276 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



could have been more unfortunate for the success of my commission thau 

 the suppression of the American line of steamers from Havre, since the 

 sending of the mollusks by the English vessels necessitated their reship- 

 nient at Liverpool, thus causing them to pass through a number of 

 hands, increasing the length of the passage and greatly multiplying the 

 causes of mortality. 



The directors of the Cunard line at New York and Boston gave me, 

 however, their ready co-operation ; and as soon as they learned that the 

 mollusks were sent for purposes of public utility they declined receiviug 

 any remuneration for their transportation. 



Yet, notwithstanding these unfavorable circumstances, we have now, 

 at Saint Waast, a sufficient number for the proposed attempt at acclima- 

 tion ; and, as a result of the arrangement which I have been enabled to 

 make, both in New York and Liverpool, with the directors of the Cunard 

 company, nothing is easier than to bring over new specimens during the 

 winter should it be deemed necessary. 



During my sojourn in the United States I visited all those portions of 

 the northern coast where the oyster fisheries are in the most flourishing 

 condition. It is true that in consequence of the war I was unable to in- 

 vestigate the oyster-beds and plantations of Chesapeake Bay; but as 

 the mode of culture in all important points is the same throughout the 

 country, I should probably not have obtained auy additional information. 



In the course of my investigations I found myself in constant contact 

 with men engaged in various coast fisheries, and I availed myself of the 

 opportunity offered to collect facts which might b© of value to similar 

 establishments in France. At New London, where I went to examine 

 the clam beds, I obtained the plans of several fishing vessels, constructed 

 by Mr. Beckwith, who is one of the best builders of this kind of boats. 

 I also brought away with me plans of a cutter furnished with a well, 

 of a schooner provided with an ice-house, and of another schooner hav- 

 ing both these appendages. 



During my official sojourn in America I forwarded, from time to time, 

 to M. Coste, in accordance with the directions of your excellency, re- 

 ports upon various subjects, such as the ice- trade in the United States, 

 and its employment as a means of preserving fish ; the establishment 

 of wells and ice-houses on board fishing vessels ; the floating preserves 

 for fish introduced into the harbors ; the lobster fishery at Boston ; the 

 mackerel fisheries; and the halibut fisheries ; which it would be greatly 

 to the interest of our Newfoundland fishermen to combine with that of 

 the codfish. 



These reports, rendered more complete by subsequent observation, I 

 shall have the honor to submit to your excellency. 



In the course of my investigations I endeavored to take only a prac- 

 tical view of things, and to free my judgment as much as possible from 

 national prejudices. If a process appeared to me new, I examined it 

 with attention, and was careful not to condemn it merely because it 



