INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1873. cxv 



and reproduction of lobsters and oysters were also met. One 

 result Avas the frequent capture of two-year-old shad in gill- 

 nets many miles out to sea. 



In connection with the subject of the fisheries, the modern 

 methods of preserving fish fresh for an indefinite period of 

 time should not be lost sight of, especially as their introduc- 

 tion has imparted immense activity to the trade in fresh fish, 

 and enables the dealers to supply salmon, shad, Spanish mack- 

 erel, bluefish, striped bass, etc., at all seasons of the year. 



Of these devices there are two principally in use, one con- 

 sisting in placing the fish in sealed metal boxes in a mixture 

 of ice and salt ; and the other, much more convenient, being 

 the construction of a cliamber inclosed within double walls, 

 and filled with the same mixture. The fish are placed in the 

 centre apartment, the temperature of which can be readily 

 maintained at from 18 to 25 above zero, and are preserved 

 indefinitely. It is only necessary to renew the supply of the 

 mixture every week or month, according to the mass, and 

 the temperature above referred t*o can be kept up indefinite- 

 ly. Some establishments in New York and elsewhere keep 

 many thousands of pounds offish in this way, subject to call 

 at any time. 



The various methods of increasing artificially the supply 

 of fish and other marine animals, technically knoAvn as Pis- 

 ciculture, have been prosecuted with increasing vigor during 

 the year 1873, the earlier experiences warranting the adop- 

 tion of more enlarged plans for securing the desired result. 

 Associations have been formed, and state commissions ap- 

 pointed, while numerous private establishments have been 

 erected. The most important action in this direction is that 

 taken by the United States Fish Commission, established in 

 1871, which is now largely occupied with this work, in addi- 

 tion to special researches in reference to the condition of the 

 fishing interest on the sea-coast and lakes. 



The measures adopted have had more special relation to 

 the multiplication of shad, salmon, and w^hitefish; and in these 

 operations the United States Commission was fortunate in 

 securing the assistance of Mr, Seth Green, Dr. J. H. Slack, Mr. 

 Livingston Stone, and other fish-culturists. Its operations 

 have been conducted on a much larger scale than by any 

 other nation, and with very gratifying success. 



