TRACES OF A VANISHED INDUSTRY. 827 



From this simple statement of the history of the New Eng- 

 land and northern Atlantic mackerel fisheries, I believe that the 

 most obtuse reader will deduct the fact that the apparent disap- 

 pearance of that fish from our coast is solely due to the same 

 causes which were observed and which I have explained concern- 

 ing the Irish mackerel fisheries ; and I believe, and I think it is 

 apparent from what I have written, that, in order to conserve a 

 bountiful supply of mackerel in these waters, they should not be 

 intercepted on their way toward their spawning grounds, certain- 

 ly not until they begin to appear off the Shoals of Nantucket. 



The analogy between the errors of the fishermen and the habits 

 and instincts of the mackerel, upon both sides of the Atlantic, 

 will be seen to be curiously coincidental ; and to my mind it 

 seems clear that similar precautions would surely bring about 

 similar results. 



It is a clear case of judgment and patience. I should prob- 

 ably have said want of judgment ; for want of judgment, seasoned 

 by avarice, is the sole cause of the apparent disappearance of 

 mackerel from this coast. The habits and instincts of the mack- 

 erel are practically unchangeable ; and if our fishermen only study 

 a little more the habits of the fishes, and accustom their expedi- 

 tions to the necessities compelled by these natural sequences, our 

 food supply — in the matter of mackerel or other fish — will not 

 measurably diminish. 



TRACES OF A VANISHED INDUSTRY. 



By JOHN GIFFORD. 



ALINE drawn across New Jersey from Long Branch to Salem 

 separates a peculiar peninsula known as " South Jersey." 

 This rudely triangular region is bounded by the ocean, Delaware 

 Bay and River, and the rich farm lands on the outcrops of the 

 marl-beds. 



This territory is slightly undulating, little cultivated, and 

 sparsely inhabited. There are sandy parts covered with pitch 

 pines. Being unfit for cultivation, this should be left in forest, to 

 regulate the climate and hold the sand in place. The pines are 

 pioneers. They prepare the soil for other plants, and when cut 

 are quickly replaced by oaks and other trees. There are loamy 

 and gravelly parts worthy of careful cultivation, yielding excel- 

 lent fruits and vegetables. 



There are low, boggy sections, in which flourish cedars, magno- 

 lias, maples, mistletoe-stunted gums, and the like. Many of these 

 lowlands are fit for meadows and berry bogs. A striking feature 

 of this region are the dark and dense swamps of white cedar. The 



