60 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



10. The sentiment and experience of the lishermen on the qnestions of (a) close 

 season, (b) taking of small lobsters, (c) taking of molting lobsters, (d) eftects of 

 canneries on abundance, (e) results of protection, etc. 



11. The extent of the practice of impounding short, molting, or other lobsters; 

 the mortality among the impounded lobsters; the size and location of the pounds; 

 the object and results of the procedure. 



12. The extent, methods, etc., of the lobster-canning industry. 



The inquiry regarding' the eJjini fisliery iuchided a consideration of 

 the extent of the bait business, one of the most important branches 

 of the fisheries on certain parts of the New England coast. 



The oyster industry, which has great importance in Rhode Island 

 and Connecticut and in places on the southern coast of Massachusetts, 

 was studied in detail, the inquiries being addressed to the extent of the 

 planting industry, the methods followed in the cultivation of oysters, 

 the sources and quantities of the seed oysters utilized, the areas of 

 bottom occupied for planting purposes, and other questions having 

 practical relation to the industry. 



Provision was made for canvassing in their entirety the fisheries of 

 that part of the coast of eastern Maine adjoining the Canadian province 

 of New Brunswick, in view of the pending consideration by the Inter- 

 national Fisheries Commission of the fisheries of the contiguous waters 

 of the United States and Canada. The branches here prosecuted are 

 the herring, lobster, salmon, alewife, and pollock fisheries, and sardine 

 and lobster canning. 



THE PACIFIC STATES. 



Coincident with the inauguration of the field canvass in the Middle 

 Atlantic States, the investigation of the fishing industry of the Pacific 

 States was undertaken. Mr. W. A. Wilcox, the agent who in 1888 and 

 1889 had conducted an inquiry regarding the fisheries of this section, 

 was again detailed for this work because of his extended acquaintance 

 with the fishing population and his wide experience with the fisheries 

 of the entire west coast. A report based on the previous inquiry was 

 printed as an appendix to the report of the Commissioner for 1888. 



Mr. Wilcox left Washington August 10, 1892, and proceeded to 

 Portland, Greg., with instructions to first canvass the Columbia River 

 and then visit such parts of the coast as circumstances or expediency 

 might require. It was imi)ortant that the extensive salmon fishery of 

 the Columbia, which was suspended by law on the 10th of August, 

 should receive attention before the fishermen had scattered and the 

 canneries had finally closed, and Avhile tlie memory of the principal 

 phases of tlie season's Avork was fresli in tlie minds of the canners and 

 fishermen. After the completion of the work on the Columbia River, 

 Portland Avas made headquarters while canvassing the fisheries of the 

 remaining imits of Oregon and Washington. The inquiry in those 

 States was completed about the middle of December, and the agent 

 then proceeded to San I<>ancisco, Cal., where tlie investigation of that 

 State was inaugurated about December 20. Tlie inquiry was completed 

 on May 11, and Mr. Wilcox returned to Washington. 



