306 



HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



existed, and thousands of persons engaged ill the fishery from small boats to a greater or less 

 extent, fully 2,000 fishing extensively for profit. 



Most of the fish taken by both the vessel and boat fishermen were of uniform size and of excel- 

 lent quality. Few extremely large ones were secured, while there was also a notable absence of 

 "tinkers." Over two thirds of the catch were branded as "twos," many of them going as "extras." 

 During the season, which lasted till the 1st of December, nearly 132,000,000 pounds of mackerel 

 were taken. Of this quantity the Massachusetts fishermen caught 95,000,000 pounds, and those 

 of Maine secured 31,000,000 pounds, the bulk of the remainder being taken by the citizens of New 

 Hampshire and Connecticut. Over 75 per cent, of the entire catch was salted, about 22,0(10,000 

 pounds were sold fresh for food, nearly 5,000,000 pounds were used for canning, and the rest were 

 sold for bait or for fertilizing purposes. The value of the catch, as placed upon the market, was 

 $2,606,534. 



A. Table showing the number of vessels and men employed in the mackerel fmhcry. 



* Tins vessel, though owiird at Eastjiort. is cliaitrreil ami run by Portlam! capitalists, ami therefore more properly belongs 1o the Port- 

 land fleet. 



