EEPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 7 



weeks early in the season when they were fairly plentiful in all the bays and 

 rivers. 



There has been a large body of menhaden in Buzzard's Bay all summer. 



Few fish have been seen in Cape Cod Bay or Boston Bay this season, but the 

 season in Maine opened in July with very flattering prospects. For a few weeks 

 the fish showed well and the fishermen had all they could do to care for their 

 catch, but after the month of July they sank just below the surface of the 

 waters so they could not be caught. Occasionally they would come to the sur- 

 face for a few hours. I can give you totals on catch of fish and make of oil later 

 if you want them. 



All kinds of food fish have been abundant all along our coast. 



Yours, etc., 



N. B. CHURCH. 



New York, January 20th, 1896. 

 J. M. K. SouTHWiCK, Esq., Newport, R. I. 

 Dear Sir : The following is a report of the menhaden industry for 1895 : 



Factories in operation 42 



" not in operation 5 



Men employed ashore 1,064 



afloat 1,212 



-Sailing vessels in use 35 



Steamers " 48 



Pounds in operation 24 



Fish caught r 461,747,850 



Gallons oil made 1,767,754 



Tons crude scrap made 21,965 



" dry " " 18,682 



Capital invested $1,543,000 



As you desire the result of the Rhode Island fishing, I give you that separ- 

 ately, but it is also included in the above table. 



Yours truly, 



N. B. CHURCH. 



Besult of Rhode Island menhaden fishing : 



Factories in operation 3 



" not in operation , 



Men employed ashore 140 



