488 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



deep, inside measurement. Half boxes are also used to a limited extent, these containing 50 fish 

 in number. 



STATISTICS OP THE BUSINESS. The price of bloaters has changed considerably from time to 

 time. The fish prepared in Boston in 1859 sold at $1.25 to $1.50 per 'hundred. In 1865 the price 

 had increased to $1.80, but since that time it has gradually decreased, until in 1880 it ranged 

 from 60 to J5 cents. The majority of the bloaters are consumed in New England, though a few 

 find their way to the Middle and Western States. Boston receives fully two-thirds of those pre- 

 pared in Eastport, distributing them to its trade in different parts of the country. Portland deal- 

 ers received about 7,000 boxes of bloaters from Eastport in addition to tbe 7,000 prepared at home, 

 giving that place a total of 14,000 boxes yearly. Two-thirds of this entire quantity are sold in 

 Canada, the remainder going to different parts of New England and to New York. 



When first introduced the Americans seemed to care little for the bloaters, not having acquired 

 a taste for them. The bulk of the products were at that time sold to the Scotch and English. Of 

 late, however, the Americans are coming to consume a fair proportion of the products, though even 

 now a majority of the fish are consumed by foreigners. 



As has been remarked, the only towns engaged in the preparation of bloaters are Eastport, 

 Portland, and Lubec, named in the order of importance. According to Mr. Green, there were 

 twelve firms engaged to a greater or less extent in the preparation of bloaters at Eastport in the 

 winter of 1879 and 1880, these smoking 41,000 boxes, valued at $29,190. During the same period 

 Lubec put up 3,000 boxes, worth f 2,100, and according to Weir Brothers, the largest dealers in 

 Portland, there were 7,000 boxes, valued at $4,900, prepared in that city, making a total of 51,700 

 boxes, valued at $37,800, prepared in the State of Maine. 



c. STATISTICS OF THE SMOKED-HERRING INDUSTRY. 



11. STATISTICS OF THE INDUSTRY IN MAINE IN 1880. 



The' following table gives in detail the entire products of the smoked herring and bloater 

 industry for the State of Maine in 1880 ; this being equivalent to the production of the entire 

 country if we neglect the frozen fish that are smoked in the larger cities farther south : 



Table showing the extent of the smoked-herring business of the State of Maine in 1880. 



