UNUTILIZED BTSHES. 47 



the whale factories of Newfoundland. At the time of beginning operations 

 Mr. Cox was obliged to make a week's trip among the fishermen to explain the 

 plan and to induce them to bring in the dogfish caught. As soon as shipments 

 began to come from points outside of Canso, e. g., Arichat, Petit de Grat, 

 etc., the Canso fishermen began to save their dogfish. The result was a great 

 surprise to all. It had not been realized how many dogfish had been hooked 

 and thrown overboard again. One of the fishermen had 2 trawls set with 

 1,500 hooks on each. He tended the first trawl as soon as the second trawl 

 was set, and nearly every hook had a dogfish. On October 2, in spite of the fact 

 that notice had been sent out the two days previous that, on account of the 

 overwhelming quantities which came in, no dogfish would be received until 

 October 4, we saw 8 loads from steamers, small schooners, and dories brought 

 and landed upon the dock. Three dories brought 7 tons, 3 small schooners 

 brought 17 tons, and 1 small steamer brought 8 tons — a total of 32 tons. The 

 price paid for the fish delivered on the dock was at that time $0 per ton if 

 livered and $5 if unlivered. These prices include the livers. Even at $4 per 

 ton the dogfish would have been a bonanza for the fishermen. Two men in a 

 dory could easily make $7 to $8 a day per man, catching dogfish within 1 mile 

 of their homes. 



Since our visit we learn that many improvements in the process have been 

 developed, and several new mechanical devices are to be instituted. The results 

 of treating the livers separately from the bodies have been much more sat- 

 isfactory. The drying process has been much accelerated, and has resulted in 

 a quality of fertilizer which more readily becomes available for plant food in 

 the soil. 



There is a probability that certain special parts may be conserved in such a 

 manner as to be used for some of the purposes for which the yolks of hen's 

 eggs are now demanded. The embryo dogfish ( " pups " ) may be found to be 

 satisfactory bait and thus be worth handling separately. Further investigation 

 may disclose internal organs which can be converted into gelatin, after the 

 manner of the " sounds " of sturgeon, hake, weakfish, etc. But above all, the 

 flesh and the offal are converted into a valuable fertilizer, which will be of 

 great assistance in increasing the crops of potatoes, fruits, and garden truck, 

 by furnishing a type of fertilizer much needed on account of the short season 

 for pushing the crops to the rapid maturity necessary. 



We learn that the plant has been inspected and has received the approval of 

 the officials of the Department of Marine and Fisheries. The general sentiment 

 among the fishermen is favorable to the project. The chief objections are 

 found among the opponents of the present government, who claim to see therein 

 a shrewd political move. Be that as it may, the project promises the destruc- 

 tion of a vast number of dogfish, thereby benefiting the public and the fisher- 

 men through the improvement of the bait and food fisheries. It furnishes a 

 market for what was previously a waste product of the fisheries, or, even 

 worse, a waste product which was positively injurious unless removed at con- 

 siderable expense. In addition, it is a direct benefit to the farmers and to all 

 citizens and landowners, since it furnishes a valuable fertilizer readily avail- 

 able at a low price. It is thei'efore not strange that such efficient action should 

 have strengthened the political party which made such a project possible. 



EFFORTS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



Massachusetts has taken more active steps toward the solution of 

 the dogfish question than any other of the United States. A special 

 investigation was conducted by the State Board of Fish Commis- 



