426 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



17. They commence to leave about the middle of October, and keep 

 leaving in schools until the middle of ISTovember. 



18. They follow the coast from Maine to Cape Hatteras. 



20. Their principal food is a sort of jelly-fish, I think, for where we 

 find the most of them we find the most fish. 



21. In the rivers, in June and July. 



23. The spawn is generally found in large clots and appears white. 



24. A warm temperature. 



25. The spawn is generally found about twenty or thirty feet below 

 the surfixce. 



26. The eggs sink to the bottom, but do not seem to become attached 

 to anything. 



28. We see the young fish in September. They are in schools. 



30. I never saw anything attached to the fish or in their mouths. 



31. Most all larger fish, such as bluefish, sharks, porpoises, &o., are 

 enemies of the menhaden. 



32. They always seem healthy. 



35. The nets used are about 400 yards long and 90 feet deep. They 

 are made of cotton twine. 



36. Sloop yachts are mostly employed ; they are from twelve to 

 twenty-five tons burden. There are also eight or ten steamers now in 

 use. 



37. From eight to ten. 



38. The morning and afternoon are the best times. 



39. Slack-water is the best time, because the tide does not tangle the 

 net. 



40. The best time to catch fish is while the wind is southeast. 



41. There are about one hundred vessels employed, averaging, I think, 

 about nine men for a crew. 



42. The fish are boiled and the oil extracted j the refuse is used for 

 ihauure. 



43. There are several factories in Providence River. 



45. It depends upon the quantity and fatness of the fish. 



46. The machinery costs from ten to fifty thousand dollars. 



47. From 40 to 75 cents a barrel. 



48. From one to four barrels. 



49. In the summer about sixty gallons. 



50. One quart. 



51. Five gallons. 



52. Yes. 



54. New York and Boston. 



55. All over the country. I think, however, in New England the most 

 is used in the Connecticut Valley for tobacco raising. 



56. For tanning. 



57. From thirty-five to sixty cents. 



58. Yes. 



