XXVI REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



potency of fish oils involving; results of considerable interest to both 

 the agricultural and fishery industries recently completed; (2) comple- 

 tion of a series of ex])eriments at Johns Hopkins University involving 

 the study of fish meals of dift'erent varieties and methods of manu- 

 facture on a comparative basis and as sources of animal protein; (3) 

 practical feeding tests in which various kinds of fish meals and shell- 

 fish meals are being fed in the rations of dairy cows; (4) continuance 

 of cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry and Soils in the study 

 of vitamins in oysters and in fish meals; and (5) cooperative practical 

 feeding tests conducted by various Federal and State agricultural 

 experiment stations in which the feeding value of marine products is 

 being studied. 



IMPROVED HANDLING OF FRESH AND FROZEN FISH 



Several methods are being tried for the prevention of "rust" on 

 frozen fish in cold storage. Preliminary work seems to indicate that 

 some of these may prove satisfactory. 



Methods for the prevention of losses incurred in weight and food 

 and mineral values of fish packed in contact with crushed ice are 

 being studied. 



The bureau's agent in Boston has suggested the use of a platform 

 for unloading the vessels at the fish pier to eliminate forking and 

 excessive labor; the use of an improved filleting table in the packing 

 houses; insulation of the holds of vessels; and improved methods for 

 preserving cod livers aboard vessel. 



OYSTER MARKET SURVEY 



During 1929 the bureau conducted a survey of the wholesale and 

 retail marketing of oysters. This was made in cooperation with the 

 Oyster Growers and Dealers Association of America (Inc.) and certain 

 State officials. 



In this survey 1,393 housewives and 127 dealers were visited in 14 

 cities in 13 States in the section of the country east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. Of the consumers interviewed it was found that 86.8 

 per cent use oysters from 1 to 122 times per year. The average per 

 capita consumption in all the cities surveyed was found to be 4.2 

 pounds annually. The most popular size of container was found to 

 be 1 pint. Friday was found to be the busiest day of the week and 

 December was the busiest month of the season for the sale of oysters. 



PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND GAME FISHES 



The summary of output of fish and eggs from the various fish- 

 cultural stations constitutes a source of gratification in that a new 

 high record has again been established. The total of 7,570,482,300 

 shows an increase of almost 500,000,000 over the production for 1929. 

 While the increase is very largely accounted for by an augmented 

 output of marine forms, the eggs of which are available in tremendous 

 quantities, there was also an increase in practically all the game 

 varieties and certain of the other commercial forms. It is noteworthy 

 that the production of most varieties was held close to previous levels 

 despite a marked increase in the out})ut of fingerling or larger fish, 

 which recpiire extended space and normally reduce the numerical 

 output of the hatcheries. The output of fingerlings for 1930 was 



