HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 131 



Fatback fishing in l^orth Carolina. 



180. At Oape Hatteras, according to Mr. A. W. Simpson, two kinds 

 of nets are used in the capture of the "fatback." The "drag-net" is 

 from 75 to 100 yards long, and 25 to 37 meshes deep, with a mes'h of 

 from 1^ to 2 inches. The lead line is provided with heavy lead sinkers, 

 the cork line with floats made of gum-tree roots. The "set net" 

 (which like the preceding is made of gill-twine No. 25 or 30, and five or 

 six strand cotton cord made of No. 10 cotton) is from 35 to 45 yards 

 in length, 18 to 20 meshes deep, the mesh being the same as in the " drag- 

 net." Instead of a lead line is used a heavy cotton cord which has been 

 dipped in piue tar and rolled in a bed of pebbly sand until a sufficient 

 quantity is fastened to it to weight the bottom of the net. Such a net 

 is called a " fly-tale," and is set at night on the playing ground of the 

 fish, with both ends made fast. To work these nets canoes are used, 

 ranging from IG to 30 feet in length and 3^ to 7 in beam ; two men are 

 required for a small canoe, three for a large one. The tish are taken 

 mostly on the flood-tide. When fishing with the dragnet, moderate 

 weather is preferred ; with the gill-net, a light wind, as the fish run 

 most in windy weather. The fishermen do not make a special business 

 of catching the menhaden, but are on the lookout for all kinds of fish. 

 Purse-nets have been used about Cape Hatteras, but without very great 

 results. 



In the rivers near Beaufort, N. C, according to Mr. Davis, the fat- 

 backs are taken in gill-nets about 50 fathoms in length, and 50 or 60 

 meshes deep, the meshes being 1^ to Ig inch in dimension. Nets which 

 are partially worn out are generally used, the fishermen having an idea 

 that the slime of the fatback ruins a net so that it cannot be used after 

 the first season. The nets are worked from open boats and canoes car- 

 rying from 10 to 25 barrels of fish. Two men and a boat are necessary 

 for each net. In making what is called a " drop," from four to six boats 

 join their nets and surround the school. The fish, getting confused, 

 mesh themselves and are easily pulled in with the net, and are then 

 disentangled. From two to four hours are necessary for each haul, and 

 one haul will generally fill the canoes. Two loads can be taken in a day. 



33. — The relation of the menhaden fishery to the fishermen 



AND the maritime VILLAGES. 



181. On the coast of Maine, according to Mr. Maddocks, "the catching 

 of menhaden is a favorite occupation with fishermen. The steamers 

 return every night if they have any fare, and are hardly ever absent 

 more than two or three days. Operations are suspended in bad weather. 

 The oil is manufactured at once, and meets a ready market. The men 

 can thus be promptly paid ; whereas in the mackerel and cod fisheries 

 the hands are obliged to wait until the end of the season for settlement, 

 the service is_daugerous, and comparatively full of hardships, the Men- 



