422 REPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



are made in several sizes, but the one most commonly used is 18 by 

 28 b}' 10 inches. From 10 to 35 dozen crabs are packed in one box, 

 the number varying according to the box and the size of the crab, 

 and necessarily decreasing as the season advances and the crabs grow 

 larger. 



The work of packing crabs for shipment is begun b}' covering the 

 bottom of the box to a depth of 2 or 3 inches with seaweed which has 

 been thoroughly picked over to remove all lumps. On this soft bed 

 the crabs are placed in a nearly vertical position and so close together 

 that they can not move out of place. Seaweed or moss is then placed 

 over them to protect them, and over this is placed a layer of line 

 crushed ice. The other trays, after being packed in the same manner, 

 are placed one above the other, and the lid is nailed on. The box is 

 then ready for shipment. Some dealers, in order that their shipments 

 may present a more attractive appearance upon reaching market, place 

 a piece of cheese-cloth immediatel}' over the crabs and the seaweed 

 over that. Bj^ reason of the extreme care used in packing, the crabs 

 can be kept alive from sixty to seventy hours after leaving the water, 

 and crabs shipped from Crisfield to Canada arrive at their destination 

 alive and in good condition. In the early days of the fishery, 

 "peelers" were shipped from Deal Island in a large box holding 

 5,000, neither seaweed nor ice being used. They were sent only as 

 far as Baltimore, however. At present most of the crabs are shipped 

 directh" to the consumer, and the packers do not liesitate to fill the 

 smallest order. Competition among the packers is very keen, and 

 considerable secrecy is observed regarding the destination of ship- 

 ments. When a box is ready the dealer's name and address are sten- 

 ciled upon it, and a tag bearing the consignee's name and address is 

 attached; but over the latter, so as to hide it completely, is tacked a 

 piece of cardboard bearing the letter "W" (west) or "E" (east). 

 This is known as a "blind tag,'' and is not removed until after the box 

 is in the express car, if shipped b}^ rail, or in Baltimore, if it goes by 

 steamer. 



While the great bulk of the catch, in fact nearly all of it, is shipped 

 in the manner described above, a small but increasing number of soft 

 crabs are being put up in hermeticallj' sealed tin cans for indefinite 

 preservation. For this purpose the prime soft crabs are boiled and 

 put up very much the same as any other animal product. From 2 to 

 21: entire crabs are put into each can, the former number into a can 

 holding about one-half pint, the latter into a 1-gallon can. When put 

 up in this manner the crabs retain much of their delicious flavor and 

 should furnish an admirable substitute for the fresh article during the 

 winter season. 



Market prices. — The price received by the fishermen for saft crabs, 

 or those in the process of shedding, varies from one-half to 4 cents 



