584 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



At Indianola and Matagorda Bay are several crews of Galvestou fishermen; these send their 

 catches home twice a week by the steamers plying between those points. 



Gill-nets are never used on this coast, the seine being the only contrivance that has ever 

 proved a success. A pound net was brought to Galvestou from New England and was thoroughly 

 tested. It proved a complete failure, for the crabs, &c., destroyed the netting faster than it could 

 be repaired. Tlie parties who made this experiment Messrs. Sadler and Murnnr think that a 

 pound constructed of wire netting would pay. At present the G.ilvestou dealers find it difficult 

 to fill their orders received from the inland country, and the packing establishments have the 

 same trouble. 



In Galveston Bay n'sh are quite scarce, while at Matagorda Bay, where there are only a few 

 fishermen and nets, they are plentiful. The negroes and boys catch some fish from the wharves 

 with hook and line or with cast-net. The.se are sold about the adjacent town or village, and, if 

 summed up, would, in the course of a year, amount to a considerable number. 



The fish markets are supplied entirely by seine fishermen, who fish in the bayous and bays. 

 The principal kinds of fish caught arc redfish, sheepshead, sea-trout, mullet, and croakers. The 

 redfish are the most abundant and appear to be the favorite food fish of the State. They remain 

 in the shoal water throughout the year, and at certain seasons are in most excellent condition. 



OYSTER FISHERIES. The oyster supply at Galvestou and a few other points on the western 

 part of the coast is very good, and the oysters are of very fine quality. In the north and eastern 

 parts of the bay the oysters are unfit for the market, being small and poor, but in the west arm of 

 the bay they are unsurpassed. 



The inferiority of the oysters in some parts is supposed to be the result of very sudden and 

 decided changes in the character of the water; that is, from clear salt water to inuildy fresh water, 

 and vice versa. Until a few years ago all Galveston oysters were liable to these changes. Since 

 the canal was cut from Brazos River to the west arm of Galveston Bay, the stream of fresh water 

 constantly flowing into the bay has preserved at that point an equality in the character of the 

 water which has effected a great improvement in the quality of the oysters at that point. The 

 whole supply now comes from west bay, and there is said to be an abundance for years to come. 

 In Matagorda Bay oysters are not found in any great abundance, excepting in the extremities 

 farthest removed from the mouth of Colorado River, whose waters are impregnated with a yellow 

 mud which is considered detrimental to the growth of oysters. Yet-in some places quantities of 

 fine oysters are to be found. These points are seldom visited by oystermen, there being no regular 

 trade at the villages near by. Farther down the coast plenty of oysters may be found, but there 

 is only in that region a small demand for them. Nothing has been done on this coast towards the 

 cultivation of oysters. 



At Galveston oysters are brought to market in small sailing vessels of 2 or 3 tons measure- 

 ment. Three men accompany each boat. The oysters are gathered by means of tongs, which are 

 the only instruments used. They are sent to the dealers iu barrels. Some few are shipped inland 

 out of the shell, in tin cans, and a few to the nearest places in the shell. The supply at this market 

 does not meet the demand. 



LAY. Among the seine fishermen the proceeds of the catch are divided into equal shares, 

 the seine and boat receiving one share and each man one share; there being usually four men in 

 the crew, the proceeds are divided into five equal parts. Oystermeu work on a similar "lay"; 

 their boats, however, receive a full share, and the tongs and full outfit are furnished as a part of 

 the boat. 



