REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF STATISTICS AND METHODS 

 OF THE FISHERIES. 



By Hugh M. Smith, Assistant in Charge. 



The work accomplished by the office and field forces of the Division 

 of Statistics and Methods of the Fisheries during the year ending June 

 30, 1895, is outlined in the accompanying report. The subjects noticed 

 are the general field investigations, certain special inquiries, reports 

 issued, and a number of minor topics. 



The available field force consisted of five regular agents and three 

 office assistants who were detailed for field duty. lu the special 

 inquiry on the menhaden industry two temporary aids were employed 

 for several months. 



Tbe regular appropriation for carrying on the field inquiries and other 

 work of the division was $3,500. This sum was supplemented by an 

 allotment of $110.02 from the general appropriation of the Commission. 

 The cost of the field investigations was $3,243.50; salaries of tempo- 

 rary assistants aggregated $207, and incidental expenses amounted to 

 $159.52. 



THE GREAT LAKES. 



In my previous report reference was made to the inauguration of a 

 canvass of the fishing industry of the Great Lakes. The completion 

 of this investigation was the principal field Avork carried on by the 

 division during tbe year. Six agents were at one time or another 

 employed in the field. The canvass was brought to a close in Novem- 

 ber. The assignment of agents to the various lakes was as follows: 

 W. A. Wilcox and T. M. Cogswell to Lake Superior; Ansley Hall and 

 C. H. Stevenson to Lake Michigan; W. A.Wilcox, T. M. Cogswell, and 

 C. H. Stevenson to Lake Huron ; W. A. Wilcox and T. M, Cogswell to 

 Lake St. Clair, St. Clair and Detroit rivers; E. E. Eace and Ansley 

 Hall to Lake Erie; W. A. Wilcox and C. E. Ingersoll to Lake Ontario 

 and St. Lawrence River. 



The inquiries related j)rimarily to the calendar year 1893, for which 

 detailed statistics were obtained; but much information was also 

 secured regarding the condition of the industry in the years interven- 

 ing between the two investigations. The returns submitted by the field 

 agents have been compiled, and the following data show the general 

 I'esults of the canvass. 



93 



