REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXXXV 



111 the prosecution of its inquiries having- in view the collection of 

 data bearing- on the foregoing topics the division depends almost 

 ■svholly on the personal field investigations of its agents. While in a 

 few instances the use of circulars and schedules has been resorted to 

 in the prosecution of minor inquiries by mail, they have generally 

 failed to give satisfaction, and, in the Interests of completeness and 

 a(!curacy, they are utilized only when other methods are especially 

 contra-indicated, by reason of the expense involved, etc. 



The prominent feature of the organization of this branch is the corps 

 of agents whose active service in the field constitutes the chief work 

 of the division and affords the principal basis for the preparation of 

 reports on the various phases of the fisheries and furnishes ground for 

 the intelligent comprehension on the part of the Commission of the 

 condition and needs of the industry. 



The number of field agents now authorized by Congress is five. By 

 reason of previous practical connection with the fishing industry, and 

 by virtue of lengthy service in their jireseiit capacity, the agents are 

 able to bring to bear on their work an invaluable knowledge of the 

 fisheries and of the best methods of conducting the canvass that 

 greatly contributes to the reliability and completeness of the investi- 

 gations. The repeated personal visits of the agents to fishing com- 

 munities enables the Commission to maintain close relations with the 

 Xirincipal fishermen and fish-dealers of the country, and facilitates the 

 collection of more satisfactory data than would be possible under any 

 other circumstances. 



In gauging the work of the division, and in placing a proper estimate 

 on the results accomplished, it is a matter of importance to take into 

 account the small force available for field and office duty and the 

 limited means at hand for carrying on investigations of the extended 

 scope occasioned bj^ the nature of the subject under consideration, as 

 previously outlined. An arrangement intended to place the division 

 on an ideal basis, which would permit an annual or biennial study of 

 the entire fishing interests of the country and the prompt issuance of 

 reports thereon, would require a field force at least four times as large 

 as the present one, a corresponding increase in the number of clerical 

 assistants, and an appropriation of about twice the amount avail- 

 able for the year 1892. The shore line of the States bordering on the 

 coast and the Great Lakes is nearly 30,000 miles in length. The can- 

 vass of this extensive territory can, with the present force, be accom- 

 plished only once in three or four years, a definite geographical section 

 or special branches of the industry being covered each year until the 

 whole is completed. During the continuance of present conditions the 

 work will necessarily have to be carried on along the same general 

 lines which have heretofore been observed. 



It is gratifying to be able to note that the usefnlness of the division 

 is being yearly increased, as the working forces become better trained 

 in the field and office duties, and as a result of the accumulation of data 



