c t- t~0 00 U3 ■ 1-t • in — =3 O -C C3 cic: I oci — 1 in '• '• o> o 00 . r CI mc i in Cl CO in t- • . LO f -^ 1-1 C( • c CJ cic l'^ ,J CI th' ^ ! I*- c; CI CI — toe-, c- Ln <= ^ -o :r: CO •CO 00 r- t- ooo c- a l~ TJ. ^ 00 10 co'ciinirf . to £- ; ; t= Cl • CO ■ o- „_ . : : 00 ; in ■ • — ' :o r- L'- in- 00 CO O rt CJ — ^ ti r^ una MO — CO t- CO C: I- t- (?( >- W05C CO t' l^ 00 0<-> . a • C3 i.t- ', • © '. • :fH :s H • ci • ;o 03 rt • u ■= : ;■&, : f^ :< ; • N o-a • ; : ' t-t a ft : Ph ■5f«: ! o 1 ft I 'a ■ a -O ft ' ■ O • o |l ft Ir2 Q 2 a Bi Ed H eg ; q::3 ; •■3 |«5 ;h |2 ■ a a 3 ■B2 ^ C! 1-1 fcR i C J- ', 3 : n C3 ^5 8=^ s is ~"3 : r-tj : S^ : d-S^o "r!^ ^^3 f^iid P c e g^fi a 0, -S^Q <1 <5m cs 3 -a ci S-2 ■ 500 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. •qscjoj •uaHojjijj ■§ : <:5 r^ •9iqi^X0Sai Iin 00 — 1 ci m ooocr> CO t- ^ ; O (- « . •» T o ira in ■<»• Lo -v L-, n in . TT LO .2 •am-np ninin •otuttii! lit aiqiips is g Ir-tN-oooM-a-r-M t- lO • en n in . O t-' t-^ t-' TL t-; 00 t-^ 00 00 CD t^QO •ja^TjA^ ni eiqniog _6_ • « Ci «5 CO in « — ' 11 i-H CD lO o ■-I 00 . cj ci o o — d j! d ':!— ■ o — OtH ^ . o t- CO ^j r; c^ CJ ^ ^ I in d t-^ CO c-j t-^ d r^ do! t- lO f- d O 00 t-d •aoj jgd 9ouii ji'^^^JI P -I ■oj^ia o:; 'jaat'BAtnba BiuoraniY •naSoj^ijj •qsB^oj i«;ox viqiipsai o o o o o o ; ^ o o o ■ S i^ in in ic lo o in ' o o • o O XJ <— o o o o o o o o o o o in CO o o in c- oi m in CO CO -^ -^ it^mcs'TJCTJcof-OiCi (??« oo^ ooco .C^C'CCTrr-t-^inC^Cl (?■ -^ r; d oi d cc d d d ^ o .- T co--< t-^ ir^ ^ d in CO 'Er-McoO(>»innoxoo .cor^ini-inooo-T-^ j^ d r-! x t-i t-: to t-^ CO 00 r- C5 in c^ 00 o 00 1- ri 00 coco Ln in cs t^ s ^c^^-^coccc-n'i-o : J^co (>< M CO o in o -o ■ "^cJ M ■^ ■>»■■*' en rf ri in CO cc -^ « t^ ■^ n -vn c) CO m CO <:»■<»> ■^' oJ ^•^r-ociro^int-rH oo oo-^ J^*^ • JO c; in o -■ CI 'X CO sJ t-" in J- LO CO -^ t~^ ^ in CO r™ r CO — « o m ** in CO < jiy o ro >- o X in i (N -^ I-! in in CO CO ■ajtJJiio raiiin -oiutuB a; aiqiilog •JojBAi, ni oiqn^og •»:y 'pncs •aan^siojij; •jaqtnnn uoi^bjs ^ '^» ^ cs ■•J* o in c "x X CJ in T »-■ r3 ' xcjcoincor^^co CO .-H C X . . o . CO X CO t-: s. in<^ (if « in t- m m ^H t— o in o t— lyi o — < iCi(5«Oin'-'cor-i lOin coo xo " in in CO iri in CO in O O CO ■* not X ? o o I- CO o r:j X -o cs — ' -5" ^ o r-l in CO C5 X c* d 00 coi^xt^-^co-^in r^*^075COCOr>^S« r-l -< T-l T-1 fH H XX O rS rp -f rl r-l r-l C-( C?J ) o o o o o o o bc O 12; ^ HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 501 •piOTJ ouoqdeoqj •aoSoj!^;^ •uo!) iad aoud ij^^^jj -- C» OO QD IJ XI t-^ f-^ ad CO 00 t-^ {- — — ^ o o r^ ad CJ — * o ci r-< rH Ol C) SJ rt o o o o o o o o o o o o c o L- L-5 j^ m •asijoi'iiaoi'iuoi BAiubaBiaomniy •naJsoj^Tif •pioi: OTJoqdeoqj ?^ t- CO I- CO iri ^- c:.cc O c^ > — . t- o o C5 rv 00 C-. o -"S" ■«« O 1^ — ■ CC GO ^ 30 O lO'^.tM o c: cC aj ci ci Tj. o -^ (ocd-^ : O O CO X TL L'^ rt C^ '.v -H jQdoodcdt^t-^t-"f-^ad'^ t^ t- T — i t- O CD X t-^ t-^ t-^ f^ CO "S- "^ ; o » J c. o oi o — o 't--odf-^cji--i«t-^£-^odr^ •o?? 'pucs •oju^eioj^ J CC CC ■» Oi o : -r o r: X o rlTi t-i CO -^ {-• o -?• o o r^ o t- o --■ c; —■ t^ t-^ OrH 00 C LO o ■^ CI lO •jaqtann nor^B^s T-l CI QU H CO o ^ I- O Of « _ rt « CI CI c; CI en o o cs 1- CD 'jC c. C-. =i M fi ^ .5 ^ = ^ .£fci.5 U.2 o 502 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 8. Improved onethods of drying Jish scrap. The Hogle patent drying machine, manufactured at the works of H. B. Bigelow, New Ilaveu, Conn., consists of a boiler containing sev- eral iron cylinders, in which the scrap is placed after it has been taken from the press, and where it is quickly dried by steam-heat. One of these machines is said to convert a ton of scrajj into dry guano in an hour's time. The guano prepared in this way brings a much higher price than the ordinary scrap. An item in the New York Ilerald of July 22, 1872, stated that the former would command the price of $35 per ton, while ordinary scrap is worth $14. Ordinary scrap contains from 5.06 to 10 per cent, of ammonia, while this contains 15. Mr. Haddocks remarks : " With reference to drying by artificial means, which is obviously important, no doubt is felt that the apparatus now in operation will effect the work as thoroughly as may be desired, and cheaply and quickly also, provided only the oil in the scrap be reduced as above described. " Two companies belonging to the association have succeeded in dry- ing the scrap in considerable quantities, notwithstanding the obstacles referred to. The scrap is passed through a slightly-inclined heated iron cylinder, 30 feet long and 4 feet in diameter, and on the passage is agi- tated by paddles attached to a revolving shaft, and comes out at the lower end dried to about 25 per cent, of moisture. The process will be greatly promoted in dispatch and efficiency by the application of the new oil-saving method, and the whole manufacture will then be under full control. The scrap can at once, upon withdrawal from the press, be subjected to the drying process by furnace heat, irrespective of the state of the weather, and thus the loss of oil by leakage, mentioned above, and of ammonia by decomposition, be forestalled. If the con- tained moisture is reduced to a per cent, no lower even than 20 or 25, the scrap can be kept on the spot at convenience, and without offense to the senses, or transported as required." In early days the fish=scrap was not dried, but was allowed to ferment in great heaps, sometimes not even protected from the weather At the old-fashioned oil- works may still be seen these heaps of foul decaying fish, filled with maggots and flies. Salt is sometimes added; also kainit, or sulphuric acid. These arrest decay for a time, though nothing is so effective as a thorough drying process. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 503 APPENDIX P. EXPORTS OF MENHADEN OIL FliOM THE POUT OF NEW YOEK, FROM JANUARY, 1875, TO JULY, 1878.* Quantity in bar- rels. Vessel. Destination. 85 100 40 14 100 G4 25 75 50 50 120 250 50 190 200 200 1,500 20 6G 545 8-2 478 123 100 40 35 182 62 169 265 135 270 10 420 100 432 5 150 421 211 307 170 50 165 200 592 700 185 70 150 300 651 916 2,193 189 135 331 277 175 105 160 105 50 100 65 60 110 Steamship Utopia Steamship State of Nevada Steamship State of Indiana Steamship State of Georgia Bark 11. L. Itouth .' Steamship Great Western Steamship State of Louisiana Steam -hip Bolivia Steamship Celtic Steamship Italy Steamship Cornwall Steamship France Steamship Manhattan Steamship State of Georgia Steamship State of Louisiana Steamsbip Ethiopia Bark G. E. Cnnn Steamship Britannic Steam:- hip Arragon St'i-amship Poreire Steamship State of Georgia Steamship Cornwall Steamship Italia Steamship State of Louisiana Steamship Ethiopia Stfjamship Somerset Steamship Ville de Paris Steamship The Queen Steamship State of Indiana Steamship Klysia Steamship Atuoi iquo Steamship Califoiuia Sieamsliip State of Georgia Steamship Victoria Steamship Nevada Steamship Pereire Steamship Cornwall Steamship State of Pennsylvania . Steamship Great Western Steamship Geliert Steamship France Steamship Bolivia Steamship Somerset Steamship State of Indiana Steamship Elysia Steamsliip Idaho Steamship State of Virginia Steamship Ville de Paris Steamship Assyria Steamship Cnlifornia Steamship Arragon Steamship Montana Steamship Britannic Steamship Olympia Steamship Utopia Steamship State of Pennsylvania BarkFloka Steamship Bolivia Steamship France Steamship Ethiopia Steamship State of Virginia Steamship Somerset Steamship State of Georgia Bark Helen Steamship Arragon Steamship State of Virginia Steamship State of Indiana Steamship Anchoria Steamship Glenartney Ship K. Fish Glasgow. Do. Do. Do. Loudon. Bristol. Glasgow. Do. Liverpool. Loudon. Bristol. Havre. Liverpool. Glasgow. Do. Do. Havre. Liverpool. Bristol. Havre. Glasgow. Bristol. Glasgow. Do. Do. Bristol. Havre. Liverpool. Glasgow. Do. Havre. Glasgow. Do. Do. Liverpool. Havre. Bi istol. Glasgow. Bristol. Hamburg. Havre. Glasgow. Bristol. Glasgow. Do. LiverpooL Glasgow. Havre. Glasgow. Do. BristoL Liverpool. Do. Glasgow, Do. Do. London. Glasgow- Havre. Glasgow. Do. Bristol. (Glasgow. Halifax. Bristol. Glasgow. Do. Do. London. Do. * Compiled by Jasper Pryer, with William Warden, commission and shipping merchant, 88 Walt Street, New York. 504 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Exports of mcnliaden oil from ilie port of New York, cj-c. — Continued. Quantity Date. in bar- rels. *1876. June 1 206 9 300 14 159 15 60 July 5 140 U 35 15 141 27 140 29 50 Aug. 1 100 8 209 9 140 12 100 12 184 19 500 25 100 26 774 28 500 30 10 Sept. 6 210 9 105 15 106 16 249 16 101 2a 60 30 70 Oct. 2 46 3 200 6 87 7 5 20 41 ITov. 24 95 Dec. 1 107 2 22 1877. Jan. 25 100 29 139 reb. 5 65 16 176 26 39 23 113 Mar. 3 75 6 200 15 447 17 96 19 15-2 20 200 24 70 27 l.'iO April 2 75 5 150 14 65 21 70 25 100 May 1 500 3 200 5 589 7 350 9 350 10 175 12 245 14 71 15 100 18 80 19 794 23 100 29 ito