REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 73 
STATISTICS OF THE WHOLESALE FRESH-FISH TRADE OF NEW YORK CITY. 
Beginning with September 1, 1917, the Bureau undertook the col- 
lection of statistics showing by species the quantities and value of 
fresh fish handled by the wholesale trade of New York City. This 
was initiated as an experiment to determine the practicability of 
carrying on this work continuously as at Boston and Gloucester, 
Mass., Portland, Me., and Seattle, Wash., and the value of the in- 
formation to the trade. Statistics were collected for the five months 
ending January 31, 1918. This afforded ample opportunity for a 
careful study of the local conditions. The complex nature of ship- 
ments received by the wholesale trade made it exceedingly difficult 
for the dealers to furnish complete returns, and entailed a consider- 
able burden on their clerical force. For these reasons and because 
of the apathetic attitude of the trade toward the work, the Bureau 
decided to discontinue the collection of these statistics for the time 
being. 
Sy arictics of the wholesale fresh-fish trade of New York City from 
September, 1917, to January, 1918, inclusive, are given in the follow- 
ing table: | 
