GULP- OF MEXICO: MISSISSIPPI. 575 



trammel nets, in which they catch fresh-water fish, such as black bass, perch, and bream. All of 

 these are on this coast called "green-fish." 



DISPOSITION OF THE CATCH. The salt-water fishermen charge such high prices for their fish 

 that only a very few are shipped inland from the coast. At their rates the fish cannot be shipped 

 inland cheaply enough to compete with Peusacola prices. Such is not the case with the fresh- 

 water catches which come from the bayous and streams. These fish are sold at so much per 

 "hand," or "bunch," according to the quantity to be sold. The fishes are strung together with 

 fibers of palmetto leaf into bunches containing about 5 pounds. These are usually called "hands," 

 four of which are tied together to make the "bunch" proper. These "bunches" are sold whole- 

 sale for $1 to $3 each, according to the abundance of fish at the time. The trammel fishermen 

 average about six of these bunches a day, and the seine fishermen about twice as many. 



The season for shipping fish inland does not exceed five months out of the year, and during that 

 time there are many days on which no fish are caught. The amount shipped to New Orleans by 

 fishermen from that city amounted in 1879 to an average of 2 barrels a day, or about 108,000 

 pounds per annum. A great many fish shipped for New Orleans are landed at Biloxi, Pass 

 Christian, and Bay Saint Louis, The fish intended for Mobile are principally landed at Pas- 

 cagoula. 



OYSTER FISHERIES. There are eighten oyster boats belonging in this State and seven 

 oyster-dealers. The supply of oysters is obtained from the natural reefs all along the marshes 

 about the Chaudeleur Islands. The oysters are very large and abundant, but are not always as good 

 as they might be, even in the season. They have been improved by having been transplanted into 

 brackish water near Biloxi and Pascagoula. The boats carrying oysters to market are all small, 

 carrying a crew of two men. Here the boatmen gather the oysters, and iu some cases open them 

 for the dealer. Oystermen receive 75 cents a barrel for oysters in the. shell delivered at the 

 dealer's wharf, or else 35 cents per hundred opened. If sold to the dealer unopened the latter 

 pays a shucker at the rate of 75 cents for opening a thousand oysters. Oysters to be shipped 

 inland from the coast markets are opened and placed in 5 and 10- gallon baskets and sold invariably 

 by the count. There .ire forty men and about eighteen boats engaged in gathering and bringing 

 to market. The boats make two, sometimes three trips a week. At Pascagoula are two oyster- 

 shippers; at Ocean Springs, one; at Biloxi, three; Mississippi City, one. During 1879, 18,920 

 gallons, at 35 cents a gallon, were shipped inland. Total value, $6,022. 



E. THE FISHERY INTERESTS OF LOUISIANA. 



209. STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION. 



Summary statement of persons employed. 



